063. Dream (1)

The investigation and interrogation regarding the attempted assassination were conducted under the leadership of the temple and the royal family.

Though Bella had been appointed as the final commander for this case, with the temple and the royal family merely providing assistance to her.

Knowing well that this matter would be resolved successfully, Owen didn’t pay much attention to it.

Bella had mentioned at the banquet that she would contact him if she needed help, but the case was likely to be resolved without his assistance.

At most, he would just have to provide some documentation.

“Owen.”

Lost in thought, Owen heard Lucia call out to him.

“Are you having trouble concentrating because of me?”

Today, Lucia had come to Owen’s office.

It wasn’t their original plan to meet in his office.

Initially, they were supposed to meet in the garden or the reception room, but Lucia expressed a desire to see Owen at work and asked to visit his office.

– It won’t be a very interesting sight.

– I don’t mind.

Although watching him handle piles of paperwork didn’t seem like a particularly enjoyable experience, Lucia said she was fine with it.

And so, the two of them ended up in his office today.

Owen was seated at his desk, as usual, while Lucia sat on the sofa.

On the table in front of the sofa, a maid had set down tea and refreshments.

“It’s not that bad.”

“Really? That’s a bit disappointing.”

While Lucia was partly the reason for his distraction, it wasn’t the main cause this time.

Moreover, all Lucia was doing was sipping tea and occasionally watching Owen.

Though he could feel her gaze on him, it wasn’t exactly a disturbance.

So he mumbled a short reply, and Lucia playfully teased him in response.

“I was kind of hoping for that.”

Owen chuckled softly at her mischievous tone.

“What were you hoping for?”

“Well… seeing you a bit flustered?”

Lucia calmly responded as she took a sip of her tea.

“I’ve always found it curious—do you enjoy seeing me flustered?”

Wanting to see him flustered was still something Owen couldn’t quite understand.

Was it similar to the time she said she wanted to see him embarrassed?

“Yeah. It’s not something I get to see often.”

“For that reason?”

“Yes. Also, it’s a bit cute.”

When he asked for her reasoning, this was the answer she gave.

It was an unexpected response, and it made him feel a sudden rush of embarrassment.

His ears grew hot along with the rest of him.

“…What part of me makes you feel that way?”

Cute, she said.

There wasn’t a word in the world he thought less suited to describe him than that.

Yet, it was clearly the word that had come from Lucia’s mouth.

“It’s when you don’t know what to do. When you look awkward and unfamiliar with things.”

Seeing his utterly confused expression, she kindly explained.

Even with the explanation, the fact that he couldn’t quite grasp it might have been a flaw in itself.

“You don’t understand, do you? Well, that’s fine. That’s also one of the cute things about you.”

Lucia smiled again.

Her face was relaxed, and there was a hint of drowsiness in her expression.

“Can I ask what you were working on?”

Having wrapped up her previous comment, Lucia smoothly changed the topic.

This time, she was referring to the documents Owen had been holding.

“It’s about a new business venture. Are you curious?”

Recently, Owen had been diligently working on various new business ventures.

From auction houses and jewelry shops to boutiques, fruit markets, and art galleries.

His desk was full of business plans related to things that Owen normally wouldn’t have taken much interest in.

“Yes. Is it okay if I take a look?”

“If you’d like to.”

“Then I will.”

Lucia set down her teacup and stood up.

Today, she wore a light dress.

Though the bright red color and elaborate design made her stand out, the outfit itself looked comfortable.

“You’re opening a new art gallery?”

The desk was covered with papers related to various new business ventures.

The one Owen was holding was about the art gallery.

“I thought it might be nice to bring in some artworks myself.”

“Ah.”

Lucia nodded at his explanation.

She then glanced at the next document.

“This one… is about a boutique. And this is a contract to purchase a gemstone mine. And you’re also planning a jewelry business.”

As she went through the documents one by one, Lucia’s expression gradually changed.

Finally, she seemed to realize something, and she let out a short breath.

Turning to meet Owen’s eyes, she asked,

“Owen, if I’m not mistaken… all these are connected to things I like, right?”

Owen nodded quietly in response to her question.

There was no reason to hide it.

“Yes.”

“…This is a first for me.”

Lucia murmured softly.

Seeing the puzzled look on Owen’s face, she sighed and continued.

“I’ve been given gifts of things I like before, but I’ve never seen someone start a business for them.”

