The Maid and The Usurper - Chapter 36
“Here? Are you even allowed to leave Rhineland? Is that okay?”
Layla asked with wide, curious eyes. Leopold chuckled softly.
“There’s a large lake in Rhineland that people call a ‘small sea.’ Many spend their summer vacations there.”
It was a place he had often visited with his mother in the summer. The sunsets were breathtaking.
“Lady Wegener…”
Layla trailed off, her heart pounding unexpectedly as she cautiously glanced at him. Leopold leaned in closer, his innocent smile lighting up his face.
“What is it with you and your sassy behavior?”
“I’m not being sassy! Don’t be ridiculous!”
Layla tried to stand abruptly, but Leopold tugged her back. Her balance faltered, causing her to fall forward. He instinctively reached out, pulling her into his arms.
“Count! Are you okay?”
Layla’s silver hair cascaded down like a curtain.
“I’m fine.”
His head rang from the hard hit against the rock as he fell. Leopold furrowed his brow.
“Are you sure you’re alright?”
Layla’s cool hand cupped his cheek. Leopold felt hot where Layla’s unusually cool hand touched him. His mouth went dry as he realized it was the first time he’d ever seen her look at him that intently. His mind froze as the situation he had only imagined now became real.
“Count? Count!”
Layla shook Leopold’s shoulder. He grimaced, his head still pounding.
“Layla, I’m fine. You can stop now.”
Though she stopped shaking him, the pounding in his head didn’t.
“Layla, I’m sorry, but could you move back a little? You’re too close right now.”
“What?”
It was only then that she realized just how awkward and compromising their position was. Layla’s face flushed bright red in an instant. In proportion to how fast she blushed, she scrambled back in a hurry, like a spring being released. Leopold’s mouth twitched, wondering if he’d said the wrong thing.
“I’m just a little dizzy. Layla.”
By now, Layla had retreated far away from him, her hat pulled low to hide her face.
“What’s wrong?”
“It’s nothing, Count. I just think I acted rashly and am punishing myself for it.”
It was a lame excuse, even for her. When had she ever been loyal to that bastard prince……. But it was really a matter of pride. There were feelings she absolutely didn’t want to reveal, and the flush on her face was one of them. She couldn’t bear to let him see it. From beneath the shadow of her hat, she heard a small sigh escape him.
“Layla.”
A shadow fell over her head, and as she looked up, her vision was filled with a pair of striking blue eyes that reminded her of the clearest autumn sky, accompanied by a different fragrance.
“I have a headache, Layla.”
His tone was slightly playful. Surprised, she started to step back, but the bastard prince caught her wrist. She prayed her racing pulse wouldn’t give away her emotions.
“Why is your face so red? It’s not like you did anything wrong.”
Amidst her relief, there was a hint of disappointment. Even though it wouldn’t do any good for him to notice, she secretly wished he would understand just a little.
“It’s just… it’s embarrassing. Making such a ridiculous mistake.”
“What’s so ridiculous about it? Tripping over your own skirt and falling?”
“Well… yes? I’m a perfectionist who doesn’t make mistakes.”
Layla knew how absurd that sounded, but she had no better explanation. The bastard prince simply stared at her, then suddenly burst into laughter.
“Since when are you a perfectionist? I’ve seen you make plenty of mistakes.”
“When? When did I make a mistake?”
Layla retorted, her pride stung. As far as she could recall, she hadn’t messed up much since she came here. Her survival skills and ability honed in the icy streets of La Ellosa had served her well.
“Let’s see… last week, you weren’t paying attention and bumped into a maid in the hallway, spilling some tea.”
“That wasn’t entirely my fault!”
Layla protested. Leopold was having none of it and continued.
“Last month, you mixed up all my papers while cleaning.”
“Well, that’s half your fault, Count. You were the one who made the mess in the first place.”
She clearly remembered that it was the bastard prince who had mixed them up first.
“Wasn’t it because you were dusting and accidentally dropped the papers on the floor that you mixed up my papers?”
This time she had no choice but to keep her mouth shut. The illegitimate prince triumphantly listed them off with his fingers. The more Layla listened, the more she felt her patience wearing thin.
