A Marriage Alliance for Revenge - Chapter 43

“How shall I ever repay this favor?”

 

Emma’s eyes welled with tears.

 

Though a brief period, the peasants of Perta, who had deeply endeared themselves to Briella, clung to her footsteps unwaveringly.

 

The farewells, initiated some time ago, continued endlessly due to the throng of people gathering.

 

“This was not charity, it is undeserved.”

 

“We are all aware. Yet, without the Lady’s presence, Perta would not have swiftly regained its former self.”

 

Emma glanced at Eve, who was quietly acknowledging the greetings from the crowd.

 

In a long line, people were taking turns to express their gratitude to Eve.

 

Eve wore a faint smile on her lips, returning the greetings with nods.

 

“Sigh…”

 

Emma, watching Eve, let out a long sigh.

 

Observing Briella gently shaking her head, Emma felt a surge of emotions and Briella squeezed Emma’s hand in reassurance.

 

“I apologize.”

 

“If it weren’t for Lady Eve, I, too, would not have come to Perta.”

 

“The Lady’s excessive “kindness” poses a challenge.”

 

At Emma’s worried remark, Briella offered a soft, orphaned smile.

 

“Madam, thank you.”

 

After formally thanking Eve, the people approached Briella without hesitation, surrounding her and exchanging greetings.

 

To the casual observer, everything seemed ordinary.

 

However, the peasants of Perta were acutely aware of the subtle distinctions.

 

“If it weren’t for all of you, this would have been impossible. It is a feat achieved by all of you.”

 

Briella’s words caused the faces of the gathered crowd to blush.

 

A faint sense of euphoria circulated among the faces that met each other.

 

It was a pride in having accomplished something oneself.

 

“Take care on your way back.”

 

Emma took the lead.

 

Others followed suit, gathering around Emma, clasping their hands and bowing their waists.

 

The men removed their hats and bowed towards Briella.

 

Even the children, mimicking the adults, bent their waists.

 

“Oh, please rise, everyone. You need not inconvenience yourselves.”

 

Briella glanced at Eve subtly. Eve’s expression did not seem pleased with the current situation.

 

Briella untied the scarf she had been wearing.

 

“Madam.”

 

“It’s a gift. Emma. Let’s meet again if fate allows.”

 

Emma was taken aback as she looked at the scarf wrapped around her neck.

 

It was incomparably luxurious and expensive compared to what she possessed.

 

“This is unbelievable. To gift me with something so precious.”

 

Emma, who had not even dared to remove the scarf Briella had personally placed around her neck, fumbled in astonishment.

 

“If you hadn’t rescued me that day Emma, this miracle wouldn’t have happened.”

 

“What?”

 

At Briella’s words, Emma touched the scarf around her neck and stared at her.

 

“…”

 

“A miracle?”

 

Emma muttered to herself under Briella’s gaze.

 

Repeating the word “miracle” in a soft, contemplative tone, it was a small voice.

 

But those around her could hear it clearly enough to understand.

 

The slight resonance that started with Emma quietly spread through the people of Perta.

 

The marvel wrought by Duke Viterpan and his lady in Perta arose.

 

Moreover, under the command of Lucas, many knights assisted in the repair of the embankment.

 

Thanks to the assistance given, even at the expense of delaying the schedule, the embankment’s repair swiftly concluded.

 

By virtue of this aid, a burden was lifted concerning next year’s harvest.

 

“Duke and my Lady, your graciousness shall not be forgotten.”

 

“Indeed. Nobles were thought to be scary, but it seems otherwise.”

 

With Emma’s words as a prelude, others began to chime in with their own.

 

Briella gazed upon this scene with contentment.

 

Whenever Lucas’s name escaped people’s lips, a smile never left Briella’s face.

 

“Madam, Lady Eve has boarded the carriage.”

 

Emma whispered quietly from behind.

 

“It seems we must depart now.”

 

Briella, who had briefly held Emma’s hand and then released it, took her steps forward.

 

Though they had come separately with individual intents, they went their ways together.

 

Briella ascended the carriage after confirming Lucas, who rode at the forefront.

 

“Farewells are lengthy.”

 

As Eve boarded the carriage, she furrowed her brow at Briella.

 

Those who had bowed repeatedly and disappeared were now around Briella, all smiling.

