The Maid and The Usurper - Chapter 33
“It’s too fast!”
“It’s just right, Layla.”
Leopold pulled on the reins with an exasperated expression. Layla was terrified, gripping the hem of his clothes with all the strength she could muster, no longer caring about the deep wrinkles it would leave on his clothes. The horse moved its feet calmly, as if to say the situation on the saddle was none of its concern.
“I’m afraid I’m going to fall off, Count.”
Layla whined in a tone she would never normally use, but it didn’t annoy Leopold. He tightened his grip around her waist.
“I’ve got you, and if you fall, I’ll fall with you. Don’t worry. Hold on to the saddle.”
Layla released her grip on the hem of his coat, but then grabbed it again. Leopold chuckled and used his other hand to pull her closer.
“If you’re that anxious, lean against me. Just hold onto the hem tightly.”
“I’m sorry, Count. If it’s not too much trouble, can I hold onto your waist?”
“What?”
“I’m just feeling a bit nervous. I’ll just hold on for a moment, just for a moment.”
Even as she said it, Layla felt embarrassed, and the tips of her ears turned red. Leopold nodded absentmindedly. Layla hesitated for a moment before carefully wrapping her arms around his waist. Her light breath on his chest and the coolness of her body made Leopold’s entire body go rigid. Layla lifted her head and looked up at him.
“Will it take long to get there?”
“Oh, no. We’ll be there soon.”
Truth was, they still had quite a distance to cover, but he was afraid that if he let that out, Layla would want to slip away. So he effortlessly lied.
“But what’s so special there that we’re riding for so long?”
“If I tell you, it won’t be fun.”
Leopold tugged on the reins, urging the horse forward. Layla yelped and hugged him tightly. He patted her reassuringly. The soft spring breeze brushed against their cheeks. Layla squeezed her eyes shut. Her body swayed with the rhythm of the ride, and then the horse stopped. Layla cautiously opened her eyes.
“We’ve arrived… Wow!”
The familiar scent of lilacs she had grown accustomed to in La Ellosa filled the air. The delicate purple lilacs stretched out, creating a lovely shade. For a moment, she forgot she was sitting on a horse and shifted her body anxiously.
“Careful, Layla!”
Leopold swiftly caught her as she almost toppled off. Startled, she grabbed his arm.
“Just hold onto the saddle, Layla, and wait a moment.”
Still uneasy, Layla gripped the saddle’s pommel tightly. Leopold quickly dismounted and lifted her down.
“I think you’ve gotten a bit heavier since the last time, Layla.”
His playful jab made Layla huff in annoyance.
“Last time was abnormal; this is normal.”
“I was just stating an observation, Layla.”
With a mischievous smile blooming on his face, Layla pouted. There was no point in arguing here, so she turned her head away and looked at the lilacs blooming beautifully.
“It’s a lilac grove. From there to there, it’s all lilacs.”
“How did you find this place?”
“I don’t know. I just kind of stumbled upon it.”
He wanted to sound a bit boastful. Distracted by the lilacs, Layla didn’t notice Leopold’s expression as he followed her. The delicate fabric of her dress fluttered in the wind. As Layla turned her body, the hem of her dress billowed gracefully.
“Why just lilacs? There are so many other flowers. Marigolds, magnolias, …….”
Layla counted the spring flowers with her fingers. Leopold stepped closer to her. He reached out and plucked a branch of lilac flowers. The beautifully blooms sparkled before her eyes.
“Layla. It’s your name, isn’t it? Lilac.”
She was born on a spring day, and she came to him on a spring day. Layla’s name had always had the scent of flowers in it. Among the mass of lilacs in full bloom, Layla shone the brightest. The warm spring breeze ruffled her beautiful silver hair. Her blue-violet eyes still held a gleam of confusion.
He knew they weren’t on the same page. He knew his situation better than anyone. His lowly status had only given him one path. Any more greed here, and Layla would go down with him.
At some point, he would have to let her go.
