Reasons for Contract Marriage - Chapter 73

Brianna stared blankly at his face, thinking. Coincidence? Meeting the Duke of Carlisle in a place like this?

Seeing Brianna’s lack of response, Daniel seemed a bit awkward and cleared his throat.

“Ahem, by the way, I assume you don’t have lessons today, given that you’re here at this hour?”

“Yes, it’s my monthly day off.”

“The son of the Kirchner family is seven this year, isn’t he? How is it, teaching him? Children that age can be quite mischievous and hard to handle.”

“Not at all. Young Master Michael is very mature for his age, so I have no trouble at all.”

“Well, seven is an age when children think they’re already grown up. Even Lucius refused to let me kiss him after he turned seven.”

“Oh…”

“Once, I told him I wouldn’t help assemble his favorite toy unless he gave me a kiss, and he reluctantly gave in. The look on his face was priceless… like a kid who had lost everything, both body and soul. You should have seen Lucius’s face back then.”

Daniel spoke animatedly, his expressions shifting between nostalgia, amusement, and delight. Brianna stood there quietly, watching. Up until now, every nobleman she’d met with a title had been solemn and dignified. Daniel was the first she’d seen who showed his emotions so openly.

And one thing was certain, above all else: this man truly cherished his younger brother. He remembered with exact detail the last time Lucius had kissed him, even remembering how old Lucius had been.

“…Is Sir Lucius doing alright?”

Since the funeral, she hadn’t seen him. At the time, Brianna had been so absorbed in her own grief that she hadn’t had the chance to consider his feelings. Despite everything, Lucius had asked if she was alright, but all she had done was request him to bury the brooch with Florian.

Thinking back, she felt guilty for not checking on him.

“Lucius is doing alright. That child has a strong spirit, and time will help heal him.”

At Daniel’s words, Brianna smiled faintly. Seeing her smile, he raised his eyebrows in surprise, prompting Brianna to explain quickly.

“I’m sorry, I just found it interesting that Your Grace refers to Sir Lucius as a child… You still see your brother as a child, don’t you?”

The Lucius Brianna knew was strong and mature, more than anyone else. It felt strange that someone would see him as a child, needing protection. Especially since Lucius was taller and seemingly twice as broad as Daniel.

“Of course. No matter how old he gets, Lucius will always be my little brother. That’s how it is with younger siblings—you want to protect them forever and do everything you can for them… Though Lucius isn’t fond of that side of me.”

Brianna gave him a genuine smile. “I’m glad. I’m glad Sir Lucius has you by his side.”

Unlike her, Lucius had someone to comfort him in his grief. He would recover faster because of it.

“Even if he doesn’t show it, Sir Lucius must be struggling. Please, Your Grace, take good care of him.”

Hearing her words, Daniel sighed inwardly.

Now isn’t the time to be worrying about others, dear lady. Unlike Lucius, who has family, you are alone, and your circumstances aren’t great either.

He couldn’t help feeling a pang of sympathy. If only Brianna Everett had had a more respectable status.

If they had met by chance at a party, things could have turned out entirely differently. Lucius might have ended up happily with the woman he loved, and Brianna wouldn’t be grieving her lost fiancé but instead would have a husband and a stable family.

Isn’t there anything that can be done, even now? I’m truly sorry to Florian, but the living must move on. Florian would have wanted Brianna to be happy, rather than spend her life alone.

Daniel entertained the thought briefly but shook his head soon after.

Unfortunately, Lucius was already engaged to Lady Kirchner. Breaking off a family alliance for such a reason would be unthinkable—it was a matter of trust, and making an enemy of the Kirchner family would be risky. Besides, Brianna herself surely wouldn’t want to marry anyone so soon after losing her fiancé.

Especially not to her fiancé’s closest friend.

Cursing this damn fate, Daniel maintained a graceful smile outwardly. It was time to bid her a polite farewell.

“It was nice meeting you today, Miss Brianna. I hope you won’t grieve for too long. Florian would have wanted that too.”

Brianna grasped her skirt gently with both hands and bowed. “Thank you for your concern. Please take care on your way back.”

Daniel walked a few steps away, then suddenly stopped. He turned back to Brianna and said, “And there’s something I must tell you—I’ve always wanted to meet you in person at least once, Miss Brianna.”

“Pardon?”

Instead of answering her question, he simply smiled widely and walked away again.

***

The Robert couple had been investigating the late Countess Leona Linares’s inheritance. Their first move was to find the lawyer who had notarized the inheritance document. At first, the lawyer claimed there was nothing more beyond what they had already received, but after much persuasion and intimidation, he finally opened his mouth.

“It is true that the late countess wrote an additional inheritance document. However, it has nothing to do with the inheritance from the Robert family that she brought with her when she married the late Count Linares. As for the origin of that inheritance, I am unaware.”

“How much is this inheritance worth?”

Viscount Robert asked what he was most curious about. The lawyer’s answer left the couple stunned.

“If I recall correctly, it was about twenty thousand deckers.”

The couple simultaneously gasped. Twenty thousand deckers! It wasn’t enough to pay off all their debts, but it could buy them some time, enough to pacify the creditors. Perhaps they could even invest it and grow the money to solve all their financial troubles.

“I don’t understand. How did Aunt accumulate that much money separately? Are you certain this inheritance has no connection to the Robert family?”

“Didn’t you already verify everything when you received the inheritance documents? How she spent the Robert family wealth that she brought with her. And, Viscount, as you can see, the twenty thousand deckers far exceeds the value of the Robert family’s estate she took with her when she married.”

“Alright, fine. But still, it makes no sense that a mere maid gets that money!”

Erica Robert interjected, her voice urgent.

“She said it was meant for my son. That Aunt gave it to the maid temporarily so she could eventually pass it on directly to him. So, now that my son is gone, shouldn’t that money belong to us? Isn’t that fair?”

“Viscountess, the law isn’t so simple. The countess lawfully transferred her personal wealth to the maid. Thus, that wealth belongs to her, regardless of the circumstances.”

“How can that not matter? It’s obvious the maid stole it from us!”

Erica’s voice grew more and more agitated, and the lawyer sighed deeply.

“In that case, there’s no point in arguing with me. You should find the maid and ask her directly—perhaps negotiate, explaining your predicament and suggesting she split the money. Who knows? Maybe she’ll show some pity, given your situation.”

“Are you suggesting I beg a maid to share the inheritance?!”

“There is no other way. Unless the maid willingly gives it up, the inheritance is hers.”

“This is absurd!”

Erica buried her face in her hands in despair. The thought of Brianna, the cunning maid who had secretly dated her son, willingly giving up the money was laughable. Who would give up that kind of wealth? Perhaps she was laughing right now, delighted that Florian’s death meant the money was entirely hers.

Just then, the viscount, who had remained silent, spoke up, “If, by chance, that maid were to die—having no family or relatives to inherit the property—what would happen to the inheritance then?”

At his words, Erica lifted her head.

After a moment’s hesitation, the lawyer replied, “There was a clause in the countess’s marriage agreement specifying that her personal wealth would not be passed on to the Linares family after her death. Thus, if the maid has no surviving family, the wealth would not go to the Linares family but would instead revert to the Robert family.”