I Became the Male Lead in a Romance Fantasy Novel

041. What You Truly Want (5)

When Bella misunderstood the relationship between Kyle and Owen.

Lucia had arrived at the park where the picnic was being held.

The park, with its well-maintained fountain and garden, was a popular outing spot for nobles.

“Lady Lucia, it’s been a while.”

“Lady Edelt! We met at the hunting competition, do you remember?”

“I know we talked together last time, do you remember me?”

Nobles and aristocrats naturally gathered around her.

Lucia smiled familiarly and engaged with them.

“It’s been a while, everyone. Of course, I remember both of you. We enjoyed the tea party together, right?”

Leading the social circle was something she was accustomed to.

Lucia naturally interacted with them and engaged in conversation.

“I heard that Duke Verdin and you went on a trip.”

“Are you two dating?”

“I’m envious. A villa in Oceanside. It must have been incredibly beautiful.”

The conversation flowed, and it eventually reached the topic of the trip that Lucia and Owen had taken.

“Yes, we went to Oceanside. It was indeed a beautiful place, just as Young Master said. The sea was truly beautiful.”

“The sea is a truly beautiful place. Oceanside is an especially pretty resort.”

The rumors seemed to have spread even better than expected.

The atmosphere of the two being lovers and the envious words proved it.

Satisfied with the outcome, Lucia spent a pleasant time laughing.

Sitting on a picnic blanket on the park’s grass, exchanging stories wasn’t a bad way to spend time.

“But when are you getting engaged?”

Among the laughter and chatter, this question arose.

One of the young ladies suddenly brought up a question.

“Oh. Or are you going to get married right away? The engagement process can be quite cumbersome…”

“Oh my. Is that so?”

“Well, true love marriages are quite rare.”

Other young ladies and gentlemen seemed curious about that point, each chiming in with a word.

As there was no clear answer, Lucia found it difficult to respond appropriately.

Quickly organizing her thoughts, she replied to steer the conversation smoothly.

“I am trying to proceed slowly in order. Starting from dating, leading to engagement, and then marriage is the usual order.”

When Lucia responded with a smile, those around her mostly showed signs of agreement.

Nobles had a habit of valuing tradition and procedures.

Hence, noble marriages often took place after engagement.

Of course, Lucia and Owen’s case was far from conventional.

“Oh, really?”

Amidst the casually flowing atmosphere, a surprised voice stood out.

It was the young lady who had initially asked the question.

“Even Lady Edelt and Duke Verdin. Both of you are of the age to marry soon, so I thought you would have a wedding ceremony soon. Was I mistaken?”

It seemed this young lady was quite oblivious to the situation.

Despite the surroundings turning chilly and reprimanding glances directed at her, she maintained her composure.

“I thought if it was a true love marriage, there wouldn’t be much concern about procedures.”

Lucia smiled faintly at the young lady.

“It’s not something you can completely ignore the procedures.”

In response to her, other young ladies and gentlemen each added a word.

Seemingly eager not to disturb Lucia’s mood, everyone fervently expressed their opinions.

Thanks to them, Lucia could easily handle the young lady who had challenged her without any trouble.

The conversation flow gently returned.

Young ladies and gentlemen brought up various light topics.

They discussed the park they visited for a picnic today and exchanged words about the food they brought for the picnic.

Some proudly displayed cookies and pastries from a bakery, while others boasted about their head chef’s cooking skills.

Yet another mentioned the beverages they brought.

“This is an expensive wine, and this is a rare vodka.”

Lucia observed with curiosity their boldness in bringing alcohol for the picnic.

She didn’t need to intervene; her turn would come around eventually.

“Oh, Lady Lucia brought a fruit tart.”

“A strawberry tart. Such a precious fruit this season…”

“Did you import it from abroad?”

“It looks delicious.”

As expected, it was Lucia’s turn last.

Following her, when Mari opened the picnic basket, the young ladies and gentlemen marveled one after another.

Indeed, strawberries were not easy to come by in the summer, so their surprise was warranted.

Unless one had considerable wealth, it would have been difficult to acquire them.

Listening joyfully to their admiration, Lucia added a brief response.

“I like strawberries. They are in season in the western countries now.”

“If you mean the Kingdom of Yuria by the west…”

“These strawberries were imported from Yuria. They are precious strawberries.”

Once again, admiration ensued.

Lucia smiled confidently as she graciously shared the tart.

In return, the other young ladies and gentlemen also shared the picnic foods they had brought.

“Please accept the wine I brought, Lady.”

“This is the vodka I brought.”

Perhaps the only issue was the presence of alcohol among them.

Lucia smiled as she accepted the wine and vodka glasses they offered, but inwardly, she felt a bit flustered.

‘…It’s just a little, so it should be fine.’

Lucia believed she was quite a perfect person.

She excelled in most things, with very few exceptions.

The exceptions were exercise and alcohol.

Just as serious about exercise as she was, Lucia couldn’t handle alcohol well.

She could manage a little, but a few drinks would often make her tipsy.

Strong spirits made her tipsy more easily.

‘Just a little.’

