A Marriage Alliance for Revenge - Chapter 14

“You’re not turning away this time.”

 

Briella, seeing what Lucas mouthed made her sprang to her feet.

 

‘What on earth is he talking about?’

 

Unexpectedly, everyone followed her gaze, reacting to Briella’s actions.

 

Gusto was no exception.

 

“It seems that my cousin has arrived.”

His uncomfortable temperament was revealed in his stern voice.

“Greetings, Sun of the empire. May the Goddess’s blessing be with you.”

 

“Rise.”

 

Gusto threw an unsatisfied glance at Lucas’s greeting.

 

However, being discerning himself, he did not openly ignore Lucas.

 

There were still many noble women in the Rhone Empire who admired Lucas’ tragic life. Gusto was well aware that he fell short of the title of emperor.

 

Therefore, he was quite conscious of people’s attention.

 

“Thank you, Your Majesty.”

Lucas seemed slightly different in some way.

 

There was no longer a venomous glare aimed at him, nor the constant intenseness that was present in Lucas before.

 

‘That’s strange.’

 

Gusto glanced at Briella, who was still standing there, with a surprised expression.

 

‘Could it be because of this woman?’

 

Gusto briefly glanced at Briella.

Judging from her startled expression, it appeared that the two had not coordinated beforehand.

“What brings you here, Duke? Are you actually planning on drinking tea privately with the ladies?”

 

Despite the assumption being uncharacteristic of a man who spent his life rarely flirting with women, there was no one who could correct Gusto of the fact in the face of his power.

 

“I was merely picking up my lady.”

 

“You seem to have a lot of free time, Duke Viterpan.”

 

Gusto’s sneer followed Lucas’s reply. Disdain brewed in his downward gaze.

 

“It’s something that an idle cousin of the emperor can handle.”

 

Due to Lucas’s constant moving, there were no longer any threats targeting the Rhone Empire.

Even the barbarians, who had been the biggest thorn in their side, had been wiped out. Gusto wrinkled his face as he observed the person he leashed around like a dog.

“To say that you have naught to do…”

 

Gusto gnashed his teeth.

 

In his thoughts, he wanted to strip Lucas of the title bestowed upon him by his late father, the previous emperor. However, there were still many eyes watching.

 

For Gusto, it was absolutely unthinkable to entrust the affairs of the royal court, which the majority of nobles handled, to Lucas.

 

Gusto was the one who was most cautious about Lucas’s involvement in the political arena of the Rhone Empire.

“I didn’t know that uttering embarrassing things so brazenly was the Duke’s specialty.”

 

Gusto frowned in response to an unfamiliar discomfort emanating from Lucas. His scrunched face showed no signs of unfolding, no matter how hard he tried.

 

‘What’s this guy up to?’

It was impossible to read Lucas’s inner thoughts. In truth, Gusto had expected him to come running like a madman as soon as the funeral of the empress was over.

 

But here was Lucas, not even searching for Princess Serena. It made him feel uneasy, as things were unfolding differently than expected, not to mention he had also been in the process of changing the location where Princess Serena was staying.

“I’m just concerned that my wife is not yet accustomed to the palace.”

 

His response was smooth, like flowing water.

 

A slight smirk escaped Gusto’s lips, revealing a hint of mockery in his words, influenced by the affection seen in Lucas’s dark eyes.

 

“Hold on. Did you think I was going to kidnap the Duchess Viterpan?”

 

The cackling laughter was a clear taunt.

 

Gusto’s searing eyes locked onto Briella’s. Under his piercing gaze, Briella lowered her eyes submissively.

 

“How could I ever entertain the thought that His Majesty, the Emperor would commit such a reckless act?”

 

Lucas’s relaxed words wiped the playful smile off Gusto’s face.

 

As someone who knew of his father’s history of kidnapping princesses, it was a joke that Gusto couldn’t find amusing.

Gusto’s father had kidnapped Lucas’s sister, Serena.

