A Marriage Alliance for Revenge - Chapter 48

“Lady Eve?”

The Countess Lawrence gently shook her arm.

Eve’s gaze never left her as she stared at Count Delevingne’s daughter with her hand over her mouth.

Count Delevingne’s daughter’s shoulders hunched in embarrassment as she glanced between Eve and Briella.

She swallowed hard as she stood there, surveying the frozen reception.

“Welcome, Lady Delevingne. Come and sit down.”

Briella couldn’t leave this unattended.

She gestured gently toward Count Delevingne’s daughter in place of the distraught Eve.

“Thank you, my lady. Duchess Viterpan.”

She sat down gently.

“I was just about to seek a young lady for the Goddess’s festival, and it seems to have worked out well. His Majesty has spared Rose Palace the trouble.”

“Pardon?”

As Count Delevingne’s daughter settled into her seat, she glanced briefly at Eve and then widened her eyes at Briella’s words.

Her golden eyes sparkled in the sunlight, clearly capturing the image of Briella’s face.

Locking eyes with those pupils, Briella felt herself involuntarily shrinking.

“You need not worry too much. If it burdens you, feel free to decline at any time.”

Relieved by Briella’s gentle tone, a smile played on the daughter’s face.

“No, I would like to help if I can!”

Briella smiled herself, a cheerfulness rarely seen in the capital’s noble young ladies.

“That’s a good decision. With other maidens your age joining, you may find good friends with whom you can share your heart if the opportunity arises.”

“That would be wonderful. I had no one I could call a friend in the Delevingne Estate.”

Lady Delevingne’s eyes sparkled.

“Did His Majesty personally greet you?”

Just coming to her senses, Eve’s first words to the Count’s daughter were that.

“Yes. Father and I met with His Majesty. His Majesty complimented my beauty when looking into my eyes.”

The Count’s daughter’s face flushed red.

Her joy at being praised seemed more about the praise than Gustav’s interest.

“Unbelievable!”

Briella hurriedly intervened at Eve’s exclamation.

“Goodness!”

Briella anxiously looked at Countess Lawrence in response to Eve’s outcry.

She, too, seemed puzzled as to why Eve was displaying such behavior.

“Wh-what have I done wrong?”

Lady Delevingne, casting an anxious glance at Briella, widened her eyes uncertainly.

Yet Briella had no words of reassurance to offer.

Nor did she feel the need to make excuses for Eve to her.

“Shall we step outside for a moment?”

“Yes.”

Eve was muttering to herself while nervously picking at her nails.

Despite Countess Lawrence’s attempts to soothe her, there was no sign of her calming down.

While Briella simply wanted to enjoy the situation, she couldn’t help but recall Count Delevingne, who had never hesitated to offer advice at the Viterpan’s estate.

Though disguised as neutral, the Count was unmistakably a part of Lucas’s circle.

Hence, troubling his daughter was out of the question.

Moreover, she was a noble maiden who had just ventured from her estate into the capital for the first time.

As Briella rose from her seat, Lady Delevingne seemed to have been waiting for her and promptly stood up.

“Return after lunch.”

Briella, addressing Countess Lawrence who was trying to placate Eve, proceeded to leave the reception room

“Ah… This is quite surprising.”

As they stepped outside, Briella shot a sympathetic glance at the Count’s daughter, who was taking deep breaths.

Indeed, being in Eve’s company seemed too much for the freshly arrived rural maiden.

“I’m a little surprised. I’ve heard that the ladies and young ladies of the capital are sensitive, but now I have no idea why.”

Lady Delevingne tilted her head with a worried expression.

“Rest assured, you haven’t done anything wrong. Since I’m not well-acquainted with Rose Palace, I can’t introduce you around. Therefore, would you like to have tea at the villa where I’m staying?”

“Yes, I’d love to!”

The more she looked, the brighter and livelier the young lady appeared.

Her black hair resembled Lucas’s, although it carried a different sort of darkness.

Yet, the darkness within the Count’s daughter also exuded a warm and comforting aura.

“You must be tired from the long journey.”

“No, I rested well before entering the capital.”

It was a somewhat short ride to Lindera.

It was quite a distance for a woman’s pace.

But as Briella strolled along, listening to Lady Delevingne’s chatter, they soon reached Lindera.

“It’s more akin to a lodge than a palace.”

Upon seeing the yellow walls, she clapped her hands together and cheered.

“The Imperial Palace is magnificent, but it’s so grand that it felt a bit intimidating to me. Father said one needs to get accustomed to it.”

“Hmm?”

Briella initially cocked her head at the maiden’s words but then nodded in understanding.

Up until now, she had been a lady who lived modestly within her estate.

However, once Lucas ascended to the throne, they would spend more time in the capital as well.

Given the many affairs that occur at the Imperial Palace, it wouldn’t hurt to become familiar with it in advance.

“Brother!”

As they entered Lindera’s garden, Lady Delevingne rushed off.

In an instant, Lucas, who had been enjoying the warm sun in the garden, rose promptly at her call.

“Brother!”

“Oh my!”

Lady Delevingne’s sudden embrace etched a friendly grin across Luca’s face.

“I missed you!”

Lady Delevingne’s face brightened beyond compare to when she had been with Briella.

“Now a dignified lady, yet appearing like a playful foal. Nothing has changed at all.”

Lucas, too, appeared unusually cheerful compared to usual.

Briella, who had been watching them from a distance, slowly approached them.

“How’s this happened?

Lucas asked, turning to Briella afterward.

“His Majesty recommended Lady Delevingne as a handmaiden for this year’s Goddess’ festival.”

“For the Festival of the Goddess?”

“Yes.”

Briella nodded.

“He suggested it to me when I came to pay my respects to my father. Considering I was new to the capital, I wouldn’t know anyone.”

