Distortion : No More Lady Edelt

As Owen finished his temporary preparations and let out a sigh, a familiar voice was heard from behind.

"Your Grace."

At the voice calling him, Owen turned around to see the person.

"...Milady."

With ruby-like shining red eyes and radiant hair, and even a voice as beautiful as her appearance.

It was Lucia.

"Have you returned already?"

Lucia asked Owen, her eyes twinkling gently.

For some reason, Owen felt like he could breathe a little easier just by looking at her. He almost wanted to embrace her tightly as if he could. 

But he couldn't do something that would clearly surprise Lucia. Instead, he took a step towards her. And slowly, he took her hand and lifted it, pressing a kiss on the back of her hand.

"Yes."

It was a sudden gesture.

Owen felt it himself, and Lucia felt it even more.

Especially from the perspective of the attendants and servants standing behind her, it was a shocking act that made them gape.

"...I am glad."

Lucia, though surprised, managed to put on a composed expression. Her faintly curved lips and twinkling eyes were incredibly natural.

"Did my ribbon help you, Your Grace?"

She mentioned the red ribbon tied to Owen's sword, lowering her eyelids shyly. Owen briefly glanced down at the ribbon tied to his sword hilt, then met Lucia's eyes, his lips curling into a smile.

"It seemed so."

With a clear and affirmative answer, those who had just been gossiping with Lucia a moment ago were now astonished. They realized that all the stories they had heard at the tea party were indeed true.

"But why have you come all the way out here?"

It was strange to see Lucia appearing in a place other than the greenhouse where the tea party was being held.

Owen threw a question at Lucia. To which Lucia replied with a smile, "The atmosphere seemed a bit noisy, so I thought perhaps Your Highness had arrived and came out to see."

"I see. Then these people here..."

Upon hearing Lucia's response, Owen nodded and gestured towards the people behind Lucia.

Lucia graciously introduced them, "These are the ones who enjoyed the tea party with me. They are kind and wonderful people."

With praises added to the introduction, their reactions were naturally positive.

"Oh, the Lady is indeed kind and wonderful."

"Thank you for your kind words."

Owen quietly observed their interactions with admiration. The sight of tearing a page from <Flower of the Empire> and bringing it to life was always fresh and exhilarating. It was enough to momentarily forget the worries that had plagued his mind until now.

"Your Grace, do you recall the favor I asked of you?"

As Owen was lost in a brief contemplation, Lucia grabbed his arm and inquired. Taken aback by the sudden touch, Owen looked down at his arm, then let out a faint sound, "I told you, I remember everything you've said."

Though he couldn't fathom why she was behaving this way, one thing was clear.

She wanted to show this side to them.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have suddenly mustered the courage.

But.

Whatever the reason, if Lucia wished.

Owen could fulfill her desires.

"Then, would you accompany me to the riding field now?"

At Lucia's question, Owen hesitated for a moment.

In the current situation, amidst the confusion, he couldn't leisurely go horseback riding. Regardless, he had to take charge as a commander and lead the situation. 

Of course, if something happened, he would be contacted through the communication device. Sending knights for reconnaissance but himself leisurely going to the riding field would undoubtedly spread unfavorable rumors.

"...Not now."

Certainly, Lucia was more important for him than those mere rumors.

But what if she suffered because of those rumors too.

So, Owen had no choice but to politely decline.

"There's another place that I'd like to have a ride with you later."

However, he didn't express this fact straightforwardly.

It seemed Lucia wanted to show that I held her in esteem.

If I simply refused here, it might ruin the situation she desired.

"After the hunting competition, I'd like to go there together."

Deliberately holding Lucia's hand that reached out with the expectation of what was to come, Owen met her gaze. "As long as you're okay with it, Lady Edelt."

Naturally seeking permission through physical contact, their demeanor made anyone think they shared a special relationship.

Although it was all for show, it didn't matter.

As the those young nobles watched them, they concluded that the rumors were true. Just by exchanging surprised glances, it was evident.

Lucia subtly curled her lips upon seeing them.

