A Marriage Alliance for Revenge - Chapter 50

“Princess Serena has disappeared?” 

Briella’s small body stirred beneath the covers as she lay quietly, listening to Lucas’s words. 

The room was shrouded in darkness, save for a beam of moonlight streaming through the window. 

In the stillness of the night, while everyone else slept, Briella and Lucas lay facing each other on the large bed, exchanging information. 

It was truly a conversation at the pillow’s edge. 

“…” 

Lucas’s face, bearing the weight of sorrow, conveyed the gravity of Serena’s news. 

“Why suddenly?” 

As Briella’s whisper grew louder, Lucas placed a finger gently to her lips. 

The unexpected warmth against her slightly chapped mouth made Briella’s lips part in surprise. 

Startled by the sensation of her moist lips against his finger, Lucas instinctively pulled his hand away. 

Rising from his position beside Briella, Lucas was followed by a large, dark shadow that shifted in the gloom. 

“Duke?” 

Seeing Lucas cover his face with his hands, Briella also sat up. 

The feather-light blanket brushed against her skin as it slid downward. 

Caught off guard by the news of Princess Serena’s disappearance, Briella momentarily forgot that she was still in her nightclothes. 

“Just a moment…” 

Lucas, struggling to contain his emotions, buried his face in his hands. 

‘Lucas.’ 

Memories of his unfiltered emotions during childhood surfaced—times when he would reveal his feelings freely in front of her. 

In the thickets of the garden. 

In the corner of the study. 

During the grueling lessons he endured to become emperor, Lucas displayed the regal demeanor of the crown prince to others. 

Yet, before Olivia, he was different. 

He sought solace against her small shoulders, allowing himself to be vulnerable only with her. 

In that moment of darkness, Lucas’s fragile demeanor mirrored the boy he once was. 

“…It’s alright. Everything will be fine.” 

Thus, in a momentary lapse into childhood, Briella reached out a hand to Lucas’s head. 

Though she could not lend him her small shoulder as she once did, she could still offer him comfort. 

“Are you alright?” 

“Hmm…” 

As Lucas’s laughter shattered into the air, Briella’s face twisted as though she might cry at any moment.

The feeling of loss was something to which one could never truly grow accustomed.

Moreover, Princess Serena was Lucas’s only blood relative, a wound that lingered in his heart.

“Lucas.”

At Briella’s call, his dark eyes turned toward her.

Though they appeared merely black, Briella could sense the sorrow and longing contained within them.

“I said I was fine before others, but here with you, I feel the pain.”

Lucas placed his hand on his chest.

Briella, in turn, placed her small hand over his heart.

“Everything will be alright.”

“…Yes.”

At Briella’s comforting words, Lucas closed his eyes.

The warmth shared between their hands transformed sadness into a sense of relief.

“By the way, have you sent someone to the locations where news has ceased?”

As she withdrew her hand from Lucas’s grasp, Briella asked anxiously.

Only then did Briella become aware that they were on the bed, her gaze wandering aimlessly.

“It seems Vinter has sent someone discreetly, but they cannot find any trace.”

“…Could it be?”

Briella looked at Lucas with anxious eyes.

“No. Usher and Bennett are not the type to let that happen.”

The firmness of his jaw and the conviction in his expression silenced Briella.

Yet, the ominous premonition that had arisen in her mind refused to dissipate easily.

“Didn’t you say they arrived safely at Bordeaux?”

“Yes. While I can’t speak for others, I granted Usher the authority to act independently without reporting back in the event of any trouble. We should wait a bit longer.”

Lucas swept his hair back.

In the moonlight, his face bore an unnameable solitude.

It was the fate of the only family he shared blood with under the sky, a family he had longed to find.

“It will be alright.”

Briella offered him words of comfort.

Even amid her reassurances, her mind raced with turmoil.

‘What could have gone wrong?’

“Of course.”

As Lucas forced a smile, Briella slowly raised her hand.

His face felt rough to her fingertips.

Lucas closed his eyes against the touch of her small hand.

Briella was at a loss for how to offer solace regarding the sudden disappearance of Princess Serena.

“It seems the princess is taking a longer route back.”

Lucas nodded slightly at the roundabout comfort.

