A Marriage Alliance for Revenge - Chapter 44

“It looks like you’re all up early.”

 

Gusto’s entrance jolted everyone in the room to their feet.

 

Considerable time had passed since the appointed hour.

 

Although some nobles wore displeased expressions, none could openly speak against Gusto.

 

After Olivia’s disappearance, the nobles of the nobility lost their focal point and exchanged glances cautiously.

 

Olivia’s death left her father, Marquis Ronae, in the process of moving from their current estate.

 

The nobles, who had maintained the balance of power shielded by Empress Olivia, now found themselves under the scrutiny of the emperor’s nobles.

 

Briella carefully scrutinized the faces of these nobles.

 

To Briella, the nobles were divided into those who benefited Lucas and those who did not.

 

“The sun of the empire…”

 

“Skip the pleasantries. Please be seated, everyone.”

 

Lucas, who was greeting Gusto as the representative of the nobles, fell silent.

 

Lucas, occupying the highest position among the gathered nobles, sat down, as the subordinates, who had been nodding in acknowledgment of Gusto’s greeting, followed suit.

 

The nobles of the aristocracy could not soften their stern expressions, while the nobles closely aligned with the Emperor mocked them.

 

A strange tension flowed through the conference room.

 

“Conflict is always entertaining.”

 

Gusto smiled wryly as he observed the nobles.

 

Watching a fight unfold was one of Gusto’s favorite pastimes.

 

Until recently, his greatest pleasure had been Empress Olivia and Eve.

 

Empress Olivia, maintaining her dignity with pursed lips and upright posture as if untouched, provided an amusing spectacle.

 

Gusto leaned back leisurely, tilting his head and moving his fingers, resting on the armrest as though playing a melody.

 

The scene in the conference room was both familiar and different.

 

“Today, the conference room seems quite crowded.”

 

Gusto, casting a glance at Lucas and Briella, seated side by side on the left, smiled broadly.

 

“Are they not a truly delightful newlywed couple?”

 

A neutral noble, neither of the imperial nor aristocratic factions, remarked upon the Viterpan couple with a fond gaze.

 

When one of them spoke up, the others chimed in.

 

“I heard the performance of the two couples in Perta was remarkable.”

 

The nobles, who had been reserved, could no longer remain silent.

 

The praise was not to support Lucas but merely to restrain the emperor’s nobles.

 

Outwardly, there was an atmosphere of camaraderie and consideration.

 

“Isn’t Duke Viterpan truly the arbiter of the Rhone Empire? Once again, he has resolved matters without a hitch.”

 

As Lucas’s commendation escalated, Gusto’s lips twitched dangerously.

 

While the nobles openly praised Lucas, Briella sensed a dangerous air emanating from Gusto.

 

“All thanks to His Majesty, the Emperor’s grace.”

 

The softly spoken words of Briella caused the bustling room to fall silent.

 

“Look at this.”

 

Gusto turned his head slightly, gazing at Briella with his chin in hand, his face brimming with interest.

 

“If His Majesty had not regretted the situation in Perta and had not sent Lady Eve there, I too would not have been able to go to Perta.”

 

Briella’s voice was soft but carried an undeniable authority.

 

Within the confines of the conference room, the nobles had turned their attention imperceptibly towards Briella.

 

Gustav, in a single moment, gazed at Briella who effortlessly captured the attention of the crowd.

 

Calmly arranged silvery locks, white skin that sunlight kissed, and emerald eyes reminiscent of someone, sparkled as they caught the sunlight.

 

Gustav’s gaze passed beyond Briella’s eyes, over her nose, lips, and gradually descended further.

 

As Gustav’s gaze descended, his countenance turned cold and rigid.

 

“Indeed, all of this is by the grace of His Majesty,” Briella concluded, casting a gentle smile towards Gustav.

 

Unless observed closely, it might have gone unnoticed, but it revealed itself in Gustav’s eyes—the hands clasped beneath the table.

 

“After hearing the words of Lady Viterpan, it truly seems so!” 

 

The Imperial representative hastily stepped forward, acknowledging Briella’s words.

 

“Exactly. No matter how exceptional one may be, what good is it if one’s talents are not applied in appropriate affairs?” responded Marquis Hailey, prompting nods from the rest.

 

“True. This is all a testament to my abilities,” Gustav remarked.

 

The nobles nodded in unison at Gusto’s retort.

