LUCIA

Chapter 60 The Capital's High Society

"...Don't tease me."

"I never did. I say you're pretty because you are pretty."

Even though he teased her mischievously once in a while, he wasn't one to joke insincerely. He had said the same thing once before but then, it was just the two of them. Lucia's face reddened so much that it couldn't get any redder and she was unable to sit still.

She got up like that and quickly left the dining room. A strong hand grabbed her arm, stopping her from going out to yard. At some point, he had caught up and was right behind her.

"Vivian, did I do something wrong?"

He thought she liked it when he called her pretty. It was clearly recorded like that in his list so he was taken aback by her reaction. Lucia furiously shook her head.

"No. I was...embarrassed because you said that in front of the servants."

"Wow. It was 'don't touch' in front of the servants, now it's 'don't say' in front of the servants?"

Lucia wrapped her arms around his waist and buried her head in his chest.

"Mm. I don't like stuff like that."

While grumbling about why he should care if the servants are there, he returned her hug, wrapping his arms around her back. Listening to his grumbles, Lucia rubbed her head on his chest and chuckled faintly.

Are you happy? Norman's questions sprang up in her mind. Lucia could give the answer 'I'm happy' over and over again. Ever since she decided to believe in him, she was a little less anxious and a little more happy.

'These damn rumors. I can't even grab every mouth that says stupid things and stuff it.'

Other rumors didn't matter but these days, Hugo was very worried that unfounded rumors involving women or scandals of the past would reach her ears.

Because of that, these days, Fabian was running around, day and night, gathering rumors.

It had been a few days since Lucia's entourage arrived at the Capital but no rumor of their arrival had spread. Hugo asked Lucia to rest and stay out of society's gaze for a little while longer. So, Lucia spent these couple of days in very relaxed manner.

She knew this break wouldn't last long so she was enjoying it as much as she could. She had her lunch, looked around the mansion and went for a walk in the yard.

There was a fairly large plain of land between the gates and the entrance to the mansion. Instead of a garden, numerous trees were planted to obstruct one's vision from seeing the inside of the mansion. And since there was a small pathway in between, it was nice for taking a walk.

"Ooh!"

The sudden loud voice made Lucia jump in surprise. When an eye-catching man unexpectedly appeared in front of her, Lucia plopped down on the spot.

"Ah, Did I surprise you? It's me. Me. We haven't seen in a long time, yes?"

The eye-catching man was Roy Krotin. Lucia grabbed his outstretched hand and stood up. To Lucia, Roy was special connection. She hadn't known at the time but if it wasn't for Roy, she wouldn't have been able to meet Hugo.

It was Jerome's role to manage the guests and with Jerome's shrewd personality, there was no way he would have let her meet Hugo until she was judged to be a proper guest. Back then, Jerome was absent just in time and Roy acted as he pleased, allowing Lucia to meet with Hugo.

At that time, if Lucia had been unable to meet Hugo and was turned away, she wouldn't have had courage to visit again. It was the help of the heavens and at the same time, it was Roy's help.