The Maid and The Usurper - Chapter 34
Yet, for just a moment, in this fleeting moment that felt like a gift from the heavens, he wondered if it was alright to stay together. Ultimately, it would remain as a bittersweet memory of first love, then… unrequited love. Maybe he’ll remember these moments forever.
When he would see the full moon in the sky, he would recall the night of the ball and Layla’s silver hair. As spring approached, he would remember this place filled with lilacs in bloom. He wanted to have those momentary memories of each season, a momentary moment he could hold on to, even if it meant he’d be trapped and silenced by it.
“I found it because it’s a flower that resembles your name. What do you think? Do you like it?”
Leopold spread his arms wide, as he said this, pride radiating from him.
Layla scratched the ground with her toes. At that moment, she felt both grateful and resentful towards Leopold. She had lived a decent life. She had lived a bit crookedly, and no matter how she looked at it, she hadn’t lived a life good enough to go to heaven, but it was fine.
She managed to get by. Even when others hit her, her pride wasn’t too hurt, and she had never scoffed at her own misfortunes. It was nice to have become a maid after leaving La Ellosa. But in front of him, everything changed. Everything became embarrassing. Everything became unpleasant. This miserable life, and the twisted feelings within her, became intolerable.
In front of him, everything felt pitifully small.
‘Why was I born as Layla? Why couldn’t I have been born like those beautiful ladies I saw at the ball? Living in the slums of Tenel never made me think such thoughts before.’
“Why the face? Do you have an allergy to pollen or something?”
“No, it’s just that the wind made my eyes dry earlier.”
The last shred of pride was to keep these feelings hidden from Leopold. Wouldn’t it be too miserable if he found out? Layla forced herself to speak more cheerfully.
“It’s really beautiful. There were a lot of flowers blooming in Tennel too, but there weren’t many places with such an abundance of lilacs.”
“I have a very good eye.”
His self-praise was surprisingly charming, and Layla couldn’t help but laugh softly. She was a sassy, sassy girl, and she didn’t smile easily. So when she did smile, it was often with a small laugh, and he would stare at her as if he was mesmerized. That’s why he clung to every smile she offered.
“Come over here. There are even more lilacs blooming here.”
He pulled her wrist with a newfound strength that reminded her he was two years older.
“He really is like a prince…”
She whispered softly, too quietly for Leopold to hear.
Surrounded by beautiful flowers and wearing a dress so lovely it felt like a dream, this moment felt surreal. She thought that if she opened her eyes, she would see the peeling plaster ceiling of La Ellosa.
“Sit here, Layla.”Leopold took off his jacket and spread it out carefully on a flat stone. Layla, mindful of her skirt, sat down cautiously. Leopold, seemingly having something prepared, began to untie a basket that had been slung over his arm.
“Good thing it didn’t get ruined on the way.”
It was a rather rustic canteen.
Whether out of embarrassment or nervousness, Leopold avoided meeting her eyes. When Layla craned her neck to peek into the basket, Leopold hastily covered it with a cloth.
“I prepared this for you. Take your time.”
“It’s not like you personally prepared all of this, right? I’m sure the head maid or the chef helped you out.”
“No, I did prepare it… Well, with a little help from the chef and the head maid, but still…”
Leopold trailed off, his cheeks flushing. Layla glanced at him, noticing how red his ears had turned. The atmosphere felt reminiscent of the romance novels the head maid read, as if those fantastical stories had come to life right in front of her.
