A Marriage Alliance for Revenge - Chapter 46

The silence didn’t last long.

 

The carriage soon came to a halt, and they had to play the affectionate newlyweds again.

 

Despite the visible anger seething within, Lucas’ outstretched hand was infinitely tender.

 

“Welcome. Duke and Duchess of Viterpan. Welcome to Lindera. I am Haren, your steward.”

 

An old man of half a hundred greeted the couple as they stepped out of the carriage.

 

Though appearing somewhat frail, his posture was erect, and he had a clear gaze.

 

‘Haren.’

 

Upon seeing the bowing palace steward before her, Briella swallowed hard.

 

Haren was the head steward of the Empress’s palace, a faithful attendant by Briella’s side since her arrival.

 

Sensing Briella’s gaze, Haren looked up.

 

Their eyes met.

 

Yet Haren did not recognize Briella.

 

“Please, come inside.”

 

It was a matter of course, but a pang of sadness gripped a corner of her heart.

 

‘So, this is what it feels like to be forgotten.’

 

A wistful smile tugged at the corners of Briella’s mouth.

 

She believed she had sorted out everything related to Olivia’s funeral.

 

But the moment she saw Haren, it was as if she had reverted back to Olivia.

 

The dignified figure of the palace steward was nowhere to be seen.

 

She did reminisce about the people she left behind after she died.

 

Yet, facing them now, her heart trembled.

 

What recompense should be given to those who were cast aside merely for standing by her side?

 

“Let’s go in.”

 

Lucas gently pulled Briella’s arm.

 

Briella slowly followed Lucas’s lead, unable to support herself without his guidance.

 

The two-story yellow palace was a small annex adjacent to Rose Palace.

 

Though an annex, its size and grandeur did not pale in comparison to the palace.

 

Moreover, being situated quite a distance from Rose Palace, where Eve resided, it offered a certain level of privacy.

 

It was where the Empress’s most cherished maids and the Crown Prince’s nurse resided.

 

“Hmm.”

 

Lucas drew in a breath.

 

The tension in Lucas was palpable through their touching skin.

 

Briella pretended not to notice and surveyed the palace.

 

Despite spending quite a while in the palace, Lindera was new to Briella.

 

She had only heard rumors of the beautiful spring palace.

 

True to its name, the interior of the palace was warm even in winter, adorned with yellow accents throughout.

 

It felt as if a spring maiden dwelled within.

 

“This is it. If you need anything, please feel free to call for assistance.”

 

“…Very well.”

 

As Lucas finished speaking, Haren stepped back.

 

In the sunlit room, the two stood silently, neither taking a step.

 

They simply stood in front of the door, their eyes wandering around the room.

 

Their elongated shadows stretched behind them.

 

Their faces were flushed red as they peered out from the shadows that clung to them.

 

‘Goodness me.’

 

Briella stood breathless, gazing at the large bed placed in the center of the room.

 

As the lace curtains fluttered in the wind, the white bed vividly revealed its form.

 

The sheer size of that grand bed alone was enough to overwhelm a person.

 

Unconsciously, her gaze drifted to the two pillows lying side by side.

 

‘Are we to sleep together?’

 

Briella narrowed her eyes.

 

She had only thought of bringing Lucas into the palace, never once considering sharing a room with him.

 

Even last night. In the outer palace, Briella had occupied a spacious chamber all by herself.

 

Meanwhile, Lucas had spent the night in the library with others.

 

Undoubtedly, upon staying in the palace, he must have had a hectic night arranging for the staff to be summoned from the manor.

 

The act of playing newlyweds in the mansion was nothing more than a charade.

 

When it came to the real thing, neither could hide their dismay.

 

“A bedroom in broad daylight.”

 

“It does seem so.”

 

“I don’t think I’m that exhausted to use the bed just yet.”

 

“Me neither.”

 

Enduring the awkwardness in Lucas’s words, Briella responded nonchalantly.

 

The desire to lie down immediately, ached to be forgotten, as the tension in the conference room dissipated.

 

As if in agreement, the two turned simultaneously, as if bound by an unspoken promise, and made their way out of the bedroom.

 

“Is there anything you require?”

