A Marriage Alliance for Revenge - Chapter 30

“You’re going to the palace?”

 

It was not uncommon for nobles to reside in the palace.

 

Handmaidens of the Empress and nobles of high rank often had their rooms in the palace.

 

So Briella’s trip to the palace was nothing out of the ordinary.

 

She was, after all, a duchess who bore Viterpan’s name.

 

“Yes.”

 

Despite Lucas’s angry tone, Briella was looking straight ahead.

 

Lucas’s face was cold as he looked at her.

 

Despite the lack of warmth in his gaze, Briella had no intention of changing her mind.

 

“On such short notice?”

 

Lucas’s dejected voice made Briella turn her head.

 

‘What?’

 

The gaze she could feel on her cheeks was fierce.

 

But Lucas’s voice was strangely lifeless.

 

The sound of his voice made Briella turn her head.

 

Lucas was brushing back the hair that covered his forehead.

 

His face, superimposed on the light coming in through the small window, looked somewhat haggard.

 

“….notice, you say,” she muttered.

 

“You seem dead-set on this. Are you truly sure you’re okay with this?”

 

Briella averted her gaze at Lucas’s offhanded question.

 

Her heart sank as she realized that she had displayed similar behavior in front of Gusto.

 

At Briella’s words, Lucas reached out and lifted her chin.

 

Briella’s pupils fluttered, not expecting him to lift her chin so suddenly.

 

When she saw her reflection in Lucas’s dark eyes, she quickly turned her head away, but he’d already read how she truly felt. 

 

“Because I thought I told you you could take your time. I guess my advice isn’t good enough for you.”

 

Lucas said, dropping the hand that held her chin.

 

Briella’s face fell at the sight of him looking so forlorn, and she clutched his falling hand urgently.

 

Lucas looked down at Briella’s hand. It was a weak grip.

 

He could have shaken her hand off in a heartbeat.

 

But Lucas gave in to the tiny force pulling him toward her.

 

Briella’s dark green eyes were fluttering uneasily.

 

And the reflection of himself in them.

 

And he couldn’t shake that little bit of power holding onto him.

 

Witnessing his expression relax, Briella let out the breath she had been holding.

 

“‥‥‥.”

 

“I’m not okay.”

 

Her voice trembling, Lucas exerted some strength in the hand Briella had caught. 

 

She could barely hold on to his hand by herself.

 

However, the strength of the hand that was grasping him brought warmth to his cold chest.

 

“‥‥‥.”

 

“None of it was okay.”

 

His fingers twitched as he watched Briella press her forehead against the back of Lucas’s hand in protest.

 

“What wasn’t okay? What happened?”

 

All Lucas knew was that she had once stood by Olivia.

 

She couldn’t stand in front of him and tell him that Gusto’s poisoned tea had cost her her child and her life.

 

So Briella had to hide it.

 

She had to hide it, as she increasingly wanted to lean into his touch as he stroked her hair.

 

‘Was I missing someone? Or missing you?’

 

Thinking about all the times she’d been frozen in Gusto’s presence, like a mouse in front of a viper, she felt somehow comforted.

 

“Yes.”

 

Lucas’s face grew stern at Briella’s answer.

 

This was a woman who was accustomed to withholding what she felt rather than revealing it.

 

She never spoke of her pain, even when it hurt, nor did she express her sadness when she was grieving.

 

He had always wondered about her hidden emotions. But he didn’t want to directly address that endless sadness of hers.

 

Their relationship was built on a contract. 

 

It became a leash that bound Lucas’s ankles. 

 

As he looked at Briella’s hair, which was flowing like moonlight in his hands, Lucas tried to calm her uneasy feelings.

 

‘Could it be….that she’s lonely?’

 

He looked at Briella, who was still resting her forehead against the back of his hand, shaking off the emotions she couldn’t even admit to herself.

 

He couldn’t figure out what to say in response to her first “It wasn’t okay” answer, which was a departure from her usual reassurances that everything was fine.

 

“‥‥‥.”

 

“I wasn’t feeling well at all, but after meeting Your Highness, I’m fine.”

 

Lucas’s face hardened at the unexpected words.

 

He kept his hand that was holding hers in place and covered his mouth with the other hand he used to stroke her hair. 

 

As she turned her head to hide her burning face, he caressed her face with his hand. The simmering heat inside her didn’t subside.

 

“Your Highness?”

 

A cold sweat broke out at the sound of Briella’s gentle voice.

 

She glanced at Lucas, whose head was turned away from her, unaware of her situation.

 

His tightly clenched jaw was quivering.

