In My Second Life, I Became Someone Worth Loving

Chapter 5 — An Unexpected Visit

The afternoon at the Richter estate was unusually peaceful.

Josephine sat comfortably in her favorite chair near the tall library window, a book resting open across her lap.

Sunlight filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the shelves.

No guests.

No social gatherings.

No obligations.

Just silence.

Exactly how she liked it. She turned another page. Her thoughts briefly returned to yesterday.

Lucien had returned after nearly two years abroad. They had spoken in the conservatory for almost two hours. And this morning, she had received another letter from him.

I would like to visit the Richter estate soon.

Josephine had assumed "soon" meant several days. Perhaps even a week.

The Crown Prince had only just returned. Surely he would be occupied with royal duties, meetings, and all the responsibilities waiting for him after his long absence.

She smiled faintly.

Lucien had always been thoughtful. Even when they were children. He remembered the books she liked.

The tea she preferred.

The places she enjoyed visiting.

Perhaps that was simply who he was.

Josephine returned her attention to her book.

A few moments later, footsteps approached the library.

She continued reading.

"My Lady."

Josephine looked up.

A servant stood at the entrance. "His Highness, Prince Lucien Aurelian, has arrived."

Josephine froze. Her fingers loosened around the page. "...What?"

The servant bowed again. "His Highness has arrived at the estate."

"But..." Josephine blinked. She glanced toward the window as if the answer might be written somewhere outside. "He wasn't supposed to come for a few days."

"I believe His Highness changed his plans."

Josephine slowly closed her book.

Changed his plans?

For what?

Before she could think further, hurried footsteps sounded from the corridor.

A familiar voice followed. "Where is Lady Josephine?"

The servant immediately stepped aside.

Lucien appeared at the entrance. His eyes found Josephine almost instantly. And his expression softened. "Josie."

Josephine stood so quickly that her chair nearly moved backward. "Lucien?"

A small smile appeared on his lips. "I hope I'm not disturbing you."

"You..." Josephine glanced toward the servant. Then back at him. "You came today."

"I did."

"But your letter said you wanted to visit soon."

"I thought today was soon."

Josephine stared at him.

Lucien looked completely serious.

"...That's not what people usually mean by soon."

He laughed softly. "I suppose I've been away too long."

Josephine couldn't help smiling.

Perhaps he really hadn't changed.

Before they could continue their conversation, Alistair and Eleanor arrived to greet their unexpected guest.

"Your Highness." Alistair gave a respectful bow.

Lucien immediately returned it. "Lord Richter."

Alistair straightened. "I was told you wished to discuss something with me."

"I do." Lucien paused. His eyes briefly moved toward Josephine. "But it can wait."

Alistair followed his gaze. A knowing smile slowly appeared on the Marquis's face. "Of course."

Josephine immediately sensed something strange. "Father?"

"Nothing, sweetheart."

Eleanor smiled warmly. "Why don't you two stay in the library? I'm sure Lucien has plenty to catch up on."

Lucien nodded. "I would appreciate that."

Alistair gave his son-in-law-to-be-that-he-was-not-yet-aware-of-a-knowing-look. "Take your time."

Josephine frowned.

Why did her father sound like that?

Once they were alone again, Lucien looked at Josephine. "I brought something for you."

"For me?"

He nodded. He had been carrying a small package.

Josephine accepted it carefully. "You didn't have to bring me anything."

"I wanted to."

She removed the wrapping. Her eyes widened. The book inside was beautifully bound. And immediately recognizable. "I've been looking for this."

"I know."

Josephine looked up.

Lucien smiled. "I remembered you mentioning it in one of your letters."

"You remembered that?"

"I remember most things you tell me."

Josephine stared at him. He said it so casually. As though it were the most ordinary thing in the world. She looked down at the book again. "This edition is difficult to find."

"It was."

"Where did you find it?"

"Valen."

Josephine looked up sharply. "You went all the way to Valen for this?"

"I was already there."

"Still..." She carefully ran her fingers over the cover. "It's beautiful."

"I'm glad you like it."

"I do." She smiled. "Thank you, Lucien."

He smiled back. "You're welcome."

For a brief moment, neither spoke.

Then Josephine opened the book. "Have you read it?"

"Twice."

"Twice?"

"I wanted to know whether you would like it."

Josephine blinked. "Why?"

Lucien looked at her. "Because I knew you would."

Her heart gave a strange little flutter. She quickly looked back at the book. "Oh."

Lucien noticed.

But said nothing.

Tea was brought into the library shortly afterward.

Josephine poured a cup for herself.

Lucien watched. "Still taking it without sugar?"

She stopped. "Yes."

"And jasmine?"

"Yes."

He smiled. "You haven't changed."

