I became a Male Lead in a Romance Fantasy Novel

As time passed, the hunting competition day has arrived.

Owen, accompanied by the knights of the Verdin, headed to the location where the hunting competition was to take place.

The venue for the hunting competition was in the northern part of the Empire, specifically in the 'Forest of Snow,' which was on the border. It was quite far, taking almost a day from the capital to the northernmost edge.

In a magical world, it would have been nice to use teleportation magic for travel, but unfortunately, teleportation magic was prohibited except in emergencies like war or rebellion.

Fortunately, everyone in the group was a knight, and without delaying time by bringing a servant, they managed to arrive a day before the hunting competition.

Upon arriving at the headquarters of the hunting competition, located a bit away from the forest, Owen dismounted from his horse.

"Have you arrived, Duke Verdin?"

As Owen dismounted, Count Caleb approached and greeted him.

Count Caleb was a lord who guarded the northernmost territory of the Empire and was in charge of the annual hunting competition.

"Yes, you've worked hard, Count Caleb."

Understanding the other's hardships through the original work, Owen offered his words of comfort.

Hunting competitions were held twice a year, in late spring and autumn. The competition's purpose was to reduce the number of creatures by hunting, even though it was not possible to kill all the creatures that way. Since they were rampant, especially in northern part of the Empire, Count Caleb always had to be on edge due to the monsters.

In the novel, the protagonist Bella had used her powers to create a "Circle of Protection" in the north to overcome this problem. But unfortunately, the original story had not yet begun.

"It's my duty. Thank you, Your Grace."

Count Caleb bowed his head in gratitude and then signaled for a servant.

"Please guide His Grace to his tent."

"Yes. Please come this way, Your Grace."

The servant of the count then led Owen and the party of Duke Verdin to their assigned tents. Thanks to the warming magic, the inside of the tent was cozy, and perhaps due to Owen's status, the tent itself was quite spacious.

Owen carefully unpacked his belongings, as he had only brought the essentials, so there wasn't much luggage. After tidying up, he went outside the tent and summoned the count's servant again.

"Has Lady Edelt's party arrived?"

Taken aback by Owen's sudden question, the servant hesitated briefly before answering.

"Yes. They arrived about an hour ago."

"Where is Lady Edelt's tent?"

Upon hearing Owen's question, the servant seemed to understand the situation. The servant promptly led Owen towards the tent where Lucia was located.

"This way, Your Grace."

Guided by the servant, Owen arrived at a place filled with red tents.

As red symbolized the Edelt family, it was clear that this was their domain. Among the many red tents, only three tents were adorned with a red eagle symbol. It seemed to be where those bearing the name Edelt resided.

Observing this scene, Owen realized why he had been assigned to a tent with a black wolf symbol, unlike the other knights. While Owen lost in such unseemly thoughts, the servant delivered a message to Lucia's maid. Upon receiving the message, Lucia came out of the tent right away.

"How did you come all the way here?"

Lucia, showing a surprised reaction at the unexpected visit from someone who had never visited her tent before, greeted Owen. Although she was glad to see him, it was still quite unexpected.

"You had already arrived, they said."

In response to Lucia's words, Owen replied with a faint smile.

"Yes, I arrived about an hour ago. When did Your Grace arrive?"

"Just a while ago."

"Aren't you tired?"

Hearing her concerned voice, Owen shook his head quietly.

"Not at all. Are you not tired?"

"I came by carriage."

"Riding a carriage for a long time is also exhausting."

Well.

It wasn't just any carriage; it was a carriage fit for a duke's daughter.

Despite being a father who didn't love her, Duke Edelt pretended to be a doting father on the outside.

Therefore, Lucia must have come all the way here in a carriage befitting the name of Edelt.

One with sturdy, very soft seats.

Perhaps even equipped with magic stones for insulation and stability.

Knowing all this, Owen still worried about Lucia. Even if he could logically think and come to a conclusion in his mind, the heart didn't always follow suit.

Lucia smiled and replied, "It wasn't too difficult."

After a few more exchanges, Lucia's gaze then fell on Owen's hand. Her gloves, gifted to him by Lucia a few days ago, were on his hand.

"You're wearing the gloves I gave you."

Lucia said softly, and Owen looked down at his hand.

