Don’t Trample on Innocent Love

Robern first became aware of Ophelia at a funeral. It was the death of Ophelia’s eldest brother and the death of someone he barely knew brought back memories of Robern’s own mother’s passing. Though there was no direct connection, yet the funeral evoked the past.

Feeling uneasy, Robern withdrew from the crowd and slipped out to a distant corner, where he noticed Ophelia sitting huddled. Ophelia’s face, veiled by a black dress, was ghostly, but there were traces of tears on her glistening profile.

‘She must be the type to cry a lot.’

Throughout the funeral, Ophelia never shed a tear. She appeared unaffected, so much so that there were some who found her stoic demeanor somewhat harsh. No one would have known that in the empty corner, she silently wept. Not even Robern, if he hadn’t witnessed it himself. He observed Ophelia’s crying form while lighting a cigarette.

Her pale face was white, her nose and eyes reddened. The tears streaming from her beautiful eyes resembled dewdrops. Her tears made her even more enchanting. He was aware of Ophelia’s existence, and to some extent, he understood the comments of those who marveled at her beauty. But was she that beautiful? He despised women crying, yet he somehow wanted to see Ophelia cry up close.

Step.

The moment he took a step forward, Ophelia abruptly turned around. What did he say at that time? He must have said a few words about crying, but he doesn’t remember anything significant. He only surmised that the events of that day left a considerable impression on Ophelia.

Since then, Ophelia began to chase after him.

‘It’s love. Your Excellency, my feelings won’t change no matter what you say.’

Robern regretted engaging in conversation with Ophelia at the funeral when he received her confession. In the end, he realized that Ophelia was just one among many women, someone who would eventually get tired and leave. It’s bound to happen. After a few months, or even just two weeks, she would change her mind. 

Unexpectedly, Ophelia’s unrequited love persisted for three years.

However, she eventually changed. Regardless of the duration, Ophelia ended up admitting that she was wrong.

“Ophelia Denev is choosing a man without any titles, just a wealthy businessman. What’s that about?”

“Are you sure she’s going out with a man like that?”

“There have been witnesses who saw the two of them walking together. By the way, Ophelia…”

The banquet hall buzzed with Ophelia’s news. Among the chattering crowd, one person, who stood out for their silence, asked Robern.

“Lord Valent, do you know anything about Miss Denev’s news?”

“Why are you asking me?”

“Well, since Miss Denev has always been acting like a tame lamp towards you. I wondered if she gave you any hints…”

“If you’re so curious, why don’t you ask her directly?”

Robern was genuinely irritated. It had been two whole days since he witnessed Ophelia holding hands and giggling with another man. During those two days, Ophelia had consumed his thoughts completely. In an attempt to escape being consumed by thoughts of Ophelia, he reluctantly attends a party. However, all he heard were conversations revolving around Ophelia.

That damn Ophelia, Ophelia, Ophelia!

‘She’s relentlessly haunting me.’

Robern sought refuge on the terrace, away from the noisy parrots. As the chilly wind brushed against his face, it provided some relief. He reached for a cigarette but realized he had run out of matches, so he stared up at the dark, black sky. It was adorned with shimmering stars that he barely noticed when suddenly Ophelia came to mind. More precisely, the day when she was flirting with another man.

That day, after witnessing the unfamiliar scene, Robern approached Ophelia. It was an instinctive action rather than a rational decision.

As Ophelia was about to leave the coffee shop, she turned to look beside her and noticed Robern. Their gazes met. The moment Ophelia’s eyes widened in surprise, Robern, who was approaching her, came to an abrupt halt. She quickly turned her head, avoiding him.

Ophelia’s face turned pale, and in a hurry, she grabbed the man’s hand and immediately departed in the opposite direction of Robern.

‘Is she going to pretend she doesn’t know me?’

In the face of such blatant disregard, Robern let out a bitter laugh, wiping away any trace of amusement. To be ignored by Ophelia, of all people, was something he never expected to experience. It was an eye-opening moment.

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