I Became the Male Lead in a Romance Novel

IBMLRN | Chapter 101. Birthday (2)

Posted by Bree, Released on December 16, 2024

101. Birthday (2)

Owen tilted his head slightly, unsure of Lucia’s intent.

Lucia smiled brightly, her confidence evident in the way her crimson lips curved upward.

“Do you remember when we went to Oceane?”

“Of course,” he replied without hesitation.

Lucia reached out, cupping his pale cheek with her hand. Her thumb brushed lightly against the corner of his eye, her touch soothing and tender.

“I’ll cover it with my memories.”

“….”

“Just like how I made Oceane no longer a dreadful place, I’ll do the same here,” she promised.

Her words were sweet, tempting enough to make him want to reach out and take her hand, no matter what it meant.

“Do it,” Owen murmured, his voice steady, trusting.

Lucia’s promises weren’t empty.

Owen’s memories of Oceane were no longer haunted by the absence of his parents. Instead, they were painted red and blue—filled with the sunset’s brilliance and the vivid memory of Lucia standing before it.

“Make it so I can only think of you.”

When Owen thought of the Verdun estate, his memories were often tied to duty and the painful remnants of his parents. Here, he recalled harsh training sessions in the mountains and their indifference, with even moments of failure met with scorn or violence.

Most of his memories here were grim or cold, devoid of color or emotion.

But with Lucia’s presence, color was slowly being added.

Oceane’s once-dreaded waters were now vibrant in his mind. The spring gardens, the quiet halls of the Verdun mansion in the capital—she had touched them all.

“So that you’ll think only of me,” she whispered.

“…I will,” Owen answered softly.

Lucia smiled wider and wrapped her arms around his neck.

“Good. Then wherever you go, you’ll remember me.”

Her voice, low and possessive, dripped with a fervent intensity. The scarlet emotions she displayed so openly were as striking and intoxicating as ever.

“In all your memories, I’ll live and breathe.”

Her crimson eyes curved as she smiled, brimming with unrestrained emotion.

Owen willingly let himself sink into the fire in her gaze.

“I suppose you will,” he said, closing his eyes.

Lucia pressed her lips against his closed eyelids, leaving a gentle kiss on each.

Afterwards, she released her hold on his neck, though her fingers lingered as she traced the side of his throat.

“I’d like to leave a mark, but…” she mused, her voice tinged with regret.

Kissing him and leaving a visible trace were tempting, but it was still broad daylight, and there was much to do.

“There’s still more of the estate to see, so I’ll hold back,” she added with a teasing smile, letting her hand fall away.

Then she took his hand and tugged lightly.

“Let’s go to the next building. You promised to give me a full tour.”

“Alright,” Owen said, following her lead as they stepped outside the annex.

They mounted their horses once more, the late-autumn sunlight warm against their skin. The brightness of the midday sun made the golden leaves scattered across the path seem to glow.

“What’s this place like in winter?” Lucia asked, watching the occasional leaf drift down as they rode.

The sound of the horses’ hooves echoed steadily on the stone-paved path, and the cool breeze carried away the last of the leaves clinging to the branches.

Curious, she wondered what this scene would look like when the season changed.

“Winter will come soon enough—you’ll see it for yourself,” Owen replied.

It was already the 22nd of November, and December wasn’t far off.

Unlike Earth, where climate changes had altered the seasons, this world adhered strictly to its seasonal patterns. Spring lasted from March to May, summer from June to August, autumn from September to November, and winter from December to February.

The Freyon Empire followed these typical northern hemisphere cycles, though other nations or continents might have different seasonal flows.

“Does it snow a lot here?” Lucia asked, her curiosity piqued.

“It’s about the same as the capital,” Owen answered.

Given the duchy’s eastern location, the weather wasn’t significantly different from the central capital.

“Then we might see the first snow together?” she suggested with a hopeful smile.

“Perhaps,” Owen replied, nodding.

It was hard to define what “first snow” meant, considering they had already seen snow during the hunting tournament at the Marquess of Ceres’ estate and witnessed snowdrifts in Count Taylor’s territory.

But in terms of the first snowfall in this region, it was a possibility.

Lucia’s smile widened at the thought, and she leaned forward slightly in her saddle.

The late-autumn breeze carried the scent of the turning season, and Owen watched her expression shift from curiosity to anticipation.

With her at his side, he thought, perhaps the upcoming winter wouldn’t seem so cold after all.

“It would be nice if that happens. It’ll leave a lasting impression. Very vivid.”

Lucia extended their earlier conversation, reiterating her intent to overwrite Owen’s unpleasant memories of the estate with her own presence.

“That would be wonderful,” Owen agreed.

If he could share the first snowfall with Lucia, it would undoubtedly become a cherished memory—one he’d revisit often.

He was certain of it.

Perhaps he’d even capture it in a memory orb.

“…Come to think of it,” Owen mused, recalling the memory orb and, by association, the engagement ceremony.

