A Marriage Alliance for Revenge - Chapter 55

“Meow!” 

Rica, emerging ahead of Briella, stretched luxuriously and cried out. 

Tears glistened at the corners of her eyes, suggesting that rising early was decidedly not to her liking. 

“You can sleep a little longer, Rica.” 

Briella remarked as she watched Rica meandering about at her feet. 

In response, Rica snorted dismissively and glared at Lucas, who was following behind. 

In truth, Rica, having been a stray cat, was accustomed to sleeping anywhere. 

She preferred to enjoy her solitude rather than share a bed with a person. 

Yet, after the incident at the estate, she had insisted on sleeping between Lucas and Briella. 

Each night, true to her nocturnal nature, she would fix Lucas with her piercing gaze. 

“Hey! Move aside.” 

Lucas glared at Rica as he approached. 

At his words, Briella quickly stepped aside. 

Although Rica was not blocking the path, it felt necessary to do so. 

Yet, Rica remained utterly undaunted. 

With her tail thumping the ground, she looked up at Lucas with an irate expression. 

“You seem to have forgotten that I was the one who saved you!”

At Lucas’s words, Rica turned her head with an air of disdain and strode away. 

She was likely heading toward Baron in search of her breakfast. 

“Lu—Lucas.” 

At Briella’s call, Lucas, wearied and weary-looking, turned his head. 

Having endured a nightly torment that felt more like torture, his face bore a rough demeanor. 

“Ha…” 

With a long sigh, Briella managed an awkward smile. 

Whether the window was closed or the door left ajar, Rica always found a way to weave between them at bedtime, a mystery that baffled them both. 

“That cat is doing it on purpose.” 

Lucas muttered with a growl directed at the now-hidden Rica. 

“Hahaha.” 

Briella chuckled uneasily. 

It was still early dawn, and both were feeling the weight of fatigue from rising far earlier than usual. 

The myriad tasks leading up to the hunting tournament had primarily fallen to Briella. 

Although the daughters of various noble families had gathered, it was Briella who planned and managed the tumultuous events that Eve had set in motion. 

“Today marks the true beginning.” 

A hunting tournament on the eve of the goddess’s festival was unprecedented. 

“Yes.” 

Briella nodded, gazing out into the still-dark morning. 

The tournament, set to unfold over the next three days, was an event unlike any before. 

“Well then, let’s meet later.” 

Unlike other couples among the nobility who would attend together, the two would arrive at the tournament separately. 

Lucas was busy tending to the horses required for the hunting event.

“Yes.” 

Briella replied slowly. 

“Duke, we are ready.” 

As the steward approached to announce that preparations were complete, Lucas promptly set out. 

In that moment, Briella felt an unsettling sense of déjà vu. 

On the dawn of his departure to Perta, Lucas had appeared just as he did now. 

Watching him walk away alone, refusing her farewell, she remained rooted to the spot. 

That memory lingered in Briella’s heart, etched with regret. 

‘Is it wrong to wish just a little more?’

Unbeknownst to her, her clenched fist trembled over her chest. 

“Hmm?” 

“I’ll see you off.” 

She did not want to live with regret. 

Even if she were to part from him later, alone once again, she wished to avoid the helplessness of her childhood. 

She hoped her life as Briella would be remembered not with regret, but with cherished memories. 

With each step she took, her breath grew more laborious. 

Suppressing the sharpness of her breath, Briella looked up at Lucas. 

“A farewell?” 

“Just to the door.” 

“Shall we?” 

Standing at the top of the staircase, Lucas extended his hand toward Briella. 

Taking his hand now felt remarkably natural. 

As his warmth flowed through their clasped hands, Briella found herself unknowingly enveloped in a sense of reassurance. 

Their pace was neither hurried nor slow. 

From the side, it appeared as though they were walking as one.

“Do you enjoy hunting?” 

“…No.” 

Briella shook her head. 

Those who aimed arrows and wielded knives against living beings seemed, in some unfathomable way, to be half out of their minds. 

Above all, the image of Gusto, blood-soaked and laughing before a lifeless beast, and Eve, receiving the kill with joy, remained etched in her memory. 

She could not forget the hushed whispers directed at her. 