 

Haren, standing guard at the door, inquired upon seeing the Viterpan couple.

 

“I require a physician to tend to my wife’s wounds.”

 

“Understood. If you seek respite in the bedroom, I shall summon them at once.”

 

“I would prefer to rest elsewhere than in the bedroom.”

 

Though uncertainty flickered on the steward’s face upon Lucas’s firm statement, he soon nodded in acquiescence.

 

“There is a small antechamber within the bedroom. Might you require a space for conducting your business?”

 

Lucas nodded emphatically at Steward Haren’s words, as if it were exactly what he desired.

 

“I shall prepare the study on the second floor.”

 

“No. I wish to summon my own people.”

 

When a noble couple relocated to the palace, it was customary for their entourage to accompany them.

 

It was a method to safeguard oneself from potential threats.

 

“I will assign rooms nearby.”

 

“Summon Baron residing in the outer palace. He shall attend to my wife’s wounds.”

 

At Lucas’s resolute command, Haren gestured to a nearby servant.

 

“Is there anything else you require?”

 

After dispatching the attendant, Haren turned his gaze towards the couple.

 

Even in the presence of the loyal steward, Lucas remained tense.

 

Now that they were established in the palace, Briella and Lucas knew their every move would be reported to Gustav every hour.

 

They couldn’t afford to let their guard down.

 

“Hmm… I wish to have tea with my wife.”

 

Lucas addressed Haren, driven by the imperative need to avoid the bedroom at all costs.

 

And the two still had much left unsaid.

 

“I will make the arrangements.”

 

The couple followed behind Haren in tandem.

 

“Do you have any particular tea preferences?”

 

Haren inquired, as Lucas looked towards Briella.

 

“Steward, we’ll leave it up to you.”

 

Seated on a light yellow sofa, Briella calmly gazed out of the window and spoke.

 

“I will make the arrangements.”

 

“Haaaa-“

 

When the butler left, the two seemed to wait, as if exhaling a long sigh.

 

“Ah!”

 

“It may not be a time to smile.”

 

Briella hurriedly silenced Lucas’s sarcasm.

 

The clumsily wrapped bandage loosened with Briella’s movement.

 

“Ah…”

 

Briella’s wounds, revealed in the sunlight, looked much more severe than when seen in the conference room.

 

The fleeting smile at the sight of Briella’s wounds vanished from Lucas’s lips.

 

“I am fine. Please do not worry.”

 

Briella quickly hid her arm.

 

The wound, even after treatment, was large enough to leave a visible mark.

 

“It might be worth worrying about. Being prepared would be wise.”

 

“Pardon me?”

 

Instead of reassuring Briella’s doubts, Lucas, like her, gazed out the window.

 

Observing Lucas leisurely enjoying the view while leaning on the couch, Briella glanced at him once and then followed his gaze.

 

A ginger tree, known to bloom yellow flowers in the spring, stood with dry branches protruding.

 

The branches were so dry as to evoke a desolate feeling, yet the view from the warm reception room was neither lonely nor desolate.

 

It was simply a palace imbued with a warm feeling.

 

“I didn’t think we would arrive at the palace so quickly.”

 

“…”

 

“Thanks to you.”

 

Smiling, Lucas looked at Briella.

 

She swallowed hard at his smile.

 

It was difficult to meet his gaze.

 

It seemed that guilt and the ugliness entrenched within would be laid bare.

 

Briella avoided Lucas’s gaze, but he did not avert his eyes from her face.

 

“Is this a place with special memories?”

 

“Special indeed…”

 

Lucas elongated his words, reminiscent of old memories, causing Briella to fall silent.

 

To him, the palace was where he was born and where his family lived.

 

He, who had been deprived of such a home, had returned to his own house.

 

Just a corner of the grand palace.

 

“Come in.”

 

Lucas, who continued to gaze at Briella without turning away, responded to the knock.

 

“Injured? Didn’t you say it was just a scratch?”

 

Baron entered with a large bag, bustling about.

 

Following him, Haren pushed a cart.

 

The fragrant scent of ginger tea wafted pleasantly into the room.

