A Marriage Alliance for Revenge - Chapter 53

“May I bring more people from the estate?” 

As the carriage exited the grand gates of the palace, Briella exhaled deeply and looked at Lucas. 

It was an afternoon, the sun dipping toward the west. 

Briella’s hair danced lightly in the breeze. 

Seeing this, Lucas closed the carriage window. 

With a decisive thud, the window sealed the interior from the outside world. 

An awkward tension settled between the two as the outside wind ceased to be felt. 

Briella fidgeted with her hands resting on her lap. 

“Why are you looking at me like that?” 

“It’s astonishing that after deceiving and stealing, you now feel apprehensive about bringing a few people from the estate.” 

At Lucas’s words, Briella pressed her lips tightly together. 

Even she found it absurd. 

Lost in thought, Briella suddenly chuckled. 

At her laughter, Lucas was startled and lifted his gaze. 

A poignant nostalgia welled up deep within his heart. 

“Lucas?” 

At Briella’s call, Lucas shook his hair free. 

He turned his face toward the window to hide his embarrassment, only to be reminded of his earlier action. 

“…” 

“Lucas?” 

Lucas placed a hand on his forehead at her slow, drawn-out call. 

He remembered.

As memories forcibly dredged up from a very distant past flooded back, Lucas covered his face with his palm. 

Briella tensed at Lucas’s action, her body rigid with apprehension. 

She slowly searched her mind for any misstep she might have made, but nothing came to light. 

Lucas, for his part, could not look directly at Briella, feeling the weight of his remorse. 

He had just seen a reflection of Olivia in Briella’s smiling face. 

With each glance at Briella, Lucas realized that the feelings he experienced were fragments of memories rooted in his past with Olivia. 

“I need a moment to think.” 

Lucas hurriedly explained, noting the anxious gaze of Briella upon him. 

“I see.” 

Briella’s voice, forced to sound cheerful, was laden with tension. 

‘It’s because I feel sorry.’ 

Avoiding her deep green eyes, Lucas exhaled softly. 

“Shall we stop by the city for a moment?” 

“Pardon?” 

To shift the atmosphere, Lucas turned to Briella with his question. 

“Since returning from Perta, we haven’t had a proper outing, have we?” 

Lucas’s observation was not unfounded. 

However, there seemed to be no pressing reason to venture into the city at this time. 

“I thought it was about time to give the gossipmongers something new to feast upon.” 

Lucas feigned nonchalance. 

Life in the palace was busier than he had anticipated. 

While they had enjoyed considerable time together in Perta, such moments were scarce in the palace. 

Moreover, maintaining a sense of vigilance was essential with so many observing eyes and ears.

This constant scrutiny weighed heavily on both Lucas and Briella, creating a mental burden for them both.

Briella seemed not averse to Lucas’s suggestion, having found it difficult to breathe freely within the confines of the palace. 

“I shall send someone.” 

At Lucas’s words, Briella nodded. 

He appeared to be somewhat dispirited lately, particularly due to Princess Serena’s affairs. 

It seemed only fitting that he should have a few hours to enjoy himself without a care. 

The carriage came to a halt not long after leaving the palace. 

“Where are we?” 

The stopping point was not a tranquil coastal promenade. 

As Briella grasped Lucas’s hand and stepped down from the carriage, she paused at the hum of nearby voices. 

“I have learned something from you.” 

With a gentle tug on her hand, Lucas smiled brightly. 

The awkwardness that had lingered in the carriage had vanished. 

“From me?” 

Passersby, upon seeing the noble carriage, began to halt their steps or murmur from a distance. 

“Isn’t that the Duke and Duchess Viterpan? They say they performed miracles in Perta!” 

Upon hearing the voices nearby, Lucas squinted his eyes. 

Though he had been labeled a swindler and a thief, it seemed the one enjoying it the most was Lucas himself. 

“It seems you are having quite the fun.”

“Couples tend to resemble each other.” 

Briella was momentarily speechless at the playful retort. 

Lucas laughed heartily, seemingly delighted by Briella’s surprised expression. 

