The Maid and The Usurper - Chapter 13
“My lord, may I use your study? That’s all I need.”
When asked what she wanted in return, Layla’s eyes sparkled as she made the simple wish. Then, with a pitying expression for the naive young lord, she added:
“And you, my lord, should learn to trust others less. What if I secretly helped myself to your wealth while you weren’t looking? Instead of looking out for others, you should worry about yourself first.”
After making this cynical remark, hardened by the vicissitudes of life, she now beamed a naive smile, overjoyed at receiving a single book. It was a vast contradiction.
“You can read ancient languages? That’s an introductory book on magic rituals, the kind sorcerers read.”
At his dismissive words, Layla turned away with a sullen expression.
“What’s it to you, my lord?”
“Sometimes it seems like you forget that I am the Count.”
“I look before I leap too.”
In La Ellosa, the most important thing was perception. There was no skill more crucial than gauging how much the other party could tolerate. Layla was well-versed in assessing people.
“I act this way because I know you’re not the type to accuse me of blasphemy or anything.”
“Do I seem that easy-going to you?”
“Not easy-going exactly. Just naive, is all.”
The tips of Layla’s ears flushed slightly, her gaze still fixed on the book. Leopold bent over, persistently following Layla’s line of sight. Sensing his prying eyes, she rolled her eyes and avoided his gaze.
“So I wasn’t as easy-going as you thought, huh?”
Layla didn’t feel like responding to his silly remark. Treating him as if he wasn’t there, she opened the book.
“If you can’t read ancient languages properly, I’ll help you out a bit.”
“…Do you know how to read ancient languages?”
“If it’s magic-related ancient language, it’s probably Artatum, right? That’s just basic knowledge.”
Leopold spoke so confidently that Layla found him truly annoying. She abruptly turned away.
“It’s fine. I can do it myself.”
Layla opened the book boldly. Leopold extended his long arm and pointed to a sentence.
“Oh yeah? Then what does this mean?”
“…The origin of magic?”
“All magic begins with mana and ends with mana.”
Leopold translated the sentence effortlessly. As her eyes widened in surprise, he raised one corner of his mouth.
“Shall I read it for you instead? Or would you like me to teach you ancient languages?”
Layla fidgeted with her hands, unable to articulate a response. Leopold tilted his head, then raised one eyebrow.
“What, does it hurt your pride to learn from me?”
“It’s not that…”
Layla tugged at her skirt. Lowering her head and subtly glancing at him, she moved her lips before finally speaking.
“I have nothing to offer you in return…”
“What are you talking about?”
Leopold suddenly burst into laughter. Layla shot him a sulky glance. He bent down, meeting her gaze with a gentle, puppy-like smile.
“I’m just offering to teach you. I don’t want anything in return. Just relax and listen.”
Leopold took the book from Layla’s hands and walked away. Startled, Layla hurried after him. He pushed a chair toward her. Feeling awkward, Layla hesitated to sit, prompting Leopold to gesture for her to take a seat. Reluctantly, Layla sat down.
Sensing her persistent discomfort, Leopold reluctantly added a condition.
“If you’re really that uneasy about it, find someone to help manage my money for me. There’s only so much I can hide.”
With the condition in place, Layla then relaxed and smiled widely.
“The Herta sisters are loan sharks who work here too. They can safely keep your money and help it grow.”
Even in the rural backwater of Rhineland, there were loan sharks. Just like everywhere else, the Herta sisters had a branch there, albeit in a quiet countryside estate. Walking the fine line between legality and illegality, they were discreet and loyal. They would ensure that, come what may, the principal would be preserved.
“If you assign them some work, I’ll introduce you when you next meet with the Queen. I know where to find the Herta sisters.”
Layla still couldn’t understand the Queen’s paranoid obsession. If Leopold had a clear will and goal regarding the throne, she could grasp the Queen’s anxiety, but he did not.
Considering the numerous gossip and rumors surrounding Queen Beatrice’s affairs, it was hard to believe there was any genuine affection for her husband. Judging by the chatter among the guests in La Ellosa, the union between the Queen and the King held no deeper meaning beyond political necessity. Layla simply could not comprehend the Queen’s paranoid wariness of Leopold.
“Then I’ll leave it to you, Layla.”
Leopold smiled, looking as gentle as a puppy. Despite being much taller and two years older than her, he appeared cute. Layla slightly turned her head away, embarrassed by the thought.
“Where should I start reading? You’ve been stuck on this one book for quite a while now.”
Leopold flipped to a random page in the middle of the book. Layla glanced at Leopold, seemingly embarrassed.
“What is it? Not here?”
“Not there, here.”
Layla flipped back about ten pages from the beginning, and handed the book to Leopold. He looked back and forth between the barely flipped pages and Layla’s face before bursting into laughter.
“You’ve been reading so diligently, but you’ve only made it this far?”
“Ancient languages aren’t exactly a general study!”
Layla shouted back,exasperated. In La Ellosa, such lofty knowledge was unnecessary. While a few courtesans intentionally learned ancient languages, they were in the minority. Most guests in La Ellosa didn’t seek that kind of knowledge.