 

As Baron entered, Lucas, who had not taken his eyes off Briella, casually shifted his gaze towards Haren.

 

“Ginger tea?”

 

“Yes. It’s ginger tea brewed in the autumn. With added lemon, it should be to your liking.”

 

“Excellent.”

 

Lucas warmly accepted the white teacup.

 

The yellow tea water rippled with his hurried gesture.

 

When living in the palace, he avoided this tea.

 

But as he aged, he came to appreciate the spicy, refreshing aroma of ginger tea.

 

“Eeep!”

 

It was a moment when Lucas elegantly savored ginger tea.

 

“It’s okay. It’s not that painful.”

 

At Briella’s words, Baron’s body trembled.

 

“Duchess.”

 

“Yes, Baron.”

 

Briella’s body stiffened.

 

She stood frozen, like a child who hadn’t done their homework in front of a stern teacher.

 

“Are you out of your mind?”

 

“I hope not.”

 

“Or are you devoid of senses?”

 

“Not entirely.”

 

At Briella’s words, Baron’s face seemed to light up as if about to burst.

 

Despite this, Briella tried to keep her composure.

 

“Let’s take a look first.”

 

Briella meekly extended her arm towards Baron.

 

“Oops!”

 

The reddened arm winced with just the touch of Baron’s hand, expressing pain.

 

“Let’s start by cleaning the wound.”

 

With a serious expression, Baron examined Briella’s injury.

 

“Yes.”

 

Briella bit her lip at the grim expression on Baron’s face.

 

“Please don’t speak lightly. It will hurt ten times more than it does now.”

 

“It’s okay. I can endure.”

 

However, contrary to Briella’s words, tears gradually welled up in her eyes.

 

They were tears induced by pain.

 

“Tsk.”

 

Baron clicked his tongue upon seeing her like this.

 

This kind of pain was not something one could simply endure.

 

Baron bowed his head to search for the necessary items in his bag.

 

And he couldn’t help but smile.

 

There was a slight tension as the hands of the two hidden behind their backs touched awkwardly.

 

Baron pretended not to see and looked at the hands of the two.

 

Lucas, holding a teacup, reached over and covered Briella’s trembling hand that had been shaking.

 

“Let’s begin.”

 

Baron took Briella’s arm, their hands completely overlapping.

 

A red flush washed over Briella’s tense face.

 

 

* * *

 

 

 

“It was truly a foolish act. If such a thing happens again, I will not remain silent as a doctor or as the court physician of the Viterpan family.”

 

Briella nodded in response to the baron’s stern words.

 

She had no strength left in her body.

 

Her clothes, drenched in cold sweat, were uncomfortable, but she had no strength to get up from the sofa.

 

“With this much inflammation, you should be running a fever. How did you stand it?”

 

“I didn’t realize I was sick at the time.”

 

“Well, you’re going to be sick from here on out. You’ll have a fever all night, so I suggest you keep a maid with you.”

 

Baron finished his sentence with a fiery tone, grabbed his bag, and left.

 

“It seems he’s quite angry.”

 

“It seems so.”

 

Sitting side by side, the two watched Baron leave and then turned to face each other.

 

Lucas raised his hand and brushed aside Briella’s silver hair, damp with sweat.

 

“You shouldn’t have to put up with that.”

 

“I didn’t.”

 

She didn’t.

 

She had simply become so accustomed to this kind of pain that it no longer bothered her in the least.

 

Briella and Lucas had unconsciously drawn closer together.

 

Before she knew it, Briella found herself leaning her head on Lucas’s shoulder.

 

It was a natural progression that went unnoticed.

 

“Rest would be best.”

 

At Lucas’s words, Briella closed her eyes.

 

Her vision blurred as complete darkness enveloped her.

 

Finally, relief came to Briella, who had been gritting her teeth through the pain.

 

At just a single word from Lucas.

 

Sensing Briella’s limp body, Lucas quickly reached out and embraced her.

 

“Oh dear.”

 

Her whole body felt like a furnace.

 

It seemed they would need to call Baron back.

 

“Baron!”

 

Lucas urgently called for Baron and lifted Briella into his arms.

 

Cold sweat trickled down his face as well.