"Because I thought you wished so."

After the tie, Lucia had sent quite a few gifts to Duke Verdin. Owen would always keep them carefully in his display cabinets and only wear them when meeting Lucia.

Logan's words about showing appreciation by using the gifts received had a strong influence. The reason he wore the gloves today was also for that purpose.

"...If I were to ask for something else, would you do it?"

Lucia slowly raised her voice in response to Owen. Whether she considered his response an opportunity or not, a clear greed shone in her crimson eyes.

Recalling a description from a novel he had read dozens of times, Owen looked directly into her eyes. Once again, he felt that mere words were not enough to describe all of her.

"Anything."

To Owen's response that he would listen to everything, Lucia blossomed a radiant smile. Her delicately arched eyes and lips that elegantly curved were incredibly enchanting.

"Thank you. Then...when you return from hunting, please accompany me to the riding grounds."

Lucia briefly greeted before immediately voicing her request.

"Riding grounds...?"

"Yes."

Only after hearing Lucia's response did Owen finally realize why she had learned horseback riding. And at the same time, he felt a bit disappointed.

'I thought she would demand something more grandiose.'

Seeing the emotions rising above her eyes, he was certain she would ask for something significant. So, he had expected at least a proposal to attend a ball together...

Just horseback riding, it seemed.

"...Alright."

Despite Owen's affirmative response, he still couldn't shake off his disappointment. Lucia, unaware of his thoughts, simply smiled happily. Owen silently watched her, narrowing his eyes slightly at her faint smile.

"Your clothes are too thin."

The northern regions were winter-bound all year round. Although it would somewhat resemble spring temperatures during summer, apart from that, the winter weather there was no different from other regions. Perhaps that was why Lucia was wearing a relatively thick dress rather than the thin ones she usually wore...

Yet, she still didn't seem warm enough.

Owen felt more concerned and worried. He tilted his head and said, "Wouldn't it be better to wear thicker clothes?"

"It's warm enough."

As Lucia shook her head, Owen let out a soft sigh, looking concerned.

He soon took off the cloak he was wearing and draped it over Lucia.

"You are delicate... You should take more care."

The pitch-black cloak, tailored to fit Owen's body, was too big for Lucia. She seemed almost engulfed by the cloak. Nevertheless, Lucia delicately adjusted the cloak and nodded her head.

"Yes, I will do that."

As the two of them conversed, the remaining noble families arrived one by one. Once all participants of the hunting competition had arrived, it was time for weapons maintenance.

The quiet space quickly turned noisy as knights and mages emerged from their tents. Most were busy with their weapons maintenance, but there were also those who glanced at the two together from time to time.

However, due to their statuses, no one brave enough to approach and start a conversation. And so, as they spent time on maintenance, it was time for the final inspection by the head of the family.

The knight commander of the Verdin's Knight, Jade, came to find Owen.

"Here you are, Your Grace. I've been looking for you for a while."

Turning towards Jade at his voice, Owen then received his report.

"We have finished the weapons maintenance. We're waiting for your next command."

Although Owen felt somewhat disappointed, he nodded his head as there was no other choice. Weapon maintenance inspection was crucial. A single mistake during maintenance could result in someone getting injured or killed.

"Very well."

Owen slowly responded before looking at Lucia once again.

"Let's meet again tomorrow morning."

"See you tomorrow."

Lucia briefly bid farewell. And with a brief exchange of glances, Owen also left for the inspection. As Lucia watched him leave, Duke Edelt came out of the tent for an inspection.

By his side was Lucia's stepbrother, Louis Edelt.

While Lucia had to learn everything by herself. As the favorite son of Duke Edelt, Louis seemed to be learning what he needed to do as an Edelt directly from his father. 

"You better go back to your tent. Don't be a hindrance for our family."

Louis immediately started a quarrel upon seeing her. He despised and resented Lucia, because if it's not for her, he would be the one named as the heir of Duke Edelt. 

With an annoyed tone, Lucia replied as she exhaled, "Whether I wander or not, just focus on your own tasks."

Despite the siblings' argument, their father, Duke Edelt, took no action as usual. He simply watched them.

"You! What is the basis of your self-confidence?"

Knowing well that Duke Edelt would just watch, Louis didn't hesitate to confront Lucia.

