Don’t Trample on Innocent Love

“What would happen if I told ‘your fiancé’ everything?”

“I don’t think you would stoop so low.”

“You’re mistaken, Ophelia.”

Ophelia spoke firmly, but she didn’t actually place her hopes on Robern. If she did, she would still be holding onto him. She deliberately provoked him even though she knew everything, just to show him that she was more interested in impressing another man, not him.

“Even if you get engaged, I can still kiss you, and even if you get married, it’ll be the same. Oh, and we can do more than kiss, right?”

Ophelia was at a loss for words.

“People usually call this kind of person an asshole, don’t they?”

“…..”

“Simply put, it doesn’t end with you worrying that your prospective fiancé will discover your love for me.”

What on earth was wrong with Robern? Did he get hit by a bomb in his head last night? Ophelia wondered if he was in a sound state of mind, spouting nonsense. Could it be the result of excessive drinking, causing him to hallucinate?

“Of course, it would be even better if you came to me before I turn to an asshole.”

“Why are you being so repulsive?”

“What? Repulsive…?”

Robern’s eyes widened as if he were the one who had been punched. It seemed he hadn’t realized that his actions, holding onto someone who was engaged to be married and making threatening confessions, were repulsive. Of course, the word “repulsive” didn’t quite suit Robern.

Taking advantage of Robern’s faltering, Ophelia spoke more firmly.

“I don’t care whether you like me now or not. Deal with your feelings on your own. I did the same. Don’t meddle between me and Hugo for no reason.”

Robern stood there dumbfounded until Ophelia turned away. His eyes remained wide open.

* * *

Ophelia likes Robern.

That simple statement was an unbreakable rule. It was a funny thing. He believed there was no reason to take responsibility for someone else’s emotions and regarded Ophelia’s feelings as insignificant. She would claim to like him, just like many other women before. They would be drawn to his attractive appearance, background, wealth, and fame…  He thought she’d be turned off by his behavior towards her, like so many women who fall for him.

“I like you.”

Ophelia revealed her feelings. Her insignificant and funny emotions, love.

“I’ve seen one or two like you before-..”

For some reason, she felt angry.

“-.. That’s not love.”

“…Yes, it is. Love.”

“What do you know?”

“What do you know about love, Robern? It is love.”

For some reason, he got curious.

“Is that so? Then prove it. Try and endure it and if your feelings don’t change, I’ll acknowledge it.”

But in the end, look. Ophelia never truly loved Robern. She mistook a fleeting infatuation for love. But the thing is, that it took her three long years to realize that.

‘Ophelia still likes me,’ Robern thought, his heart denied whatever reason she gave him. 

He went to find Ophelia, unable to comprehend why was he acting like this. Ophelia liked him. No, did she even like him in the first place? But does he like Ophelia? No this must not be the case, but he wanted to see her anyway. 

Caught in conflicting contradictions, he immediately pushed her onto the bed as soon as he found her. Startled, Ophelia tried to push him away, but Robern bound her wrists with a cravat and explored her lips. “Haa…”