Don’t Trample on Innocent Love

“…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?”

“…Not anymore.”

“What?”

“My feelings have changed.”

Robern felt like a heavy weight had struck him on the head. His neck throbbed.

“Your feelings have changed?”

“Yes.”

“What’s the reason?”

‘He’s asking for a reason???’

Ophelia couldn’t help but feel bewildered by Robern’s unexpected line of questioning that had been ongoing since earlier. In truth, her claim that her feelings had changed was a plausible excuse to avoid revealing her circumstances. But did he really not know? The fact that Robern had no awareness whatsoever that what he had done was a despicable act shocked Ophelia.

For some reason, Ophelia wanted to assert her self-esteem. She wanted to confidently declare to this unbelieving man, without batting an eye, that she was giving up her one-sided love.

“Robern, think about it.”

“Ophelia.”

“This is absurd. Why should I explain the reasons for my changed feelings to someone like you?”

“Because you like me—”

“My feelings are mine.”

Is this the Ophelia he knew? Robern smirked as he recalled the composed Ophelia. Ah, right. Ophelia wasn’t the type to be composed. She wasn’t the kind of woman who would obediently follow his words and give up on him just because he asked her to.

“But why are you so arrogant?”

He approached her, gripping Ophelia’s chin.

“Ophelia, you shouldn’t act this way towards me.”

“…Let go of me—”

“Because you keep provoking me, I can’t help but become an asshole.”

As soon as he finished speaking, their lips met. Ophelia’s eyes widened like the moon in the night sky.

Robern kissed her. The recipient of the kiss was none other than herself.

  *

In the embrace of the warm heat that completely covered her lips, Ophelia regained her senses. She summoned all her strength to push away the man’s chest, which was trying to part her lips with his own. Robern, who was slightly pushed back, grabbed Ophelia’s nape again. Desperately, she turned her head. Ophelia swallowed her breath as their lips brushed against her cheek.

Finally, Robern let out a deep breath and released Ophelia. As soon as his hand loosened its grip, Ophelia leaned back and wiped her lips with the back of her hand. She glared at him and hesitated for a moment before suddenly approaching him. It was a fleeting moment when Robern smiled satisfactorily.

Snap!

Robern’s head turned. He stiffened for a moment and then, a beat too late, pressed the back of his hand firmly against his heated cheek. Ophelia had slapped him. How dare you, how dare you .. you. to me?

Looking at her incredulously, Robern was met with Ophelia’s unwavering gaze. Her face remained unchanged, as if carved in stone.

“I know you find me amusing, Robern.”

Quietly, he stared at her, contemplating his next move.

“You… treating me like a street whore is one thing. It was fine until now because I liked you, Robern.”

“…”

“But not anymore. If you dare lay a hand on me or insult me again, I will consider it as a mockery toward the Denev family.”

While not on par with the Valent family, the Denev family was a noble family with prestige and virtue. If problems arose between the two families, it would be no small headache, considering the Valent family’s undeniable power and status.

Until now, Eric had let his daughter suffer this treatment in silence, mainly due to Ophelia’s earnest pleas.

“And please keep my past feelings for you a secret. in exchange for my turning a blind eye to what you’ve done to me.”

“Everyone know you like me.”

“He doesn’t know.. Hugo.”

Robern’s lips twisted. Since earlier, she had been saying Hugo, Hugo, Hugo at the end of every sentence. There was truly nothing likable about her. Especially today, it felt even worse.

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