Don’t Trample on Innocent Love

“It’s from His Excellency, the Duke Valent.”

Ophelia’s hand hesitated. Eric’s eyes widened in surprise.

“Open it.”

There was no way the letter from Robern would contain good news. Reluctantly, Ophelia tore open the letter under Eric’s urging.

It would surely contain some sharp words for her failure to keep their appointment.

She imagined it would be a rather refined reprimand.

As her eyes scanned the letter, her expression crumpled. She couldn’t believe what she was reading.

What on earth…?

“What is it?”

“Yeah, I’m curious too. What does it say?”

Ophelia looked back and forth between the two men, who had a twinkle in their eyes. Still unable to believe the contents she had just read.

Her voice, filled with confusion, conveyed the message as she relayed the letter’s contents.

“He’s saying he’s sick.”

“……?”

“He has a high fever and can’t do anything, so he’s asking me to come visit…”

The message, almost like a desperate toddler nagging and complaining, was indeed what it said.

16

“Dear Miss Denev,

I’ve caught a cold waiting for you, so you must come to see me. I have a serious fever and can’t even get out of bed or eat anything. If you have time to reply, come see me immediately.

—Robern, who is ill because of you.

P.S. My condition is so serious that I can barely write this letter.”

Ophelia couldn’t take her eyes off the letter. Doubting whether it was really written by Robern, she read it over and over until Eric cleared his throat to get her attention.

“So, to sum it up, the Duke of Valent has asked you to visit him? He even wrote you a personal letter while he was sick?”

Surprisingly, that was correct. Ophelia nodded reluctantly.

“Apparently, he doesn’t even have the strength to lift a finger.”

By now, Fabian, who had been secretly reading Ophelia’s letter, chimed in. Eric, still in disbelief, rubbed his chin thoughtfully, still in disbelief.

“Why would the Duke of Valente send you a personal letter? Moreover, what does it mean that you two had an appointment yesterday? If that businessman finds out, he’ll surely make a fuss.”

“As I mentioned before, it was a one-sided arrangement. We haven’t even met.”

Before reading the letter aloud, Ophelia had revealed that the meeting was unilaterally arranged.

“Still, it’s strange. The Duke has never sent you a letter before. Are you sure it’s really written by him?”

It was uncharacteristic for someone who usually sent a messenger to suddenly write a letter. Eric’s thoughts veered into unusual territory.

“Could it be that he’s developed feelings for you…?”

“Father!”

Ophelia’s sharp retort made Eric scratch his chin awkwardly. Although he hesitated, he seemed to consider the possibility and subtly watched Ophelia for her reaction.

“This feels different. It’s not like before.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. It’s not like that.”

Eric had always been ashamed of Ophelia’s crush but that didn’t mean he had no care for her, her even offered her advice with a fatherly love. There were times when he encouraged her and planted false hopes.

As Ophelia grew older, she realized that Eric’s support wasn’t solely due to paternal affection.

He was an ambitious man. He coveted the position of having the Duke Valent as a son-in-law. The reason he hadn’t told her to give up was that he, like Ophelia, was under the illusion that there might still be a chance.

“Maybe it’s just a joke. It’s clear I won’t hear anything good if I go, and there’s no reason for me to go to begin with.”

Although she was concerned about Robern’s illness, Ophelia didn’t want to waver. He wasn’t the kind of man to play tricks or act like a spoiled child. This thought strengthened her resolve that it was all just a prank.

“Then that means you should go. He wants to keep you close, even if it means telling obvious lies.”

“That can’t be true.”

“All men are the same. It’s obvious he’s worried you might marry another man, so he’s in a panic. Even a fruit that’s been ignored will attract attention if a bug crawls on it.”

“That’s absurd. Why would he care about a woman like me when he has plenty of beautiful options around him? Women like me are everywhere near the Duke of Valente, Father.”

Eric fell silent at Ophelia’s determination. However, the significance of the letter from the Duke made it difficult for him to back down.

To Eric, it was better to gamble on the Duke than to settle for a mere common businessman as a son-in-law to pay off his debts.

Chapters up to 43 is now on Patroen ~~

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