 

“Did we not say that the conclusion is as crucial as the beginning?”

 

Eve pouted her lips at the calm tone of her voice.

 

“By the way, I didn’t expect to be escorted back to the palace by Duke Viterpan.”

 

Eve smirked, looking out the window.

 

Briella’s jaw tightened at the amusement in her slightly upturned eyes.

 

A duke escorting the emperor’s mistress.

 

Briella’s joy at the prospect of returning with Lucas suddenly plummeted.

 

“When we get back, I want to do nothing but sleep.”

 

Eve pouted her mouth in a pouty way.

 

Briella let out a low breath at the sight.

 

“When we return, we must honor the families of the fallen knights. Finding the missing is a task for the king himself, but comforting their families is for Lady Eve.”

 

“Will such tasks truly aid my ascension to empress? Nobles scarcely bother with such concerns.”

 

‘What does the position of empress truly entail?’ 

 

Briella fell silent.

 

She remembered how she had struggled to keep from crumbling under the weight of her position as Empress.

 

Eve’s self-inflicted downfall was something Briella would have welcomed.

 

But Eve’s actions were going to hurt someone.

 

The powerless and the hungry.

 

‘No. Do not lie.’ Briella’s gaze fell upon Eve, her eyes moistening.

 

Briella was not contemplating Eve.

 

She desired Eve to fall in line with the plan she had laid out.

 

Helping her become empress?

 

An implausible notion.

 

Just as she was about to grasp what she desired most.

 

Eve would falter. Into an abyss of endless oblivion.

 

“And when we return this time, my attire must be refitted.”

 

Briella’s musings were interrupted by Eve’s cheerful voice.

 

“Weren’t your clothes for the festivities fitted before you left for Perta?”

 

Briella had vehemently refused to call for Madame Blanc.

 

Eve insistently pressed to invite Madame Blanc through Briella, even though she was aware of their exclusive contract.

 

Briella’s face went cold at the unpleasant memory.

 

“Ah! The Duchess Viterpan is unaware, it seems.”

 

Eve, shrugging her shoulders, openly scanned Briella. 

 

“If you are not inclined to listen and respond intelligibly, please refrain from speaking altogether. It is discomforting.”

 

In Briella’s monotonous tone, Eve promptly continued, almost visibly anxious that Briella might lose interest in her words.

 

“Tsk tsk.”

 

Briella inwardly clicked her tongue at that sight.

 

“I will be announcing a prelude to the hunting competition.”

 

“We’re having an Eve hunt.”

 

“What?”

 

It was a sudden narrative. Indeed, an unprecedented gesture.

 

“So, the Duchess Viterpan was also unaware. It is a competition named after me.”

 

‘There’s no way the temple would have sanctioned it, and a hunt named after the government.’

 

One of the favorite pastimes enjoyed by wealthy nobles was hunting, where innocent animals were released into the woods to be hunted down.

Some organized competitions in their daughters’ names, while others held them to celebrate their wives’ birthdays.

 

“I trust His Highness will capture me a beautiful white fox.”

 

“Of course. Isn’t the hunting skill of His Highness Gusto unparalleled in the empire?”

 

Lady Lawrence, sensing Briella’s reactions, matched Eve’s mood.

“This is unprecedented. To take lives just before the sacred festival of the goddess.”

 

“Hmph.”

 

Eve chuckled at Briella’s solemn words. “This is the Emperor’s domain. Who dares to object when it is his wish?”

 

Lady Lawrence, observing Briella confidently, subtly nudged Eve, who was standing tall. Their gazes towards each other were far from amiable.

It was indeed a situation on the brink.

 

Surprisingly, it was Briella who averted her eyes first, overwhelmed by a deep-rooted anxiety that clung to her chest, making her tremble involuntarily.

 

“I suggest you wrap yourself in a blanket.”

 

The shrewd Countess Lawrence handed Briella a blanket.

 

Briella accepted the blanket without question and wrapped it around her.

 

A nagging tremor of anxiety ran through her.

 

The knights hastened their steps at Eve’s tantrums and nervousness.

 

When they arrived at the palace, it was a late night with no stars in the sky.

 

“Your Majesty!”

 

Eve, alighting from the carriage, embraced Gusto as if seeking refuge. “Half my dignity is gone.”

