006. Invitation (3)
“Oh…”
It was only after Owen spoke that Lucia became aware of her physical state.
Her legs felt heavy, and she lacked strength.
She had neglected her own stamina, solely focusing on Owen’s actions and words, mindlessly walking.
“Excuse me.”
As Lucia staggered for a moment, Owen quickly approached and lifted her in his arms.
Supporting her back and legs with his arms, he briskly continued walking.
“It’s okay, you can put me down.”
Startled by being suddenly held in Owen’s arms, Lucia was taken aback.
She had never danced with him, let alone been held like this.
Her mind started to blur.
“If you’re worried about falling, wrap your arms around my neck.”
Whether he understood her feelings or not, Owen only whispered those words into her ear.
Amidst the confusion, not wanting to fall, Lucia willingly wrapped her arms around his neck as advised.
In that position, leaning on him, she tensed her body while feeling the scent emanating from him.
“…Smells like the forest.”
Being this close to him was a first.
Likewise, catching his scent was a first as well.
Whether it was the scent of cologne or his natural scent, she couldn’t tell, but his embrace carried the deep fragrance of a dense, sturdy forest.
“Your Excellency.”
How long had it been since she was embraced by Owen?
The voice of a servant calling out to Owen interrupted the moment.
“Logan. Prepare the carriage.”
“Yes, understood.”
Judging the situation, it seemed they would be parting ways here today.
Feeling the urgency, Lucia spoke quickly.
“Your Excellency, taking a short break will make me feel better.”
“No. You’ve walked enough today.”
However, her plea was not accepted.
At that moment, when it seemed like today was turning into a failure, Lucia locked eyes with Owen.
In his black eyes, the emotion of concern was vividly readable.
“So, it’s best to return and rest now. I apologize for pushing you too far.”
It was an emotion she had never seen before.
Something she had never witnessed from Owen until now.
“…”
Finally, Lucia realized.
The trigger, the reason.
Nothing mattered.
There was no need to consider.
Owen was already showing her an opening.
And what she desired was to seize that opening and completely take him into her hands.
Whatever his reasons for approaching her, for acting so abruptly.
None of that was of any importance.
He had to consider how far he would allow, but there was no need to worry about complicated reasons.
It was unrelated to his purpose.
“The carriage is ready, Your Grace.”
“Good.”
The butler returned and reported to Owen.
Upon hearing this, Owen took long strides back towards the mansion’s main entrance.
The grand doors swung open, revealing a carriage adorned with the emblem of the Viscount Verdin, a black wolf.
“Send word within a few days.”
Owen, who personally helped her out of the carriage, made that promise.
Lucia nodded as she watched him.
“Yes.”
It was a sudden opportunity that had come her way, and she had no intention of letting it slip by.
Especially when she might catch a glimpse of his emotions, which she had never seen before.
Lucia had decided to seize the opportunity that had come flying towards her.
She was someone who would do anything if it meant getting what she wanted.
Lucia was simply waiting for Owen’s promised contact.
Perhaps the fact that she was bedridden with illness was the main reason she could do nothing but wait.
She wasn’t in a physical state to do anything else.
It was only after being fixated on Owen yesterday that Lucia belatedly realized how her body was reacting to the strain.
She was suffering from a severe illness, to the point where it was hard to believe she had not noticed it yesterday.
It was quite absurd, even to herself.
“Milady.”
“…Viscount Verdin.”
Lucia was lying in bed, waiting for the contact, gazing out the window.
Owen, who had promised to send word, had come to the Edelt Manor in person.
“How did you… come all the way here?”
“I heard you were unwell.”
It seemed likely that it was because she was unwell.
Lucia blinked blankly upon hearing Owen’s words.
It was unbelievable that Owen had come all the way here just because she was unwell.
Had Owen really acted because someone else was unwell?
And not even for his own people?
No, definitely not.
‘With an expression more intense than yesterday…’
Even the emotions in his eyes that met hers were clearer than the day before.
Owen was changing.
Although the reason or cause was unknown, something had changed in him recently.
“I pushed you beyond your limits without knowing your strength…”
While she was lost in such thoughts, Owen blamed himself.
He regretted lingering too long to show Lucia many things he wanted to, and regretted it belatedly yesterday, ultimately leading her to fall ill.
As Owen, he was deeply sorry.
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Lucia quietly pondered as she stared at Owen.
Should she take advantage of the emotions he was showing, or should she pretend to be innocent?
The calculation didn’t take long.
It was clear which side would elicit a response.
