Reasons for Contract Marriage - Chapter 65

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White petals were scattered over the heads of the marching soldiers. Many people took to the streets, waving their hands, praying for the soldiers’ safe return. Even from the windows and rooftops, people leaned out, showering the departing soldiers with petals that carried blessings.

“Look, over there. I think that’s Sir Lucius.”

That day, the two of them also watched the departure ceremony from a rooftop. Florian followed the direction of Brianna’s finger.

Just as she said, there was Lucius. Wearing a dark green officer’s uniform, he was riding a black horse, moving slowly. Amidst people wearing the same uniform, Brianna easily and quickly spotted him.

“I hope he returns safely.”

Brianna clasped her hands, her face full of concern.

Before, Florian wouldn’t have thought anything of her words or actions. Worrying about a soldier heading to the battlefield was natural, and Brianna was more altruistic than anyone. She would have said the same prayer for someone she had never met.

But now, her words sounded different. Perhaps it was because he had seen the paper flower in Lucius’s bedroom.

Since that day, Florian had pondered many things. The handkerchief beside the paper flower now seemed suspicious too. Perhaps it wasn’t just any handkerchief, but the one Brianna had returned to Lucius.

If that were the case, what had Lucius thought as he looked at it every night? Did he really just look at it?

These thoughts spiraled one after another. Florian also realized that the timing of Lucius’s decision to marry Adelheid coincided strangely with when he and Brianna began their relationship.

Thinking back, everything seemed to overlap oddly.

Was it just a coincidence? Or…

Florian quietly spoke, “…Come to think of it, the three of us have never met all together.”

He had once thought that it would be nice if the three of them could meet when Brianna visited the capital. Both were important people in his life, and they would keep seeing each other, so it wouldn’t hurt for them to meet at least once. If they got along, it would be even better. That was what he had thought.

In the end, was it fortunate that the three never gathered together? Or had it turned out worse because of that?

“We can only set a time once Lucius returns from the battlefield.”

Brianna shook her head at his words. “No, there’s no need to go out of our way. I feel a bit uncomfortable being around him…”

“You feel uncomfortable around Lucius?”

“Yes, I’m sorry, but I do.”

“What makes you uncomfortable?”

“Well…”

Brianna hesitated for a moment before giving a bright smile.

“When I’m around him, I don’t know what to say, and I feel self-conscious under his gaze. I can’t even meet his eyes properly. I’ve never felt that way with anyone else, so maybe we just don’t click? Of course, I’m really grateful to him, but…”

She found herself constantly aware and uncomfortable around him.

Florian knew exactly what that feeling was, even if Brianna didn’t.

Brianna, if it’s not that you dislike him, but rather that you’re uncomfortable around him, it means you perceive him as a man. Your body and heart are instinctively drawn to him, even if you consciously think otherwise. That’s why your defenses come up.

With a dry feeling in his chest, Florian asked, “Do you like fireworks?”

To her, it must have seemed like a sudden, out-of-context question. With a slightly bewildered expression, Brianna asked back.

“Fireworks, suddenly?”

“Seeing the petals falling like this reminded me of them. Shall we go see some next time?”

“Oh…”

Brianna looked up at the petals still fluttering in the air. Her turquoise eyes shimmered beautifully in the sunlight.

“I don’t have only good memories of fireworks… but it would be nice to go.”

Her eyes softened as she spoke, her lips curving up gently. Contrary to her words, she seemed to be recalling a happy memory.

“I never told you this, but before my father’s last monster hunt, he promised to take me to see fireworks.”

She then shared a story that Lucius already knew, but Florian didn’t—that she had never gotten to see the fireworks because her father came back as a cold corpse.

“Fireworks are held the night before Saint Riccio’s feast. We could go see them then.”

Brianna smiled widely at his words. Florian, on the other hand, felt like crying for some reason. The fact that the fireworks always took place on the eve of Saint Riccio’s feast was something only locals knew. What did it mean that Brianna knew it? As far as he knew, last year she had left Bastogne on a train before the fireworks began.

“Florian, I can’t wait any longer. You need to make a decision.”

Recalling what his senior had told him last time, Florian bit his lip lightly. Ever since hearing the proposal, Florian had been contemplating it. He knew it was a great opportunity, but he had wanted to stay by Brianna’s side.

His senior had pressed him, saying there was no more time and he needed to decide soon about participating in this war.

Now, Florian made up his mind.

“Yes, let’s go see them together. I promise I’ll be back before Saint Riccio’s feast.”

Brianna tilted her head immediately. “Be back? Where are you going?”

“A senior colleague offered me a good opportunity. They need an explosives expert in the war.”

Brianna’s face hardened. “The war? What do you mean…?”

“A lot of new weapons are going to be used in this war. For us, it’s a great chance to test the new weapons. Since new weapons are inherently unstable, they need someone on-site to manage them, and my senior recommended me. I decided to go.”

“Florian!”

“This is my only chance to make more money than I ever imagined. And I’m going to use that money to pay off all my family’s debts and ask my parents to pass the title to me early.”

Once, he had dreamed of a life like a child’s play marriage with Brianna—living in a small house, being a little poor but still happy.

Now he realized how naive and childish that thought was. A man who could only afford a simple gold ring as a gift was not enough for her. If he could, he wanted to dress her in the finest clothes and adorn her with the most valuable jewels—enough that she could rival any lady in Bastogne.

More than anything, he wanted to be someone who could stand on equal footing with Lucius.

Lucius would surely make great achievements in this war. He had never failed to achieve anything he set as his goal. Everyone at the academy knew that if Lucius Carlisle ever placed second, it was only because he didn’t care enough to be first.

His senior’s offer was a lifeline for Florian—a chance to rise higher on his own.

“And I’ll make you Viscountess Robert.”

Brianna would look stunning as Viscountess Robert. When she appeared in the banquet hall, everyone would admire her beauty. They would be even more impressed by her wit and warmth. Though adapting to social circles might not be easy at first, Florian was sure she would eventually succeed.

Brianna grabbed the arm of Florian, whose eyes were filled with dreams. “Florian, I never wanted anything like that.”

Florian smiled. “I know, but this is what I want.”

“Don’t do it. Why go to a dangerous place like the battlefield?”

“Even if it’s the battlefield, I’ll be in the rear. I won’t be fighting on the frontlines like Lucius.”

“But…”

Florian pulled Brianna into a hug. In his arms, her small heart pounded. To make sure her heart beat only for him, he needed to become someone better.

“Florian…” She tried to wriggle out of his embrace, but he held her tighter.

Kissing her soft brown hair, he whispered gently, “When I return, let’s go see the fireworks together. No, I’ll show you—the most spectacular fireworks in the world.”