The Maid and The Usurper - Chapter 30
“Surprisingly, you are sharp and bright, which brought him joy. I am grateful for that alone.”
A smile graced the once somber face. It wasn’t bad to see the prince brighten up because of a simple maid. At least, it was still fine until she witnessed Leopold gently playing with Layla’s silver hair.
“You’re smart, so you know your place, don’t you?”
Resting in the shade of a tree in the courtyard, Leopold’s gaze fell on Layla sweeping the corridor, and the tips of his ears flushed and warmth crept up to his neck. He keenly observed Layla’s reactions as she served him. These were things one wouldn’t notice unless one looked closely.
“Sometimes, a single line written on paper can save a life and provide strength.”
It was that thin thread of an inheritance right that kept Baden from disposing of Leopold entirely. Layla wasn’t sure whether to feign ignorance or to pretend to be a fool and simply nod with a smile. Either way, she already knew what Lady Wegener was hinting at.
The bastard prince was meant to marry a beautiful, intelligent lady of high birth who would safeguard his claim to the throne. That was the natural course of things. Lady Wegener’s anxiety was misplaced, because Layla knew there was nothing to worry about. Both she and Leopold were fully aware of their places. Their current connection stemmed from the shared secrets and trust between them—nothing more, nothing less.
“You have nothing to worry about, my lady,” Layla reassured softly.
It was a trivial matter that could have been easily brushed aside, but a part of her wanted to scratch beneath the surface of Lady Wegener’s composure, if only a little.
“The Count is a gentleman, and I have no desire to become further entangled. You know that, don’t you?”
Her life was busy enough just keeping herself afloat. There was no room to bring another person into the mix.
“I simply want to take care of myself and leave Rhineland behind.”
“…Is that so?”
A subtle crack appeared in Lady Wegener’s previously serene expression. The flicker of emotion that crossed her face held a tinge of compassion.
“I hope you’ll hold that sentiment to the end.”
“If it’s alright, I think I should be going to see the Count now.”
This conversation was deeply uncomfortable for Layla. Without further comment, Lady Wegener gave her silent permission to take her leave. At that moment, Layla just wanted to empty her mind completely. She needed a reprieve from her thoughts. Her feet carried her through the corridors until she reached the courtyard.
And there was Leopold.
The scorching summer sun beat down mercilessly. Sweat glistened on Leopold’s back, cascading like rain. His sword moved gracefully with a power that was unmatched. Layla found herself transfixed, watching him in a daze.
“Layla? What are you doing standing over there?”
“Huh?”
Layla straightened her posture. Leopold turned to her with a fresh, cheerful face.
“You’ve been standing there like a stone statue for a while. What are you doing?”
He approached her, a towel draped casually over his broad shoulders. Even at his young age, the definition of his muscles was impressive. Layla instinctively took a step back.
“What’s wrong? Did I do something to upset you?”
“No! I came to bring you this!”
Flustered, Layla tossed the folded clothes she had brought towards Leopold who instinctively reached out and caught the flying shirt.
“What’s this? Do I not even look like a Count to you anymore?”
His tone was playful, filled with mischief rather than intimidation. Layla shook her head like lightning.
“It’s just that you startled me with your joke, Count. And you wouldn’t scold me over something like that.”
“You sure know how to follow the saying ‘know your place before you stretch your legs.'”
Leopold chuckled softly as he dried himself with the towel. Layla quickly offered him the water bottle she had brought.
“Thank you, Layla.”
His customary smile and polite words made her cheeks flush. If she looked in a mirror, she would have seen her cheeks, ears, and even her neck tinted a deep red. Layla cautiously slipped into the shadow of a pillar.
She hoped the dark shade would hide the blush on her face.
