If You Conquer Me - Chapter 19
The more they get tangled, the more dangerous it will become. That was the underlying meaning in the question.
“It’s fine. It’s my decision, after all…”
For a moment, Limona’s voice grew cold.
“There are things in life that cannot be helped.”
Ophelia flinched, stiffening her shoulders.
Now she has nowhere to return to… Who’s fault is that?
Though Limona never scolded her, Ophelia couldn’t help but misinterpret those words.
After this war, all the royalist nobility in the kingdom were wiped out. Just like the Marquis Toledo family, the Baron Ackert family was mostly executed as well.
She knew it in her head. The Kingdom of Ascanior had been invaded by the Yerhalt Empire. And as someone who wasn’t even treated as a proper princess, there was nothing she could do. But… if Ascanior had been just a little stronger…
Limona, and everyone else… they wouldn’t have had to suffer through such things.
Limona, who had been staring at Ophelia with a cold gaze for a while, suddenly snapped open a book with a loud thud.
“Let’s at least pretend to have a lesson.”
Limona concluded with a businesslike tone.
“We can’t bring shame to Sir Toledo.”
About an hour later, Limona left Count Cornelli’s mansion. As she thought about Ophelia’s clean face, a strange feeling of discomfort twisted inside her. Now, not only did she have to meet every day to teach the princess, but she also had to face her emotions, which were uncomfortable at best.
“I really hate this…”
Honestly, Limona wasn’t interested in the restoration of Ascanior or the kingdom’s independence. What did the royalty, who had never even brushed shoulders with her, mean to her?
If she were to examine her feelings for the royal family, it would be closer to hatred. The Baron Ackert family was part of the royalist faction. And as a result, her entire family had been annihilated.
Limona’s involvement with ‘The Children of Ascanior’ had happened solely because of Christian.
Sir Toledo…
For Limona, Christian was her savior. Therefore, it was inevitable that she developed feelings for him.
If only I could be by his side, even if it’s just for a little while.
Limona clenched her skirt tightly. She wanted to be by Christian’s side, no matter what. And so,
If he ever looked at her once, she would do anything for him. Even if it meant serving a fallen kingdom’s princess, who wasn’t exactly well-received, especially one who had… Christian’s affection all to herself.
* * *
A few days later,
When Hugo had left for a while, Ophelia took the opportunity to go out with Limona for the first time.
Did I really… deceive them all correctly?
Ophelia had replayed the moments when she had asked Hugo for permission over and over again in her mind.
Recently, Hugo and Ophelia had been spending time together regularly, whether it was sharing dinner or tea time. Ophelia had planned to just accept being left alone, but surprisingly, Hugo had been seeking her out often.
“Grand Duke Morgana.”
At the respectful address, Hugo raised an eyebrow slightly. What’s the princess up to? he seemed to ask with his expression. Ophelia forced herself to sound casual as she spoke.
“Lady Clavan knows a pastry shop that makes delicious treats. Would it be alright if I went out for some fresh air and visited?”
Hugo watched Ophelia’s face closely for a moment and then responded.
“If you want to go, then you should.”
He surprisingly gave her permission without hesitation. At that moment, Ophelia felt a chill in her chest. Since their walk together last time, she had been worried that Hugo might have picked up on something. Maybe that was why she had been on edge every time they faced each other.
“Lady Leticia.”
Just then, Limona called out to Ophelia.
“This way.”
“Ah, yes.”
Ophelia quickly shook off her thoughts and walked over to Limona.
Clink. As the shop door opened, the sweet scent of various pastries filled the air.
“You’ve arrived.”
