A Marriage Alliance for Revenge - Chapter 40

The unfamiliar sensation on her calves sent shivers down her spine.

 

She scanned her surroundings vigilantly, yet no presence was detected.

 

Only then did the thought of leaving Briella alone quicken her steps.

 

But before she could even lift a foot, something else, ominously, seized her stride.

 

Lucas halted his steps and stooped at the waist.

 

What blocked his path was a small basket.

 

Eyes accustomed to darkness lifted it into view.

 

“What on earth is this?”

 

Blocking the entrance of the house was not just the basket Lucas held.

 

With more caution than ever before, Lucas cautiously moved forward.

 

Trying not to stumble over the scattered objects with each step, his pace was hindered.

 

Upon entering the darkened house, Lucas keenly surveyed his surroundings.

 

“‥‥‥Briella?”

 

At the echoing sound returning from the darkness, Lucas shifted his steps.

 

Venturing into the darkness, Lucas headed towards where faint whispers emanated.

 

“‥‥‥.”

 

Spotting Briella lying in a deep sleep on the table, Lucas gazed at her in silence for a while.

 

Her silver hair shimmering in the darkness replaced the absent moonlight.

 

Despite Lucas’s presence, Briella, exhausted, kept her eyes shut.

 

Lucas carefully grasped the stray silver strands on the table.

 

The moonlight, seemingly about to vanish, was now held in his hands.

 

“‥‥‥Yes?”

 

Under Lucas’s touch, Briella opened her eyes.

 

Her gaze, momentarily dazed, gradually regained its light.

 

“My lady?”

 

“You seem quite fatigued.”

 

At Lucas’s words, Briella raised her head.

 

Having slept uncomfortably for a considerable time.

 

As she moved, groans escaped involuntarily.

 

Briella slightly furrowed her brow.

 

While Briella regained her senses, Lucas lit a flame.

 

It didn’t take long for the warm orange glow to fill the dark room.

 

“There is something you need to see.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

As Lucas handed her the torch, Briella looked at him with a puzzled expression.

 

‘What unfortunate event has occurred?’

 

A dry gulp passed through her tense throat.

 

“Quickly.”

 

At Lucas’s urging, Briella rose from her seat.

 

Handing the torch to Briella, Lucas stepped back.

 

Observing Lucas’s actions, Briella, with an anxious glance, began to move forward.

 

Feeling Lucas’s presence behind her, Briella swallowed nervously.

 

With each step, Lucas followed her at the same pace, matching her stride.

 

“Taking care of one’s steps is advisable.”

 

As Lucas finally opened the door and warned Briella, who was about to step outside, his caution was evident.

 

Briella turned her head at Lucas’s words, their eyes meeting momentarily.

 

In response, Lucas shrugged his shoulders, a gesture of uncertainty.

 

The once trembling gaze soon regained its composure.

 

Grasping the door handle firmly, Briella opened the door without hesitation.

 

With a creak, the door shifted outward, accompanied by a slight noise.

 

“Oh?”

 

As Briella held the door handle with one hand, she pushed the door with her body.

 

“Watch your step.”

 

Upon hearing Lucas’s warning from behind, Briella lowered the torch.

 

Her hand trembled slightly as she lowered the torch, having been cautioned twice about watching her step.

 

“Ah…”

 

His faintly upturned lips hinted at a sense of contentment.

 

Briella gazed at the items placed in front of the door.

 

A few small potatoes, somewhat shriveled carrots, and a bit of dried meat.

 

A handful of dried fruits, basking in the summer sun, would have been someone’s winter snack.

 

“Goodness.”

 

As Briella murmured to herself, Lucas, who had been leaning against the doorframe, approached her.

 

What Briella had discovered was a linen pouch.

 

If handled carelessly, the delicate flower petals inside seemed as though they might break.

 

“What’s inside?”

 

“Flower petals.”

 

Briella took a deep breath as she held the pouch.

 

The scent of summer sunshine mixed with the faint floral fragrance, carried by the cold winter wind.

 

Smiling like spring encountered in winter, Briella handed it to Lucas.

 

“It smells delightful.”

 

Feeling the rustling texture in his hand and the subtle floral scent, Lucas found himself gazing unknowingly at the moonlight above.