 

A reckless act indeed.

 

Gusto was on the verge of a bitter laugh.

 

Having been preoccupied with the busy days after Empress Olivia’s death, Gusto had not paid much attention to Lucas.

He glared at Lucas, feeling the need to pull the dog’s leash tighter.

 

“Lucas.”

 

Briella pulled his sleeve, the glow of sunset reflected in her eyes.

 

Evening.

 

A time which was not quite day, not quite night, a glint appeared vividly in Briella’s eyes.

 

“Is this because you’re still newlyweds? Your affection seems to overflow even in front of my presence,” said Gusto, indirectly emphasizing his position of emperor.

 

“Are you envious, Your Majesty?”

 

The Emperor’s mocking remark was quickly followed by a response from Lucas. Eve, who had been watching the three of them, was by Gusto’s side.

 

In response to Gusto’s overt gaze directed at Briella, Eve nestled closer as usual.

 

‘Troublesome.’

But the feel of her slender body against his, the smell of her scented flesh, was too much for him today.

 

Gusto pushed Eve away and looked at the two of them.

 

“Your Majesty?”

 

Surprised, Eve looked at Gusto, but his gaze was fixed on Briella and Lucas.

 

Two glaring pairs of eyes pointed towards each other seemed ready to explode at any moment.

 

“How could…Your Majesty, do this to me…”

 

Moisture welled up in Eve’s eyes. Her large golden eyes seemed ready to burst into tears at any moment.

 

“Be silent.”

 

Gusto extended his hand. The tense atmosphere silenced the noblewomen attending the tea party.

 

“…Lucas.”

 

Briella cautiously intervened between Lucas and Gusto.

 

It wasn’t quite dark yet.

 

When Briella’s eyes, tinged with an late evening glow, met Lucas’s eyes, the tension in him drained away.

 

‘…I must have lost my self-control.’

 

“If you permit, Your Majesty, I would like to take my leave now.”

 

Regretting his lack of restraint, Lucas requested to leave in Gusto’s direction.

 

“Your Majesty, I have also recently recovered from illness. If you permit, I would like to leave as well.”

 

Following suit, Briella expressed her desire to leave.

 

“…Illness?”

 

Until just a while ago, she had been answering his questions with a cheerful smile.

 

And now, out of nowhere, she mentioned an illness.

 

“Yes. That’s why I couldn’t attend Lady Lawrence’s tea party.”

 

It had already been rumored that there had been a problem with Lady Lawrence at the funeral, and Briella had received an invitation to a tea party.

 

“Hah!”

 

He felt like an herbivorous animal caught in a snare, unable to move an inch.

 

Unknowingly, Gusto burst into a hollow laugh. He found himself ridiculous, having fallen into a trap set by a bold woman.

 

But the way Briella was looking at him now, with slightly fearful eyes, was quite adorable.

 

That’s when the wind blew.

 

In the fairly chilly wind, Briella instinctively shrank her shoulders.

 

“Oh, no,” she muttered.

 

Lucas shifted his posture, brushing away the strands of silver hair fluttering in the wind.

 

“Ah…”

 

A long shadow enveloped her, shielding her from the sunlight, while his sturdy back blocked the wind.

 

Liberated from the scorching rays of the sun that had consumed her throughout the day, she lifted her head.

“Thank you.”

 

“You’re most welcome, madam.”

 

Though his face was obscured by backlight, he was undoubtedly smiling.

 

Feeling inexplicably embarrassed, Briella blushed and lowered her gaze.

 

“So the rumors were true.”

 

Following the voice that had just escaped, Briella saw a gathering of noble ladies observing the two of them.

 

More than half of them wore a vague, melancholic expression as if Lucas had snatched their souls.

 

“What…?”

 

“There are rumors that Duke Viterpan has fallen in love.”

 

The Countess, who had been watching the two of them while holding her hands close to her chest, replied with an ecstatic expression.