After today, the words that had followed her, 'Even Lady Edelte, who has everything, still cannot have Duke Verdin,' would disappear.

Instead, a new epithet would emerge, 'The Lady Edelt who even took the heart of Duke Verdin.'

As this thought crossed her mind, the desire that had been harbored since their first meeting ignited like a flame.

Owen had always been someone she desired to possess, someone she had tried to acquire by any means. But she hadn't been able to get close, let alone possess him.

Now that an opportunity had arisen, everyone began to misunderstand.

That he belonged to her.

Perhaps because of that.

She genuinely hoped that the misconception would become reality.

'If I could truly have him completely.'

Not just appearing to have won him over, but to have him showing a bit more favor towards her. Until his everything became her own, enabling him to easily give away anything to her. If only she could, she would willingly kneel and beg, just to possess him perfectly.

Such a grand desire had arisen.

"...I... like it."

Lucia was someone who would grab whatever she desired, by any means necessary. Having obtained everything she desired until now. She knew better than anyone else because she was the one who always got what she wanted.

To fulfill the newly arisen greed, one must be very cautious.

Lucia slowly squeezed Owen's intertwined hand. As her fingers delved between Owen's fingers, she flinched. Her faintly fluttering eyelashes were long and elegant. Lucia gazed at his face and spoke.

"Since you promised to go horseback riding together. Could you accompany me with something else instead?"

It was Owen who had already promised to go horseback riding. Judging by his attitude, there seemed to be a particular reason to why they couldn't ride together today.

But.

Lucia had no intention of letting go of any opportunity she could seize. Besides, Owen seemed willing to do anything.

"Of course."

And as expected, he gave an answer that he would do anything.

Lucia smiled and bit her lip.

"Could you be my partner at the upcoming royal banquet?"

The royal banquet, to be held in a month, was a grand event. It was a debutante ball held every summer and an occasion where dignitaries from various countries visited. Therefore, all the nobles of the empire were obliged to attend this banquet.

If they were to enter the banquet together as partners, it would be obvious that they were engaged. The rumor would spread like wildfire as if it were true, and Lucia was well aware of this fact, which is why she intended to take advantage of it.

"...Alright."

In response to Lucia's proposal, Owen slowly uttered his answer.

It wasn't because he was hesitant.

The banquet proposal was rather insignificant, to the extent that he had anticipated it beforehand. He thought Lucia would make such a proposal much earlier than today. Also, he disliked the idea of having to pay the price of breaking a promise, even if it was such a trivial proposal.

Owen wanted Lucia to have everything she desired, and what she desired most at the moment was 'Owen.' But it seemed difficult to achieve it this way. She was unusually cautious this time, unlike before.

When she wanted something else, she would proceed effortlessly according to her plans without hesitation. But now, she paid too much attention, was too observant, and tried to adjust even the smallest details. 

'...Should I be more agressive?'

As his thoughts reached that point, Owen realized that he needed to give her confidence.

Confidence that she wouldn't have to push as she did before.

So that Lucia could act without hesitation.

"Lady Edelt, if it's not impolite, may I call you by your name?"

At Owen's question, Lucia blinked quietly.

At a moment totally unexpected, words she never anticipated flowed out.

It was quite a surprising moment for her.

"...Of course."

However, the positive response that came at the end of the long silence was expected. Lucia smiled and then asked a question.

"Then, may I address you by your given name as well?"

It was a question that implied permission would be granted.

"Sure."

And as expected, Owen responded affirmatively.

"Go ahead, Lucia."

As his voice carried her name, the nobles who followed Lucia made a commotion. Their noisy voices were irritating, but Lucia, oblivious to the surrounding noise, gazed blankly at Owen.

Thump, thump-

Her heart pounded loudly and roughly.

At the same time, the sensations swirling inside her grew uncontrollably.

"...Owen."

Struggling to calm the noisy turmoil within, Lucia managed to utter his name.

She had seen and longed for him for a long time. But strangely, his name on her lips felt unfamiliar to the point of awkwardness.

