If You Conquer Me - Chapter 17
The garden was engulfed in darkness. The only sound that broke the silence was the occasional chirping of insects. The evening was calm and still.
Hugo, with both hands in his pockets, walked ahead at a leisurely pace, leading Ophelia. She followed him, not thinking much of it at first, but a sense of unease began to stir within her.
Hmm?
Just a moment ago, the two had passed the flowerbed full of blooming tulips. They then entered the thick shade of the trees. It was already dark, and there was no real need to seek shelter from the sun under the trees.
It feels like I’m walking the same route I usually take.
Was it just her imagination? Ophelia narrowed her eyes, eyeing Hugo’s back with suspicion.
After a moment, they emerged from the tree shade. A beautiful marble fountain carved with an angel stood before them, and Hugo casually dipped his hands into the water.
“It’s refreshing.”
The splash of water echoed with a refreshing sound.
…Even the act of washing the hands is the same.
At that moment, Hugo looked back at her with a smile.
“What? Would you like to wash up too, Princess?”
“No, I’m fine.”
Ophelia instinctively stepped back. Hugo shrugged, finishing washing his hands.
The two finally arrived at the gazebo. The once bright and sunny structure now appeared a little more eerie in the dimming light. Hugo took out a white handkerchief from his pocket and laid it down on the seat where Ophelia usually sat.
“Sit.”
“….”
Ophelia, trying her best to act nonchalant, sat up straight in the chair. It felt like a mouse standing before a predator. The sensation of its large claws hovering just above her, ready to strike, was chilling.
“Did you purposely follow the same route I usually walk?”
“Well, I’m quite interested in the Princess, despite appearances.”
Hugo replied slyly as he plopped down beside her. The conversation lapsed into silence. Ophelia, her nerves fully on edge, focused all her attention on Hugo. Hugo, however, casually glanced around the area.
His red eyes drifted over the neatly arranged gazebo, then across the picturesque garden, and finally settled on a patch of delphiniums in bloom near the flower bed surrounding the gazebo. The purple flowers swayed lightly in the breeze.
“….”
At that sight, Ophelia couldn’t help but swallow dryly.
“Oh, by the way,”
Hugo’s calm voice broke the silence.
“About the missing Christian Toledo.”
Ophelia froze for a moment.
Suddenly, now, at this moment… you bring up his name?
Her mouth dried out with nervousness.
Could he have figured out the signal between him and me?
Ophelia forced herself to mask her wary expression and desperately studied Hugo’s face. But Hugo simply met Ophelia’s gaze with an expressionless face. She couldn’t decipher that look at all.
“You seem to have been quite close, considering you’re using names.”
“….”
“I’m honestly not interested in the details of your relationship with Christian Toledo, but… in the future, it would be wise to avoid mentioning that name, even by mistake.”
Ophelia stared directly at Hugo and nodded silently.
The Toledo family was one of the most prestigious noble families in Ascanior. Just being associated with such a family likely meant she held a high social status. If she wasn’t careful, her own identity might be questioned.
“Anyway, if it’s revealed that you’re the last direct descendant of the Ascanior royal family…”
Hugo continued casually.
“I’d bet my life that the Yerhalt imperial family would have the Princess executed right away. Or they might even order me to do it myself.”
“….”
Guillotine and all. He let out all the threatening words, but still maintained a completely indifferent face. It was a skill in itself.
“Let’s try not to let that happen, shall we?”
“….”
“Well, today…”
Hugo looked at Ophelia’s gaze directly as he spoke.
“I’m glad we could take a walk together.”
He spoke with a light tone, as if he knew nothing about Ophelia’s secrets.
