I Became the Male Lead in a Romance Fantasy Novel

007. Invitation (4)

The Duke of Edelt seemed sincere.

He seemed to be trying to read Owen’s thoughts by narrowing his gaze.

There was nothing discernible in his deep black eyes.

“…Antics, you say.”

Owen spat out his words in an even tone.

He had anticipated the other party’s response, but hearing it directly was a bit shocking.

There was no hint of concern for Lucia in the Duke of Edelt’s words.

Even though he clearly knew his daughter was unwell.

“If not antics, then what? It’s a well-known fact that she has always been like this. The Duke of Verdin must surely be aware as well.”

She has always been like this.

It was a story about Lucia’s possessiveness.

Lucia loved beautiful things and wanted to possess them.

And she would go to great lengths to obtain them.

Up until now, she had acquired everything she desired.

Whether through auctions or scouring the entire continent.

The name of the Duke of Edelt made it all possible.

Although his adoptive father, the Duke of Edelt, did not approve of her actions.

“Just because she has always been like this, it doesn’t mean her actions are just antics.”

It was more of a hobby than anything else.

Of course, it might be difficult for an ordinary person to understand.

Such an intense and insatiable desire.

It might make her seem like a greedy and naive noblewoman.

So, the Duke of Edelt brought up the subject for that reason…

The issue was why she had such a hobby.

The reason Lucia had developed this hobby was due to a lack of love.

And the root cause of that lack was none other than her family.

“Even if the girl sees this as a hobby, it is still unacceptable.”

“If the lady’s actions are displeasing to you, Duke of Edelt, you have the power to discipline her.”

“…I have refrained from doing so not because I find it unnecessary.”

Silently, Owen let out a bitter laugh at the Duke of Edelt’s response.

‘He simply doesn’t want to face Lucia.’

Unless necessary, the Duke of Edelt avoided facing Lucia.

The reason being that seeing her reminded him of his late wife, the former Duchess.

For that single reason, Lucia grew up without her father’s love.

It was nothing short of absurd and tragic.

The late Duchess’s death was a result of the Duke of Edelt’s infidelity.

The fact that he had an affair led the Marchioness of Sangongjak to suffer from depression and eventually pass away.

After boldly having an affair, he remarried the woman he had the affair with and made the child born between them his heir.

Though he might have had a shred of conscience, he neither drove Lucía away nor mistreated her, but that didn’t mean he showed her any love.

He didn’t spare a thought for the Marchioness of Sangongjak, and whenever he faced Lucía, guilt would creep in as he thought of the Marchioness of Sangongjak for no reason.

It was truly a despicable thought.

“Why are you asking me such a question?”

Owen forced a smile on his face as he lifted the teacup to his lips.

After taking a sip of tea, he managed to control his expression a bit better.

His anger was inevitable, though.

“I simply wanted to know what the Duke of Verdín desires.”

It seemed that in the eyes of the Duke of Edelt, Owen being with Lucía appeared as if he was trying to gain some advantage.

“Since being with that child is out of the question, I’d rather-”

“Rather what? Are you asking me for a favor or something?”

Owen finally failed to maintain his composure.

A sharp sneer escaped his lips.

“I don’t know what you desire, but if it’s something practical, wouldn’t it be more convenient for both parties?”

“I can’t recall a time when we were close enough to offer each other advice.”

The Duke of Edelt was so willing to offer advice to me because he was disregarding Lucía to that extent.

It must be because no one around thought of having any affection for Lucía, leading to such a conclusion.

If it were anyone else, they might have thought that the Duke of Verdín had a liking for Lucía or was interested in her.

The Duke of Edelt, however, did not try to think in that way.

Since I have no affection or interest in Lucía, it was only natural for others to think the same.

Even the nobles who gathered around her mistakenly believed that it was just because she bore the name of Edelt.

“And, it seems there is a misunderstanding. I do not resort to such means for the sake of practical gain.”

Owen was cold and indifferent.

In his dealings, he never got involved in personal matters.

Was he trying to get an advantage in his business dealings with the Duke of Edelt by befriending Lucía?

It was an absurd thought.

Especially since the Duke of Edelt himself did not care for Lucía, there was no reason for him to entertain her requests.

Of course, this fact might be unknown to those who have not read the novel.

The Duke of Edelt had been playing the role of an ordinary lady in public.

“If this is the reason the Duke of Edelt summoned me, then I shall take my leave.”

Owen, feeling no value in continuing the conversation with the Duke of Edelt, rose from his seat.

As he turned to leave the study, the Duke of Edelt spoke up.

