Reasons for Contract Marriage - Chapter 98

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The first thing she saw upon waking was the transparent morning sunlight spreading over the white bedding.

Brianna blinked slowly, still lying down. The surroundings were silent. Through the veil-like soft light, tiny dust particles floated in the air. As she stared at them for a moment, the memories of the previous night slowly surfaced in her mind.

“Ah… Ugh! Ngh!”

As the memory of being pinned beneath him and moaning endlessly resurfaced, her face instantly flushed.

It felt so unreal that she initially thought it had been a dream. But proof that it had not been a dream remained in the form of red marks around her chest. When she pulled her robe aside and looked inside, she saw that her breasts were covered in uneven bruises. Especially the nipples he had sucked and bitten were exceptionally red and still tingled slightly.

Now that she thought about it, the place between her legs ached as well. The pain was a clear trace of having accommodated something far too large. She had never once imagined she would experience such pain in that place before.

Did Lucius dress me in this robe?

Brianna absentmindedly fiddled with the collar of her robe. Her memory of last night ended with him wiping her body with a towel and lying beside her. So, he must have dressed her in this before leaving the room.

Lucius must have left early in the morning.

For the past month, ever since she had been staying here, Lucius had always left the ducal residence early. It was usually to attend breakfast meetings or social gatherings. He would then return around lunchtime or dinner, and only then could Brianna see his face. After that, they would dine together, have tea, go about their respective tasks, and then retire to their rooms for the night.

Marriage wouldn’t have changed his schedule.

However…

Brianna’s expression turned slightly sullen. She had never once minded his schedule before, but today felt different. The thought of waking up alone in bed while he had already left made her feel strangely disappointed. She had assumed they would at least share breakfast together.

“Sigh…”

Letting out a small sigh, Brianna tried to sit up but immediately fell back onto the bed with a moan.

Not only did her chest and lower body ache, but her entire body was sore with muscle pain. Perhaps she had clung to him too desperately last night. The moment she tried to support herself with her elbows, her arms trembled violently.

But she needed to get up. She had to meet the Dowager Duchess, formally greet the household staff as the Duchess, and discuss the upcoming schedule…

There was a mountain of tasks awaiting her, but her body refused to cooperate. Brianna writhed on the bed, grumbling softly.

“He said I should listen if I wanted to walk properly… I did as he said, but I still can’t walk. What a liar… And to think he looks nothing like one…”

Muttering, she continued to complain about someone—until a sharp sound interrupted her.

The sound of a book snapping shut rang through the silent room.

Brianna instantly froze.

I-I wasn’t alone in here?

She swallowed nervously and lifted her gaze. Sitting at the small table by the window was Lucius.

He was bathed in the transparent light pouring through the wide-open curtains. Though he was only dressed casually in a robe over his pajamas, his face and hair were already neatly groomed.

His black eyes, gleaming like glass in the sunlight, gazed at her quietly. The moment their eyes met, Brianna’s face burned even hotter. It was rare for her to badmouth someone behind their back like this. But now that she had been caught, no excuse would convince him otherwise.

“Um…”

She tried to say something, anything, but before she could, he curled his lips into a gentle smile.

“Did you sleep well?”

The simple question flowed into her ears so sweetly. It had been so long since she had heard such a morning greeting. Ever since her father passed away, no one had come to her upon waking to greet her with such warmth.

Only then did the reality of their relationship sink in—now, they were truly family. After all, exchanging such greetings in the bedroom was something only family would do.

“…Yes, I slept well.”

With a slight flutter in her heart, Brianna responded, then, after a moment, returned the question.

“Did you sleep well, Luce?”

At that, he smiled brightly. For a moment, it seemed as if the sunlight shining on him had grown even stronger.

“To be honest, I didn’t sleep well… No, actually, I think I did.”

Leaving behind his ambiguous answer, he uncrossed one leg and stood up from the chair, his long legs carrying him toward her in steady strides.

His clean face drew closer. Only then did Brianna realize how disheveled she looked. She had yet to wash her face, and her hair was a tangled mess.

More than anything, the only thing covering her body was a loosely worn robe. Of course, after what had happened last night, it was meaningless to pretend modesty now. But last night was last night, and this was now.

Brianna hastily pulled the robe tighter around herself and curled up, burying her face against her knees.

“Brianna?”

Soon, Lucius’ hand gently touched her hair. Stroking it softly, he asked in a concerned voice.

“What’s wrong? Are you feeling unwell?”

Brianna quickly shook her head. “No, it’s just…”

She murmured in a voice barely above a whisper, “I haven’t washed my face yet, so I don’t want you to see me like this…”

She knew it was completely irrational. She had already shown him everything—her bare body, her most vulnerable moments. And yet, for some reason, she felt embarrassed about letting him see her unwashed face.

Lucius’ quiet laughter drifted down from above.

“Brianna, we will be sharing countless nights and mornings together. Are you planning to hide your face every time?”

Countless nights and mornings. It almost sounded as if he were implying they would grow old together.

“So, show me your face. I want to see you.”

His words melted sweetly into her ears—so sweet they almost felt bitter, like an overly sugared cake.

Brianna slowly lifted her head and met his gaze. He was smiling, his long lashes casting shadows over his dark eyes. His lips were parted wider than usual, revealing perfectly even, white teeth.

The sight was strangely unfamiliar. Was this man always capable of smiling like this?

“To be honest, I like you like this even more.”

As he spoke, he lightly touched her chin with his fingertips. Though his touch was gentle, there was just enough pressure to keep her from lowering her head again.

His fingers, which had been supporting her chin, slowly traced downward. They brushed against her neck, then her collarbone, and continued lower. His fingers moved over the red marks scattered across her skin, the remnants of the previous night.

As he pressed his fingers over those marks, he murmured softly, “I’m the only one who gets to see you like this, all undone.”

At the same time, the smile on his face gradually faded. His lips, which had been curved in amusement, now formed a neutral line, and his dark eyes grew even deeper.

Brianna now recognized this expression.

It was the look of a predator closing in on its prey just before sinking its teeth in.

Lucius slowly leaned toward her, enclosing her within his arms as she sat on the bed. His face came close, his warm breath brushing against her cheek and ear before his lips pressed lightly against her skin.

His lips trailed down her neck, following the traces he had left the night before, as if retracing a path.

“Ah…”

Each time his lips brushed against her skin, her breath hitched, and a shiver ran through her body. A deep, aching sensation spread low in her abdomen. As the fading sensations from last night resurfaced vividly, Brianna bit her lip.

It wasn’t night. It was broad daylight.

In a place so brightly lit.

Her mind screamed that she should stop him, but her body refused to obey. Instead, she found herself leaning backward, her posture becoming more relaxed, more yielding. When his lips brushed just above the fabric covering her chest, a soft moan escaped her lips.

Lucius reached for the edge of her robe. If he pulled it aside, he would once again have full access to the pleasures he had indulged in the night before. He knew it, and she knew it too.

However, instead of undoing it, Lucius firmly pulled the robe closed. Then, withdrawing from her, he let out a low chuckle.

“We should have breakfast first. Otherwise, I might hear even harsher words from you.”