 

“Haha. It’s the highest praise for a newlywed groom.”

 

Her hearty laughter resonated through the bustling garden party.

 

“I had no idea that Duke Viterpan could be so romantic.”

 

The noble ladies who had been observing them from a distance now flocked around Lucas and Briella.

 

Their hesitant footsteps quickened as they glanced at Gusto and Eve.

 

Briella turned around to observe Eve and Gusto, who had taken her place.

 

From Gusto’s rigid jawline, she could tell just how angry he was.

 

“Shall we leave then?” asked Eve.

 

Gusto seemed to have no intention of concealing his discomfort.

 

The gazes that had been focused on Lucas and Briella now shifted to Gusto all at once.

 

“You said you were leaving, Duke? So please leave my palace now.”

 

‘My palace…’

 

Lucas looked up at the towering spire upon hearing Gusto’s words.

 

There, his father’s life was taken.

A faint smell of blood wafted in the breeze, and the dreadful memories of the past once again threatened to overtake him.

 

“Indeed, Your Majesty. Thank you for today’s invitation.”

 

Gusto’s icy gaze met Lucas and Briella’s greetings.

 

‘Unpleasant.’

 

Gusto turned away instead of acknowledging the greetings from the Viterpan couple.

 

It was a behavior that greatly violated etiquette, but no one dared to criticize him.

 

The only empress who had pointed out Gusto’s behavior was no longer among the living.

 

Until Gusto’s long shadow disappeared, neither of them lifted their bowed heads.

 

“…He’s gone.”

 

The noble ladies, who had been taken aback by the sudden departure, straightened their previously bent knees and rose from their seats.

 

The noble ladies of the imperial faction looked at Eve, who was hurriedly following behind Gusto, with bewildered expressions.

 

“Well, how could this happen?”

 

An aged noble lady of the imperial faction couldn’t make heads or tails of it, while the nobles regarded Eve with subtle disdain.

 

To audaciously send an invitation with the late Empress Olivia’s seal and then disappear in the middle of the party.

 

Despite previous decorum, it was an action that defied comprehension.

 

‘I’m exhausted.’

 

As Eve and Gusto vanished, Briella felt all the vitality drain from her body.

 

When she averted her eyes from the receding Eve, her gaze met Lucas’s, as if he had been waiting for her.

 

“Then, farewell.”

 

Lucas, who noticed Briella’s state, extended his greetings to the noble ladies who remained.

 

The host had departed, leaving a void in the situation.

 

As the highest-ranking lady, Briella should have taken charge, but she had received the imperial command as a guest.

 

It was when Briella gently placed her hand on Lucas’s arm.

 

The Duchess, who had reluctantly responded to Eve’s one-sided soirée invitation, stopped her from leaving.

 

It was a request from Duchess Taran, the leader of the eastern domain and a prominent noble of the neutral faction.

 

There was no reason for her to refuse.

 

“…..if you extend the invitation, I would be delighted to accept, Lady Taran.”

 

A smile brightened Lady Taran’s weathered face upon hearing Briella’s response.

 

“Oh, my. It seems you already know me, despite not having the chance to introduce myself.”

 

Lady Taran laughed gracefully, but her hidden intentions were unmistakable.

 

“Memorizing the roster of nobility was my first lesson in etiquette.”

 

“You’ve encountered an excellent teacher then. If the opportunity arises, I would be eager to meet that etiquette instructor myself,” Duchess Taran said, her eyes widening with surprise.

 

“If the opportunity arises, gladly.”

 

Lady Taran smiled, appreciating Briella’s perfect courtesy, which neither lowered her stature nor overstepped her bounds.

 

‘I feel like I’ve seen you somewhere before.’

 

Lady Taran’s mind was confused by the resemblance of someone that kept appearing before her eyes.

 

“Shall I have someone send the invitation?”

 

“Yes, I will eagerly await it. Farewell, then.”