 

“Are you angry?

 

“‥‥‥.”

 

Briella, who was reaching for Lucas’s unresponsive hand, hastily withdrew her hand.

 

In the process, she lost her grip on Lucas’s hand.

 

Thud!

 

“Glad to hear you’re feeling better.”

 

It was Lucas who grabbed her hand again.

 

Briella’s hand fit perfectly in his large hand. There was a warm heat emanating from the hand he held.

 

Briella’s face blushed deeply as she looked at Lucas, who was holding her hand.

 

The two of them leaned on each other’s warmth for a moment, finding solace.

 

It was a comfort they felt without having to make eye contact and check each other’s faces.

 

“Yes. I’m feeling better, and this time I will face everything firmly without letting my guard down. Properly, if I may.”

 

“Properly?”

 

Briella nodded, a far cry from the languorous sluggishness of her previous nods.

 

The strength in her shoulders, which gave power to her sparkling pupils, was released with a sigh of relief.

 

“I think I can do it this time.”

 

“Is that why you came all the way here? To talk about it?”

 

“I wanted confirmation.”

 

The moment it became apparent that she had come to meet Lucas, using Princess Serena as an excuse, Briella’s face stiffened.

 

Luckily, Lucas didn’t seem to have noticed yet.

 

“Confirm what?”

 

Lucas blinked at Briella’s unexpected question.

 

The atmosphere around them had suddenly become much softer.

 

“That I can do it.”

 

“Yeah. In your current state, I’m certain you’re capable of doing it. Although I don’t know what ‘it’ refers to.”

 

Unbeknownst to him, she felt a sense of trust in Lucas’ words. The trust she received from him, even as small as a fingernail, was extraordinary.

 

“Yes.”

 

“In that case, I shall entrust the matters of the royal court entirely to you.”

 

“Thank you. Your Highness.”

 

Lucas turned his head at the slight bow.

 

Rather than paying attention to her bow, his attention was drawn to her white nape, which was exposed as she bowed her head.

 

He couldn’t help but be drawn to her peculiar appearance, reminiscent of an enchanting winter tree. 

 

Somehow, he couldn’t stand to look down at her.

 

Frustrated, Lucas sat down on the chair opposite, feeling as if a massive rock was pressing down on him. 

 

Just a few days ago, he would boldly protect her side, sit shamelessly by her side, and stare at Briella until he bore a hole through her.

 

He delighted in seeing Briella’s reactions to his gaze.

 

However, for some reason, it was difficult to look at her directly.

 

‘Could I still be reeling from the abrupt jog with Thompson through the woods?’

 

His heart raced as if it were sprinting alone.

 

Lucas averted his gaze from his vigorously pounding heart and clasped his chin.

 

“Emperor Gusto is deliberately stalling for time.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“It’s a strange situation. He summons you to the palace and keeps me confined here.”

 

Briella’s heart sank as she saw Lucas’s perplexed expression.

 

Dizziness crept over her as the sensation of endlessly falling grew ever-dominant.

 

She recalled the image of Gusto draping his cloak over her, which she had worn and left behind at the Bitterpan Mansion, entrusted to the butler for laundering. 

 

She didn’t want to see it again, but it was an item that had to be returned, along with the response to Gusto’s request, disguised as a command.

 

‘No more.’

 

Briella shook her head, shaking off the residue of Gusto in her mind.

 

The same Gusto she had seen in front of Eve was a completely different person when they were alone together.

 

Even when she was Olivia by his side, she had never seen such a side of him.

 

And yet, he unconditionally removed the cloak, which was as significant as the symbol of the emperor, just because she was trembling.

 

It was unnerving.

 

The trembling that lingered at the tip of her toes gradually grew, clawing at her, preparing to swallow Briella whole.

 

“Hey?”

 

“Ah!”

 

Briella snapped out of her reverie at the sound of Lucas calling her.

 

“It’s a trick, Your Highness.”

 

“What?”

 

“The Emperor intends to detain you here at all costs. Therefore, if you want to escape his clutches, you must act first.”

 

With Briella’s clear voice, Lucas looked at her with a dumbfounded expression.

 

He couldn’t possibly grasp this woman’s true identity.

 

Her transformation from a delicate and pitiful figure, resembling a winter tree, into a warrior-like stance was another aspect of her that brought forth a sense of novelty.

 

And every time he witnessed this new side of her, Lucas felt exhilarated.

 

It felt like a tingling sensation in the depths of his chest and a sharp jab at the same time.

 

“You never cease to surprise me.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

Lucas sighed as he looked at Briella, who was rolling her large eyes in all directions.

