A Marriage Alliance for Revenge - Chapter 51

“It seems you have a good rapport with the Duke.” 

“Pardon?” 

They were waiting for the carriage at the entrance for a moment before heading to the Rose Palace. 

Briella turned to look at Rose, having just finished a pleasant breakfast, and exchanged greetings with Lucas. 

“When I spoke with my father and heard about the Duchess, I was a bit worried.” 

“What do you mean?” 

At Briella’s words, the corners of Rose Delevingne’s lips lifted slightly. 

It was a smile that could appear twisted depending on the observer’s perspective. 

“The Duchess may not realize it, but the Duke is not one to keep just anyone by his side.” 

“Is that so?” 

Briella gazed beyond the window. 

Today, the wait for the carriage felt unusually long. 

“It brings back memories of our time together in the Delevingne estate.” 

Rose slowly closed her eyes. 

It seemed she was reminiscing about the time she had spent with Lucas at the estate, as she had mentioned. 

“Ah—sorry.” 

At the sound of Briella’s yawn, Rose opened her eyes slightly, frowning as she regarded her. 

Her expression indicated displeasure. 

“I apologize; I didn’t sleep well last night…” 

Briella elongated her words, wiping away the tears at the corners of her eyes. 

With a graceful gesture, Rose’s gaze followed Briella’s movements.

Briella averted her gaze, anxiously observing the golden eyes that trembled with uncertainty. 

‘How have I come to act as Eve once did?’ 

Amidst her feelings of self-loathing, Rose curled her lips in disdain. 

Her expression was unmistakably one of discontent. 

“Perhaps my father misjudged the character of the people involved.” 

After a long pause, Rose’s voice reached Briella, who had been silently screaming at her actions. 

While she could not pinpoint it exactly, Rose was crossing a line. 

With a somewhat rough gesture, Briella swept her hair back from her face. 

It might have been a miscalculation on Briella’s part to assume that she would not be accustomed to the social scene. 

Rose having thrown her cryptic words toward Briella, now maintained a calm demeanor as she gazed ahead. 

“Misjudged, you say… that’s quite a reckless statement.” 

“What did you say?” 

“Lady Rose Delevingne.” 

“…” 

At Briella’s call, Rose merely pressed her lips together in silence. 

“It seems I often forget who I am. I am the Duchess Viterpan and the lady of the Duke’s household.” 

She had no intention of wielding her power to crush others. 

Briella always held the notion that she could leave the Duke Viterpan’s household at any time. 

She was acutely aware that what Lucas needed was not Briella, but the Delevingne family. 

Yet, for some reason, she could not tolerate Rose’s rudeness. 

“…The Duchess Viterpan, you say? And yet you do not even grasp the significance of that name!” 

How could she not understand? 

The name was like a leash, forcibly tethering the one who had been ousted from the position of crown prince.

“It seems you have already forgotten the saying that there are listening ears and watching eyes even within the palace walls.” 

At Briella’s cold retort, Rose Delevingne hurriedly covered her mouth. 

Her wide eyes, filled with surprise, glistened with unshed tears. 

It seemed she was not naturally harsh in temperament. 

‘Could it be…?’ 

Seeing the tears welling up from below, a flicker of astonishment crossed Briella’s face. 

At that moment.

“Briella.” 

Lucas was descending the stairs. 

Tap. 

Tap. 

Just as Lucas reached Briella, a large tear slipped from Rose’s eye. 

‘Of all times.’ 

“Rose?” 

Flustered by the tear falling from her golden eyes, Lucas approached Rose. 

“Oh, brother.” 

At the tear-laden voice, Briella bit her lip. 

It was clear how Lucas would react, caught between the pitiable young lady shedding tears and the pretense of his wife. 

Moreover, the trust between Count Delevingne and Lucas was of a magnitude that Briella could hardly fathom. 

Briella remained silent, her mouth closed tight. 

The thought of enduring Lucas’s reproach filled her with dread.

‘Proof must be established at every hour and every moment. And that is something everyone seated around this conference table has experienced.’

A memory surfaced of when Lucas had expressed this sentiment during a disagreement with Count Delevingne at the meeting table.

The count was already a proven ally to Lucas.

And Lady Delevingne was his only daughter.

But what of Briella herself?

Unconsciously swallowing hard, Briella inhaled deeply.

Her heart raced tumultuously.

She wiped the sweat, rising from her tension, on the hem of her skirt.