However, the amount of alcohol she received was not that much.

The alcohol content didn’t seem too high.

If there was an issue, it was that it was vodka, but since the quantity was small, I thought it would be fine.

After all, one couldn’t refuse the offered drink.

It would be against etiquette.

“…It’s delicious.”

Lucia raised her wine glass, took a sip of wine, and drank it.

The sweet grape aroma and the subtle scent of wine pricked her nose.

The sweet taste filling her mouth didn’t seem as strong as expected.

“Fortunately.”

Following that, they continued to share stories while eating.

Lucia emptied the glass of sweet wine and held a glass of spirits in her hand.

The vodka with ice emitted a sharp scent.

She even felt a slight dizziness from the strong alcohol scent.

‘…This seems like it would make one tipsy if consumed.’

With this level of scent, it was undoubtedly a strong drink.

Lucia glanced around at the others and gently put down the glass of spirits.

She couldn’t afford to make the mistake of participating in the social gathering while intoxicated.

“Ah, it was enjoyable today.”

“I hope we can have a picnic together next time.”

“There will be another opportunity.”

Fortunately, the picnic ended without any mishaps.

As the atmosphere wrapped up, Lucia added a few words before getting up from her seat.

“Your Highness.”

After the farewell, on the way back to the carriage,

Marie, who was following behind, spoke up.

“Why is that?”

“Aren’t you feeling dizzy?”

“No. I’m fine-, oh.”

As she was about to reply that she was fine, her body swayed.

“You gulped down the wine you had earlier because it was sweet, right…?”

“It didn’t seem to have a high alcohol content.”

“That wine is not just sweet; it’s actually a very strong one.”

Marie brought up stories she had heard from the maids and butlers.

The highly popular among nobles was that strong and sweet wine.

“I didn’t know.”

“I’ll support you.”

Not knowing much about alcohol, Lucia didn’t know wine brands.

Which store’s wine was strong, and which wine was simply not sweet.

Lucia was the type to drink only when necessary for the ambiance.

In the end, with Marie’s help, Lucia, feeling tipsy, was led to the carriage.

The alcohol had completely taken effect, and now even her head was spinning.

“By the way, Your Highness.”

Marie, who had supported Lucia all the way to the carriage, suddenly asked.

With a look of permission, Lucia nodded, prompting Marie to speak.

“What do you think of Duke Verdin, Your Highness?”

It was a direct and honest question.

Perhaps due to the alcohol she had consumed, her mind felt foggy.

“…Owen?”

“Yes. Duke Verdin likes Your Highness, right?”

“Um….”

Since Owen hadn’t explicitly expressed his feelings, Lucia remained silent.

‘The cat’s out of the bag.’

But internally, she thought so.

Owen’s actions must have been quite revealing, indeed.

Well.

A person who had no interest in anyone suddenly changed.

It would have seemed odd to anyone.

“It seems so.”

Since most nobles probably thought that way, Lucia also reached the same conclusion.

Since Owen hadn’t denied it outright, after all.

Maybe that’s true.

“So. The Duke of Verdin likes the Lady, how about the Lady?”

“Well, I…”

Lucia, who was about to answer reflexively, couldn’t find the right words and closed her mouth.

The reason she approached Owen was not because she had romantic feelings for him.

“I just wanted Owen.”

“Is that so?”

Lucia, who had come to her own conclusion, replied firmly.

But for some reason, Marie interjected.

Not being able to guess why Marie was interjecting, Lucia shot her a puzzled look.

In response, she continued.

“Wouldn’t it be easier to get engaged or married? I mean, if you really think of the Duke of Verdin in that way.”

“….”

That was true.

If she wanted him, she could take any route.

Come to think of it, wasn’t it a ridiculous thing?

Owen was waiting for her to answer.

If she was certain that he liked her, all she had to do was get engaged.

Engaged, then married.

Then Owen would be completely tied to her.

There would be no possession as complete as becoming legally married and a family.

“Lady.”

Marie calmly called Lucia again.

She looked at Lucia with a very serious gaze.

“What does the Lady wish for from His Grace?”

What does Owen want?

Lucia narrowed her eyes at the question.

She had never deeply considered such things.

From the moment she first saw Owen, she simply thought she had to have him.

She liked his appearance, his perfection.

“Remember what His Grace was worried about during the hunting competition?”

As Lucia frowned, Marie added, “Think about that time. No, just think about how the Duke of Verdin treats the Lady.”

Owen was kind to Lucia.

He was polite, yet at the same time, affectionate.

His excessive kindness and affection made her feel special and precious.

Well, of course, Lucia had always thought of herself as special and quite accomplished.

But his warm demeanor was somehow different.

It was as if he whispered that even her unattractive inner self was special.

Yes.

Lucia finally admitted.

She didn’t just like him for his looks or external aspects.

His abilities, status, wealth, none of those alone made him perfect.

Lucia liked his visible kindness and affection.

She was happy that he treated her well and enjoyed the moments when she was the focus of his gaze.

“Lady, truly think about what you want. Do you really just think of him as something you want?”