Don’t Trample on Innocent Love

“Is there any reason for that? You are the child of a distinguished marquis, after all,” Hugo replied, constantly mentioning her noble status. Ophelia crossed her arms at the explicit meaning of his words.

“Are you angry because I shoved a marriage contract in your face?”

“Well, I admit I was a bit disgusted.”

Disgusted? Ophelia stiffened her expression at the rudeness she was experiencing for the first time. Now, she was starting to get a grasp of who this Hugo person was—a man with a sense of inferiority due to his social status; he was living in a contradiction- he wanted to rise higher but struggled to accept noble society.

It was utterly repulsive. To think she had to marry a man like him. If it weren’t for the debt, Ophelia wouldn’t have even bothered with Hugo.

However, Ophelia was the one who needed this marriage to work out. Hugo could easily find another naïve nobleman.

“Please don’t misunderstand. Here, it’s, well, it’s just one of the natural procedures for us to have a prenuptial agreement. It’s like exchanging rings as a symbol of engagement. I had no intention to criticize or offend you…”

Hugo’s expression hardened at that moment as he looked beyond Ophelia’s shoulder. Suddenly, he grabbed her cheek and lowered his head. As Ophelia reflexively tried to push him away, he whispered in her ear.

“There’s someone.”

What?

Upon hearing those words, Ophelia turned around fearfully. Her eyes met with the man who was leaning against the railing, watching them.

“Why stop now? It was getting interesting.”

Robern Valent.

“Did you eavesdrop?”

A low chuckle escaped him at her reflexive question.

“If you were planning a secret rendezvous, you should have been more cautious of your surroundings, Ophelia.”

Ophelia felt her face turn pale. When did he arrive? In her anger, she had only focused on the terrace curtains without surveying her surroundings. She had hoped that Hugo would have noticed, but it seemed that, like Ophelia, he hadn’t seen anything either.

What was she saying until that moment?

“I heard rumors that you’re getting married.”

Robern flicked the ash off the cigarette he had been holding and exhaled smoke. His gaze swept over Hugo from head to toe, blatantly assessing him.

“That man?”

“…”

“I must have overestimated you. Your taste is even worse than I thought.”

Ophelia trembled and hid her trembling hands behind her back. The fact that Robern had heard about her news was shocking. Wasn’t he the man who had never shown any curiosity about her before?

Ophelia reached for Hugo’s hand, not wanting to give away the fact that she still had feelings for him.

Hugo’s hand flinched, but instead of pulling away, he simply looked down at Ophelia, who appeared tense.

“The rumors are true. We will soon have our engagement ceremony.”

“Why?”

“…Excuse me?”

“There must be a reason. A reason why you dumped me and hastily rushed into marriage with another man.”

Ophelia doubted her ears. What? Did she dump him? The sentence from Robern felt discordant. Hugo, who had heard the insult, took a hesitant step forward, his emotions welling up. But Ophelia blocked his path, shaking her head defiantly; there’s no point in picking a fight here.

Nevertheless, Hugo turned his head with a displeased expression.

In response, Ophelia spoke firmly.

“I don’t understand what you’re saying. And please don’t speak recklessly about my fiancé. It’s like insulting me.”

“When did I?”

“I won’t tolerate it anymore. I’ll understand that you’re insulting House Denev.”

Ophelia didn’t want the two of them in the same space; she didn’t want to reveal her situation, especially not to Robern. It was unnecessary pride. Ophelia narrowed her eyes, determined to protect the last remaining piece of it.

In response to that impudent gaze, Robern let out a scoff, a mocking smile. Unbelievable. Until recently, she had been following him with twinkling eyes, seeking his attention. And now, she was blocking another man’s path and even casting that spiteful gaze. What on earth had he done to deserve such treatment from her?

“How unfamiliar. When did you become so firm?”

“Hugo, let’s go.”

Ophelia firmly grabbed Hugo’s hand, as if she didn’t want to engage with Robern any longer. Robern couldn’t smile any longer. Ophelia rarely turned her back on him first. Even on the few occasions when she did, it was only after he tormented her, that she would leave with hurt on her face.

But now?

Was she not running away as if she didn’t want to speak?

“Ophelia.”

‘Ha. Ignoring me?’

“Ophelia.”

‘How dare you.’

“You should take the bracelet you left behind at my villa.”

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