 

Briella briefly caught the attention of Countess Lawrence, who was still dazed and hadn’t regained her composure.

 

“Ah!”

 

As Briella’s gaze met Lady Lawrence’s eyes, a spark of life returned to her as if she had awakened from a dream.

 

“Even… even to my soirée,” Lady Lawrence mumbled.

 

“If the opportunity arises, would you come to the Viterpan mansion? I wish to resolve any misunderstandings.”

 

Briella smiled gracefully, but the corners of Lady Lawrence’s eyes trembled at her laughter.

 

‘Her eyes… they are not smiling.’

 

“Yes, of course. I must not have had the chance to express my thoughts fully in the presence of His Majesty. I will come to pay my respects soon.”

 

Lady Lawrence inclined her head.

 

After finishing her words, Briella subtly tightened her grip on Lucas’s arm.

 

“Of course.”

 

Concluding with an elegant gesture of farewell, she turned away.

 

“Ah… rumors are truly unreliable,” said Lady Lawrence to herself.

 

After the two of them departed, sighs and exclamations filled the air.

 

The noble ladies were ecstatic over the emergence of the elegant and beautiful Lady Viterpan.

 

She was the only person capable of opposing Eve Ferena, who sought to wield power solely through the emperor’s authority.

 

The noble ladies of the noble faction and the neutral faction exchanged glances, as if acknowledging that they had lived under the same circumstances. For the first time, those who had always growled at each other found themselves in agreement.

 

“What is it?”

 

Once they were out of earshot, Briella turned to Lucas, grateful for his timely arrival.

 

But Gusto was a major hindrance to her ability to move easily in and out of the palace.

 

One word from Gusto could mean that neither Lucas nor Briella would ever step foot outside the manor.

 

“We should be able to ride even if we’re inside.”

 

Lucas strolled through the garden, rubbing the corners of his eyes tiredly. Briella tightened her grip on his arm and matched his pace.

 

Few nobles were allowed to ride horses in the palace.

 

That meant they would have to walk till their feet tired out to reach the central entrance where the carriages were stationed.

 

But Lucas’s pace was leisurely.

 

“Your Highness.”

 

“Haven’t you heard the saying that the palace walls have ears?”

 

“Yes?”

 

“Then perhaps we should call each other by name, as we did earlier.”

 

Only then did Briella recall the flattery of the noble ladies and the story they believed in.

 

Lucas, who was madly in love and hastily married.

 

Briella’s cheeks turned as red as the sunset.

 

“Not outside the manor, if you’ll pardon the rudeness.”

 

As Briella spoke, Lucas nodded slowly.

 

The tranquil sunset that had been spreading eventually faded. The surroundings quickly darkened.

 

“On nights when the moon didn’t rise, my mother used to bring me to the garden to play hide-and-seek.”

 

Briella looked up at Lucas as he spoke.

 

A pitch-black night.

 

Except for the sporadically lit magical lanterns, darkness had taken over.

 

A guide, who was there to accompany the two of them, was running towards them from a distance.

 

“To be honest, it wasn’t really hide-and-seek between my mother and me. It was the gatekeeper or the court lady who would chase after me like this.”

 

Lucas said, looking at the gatekeeper who had come closer.

 

“While lying flat in the rose garden, holding my breath and smelling the earth, the moon would slyly reveal its face.”

“I shall accompany you.”

 

The gatekeeper, who approached the two of them, bowed. Lucas nodded without saying a word.

 

Briella silently gazed at the rose garden, its last flower blooming.

 

The white rose was locked in darkness, shimmering faintly.

 

‘It’s strange… that I’m telling her this.’

 

Lucas shifted his steps as he looked down at Briella, who was looking at the rose garden.

 

The rigid stone pavement made a regular sound under the momentarily paused steps of the two people.

 

Their long shadows followed closely behind as if playing hide-and-seek.

 

While the two walked with some distance between them, their shadows remained tightly intertwined without any gaps.