If You Conquer Me - Chapter 9

“Good morning, princess.”

Just then, Hugo greeted Ophelia casually.

“The doctor said you wouldn’t be able to get out of bed for a few days, but you sure have some resilience.”

He folded the newspaper that had been fluttering carelessly and set it aside, lifting the corners of his lips in a slight smile.

“I like people with resilience.”

“Is that so? Glad to hear it.”

Ophelia responded flatly.

“If you’re going to get a mistress, it’s better to choose someone you actually like, right?”

At her reply, the smile on Hugo’s face deepened. Ophelia instinctively stiffened, her shoulders tightening. How should she describe that expression? It was as if a predator, pleased with the meal before it, was looking at it carefully…

“You thought it through well, princess.”

At the same time, Ophelia clenched her fist tightly and stared at Hugo with a defiant look.

“Just make the terms of the contract clear.”

“Make it clear, huh…”

At her words, Hugo narrowed his eyes and looked Ophelia up and down.

Ophelia asked calmly,

“By taking me as your mistress, you’re trying to block the unwanted advances from the Yerhalt imperial family. Am I right?”

“That’s right.”

Hugo nodded readily, and Ophelia gritted her teeth.

“And in exchange… you promised to guarantee the lives of my lost comrades and give me my freedom.”

As she said this, Ophelia glanced at Hugo to gauge his reaction. Hugo remained silent, staring at her intently, his silence an unspoken affirmation. Ophelia gathered her courage and asked again,

“So, how long do I have to continue being your mistress?”

At the same moment, Hugo’s brows furrowed slightly, as if looking at a student who had given the wrong answer. Ophelia’s heart sank.

“Oh, Princess…”

Hugo spoke in a sharp tone,

“I thought you had a decent head on your shoulders, but I guess I was wrong?”

“What do you mean by that…?”

“You’re asking such an obvious question. The term is, of course…”

Hugo’s arrogant red eyes pierced Ophelia as he spoke.

“Until I decide otherwise.”

“What?”

Ophelia’s eyes widened in shock, but Hugo maintained his ever-present crooked smile.

“Isn’t that better for you as well, princess?”

“That’s… outrageous!”

“When our contract ends, I won’t have any reason to spare your people any longer, will I?”

Ophelia’s world seemed to go dark at those words. Hugo’s smile twisted even more cruelly.

“Isn’t that right?”

Seeing Ophelia silently biting her lip, Hugo continued,

“I actually have a question for you, too.”

His red eyes studied Ophelia intently.

“How far are you willing to go, princess?”

“What do you mean…?”

“How far can you fulfill the duties of a mistress, that’s the question.”

The mention of ‘duties of a mistress’ made Ophelia stiffen involuntarily. It was one thing to be a mistress…

“Both Princess and I are healthy adults, after all.”

With that, Hugo stood up, tilting his head slightly toward Ophelia. She felt as though a huge shadow was cast over her body. His red eyes, which had been studying her closely, curved like crescent moons.

“Don’t you think we should at least show some affection for each other? At least enough to avoid suspicion from outsiders.”

Having said that, Hugo suddenly grabbed Ophelia’s hand. Pressing his lips against the back of her hand, he studied her reaction carefully.

“How about this?”

Ophelia trembled slightly and pressed her lips tightly together. However, she didn’t resist. Hugo let out a short laugh before pulling her waist into his arms. Ophelia remained stiff, held in his embrace.

In an instant, his red eyes came close, staring intently at Ophelia. So close she could almost feel his breath, she unconsciously took a shallow breath.

Hugo lifted her chin and briefly kissed her forehead. Ophelia squeezed her eyes shut, feeling the burning sensation where his lips had touched.