A Marriage Alliance for Revenge - Chapter 9

“Not in such a modest dress.”

 

Briella’s words sent a chill down the head maid’s spine.

 

Even when Lucas made it known that he was marrying this woman, someone oblivious to her own origins, she turned a blind eye to it, convinced that Lucas had something grand in mind.

On account of her master’s will, there was no reason why she shouldn’t follow Briella’s wishes.

 

Still, she couldn’t stand the sight of her new mistress asserting her authority, despite her indifference toward Baron’s behavior.

 

“It is the Empress’s funeral. It’s also your first social appearance as a Viterpan,” the head maid stated, “So no, formal attire must be worn.”

 

A funeral.

 

Ridiculous.

 

Briella glared at the head maid’s reflection in the mirror.

 

The black dress, with its high collar, was entirely appropriate for a funeral.

 

The low-cut dress that barely concealed her slender figure wasn’t a terrible choice either.

 

But it wasn’t enough to catch Gusto’s or Eve’s attention.

 

As the head maid had said, this was her first social appearance as Duchess Viterpan. She had to make a statement somehow.

 

“Don’t you have any other dresses?”

 

The unexpected funeral, not to mention the abrupt marriage, had left the maids with little time to find something suitable, and thanks to Briella’s insistence, the maids were far from pleased.

 

Briella clicked her tongue at the condescending looks.

 

She could feel the head maid’s gaze on her more than usual, perhaps because the manor hadn’t had a mistress in so long.

 

“What kind of dress do you want? This gathering includes nobility from across the nation. Making a mistake would tarnish the Duke’s reputation,” said the head maid in a rather exasperated voice.

 

Briella cast a furtive glance at the head maid reflected in the mirror.

 

Her expression was icy, causing the head maid to straighten her posture and meet Briella’s gaze.

 

A smile crept across her face as she realized that this was indeed Viterpan’s maid.

 

She was every bit as imposing as the imperial maids she had before.

 

“How would you discern whether it’s a funeral or a celebration?”

 

“What?”

 

The head maid’s mouth dropped open in disbelief.

 

“Yes.”

 

For Eve and Gusto, Empress Olivia’s funeral was not a funeral at all but an extravaganza.

 

Eve, in particular, had longed for Empress Olivia’s position and looked down on her with prideful disdain.

 

She had to outshine them.

 

“Her Majesty, the Empress has passed away!”

 

“I suppose for some it’s a celebration, and who knows, perhaps they’ll gain the position they haven’t secured in a long time.”

 

Briella smiled wryly, remembering Eve. She had coveted the position of Empress more than anyone.

 

Eve Ferena, someone who would have manipulated Gusto behind her back and ordered her death.

 

“What?”

 

“I am not here to mourn the Empress’s death. I am here to announce the birth of a new Viterpan.”

 

Fire ignited in the eyes of the two women as they locked gazes through the mirror.

 

Briella had no intention of backing down.

 

“You mean to tell me you didn’t know how Empress Olivia was treated in the Imperial Palace?”

 

Briella laughed bitterly and looked around, her gaze taking in the expressions of the head maid and her attendants.

 

The Empress is dead.

 

So what?

 

The crown had been taken from the Viterpan family.

 

Was she supposed to sulk before the Emperor and his concubine, who wanted to celebrate now that the empress had died?

 

Her role had been assigned, and she was going to play it until Lucas was crowned Emperor.

 

“But‥‥‥.”

 

The maid’s words trailed off, whether due to her recognizing the truth in her words or because of Briella’s impetuousness.

 

“You’re not implying that I weep in front of the Emperor, who will be overjoyed at the Empress’s demise, are you?”

 

The head maid’s silence answered her question.

 

Sensing the more subdued atmosphere, Briella spoke up.

 

“Madame. If you go to Charne’s shop, there will be ready-made clothes there. Go and get all the black clothes, no matter the design.”

 

“Yes, ma’am.”

 

It was the head maid who bowed first.

 

When the head maid bowed, Briella turned her gaze.

 

At the palace, she sat at a table with ministers of every kind and led meetings.

 

No disrespect to the Viterpan household, but for Briella, keeping the head maid in check was no big deal.

 

As she felt the need to get changed sooner rather than later, she started undressing.