Even after sixteen long years, the mere confirmation of Serena’s whereabouts still left her heart aching for him.

“When she returns, I’ll have to scold her.”

“Pardon?”

“I need to reprimand her for worrying my brother so much.”

Lucas, who had been with his eyes closed, was now gazing at Briella.

In the darkness, the silhouette of a black wolf, holding its breath as it embraced the night, appeared both mystical and beautiful, yet infinitely lonely.

“I’ll do it that. When the princess returns, I’ll hold her tightly enough that she can barely breathe and ask why she has come back only now.”

“Do you think Serena will recognize me?”

Having been kidnapped at birth, Serena had lived without knowing she was a princess.

In that moment, Lucas bowed his head and rested it on Briella’s small shoulder.

His silky black hair brushed against her fair nape.

In that instant, this much larger man felt like a small, vulnerable creature.

Unconsciously, Briella lifted her hand to caress Lucas’s dark hair.

With each breath Lucas exhaled, his warm breath tickled Briella’s nape.

“If she doesn’t recognize me, she can simply let me know.”

“What if she blames me for coming back too late?”

“Blame? No, she will rejoice. To learn that such a wonderful brother has been searching for her so desperately will bring her joy.”

“Ha! A wonderful brother, you say? I quite like that.”

At Lucas’s laughter resonating near her nape, Briella’s heart sank.

For a fleeting moment, she found herself breathless.

“…”

“Am I a wonderful person to you as well?”

“Pardon?”

Was she perhaps intoxicated by the moonlight?

It was a question she could never have posed in her right mind.

“I wish to be a wonderful person in your eyes.”

“You already are more than wonderful.”

Unable to meet his gaze, she looked down, concealing her face lest the rapid beating of her heart be revealed.

To Briella, Lucas had always been a radiant figure.

In the darkness, he shone like a black wolf embracing the night.

“I don’t know if you’ll like it, but I’ve prepared a gift.”

“A gift?”

“Before becoming a wonderful brother, might you consider being a splendid thief?”

Briella spoke playfully, mindful of Lucas’s mood.

“A couple of con artists followed by a thief?”

“Not just any thief, but a splendid one.”

At her words, Lucas finally erupted with laughter, unable to contain himself.

Their laughter spilled out beyond the tightly closed door.

What the attendants guarding their chambers heard that night were only the sweet whispers of a newlywed couple.

“Duchess!”

The voice that reached them as they stepped out of the bedroom was familiar.

“Lady Delevingne?”

“May I join you for breakfast?”

The Lady Delevingne, dressed in a pink gown adorned with exquisite lace, waved enthusiastically.

After spending several days mingling with the noble ladies of the capital, any trace of her previous awkwardness had vanished.

Baron stood nearby, wearing an expression of mild discomfort.

Briella cast a glance at Baron, uncertain if it was acceptable for the young lady to be so freely entering the palace where Lucas was staying, despite their neutral stance.

Baron seemed to sense Briella’s concerns and scratched the back of his head.

Yet, he appeared to have no particular solution to offer.

“Let’s have breakfast together before heading to the Rose Palace.”

After a resigned sigh, Briella made her decision, calculating that citing the need for flowers for the festival would not cause any significant trouble.

“Yes! I hurried this morning just for that.”

Rose raised her hand like a child, beaming with delight.

Her infectious cheerfulness compelled Briella to smile in return.

“Your dress is very lovely; it suits you well.”

“Thank you! I was actually worried it might be too extravagant for me.”

At Briella’s compliment, a blush quickly spread across Rose’s face.

She could not conceal her emotions, radiating pure joy.

“Rose?”

At that moment, Lucas emerged from the study on the second floor, a look of surprise crossing his features upon seeing the young lady.

“Your Grace!”

Rose waved her hand excitedly at Lucas.

“What brings you here?”

“The Duchess invited me for breakfast!”

At her words, Briella’s expression stiffened.

‘An invitation…’

In that brief moment, although unnoticed by anyone else, Briella felt a wave of disconcertment at Rose’s proclamation.

“I see.”

For Lucas,  this was his second meeting with Lady Delevingne since she arrived at the capital’s palace, excluding the formalities of entering the imperial residence.

He was certainly cautious around Gusto, making any encounters related to Delevingne less relaxed.