“We didn’t properly record the event.”

“You mean the engagement ceremony?”

“Yes.”

“We couldn’t help it, though. We didn’t even manage to have a portrait painted,” Lucia reminded him.

Edward’s chaotic interference had undone all their carefully prepared plans.

The formal procedures had been abbreviated, and both the portrait session and the memory orb recording were canceled in the aftermath.

It was inevitable. With dark magic exposed and tensions running high, asking an artist to stay and paint would have been inappropriate and risky.

The situation had demanded their departure. Owen had no choice but to dismiss the renowned painter, rescheduling for the following year.

As a highly sought-after artist, the painter’s schedule was always packed, so booking him again required a long wait.

“We decided to have everything done at the wedding instead,” Owen remarked.

Once the wedding date had been finalized, the missed opportunities from the engagement ceremony were rescheduled for that day.

Portraits, landscapes of the ceremony, and the like would all be captured then.

“What’s surprising is how the Saintess has changed since then,” Lucia said, shifting the topic.

Owen raised a curious eyebrow, prompting her to elaborate.

“She used to look at you with eyes full of obsession and possessiveness, but ever since the engagement ceremony, that’s disappeared. She doesn’t look at you like that anymore.”

“…Really?”

Owen swallowed nervously, wondering if it had been that obvious.

Lucia didn’t notice his reaction and continued, “Yes. Her entire demeanor has changed—though most people might not notice. It’s subtle. Her tone and actions are similar, but her emotions feel different. She’s genuine now, almost… sacred, even.”

“….”

‘Because she’s the real Saintess,’ Owen thought but kept silent.

It was better for everyone this way.

“And the Tower Lord’s behavior toward her has changed too,” Lucia added, drawing a surprised cough from Owen.

“Kyle?”

“Yes. He seems… interested in her,” she said, her voice laced with curiosity.

“…He does, doesn’t he?” Owen agreed, nodding.

In ‘The Flower of the Empire,’ Kyle had fallen for Bella at first sight.

Though things had been hectic during the engagement ceremony, Kyle’s reaction to the real Bella’s return had been clear.

Whether it was simple affection or the beginnings of love, Kyle had shown interest.

It was a realization not as a reader but as a friend observing his behavior.

“Even you see it, don’t you?” Lucia said, her confidence bolstered by his agreement. She nodded with a determined expression.

“Then we’ll have to push them together…”

Though she claimed Bella was no longer interested in Owen, Lucia’s lingering unease made her eager to support Kyle’s burgeoning connection with Bella.

Owen didn’t object. If Kyle and Bella ended up together, Lucia’s worries would be eased, and perhaps her relationship with Bella might improve as well.

Bella was inherently kind and good, and Lucia was amicable as long as no one threatened her interests. If their goals aligned, there would be no reason for animosity.

“Friendship is something I can’t provide for her.”

Owen wanted Lucia to be happy, and for that, she needed people who could support her in ways he couldn’t.

As her lover, her partner, and her future husband, Owen could only fulfill certain roles.

But human relationships extended beyond romance and family.

Friendships, mentorships, and camaraderie were all crucial.

While Owen couldn’t provide every type of relationship, he believed Bella could be a good friend to Lucia.

“Oh, we’re here,” Lucia said suddenly, interrupting his thoughts.

Their conversation had carried them to another annex, nestled within an expansive garden.

The garden wasn’t just large—it was vast enough to feel like a park or even a small forest, complete with towering trees and winding paths.

“It feels more like a park than a garden,” Lucia commented as she dismounted, tying Lina’s reins to a nearby tree.

Owen chuckled softly. “It does, doesn’t it?”

“This annex looks like something out of a fairytale,” she said, gazing at the building.

Surrounded by tall trees, the annex had an almost magical quality. It was charming and picturesque, more like a house for woodland sprites than a noble family’s property.

“I believe it was designed with that in mind,” Owen explained.

Some ancestor must have had a penchant for whimsy and romance, resulting in this enchanting retreat.

“It feels like we’re the only two people in the world,” Lucia murmured as she opened the door.

Inside, the annex was as well-maintained as the one by the rear gate, though its decor was far more quaint and elegant, perfectly matching its fairytale-like exterior.

“All the furniture fits the theme,” she observed, stepping inside.

As Lucia wandered in, Owen quickly dismounted, securing Mill before following her.

The ceilings inside were slightly lower than those in the main buildings, just high enough for Owen to stand comfortably.

Watching him navigate the cozy space, Lucia couldn’t help but laugh softly.

“It’s a bit small for you, isn’t it?”

“It’s fine as long as I don’t have to duck,” Owen replied, his tone neutral.

“Cute,” she teased, her laughter bubbling up again.

“…I don’t understand your standards,” Owen said, narrowing his eyes in genuine confusion.

Lucia’s laughter only grew.

“It’s just… the contrast makes it cute,” she explained between giggles.

“Does it?”

Though he still didn’t quite understand, Owen decided to let it go.