Don’t Trample on Innocent Love

“Although it is incredibly shameful to send our Ophelia to a mere businessman, hasn’t Ophelia’s marriageable age already passed? Moreover, he is a wealthy individual. He may not have a title or fame, but he is a decent person. His only flaw is that he desires success and wants to make a name for himself, but if he forms a connection with our family, there would be no room for complaint. Besides, if our family were to suffer from any financial difficulties in the future…”

“Shut your mouth!”

Eric, unable to bear what he was hearing, immediately rose as if he were about to strike his cheek.

Ophelia, who had been wide-eyed and frozen, let out a belated hollow laughter. She was so startled that she almost dropped her cup. She placed the tilted cup on the table next to her and closed her eyes, taking slow breaths. Otherwise, she felt like she would slap her brother’s cheek.

“Brother, are you in your right mind?”

“Ophelia, you’re the only one who can save us right now. The money I borrowed is an amount that even selling Denev Mansion wouldn’t be enough to cover. If the trading business hadn’t failed, I would have paid it all back. Damn it, if only it weren’t for that swindler…”

Fabian grabbed his hair and buried his face in his hands. He was in a state of panic. She could tell by him returning to the very house he despised so much that he was desperate. But apart from that, Ophelia couldn’t help but feel annoyed by his clinging to her as if she were his last hope. 

If he was going to leave the family from the start, shouldn’t he refrain from even looking in this direction? Ophelia felt frustrated by his foolishness, but dwelling on such matters wouldn’t change anything. She racked her brain, trying to come up with the best solution to salvage the current situation, but no answer emerged.

The Denev family was not poor by any means. They owned estates, and Ophelia couldn’t recall a time when she had ever worried about money. However, the borrowed amount that Fabian mentioned changed everything. The only family with such a substantial sum of cash on hand was the Valent Duchy.

“I’m exasperated by Brother’s foolishness. He creates the mess, and I’m supposed to clean it up?”

“I have no right to say anything. It wouldn’t be enough even if I apologized ten time, but I’m sorry.”

Ophelia was indeed on the verge of losing it. Suddenly, get married? And to a mere businessman, no less? Setting aside whether she had someone in mind or not, accepting a mere wealthy individual as her husband would be a blow to Ophelia’s pride.

The solution Fabian proposed was a sacrifice solely on Ophelia’s part. Or, to put it another way, she was the only one who could save the family name.

“I cannot accept that. I cannot hand over my precious daughter to such a despicable person.”

Although Eric came out strongly, he didn’thad yet to have any better solutions. The three of them discussed whether they could repay the debt together, but it was an uphill battle. The Denev family had been living off inherited assets without engaging in any work. Since there was no regular source of income, even after liquidating their assets, they still fell short of money.

“At first, the amount wasn’t this large. But as time went on, the interest kept accumulating… I was ashamed to come forward and address the issue with Father and Ophelia which only resulted in making things worse… I’m sorry. I’m sorry, Ophelia.”

Fabian was genuinely reflecting on his mistakes. And as frustrated as she was, Ophelia didn’t push him too hard because she had a slight sense of compassion for him. However, realizing that the person who would become her husband was involved in usury and was of low character made the situation even darker in her eyes.

“Ophelia, did the lord Valent say anything to you by any chance?”

Eric glanced at Ophelia, subtly gauging her reaction. Ophelia immediately caught on to what he was trying to say and hardened her expression. Eric knew about Ophelia’s unrequited love interest. Ophelia had no intention of hiding it to begin with, and Eric treated the rumors surrounding Ophelia like it was nothing. However, Ophelia had been behaving “perfectly” in other aspects, so Eric let the matter be.

He also felt a sense of unease that forcefully intervening might result in a situation similar to Fabian’s. Of course, he didn’t think Ophelia would be as foolish as Fabian, but…

“Like, for example, that he likes you or…….”

“Father!”

“You never know what might happen. The realm of relationships between men and women is filled with unknowns.”

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