Such a thing would have been unthinkable under normal circumstances.

“It’s my fault. I made a mistake, and that’s why the Duchess is upset.”

With Rose’s tears, the color of the carpet beneath them deepened.

The sight of Rose, her head bowed low and small shoulders trembling, stirred an overwhelming urge in Briella to embrace her at once.

“Sniff, I’m so sorry, Duchess.” 

Large tears, as big as her wide eyes, cascaded down Rose’s delicate face. 

Briella instinctively flinched. 

In a moment of distraction, she had been completely taken in. 

With no outlet for her grievances, she felt trapped. 

‘Are your tears merely an act, or are they genuine?’ 

Even amidst this turmoil, the thought of discerning the truth of Rose’s tears sent a shiver through Briella. 

“It’s alright, Lady Delevingne.” 

The voice that emerged from her lips was dull, cold, and unyielding. 

“Yet you seem to wear a sorrowful expression yourself.” 

“Pardon?” 

Lucas, who had been observing the two, stepped forward. 

“I have no intention of intervening in what transpires between you two. There’s no need for you to force yourself to accept Rose’s apology out of concern for my perception.”

“Oh, brother…” 

“Rose.” 

“Yes?” 

“I can no longer overlook your mistakes. This is the imperial court; you must be more alert.” 

“…” 

At Lucas’s words, Rose merely twitched her lips in response. 

“And Briella, you left your gloves behind.” 

Lucas lifted Briella’s hand and slipped a pair of pale yellow leather gloves onto her fingers. 

“I can do it myself.” 

Despite Briella’s protest, Lucas deftly donned the gloves on both of her hands. 

“Thank you.” 

As Briella slightly lowered her head, a glimmer of sweat beaded on her forehead.

Instead of responding, Lucas pulled Briella’s hand toward him. 

“Ah!” 

At his gentle gesture, Briella stepped closer to his side. 

“It seems you keep forgetting, but I am utterly devoted to you.” 

“Ah…” 

Lucas’s words, a reminder of their marriage contract, jolted Briella back to reality. 

“The carriage has arrived.” 

Lucas passed by the still-weeping, young lady who remained lost in her thoughts. 

As Lucas opened the door, a cold winter wind rushed in. 

“Briella, Rose.” 

At Lucas’s call, Briella, who had been gazing at Rose, took a step forward. 

To steady her fading senses, she straightened her posture and bit down on her molars.

“We need to summon more people from the estate.” 

Lucas extended his hand. 

Briella took his hand and climbed into the carriage. 

“Rose, hurry up.” 

At Lucas’s urging, Lady Delevingne moved forward, still wearing a dazed expression, as if she had yet to recover from the shock. 

“Take care of yourself, my dear.” 

“Yes.” 

“Doesn’t this feel like quite an impressive display of support?” 

Lucas winked playfully, praising himself nonchalantly. 

Seeing him commend himself so lightly, Briella couldn’t help but smile softly. 

To ease her tension, Lucas deliberately made a silly face. 

While Briella and Lucas exchanged smiles, Rose remained unable to loosen her clenched fists resting on her lap.

 

* * *

 

“Isn’t this flower far too inadequate for the festival? Yellow roses are strewn about like wildflowers on the street!” 

Eve’s irritable voice echoed loudly within the reception room. 

The shoulders of Lady Delevingne and a few others tensed in response. 

“It is a flower that has always been used for the Festival of the Goddess.” 

“If you simply intend to use what has always been used, you would not have assigned such a task to us.” 

Eve retorted sharply at Rose’s words. 

It was a festival enjoyed by all the citizens of the empire. 

The yellow wild rose, which blossomed throughout all seasons in the Rhone Empire, was said to bloom under the goddess’s blessing. 

While the nobility could cultivate rare flowers in greenhouses year-round, the common people faced a different reality.

It could be said that the only flowers they could procure were yellow wild roses.

“But—”

“Lady Eve, the festival parade is an occasion for all citizens of the empire to enjoy together. Thus, we chose the wild rose.”

Another young lady, assigned to prepare the floral decorations alongside Rose, explained in a calm voice.

To everyone’s surprise, Eve listened attentively, her fingers tapping lightly.

“Within the context of a party held in the palace, please turn to the next page.”

Following the young lady’s cue, Briella and Eve flipped through the documents.

“Wow!”

A gasp of admiration escaped Eve’s lips.

Briella also exclaimed in astonishment.

“Is it truly possible to procure all these flowers?”