 

The crescent moon, suddenly revealed, illuminated the place where the two stood brightly.

 

“What shall we do with these?”

 

“They should be returned. This might have been someone’s dinner tonight.”

 

“Even this one?”

 

Lucas extended the pouch he was holding.

 

Briella’s furrow deepened in contemplation.

 

While other food and herbs could be returned, for some reason, the pouch the size of a palm seemed tempting.

 

“Quite surprising. You have your moments of desire as well.”

 

Pressing a finger against Briella’s furrowed brow, Lucas remarked.

 

“Oops!”

 

Startled by the sudden contact, Briella stepped back.

 

“Should I start holding hands tomorrow? I thought I had practiced enough at the manor, but my performance in real situations seems lacking.”

 

Turning her head away from Lucas’s teasing tone, Briella avoided his gaze.

 

“It seems you’ve forgotten that it is the Duke who’s madly in love.”

 

“If I had known, I would have said that the one madly in love isn’t the Duke but the Duchess.”

 

At Lucas’s softly spoken words, Briella chuckled.

 

The sincerity in his voice was unmistakable.

 

“Then perhaps the marriage itself should never have taken place. Can a noble bastard with nothing dare linger by a noble’s side?”

 

“Still, it’s not fair.”

 

Like a petulant child, Lucas pursed his lips.

 

Briella’s eyes widened at his unexpected behavior.

 

“Why?”

 

“It’s just that…”

 

Lucas cocked his head at Briella’s trailing words.

 

“Look at it this way, if we send all this back, we’ll have to starve, too.”

 

Recalling the report received from Hessel before leaving the barracks, Lucas clicked his tongue.

 

At Lucas’s words, Briella turned toward the direction of the village.

 

It was likely that chaos had erupted by now, as expected.

 

Briella instructed Emma to revise the ledger.

 

Only Briella and Emma knew exactly what items were where and in what quantities.

 

Given the enormous amount of goods, it was likely that confusion had set in by now since they couldn’t reorganize everything.

 

“We’ll have to cook to eat these.”

 

Thinking of Lady Lawrence, Briella shook her head to dispel her image.

 

Then she inspected the contents of the basket.

 

It was enough for the two of them to eat without any excess.

 

“Have you had a change of heart?”

 

“Yes. If we return to the village as we are, we may have to move according to Lady Eve’s wishes, which I am loath to do.”

 

“Surely she isn’t waiting for you to come to her?”

 

As Lucas spoke, Briella lifted the basket from the floor and looked at him.

 

“I am not waiting for Lady Eve’s summons.”

 

“Then what are you waiting for?”

 

“It is for the glory of Your Highness that it will spread beyond Perta and the name of House Viterpan.”

 

Briella’s dark green irises flashed in the darkness.

 

“You always surprise me.”

 

“There are more surprises to come.”

 

“More surprising than this?”

 

At the heart of all these plans was Briella.

 

Her plan, starting with questioning the enemy, had culminated in drawing Eve into Perta.

 

But the plan she had prepared for herself seemed to be just beginning.

 

Taking a deep breath as if to inflate his chest, Lucas exhaled before speaking.

 

“Ha— now that you are prepared for surprises, speak.”

 

“Your Highness.”

 

“Yes?”

 

“Do you know how to cook?”

 

“What?”

 

He thought there would be no more surprises.

 

But faced with the question that came from Briella’s lips, Lucas had to wear a more foolish expression than ever before.

 

“I think we’re going to have to cook dinner, and I don’t know how to cook.”

 

In response to Briella’s assertive demand for an evening meal with a composed voice and confident visage, Lucas let out a hollow chuckle.

 

“I am dying to know about you.”

 

“Pardon?”

 

“What on earth are you exactly?”

 

Lucas, with his disheveled hair, swiftly gathered the basket and pouch laid on the floor.

 

‘A lie. Not once has he ever inquired about me.’

 

Caught off guard by Lucas’s abrupt approach and tousled hair, Briella stood still, observing his actions from her spot.

 

“Do you like stew?”

 

“What? Yes.”

 

Having picked up the items scattered on the floor, Lucas found himself standing by the doorway, gazing at her.

