A Marriage Alliance for Revenge - Chapter 28

“You called for me?”

 

The one guarding Luca’s study in his absence was Count Delevinge.

 

At Briella’s request, he willingly opened the doors to the study and welcomed her inside.

 

The chilly breeze coming in through the open window swirled between the two of them.

The overnight rainfall purified the air that seeped into the manor’s stifling atmosphere.

 

However, the air was cold.

 

Vinter, standing behind Briella, noticed the goosebumps on her forearms and closed the window.

 

Thunk.

 

Beyond the faint noise, Briella and the Count concluded their gauging of each other.

 

It was their first meeting since Lucas’s departure.

 

A strange energy flowed between the two. Briella raised her teacup without saying a word.

 

The bitter scent of cloves filled the tea, moistening her parched mouth.

 

“…”

 

Briella, sitting quietly after calling for him, seemed burdensome to Count Delevinge, who could not contain himself and broke the silence.

 

“I heard you went to the palace. Has something happened?”

 

Count Delevinge cautiously asked.

 

Upon hearing the Count’s words, Vinter also pricked up his ears.

 

He had sent her to the room to rest, but within a few hours, Briella emerged and needed to meet with Count Delevinge.

 

Today, in particular, her slender neck visible under her tied-up hair oddly bothered him.

 

Vinter, who thought he should inform the kitchen to pay more attention to what Briella ate, glanced at her lips, which showed a hint of resistance.

 

“I must meet His Excellency. I need to avoid the eyes of the palace.”

 

Upon Briella’s sudden mention of meeting Lucas, Count Delevinge’s eyebrows shot up threateningly.

 

“Madam, meeting the Duke in this situation is not as simple a matter as you may think.”

 

Despite the slightly irritated tone in the Count’s voice, Briella did not back down.

 

Despite her composed voice and elegant complexion, her graceful demeanor was enough to captivate attention.

 

“I understand.”

 

“However, I am in no such position to grant that request. Especially when you demand it in that manner.”

 

Count Delevinge tapped his chest twice, as if expressing frustration.

 

Despite the disdainful gaze, Briella did not back down.

 

“Madam.”

 

Briella’s brow slightly furrowed at Count Delevinge’s words.

 

With Lucas absent, this was precisely his position.

 

Without questioning the need to meet Lucas, she received a face full of disdain.

 

That was the reason.

 

Unwarranted resentment and anger surged within Briella’s heart.

 

Emotions that she had to suppress in front of Gusto yesterday have now welled up.

 

“Isn’t that the reason why the Count is in this position?”

 

“Are you implying that I am here merely to listen to his wife’s words?”

 

Count Delevinge growled as if he could pounce on Briella at any moment.

 

“I am not your subordinate, Count. I fail to understand why you treat me as such.”

 

Briella’s words silenced Count Delevinge.

 

His tightly closed jaw trembled, but Briella pretended not to notice and closed her eyes.

 

“Madam, could you please explain in detail what is happening?”

 

Vinter, who was less than satisfied with the situation, intervened between the two.

 

“It seems we need to reconsider Princess Serena’s matter,” added Briella, whose voice still carried traces of anger.

 

To the person who should have been informed, it was an unjust and unnecessary rage directed at them.

 

And Briella herself was well aware of that fact.

 

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, trying to remain calm in the current situation despite reproaching herself for her foolishness.

 

“Pardon?”

 

As Briella tried to compose herself, Vinter, who had been standing a step behind, stepped forward.

 

Briella showed no signs of surprise at Vinter’s sudden action.

 

She simply opened her tired and rigid eyes for a moment.

 

“I received a message that nothing had happened until this morning. So there’s still time until the festival, is there?” Vinter stated, summing up the situation up to now.

 

Count Delevinge nodded in agreement with Vinter’s words.

 

Briella, who had sorted out her emotions, looked at Count Delevinge.

 

Count Delevinge, sensing her apologetic gaze, nodded as if to signal that it was alright.

 

Briella slowly opened her mouth.

 

“Emperor Gusto asked me to assist with the Goddess’s Festival this year.”

 

“What does that mean?”

 

Count Delevinge and Vinter exchanged puzzled glances.

 

They couldn’t understand the situation at all.

 

They knew Gusto. The Viterpan Duchy would never be put at the forefront of the grandest event in the Rhone Empire.

 

It would be at the lowest position possible, at Gusto’s feet if possible. 

 

“The Emperor isn’t willing to feature Lady Eve yet.”

 

Vinter, who usually had an impassive expression, interjected with a sharp voice.

 

“It seems even he has a last shred of conscience.”