Josephine glanced at him. "You remember that too?"

"Of course."

She studied him for a moment. "You really remember a lot."

"Only about things that matter."

Josephine's hand paused around her teacup.

Lucien seemed to realize what he had said. He calmly took a sip of his tea.

Josephine looked down. She wasn't sure why that sentence affected her. It shouldn't.

They had known each other for years. He had always been attentive. Yet something about hearing it now felt different.

Perhaps because they weren't children anymore.

They spent the next hour talking. Lucien told her about his studies abroad. Josephine asked about the academy. He told her about the professors.

The food.

The weather.

The people he had met.

She laughed when he described Elias's cooking. "That bad?"

"Worse."

"I thought Elias was supposed to be talented."

"He is."

"Then how did he manage to ruin soup?"

Lucien's expression became painfully serious. "That is precisely what I asked him."

Josephine laughed.

Lucien watched her. He had missed that sound. He had missed seeing her like this. Comfortable. Relaxed. Happy. He wanted to hear it more often. "How about you?" he asked.

Josephine blinked. "Me?"

"What have you been doing while I was away?"

She thought for a moment. "Reading."

"I expected that."

"Studying."

"I expected that too."

"Helping Mother."

"That sounds more interesting."

Josephine smiled. "I've also been attending more social gatherings."

Lucien raised an eyebrow. "Voluntarily?"

"Sometimes."

"Are you feeling well?"

She laughed. "Lucien."

"I'm serious."

"I've gotten used to them."

He smiled. "I'm glad."

Josephine looked at him. "Why?"

"Because I don't want you to feel like you have to change yourself for anyone."

She went quiet. That sounded strangely familiar. She remembered the first time they met.

The way he had never questioned why she was quieter than Estelle. The way he had simply accepted her.

Even after all these years, apparently nothing had changed.

Later, Josephine suggested showing him the garden. They walked side by side through the estate grounds.

Lucien listened as she pointed out the flowers Eleanor had planted over the years. He remembered some of them from childhood. "You still like this one."

Josephine looked at him. "You remember?"

"You told me when we were eight."

She laughed softly. "That's ridiculous."

"What?"

"Who remembers something like that?"

"I do."

"Why?"

Lucien glanced at her. "Because it was something you liked."

Josephine didn't answer. She simply continued walking. But the corners of her lips lifted.

Lucien noticed. He smiled.

From an upper-floor window, Estelle watched them. She slowly lowered the curtain. Then looked toward the doorway. Elias stood there.

He had apparently arrived with Lucien earlier, though he had escaped the moment Lucien decided to search for Josephine.

Estelle pointed toward the garden. "They're walking together."

Elias glanced outside.

Lucien was saying something.

Josephine laughed.

Elias sighed. "Of course they are."

Estelle smiled. "Your friend is persistent."

"He's been persistent for eleven years."

"And my sister is still oblivious."

"Painfully."

Estelle crossed her arms. "How long do you think he'll last?"

Elias considered it. "At this rate?" He sighed. "Another eleven years."

Estelle gasped dramatically. "Absolutely not."

"Agreed."

They watched the pair outside. Estelle's smile returned. "Still..."

Elias looked at her. "What?"

"I think it's cute."

Elias stared at her. "...You have betrayed me."

She laughed.

As the afternoon began to fade, Lucien finally prepared to leave. Josephine walked him toward the entrance. "Thank you for visiting."

"I should be thanking you."

"For what?"

"For spending the afternoon with me."

Josephine smiled. "I enjoyed it."

Lucien's expression softened. "Good." He stepped into the carriage. Before the door closed, he looked at her again. "I'll visit again."

Josephine blinked. "So soon?"

Lucien smiled. "Yes."

She laughed softly. "Then I suppose I'll see you again."

"You will."

The carriage began moving.

Josephine watched until it disappeared beyond the gates. She touched the book he had given her. A strange warmth lingered in her chest. She couldn't explain it. It was simply nice.

Having Lucien home.

Having someone who remembered her little habits.

Someone who wanted to hear about her day.

Someone who came all the way to the estate just because he wanted to see her.

Josephine smiled faintly.

Perhaps having him back wasn't such a bad thing.

Inside the departing carriage, Lucien leaned back against his seat. He had spent the entire afternoon with Josephine. And somehow, it still hadn't been enough.

He looked out the window. He had already decided when he would visit again. Tomorrow was too soon.

The day after might be suspicious.

Perhaps three days.

Yes.

Three days would be reasonable.

Lucien smiled to himself.

Then he remembered his father's expression that morning.

Take flowers.

He covered his face. "...Absolutely not." The carriage continued toward the palace. But Lucien already knew one thing.

He would be returning to Richter Manor soon.

Very soon.