The young lady looked at Lucas with a blank expression.

“I see. I don’t think the Count would have approved that easily.”

“You know he’s always worried. But His Majesty insisted, so I nodded, and he told me to think of it as my debut in capital society and to do my best.”

The Count’s daughter smiled broadly.

Lucas couldn’t help but smile back.

“I suppose we’ll see the Count later.”

“Perhaps. By the way, the Count wishes you to be careful in the palace, where even the walls have eyes and ears.”

Lady Delevingne winced as she remembered her father’s warning.

Lucas raised his hand and ruffled Lady Delevingne’s hair.

“Brother!”

Lady Delevingne squealed, pulling away from Lucas’s touch.

“She’s grown up. That girl.”

Observing her standing confidently at the entrance, Lucas muttered under his breath.

Unintentionally, Briella, sensing a faint longing in his tone, stepped back.

“Shall we head inside now?”

Had Lucas not extended his hand, she might have turned and fled. However, he offered his hand, allowing her to turn towards him instead of retreating.

‘Pull yourself together.’

The deeply hidden emotions always surfaced unexpectedly, reminding her of truths in such moments.

“How reckless of you. Walking instead of riding in a carriage.”

Lucas frowned, observing her flush cheeks.

“She was too curious about the palace. We took a walk to satisfy her curiosity.”

“I see. She’s put you in a difficult spot.”

“Not at all. It was an enjoyable time.”

“Indeed? Restless as she may be, he harbors no ill intentions.”

“Indeed…”

Upon reaching the entrance, Lady Delevingne approached briskly.

“Brother, I mean, is Your Excellency staying here?”

“Yes, with Briella.”

As they entered, warm air enveloped them languidly.

“Wow… It’s beautiful.”

The sparkling chandeliers and airy curtains had her helplessly awestruck. 

“Welcome.”

Haren, who had approached unnoticed, greeted the trio.

“I would love a light beverage.”

“I shall prepare shortly. Will you be heading to the drawing room?”

“It would be advisable. And since Delevingne’s daughter will be joining us for lunch, please make arrangements for that as well.”

Haren nodded at Briella’s words.

“I see.”

“Where’s Baron?”

“He’s on the second floor.”

“Please have him summoned to the parlor.”

Lucas’s demand made Haren scramble.

Lucas escorted Briella and Lady Delevingne to the parlor.

They had barely taken their seats when they heard Baron’s grumbling voice.

“Ah. You’re still the same old esteemed doctor.”

Covering her mouth to stifle a laugh, Lady Delevingne’s expression looked like a small squirrel.

“What’s going on here?”

“Hello, Doctor!”

“Rose?”

At the affectionate address, Delevingne’s beloved daughter nodded her head.

“Yes! The small flower of Delevingne estate. Rose Delevingne.”

Her light blue dress fluttered as she lifted her skirt slightly in a brief gesture of greeting.

It was far from glamorous, but it matched her cheerfulness strangely well.

Rose exuded a vibrancy and vitality that Briella lacked.

“You are as lively as ever.”

Baron shook his head with a wry smile.

“Indeed, Doctor.”

At Rose’s words, Baron chuckled softly.

His gaze then shifted towards Briella.

“There’s another disobedient one here.”

“‥‥‥.”

“I’m sure you’ll be fine, but if you feel the slightest bit feverish or unwell, you come to me immediately.”

Briella nodded at Baron’s stern words.

The mood lightened as the butler brought in tea.

Lucas and Baron exchanged chuckles and nods as they listened to Rose, whom they had not seen in a long time. 

“Brother, I mean, Your Grace.”

“Rose.”

Realizing her mistake, Lady Delevingne stuck out her tongue.

But Baron’s hardened face did not soften.

“It’s just a habit. I’ll be careful.”

“Merely being cautious is not enough. You are no longer a child.”

“Yes.”

Baron’s cold words made Rose’s heart skip a beat.

Seeing her, it seemed Count Delevingne had raised her quite strictly.

Baron lightly ruffled Rose’s hair, feeling he had been too harsh.

In response, she quickly giggled and stuck out her tongue.

“Rose, you truly haven’t changed a bit.”

Briella watched the three of them in a daze.

It was an atmosphere where she dared not intrude.

Her teacup trembled, causing the water inside to swirl.

Briella gazed fixedly at the yellow tea water.

It seemed to mirror her feelings.

“I’ve also heard the Duchess’s story from Father.”

As Rose spoke, Briella, who was sipping her tea, raised her head.

“Count Delevingne?”

“Yes.”

It was no secret that Count Delevingne had come to the capital’s Viterpan estate in advance.

The Count stayed at Viterpan’s mansion and met with his counselors outside the capital during the night.

He stayed the night and entered the palace.

Just one night.

He felt somehow repulsed that he had to talk about Briella when he had barely had time to reconcile with his estranged daughter.

Moreover, Count Delevingne traveled to Viterpan Duchy’s estate to learn of Lucas’s marriage.

“I wonder, what did the Count say about me?”

Rose leaned forward at Briella’s words.

“He spoke of you in the most splendid terms.”

Rose whispered.

Whether she was conscious of the ears on the palace walls or simply rolling her large golden eyes back and forth, her actions were rather endearing.

Lucas and Baron, upon witnessing Rose’s demeanor, exchanged a stifled cough and turned their heads.

“Such lavish praise.”

Briella, placing her teacup down soundlessly, seemed to smile knowingly.

“Not at all! It was the first time Father praised someone so highly, as the Countess.”

Raising both hands to emphasize her point, Rose displayed that her words held earnest truth.

“Count Delevingne is not one to talk nonsense.”

“I knew you would recognize the truth, wouldn’t you?”

Rose’s eyes were filled with affection as she looked at Lucas.