Duke of Edelt

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 cared for by 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.

Lucia was lying in bed, gazing out the window, when she heard someone knocking on her door.

"Milady."

"...Duke Verdin."

Unexpectedly, 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."

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 like this just because someone else was unwell?

And that very person is not even 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'm sorry. 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.

Lucia quietly pondered as she stared at Owen.

Hm.

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 better 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. Looking at Lucia's pale face, he uttered an apologetic phrase, "I'm sorry."

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-."

"No need. I'll take care of it myself."

Lucia was left speechless by Owen's response.

He, a noble duke, doing it himself.

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.

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 really shouldn't push yourself next time."

"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 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, nervously 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.

"Then, you should go rest now. See you again in two weeks, Lady Edelt."

***

Owen stayed in Lucia's bedroom for a while longer. Only after she fell asleep from exhaustion did he carefully leave her room. And as he exited the room, a butler approached him.

"Your Grace, the master requests your presence."

"...Lead the way."

It was a sudden request, but there was no reason to refuse.

The biological father of Lucia, Duke of Edelt.

Although he wasn't particularly likeable, it didn't seem like a bad idea to meet him once.

Knock-

"Your Excellency, the Duke of Verdin is here to see you."

"Hm. Let him in."

Through the door opened by the butler, Owen entered the study of the Duke of Edelt. The study was quite spacious with classic medieval ornaments adorning the walls and the corners of the study. But what attracted his eyes the most is the middle-aged man with hair and eye color similar to Lucia's, standing right in the center of the study. 

"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 lately you've been associating with my daughter."

Lifting the teacup in front of him, Owen replied, "Yes."

"That's why I called you. Why on earth are you indulging in that girl's antics?"

The Duke of Edelt seemed sincere. He seemed to be trying to read Owen's thoughts by narrowing his gaze.

"...Antics?"

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.

Whether it is by legal or illegal means. The name of the Duke of Edelt made it all possible.

"Just because she has always been like this, it doesn't mean her actions are just antics. Doesn't everyone love to possess something they love?"

You may say that it was Lucia's hobby to collect and possess all the beautiful things she loved. Of course, it might be difficult for an ordinary person to understand. Such an intense and insatiable desire might make her seem like a greedy and naive noblewoman.

"Even if that 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 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. Usually, he didn't spare a thought for the former Duchess of Edelt, but whenever he faced Lucia, guilt would creep in as he thought of the late Duchess of Edelt for no reason.

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 itself was the result of the Duke of Edelt's infidelity. The fact that he had an affair led the Duchess of Edelt to suffer from depression and eventually pass away.

After boldly having an affair, he remarried the woman he had the affair with and shoved his love to their child. To keep Lucia's position as the heiress, he might have had a shred of conscience or maybe he just wants to maintain his public image as a good father. 

Year by year passed by. He neither drove Lucia away nor mistreated her, but that didn't mean he showed her any love. It was more of indifference.

It was truly a despicable thought.

And this lack of love was the reason why Lucia had such a hobby.

"But, 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 Verdin desires."

"..."

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

"Since you, Duke of Verdin, to be 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 if you talk with me instead of that child?"

"I don't recall a time when we were close enough to talk nor offer each other advice."

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

It must be because no one around Lucia ever had any affection for her, leading to such a conclusion. Even her only blood related kin didn't have any affection or interest in Lucia, so it was only natural for others to think the same. Just like how the nobles who gathered around her mistakenly believed that I responded to Lucia just because she bore the name of Edelt.

"Also, it seems like Your Excellency didn't seem to understand. I, Owen Verdin, never 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.

He was trying to get an advantage in his business dealings with the Duke of Edelt by befriending Lucia?

Hah!

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 his requests.

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

Without waiting for an answer from Duke Edelt, Owen then stood up and walked out of the room, making Duke Edelt lost in his sea of thoughts.