If You Conquer Me - Chapter 22
Ophelia looked at Hugo with a calm face and let out a short sigh. His cool affirmation had drained her strength.
“Don’t misunderstand me.”
“Misunderstand?”
“Yes. I just thought it might be comforting to have at least one person from my homeland with me.”
Her hands were damp with cold sweat, and she did her best to keep her shoulders from tensing up.
“I’ve lived my whole life in Ascanior. The Yerhalt Empire is all new to me.”
“…”
“There are times… when I feel anxious.”
Having said this, Ophelia cautiously watched Hugo’s expression. He remained unreadable, giving nothing away.
Did I manage to convince him?
Her mouth went dry. Trying to look casual, she met Hugo’s gaze.
“…”
“…”
“Well… if the princess says so.”
After a brief silence, Hugo shrugged nonchalantly and added,
“So, do you have someone already in mind?”
“Lady Clavan. She’s the one you assigned to me, and I think that’s sufficient.”
“Well, I suppose it’s not a bad suggestion for Lady Clavan.”
“…That’s…”
“She’ll have no place to go, anyway.”
Every time Hugo spoke with that detached expression, Ophelia’s heart would race. He could talk about the misfortune of others with such casual indifference.
It wasn’t about him telling her to feel sad like it was her own problem. Of course, as an outsider, one couldn’t fully empathize with the other person’s emotions. But at the very least, a human being would show some caution, but Hugo seemed completely indifferent to that. Even worse…
He’s the one who made sure there’s no place for them to go.
It was Hugo himself who wiped out the Ackert family, yet he spoke without a hint of remorse. Resting his chin on his hand, Hugo continued leisurely.
“And besides, I quite like the arrangement.”
“Arrangement?”
“Yes. A woman from a Viscounty serving a commoner…”
He smiled wryly.
“Won’t it make it look like I’m crazy about you, Leticia?”
His smile deepened.
“Enough to pair a noble to be a commoner’s maid.”
The audacity was beyond belief. Ophelia had to suppress the disgust rising inside her. She asked again, forcing herself to remain composed.
“Then can I assume you’ve given your consent?”
“Go ahead.”
Ophelia felt a sudden release of tension in her body.
* * *
Two months had passed since Ophelia had been staying at Count Cornelli’s residence. Summer had arrived in full force. The soft colors of spring had disappeared, and the trees had grown thick with dark green leaves. The sky, too, was a brighter blue.
In the meantime, Ophelia had received some important news. Christian had, through Limona, informed her that a new meeting place had been established in the Yerhalt Empire. He had requisitioned a store on the island, turning it into a place for their allies to gather.
She had deliberately avoided meeting Christian during the process, in order to avoid arousing Hugo’s suspicions.
One day, Hugo spoke up, his face unusually relaxed.
“Two months should be enough.”
What was he talking about? Ophelia, sitting across from him, looked at him with a confused expression. Hugo explained surprisingly.
“The training period.”
“Oh.”
“At this point, it’s enough time to make up excuses. It’s time we head back to Yerhalt.”
Leaning his chin on his hand, Hugo continued.
“I’ve got plenty of people bugging me about when I’ll be back. It’s been quite a hassle.”
Had the imperial family contacted him? After all, it had been four months since the subjugation of Ascanior and the internal cleanup was completed. Ophelia was actually surprised that Hugo had been able to stay in Ascania for so long.
‘Yerhalt…’
She quietly reflected on the name. It was finally time to leave Ascanior for good.
