Don’t Trample on Innocent Love

“Do you think Hugo Denix is someone worth choosing over me?”

He needed to answer correctly. With the arrow aimed at him, Philip swallowed hard.

He felt a strong intuition that crossing Robern now would make his life even more difficult.

From Philip’s perspective, even if Robern had flaws, it wasn’t enough to justify choosing Hugo over him. Comparing appearances and backgrounds, who in their right mind would choose Hugo Denix over Reobern Valent?

‘Still, it’s not entirely incomprehensible.’

The reason Ophelia might have fone with Hugo was all due to Robern’s personality.

Philip wanted to utter some bland platitude, but he knew that would provoke Robern. The thought made him break out in a cold sweat. After some hesitation, he finally spoke the truth.

“Maybe it’s because he’s kind?”

“Kind?”

“You know how women are weak to that sort of thing. If he’s attentive, comforts them when they’re down, and doesn’t play around…”

Robern’s eyebrows knit together in displeasure. Was that the wrong answer? Philip tried to hide his urge to cry as he continued.

“Perhaps because of his past of being abandoned by his parents, his maternal instincts might have been triggered. Meeting someone of significantly lower status than herself might have given her a new kind of attraction she hadn’t felt before…”

“So you’re saying he scammed her.”

“Indeed.. what.. Scammed?”

“Think about it. Being nice is easy. Saying sweet things, remembering little things she likes, giving her gifts, and pointing out visible changes—people would call that attentive. But in reality, it’s all calculated behavior.”

“…”

“If a naive young lady, raised in a mansion and knowing nothing about men, whose feeling down and worn out and suddenly is pursued by a seasoned scoundrel, well, it’s understandable if she falls for it.”

The thought that Hugo Denix might have orchestrated everything with malice hovered at Philip’s throat, but he kept his mouth shut.

The words of his employer were always right. What Robern said was the truth.

Philip quietly listened as Robern muttered to himself.

“Ophelia is truly foolish.”

“…”

“She’s just going to regret everything, being completely fooled by someone like that.”

Now this is bad, Philip thought to himself. The aftermath would likely fall on Robern rather than Ophelia.

* * *

“I’m planning to go on a trip with Hugo.”

The Denev family had a set time for everyone to gather and drink tea after meals. Even after Fabian and Ren ran away, Eric had never once broken this routine. With the exception of Ren, who holed up in his room, the rest of them gathered even when they had nothing to say to each other.

As Ophelia broke the silence, objections erupted from all sides.

“A single young lady going on a trip alone with a man she’s not even officially engaged to? Absolutely not! I’d rather have dirt in my eyes than let that happen!”

“Yeah, Ophelia, I don’t think that’s a good idea either.”

Eric and Fabian took turns voicing their concerns. Eric, struggling to calm down, listed reasons why she shouldn’t go on the trip.

Ophelia listened with one ear and let the words wash over her, waiting for them to quiet down.

“There’s someone who’s suspicious of Hugo and I. They might not know the details of our arrangement yet, but that’s precisely why we need to establish that we’re madly in love before anyone finds out. Even if they still don’t believe us, it’s better than doing nothing. If I leak information to the press, they’ll write an article, and it should have some impact.”

“Who on earth would be suspicious of your relationship?”

“Lord Valent.”

“Ah, wait-.. why would he…?”

Surprised by the unexpected answer, Eric trailed off. Ophelia shook her head, pretending she didn’t understand too. She couldn’t say, “I heard he thinks I’m upset with him and that’s why I’m trying to make him jealous by showing up with another man.”

Fabian merely rolled his eyes. He was unaware that Ophelia had feelings for Robert.

Just as Ophelia was about to continue her explanation, the sound of footsteps approached, interrupting her.

“What’s the matter?”

“A letter for you, My Lady.”

“It doesn’t seem to be an urgent letter, so what’s the point of bringing it. Just leave it in your room.”

“Well…”

The butler, looking troubled, held out a silver tray. When someone insists on handing over a letter after being told to go away, it usually means it’s important. Ophelia, puzzled, picked up the letter.

Please check out Patreon for advanced chapters and subscribe to support my work if you can!~