If You Conquer Me - Chapter 18
“Let’s do this more often, okay?”
“Yes, of course.”
Ophelia smiled as casually as she could. As if nothing was amiss, she looked at Hugo’s side profile, feeling a toxic sense of doubt creeping over her entire body.
Has he really not noticed anything?
Being with him, she felt her breath constantly tightening… a dangerous doubt.
* * *
A few days later, the teacher Hugo had arranged arrived. Ophelia’s eyes widened when she was introduced to the teacher.
It was none other than someone she knew. The woman before her had dark brown hair and light brown eyes that reminded her of hazelnuts. She wasn’t exactly a stunning beauty, but she possessed a simple, understated charm.
The name was definitely…
“It’s Limona from the Viscount Clavan family, Lady Leticia.”
Limona gracefully curtsied, displaying the impeccable manners of a well-educated noblewoman. But Ophelia was a little confused.
Isn’t she from the Baron Ackert family?
She was certain Limona had been from the Ackert family, not the Clavan family.
“I’ll be responsible for your etiquette training until you leave Count Cornelli’s mansion, Lady Leticia.”
Limona’s calm gaze met Ophelia’s.
“I’ll do my best, though I may not be much.”
“Yes, I’m looking forward to it.”
Ophelia nodded lightly in response.
“Then, I’ll prepare some refreshments.”
The maid, who had brought Limona to the sitting room, left, and Ophelia was left alone with Limona. At that moment, Ophelia carefully reached out and took Limona’s hand.
“It’s truly a pleasure to see you, Lady Ackert. I’ve been meaning to…”
But Limona, with a blank expression, pulled her hand away. Ophelia blinked in surprise.
“My name is Lady Clavan.”
Limona reiterated firmly.
“Please be cautious, as outsiders might be watching.”
“…I see, Lady Clavan.”
Right, I was being careless. Ophelia mentally reprimanded herself.
It seemed like Limona had changed her family name. The Ackert family had close ties with the Toledo family, which was loyal to the king, and Yerhalt was ruthless toward nobles aligned with the royalists, so it made sense she would change her name.
“So, what brings you here?”
“I was asked by Sir Toledo to come.”
Ah. For a moment, Ophelia recalled Limona’s family history. Christian and Lord Ackert had been somewhat acquainted. Before Christian was formally knighted, Lord Ackert had been trained as his squire.
In order to build a connection with the prestigious Toledo family, despite their similar ages, the two had pushed their way into the knightly ranks.
Then, Lord Ackert became involved in an unfortunate situation. He fell into gambling, accumulating a large debt. He was immediately expelled from the knights, but it seemed that Christian couldn’t forget about the debt.
More specifically, Lord Ackert’s sister, who was sold into marriage to pay off her brother’s gambling debt. Christian, unable to ignore the dire situation, paid the debt and freed her from the unwanted marriage.
“I see. How is Christian doing?”
“….”
For a brief moment, there was a subtle shift in Limona’s expression.
Christian.
That familiar title was only permitted for Ophelia.
“Yes, he’s doing well.”
Limona responded with forced calm.
“He asked me to tell you that he’ll come to see you soon when the opportunity arises.”
“…Thank you.”
Ophelia’s face grew more complicated. From what Limona had said, it seemed she was aware of the ‘Children of Ascanior’ group.
This could be dangerous.
Ophelia had been helping those who longed for her homeland’s independence. After losing her kingdom and family overnight, she believed it was the only thing she could do as the last surviving royal.
Christian, her childhood friend who had saved her during Yerhalt’s invasion, had played a major role in that process.
But from the Empire’s perspective, the ‘Children of Ascanior’ were a rebellion, and Limona, having changed her family name, could be in danger. Ophelia found herself unknowingly asking in concern.
“Is it really alright for you to be here?”
