It felt like she was letting a beast into her comfortable nest.
Charlotte said her second oldest brother, Nigel, was wild, and her third oldest brother, Bruce, was crazy.
And about jer eldest brother, Lucas.
"Lucas is a scary person. You can't tell what he's thinking. I'm not saying that's necessarily why I'm scared, but..."
He was evaluated as 'a fearful person' and 'a person I don't know well'.
They are family and brothers, but she doesn't know them well.
Bridget sensed the sharpness in his expressionless eyes.
"I didn't know you would come in person, Count of Linchester."
"You can call me Senator Lucas. That's what most people call me."
Lucas Inherited and wore the earldom of the Duke of Linchester, one of the many titles he held.
It was common for unmarried children of nobles to have the names Young Lady or Young Master added to their names.
But Lucas was married and the head. of a household with grown children.
In such cases, it was common to inherit one of the titles held by the father or to be called by a social position.
Although he did not engage in politics, he was active in the House of Lords.
He was one of the 13 noble representatives who managed the laws of the nobles and had greater influence among the nobles than the chief justice.
"We deeply regret the unfortunate incident that recently occurred in the Florence family."
The Florence family was listed as missing.
That's how Julian organized it.
"I came here because I thought it would be better to speak to you in person rather than inform you in writing of the matters discussed at the nobles' meeting."
Lucas, who had been explaining the reason for his visit smoothly with a cold face despite being the one offering words of comfort, suddenly smiled.
"I was also curious about Miss Bridget."
It wasn't a nasty smile, but it certainly wasn't a friendly smile, either.
Of course, Bridget also maintained a blank expression.
"What were you curious about me?"
"It's been quite some time since your family went missing, but you're not
even wearing mourning clothes."
"If this had happened to Senator Lucas, would you have concluded that your family was dead at an early stage... without any hope? I don't think so."
Bridget saw an interest in Lucas' eyes.
'You're testing me.'
She felt like he was watching to see what kind of reaction he would get.
She guessed he thought that since it was a sensitive issue, she would be more nervous or flustered and not be able to answer properly.
As he explored Bridget, Bridget explored him too.
'It is clear that he is a heartless person.'
To others, she was someone who had lost her family overnight.
Many people saw Chloe being dragged away by Nigel's men, so the security forces searched that area first.
Nigel evaded the law as if he were used to it.
It wasn't a skill that had been done once or twice.
Plus, since he never actually touched Lauren or Josh, it didn't take long for him to be released without charges.
But the law is the law, and people's thoughts are different.
Everyone whispered that it was clear that Nigel had harmed the Florence family.
No matter how isolated and independent he was, Lucas was Nigel's older brother.
But he dared to come directly in front of Bridget and shamelessly scratch her, leaving his younger brother as a suspect.
He just leisurely apologized for his rudeness, as if it had nothing to do with her.
"I was short-sighted. Please forgive me."
"..."
Bridget didn't answer, but Lucas went straight to the point as if he was satisfied with the apology.
"Lady Bridget spoke correctly a moment ago. The noble council also agreed that the head of the family. Count Josh Florence might be alive somewhere. Therefore, it has been decided to temporarily postpone the succession of the Florence title to Lady Bridget."
Bridget nodded.
It was expected that the House of Lords would not hand over the title to her.
Bridget also had a spy.
'It is said that Chancellor Langston secretly summoned the members of the House of Lords.'
He must have persuaded the council members not to hand over the title to Bridget.
The council of nobles did not have the power to strip the Count of a title, but in cases where a head of a family, like the House of Florence, died without a will or disappeared, they wouId sometimes hold on to the title and not pass it on to a relative, using various excuses.
As time passes, incompetent and weak families will eventually lose both the justification and the power to regain their titles and naturally disappear.
It was only a matter of time before Bridget became a commoner.
A commoner cannot become a Queen. Such was the law of the kingdom.
'Chancellor Langston has joined hands with the Duke of Linchester's son to keep me in check.'
Bridget was amazed.
Aren't the interests of the nobles really convenient?
It's like they became enemies and allies overnight.
But she said it while hiding her true feelings.
"I will follow the decision of the noble council."
Titles and such.
She now understood why Julian was so greedy and fearless.
Nothing meant anything to a man with death in mind...
No one but the one he loves.
"I just hope that the police investigators will find my family as soon as possible. I have a feeling that they are all alive somewhere."
But you'll never find it.
Lucas looked at Bridget for a moment.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"I hope so. Good luck to Miss Bridget."
So Lucas left the living room.
***
Julian also heard that the council of nobles had decided not to give the title to Bridget and that Lucas Linchester had come to see her in person.
An angry Julian came over to Bridget.
Bridget was looking at a map with Millea in the common room.
The idea was to match the route the bandits were taking with the route Nigel's men took Chloe to.
Millea, seeing Julian's expression, tactfully moved away.
"Well, I have something to do."
After Millea left. Julian stood in front of the door momentarily and looked at Bridget.
"..."
"Julian."
Bridget held out her hand as if to beckon him closer.
Julian approached her and took her hand gently.
Many words were floating around in his mouth.
Those were harsh words.
The Queen will not listen, don't worry about what others say, It's all useless..
It was all said before.
There were also things that Bridget didn't care about.
The only person she was worried and concerned about was himself.
He asked this question.
'I know why the noble council said such a thing."l'
Why does Brigitte's calm face make me feel sick?
"Julian."
Bridget breathed a purifying energy into the hands she held.
"Don't do it, Bridget. I don't feel like it..."
"Magi is running wild."
"..."
Julian pulled Brigitte's hand towards him and held her in his arms.
When he held her in his arms, his heart sank a little.
"What are you so angry about?"
"I can't make you my Queen."
"Your will, my will, and the will of others are all in agreement, Julian. There is no need to be angry."
Julian has no intention of making Bridget his Queen, and Bridget has no desire to become Queen. The nobles do not want her to become Queen either.
All interests aligned.
"I know. I know, but I'm still angry."
It wasn't because of anyone else.
He was just upset about his situation.
"Julian."
Bridget looked up at him and smiled brightly.
She lifted her hand and grabbed his cheek, lifting her heel.
"Don't do that with me."
Their lips lightly touched once.
"Do this with me."
Bridget laughed provocatively.
It was an imitation of something Julian had once said.
He realized that and burst into laughter.
He lowered his head, grabbed the base of her neck, and pressed his lips against hers.
There was no reason not to follow this sweet offer.
It was the most excellent way to forget the harsh reality.
His tongue slid between her lips, exploring her insides.
Indeed, it was so thrilling that all his thoughts scattered.
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