"Do I have a reason not to be confident?"

Lucia wasn't one to back down easily.

Louis then responded as if he was indignant, "Without your position as the heiress, you are nothing. What kind of heiress who would just attend useless events that doesn't benefit the family in any way."

"There are more ways to benefit the family than you think."

"At least your actions don't benefit the family. Don't try to teach me. You know nothing."

As Louis got angry, Lucia shrugged, "I just stated the truth, what's the harm in that?"

"If it's the truth, then what I said must be true. Lately, all you do is chase after Duke Verdin, isn't it?"

In response to Lucia's words, Louis retorted. And with a snort, he mocked Lucia, "Well, even if you stick to him like a glue, he's not interested in you anyway."

"Louis, as your sister, let me give you one piece of advice."

In response to Louis' words, Lucia smiled and replied, touching the cloak she was wearing. On the chest of her jet-black cloak was the emblem of Duke Verdin, clearly engraved.

"Sometimes rumors turned out to be true, so it's not wise to close your ears completely."

Only after Lucia spoke did Louis finally take a good look at her.

"...What is this?"

A large black cloak, and on top of it, the emblem of a black wolf engraved.

It was draped over Lucia's body, symbolizing the Duke of Verdin.

The meaning was clear, but Louis refused to believe the truth.

"Did you order someone to steal it?"

"I'm sorry but I don't have that kind of hobby."

In Lucia's indifferent tone, Louis' pupils narrowed.

"But then, how...?"

"His Grace was here until a moment ago."

The meaning in Lucia's brief words was significant. Duke Verdine had personally walked here to see Lucia, and he even offered his cloak.

That was not something to be dismissed as an ordinary deal. Even if it's only a common cloak or clothes, but if the one who handled it was Owen, it was still an extraordinary feat since Owen wasn't someone with such sentiments.

However, what Owen handed over to Lucia was an item with the family's colors and emblem engraved on it. It could only be used by someone whose last name is Verdin and should not be used lightly. The fact that he willingly handed it over to Lucia meant that she meant that much to him.

"..."

Duke Edelt, who understood her words, seemed lost in thought, but Louis simply shook his head as if he couldn't believe it.

"That's impossible. What would he be doing here...?"

"Haven't you heard the rumors?"

"Why bother with such useless things-"

"I just mentioned it. Sometimes rumors turned out to be true, so don't close your ears."

With a disdainful look, Lucia explained and then concluded, "Ask anyone around. You'll get your answer quickly."

With a sense of annoyance, Lucia finished speaking and swiftly turned around. As she moved, the hem of her jet-black cloak fluttered.

Duke Edelt continued to watch Lucia as she returned to her tent, only lifting his gaze after a while. Then, he called one of the knights nearby.

"Did Duke Verdin come by earlier?"

In response to his question, the knight stood at attention and replied, "Yes. His Grace was with the Lady Edelt until a while ago and left for inspection."

Upon the knight's response, Duke Edelt furrowed his eyebrows. It was the same man who had said during their conversation at the mansion that he wouldn't do this for business reasons.

"Then for what reason...?"

Lost in his thoughts, Edelt was interrupted by Louise.

"Why did he come looking for Lucia?"

"..."

"There must be a reason. Otherwise, Duke Verdin wouldn't just come looking for Lucia."

Louise almost growled as he spoke.

Perhaps because he simply couldn't accept it. To him, Owen was someone he admired endlessly, and Lucia was the one he despised and detested.

It was unbelievable.

That insignificant Lucia had somehow captured the heart of the person he respected.

"...Replied to young master. Maybe Duke of Verdin simply wanted to see the lady."

"And why would someone like Duke Verdin want to see her?"

"There have been rumors lately. They say the two of them met with interest and eventually became a couple."

After hearing the knight's explanation, Louise finally understood the meaning behind Lucia's words from earlier.

-I just said it. Sometimes rumors turned out to be true, so don't ignore them.

It was clearly a statement affirming the rumors.

That the two were lovers.

"Hah! There's no way that's true."

Although the words carried a clear meaning, Louise deliberately denied the implications.

"She must be lying."

Lucia was the type of person who would do anything to get what she wanted. Undoubtedly, this must be another one of her schemes, Louise concluded on his own.