"Yeah."

In the moment when the unfamiliarity was becoming awkward, Owen responded. His deep voice was incredibly soft and affectionate.

Lucia raised her head to look at him again.

The black eyes she met were strangely warm.

"Owen."

As if entranced, Lucia whispered his name once more.

Even though it was only the second time she had called his name, it was already starting to feel familiar.

"Sure."

Owen responded to her call, his eyes held a mix of emotions and his lips curling.

It was hard to pinpoint exactly, but warm and tender emotions were undoubtedly coloring his expression.

At his unparalleled tenderness, Lucia bit her lip.

Lately, he had been growing strangely closer to her, but this was truly...

A sudden change.

No.

Perhaps she had been slow to notice.

Maybe he had already changed, but she hadn't noticed his altered emotions and demeanor because he was adept at concealing his feelings.

'But...Why?'

However, no matter how much that may be the case, it was difficult to understand. She couldn't figure out what prompted the shift in his heart.

"So, did you really promise to be my partner at the royal banquet?"

Unable to comprehend, her thoughts became more complex. But instead of delving into more complicated thoughts, Lucia decided to focus on what she could gain now.

So she questioned Owen about his positive response to her proposal.

Since there were quite a few people around who could spread rumors, it seemed necessary to firmly establish the matter.

"Lucia, I don't lie to you."

It was simply an emphasis on the fact that he would be her partner in front of everyone.

But what returned to her was an added sweetness.

A lingering sweetness that seemed to imply his absolute submission, a bitter sweetness that announced his presence in her hands.

'Ah.'

As the sweetness touched her tongue, Lucia felt dizzy.

It was perhaps the fruit of her long waiting and patience.

The satisfaction she felt now, compared to when she finally obtained what she had desired before, was incomparable.

No.

The term 'satisfaction' felt insufficient.

It was dizzying and ecstatic to the point where her heart trembled, evoking a desire that went beyond mere possession.

"...Is that so?"

Lucia carefully maintained her expression while clutching the hem of her dress. She needed to suppress her emotions, fearing she might say something amiss in her excitement.

"Alright. I hope you trust me. I will keep the promise to you without fail."

"Well, everyone has their own circumstances. Due to unforeseen reasons, one might not be able to keep a promise."

In an attempt to decipher his true feelings, Lucia subtly turned the conversation to see how far he had fallen into her hands.

She wanted to know.

To what extent he was entrusting himself to her.

Whether he simply harbored goodwill and fondness towards her, or if it was something more.

Though aware that it was quite a direct question, she still brought it up.

"It could be."

The moment Lucia broached the topic, Owen understood her intentions.

Lucia was trying to gauge his true feelings now.

Owen was pleased with this fact.

He felt he could give her assurance through this incident.

"However, Lucia. Even if others may not know, but you should know that I, Owen Verdin, will never break my promise."

With a firm and clear voice, Owen stared directly into Lucia's eyes.

As if trying to let her fathom his true intentions.

Owen met the gaze of Lucia's eyes deeply and directly, staring at her ruby eyes as if he wanted to devour them.

As Lucia gazed into his unwavering black eyes, she let out a long breath. The emotions she had been suppressing began to seep out one by one, causing her heart to beat loudly once again.

"...Thank you."

Though she tried to suppress her feelings as before, the emotions she had swallowed once refused to be contained. Overwhelmed by the flowing sensations, Lucia found it difficult to even control her body as she wished.

Eventually, she let go of the hand clutching her dress hem. Then, she reached out her hand towards Owen and gently clasped his hand.

"!"

Taken aback by the sudden touch, Owen blinked in surprise for a moment.

He then looked down at Lucia's hand holding his, smiled subtly, and casually interlocked his fingers with hers

"...Owen."

Feeling the warmth, Lucia found it increasingly difficult to restrain herself and opened her mouth.

Right now, she wanted to be alone with him.

There were things she wanted to confirm.

Alone with him in a place where no one else was around.

"Could you invite me to your lodge, Owen?"

"Of course."