“Shall we head to breakfast?”

As Lucas descended the stairs, he naturally escorted the approaching Rose.

The fluidity of their actions went unnoticed by anyone around them.

“Shall we go?”

“Oh! Thank you, Baron.”

As Briella watched Lucas and the young lady walk away, she placed her hand on Baron’s arm.

“After losing the princess, there’s no formality between you two, having known each other since childhood. I will have a word with Lady Delevingne.”

At Baron’s words, Briella paused in thought before shaking her head.

She had only just heard about Princess Serena’s disappearance the previous night.

In light of this, Rose’s vibrant spirit would surely serve as a comforting balm for Lucas.

As Lucas escorted Rose ahead, he glanced back.

“What are you doing? Hurry up.”

“Your Grace is simply conceding to me.”

“What?”

“You’re the one who quickly held Lady Delevingne’s hand without even looking back.”

At Baron’s teasing tone, the young lady burst into laughter.

“When did that happen?”

“Given the evidence is so clear, are you really going to deny it?”

Briella shrugged at Baron’s remarks.

Since she was under Baron’s escort, his words held some truth.

Moreover, it was indeed a fact that he had been escorted solely by Lady Delevingne.

“Shall we go, Duchess?”

“Shall we? I appreciate your help, Baron.”

As Briella passed by Lucas, who stood in the hallway, seemingly astonished, alongside the quietly laughing Rose, she offered a bright smile.

“Let’s go as well, Your Grace.”

At Rose’s urging, Lucas, who had been momentarily dazed, began to walk.

“Hmm.”

A groan escaped Lucas’s lips as he took his seat at the table.

As he watched Briella being escorted by Baron, he felt an inexplicable emotion stir within him.

“You seem quite satisfied.”

At Lucas’s words, Briella, who had just settled into her seat, looked up to meet his gaze.

There was an unsettling discomfort etched across Lucas’s features.

“Are you feeling jealous?”

“What?”

At Baron’s amused inquiry, Lucas reacted more strongly than intended.

“Surely not. Your Grace is not one to be so petty.”

As Lucas covertly observed Briella sipping her pre-meal tea, the smile faded from the young lady’s face.

“It seems the Duchess still does not know the Duke well.”

Baron lamented, placing a hand on his forehead.

Caught in the excessive display of emotion, Briella glanced between Baron and Lucas with her teacup in hand.

Lucas, too, wore an expression of feigned ignorance.

“What other side of the Duke could I possibly not know?”

At Briella’s words, Baron smiled broadly.

His radiant smile illuminated the surroundings, prompting Briella to smile back, though she did not fully understand why.

Lucas and Lady Delevingne also failed to conceal their curiosity.

“Come closer.”

At Baron’s request, Briella leaned in.

Suddenly, her face flushed a deep crimson.

“What’s this? What did you say to make her turn so red?”

Lucas could not restrain his curiosity and pressed Baron for answers.

“It’s a secret.”

At Baron’s firm reply, Lucas directed his attention back to Briella.

“Ahem.”

However, Briella could only awkwardly clear her throat, sipping her tea, unable to address her flushed face.

“It seems our dear Doctor Baron has made a mischievous remark, Your Grace.”

“Baron?”

At the young lady’s words, Lucas turned to Baron.

Undeterred by Lucas’s gaze, Baron continued to sip his tea with elegant nonchalance.

He then locked eyes with Briella and offered a gentle smile.

As Baron winked playfully, Briella erupted into laughter.

“Baron, to the study after the meal.”

At Lucas’s firm command, Baron’s smiling expression instantly turned serious.

“Is this revenge?”

“It is a privilege of the superior.”

With those words, Lucas wore an air of undeniable confidence.

“I assure you, no amount of torture will persuade me to divulge any secrets.”

In response to Baron’s cold demeanor, Lucas scoffed.

“Do as you please.”

“You seem quite confident.”

“That’s because I have a night reserved for just the two of us, something you lack.”

“The night time…”

Rose’s face grew increasingly crimson as she echoed Lucas’s words.

“They need not know.”

As Lucas playfully tousled Lady Delevingne’s hair while gazing at Briella, her previously calm face flushed once more with a deep crimson hue.