Reasons for Contract Marriage - Chapter 69

Brianna’s father had returned as a corpse just before they were supposed to see the fireworks together. That gave her a chance to say her final goodbye. She thanked him for being her father and acknowledged all his hardships. She also hoped he would meet her mother in the afterlife and be happy.

But, cruelly, Florian didn’t even give her that chance.

“…I’m sorry about earlier.”

Brianna spoke through her tears.

“And thank you for delivering Florian’s keepsake to me. You must have been injured too, Sir Lucius. Finding this among the wreckage couldn’t have been easy… I’m truly grateful.”

Brianna held the brooch in both hands, touching it to her forehead before bowing deeply. Her shoulders began to shake as she sobbed heavily.

Lucius raised his hand to comfort her, hesitated for a moment, then let it drop. He neither said nor did anything else but remained by her side in silence, offering his presence as a form of consolation.

***

The funeral took place two days later. Since Florian’s body had been so damaged, with both flesh and bones shattered, a service was held with only his belongings.

The bells rang overhead as Brianna stood outside the cathedral, wearing black. She couldn’t go inside, as only those invited by the family were allowed. Officially, Brianna had no relationship with Florian, so she wasn’t permitted to attend the ceremony.

From outside, Brianna listened to the bishop’s prayer and the choir’s hymns. Florian, who had always been sociable, was accompanied by many people on his final journey. Their weeping reached Brianna, and somehow it comforted her barren heart a little. If so many people mourned him, then surely Florian was in a better place.

Time passed, and suddenly all was quiet inside, signaling the end of the ceremony. Brianna quickly moved to hide behind a nearby tree before anyone could come out.

Soon, the cathedral doors opened, and people in black began pouring out. As the mourners greeted each other and boarded their carriages, one by one, they left the cathedral.

I should leave too…

Just as Brianna turned to leave, she saw Lucius approaching. Lowering her black veil further over her face, she stepped deeper between the trees, hoping to meet with him away from the crowd.

As expected, Lucius followed her until they were alone. His dark eyes studied her closely. He noticed that her chin, visible under her veil, and the pale wrist peeking out of her mourning attire were thinner than two days before.

He spoke in a calm, deep voice, “The funeral was carried out with sincere condolences from many.”

Brianna nodded quietly. “Are you going to accompany them to the burial site?”

“Yes.”

Florian’s coffin would leave the cathedral and be interred in the Robert family mausoleum. Only close family, relatives, and a few of Florian’s dear friends would accompany him. Lucius was going as a representative of Florian’s acquaintances.

Brianna took out an object wrapped in a handkerchief from her bag and handed it to him.

“If possible, please bury this with him.”

It was the brooch fragment he had brought to her.

“You went to such trouble to bring it to me… But since it was meant for Florian, I think it belongs to him. Besides, I still have something else from him…”

Brianna stroked the gold ring on her finger with her other hand. Lucius, watching her, nodded quietly.

“I understand. I will do as you ask.”

Brianna raised her head slightly to look at him. Her teal eyes, visible beneath her veil, were dry and devoid of the characteristic sparkle they once had. It was as though she had cried so much over the past two days that she had no tears left.

Brianna gave a faint smile. “I’m glad you’re here, Sir Lucius. As you know, Florian wasn’t very close with his family. I’m sure he’d be happy that you were the one to see him off.”

The smile on her face looked so distant, as if it might vanish at any moment, that Lucius felt a chill in his heart.

“Are you taking care of yourself? Eating well…?”

At his concern, Brianna gave a weak laugh. “Don’t worry about me. I learned that I have to take care of myself after my father passed away that winter.”

Lucius tightened his grip around the brooch fragment in his hand. He understood the weight of the repeated tragedies that had befallen her, yet there was nothing he could do.

“…I will make sure to give him the farewell you couldn’t. Once Florian is laid to rest, I will contact you again.”

“Thank you.”

Brianna bowed deeply before turning away and walking off.

After she left, a man emerged from behind the trees. Lucius nodded at him, and the man touched his hat in acknowledgment before following Brianna’s path.

Once Lucius confirmed that, he turned and headed back inside the cathedral.

After completing all the funeral proceedings, Lucius returned to the ducal residence. As soon as he arrived, he washed up and took out a bottle of strong liquor he had never touched before. He had drunk about half of it when Daniel entered his room.

“Are you drinking right now? Alcohol, with a bullet wound? Are you out of your mind? Put that glass away right now…”

Daniel started scolding him as if ready to rant, but he soon stopped himself and ran his hand through his hair.

“No, never mind. It’s not like one drink will kill you. You know what, drink today. In fact, I’ll join you.”

Daniel settled in front of him. Silently, Lucius poured a drink for his brother.

“Was everything alright at the funeral?”

“If by ‘alright’ you mean the usual nonsense, yes.”

Lucius stared into the crimson liquid in his glass, lost in thought.

Everything had been as expected during the burial. Among those steeped in sadness, Lucius had placed the brooch fragment atop the coffin, as Brianna had wished, along with flowers. Soon after, dark soil began covering the coffin. As the white chrysanthemums were almost buried, an angry voice rang out.

“What do you mean there’s no compensation? How can that make sense?”

Viscount Robert was yelling at the butler. His wife raised her voice too.

“Our son died at war! Shouldn’t there be compensation for his life?”

The elderly butler, looking flustered, tried to explain, “Madam, as I’ve mentioned before, the young master was not serving as a soldier, so there is no state compensation. And given that the explosion was due to his own negligence, we should consider ourselves fortunate that no penalties were imposed…”

“Shut your mouth! I won’t let this go quietly!”

This happened even before Florian’s grave was fully covered with earth. Rather than grieving their son’s death, his parents were more concerned with money at that moment.

Relatives watching this scene shook their heads. They pitied Florian, who had such parents, and everyone clicked their tongues in disapproval.

Lucius shared their sentiment. He had never felt such profound disgust for humanity as he did that day. It was no wonder Florian had given his heart to Brianna. To someone burdened with such parents, Brianna must have seemed like salvation.

“I just felt a mix of hatred and contempt for humanity.”

Lucius drained his drink with a self-deprecating remark, and Daniel didn’t press further. He knew exactly what kind of people Viscount Robert and his wife were.

“…Now, can you tell me why you requested one of my informants? And what you meant when you said you’d talk after Florian’s funeral?”

On his first day of leave, Lucius had asked Daniel for one of the family’s informants, saying he had something to discuss after Florian’s funeral.

Now that the funeral was over, it was time for Lucius to explain.

“I’ve assigned him to watch over Brianna.”

Daniel, who had been about to take another sip, froze at Lucius’s calm statement. He stared at his brother.

“To watch over Miss Brianna? Why?”

“I’m worried something might happen.”

“What kind of something?”

Was he worried she might try to take her own life? But Brianna didn’t seem like that type to Daniel. Just as he was about to say that Lucius was overreacting, Lucius spoke,

“The gunshot wound on my arm… I inflicted it on myself.”