If the other person was showing a remorseful look like now…
Lucia, seemingly pleased that he cared, smiled and gave her answer.
“Not at all. I enjoyed it.”
“But you’re suffering from this illness.”
With a worried expression, Owen sat down in the chair placed by her bed.
It had been a while since the maids and the physician who had been startled by him had retreated.
“I’m sorry.”
Looking at Lucia’s pale face, he uttered an apologetic phrase.
Lucia didn’t particularly like hearing apologies.
It was easier not to spit out apologies.
But in this case…
It seemed alright to hear it a hundred times.
He looked at me with such concern, with such remorse.
It all made my heart flutter and race.
I wanted to hold onto these moments longer.
“…No.”
As it seemed somewhat inappropriate for a sick person to act this way, Lucia suppressed her emotions and spat out an answer.
However, despite her denial, Owen’s expression didn’t improve.
He let out a faint sigh and then placed his hand on the towel resting on Lucia’s head.
“It’s warm.”
“I’ll… call the maid again-.”
“She’s been dismissed. I’ll take care of it myself.”
Lucia was left speechless by Owen’s response.
Him doing it himself.
He was a nobleman and a duke.
It was hard to imagine such a person drying a towel and placing it on someone.
Normally, nobles lived receiving the service of lower-class individuals.
But…
“Feeling cold?”
“…No.”
Contrary to her thoughts, he quickly changed the towel.
He went to the bathroom attached to the bedroom, washed the towel, and then placed it back on Lucia’s forehead in a pristine state.
It was an uncharacteristic act for a nobleman, but Lucia found such details insignificant.
It was because Owen’s current actions made her realize that he was trying to take care of her.
Realizing that, Lucia’s heart began to beat loudly.
The reason was unknown.
For some reason, she often found her heart pounding when Owen approached or showed unexpected behavior.
As her heart felt overwhelmed, Owen sat back in the chair and spoke.
“You’re someone who shouldn’t push yourself.”
“I’m sorry.”
In response to Lucia’s apology, Owen shook his head a couple of times before speaking.
“I didn’t want to hear an apology. I wanted to talk about meeting indoors next time.”
“Indoors, you say?”
Lucia’s eyes widened at Owen’s words.
“We were supposed to meet at the hunting competition…”
With Lucia’s words, Owen tilted his head slightly and asked.
“The hunting competition is a month away.”
“Yes.”
“…So, you wanted to meet me after a month has passed.”
As Owen muttered, Lucia quickly shook her head.
“No…! Absolutely not.”
“So, when would you like to see me again?”
With Owen’s subtle question, Lucia pondered.
She couldn’t figure out the best timing to answer.
If it was too long, it might be regrettable for her, but if it was too soon, Owen might find it bothersome.
She needed to find the right balance to approach him easily.
After some contemplation, she opened her mouth again.
“Two weeks from now…”
“…Two weeks.”
Owen repeated her words somewhat disappointedly.
Upon which Lucia, looking at him, said.
“Three weeks is also fine.”
“…No, let’s stick to two weeks.”
Owen quickly interrupted Lucia’s words, thinking surprisingly that there was a side to her that wasn’t like a villain.
* * *
Owen stayed in Lucia’s bedroom for a while longer.
Only after she fell asleep from exhaustion did he carefully leave her room.
As he exited the room, a servant approached him.
“His Grace of Verdin. The master requests your presence.”
“…Lead the way.”
It was a sudden request, but there was no reason to refuse.
As the biological father of Lucia, the Duke of Verdin, it didn’t seem like a bad idea to meet him once.
Although he wasn’t particularly likable.
“Duke, the Duke of Verdin is here to see you.”
“Let him in to speak.”
“Yes. He requests your presence.”
Through the door opened by the butler, Owen entered the study of the Duke of Edelt.
There stood a middle-aged man with hair and eye color similar to Lucia’s.
Perhaps genetics played a role in his appearance as well.
“Please, have a seat.”
The Duke of Edelt spoke as soon as Owen entered the study.
Owen obediently took a seat across from him.
As they faced each other, a servant set up tea in front of Owen.
Only after the servant finished and left the study did the Duke of Edelt speak.
“I’ve heard rumors lately that you’ve been associating with my daughter.”
“I am aware of your visit to the mansion today.”
Owen replied, lifting the teacup in front of him.
The Duke of Edelt, as the owner of the mansion, could not be unaware of Owen’s visit to meet Lucia.
“Yes. I’m well aware.”
The Duke of Edelt affirmed Owen’s response.
Then he added, “That’s why I called you. Why on earth are you indulging in that girl’s antics?”