Don’t Trample on Innocent Love

Meanwhile, Robern couldn’t shake off the daze he was in after the kiss with Ophelia. He was shocked by the fact that by a single kiss, his mind was clouded the whole time, living in a constant state of daydreaming, something he hadn’t even done during his adolescence. He had met and kissed many women before, countless times.

But why?

Why was he constantly replaying that mere collision, which didn’t even feel like a kiss, in his mind out of all the things he had done in the heat of the moment?

Lost in his thoughts, Robern failed to notice that the gazes of the people gathered for breakfast were all directed at him.

“It seems like my son has been very upset since morning,” scolded Estelle, Robern’s stepmother and the mistress of the Valent family, as she looked at him with a disapproving face in front of the guests. 

However, her words didn’t even register in Robern’s ears who came here just because they invited him to come. He kept cutting the steak in a nonchalant manner. 

“Daisy, I’m sorry. I don’t know why he’s becoming more and more ill-mannered as time goes on.”

“It’s alright. That’s what makes him more interesting, isn’t it?”

“Your heart is as vast as the ocean. It’s a waste for someone like Robern.”

Estelle smiled proudly, alternating her gaze between Daisy and Robern. She didn’t have much affection for her new son, but in front of others, she had to mimic the role of a loving mother– and while she had no real interest in her new son’s wedding, she had to go along with the flow to please her husband, Mihaud. 

Even if she didn’t have a great relationship with this child, she was still the Duchess of the Valent family, and it was expected from her to perform her duties as one.

“You two should get married soon, shouldn’t you? Robern, why don’t you and Daisy go shopping for dresses together soon?”

“What’s with that woman!!”

As if to prove that he wasn’t paying any attention to the conversation, Robern muttered quietly. He was absentmindedly slicing his steak, but he belatedly realized the gazes focused on him and looked up. Casually responding to the atmosphere Estelle had created, he replied with a nonchalant tone.

“Yeah, sure.”

At that moment, Estelle’s escort knight approached. As he whispered something to her, Estelle’s face brightened. So she enjoyed playing with men her son’s age. Seeing her bring her lover along to a breakfast gathering without any shame made his appetite wane. From the look of it, it seems that Daisy’s family had no idea about  Estelle’s affair with her escort.

“I’ll excuse myself first. I have a lot of work, and I can’t waste any more time.”

Robern wiped his mouth with a napkin and stood up hastily.

After that, Robern’s mind was consumed by thoughts of Ophelia. He meticulously read through important documents, but his mind was filled with thoughts of her. The same was true during parliamentary sessions.

“What’s wrong with Valent? He’s giving off a murderous glare.”

“Hmm, bring your ear closer and listen.”

The young men around, catching a glimpse of Robern emitting a dark aura, leaned in to listen.

“It’s just rumors floating around, but since Valent heard the news of Ms Denev’s engagement, he’s been different. There are many talks going around.”

“Denev? Ah, you mean Ophelia Denev, right?”

Robern immediately raised his head upon hearing the loud voice. Glancing fiercely in that direction, he saw the faces quickly disperse. He wasn’t sure what they were talking about, but he clearly heard Ophelia’s name. He was pretty sure that they were talking about her lowly fiance, and that thought alone made his mood darken even further.

Later, at a party he attended to clear his mind, he witnessed a passionate kiss between a couple, oblivious to their surroundings. It reminded him of the sensation of Ophelia’s lips, even though their contact had been brief and fleeting.

“Damn it, like a damn fool…”