Don’t Trample on Innocent Love

Finally, Ophelia turned to look at him. Robern waved the bracelet, which he pulled out of his pocket. Ophelia dropped it when she visited the villa. She chewed on her lip and then sent Hugo away.

As he looked at Ophelia, who approached slowly while not taking her eyes off the door.

“Are you anxious about being away from your prospective fiancé?”

“I trust Hugo.”

“I’m talking about you. Aren’t you looking back because you’re afraid you’ll fall for me again?”

At the sound of his chuckling laughter, Ophelia felt a rush of heat in her head. She quickly reached out to grab the bracelet, but Robern held her hand and pulled it away, causing her to lose her balance.

She was only focusing on getting the bracelet back.

“Up close, you’re quite beautiful, you know.”

She didn’t realize she’d gotten closer than she needed to. Belatedly, she panicked at the thought that their upper bodies could touch. In the moment of Ophelia’s hesitation, Robern grabbed her waist. Their lower bodies were pressed tightly together in an instant.

Huh, Ophelia held her breath. She was worried that someone might come in and see them like this. When she tried to turn around, Robern brushed her hair behind her ear, drawing her attention back to him.

“You should focus on me.”

“…Why are you doing this?”

Robern had no interest in Ophelia. He was a man who hadn’t even touched her in the first place….

“Out of curiosity.”

“What…?”

“Are you really going to marry him?”

Robern buried his nose in Ophelia’s neck, inhaling her scent deeply. Unbeknownst to her, his lips involuntarily narrowed as he deeply took in her fragrance. Disgusting. He had never held Ophelia’s hand before, so it was the first time he realized how sweet her floral scent was.

While Robert sniffed, Ophelia froze, unable to move. Belatedly, she pushed his shoulder. Thump. Not a loud sound, but a thump. Ophelia thought she had pushed him hard, but in reality, it was just a slight nudge.

“Lord Valent, listen.”

“I’m listening. Speak.”

Seemingly intentionally, he tightened his grip on her waist and pulled her closer. The foreign sensation beneath brought Ophelia to her senses. When she forcefully pushed his shoulder, Robern furrowed his brow and released his grip.

“I don’t know why you’re suddenly acting like this… but I have a fiancé, so please don’t do this again.”

“You haven’t even had the engagement ceremony, so you’re not engaged yet.”

Suddenly, Robert grabbed Ophelia’s hand and raised it. The point of contact felt ticklish, and her fingertips tingled. Of course, it must have been only Ophelia who felt that way.

“And there’s no ring.”

Ophelia yanked her hand away as if it were on fire. It brushed against his fingers and fell away. To regain her composure, Ophelia took a deep breath and stepped back.

“You should crawl to me.”

“Don’t laugh just anywhere. Act dignified.”

He had insulted her, treating her like a whore. It had been a while ago, but it was impossible to forget.

‘He can’t be sincere.’

This must be another test. To confirm her feelings.

“I’ll go buy the ring soon. We’ll have the engagement ceremony shortly.”

“Is that so? What a pity.”

Ophelia clenched her fist tightly and glared at Robern’s face. Pity? He finds it regrettable? It’s undoubtedly a test, so why…?

“Now that I know my feelings, someone else beat me to it.”

‘It must be a test.’

“Have you ever wondered why I called you that day instead of fooling around with other women?”

That day was when Robern invited Ophelia to the villa. In reality, Robern was growing tired of women who readily threw themselves at him, and Ophelia was arrogantly unyielding in her affection for him. Her nobility was a refreshing amusement to him.

He had called Ophelia just to escape from his boredom. There was nothing more entertaining than confirming that her feelings hadn’t changed, even as she looked hurt and shattered. Her foolish and addictive desire for him, despite appearing pathetic, captivated him.

Robern wasn’t pleased with the end of his amusement. While he didn’t care whether other women changed their hearts or not, Ophelia was an exception. However, Robern dismissed her feelings as mere infatuation.

She was the first woman who boldly declared her love without a hint of change in her expression. So, it was just an intriguing game. Nothing more, nothing less.

“I wanted to see you.”

It’s just a tiny lie, after all. It could be anything.

“I wanted you..”

“I’ll pretend I didn’t hear that.”

Ophelia hurriedly interrupted his words.

“Whatever you were thinking, whatever your feelings are, I don’t want to know.”

“…You don’t want to know?”

“No.”

Ophelia spoke firmly, locking eyes with Robern. Her gaze, which didn’t avoid his at all, even showed determination. Wasn’t she wavering just a moment ago? Robern vividly remembered her trembling pupils. But now, her face seemed as if she had never had a one-sided love for him…

“You… you like me, don’t you?”

Support this novel by being a patron and get access to advanced chapters in return <3