The Maid and The Usurper - Chapter 23
“I did some embroidery too. When I lived in La Ellosa, I did some piecework and took requests from the courtesans to do some embroidery… It might not be as good as what the artisans make, but… it should be usable.”
Her words trailed off as she felt embarrassed. Leopold unfolded the handkerchief. Only the sound of Layla’s cough filled the room.
“My name…”
It was a name that only said Leopold. Not Bard’s bloodline, not the title of Zolleran, not the illegitimate son of Edehardt—just Leopold.
“I hope you ignore the complications that surround you, Count.”
It was a life of walking a tightrope, never quite getting anywhere. Eventually, like the many faded and weathered murals of the temple, he would lose himself in the process, and so he needed a marker that would remain entirely himself, without any labels.
“I just want you to remain as yourself, Count. It sounds easy, but it’s the hardest thing to keep.”
A cool chuckle filled the room. It was a futile rant. It was like a mouse thinking for a cat. She couldn’t understand why she, who had so little, was trying to give more to someone who had much more than her.
“Thank you, Layla.”
Hearing that firm but kind voice of his, the reason no longer mattered. Leopold, who had been scratching his head awkwardly, suddenly had a gleam in his eye.
“I forgot to mention this earlier, but Viscountess Bertel…”
“I saw her while I was cleaning the hallway.”
“You did? Are you okay?”
“Important people don’t have good memories, especially about someone like me, someone they can use and discard. She’s probably already forgotten my face.”
It was a cynical laugh. When one sees the depths of humanity, admiration tends to fade away. Even if one envies their wealth and power, their status is not something to be desired.
“It was amusing, really. Wearing a fake necklace like that.”
“A fake necklace?”
“There are jewelers who specialize in swindling nobles and merchants. They make counterfeit diamonds so flawlessly that you wouldn’t believe it. She totally fell for it.”
It was all the more ridiculous when witnessing someone who boasts about their superiority being deceived by something so trivial. She wondered if it was a manifestation of her own twisted inferiority complex and unnecessarily high self-esteem, but she wasn’t wrong to think of the pathetic as pathetic. Layla pushed the thought out of her head.
“That fake diamond won’t react to most things, but it reacts to brandy.”
“How?”
“It discolors to brown.”
A jewel thief who got drunk on brandy had once shown her a diamond he had put in brandy.
“But how did you know that was a fake?”
“Soaking it in brandy is the surest way, but there are many other methods too. If you have a keen eye, you can tell right away.”
It was the most useless of the tricks she had learned in La Ellosa. She thought there would be no one to help, only to be exploited. The pure and kind illegitimate prince was unaware of the depths of her soul — she’d been worn down, and there was no room for generosity in her .
“If you ever meet swindlers trying to sell you jewels, be sure to bring some brandy and dip each one in it.”
“I’ll keep your advice in mind.”
“But what’s this you gave me?”
Layla shook the box that Leopold had handed her again. His face started turning red. His neck flushed, and slowly the color spread up his cheeks and reached the tips of his ears.
“See for yourself. You’ll know once you open it.”
“You’re being awfully mysterious.”
“By the way, do you have any work to do after the banquet tonight?”
Layla tilted her head, mentally running through the tasks she had. Since the manor was short-staffed, even someone as young as Layla had been helping out. Both the head maid and Lady Wegener had expressed their apologies, telling her to rest once she finished serving food and drinks at the banquet.
“Not really. I just have to help with serving food and drinks during the banquet, and then I’m free.”
“Then… could you come to the ballroom at midnight?”
“At midnight?” Layla’s eyes widened in surprise. Leopold bent down slightly to meet her gaze, and in that moment, she took a step back.
“It’s related to the gift. Please come. I’ll be waiting.”
It was as if magic had been cast by a fairy, for at that moment, the illegitimate prince truly looked like a prince. Just like the one from the fairy tales she had once read.