“That’s a relief.” 

“Pardon?” 

“Because it means I need not take a life to satisfy you.” 

The two had found themselves standing at the door. 

“You needn’t do anything for me.” 

At Briella’s words, Lucas let out a soft sigh. 

“…I see.” 

His voice lacked any energy. 

‘Just being by your side brings me happiness.’ 

These unspoken thoughts remained buried deep within her heart. 

“I must be going now.” 

As Lucas glanced towards the people waiting at the entrance, he looked back at Briella. 

Yet, his gaze lingered only briefly. 

Ever since he had sensed Olivia’s presence in Briella, he had been plagued by guilt each time he met her forest-green eyes. 

‘Briella, doesn’t she resemble someone?’

‘Pardon? Who does she resemble? That’s something women detest most.’

‘Why would they dislike it?’

‘Hmm… Women, you see, even dislike wearing the same clothes as one another. To see another woman’s face reflected in their own is the worst.’

Baron’s words pierced deep into his heart.

“Oh dear.”

Yet, as he mounted his horse and turned back, Lucas found himself clenching his teeth involuntarily.

In the pale light of dawn, Briella was waving at him from amidst the brightening sky, his back turned to her.

“Ah, newlyweds are indeed different!”

At the sight, a nearby knight chuckled heartily.

“Nonsense!”

Lucas snapped his head around.

Normally, he would have joined in the jest with the knight, even encouraging the banter.

However, confronted with the stark truth, he felt a flush of embarrassment at the echo of his own heart.

“Shall we head inside?”

Only upon the steward’s summons could Briella finally move.

“What about the preparations?”

“Madame Blanc has already arrived and is currently overseeing everything.”

Nodding in acknowledgment, Briella followed the steward’s lead.

“It’s been a while, Duchess.”

As they entered the dressing room, Madame Blanc, who was issuing various instructions to the maids, bent her knee in greeting.

“Please rise; we don’t have much time.”

“Yes. Then let us begin immediately.” 

As soon as Briella took her seat, the maids swarmed around her. 

The preparations, which had commenced at dawn, concluded only after the sun had risen. 

“How do you find it?” 

Madame Blanc stood behind Briella, wearing a satisfied smile. 

“Thank you for your efforts.” 

At Briella’s words, Madame Blanc nodded slightly and stepped back. 

There was little point in lingering, as she would not receive any greater praise from Briella. 

Knock, knock. 

“Come in.” 

“Madam, shall we depart now?” 

“Yes.” 

“Ah!” 

Baron, lifting his gaze, took a step back to regard Briella with astonishment. 

Having witnessed her since the initial carriage accident, he was struck by her remarkable transformation. 

“Baron?” 

“No, no. I was merely taken aback by how beautiful you look.” 

“Pardon?” 

Briella, equally flustered, found herself at a loss. 

It was the steward who broke the spell by stepping in between Baron, clearing his throat, and Briella, who had turned her head away in embarrassment. 

“We must hurry.” 

At the steward’s urging, Baron extended his hand toward Briella. 

“Might the Duke not even recognize you?” 

“Surely, this is a jest.”

“Have you not looked in the mirror?” 

Of course, she had. 

The dress and jewelry, painstakingly crafted by Madame Blanc, suited Briella remarkably well. 

At Baron’s words, Briella gazed at her reflection in the window. 

While she felt more ornate than usual, she could not bring herself to consider herself beautiful. 

The destination they were heading to was far from a trivial matter. 

“Well, your opinion is at least positive.” 

“Really! Do you doubt my eyes?” 

“No, I believe you. But to think that His Highness might not recognize me…” 

“Care to make a wager?” 

“Pardon?” 

As the two engaged in their playful debate inside the carriage, they arrived at the royal hunting grounds. 

Numerous nobles had already gathered, and the area was bustling with activity. 

“Looks like the ladies are over at that tent.” 

While Baron sought out Lucas, Briella busily scanned her surroundings. 

She noted the number of tents and the flurry of activity among the workers. 

Even the floral decorations that Eve had so fervently fussed over were present. 

With the sun now risen and the weather splendid, it was the perfect day for hunting. 

