The Maid and The Usurper - Chapter 31
The winter that seemed capable of freezing the entire world had passed, and spring soon arrived. Warm spring breezes blew in, and the fields were filled with blooming flowers. Layla had grown about half a foot taller, while Leopold was more than two feet taller. Due to his rapid growth, Leopold often had to adjust his clothes. Layla assisted the tailor. Sounds of rustling came from behind the partition.
“Count, it suits you wonderfully,” the tailor gushed with a hint of flattery. Layla shivered at the overly sweet tone. Leopold scratched the back of his head, seemingly unbothered by the tailor’s sycophantic praise, and emerged from behind the dressing room.
“How is it, Layla?”
He turned around, uncharacteristically timid. The tips of his ears had turned bright red. He couldn’t seem to find the words. The tailor’s compliments didn’t feel like mere flattery. It was embarrassing and awkward to express something honest. Yet, she lacked the courage to say something insincere. Avoiding Leopold’s hopeful gaze, she offered a vague response.
“I think it looks good on you.”
“That’s a relief. Being recognized by someone as discerning as you means a lot.”
Leopold glanced around before tugging on Layla’s arm. Layla squirmed in surprise.
“Did you bring the clothes I asked for?”
“Yes. I brought them in secretly as you’d instructed. I had it made while Lady Wegener was away in Bard.”
The tailor exaggerated his struggles. Layla looked up at Leopold, confused by the situation. At the tailor’s signal, his assistant entered carrying a box. The tailor handed the box to Layla.
“It’s not a custom fit, so there may be some shortcomings, but I hope you like it.”
“Count? What is this?”
Before responding, he pushed Layla into the partition. Caught off guard, Layla stumbled inside. It felt strange to add a few words in this situation, so she squatted down and lifted the lid of the box. Inside lay a delicate spring dress in a soft sky blue, elegantly adorned with airy lace.
“Try it on. I asked them to prepare everything you might need.”
Leopold’s voice came from beyond the partition. She couldn’t quite understand him. How long had it been since Lady Wegener left for her family home that he would pull a stunt like this?
What was worse was her delight at Leopold’s attitude.
“It’s beautiful.”
She had once seen the daughter of the Duke of Tennel in a dress just as breathtaking. The sky-blue dress fit perfectly, even without any measurements taken. It wasn’t too loose or too tight; it was just right. Hesitantly, Layla stepped out of the fitting room.
“It’s truly stunning.”
The tailor showered her with incessant flattery, as if his tongue had been greased. As she listened, it didn’t seem so bad, and she felt her cheeks flush at his compliments.
“This is a hat that’s recently in vogue at the royal court. Wide-brimmed hats are back in style.”
Layla tightened the chin strap of the hat. Glancing at her reflection in the mirror, she looked elegant, like a princess living in a castle. Her hands, though, didn’t quite match that elegance. She discreetly hid her hands in the folds of her skirt.
“And these are silk gloves.”
The tailor’s exaggerated gestures had Layla cringing as she accepted the gloves. She wondered if he thought of her as a lady-in-waiting rather than a servant. It was not uncommon for the daughters of knights to serve as maids in noble households. It was also not uncommon for young lords, oblivious to the ways of the world, to develop affections for their sisters’ or mothers’ maids, so perhaps the tailor thought the same.
Unfortunately, none of the tailor’s assumptions were correct. Layla was neither the daughter of a knight nor a lady-in-waiting, and Leopold was not a lovesick young lord. They were simply two individuals with a bond, and what she felt was a bittersweet longing that she alone harbored.
While lost in her endless thoughts, Leopold paid the tailor and hurriedly sent him away.
“Layla.”