 

Count Delevinge clicked his tongue.

 

With a heavy heart, he swiftly gulped down the lukewarm tea.

 

It seemed that Count Delevinge, instead of tea, needed a drink of icy water.

 

Briella, who had been quietly listening to the words of Count Delevinge and Vinter, slowly opened her mouth.

 

“Conscience, you say? The fact of the matter is that Lady Eve isn’t capable enough, and they need a shield to substitute for her.”

 

“Ha!”

 

Briella’s words elicited alternating sighs and gasps from Vinter and Count Delevinge.

 

Vinter sighed at Briella’s foresight, while Count Delevinge lamented Gusto’s heartless actions.

 

Briella, observing the contrasting reactions of the two, couldn’t help but let out a wry smile.

 

“What does the princess’s affairs have to do with this, though? Since it is the Emperor’s command, it seems inevitable that we will participate in the Goddess’s Festival regardless.”

 

Count Delevinge’s gaze, once he regained his senses, turned back to Briella. The atmosphere had become somewhat softer than before.

 

“If everything had gone according to plan, the Duke and I were scheduled to celebrate the Goddess’s Festival in Bordeaux. Princess Serena was also supposed to meet us there.”

 

Briella’s words were met with nods from the two.

 

Vinter inspected Briella’s empty cup and poured her a steaming cup of tea.

 

Briella nodded her thanks while observing his actions.

 

“It seems our plans have been derailed from the beginning.”

 

Count Delevinge sighed, his jaw clenched.

 

Their plan was for Lucas to finish his tasks with the rebels and return to the capital, using the festival as an excuse to head to Bordeaux with the Duchess.

 

But suddenly, Gusto intruded and ruined all their plans.

 

Count Delevinge and Vinter gazed out of the window at the view of the palace. Though they didn’t voice it, one could vaguely guess what they were thinking.

 

“Hmm.”

 

As Count Delevinge absently stroked his chin, Briella, who was watching him, stiffened her face.

 

Her heart raced anxiously.

 

Feeling a prickling sensation and a fleeting discomfort, Briella looked at Count Delevinge.

 

“Now it’s your turn, Count. Will you continue to deign that closed, heavy mouth of yours at me?”

 

With a sigh, Count Delevinge slowly opened his mouth.

 

 

 

***

 

 

 

“Are you really going to chase after those brats all the way to Perta?”

 

Hessel, who had followed Lucas to his location, asked in a disgruntled voice.

 

Food poisoning.

 

How on earth could eating some wild creature in this weather lead to food poisoning? Lucas bit back the retort, looking at Baron, who was questioning him.

 

“What nonsense. Gusto, what are you playing at?”

 

In the empty air, Lucas threw his question, knowing full well that he would only get silence in return.

 

From the moment the subordinate came in the early morning to report an upset stomach, he sensed that something was amiss.

 

But he never expected it to unravel like this, with his situation having developed so unpredictably.

 

“Is there a possibility of the plan being leaked?”

 

“No one knows the plan itself.”

 

Lucas nodded at Hessel’s words.

 

Indeed, even Sir Segel, who was secretly trailing them, didn’t know the specifics of the plan.

 

“For now, let’s head into town.”

 

Upon Lucas’s words, Hessel nodded.

 

They needed to send a few knights ahead to the town, have Lucas announce a reward for the inn, and tidy up the surroundings.

 

Lucas turned his head back, glancing behind him, while ruminating.

 

‘Some of them were completely unconscious, as if they had consumed something harmful.’

 

‘Could they even resort to killing if necessary?’

 

Lucas lost his track of thought and let out a bitter laugh as he looked down at the knights lying in the baggage cart.

 

His cousin was truly ruthless. He would even resort to poisoning those who followed him.

 

“We will head into town.”

 

“Yes?”

 

The subordinate showed a noticeable sense of relief at Lucas’s command.

 

Lucas clicked his tongue as he saw his emotions exposed on the subordinate’s face.

 

Unlike Gusto, he seemed to hold his knights dear.

 

“There are doctors in town, and we need to regroup on our way to Perta.”

 

Lucas trailed off.

 

Seeing the subordinate who couldn’t take his eyes off the fallen soldiers, his heart felt overwhelmed.

 

They were merely in different positions, yet they were walking the same path, forced to point their swords at each other behind invisible lines.

 

“We have discovered a decent inn. You can eat there.”

 

It was already past noon. They had to circle around the forest to reach the town.

 

The soldiers’ faces had become even more grim in the meantime.

 

“Baron!”

 

Baron approached, responding to Lucas’s call.

