Reasons for Contract Marriage - Chapter 92

Someone could easily misunderstand her statement as a declaration that she would eagerly share a bed with him until they conceived a child. Of course, that would have been the ideal scenario for him, but Brianna’s intentions were undoubtedly far from that. She likely meant she would do whatever was necessary to fulfill the contract efficiently.

Lucius already knew that Brianna’s knowledge about physical intimacy was limited. He was reminded of what Florian had once lamented to him.

“I was struggling to hide the changes in my body, but Brianna didn’t seem to notice my condition at all. Looking into those innocent eyes of hers, I felt utterly hopeless. It was like she felt nothing even when she hugged me. It was no different from when we were eleven years old. Meanwhile, I felt like I was losing my mind just holding her hand…”

This lack of awareness was understandable to some extent when considering Brianna’s upbringing. She had lost her mother at a young age, and the Dowager Countess Linares, who had taken her in, had lived her entire life as a virgin despite being married. Thus, there had never been anyone to teach Brianna about relationships between men and women.

“Ah…”

Realizing the meaning behind his question, Brianna’s face flushed red. She stammered in confusion.

“I didn’t mean it like that…”

“You don’t even know what I truly want. You probably can’t even begin to imagine.”

From the very beginning, he had only ever wanted her. Even though he knew she was his best friend’s unrequited love and lover. Could she ever fathom the truth? That the man standing before her had once used the handkerchief she had returned to him to relieve his desires in a carriage. And that, even after that, he had spent countless nights defiling it while thinking of her.

Lucius gently placed his hands on Brianna’s shoulders and turned her body to face the mirror again. As he wrapped his arms around her slender waist from behind, the reflection of Brianna in the mirror drew in a sharp breath. Having never experienced more than a simple touch of hands, she seemed startled by the sudden physical contact.

But Brianna would have to grow accustomed to his touch. Tonight, she would lie in his arms, and his lips and fingers would graze every part of her body. Not just her soft lips and tender chest but even her most intimate places. Since she had declared with her own mouth that she would do her utmost to bear a child, she wouldn’t dare refuse.

Of course, he wouldn’t tell her that many of these acts weren’t strictly necessary for conceiving a child.

Lucius pulled her closer by her waist, feeling the delicate contours of her back press against him. It felt incredible. He wondered how it would feel to touch her bare skin without the interference of these layers of fabric. Her flesh would undoubtedly be as sweet and soft as cream.

And if he plunged his engorged desire into her most intimate depths, that narrow, secret place…

The thought alone made his body heat rise. He struggled to contain the urge to consume her here and now. He had endured watching her silently for the past year, and he had lasted through the month leading up to their wedding. Yet, a few hours felt unbearably long. He almost felt ashamed of his own impatience.

As he let out a small, trembling sigh, his eyes met the teal ones in the mirror. Lucius quietly gazed at her widened eyes for a moment before wrapping his hand around Brianna’s, which was clutching the pendant. With each breath Brianna exhaled, he could feel the gentle rise and fall of her chest. Keeping his gaze fixed on her reflection in the mirror, Lucius leaned in and whispered softly into her ear.

“As I gaze at you wearing this necklace I gave you, you can’t even begin to imagine the thoughts running through my mind right now.”

He stared at her figure reflected in the mirror with an almost blinding intensity. His gaze lingered on her delicate curves. If the maids outside the door knew what he was imagining, they would faint from shock. In his mind, he was already stripping away the wedding dress the maids had meticulously adorned her with over the past few hours.

And now, the only thing adorning her bare body was the necklace he had gifted her. Apart from his own body, only this special gift was worthy of touching her skin.

Finally, now that she was in his grasp, his desire only grew stronger. He didn’t just want to possess her body; in the end, he wanted every part of her to be completely filled with him.

“…Your Grace?”

A moment later, Brianna called out to him hesitantly, cautiously. Her face was filled with confusion, as if she were staring at a stranger. Only then did Lucius realize he had been staring at her greedily, like a starving beast.

Lucius slowly released the hands that had been encircling her waist. Suppressing the instinct still surging within him, he calmed his breath.

Yes, now is not the time. First, he needed to approach her gradually, ensuring she became familiar with his presence, leaving no room for resistance.

“So, how long do you plan to call me ‘Your Grace’? Are you thinking of continuing to use such a formal title even after we’re married?”

Lucius’ expression quickly returned to normal. Hearing his gentle voice, Brianna seemed to regain her composure. She turned to look up at him and gave him a soft smile.

“You are now a Duke. I thought it wouldn’t be appropriate to call you by your name anymore. But if you permit it, I’d like to continue calling you Lucius…”

“Call me Lucius or even Luce.”

At his words, Brianna looked at him with an extremely hesitant expression, as if to say, “How could I dare call you by your name?” Seeing this, Lucius smiled warmly.

“Everyone in my family calls me that. And since you are now part of my family, you must call me that as well. In return, I hope you will allow me to call you by a nickname, Brie.”

Faced with his insistence, Brianna eventually nodded. But Lucius didn’t stop there.

“Then, as practice, why don’t you try calling me by my name now?”

“That…”

“Come on.”

When Lucius urged her several more times, Brianna finally gathered her courage and murmured softly, “Luce…”

The moment she said it, a strange feeling swept over him. Though he had heard the nickname countless times from his family, hearing it pass through her lips felt entirely different. As she called him Luce, a warmth spread through his chest, and somewhere deep inside, it felt as though butterflies were fluttering.

“Ahem…”

Fearing he might embarrass himself by blushing like a lovestruck boy just from hearing his name, Lucius quickly cleared his throat and extended his hand toward her. Brianna placed her fingers lightly on his palm, and he leaned down to press his lips firmly against the back of her hand. Then, lifting his gaze, he addressed the woman who was about to become his wife with tenderness.

“Then, Brie, I will see you shortly at the ceremony.”

***

The Dowager Duchess of Carlisle had once told Brianna, who was nervous about the wedding, not to worry. After all, no matter how much she fretted now, she wouldn’t remember anything that happened during the ceremony. She explained that once the events started, Brianna would simply follow the flow, and before she knew it, everything would be over, leaving her standing outside the ceremony hall.

As predicted, the wedding was over in the blink of an eye. When Brianna came to her senses, she found herself sitting alone in the bridal chamber.

Downstairs, the wedding celebration was still in full swing. Amidst the faint sound of music, bursts of laughter echoed. Just an hour ago, Brianna had been downstairs, mingling with the guests and dancing. But when the time came, she had left and gone up to the bridal chamber. While she bathed and changed clothes, Lucius stayed behind to entertain a few mischievous guests a bit longer.

Not long ago, the maids informed Brianna that the Duke had finally been freed from the crowd and was now bathing. They assured her he would arrive shortly and then left the room, telling her to wait just a little longer.

Now, sitting alone on the bed, Brianna thought back to the wedding. The venue had been far more beautiful than she had imagined, filled with countless guests who had gathered to witness their union.

It had all happened today, yet it already felt like a distant dream. And Brianna suddenly realized.

She was now truly the Duchess of Carlisle. There was no going back.

And at that moment, the sound of the door opening reached her ears.