 

In an instant, the tension that had gripped his chest since the night prior dissipated.

 

‘A trick, you say. Unbelievable!’

 

While Lucas was admiring her, Briella was fidgeting.

 

She couldn’t fathom the unpredictable state of Lucas, who alternated between an incredulous gaze and a self-amused smile.

 

When he finally opened his mouth, it brought a sense of relief.

 

“Did you say hello to Marquis Sergel?”

 

Lucas’s question made Briella think for a moment, and then she shook her head.

 

Although she revealed her status to the guards who were guarding the passage and was escorted this way, she hadn’t exchanged formal greetings with him.

 

Briella glanced at the closed door, remembering the old gentleman with the fierce eyes that belied his good nature.

 

“This is going to be a long story.”

 

Lucas rose to his feet, and Briella followed suit.

 

He strode brusquely to the closed door.

 

“Marquis Sergel.”

 

“Yes. Your Highness.”

 

The sudden opening of the door might have startled him, but Marquis Segel remained remarkably composed. 

 

There was not a hint of the cruel knight in the serene presence of the kind-hearted old man, who even had a faint smile.

 

At Lucas’s request, Marquis Segel, with a smile on his face, stepped into the room, causing Briella to gulp nervously.

 

Briella swallowed hard at the sight.

 

The former legendary figure from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who had concealed his appearance in response to the Emperor’s summons, was now revealed.

 

“Let’s keep our introductions brief. This is my wife, Briella. This is my old friend Logan Segel.”

 

“At last, we have the opportunity to exchange greetings. My lady.”

 

“It is an honor to meet you. Marquis.”

 

A simple greeting passed between the two.

 

However, their gazes upon each other were far different from the simplicity of their words.

 

Under the sharp and stern gaze of Marquis Segel, Briella felt her legs tighten.

 

She felt like a student about to have her homework checked by a teacher.

 

“Please, have a seat, Marquis. I think we need to revise our plans.”

 

Upon Lucas’ words, Briella and Viscount Sergel, who had been scrutinizing each other, averted their gazes.

 

“What do you mean?”

 

He’d suspected something was wrong ever since Briella had come to see Lucas.

 

And dressed like that.

 

How surprised he was to see the Duchess appearing in such suspicious attire.

 

Marquis Segel let out a low sigh as he observed Briella, who was removing her black robe.

 

He still couldn’t discern whether it was audacious or foolish.

 

“Gusto is keeping me here while attempting to summon my wife to the palace.”

 

“What does that mean?”

 

Marquis Segel, who was pondering over Briella’s words, showed a surprised expression upon Lucas’ statement.

 

He couldn’t fathom the Emperor’s actions at all.

 

Moreover, it was soon to be the Festival of the Goddess.

 

After the festival, the winter work would follow suit.

 

Lucas, who had just entered the capital, had no reason to stir up trouble and be expelled once again.

 

Despite his calm appearance, Segel’s mind was racing with thoughts.

 

“As you know, Marquis, since Empress Olivia’s death, the Imperial House has not been without a lady of substance, has it?”

 

“That is true.”

 

“We need to prepare for the festival, but without the Empress, we’re in trouble. Lady Eve is not yet ready to oversee the festivities.”

 

“Then?”

 

Marquis Segel, who had been silently listening to Lucas, looked at Briella.

 

The noblewoman closest to the Imperial Palace.

 

A noblewoman who can be used or discarded as needed, depending on the circumstances.

 

“Ha-“

 

A long sigh escaped Marquis Segel’s mouth.

 

Marquis Segel clicked his tongue at Gusto’s cruelty.

 

Compared to the Emperor, Gusto’s viciousness had always exceeded his imagination.

 

“Indeed.”

 

Unlike Marquis Sergel’s stern face, Lucas’s was almost mischievous.

 

“I am always amazed.”

 

“Save your surprise for later.”

 

Lucas interrupted and looked at Briella.

 

‘She’ll be on the move all night to return to the mansion.’

 

Lucas tried to soothe his frayed nerves with the sight of Briella’s pale and exhausted cheek.

 

His heart, which had been pounding madly, seemed to vanish somewhere, and his chest ached at the sight of Briella, who looked tired.

 

Today was a day when he newly realized the existence he hadn’t even known was there.

 

“Your Highness?”

 

Marquis Segel interrupted Lucas, who hadn’t taken his eyes off Briella since he spoke.

 

“I don’t have the confidence to let you into the palace alone, but what do you think?”

 

As Lucas’s steadfast gaze persisted, the twilight evening glow spread across Briella’s face, unyielding.