 

His heavily furrowed brow indicated his dissatisfaction with the current situation.

 

“You called?”

 

“What do you think?”

 

He whispered lowly, with a tightly pressed opening to his words. Baron’s face reddened at Lucas’s question.

 

It was rare to see Baron get angry.

 

“What kind of person is the Emperor, after all?”

 

“What are you talking about?”

 

Lucas furrowed his brow in response to the unexpected query. The entrance to the town was already visible in the distance.

 

Depending on Baron’s examination, their treatment would be determined.

 

“Unless they are lunatics, it’s highly unlikely that they would willingly consume poison. I’m curious to know who is behind feeding my people such toxic substances.”

 

Lucas raised his head, lightly tapping Baron’s agitated side.

 

Food poisoning is a dangerous affliction. Without obtaining medicine in time, it could lead to an untimely demise.

 

Baron took a deep breath at Lucas’s signal and then exhaled.

 

His chest rose and fell heavily.

 

“I will try to find an antidote.”

 

Lucas nodded in response to Baron’s words. Those lives were meant to be taken anyway.

 

However, Baron was a doctor, and it seemed he had already decided to save them.

 

Baron would save them, and he would kill them.

 

Just the thought of it made his mouth dry.

 

Unaware of Lucas’s sentiments, Baron strode purposefully towards the fallen knights with a determined expression.

 

When they reached the outskirts of the town, knights who had arrived earlier rushed over and guided them to the inn.

 

The small inn, with four floors, was too cramped for all the knights to stay.

 

“Your Highness, you may use the fourth-floor room.”

 

Hessel approached. The second floor was for the unwell knights, and the third floor was for the knights with higher positions.

 

Lucas turned away, observing Baron, who was giving various instructions to the innkeeper.

 

Just as Lucas was about to ascend the stairs, he suddenly turned around and sat at a table.

 

The rustic wooden table and rigid chairs proved to be rather uncomfortable, yet Lucas refrained from uttering a single word.

Hessel, upon witnessing his demeanor, arched an eyebrow in response. In his original state, Lucas would have explored the village or retired to the designated chamber, as was proper and fitting.

“Shall I fetch you a glass of wine?” Hessel offered.

The ground floor of the inn, akin to other establishments, served as a dining area. Perhaps assuming that Lucas would immediately place an order upon taking his seat at the table, a young child rushed over with an eager smile. “Wine?”

Lucas had been gazing pensively at the flowers adorning the table when the child, with a sense of curiosity, added, “Given the chilly weather, would you care for a glass?”

The young boy with tousled chestnut hair appeared rather lively. Even Hessel, who had been standing by his side, couldn’t resist ruffling the boy’s hair in response to his audacity.

It didn’t matter that Lucas, armed and wielding a sword, didn’t present a fearsome sight. “Wine, you say?”

Lucas surveyed his surroundings in response to the child’s words.

The modest flowers placed upon the weathered table seemed incongruous with the ambiance of the place, yet somehow fitting at the same time.

The golden flower, a common sight in the Rhone Empire, appeared freshly plucked and held a droplet of water. “Is it wine from Bordeaux?”

“Indeed!” the child replied to Lucas’s query.

“Ah, I see. However, I am more intrigued by the maiden who sells these exquisite flowers.”

“Your Highness!” Hessel’s expression shifted upon Lucas’s statement.

The lieutenant in charge of relocating the fallen knights and his subordinates all turned their heads in Lucas’s direction upon hearing him mention the maiden.

“Oh?”  

 

“What’s the matter?” 

 

“She is not a maiden.”

The boy’s countenance fell as he answered, and his shoulders slumped upon Lucas’s words.

Lucas swallowed a dry mouthful, his inner disappointment becoming evident. “Not a maiden, you say?”

“Indeed. I plucked these flowers from beyond that hill over here. My mother cherishes this kind of flower.”

Lucas nodded as he observed the innkeeper peering in their direction from the kitchen.

“You possess a remarkable talent for bringing joy to women at such an early age.” Lucas’s comment seemed to be taken as a compliment, and the young boy beamed brightly.

“What is your name?” 

 

“Thompson, Your Highness.”

“Very well, Thompson. Could you guide me to the hill where these resplendent flowers bloom?”

“Does the knight have a mother who also adores these flowers too?” 

 

Hessel burst into laughter at the boy’s query, finding it audacious.

“No. I have a wife who holds affection for these flowers.”

Thompson, lost in thought and gazing at Lucas, appeared as if he had lost something of great significance.

His face was suddenly tinged with disappointment, as if he had lost something of monumental value.

“So it wasn’t your mother, but your wife.”