 

Unable to gesture towards her due to his hands being full, his eyes, however, beckoned her.

 

Briella swiftly approached the spot by the doorway where Lucas stood.

 

As Briella stepped into the house, Lucas closed the door behind her.

 

In the once shrouded darkness, warm light now emanated from within the house.

 

With his hands full of provisions, Lucas set them down on the kitchen table.

 

Briella, trailing behind Lucas, stood at the kitchen entrance, observing him from a distance.

 

Gurggg.

 

A faint sound of embarrassment emanated from her stomach, causing her face to flush.

 

“You’d better eat this first.”

 

Arranging the dried fruits piled on a white handkerchief on the table, Lucas gently pulled Briella’s hand towards an old chair, guiding her to sit.

 

“Ouch!”

 

As the pungent fruit entered her mouth, Briella instinctively pursed her lips and began to chew.

 

After briefly scanning Briella’s bandaged arm, Lucas furrowed his brow and turned away.

 

With his broad back exposed, Lucas peeled potatoes and chopped onions.

 

Tock, tock, tock.

 

As Briella chewed on the dried fruit, the rhythmic sound filled the air.

 

With each of Lucas’s movements, something within the house shifted gradually.

 

A collection of somewhat withered carrots, potatoes, and dried meat congregated and vanished into the pot.

 

The bubbling sound filled the air, and a rich aroma began to permeate the house.

 

It was when Briella, wrinkling her nose, savored the scent.

 

“Drink this.”

 

Peering into the cup where a sharp fragrance emanated, Briella looked up at Lucas.

 

“What is this?”

 

“Drink this.”

 

Briella peered into the cup, the bitter aroma wafting up, then looked up at Lucas.

 

“What is this?”

 

“It’s a pain-relieving herb. I don’t know who left it behind, but I think they’re worried about your arm.”

 

With these words, Lucas turned away without a trace of hesitation.

 

While Lucas stirred the stew once more, Briella cautiously lifted the cup.

 

The sharp aroma that tickled her nostrils didn’t immediately prompt her to open her mouth.

 

Yet, Briella pondered the sentiments contained within this small cup.

 

The heart of someone who dug through foreign lands in search of her well-being.

 

As Briella finished her herbal tea, Lucas set down the simmering stew.

 

“You’re the first person to ever cook for me.”

 

As she gazed at the boldly chopped vegetables, her mouth watered eagerly.

 

“Thank you.”

 

The hand of Briella, lifting the spoon, moved busily.

 

‘Have I grown somewhat accustomed to this?’

 

Sitting opposite Briella, Lucas raised his spoon.

 

“How do you find the stew?”

 

In response to Lucas’s inquiry, she swallowed the potato she had been holding in her mouth without chewing.

 

Just moments ago, it was this moment that defined the emotions felt by both him and her as camaraderie.

 

However, whenever she unexpectedly received a suspicious glance, it seemed she had yet to earn Lucas’s trust, causing a pang in the corner of her chest.

 

An unknown emotion surged within her at the question that had been put off in one corner of her heart.

 

“The crops are smaller than usual, complicating tax matters, and I suspect that the Emperor and his ministers are not getting along well because of it. I expect there are also disputes with the territories that have to pay the taxes.”

 

“I see.”

 

Setting down his spoon, Lucas picked up the cup.

 

The smoothly flowing imperial information was undoubtedly a great help to Lucas.

 

Yet, it was not what Lucas wanted to hear.

 

Only after hearing about Gusto’s headache from Briella’s lips did he finally understand.

 

He merely wished to hear about the mundane and ordinary tales of Briella.

 

“When you return… are you going back to the manor?”

 

He was perplexed by his incomprehensible thoughts.

 

As Briella spoke, Lucas gazed at her.

 

“Fortunately, it seems I might be able to return with you… I doubt there’s a place for me in the Imperial Court of Rhone.”

 

Briella’s hands tightened around the spoon at Lucas’s words.

 

Bowing her head to Lucas’s bittersweet smile, Briella replied, “…There might be.”

 

“What?”

 

“If you don’t have one, I’ll make one for you.”

 

A gust of wind from somewhere caused the orange-hued lantern to sway.

 

And the shadows of the two figures also swayed precariously.