A Marriage Alliance for Revenge - Chapter 19

“What are you doing?”

 

Baron, who had been watching Lucas’s actions, grew impatient and finally asked.

 

Despite having a mountain of tasks, Lucas was leaning halfway over the terrace railing of his office, dangerously peering outside.

 

Baron furrowed his brow at the sight of Lucas’s feet slightly hovering above the ground.

Though if he were to fall, it wouldn’t hurt him.

 

Just a little while ago, Baron had bitten his lip, recalling Lucas jumping off the office railing to rescue an injured cat.

 

But Lucas paid no attention to Baron’s concerns and continued to lean further forward.

 

It was a moment when Baron, unable to contain himself any longer, was about to give a stern lecture about Lucas’s disregard for safety as a doctor.

 

“What do you think they’re doing?” inquired Lucas.

 

After lunch, it was a serene afternoon.

 

The harmony of the cool breeze and warm sunlight caused Baron’s eyelids to gradually lower.

 

“Why on earth are you acting like this?”

 

Forgetting about lecturing, Baron abruptly stood up from his seat.

 

In truth, he was glad for Lucas’s question, as he had been timing when he would get up from his seat.

 

“Well, you see…”

 

As Baron approached Lucas, his slender finger pointed to a corner of the garden.

 

Following Lucas’s finger with his gaze, Baron saw Briella and Count Delevinge. Baron was aware that the Duchess had invited the Count for tea time.

 

What did Lucas’s eyes see that he didn’t?

 

“What are you talking about?”

 

Baron squinted his eyes and leaned forward.

 

“Over there. That.”

 

“Wait a minute, you’re referring to the flowers?”

 

Briella was receiving a bouquet offered by the Count and smiling brightly.

 

Seeing her burying her face in the bouquet, it seemed as if she was inhaling its fragrance.

 

“Why would the Count give that to my wife?”

 

Instead of answering, Baron silently looked at Lucas. Lucas’s face appeared more serious than ever.

 

“He was invited to the Duchess’s tea time, he couldn’t go empty-handed, now could he? Isn’t it simply a gesture of gratitude for the invitation?”

 

“Gratitude?”

 

“Yes. Gratitude. It’s a matter of courtesy towards a lady.”

 

“But why give flowers?”

 

“Because it’s the most common gift.”

 

While responding diligently to Lucas’s unnecessary question, Baron couldn’t understand the situation at all.

 

He thought it would be more efficient to tackle the piles of documents that had accumulated, rather than answering Lucas’s irrelevant inquiries.

 

Baron briefly glanced at Lucas, who seemed lost in thought, and quietly retraced his steps back to his spot.

 

Lucas’s gaze was still fixed on the garden. The upward arch of his eyebrow indicated that he was clearly displeased with the current situation.

 

‘You wouldn’t notice if I left for a moment, would you?’

 

Baron gauged Lucas’s reaction, gently opened the door, and left the office.

He couldn’t focus on work as a small, nameless white cat popped up right before him.

 

The tea time in the garden had begun; to which Lucas’s dedicated his entire attention to.

 

“Thank you for the invitation, Lady of the Manor.”

 

“Thank you for accepting the invitation, Lord Count.”

 

Briella accepted the bouquet handed to her by Count Delevingne and embraced them while smiling brightly. The large and small flowers harmonized with each other, swaying in the wind.

 

Briella was delighted with Count Delevingne’s gift. It instantly relieved the tension she had been feeling in his presence.

 

‘When was the last time I received a bouquet?’

 

Gazing at the fragrant flowers, Briella, who had been lost in thought for a moment, quickly raised her head to meet the count’s gaze.

 

“Oh, I’m sorry. I was lost in my thoughts. For a moment, I forgot I have a guest.”

 

“Seemed like a pleasant memory resurfaced.”

 

A pleasant memory.

 

At the Count’s words, she forced a faint smile and handed the bouquet to the maid by her side.

 

The maid beside Briella stepped forward and accepted the bouquet she offered.

 

“Please have a seat. I apologize for the shortcomings of this unexpected invitation.”

 

Upon Briella’s words, the Count looked at the table.

It was an ideal arrangement with two impressive teacups with blue borders, two varieties of sliced cake, and a flower basket placed in the center, flawless in every way.

 

As the two of them took their seats, the maid waiting behind them poured tea into the cups.