Onlookers craned their necks, curious about the commotion. 

Sonnet Street, a bustling market frequented by commoners, was Luca’s pick for their outing.

The street was alive with energy, brimming with activity in anticipation of an upcoming festival. 

Naturally, the appearance of the Duke and Duchess Viterpan drew considerable attention. 

“Where shall we begin?” 

Holding Briella’s hand, Lucas surveyed the surrounding shops. 

“Since we’re out, it would be lovely to buy some gifts for the staff at the estate.” 

“Hmm?” 

“I haven’t had the chance to express my gratitude for all their help, so a small token of appreciation seems fitting.” 

“Indeed, now that you are wealthy.” 

Briella shot Lucas a playful glare at his remark. 

He often teased her about the stolen funds from Gusto’s slush fund as justification for their newfound wealth. 

“You should prepare yourself; you will grow even richer.” 

“My wife is truly bold.” 

Lucas strolled down the shopping district, still holding Briella’s hand. 

Occasionally, they paused to admire the displays or ventured inside to make purchases. 

“That color doesn’t suit Emma.” 

At Briella’s remark, Lucas set down the hairpin he had been holding. 

Though the shops catered to commoners, they certainly did not lack luxury items. 

In particular, the jewelry on display was of such exceptional quality that it astonished both Lucas and Briella. 

“I didn’t realize you knew everyone working at the estate.” 

“Surely not.” 

Lucas sighed, bringing a hand to his forehead.

His gaze was directed toward the window, where the sun was setting. 

At first, accompanying Briella in and out of the shops had been enjoyable, but as time passed, he found himself growing increasingly weary. 

Moreover, he could not comprehend Briella’s deliberation over items that seemed hardly different in his eyes. 

“To be honest, I fail to see what distinguishes what you are holding from what I selected.” 

“When light reflects on it, mine appears scarlet, while the one you chose is pink.” 

Briella turned the item in her hands, examining it from various angles. 

“Your ladyship is indeed correct.” 

The jeweler nodded in apparent satisfaction. 

Watching the rapport between Briella and the shopkeeper, Lucas shrugged his shoulders. 

“This would be suitable for Vinter.” 

After selecting a gift for Vinter, Briella completed her order and turned around. 

The darkness had begun to settle over the street. 

“It is time we should head back.” 

There was a hint of reluctance in his tone, causing Lucas to shake his head. 

“Let us dine first and then return slowly.” 

“Is that permissible?” 

At Lucas’s suggestion, Briella’s eyes sparkled with delight. 

Seeing her reaction, Lucas nodded slowly. 

“There will be a night market, so you can enjoy quite a spectacle.” 

The shopkeeper listening to their conversation, chimed in eagerly. 

“A night market?” 

Briella’s eyes gleamed like stars at the mention. 

In that moment, Lucas was unable to voice his desire to return to the estate. 

He could not fathom why he still saw echoes of Olivia in her.

And in that moment, a pang of guilt settled in a corner of his heart for her. 

As night fell, the shops closed, but the street transformed into something vibrant. 

“Wow…” 

Briella gasped in awe. 

Delicious aromas wafted from a small eatery fashioned from a converted carriage. 

The crowd spilling into the street cast fleeting glances at Briella and Lucas but did not approach. 

“What is that?” 

“Skewers.” 

“Ooh…” 

The same words and actions had been recurring since earlier. 

Like a curious three-year-old, Briella asked questions about everything she saw, and Lucas patiently answered each one. 

“It’s a dish made by cutting chicken into pieces and skewering it.” 

Even as Lucas calculated their expenses, Briella’s eyes remained glued to the chicken skewers coated in red sauce. 

“Here! Be careful; it’s hot.” 

As Lucas handed her a skewer from the vendor, Briella eagerly took it and took a bite. 

“It’s delicious!” 

With determination, Briella bit into the skewer and gave the vendor a thumbs-up. 

At her reaction, the vendor’s face brightened. 

“Thank you!” 

Briella returned his bow with a warm smile. 

“What is that?” 

Holding the chicken skewer, Briella pointed at the colorful cotton candy. 