 

In response to Gustav, the nobles unanimously nodded, without a word to spare.

 

The solemn-faced imperial and aristocratic nobles stifled their amusement.

 

“Then, I suppose this recent turn of events is my fault,” Gustav’s remark swiftly soured the atmosphere within the conference room.

 

The events unfolding in Perta were spreading across the Empire under the name of ‘miracles,’ passing from peasant lips to peasant lips.

 

“Your Majesty, what do you mean?” inquired a prominent nobleman, scrutinizing Gustav’s reaction.

 

“Have your ears not heard it? The child weeping over a lost father, the mother swallowing tears over a lost child?” Gustav’s words silenced the delegates.

 

“I cannot fathom what has been resolved so well,” he continued.

 

“Your Majesty.”

 

Not a member of the imperial or aristocratic factions called out to Gustav earnestly, yet he did not cease speaking.

 

“It is said that beneath the collapsed embankment, rebels from below and knights from above were buried to such an extent that not even their bodies could be found?”

 

Silence ensued, with no one daring to speak.

 

“Could it be that the embankment collapse was orchestrated by Lady Viterpan?” Gustav inquired, prompting Lucas, who had been silent until then, to speak up.

 

“Due to prolonged rainfall, the ground had weakened. The embankment collapse was a natural disaster,” Lucas explained.

 

“It seems then my concerns were unfounded,” Gustav chuckled.

 

“In the north, there were reports of your erratic behavior. I thought that habit had yet to be corrected,” he continued, causing Briella’s complexion to redden with offense.

 

It was an insult beyond enduring.

 

Yet, despite Gustav’s affront, Lucas remained composed.

 

“I merely follow Your Majesty’s orders,” Lucas stated, meeting Gustav’s unwavering black gaze with a smile.

 

At first glance, it appeared to be an affectionate smile sent towards a loyal subject.

 

However, none within the conference room believed in Gustav’s smile.

 

Especially if it was directed towards Lucas Viterpan.

 

“How reassuring it is when one’s cousin handles troublesome matters.” 

 

“‥‥‥.”

 

Briella casted her eyes downwards.

 

All that could be seen in Briella’s gaze was the rigid wooden table.

 

Neither Lucas nor Gustav could be seen.

 

To Gustav’s statement, Lucas responded with silence.

 

Alas, were the knights dispatched from the palace mysteriously missing in great numbers, or could it be that my cousin orchestrated this?

 

The blade concealed within words pointed towards the heart.

 

Lucas grasped Briella’s trembling hand firmly.

 

“As I reported, there were no issues with the placement of the knights. However…”

 

“However?”

 

Gusto’s eyebrows arched at Lucas’ words.

 

Discomfort at challenging his opinion manifested itself plainly in Gusto’s countenance and speech.

 

“The unexpected visit of Lady Eve exacerbated the damages.”

 

“Gasp!”

 

Someone gasped in shock.

 

The repercussions of Lucas’ words reverberated profoundly.

 

Gusto, who moments ago had maintained a smile, turned chillingly cold in an instant.

 

No one dared to speak in the presence of his frigidity.

 

“…Are you implying that Lady Eve’s visit led to the demise of my knights?”

 

“The positioning of the ambushed knights became a decisive factor in their exposure to the enemy.”

 

Their gazes intertwined in the empty space.

 

Flames flickered in Gusto’s eyes.

 

Yet Lucas remained stoically composed.

 

“Oh, and it seems Lady Eve sustained injuries last night.”

 

“Oh my! Lady Eve injured? Your concern must be profound.”

 

The nobles of the imperial faction received Lucas’s words with a hint of disdain.

 

His face contorted with worry more than anyone else, appearing deeply worried for Eve.

 

A small commotion arose among the noble circles.

 

“It seems that…”.

 

Gusto trailed off at the end of his statement.

 

It was an astonishing situation.

 

Someone’s father, son, husband crossed the river and never returned.

 

Yet the faint wounds on the bodies of the imperial circles became a matter of greater significance to them.

 

Facing this astonishing situation, Briella observed the nobles’ faces attentively.

 

“Your Majesty.”

 

The murmurs among the nobles ceased at Briella’s gentle voice.

 

Briella had accompanied Lady Eve to Perta on their journey.

 

“What is it?”

 

Gusto narrowed his eyes.

