Reasons for Contract Marriage - Chapter 61

Brianna knew how busy maids could be during large banquets. Back in Harzen, banquet days meant so much work that even ten bodies wouldn’t be enough. They had to be especially careful because a single mistake in front of the esteemed guests could lead to punishment, naturally leading to a shortage of hands. During such times, even tutors would help the maids with their tasks.

Recalling those days, Brianna smiled at the maid. “How can I help?”

The maid’s face brightened. “I’ll tell you as we go.”

The task assigned to Brianna was to prepare tea and desserts for the tea party. Brianna, having helped Mrs. Fisher numerous times in Harzen, was able to assist deftly. Working together with other maids in the cramped space, she naturally struck up conversations—struggles shared always seemed to foster friendships quickly.

“Miss Brianna, do you really know the Duchess of Carlisle personally?” one curious maid asked, eyes full of intrigue.

Brianna laughed, shaking her head. “I only met her once. It’s not what you’d call a connection. It seems there was some misunderstanding.”

“Really? But Margot said that Miss Brianna has always been excellent at befriending noblewomen…”

The maid trailed off, realizing she’d slipped up. It seemed Margot had been stirring trouble behind the scenes.

Another maid, standing nearby, spoke up with a sarcastic expression, “Speaking of skills, Margot seems even better. She’s been assigned to serve Miss Adelheid now, hasn’t she?”

As if on cue, other maids chimed in.

“Right? It’s unbelievable. She’s been here less than a year, and already she’s serving the lady?”

“She talks about others and their skills, yet she’s the one climbing positions. Because of her, Mary even quit—she worked here for five years.”

“And Levin got outright dismissed last time. He just did what Miss Adelheid asked, and still got fired. He was devastated.”

“It’s awful. Who’d want to work for someone like that?”

Within just a few hours of working, Brianna learned more than she had in the past several months. Come to think of it, the kitchen, where many worked together, had always been a place where information flowed freely, even back in Harzen.

By the sound of it, Miss Adelheid was someone who discarded people easily. If that were true, Margot could face the same fate.

Did Margot know that?

Brianna sighed. Even if she knew, Margot probably believed she’d be an exception, even if everyone else got abandoned.

It had been the same in Harzen. Whenever Margot was involved with a man of questionable reputation, everyone tried to dissuade her, but she had stubbornly refused to listen. She always believed she was special to them. And it always ended the same way—with her in tears, saying she hadn’t expected him to act that way.

“By the way, Margot said something strange earlier,” one maid said.

“What did she say?” another asked.

“She told me to come watch the tea party because something interesting was going to happen. Something about seeing someone pull their hair out…”

Brianna wiped her hands on a towel, overhearing the conversation. The only person Margot would want to trouble was her, but pulling her hair out?

Looking out the window, she saw Margot speaking to people, grabbing them one by one, as if searching for someone. When Brianna noticed a maid pointing toward the kitchen, she spoke up.

“Looks like we’re almost done. I think I’ll head out now.”

The tea and dessert preparations for the tea party were nearly complete. All that was left was to boil the tea and serve the desserts on the tray—tasks beyond Brianna’s involvement.

“Thank you so much. You’ve been a great help. Thanks to you, everything’s ready now.”

Unlike before, the maids were much kinder. Brianna thought she had made a small but significant connection with them today and smiled warmly.

“If you need help again, just let me know.”

After exchanging farewells, Brianna quickly left. As she exited through the back door, she heard Margot’s voice coming from the front entrance.

“I heard the young master’s tutor was here…”

Holding her skirt, Brianna ran. It seemed wise to stay hidden until the engagement ceremony was over.

But where should she go? If she returned to her room, Margot would find her immediately.

Then she remembered the library. No one would be there now, and only those with a key could enter.

Brianna ran to the library, hastily inserting the key into the lock and closing the door behind her as soon as she entered.

Click-clack, the sound of footsteps echoed from outside. The footsteps lingered for a while, then slowly faded away, as if the search had been abandoned.

“Ah…”

Brianna sank to the floor, clutching the doorknob. A deep sigh escaped her, relief washing over her—but then a sudden question crossed her mind.

Why am I the one running?

The more she thought about it, the more absurd it seemed. Margot was the one in the wrong, yet Brianna had to flee like this. Still, she couldn’t just let herself be caught, not knowing what scheme Margot had in store.

Even if she managed to avoid it today, there was no guarantee it wouldn’t happen again. Brianna groaned, holding her head.

“Should I just ask Miss Adelheid directly? Why is she doing this to me…?”

Just as she was mumbling to herself, she heard the sudden sound of a book being closed behind her.

Brianna froze. There was someone else in the library.

The only people who could enter, apart from tutors, were members of the Kirchner family. Which meant…

Brianna swallowed nervously and slowly turned around.

And then, her eyes met someone she hadn’t expected.

“…Sir Lucius?”

Lucius needed a place to be alone.

He had met countless people throughout the day, smiling non-stop. By the time the meal was over and afternoon arrived, exhaustion hit him hard.

Adelheid had left to change her dress for the upcoming tea party. He asked the Kirchner family’s butler if there was a quiet place where he could rest until then. The butler, perceptive as ever, recognized his need for solitude and suggested the library, handing him a key, assuring him that he wouldn’t be disturbed there.

Just as Lucius had started to read one of the books from the shelves, he suddenly heard the sound of a key turning in the door.

Brianna burst into the library. Lucius stared at her in slight bewilderment. After the last ball, he had assumed they wouldn’t meet again. Yet here she was, standing before him once more.

How far will you go to torment me?

Just as he felt a sense of frustration, he noticed something off about Brianna’s demeanor. She seemed flustered, locking the door without catching her breath, listening for noises outside. After a long moment, she sank to the floor as if her strength had given out.

She was clearly being pursued by someone.

Who?

And that question was soon answered by her muttering to herself.

Lucius deliberately closed his book loudly. She flinched, then slowly turned to look at him.

“…Sir Lucius?”

He gazed down at her with dark, brooding eyes. Her teal eyes widened in surprise, a mixture of relief and confusion in them, as if asking why the man who was to be engaged today was here.

“How did you…?”

Before she could continue, Lucius replied, “I’m resting for a moment before the tea party. I asked the butler for a quiet place, and he gave me the key to this place.”

“Ah…”

Brianna murmured, seeming to understand. Then, as if coming to her senses, she jumped to her feet.

“I’m sorry for disturbing your rest. I’ll take my leave!”

Apologizing hastily, she grabbed the doorknob, ready to leave—but then paused, standing frozen for a moment before slowly turning back to him. Her expression was deeply troubled.

She couldn’t leave, even if she wanted to.

Lucius approached the woman caught in a dilemma.