“But… you don’t just like a single piece of art or a dress.”

Lucia easily grew tired of things.

She was always looking for something new, and that applied to the beautiful things she loved as well.

As she had mentioned, she might appreciate beautiful artworks, dresses, or jewelry as gifts.

Owen had given her such gifts before, but what Lucia truly loved was not something so simple.

“You want to find new beautiful things.”

“…That’s true.”

What Lucia needed was an art gallery to house new beautiful works, a boutique to create high-quality dresses every season, and a jewelry shop to craft exquisite pieces from unique and beautiful gemstones.

Not just a single painting, dress, or set of jewelry.

“The more beautiful things you have, the better. New things always bring joy.”

Owen knew this all too well.

He even had the financial means and capability to start all these businesses himself.

It seemed a waste not to use them, so after organizing his existing businesses, Owen began looking into these new ventures.

The orchard and fruit sales business had started after hearing that Lucia liked strawberries.

“But the fruit business… is that because of the strawberries?”

Perhaps the fruit business had caught her eye among all the glamorous business plans.

Lucia added a question.

“It’s not just the strawberries; I noticed you also like other fruits.”

Owen immediately answered her question.

He knew well, having dined with her and shared tea time together multiple times.

Lucia had a particular fondness for fruits.

While other ladies seemed to prefer baked goods, Lucia seemed to enjoy fruit more.

“That’s true. But how did you know that?”

“We’ve had several meals together.”

“…Was it that obvious?”

“Rather than that, I’ve been quite interested in you, Lucia.”

Owen replied with a light smile.

Lucia couldn’t help but laugh softly, unable to find the words to respond.

“When did you start paying such close attention to me?”

“Well… I’m not sure myself. I’ve been watching you since before I realized it.”

As he said this, Lucia reached out her hand with a smile that wasn’t elaborate but rather light and joyful, like sunshine.

In short, yes.

Lucia looked happy.

“I’m glad to hear that you’ve been watching me for a long time.”

Her hand touched Owen’s cheek.

Owen leaned into her hand as if savoring the contact.

Lucia’s eyes softened into a smile, bright and more beautiful than ever before.

“Owen, I like it when you speak and act like this.”

Lucia spoke honestly, as she always did.

She never lied about what she liked.

“I like that you look at me, act, and speak in a way that makes me feel loved.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Isn’t it selfish of me? I want to take in your emotions without giving anything back.”

As if admitting she knew her selfishness, Lucia’s voice softened, and Owen tilted his head slightly.

He brought his lips to the hand that was caressing his cheek.

Kissing her palm briefly, Owen carefully held her hand.

“Then do as you wish.”

Owen gently squeezed her hand and pulled it closer.

He bowed his head and kissed her hand again.

“If my loving you means something to you, then that’s all the better for me.”

“….”

“Being selfish is fine. It’s not a bad thing, after all.”

Since every word he said was sincere, Owen whispered them effortlessly.

Lucia remained silent, only her gaze speaking volumes.

Owen continued to smile at her as he watched her.

Then he lifted her up and seated her on the desk.

A few of the papers scattered onto the floor.

“…You easily disrupt the world I thought I knew.”

Lucia finally spoke, her red lips uttering a soft sound.

“In the world I knew, there was no one who spoke like that.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Everyone said that being selfish was bad. I even thought all humans were terrible.”

Lucia would have believed that.

Owen, who had anticipated this, listened calmly.

“Even now, I think that way. Humans are inherently bad, and everyone is selfish. But….”

As she quietly continued speaking, Lucia suddenly pulled him close by the neck.

Caught by surprise, Owen looked at her as their lips briefly met and parted.

“You’re an exception, Owen.”

Even though the contact had been brief, the warmth of it lingered vividly.

As he tried to regain his composure, Lucia continued to speak.

“So I hope you stay kind and good. I think I like it when you treat me that way.”

His heart pounded more wildly than ever.

The sound grew louder, almost as if it would echo.

Because of a certain premonition.

“And I realized it late, but… Owen, the emotion you said you saw in my eyes, I think it was jealousy.”

Or perhaps it was hope.

It might be a foolish desire, but what could he do?

“I don’t know why, but I didn’t like it. Seeing people who obviously had feelings for you look at you, and even more so when you looked back at them.”

How could he not have such thoughts after hearing those words?

“I want to be the only exception in your world, just as you are in mine.”

The thought that she might love him too.