The Maid and The Usurper - Chapter 11
“There are plenty of people in La Ellosa who are easy to use and easy to lose.”
That place was a sewer, and Layla was just one of the many resident rats trying to survive. Smarter and more mature than her peers, she understood the harsh realities of La Ellosa. A prostitute’s daughter became a prostitute, and a pimp’s son became a pimp. Determined to break free from this cycle, Layla fought harder than anyone.
“If I could escape La Ellosa, I didn’t care if it meant dealing with the devil. So I seized the only opportunity that came my way.”
Viscountess Bertel, the queen’s handmaiden, found Layla in La Ellosa. She wanted a girl who could disappear without a trace, who knew her place, was quick-witted, and literate. Layla was more clever than anyone else, and she cunningly played the role of the girl VIscountess Bertel desired.
“If I’m kicked out of here, I’ll have to go back to La Ellosa, so I don’t want to be kicked out of here.”
“It’s indeed a pitiful story, but I’m not one to trust people.”
“That’s why you should keep me close. I could help you.”
Layla spoke confidently, and Leopold couldn’t hide his astonishment at her audacity.
“I’ll be your double agent. I’ll send the queen false reports and relay her movements to you.”
“How am I supposed to trust you when you’ve come in already a spy?”
Layla licked her dry lips.
“What do you have to lose? If you send me away, the queen will just send another maid or servant to spy on you, Count.”
It was true that expelling spies would only work for so long. The queen would find more sophisticated methods eventually, and Leopold found it hard to argue with her logic.
“Now that you know my true identity, wouldn’t it be better to just keep me by your side?”
“…You’re not wrong.”
Layla sighed inwardly, her legs trembling with the effort to stay standing. She discreetly wiped her sweaty palms on her skirt.
“So, can I stay in Rhineland?”
“For now.”
The words of permission were spoken. Layla secretly sighed. Leopold rested his chin on his hand as he observed Layla’s relieved expression.
“Thank you, Count. I’ll work hard for you.”
She bowed her head repeatedly, lacking any pride. After all, she was someone untrustworthy. She could change her mind as easily as flipping her palm. Right now, she was acting this way to avoid returning to La Ellosa, but if she found herself in need of money, she might cling to the queen like a bat. Keeping a somewhat naive girl close was better than dealing with a more troublesome and cunning spy.
“Then, may I ask you one last question?”
“Anything, if it’s something I can answer.”
“Is your name really Layla Heather?”
“It’s just Layla. Layla.”
Leopold repeated Layla’s name a few times under his breath. It had a pleasant ring to it. Thus began the peculiar cohabitation of the queen’s spy and the king’s illegitimate son.
—
Mornings were always filled with a quiet bustle. Leopold was in his study observing Layla, his hand cupped in his chin. She was inscrutable. She had boldly admitted to being the queen’s spy and confessed everything the queen had asked her to do. It was hard to discern whether she was deceiving him or acting on her own volition.
She said, “Think about it. I’m small and don’t have any notable abilities, but the next person the queen sends could be a professional, so it’s better to keep me around.”
As much as it hurt his pride, he had no better alternative to counter her. So, he had no choice but to keep her close and watch her. Contrary to his expectations, Layla was diligent. She organized the bookshelves with a sparkle in her eye, moving back and forth between the shelves. The sunlight streaming through the window cast long shadows on her lashes. She squinted slightly and shaded her eyes with her hand.
“You’re pretty.”
The words slipped out unintentionally, causing his ears and neck to heat up. Embarrassed, Leopold averted his gaze, then snuck her a look from the corner of his eye. She was really as pretty as a doll. If he didn’t know she was the queen’s spy, he might have just stared at her face in a daze.
