My Perfect Omega - Chapter 30
Before he could organize his jumbled thoughts, Leila spoke up.
“Excuse me, could we stop by Martin Bank first?”
“…The bank?”
“Yes, I have some business there.”
Lucas unknowingly nodded at her assertive request. Then realizing that she couldn’t see, he spoke.
“Let’s do that.”
“Thank you very much.”
Seeing her lips slightly raised, Lucas recalled the words she had spoken earlier. Flushed with embarrassment, knowing she couldn’t see him, he inadvertently looked out the window and asked,
“What are you planning to do?”
From her demeanor, it seemed she already knew about her arranged marriage. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have responded to his absurd remarks.
“Did you know?”
“Your father vehemently rejected my proposal. Normally, when I offer sponsorship, not just commoners but also nobles are very pleased.”
“Yes, that would be the natural reaction of most parents, wouldn’t it?”
Her tone was calm, but her words were quite sharp. Surprised by her unexpected demeanor, Lucas widened his eyes. Unaware of his reaction, Leila turned her head towards the light and continued.
“I’m not sure how much you know, but my father despises me. Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say he’s disgusted by me.”
“Do you know what reason might be behind this?”
“It’s because I’m an omega.”
Leila’s firm answer prompted Lucas to recall his own suspicions.
“It’s been quite a while since the system restricting marriages to only alphas and omegas was abolished. Moreover, it’s an era where nobles don’t necessarily need to engage in strategic marriages. But instincts can’t just disappear.”
Though he omitted the subject and object, Leila understood everything he meant. It was practically the story of her parents.
“I remember it clearly, even though I was young. My father hated it if my mother even brushed past an alpha. If she received help from an alpha out of goodwill, she would have to endure all sorts of insults that day.”
Hearing her words, Lucas scoffed in response.
“Really? Did that alpha genuinely help out of goodwill?”
He had not dated so far mostly because of a basic distrust in people, but also because no woman had truly caught his interest. Thus, while he had displayed gentlemanly manners in public out of necessity, he had never sincerely helped a woman.
But other alphas probably had ulterior motives. Most of his alpha peers from the academy behaved like dogs in heat whenever it came to omegas.
“Then, there must also be another reason why you are helping me, Your Grace.”
Her following words caught Lucas off-guard, and he slowly lowered the corners of his lips that had been raised. His expression hardened as he couldn’t immediately recall any specific purpose for helping her.
“…I really enjoy your playing. It often crosses my mind.”
His delayed response brought a pleased smile to Leila.
“As a performer, your words are truly nice to hear.”
Lucas, watching the smiling Leila through the carriage window, couldn’t take his eyes off her. Despite the mess his own situation was in, she seemed genuinely happy.
“We’ve arrived, master!”
When they were silent for a while, Philip announced they had reached their destination as the carriage stopped. Lucas confirmed the Martin Bank building outside the window and spoke.
“Would it be better if we go in together?”
“Yes, I’d appreciate that.”
“Then, I’ll wait out front.”
Anna quickly alighted from the carriage first. Leila also stood up with Philip’s help. However, she hesitated momentarily then extended the violin case she had been holding toward Philip.
“May I ask that you hold onto this for a moment?”
“Yes, of course.”
Philip took the violin case, and Lucas silently watched the scene. He felt a strange dissonance as he saw how she entrusted her violin to someone else, when she guarded it as if it was her lifeline.
“Thank you very much for bringing me here.”
Leila politely thanked him and descended from the carriage with Anna’s help. Lucas couldn’t take his eyes off Leila as she entered the bank.