 

Briella and Count Delevingne kept their mouths shut and gazed at each other until the teacups were filled.

 

“You were a shadow of Empress Olivia, they say.”

 

After the maid who filled the empty teacup stepped back, the Count was the first to speak. He hadn’t even lifted his teacup yet.

 

“…I served beside her.”

 

“I see.”

 

Count Delevingne lifted the teacup. His face brightened as he took a sip of the tea. It was not a fragrant floral infusion but a sweet, fruity taste.

 

“I’m glad you enjoy the tea.”

 

Seeing the expression on Count Delevingne’s face, Briella smiled and lifted her teacup.

 

Generally, women often enjoyed floral teas with pleasant aromas during tea time. However, some people found it difficult to drink even if the fragrance smelled pleasant.

 

“It’s exceptionally sweet.”

 

Comments as these were usually given out of courtesy. However, the tea tasted good, and she unknowingly drank about half of it.

 

Perhaps because she had something sweet, she found herself smiling without realizing it.

 

 

“How can I persuade you, Lord Count?”

 

Having seen Count Delevingne’s smile, Briella cautiously spoke up.

 

She hoped that the sweetness of the tea would ease the Count’s heart, as it had relieved her tension when she received the bouquet from him.

 

“I find it difficult to believe that Empress Olivia placed her trust in you and that Lady Lawrence is a Princess of Kali. The evidence you presented, Lady of the Manor, falls far short of my standards.”

 

“… ”

 

“To be more honest, it is still hard for me to trust you, Lady of the Manor.”

 

She did not misunderstand the Count. However, hearing him say, “I can’t trust you,” hit a nerve in her heart.

 

Having stayed at the Viterpan Manor for a while and become accustomed to their hospitality, the Count’s words came as a somewhat shocking revelation to her.

 

Briella inwardly mocked herself for becoming accustomed to their favor and being hurt by the Count’s realistic remark.

 

“… ”

 

As Briella fell silent, the Count, who had been silent for a moment, spoke up.

 

“There was once a time when I had a deep connection with the Marquess Ronae. The Empress Olivia, as far as I recall, was not one to engage in secretive activities.

 

It was a topic that he and Lucas had already discussed. However, Count Delevinge desired confirmation from Briella, who had witnessed the lady’s final moments by her side.

 

Briella’s emerald eyes darkened.

 

Once.

 

Yes, there was such a time.

She recalled Count Delevingne, who secretly handed her sweet treats in a secluded corner of the garden behind the backs of her nanny and Marquess Ronae, making her smile with delight.

There was also Lucas, chasing after Noah, who had pulled Olivia’s hair and ran away. After all that, they’d enjoyed tea time which was meticulously prepared by Marchioness Ronae.

It was a time that could never occur again. Briella smiled unwittingly at the sudden memory.

 

“Lady Duchess?”

 

“Oh! I apologize.”

 

Briella, awakened from her reverie by the Count’s summons, took a deep breath.

 

The beautiful memories of the past, which could be reminisced but never relived, had turned into unattainable specters of the past.

Briella covered her face with a teacup and looked at Count Delevinge sitting in front of her.

The person in her memories, who was much older than before, was looking at her. Instead of the kind smile that once had handed her sweet treats, a cold gaze fixed upon Briella.

Briella took a sip of tea and silently lowered the teacup.

 

“Her Majesty, the Empress was very anxious while bearing the baby. As she had new responsibilities, she began to take an interest in her surroundings.”

 

“Hmm.”

 

“It seemed like she thought she needed to become stronger.”

 

“So in order to become stronger… she kept the shadow by her side?”

 

“She had to survive to protect the baby. As you know, no one else would protect her.”

 

“Are there others who know the lady’s true identity?”

 

At the Count’s words, Briella raised her head.

 

There couldn’t possibly be anyone who knew. After all, she was Olivia.

 

Briella waited quietly for Count Delevingne’s thoughts, as he slightly lowered his head and pondered. Then, when she raised her head, she felt a gaze upon her.

 

‘What is he doing?’

 

Briella’s eyes widened at the sight of Lucas hanging on the terrace railing of the second-floor office, gazing in their direction. His expression was rather stern to simply brush it off as someone relaxing.

 

‘Is he taking a break?’