“And, what is the reason?”

He still wore a puzzled expression.

Owen sighed inwardly as he spoke.

“Do you have the intention to believe me if I tell you?”

Owen turned with cold eyes and left the study.

And then, leaving the Duke of Edelt behind, he exited the study.

***

Even after Owen had left, Lucía spent two more days in bed before she could get up.

She had been ill for several days, so a bit more rest was necessary.

As soon as Lucía got out of bed, she spoke with a determined voice.

“I should exercise.”

Lucía’s personal maid, Mari, looked at her with surprise.

There was no other way.

The young lady I serve detested exercise.

“Exercise…? But, Your Grace, you dislike exercising.”

Lucía nodded in agreement.

“That’s right. But I think having a weak body is not a good thing.”

Always indoors, or in the garden or by the lake.

Even when going out, she always rode in a carriage, so she had no proper muscles in her body.

Naturally, after a walk with Owen, who had the physique of a knight, she would tire easily.

During the walk, she was too preoccupied with observing Owen to properly assess her own physical condition, which was one of the reasons.

The important thing was that she missed the opportunity to stay longer at Verdín Manor.

It was a joy that Owen had come to visit her, but the same mistake could not be repeated next time.

‘We agreed to meet indoors next time…’

Although their next meeting was supposed to be indoors because of her, the hunting competition was just around the corner.

Of course, not everyone participating in the hunting competition was actually hunting.

Not all nobles were skilled in combat.

Only knights and magicians hunted, while the nobles who did not know how to wield weapons cheered for them.

They prepared the reins and tied them up by themselves, then waited in a separate location.

However, that doesn’t mean they just idly waited.

They tried to mimic hunting by practicing horseback riding and darts.

Even those who couldn’t do that enjoyed tea parties.

“You must be good at riding.”

Lucia was more inclined to enjoy tea parties.

She had no interest in horseback riding as she had never learned it, and her lack of talent was evident even in dart throwing.

Although it was a common activity in society and somewhat boring, she chose to participate in tea parties to pass the time.

But this time was different from usual.

Wasn’t it Owen himself who offered to tie her reins?

In such a situation, it seemed natural to easily grant a small favor.

“When you return from the hunt, you must ask to ride together.”

The hunting competition lasted for a week.

The reason for such a long event was none other than the subjugation of monsters.

In other words, the hunting competition was practically a prelude to monster subjugation.

The competition was held to make the subjugation more effective.

Of course, to ensure the safety of those who were not skilled in combat, defensive magic barriers were set up where they stayed, and there were also guards.

The place where they waited was a bit away from the hunting grounds.

Anyway, those who successfully hunted quickly returned and joined those who were waiting.

And Owen was always the first to finish the hunt.

Although he didn’t bother to come out of his tent even after the hunt was over.

But that was just like him on a regular day.

This time, however, things were different.

He had even offered to tie her reins himself.

“He looked worried when I said I was not feeling well.”

So, it wouldn’t hurt to ask for a favor once.

“I will learn horseback riding.”

As Lucia declared, Marie hesitated when she tried to speak.

“You seemed uninterested in horseback riding…”

“I’ve developed an interest starting today.”

In Lucia’s firm tone, Marie could do nothing but nod her head.

“…I will look for a horseback riding instructor.”

—

Was it because Lucia neither hosted nor attended social gatherings and spent two weeks diligently practicing horseback riding?

The word spread in high society.

Lady Edelt was suddenly learning horseback riding.

The rumor even reached the Duke of Verdun.

“…Horseback riding?”

Owen couldn’t help but sound puzzled upon hearing the news.

Horseback riding, really.

That was not something Lucia would typically mention.

As Owen threw a puzzled question, his steward, Logan, nodded.

“Yes, there are rumors that Lady Edelt has started learning horseback riding.”

“Lucia, learning horseback riding.”

Surprised by the unexpected news, Owen pursed his lips in contemplation.

As far as he knew, Lucia had no interest in physical activities.

That included horseback riding.

But for someone like her to suddenly start learning horseback riding.

It was something out of the ordinary.

As Owen pondered, Logan cautiously brought up a suggestion.

“Shall we find out the reason?”

“…No, I’ll ask directly.”

The day the rumor reached them happened to be the day they agreed to meet.

Owen put on his discarded jacket and stood up from his seat.

“Let’s wait and see what unfolds with work.”

“Understood.”

Logan, who had grown accustomed to Owen’s changed demeanor, quietly bowed and replied.

Owen casually accepted the greeting and left the study.

It seemed like he had become quite accustomed to being called ‘Owen’ and to this world.