Reasons for Contract Marriage - Chapter 78

Brianna stared at him, stunned.

“Already dead?”

“They probably dealt with the maid before deciding to kill you.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“If I were Viscount Robert, that’s exactly what I would do. If you died, the maid might suspect it was me, and then she’d have leverage over me. It’s better to eliminate any potential threats cleanly. It’s just as logical as deducing that it was Margot who told the viscount about the inheritance.”

He explained calmly, but Brianna shivered. She was reminded that, at his core, Lucius was still a cold-blooded noble. The idea of killing someone to avoid exposing one’s weakness was something she could never fathom.

In the end, Margot was dead, ruthlessly killed by someone else.

The shock didn’t last long. Brianna quickly regained her sense of reality. Now wasn’t the time for misplaced sympathy. If Lucius hadn’t saved her, she wouldn’t be alive right now.

“Will they try to kill me again?”

Lucius remained silent for a moment before responding.

“Most likely.”

Brianna closed her eyes tightly. His words meant that she would have to live with this danger looming over her forever.

She had been lucky this time, but what about next time? Would she survive again?

“I spared one of the two men. We can use him as a witness to accuse the viscount and his wife of instigating murder.”

Brianna gasped at his words. If one was spared, that meant the other…

“Th-then, if I accuse them, won’t that cause trouble for you, Sir Lucius? I mean… since you’ve already killed one of the men…”

Lucius looked at her steadily with unwavering eyes.

“That’s for me to handle, so you don’t need to worry about it. However, I wouldn’t recommend taking legal action against the viscount and his wife. If you do, whether you like it or not, you’ll attract public attention.”

It wasn’t difficult to predict that outcome. Not only would she gain attention, but every newspaper would be filled with the story. A noble couple being accused of murder was no ordinary event. Her name and face would be in every headline.

“And proving their crime won’t be easy. The only evidence we have is the testimony of the surviving thug. The viscount and his wife will do everything they can to avoid being convicted.”

During that process, the name of the late Countess Linares would inevitably come up, and Lucius could also become entangled in the matter.

That was something she absolutely had to prevent.

“I don’t want that either. I want to resolve this quietly, as much as possible.”

Lucius nodded. “Then I’ll arrange a safe place for you to stay for the time being.”

“No!”

Brianna shook her head hastily. She couldn’t impose on him any longer.

“I’ll be safe if I stay inside the count’s estate. I’ll go straight back there.”

Lucius frowned, clearly displeased.

Brianna spoke to him calmly, “You’ve already done enough for me. I still have my responsibilities as a tutor. I can’t just hide without any plan or responsibility. I’ll stay at the count’s residence and think things over for the future.”

Lucius gazed at her silently before letting out a deep sigh.

“…Alright. Then I’ll make sure to threaten the viscount and his wife with the possibility of being charged with murder at any moment. With one of the men still alive, they’ll be cautious for the time being. But you must be careful. Human selfishness and desire often go beyond imagination.”

“Yes…”

Brianna looked down at her intertwined fingers, lost in thought. Staying in the mansion might keep her safe for now, but she couldn’t live her entire life in fear. Maybe she should leave Bastogne altogether. There was no reason for her to stay now that Florian was gone. Moving to a small, peaceful town where no one could find her might be best.

Knock, knock.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door. Brianna quickly hugged the blanket closer. In the midst of her conversation with Lucius, morning had arrived.

“It seems the innkeeper has brought your dried clothes.”

Lucius approached the door. She heard their conversation faintly from outside. The innkeeper insisted there was no need for payment, even though Lucius mentioned that he would settle the laundry charges later. From the conversation, it seemed he had given the innkeeper his family’s crest as collateral for the costs.

Lucius soon returned with her clothes, placing them carefully at the foot of the bed.

“I’ll step out, so you can get dressed. Once you’re ready, we’ll leave.”

“Um…”

He had turned his back to leave, but Brianna called out to him. After a moment’s hesitation, she finally spoke.

“I know this question is foolish, considering the circumstances, but, um, who… who took off my clothes…?”

Before she could even finish the question, her face flushed red. Based on the circumstances, she had a good idea who it might be, but part of her desperately hoped it wasn’t him.

As Lucius quietly watched her, he finally opened his mouth. “…A maid from the inn helped briefly last night.”

“Oh…”

Brianna let out a sigh of relief. Lucius then left the room, and she hurried to put on the clean, ironed clothes.

Before leaving, Lucius draped his cloak over Brianna, pulling the hood over her face. She realized it was his way of protecting her. If anyone found out she had stayed at an inn with him, it might be dismissed as a mere scandal for him, but her reputation would be severely damaged.

An unmarried woman publicly staying at an inn with a man, regardless of social status, was considered disgraceful here.

It was dawn, and the street lined with noble mansions was almost empty. Lucius helped Brianna off the horse and reminded her once more.

“You must not leave the mansion until we know it’s safe.”

“Yes, I understand. Thank you again for everything.”

Brianna bowed to him politely before entering the mansion. Lucius waited until she was completely out of sight before heading toward the lodge where Daniel was.

When he arrived, he saw Daniel’s horse tied outside. He had thought his brother might have returned to the mansion, but it seemed Daniel was still waiting for him at the lodge.

There’s going to be a lot of scolding. Especially since I broke my promise on Father’s memorial day.

Lucius let out a tired sigh. He resolved to listen to whatever Daniel had to say, no matter how harsh, as he opened the door.

The moment he opened the thick wooden door, the stench of blood trapped in the confined space hit him.

“…Brother?”

A man lay sprawled on the floor right in front of him. Blood pooled around his body. Daniel’s cane lay discarded beside him.

Lucius, who had been frozen at the doorway, immediately rushed over to Daniel.

“Brother Daniel!”

He hurriedly pulled his brother out of the blood, but as soon as he touched him, he knew. His body was cold. Rigor mortis had already begun, stiffening much of his body.

Lucius saw the gunshot wound that had pierced Daniel’s chest. Someone had shot him the night before.

“Brother Daniel…”

Unable to believe what he was seeing, Lucius called his brother’s name blankly. But no matter how many times he called, the man who always greeted him with a warm smile and open arms lay still, his eyes tightly closed, never to respond again.

“Brother…”

After a moment, hot tears spilled from his eyes, falling on Daniel’s pale face. Lucius caressed his brother’s stained face, desperately hoping for a miracle, but Daniel never opened his eyes.

“Hhh…”

A deep sob broke from his lips, his body trembling. It felt as though his heart was being ripped from his chest, and Lucius descended into despair. Clutching Daniel’s lifeless body, he let out a guttural cry, mourning his brother.

Since their father’s death, Daniel had always filled the role of both brother and father to Lucius. He had taken him hunting, embraced him warmly, and always supported him unconditionally.

And now, that person was dead. His brother, his father figure, was gone.

On the very night Lucius broke his promise, he lost him forever.