Eve, who had been lounging halfway on the sofa, straightened her posture.

She appeared markedly different than when addressing Rose.

“We have already secured cooperation from the nobles who own greenhouses. Each family’s gardener is currently dedicating their efforts to cultivating the flowers.”

The young lady’s assured tone inspired confidence.

“If we can truly acquire all these flowers, this year’s party will be even more beautiful than last year’s.”

Eve placed both hands on her cheeks, her voice brimming with anticipation.

“Remarkable, Lady Hailey.”

Briella set the documents down in her hands.

The thought of it elicited a spontaneous “indeed” from her.

“Indeed.”

The elongated corners of her eyes resembled those of Marquess Hailey.

‘The Hailey family has completely become Gusto’s pawns.’

Briella offered a bitter smile.

While she had anticipated some involvement, she had not expected the Hailey family to be so actively engaged.

The memory of Empress Olivia surfaced naturally in her mind.

“Lady Hailey?”

“Yes.”

In response to Eve’s words, Lady Hailey smiled softly.

Eve clapped her hands, showering praise upon Lady Hailey without reserve.

Briella bit her lip as she glanced at the bowed head of Lady Delevingne.

Eve’s wariness of Rose was oddly pronounced.

This apprehension had persisted from their first meeting to the present moment.

“Everyone is gathered here!”

Suddenly, the door to the reception room swung open, and Gusto entered.

“Your Majesty!”

Eve sprang to her feet.

The others hurriedly rose as well, bowing their knees to the unexpectedly arriving Gusto.

“Formalities are unnecessary.”

As Briella was about to kneel and offer her greeting, Gusto waved his hand dismissively.

“What brings you here?”

Eve’s eyes trembled with anxiety.

“I brought some refreshments for everyone busy with festival preparations.”

“Refreshments?”

Gusto scanned the reception room with his gaze.

“Yes.”

No sooner had he spoken than the attendants entered the reception room, pushing in trays. 

The sweet aroma filled the air. 

The eyes of the young ladies sparkled as they beheld the colorful array of treats. 

“Are you not too busy?” 

Eve followed Gusto as he made his way to the head of the reception room. 

“I wish to rest as well.” 

Gusto wrapped one arm around Eve’s waist and settled into his seat. 

The sofa was spacious enough for the two of them. 

As soon as they sat down, a line of delicacies was placed before them. 

“Help yourselves.” 

The table was adorned with colorful cakes and sweet tea, surely appealing to the young ladies. 

Briella reached for a teacup adorned with roses. 

Suddenly, she recalled Lucas from that morning. 

‘Doesn’t this feel like quite an impressive display of support?’ 

Thinking of Lucas brought an involuntary smile to her lips. 

“It seems the Duchess Viterpan has something to celebrate.” 

Gusto smiled brightly as he lifted his teacup. 

At his question, Briella looked at the two seated beside her while holding her cup. 

“I simply believe the Emperor’s support is remarkable.” 

At Briella’s words, Gusto raised an eyebrow in surprise. 

“Support?”

“Yes. Lady Eve’s diligent attention to her work and her engagement with you is nothing short of support, is it not?” 

At Briella’s eloquent words, the young ladies lowered their heads. 

Some of them even blushed. 

“Oh! Your Majesty.” 

In response to Briella’s remarks, Eve beamed and nestled into Gusto’s embrace. 

A subtle smile also formed on Gusto’s face, still resting his hand on Eve’s waist. 

Briella, having finished speaking, let out a soft laugh. 

Though her mockery was evident, it seemed none in attendance recognized it. 

An emperor supporting the government—had there been seasoned ladies present, perhaps someone might have grasped the undertone of Briella’s words. 

However, those in the reception room were merely young ladies newly introduced to society. 

No one could rival the seasoned Briella, who had been engaging with noblewomen since childhood. 

“Eek!” 

A clear, bell-like laughter filled the reception room. 

Gusto’s expression remained cheerful as he continued to engage with the young ladies, demonstrating interest in each of them. 

The young ladies, initially tense in the presence of the emperor, now seemed to realize this was an opportunity to promote their families, eager to contribute to the conversation. 

Yet, the jovial atmosphere did not last long. 

The head steward of the imperial palace rushed in, whispering urgently into Gusto’s ear. 

“What?” 

Gusto sprang to his feet, his face flushed with anger. 

‘The party is over.’ 

A smile of satisfaction curled at the corners of Briella’s lips