 

“Please, do not say such things. Do you know how hard you’ve worked? I should praise you for your achievements today.”

 

Gusto caressed her hair, pacifying Eve’s outburst. 

 

“Greetings Emperor, the Sun of the Empire. May the blessings of the goddess be with you.”

 

The knights knelt through Lucas’s lead. 

 

The Emperor, who had favored the government over the lives of those who had fought, was greeted with reverence.

 

No one dared to point out this fact in the current setting.

 

“It seems we meet again, Duchess Viterpan.” 

 

Gusto’s voice made the knights bow their heads and clench their fists.

 

They dropped their heads to the ground and gritted their teeth. They knew as well.

 

This was not the time to reveal the anger in their hearts.

 

“Have you been well all this while, Your Majesty?”

 

“I have been fine, but it seems the Duchess has suffered greatly.”

 

Briella didn’t flinch at Gusto’s stare, which began at her toes.

 

The mere presence of Lucas by her side was enough to keep her heart from fluttering.

 

“It was more Lady Eve who suffered than me.”

 

“Is that so?”

 

Briella’s words made Gusto pull Eve, who was clinging to his side, closer.

 

Eve, who leaned in as if waiting, her face brushing against his, seemed fox-like.

 

“It seems everyone needs a moment to catch their breath by the looks on their faces. Let us save the lengthy discussions for tomorrow.”

 

There was not a single word of acknowledgment for Lucas or the returning knights.

 

They merely stood there like mere backdrops to Eve and Briella.

 

Those who had left the capital without even a formal ceremony, upon completing their mission and returning, were not welcomed.

 

Gusto glanced at Lucas briefly, then, taking Eve in his arms, he entered his palace.

 

“Since it’s late, rest within the palace tonight and be ready for His Majesty tomorrow.”

 

The courtier approached Lucas and spoke.

 

“Then we shall be going as well.”

 

“Duchess Viterpan must reside at Rose Palace.”

 

“What did you say?”

 

“Surely the Duke Viterpan cannot reside at the palace where Lady Eve resides, being a foreign man?”

 

The courtier looked back and forth between Lucas and Briella.

 

The smirk on his lips was utterly contemptible.

 

“Then I shall go too. To where the Duke resides.”

 

“To the outer palace, Your Grace?”

 

At the courtier’s words, Briella’s face turned cold and rigid.

 

A outer palace. It was an absurd notion.

 

“Shall I personally escort Duchess Viterpan? Surely you wouldn’t object to that?”

 

Under Lucas’s sharp gaze, the courtier took a step back.

 

“How dare one as I prevent a husband from escorting his wife? The distance is considerable, but will you manage?”

 

It was as the courtier said. Though the nearest to the main palace, the distance between the palaces still required some time to traverse, especially by foot.

And the intention behind those words was nothing short of indicating that no carriage would be arranged for the two.

 

“A night journey without the moon or stars is a delight for newlyweds.”

 

At Lucas’s words, the courtier’s smile faded.

 

Lucas casually took Briella’s hand, both of them knowing the paths of the palace better than anyone.

 

“Let’s go, my lady.”

 

“Very well, Lucas.”

 

Lucas, who momentarily paused at the mention of his name from Briella’s lips, resumed walking.

 

No one could stop the Duke and Duchess Viterpan as they walked side by side.

 

“Have you heard about the hunting competition?”

 

“A pursuit indulged in by those quite mad.”

 

Having received a subtle reprimand already, Lucas remained silent.

 

“I have a bad feeling about this.”

 

At Briella’s words, Lucas looked down at her.

 

She, nervously biting her fingertip, her face filled with unease, was met with his cold touch on her cheek.

 

“Your Highness.”

 

“We must hasten our steps. You might catch a cold.”

 

“It doesn’t seem like a matter to be handed over lightly.”

 

Even as she was led by Lucas, Briella did not cease speaking.

 

“Yes. This is not a night to be taken lightly. If one were to err, your delicate body may not withstand it and succumb to a cold.”

 

“…Your Highness.”

 

A night devoid even of shadows.

 

Lucas and Briella walked through the darkness.

 

Lucas leaned on the light that was Briella, while Briella entrusted her body to the light that was Lucas.