 

Briella secretly stole glances at Lucas, who was observing the garden.  She nibbled on the dessert she had prepared, unable to bear Lucas’s gaze that wouldn’t leave her if she didn’t do something.

 

“It seems the imperial family’s circumstances were unfavorable to the extent that Her Majesty, the Empress entertained such thoughts.”

 

After a while, Briella spoke in response to Count Delevingne’s solemn voice.

 

“We are each doing our best to survive in our respective positions. Her Majesty, the Empress did so in her position, and you, Count, in your position.”

 

In truth, Briella did not understand this side of Count Delevingne. When she was Empress Olivia, she and Count Delevingne were enemies.

 

But why?

 

Feeling strange watching Count Delevinge favoring Olivia in a subtle way, Briella felt a lump in her chest and bit her lip.

 

“In that case, I should do my best in my position.”

 

Count Delevingne’s words received an affirmative nod from Briella. The conversation was about to commence in earnest.

 

 

“In history, Kali is already a forgotten kingdom.”

 

“But there are individuals who continue to live and breathe, who aren’t history.”

 

The two faced off tensely. Briella’s dress fluttered like a fallen flower in the gusty wind.

 

“I truly cannot comprehend your thoughts. It is an endeavor that even His Highness opposes. Accepting them as comrades at this point would pose an immense risk.”

 

“Lady Lawrence has concealed herself and lived in the shadows for the past few years. Without anyone ever suspecting. Is that solely the ability of Lady Lawrence? Surely, there are capable individuals assisting her.”

 

Briella’s words prompted the Count Delevinge to slowly shake his head. It was undeniably a dangerous endeavor, no matter how much one pondered it.

 

“Lady.”

 

“Yes.”

 

“In my service to His Highness, I have witnessed that there is neither swiftness nor slowness in this world. The world I have lived in was one where individuals either died or survived. Swiftness and slowness were secondary concerns.”

 

Briella nodded slowly at the Count Delevinge’s words.

 

His words were not incorrect. However, Briella’s heart did not align with them.

 

“…”

 

“I do not know the exact reasons behind His Highness’s decision to appoint you as a Duchess. However, I hope you can temper your impatience and consult us before making such arbitrary decisions in the future.”

 

“What?”

 

“Young Knights are oft to make this mistake. Engaging in a task impulsively, then proudly reporting it. Neglecting to confirm the subsequent problems that arise. Such incidents have been reported frequently.”

 

“…”

 

“It is not that one is an incompetent knight, but rather it was a mistake made in haste. At this moment, it can still be rectified. However, if the timing is delayed even slightly, that mistake may result in the loss of someone.”

 

Briella’s face flushed crimson at the Count Delevinge’s words. It was the moment when she inadvertently revealed her knowledge of Lady Lawrence and Kali, as the Count had already suspected.

 

“The lives of His Highness and those who follow him depend on a single word from the Duchess. Please exercise restraint in impulsive actions.”

 

A bitter taste lingered in her mouth. Unconsciously, it seemed she had been biting her lip. There was not a single falsehood in the Count Delevinge’s words.

 

For the sake of the baby’s revenge and to shake off the guilt she felt for betraying Lucas in the past, Briella had acted rashly, just as the Count had said.

 

The hands beneath the table clenched the hem of the dress, crumpling it ungracefully in Briella’s grasp.

 

“I concede, as the Count has rightly pointed out, that I have been impetuous.”

 

Briella lowered her head, and Count Delevinge observed her in silence.

 

Silver hair glistening in the sunlight, paired with deep emerald eyes.

 

Though she was only a shadow in the presence of the Empress, Briella’s actions were no less remarkable than those of any noblewoman.

 

To acknowledge one’s own actions and offer an apology was also a rarity.

 

“Have you served by the side of Empress Olivia for long?”

 

“…I cannot speak of that.”

 

Briella hesitated, bowing her head in response to the Count Delevinge’s words. He fell silent at her avoidance.

 

“Well then, shall we discuss how to address the matter that has already unfolded?”

 

Raising a lukewarm teacup, Count Delevinge smiled. Briella nodded wordlessly.

 

However, despite their efforts, a few days later, an invitation arrived at the palace, summoning Briella to the imperial court.

 

Curiously enough, it was Emperor Gusto who had extended the invitation.

 

In addition to the imperial seal, the invitation bore the Emperor’s handwritten signature.