 

 

 

* * *

 

 

 

 

 

The view beyond the black veil that covered her face was familiar.

 

The sight was recognizable from afar; she’d been coming and going here shamelessly since her days as a crown princess.

 

No, even before that, it had been her second home, a time when Lucas had called it home before she was named crown princess.

 

‘I’m back.’

Arriving in a carriage, it felt different to be welcomed back to the palace.

 

She presumed it was all over when the tip of Gusto’s knife was pointed at her.

 

Haaa.

 

A soft gasp escaped Briella’s lips as she forgot that Lucas was watching her absentmindedly taking in the passing scenery.

 

She never in her life thought she would be invited to her own funeral.

 

The carriage soon made its way to the temple where Empress Olivia’s funeral would be held.

 

Briella’s gaze remained indifferent as she gazed at the pure white temple.

 

“What is it?

 

Lucas scratched his cheek.

 

The Imperial Palace of the Rhone Empire was enormous in size and scale.

 

First-timers were often overwhelmed by its grandeur.

 

But Briella was different.

 

She gazed upon it with a sense of familiarity bordering on indifference.

 

No, it was more than indifference; it was a gaze of blandness and vague boredom.

 

Lucas glanced over at her as she sat across from him, arms crossed.

 

“What?”

 

Briella asked, feeling Lucas’s gaze on her.

 

“I’m trying to determine what role I should assign you.”

 

She lowered her eyes at the irritation and curiosity displayed in his narrowed gaze.

 

Lucas’s brow furrowed at her reaction.

 

“I’m afraid you’ll have to make up your mind quickly,” Briella retorted.

 

She was unusually calm.

 

No, she was more than just calm.

 

She couldn’t have been older than twenty, and yet her disposition was of someone typically much older.

 

‘Just what kind of life has she lived?’ was the unspoken question in his mind.

 

Her eyes appeared more tired than the sixteen years he had spent in obscurity.

 

“We’re attending a party rather than a funeral after all, no?”

Her sarcasm came out unexpectedly.

 

Last night.

The memory of her kneeling and kissing his clenched hand flashed back.

Embarrassment washed over him, as if he had accidentally revealed something.

 

“Didn’t I tell you that Empress Olivia died at the hands of the Emperor?”

 

“‥‥‥.”

 

There was no evidence anywhere to support the claim that the Emperor had killed the Empress.

 

It was a story unheard of in the palace.

 

But Briella’s eyes told no lies.

 

“For the Emperor, this must feel like a celebration; he’s rid himself of the headstrong, self-indulgent Empress with the Marquis’s aid, of all people ironically.”

 

“Hmmm‥‥‥.”

 

“That’s why Your Grace and I have been invited to a party thrown by the Emperor, not a funeral.”

 

It was Briella who averted her gaze first, as Lucas stared at her wordlessly.

 

It was only for a brief moment that he saw Briella’s dry eyes, normally drier than the winter wind, slightly teary.

 

A funeral and a party.

 

Lucas let out a hushed sigh at the paradox.

 

Just then, the rich scent of roses wafted into the carriage on the breeze.

 

“This isn’t your first time at the palace, is it?”

 

Lucas’s voice was lower than before.

 

Perhaps he was still trying to decide which role to entrust her with.

 

Meeting his dark eyes, Briella arched an eyebrow.

The window was open, and sunlight streamed in, creating long streaks of brilliance reflected from Briella’s moonlight-colored hair.

 

“I don’t think anyone will recognize me,” Briella said as she closed her eyes and shielded them from the sun with one hand, momentarily disoriented by the sensation.

 

Her body, still seeking rest, screamed intermittently with every movement.

 

“I see,” Lucas replied.

 

It wasn’t the answer he wanted.

 

But Lucas didn’t press further.

 

He simply observed her attire, which was more suited for an emperor’s party than an empress’s funeral.

 

The off-the-shoulder gown showed off her dainty collarbone.

 

Despite wearing black, the satin dress reflected the sunlight, making her look as if she were attending a celebration, as she said she was.

 

The waist-cinching design accentuated her slender waist, and her moonlight silver hair contrasted with the black dress, making her stand out from a mile away.

 

The carriage, which had been slowing down since entering the palace grounds, eventually came to a complete stop.

 

“Briella Viterpan.”