 

Her grip, cautiously placed beneath the table in concern for her cornered husband, slipped.

 

Upon confirming that both hands had separated, a strange sense of satisfaction bloomed on Gusto’s face.

 

“It is truly lamentable for a lady to bear such wounds.”

 

“Indeed. To have wounds on that delicate, fair body. It pains me needlessly.”

 

Gusto smiled satisfactorily, concurring with Briella’s words.

 

“Even more so, Your Majesty should be by Lady Eve’s side.”

 

“Indeed, that seems necessary. There is no one else to attend to Eve.”

 

Gusto responded eagerly to Briella’s intriguing statement.

 

The attendants listened intently to their conversation.

 

“Therefore, I too contemplate returning to the Viterpan estate now.”

 

“What?”

 

Gusto’s face froze at Briella’s words.

 

“I, too, am in need of healing, and I would like to rest by the side of my husband, the Duke.”

 

The attendants’ gazes shifted to her arm.

 

Bandages were wrapped around her hand, concealed under the table.

 

“It seems you are quite injured, Lady Viterpan. Seeing you wrapped in bandages.”

 

The imperial sect of noblemen shuddered at Briella’s arm.

 

“Indeed. It must be a wound so severe that you’re willing to pass up the opportunity His Majesty has given to the Viterpan house.”

 

Rather than concerns or solace, sharp criticisms took the forefront.

 

‘Now you are not alone.’

 

Briella silently unwrapped the bandages in response to the nobles’ cutting remarks akin to blades, siding with Gusto.

 

“What are you up to?”

 

“Seeing it firsthand might be of assistance to Lord Hailey.”

 

“Goodness gracious!”

 

As the bandage-covered wound was revealed, involuntarily, a furrow appeared on the brow.

 

The swollen, reddened wound conveyed pain to anyone who looked at it with concern.

 

“…Rumors circulated that she sustained injuries while trying to save Lady Eve, and it turned out to be true.”

 

The noble of the neutral faction looked at Briella with a worried expression.

 

Instead of replying, Briella covered the wounded hand with her other hand.

 

Briella’s silence was affirmative.

 

“She truly was injured trying to save Lady Eve?”

 

It felt as if beasts were growling.

 

Everyone fell silent at the voice coming from the highest seat.

 

“With the collapse of the embankment, the knight by Lady Eve’s side was caught up in catching her…”

 

“It could have been anyone, it didn’t have to be me.”

 

Briella’s deep emerald eyes intensified.

 

In her eyes, reflecting the winter forest, Gusto’s heart sank with a thud.

 

Experiencing a flutter of the heart for the first time, Gusto coldly turned his head.

 

‘It seems this is not an answer to the question.’

 

But everyone knew.

 

Compared to Briella’s wounds, Eve’s wounds were nothing more than a small scratch.

 

“To stay in the palace in such a condition is only a burden to Your Majesty. And I, too, require the Duke Viterpan’s assistance.”

 

“Is this a confession regarding the Duke?”

 

Gusto’s eyes flickered.

 

He was puzzled as to why he would put forward such a question, yet he had to know.

 

And her answer…

 

“I’m ashamed.”

 

Blushing and bowing her head, Briella’s response was a more certain confession than anything else.

 

“It is not proper for the Duchess Viterpan to leave the imperial court at this time. What about the Festival of the Goddess?”

 

The neutral nobleman looked from Briella’s arm to Gusto and back again, a worried expression on his face.

 

The problem with letting Briella leave, meant abandoning the Festival of the Goddess, the biggest event of the Rhone Empire.

 

It was already known among the nobility who was in charge of the festival.

 

And the commoners, of course.

 

“It’s not as if there isn’t a way.”

 

The nobleman who leads the currently Marquis-less noble faction spoke up.

 

“And that is?”

 

Briella, Lucas, and Gusto were silent.

 

Then the nobles in their seats who spoke up.

 

“Isn’t it just a matter of Duke Viterpan simply residing at the palace? There are already plenty of nobles residing in the palace.”

 

“T-Thats…”

 

“Marquis Hailey also has a room in the palace, doesn’t he? I, too, was granted a small palace in the west by His Majesty last spring.”

 

The nobleman looked at Lucas and Briella with a satisfied smile.

 

“What do you propose?

 

Briella looked at Gusto.

 

In response to Briella’s question, Gusto’s forearms displayed visible blue tendons.