A long line of parents with children eagerly waited for it. 

“If you’re curious, let’s go see.” 

Lucas took Briella’s hand and led her to the end of the cotton candy line.

“There’s a sweet scent in the air.” 

“Sweet and savory, the perfect combination.” 

“Pardon?” 

Briella, having finished a skewer, looked up at Lucas. 

Perhaps regretting the now bare skewer, she kept licking her lips, prompting Lucas to reach out. 

“Hmm?” 

Lucas brushed his finger beside Briella’s lips, finding it smeared with red sauce. 

Her face flushed a deep crimson. 

“This is a sight I’ve never seen before.” 

“…I must have shown an embarrassing side of myself.” 

Briella turned her head, covering her face with her hand. 

Her action was clearly an attempt to evade Lucas’s gaze. 

“If the opportunity arises, I would like to hear your story.” 

At Lucas’s words, Briella turned back to him. 

He was now staring ahead, lost in thought. 

“What do you mean…?” 

“I simply want to know more about you.” 

His calm tone caused Briella to lower her gaze further. 

“Please, don’t.” 

“It feels strange to have you become a part of my life while knowing so little about you.” 

‘Please, don’t ask anything.’ 

Briella’s lowered lashes fluttered slightly. 

A winter breeze swept through, swirling between them. 

The lingering chill of the wind mirrored Lucas’s lingering emotions and Briella’s own coldness.

The gap between Briella’s and Lucas’s thoughts remained difficult to bridge. 

“Here.” 

At that moment, Briella was jolted from her reverie by the sudden appearance of cotton candy before her face. 

“Ah!” 

As the sweet flavor touched her tongue, her eyes widened in delight. 

It was a different taste from the cookies and cakes she usually enjoyed as snacks. 

“How is it?” 

“It’s delicious!” 

Briella, staring blankly at the cotton candy Lucas had offered, stuck out her tongue. 

The pink confection dissolved on her tongue, leaving a lingering sweetness. 

“As the cotton candy lessens, your face seems to grow increasingly sullen.” 

“That is a misconception.” 

At Briella’s denial, Lucas turned his head and chuckled softly. 

His laughter drew a smile from Briella as well. 

“Riel.” 

“…” 

Briella halted in her tracks. 

“Rica’s sister, Riel.” 

“Yes?” 

“Briella is a name anyone can call you. I think it would be nice if there were a name that only I could use.” 

“Um…” 

It was not that she disliked the idea. 

Yet, the closer she grew to Lucas, the more uncomfortable a part of her heart became. 

Each time she sensed the high walls she had built around herself crumbling under Lucas’s influence, Briella found herself teetering between an inexplicable sense of crisis and a comforting relief. 

“Am I too composed for someone infatuated with you?” 

“Lucas.” 

At the breathy sound of her call, Lucas averted his gaze.

The tips of his ears had turned a deep crimson. 

“Briella’s too long for a name.” 

With that petulant excuse, Briella ultimately nodded in agreement. 

“Riel.” 

With her permission, Lucas promptly uttered her new nickname. 

Just as he thought he had become accustomed to calling her Briella, another name had surfaced. 

“…Yes.” 

At Briella’s response, Lucas’s hand, which he held in his own, trembled slightly. 

Their steps along the night path began to slow. 

Yet, the trembling of their clasped hands intensified. 

As she felt his hand sway like a pendulum, Briella couldn’t help but recall memories from the past. 

Since childhood, Lucas has always shaken her hand like this when holding it. 

The more pleased he was, the more vigorous and elevated the shaking became. 

“Was this your first time?” 

“Pardon?” 

“Coming to a night market like this.” 

Briella nodded at his question. 

She had attended countless parties among the nobility, but a night market was a completely foreign concept. 

The thought of such a delightful escape had never even crossed her mind. 

To experience her first real escapade alongside Lucas felt like a twist of fate. 

Briella’s once-bright smile gradually shifted into a bittersweet expression. 

She could hardly bear the regret of time lost. 

Just as she rounded the corner, a dark shadow lunged toward Briella.