“Shortly, there will be an opening ceremony. All attendees, please gather outside. His Majesty will soon commence the proceedings.” 

Servants moved about, announcing the start of the ceremony. 

“I suppose we should head over there.” 

The ladies inside the tent, who had been gossiping, now emerged at the news of the Emperor’s impending address.

“Welcome, Duchess Viterpan.” 

“Lady Hailey, you must be weary from the early morning.” 

“Weary? I cannot express how grateful I am to be part of such an illustrious occasion.” 

“Very well.” 

As Lady Hailey responded, Briella searched for Lady Delevingne. 

Not long ago, Lady Hailey had been inseparable from Rose. 

“Rose is with Count Delevingne.” 

Before Briella could inquire, Lady Hailey provided the answer. 

“Oh dear, it seems you have been quite busy.” 

“I must go see Lady Eve now.” 

At the words of the Marquess’s daughter, Briella forced a smile and nodded. 

“Are you all right?” 

“Of course.” 

Briella’s face hardened into an icy mask. 

People remembered little; they merely gazed at those standing at the highest tier. 

Amidst the whirlwind of preparations, Briella found herself standing on the same platform as everyone else at this crucial moment. 

And all the accolades would rightfully belong to those above. 

“The Emperor is arriving!” 

At the steward’s booming announcement, all present fell silent, bowing their heads.

“I present to you His Majesty, the Emperor, the Sun of the Empire. May the blessings of the goddess be with you.” 

As Marquess Hailey, who had recently taken up the office of Chancellor, delivered the greeting, the nobles swiftly kneeled and bowed. 

The salutation to Gusto echoed resoundingly through the forest. 

At the sound, birds resting in the trees fluttered and took flight. 

“Everyone, please rise.” 

At Gusto’s command, the nobles lifted their heads. 

“Seeing your faces, it appears you have all eagerly awaited this day.” 

“Hahaha.” 

A hearty laughter erupted in response to Gusto’s words. 

The weather was so crisp that their breath formed visible puffs in the air. 

Winter was not an ideal season for hunting. 

The creatures of the mountains, hibernating, were sensitive and perilous. 

In a season where even food for humans was scarce, beasts were hardly different. 

“Today’s tournament serves as a tribute to my goddess, preceding the upcoming festival.” 

At Gusto’s proclamation, the nobles exchanged knowing glances among themselves. 

Yet, no one dared to voice their thoughts aloud. 

To host a gathering in honor of one’s mistress before the sacred festival of the goddess was a delicate matter. 

Nobles of a certain age smiled at Gusto, their faces masked in polite concealment.

It was not difficult to set aside one’s pride for the sake of maintaining their position. 

“Therefore, let everyone showcase the skills you have honed thus far without reservation.” 

“Yes, Your Majesty.” 

“Ah!” 

As Gusto turned to grasp Lady Eve’s hand, he quickly looked forward again, as if a thought he had nearly forgotten had resurfaced. 

“It is the lady who brings back the most game in this hunting tournament who will sit closest to me at the forthcoming festival of the goddess.” 

A murmur rippled through the nobles at Gusto’s words. 

Since the death of Empress Olivia, Gusto had effectively been alone. 

And he was the Emperor. 

The seat beside him was naturally reserved for the Empress, and his implication was unmistakable. 

After this festival, Lady Eve might very well ascend to that role. 

“Well then, let everyone strive for your lady’s sake.” 

At Gusto’s statement, several nobles stifled uneasy smiles. 

This was nothing less than a direct command to offer their game to Lady Eve. 

As Gusto departed, a stir arose among the nobility. 

Marquess Hailey followed closely behind him. 

“Your Majesty!” 

Eve was in a daze. 

Her golden-hued eyes glistened with unshed tears. 

“Eve, it is too early to be moved. Now you must fulfill your duties.” 

At Gusto’s words, Eve nodded vigorously and headed toward the tent where the ladies were gathered, accompanied by Countess Lawrence. 

“And my game?” 

“The beaters have driven the game well into the hunting grounds.” 

At Marquess Hailey’s remark, Gusto raised one corner of his mouth in a smirk. 

“Having given flesh, one must now claim the bones.” 

At Gusto’s chilling smile, Marquess Hailey stepped back apprehensively