 

Briella lifted her head as the carriage stopped, and she prepared to dismount.

 

“‥‥‥.”

 

Her dark green eyes widened, as if trying to catch Lucas’s intentions when he suddenly called her name.

 

“Let’s just say the role I’m asking you to take is you being at my side.”

 

Lucas stepped out of the carriage as soon as he finished speaking as if he didn’t need to hear her answer.

 

Sunlight poured in through the open door.

 

She didn’t have time to consider what to make of the hand that slipped through the crack.

 

She had no choice.

 

“My God, who’s that with Duke Viterpan?”

 

Various gazes quickly focused on Briella, who was being escorted down the aisle by Lucas.

 

Was that why?

 

Lucas’s gaze fell on Briella, and the figure of the imperial butler appeared.

 

He’d been waiting for them, and as soon as he saw the look on Lucas’s face, he hastened to meet them.

 

“I’ve been waiting for you, Duke.”

 

“What is it?”

 

Lucas asked, frowning slightly.

 

Sixteen years ago, the butler had been one of those who had helped his uncle seize the crown.

 

In Lucas eyes, he was an unsavory figure.

 

But the butler maintained his smile, undeterred by Lucas’s evident displeasure.

 

“His Majesty is expecting you.”

 

“I haven’t had a chance yet to see Her Majesty.”

 

Lucas said, glancing toward the entrance of the temple.

 

Nobles were already climbing the stairs to the temple in pairs.

 

Quite a few cast curious glances at Briella, who had taken her place beside Lucas.

 

It was not uncommon for newcomers to appear in social circles.

 

But the mere fact that she was standing next to Lucas was enough to draw stares.

 

She could already hear the unpleasant chatter.

 

“This is an invitation from the Emperor. You, more than anyone, understand from your own life experience that the lives of the living take precedence over those of the dead,” the butler declared with an air of arrogance.

 

In response to the butler’s condescending words, Lucas’s hand on Briella’s shoulder tightened.

 

The butler had no reason to be so impertinent, having only witnessed the changing of Imperial power from the safety of the sidelines.

 

“….is that so.”

 

The words came out in a harsh tone that made her blood run cold.

 

Briella pretended not to know anything, staying by Lucas’ side, her eyes downcast.

 

She could feel the butler’s eyes scanning her, but she ignored him.

 

If she tried to argue here, she’d be branded as an immature little girl.

 

Now was not the time; now was the time to hide like a shadow in the darkness.

 

They’ll bide their time until they become shadows that consumes the darkness.

 

“Let’s go.”

 

The butler turned away, as if he would hear no more from them.

 

He’d never had a choice.

 

His parents had been beheaded, the crown taken, and his sister was missing.

 

From then on, Lucas was a hound on a leash.

 

Gusto didn’t neglect to frequently summon the previous, deposed heir to the crown, lest he slip off the leash and fail to recognize his master.

 

It was an insult he had suffered hundreds of times before. But today it was especially bitter.

 

“Huh?

 

At that moment, a slight pressure on the inner side of his forearm caused Lucas to look sideways.

 

He saw Briella, red-faced and breathing heavily.

 

“Take it slow. I’m having a hard time catching up.”

 

Lucas stopped in his tracks, realizing that in his anger, he had forgotten to consider Briella.

 

“It’s okay,” she said casually, her breath still warm.

Lucas patted the hand resting on his arm, an apology for letting his own emotions overwhelm him.

 

Briella smiled wanly, pleased with the warmth of his touch.

 

“My, how rude of me, my apologies. Duchess Viterpan.”

 

It was an apology that was neither excessive nor underwhelming.

 

Briella accepted the butler’s apology with a nod of her head.

 

“….Go.”

 

The butler’s eyes narrowed at Briella’s behavior, and then refused to engage further.

 

They walked through a long corridor and stood in front of a reddish-orange door, and the butler knocked without delay.

 

They were to meet the Emperor.

 

Lucas’s teeth clenched at the butler’s impetuous behavior, as he cared not for their approval, granting them no say in anything nor respite.

 

“Come in.”

 

The gravelly voice was familiar but also unfamiliar.

 

Briella took a deep breath and matched Lucas’s pace as they entered.

 

This was the first time she’d seen her ex-husband since his death.