Reasons for Contract Marriage - Chapter 83

It was the first time in his life that Lucius faced the hostility of another human being.

Now, as an adult, Lucius was facing him again, alone. The man’s appearance had not changed much since then. The only difference was that, in the past, Lucius had to look up to see him, but now, their gaze met on a much lower level.

Lucius did not offer him a seat. The man, apparently not expecting such courtesy, took a seat on his own.

“You don’t look surprised. Did you know I was coming, kid?”

The man smiled as he met Lucius’ calm gaze.

“I don’t know if you remember, but we met separately once before. In the garden of the Duke’s mansion on the day of the banquet.”

“I remember clearly. Including how you destroyed my ball.”

“Hahaha!”

The man shook with laughter.

“You’ve got quite the memory. Though it probably wasn’t a fond one. Was the wound to your little heart that deep?”

“Not particularly. I just thought you were pitiful for being only capable of breaking a child’s toy.”

For a moment, the man’s lips twitched. Lucius crossed his arms and looked down at him nonchalantly.

“You must have something to say since you came here. Please proceed. As you can see, I have plenty of work to do.”

The Crown Prince’s eyes shifted to the pile of documents stacked high on the desk. Realizing that Lucius had been working here, the Crown Prince gave a dry laugh.

“Do you think you’ll be able to leave this place? You don’t have time for this if you plan to attend your brother’s funeral, even for a brief moment.”

“What is it you want from me?”

“I already told you long ago. If you want something, you must beg for it earnestly.”

The man tilted his chin up with an arrogant expression.

“Who knows? Maybe, just as your father erased the charges against him in exchange for stealing power from my father, I might also show you such mercy.”

“Oh dear, what will you do now that the gift your father gave you is broken? Shouldn’t you have begged to have it returned sooner?”

He continued, “Remember this day, kid. One day, when I take something precious from you again, you’ll already know what to do.”

Something precious.

Now it was clear. From the very beginning, he had been planning revenge.

“Did you kill my father and brother?”

The coldness in Lucius’ voice gradually wiped the smirk off the Crown Prince’s face. When not even a hint of a smile remained, the Crown Prince met Lucius’ dark eyes and answered.

“Yes, I killed them.”

The Crown Prince’s golden eyes glinted with an eerie light.

“I prepared meticulously for many years, and in the end, I succeeded. That day, when I broke your toy, I vowed to myself that I would repay the humiliation within ten years.”

“Ten years, huh…”

Indeed, it had been exactly ten years. Ten years since Lucius met the Crown Prince in the garden, and during that time, Lucius had lost both his father and brother.

Lucius nodded.

“I wanted to hear it from you. I needed to confirm it one last time.”

Now, the target of his revenge was decided. It was his turn to respond.

“Three years.”

“What?”

“I will end this in three years.”

“What are you talking about…?”

Lucius stepped forward and grabbed the man’s collar with one hand.

“Ugh!”

As the man struggled for breath, Lucius whispered softly.

“Within three years, I will kill you. Not with a cowardly assassination, but through proper procedures before countless witnesses, I will sever your neck. You will go down in history as the first Crown Prince to be executed by the will of the subjects and the people.”

“Gah! L-let me go!”

Lucius threw the struggling man to the ground. As the Crown Prince writhed and got up, he snarled:

“How dare you!”

But he could say no more.

The moment his gaze met Lucius’ dark eyes blazing with fury, he was overwhelmed. A powerful aura emanated from Lucius, paralyzing the Crown Prince as though he were facing a ferocious predator right before his eyes.

He had never felt such fear, not even from Daniel Carlisle.

“So live well while you can. Your time is running out.”

Lucius’ icy words hung in the air, and the Crown Prince, frozen in fear, finally managed to stumble out of the room. As he looked back at the closed door, a chilling thought crossed his mind:

Perhaps he had awakened a sleeping beast.

***

After returning from Luton Castle, Brianna began packing her belongings. She intended to leave the Kirchner estate as soon as she confirmed that Lucius had been released.

The investigator had said it would take more time to secure evidence. The inn she had been staying at was on the outskirts, not too far away, so a few hours would suffice.

Should she bid farewell to Michael beforehand? Once Lucius was released, and the reasons for his release were revealed, this place would quickly descend into chaos. But if she told Michael she was leaving, he would surely ask why. What should she say…?

As she mulled over these complicated thoughts and finished packing, a commotion suddenly erupted outside. Moments later, the door flew open with a loud bang. Adelheid stood there, her face contorted with rage.

Seeing her, Brianna realized Lucius had been completely exonerated and freed.

Brianna felt both relief and despair. She was glad he was safe, but now, her own life was as good as ruined.

“You filthy wench!”

Adelheid stormed in and slapped Brianna’s cheek hard. Brianna bit her lip as her head turned with the impact. At this moment, there was no choice but to endure whatever Adelheid did—be it slapping her face or pulling her hair. To Adelheid, Brianna would seem like nothing more than a shameless woman who had spent the night with her fiancé, so her fury was understandable.

“I never liked you from the start! I knew you’d do something like this! This is why I should have kicked you out earlier! Aaaah!”

Half-crazed, Adelheid lunged again. This time, seeing her hand reach for her head, Brianna tightly closed her eyes. Just as she braced herself for the pain of her hair being yanked, the Countess’ voice rang out.

“Adelheid! Stop this instant!”

“Mother!”

Adelheid spotted the Countess standing at the door and cried out furiously.

“Why are you stopping me? This woman seduced Lucius! She dared to covet her master’s man while eating and sleeping under this roof!”

“Don’t you see these people here? How much more disgraceful behavior are you planning to show in front of the servants? Are you trying to embarrass yourself with a brawl?”

Only then did Adelheid notice the servants standing behind the door. She fell silent. It was clear that her almost unhinged outburst was not appropriate for someone in her position. The Countess admonished her gently.

“I will handle this. Go to your room.”

“But…”

“Go. Now.”

Adelheid finally burst into tears and stormed out of the room. The Countess turned to the servants and scolded them sternly.

“All of you, get back to work. If I see anyone loitering around here, I will expel them immediately. Understand?”

The servants quickly scattered, leaving only Brianna and the Countess in the room.

Slap!

The Countess approached Brianna and struck her cheek. Unlike Adelheid, the slap was not painful, but the humiliation it carried was undeniable.

“Lowly creatures like you always cause trouble. I should have listened to the warnings of others.”

She looked at Brianna with utter contempt, as if staring at a filthy insect.

“Taking you in without a proper recommendation was a mistake. My generosity has backfired spectacularly. Leave my house immediately. Do not set foot in Bastogne again if you value your life.”

Brianna picked up her father’s watch from the table and placed it in her bag. Bowing her head in farewell, she took her luggage and left the room.

As she walked through the corridor and towards the front door, countless eyes followed her. Brianna held her head high, enduring the scorching gazes.

She had done nothing shameful, so she would not lower her head.

Leaving the Count’s estate, Brianna flagged down the first passing carriage. It was already occupied by several others. After squeezing into a vacant spot, Brianna finally exhaled a trembling sigh.

Where should she go now?

The thought of her destination came belatedly as she closed her weary eyes.