The Maid and The Usurper - Chapter 37
“Do you live to find fault with me, Count?”
At her irritated voice, Leopold momentarily fell silent. Layla’s eyes glared at him with burning indignation.
“You’re so good, when have you ever looked at me so closely?”
Leopold, who had been speaking cheerfully, seemed to sense something was wrong and fell silent. Layla was filled with annoyance just by looking up at the bastard prince, wondering why he was so unnecessarily tall?
“Are you mad, Layla?”
He bent down to meet her eyes, but she stubbornly turned her head away, trying to hide her emotions.
“I’m sorry. I was wrong.”
“Never mind. I shouldn’t have gotten so upset.”
They weren’t even in a relationship where they could afford to be difficult with each other. The wise way to navigate this relationship was to remain indifferent to everything. No matter what was said, she should just laugh it off. That was the right way to handle it. Ultimately, the more entangled she became, the more pathetic she felt.
“What’s this? You’re really mad.”
Leopold gently cupped Layla’s cheeks in his calloused hands, and she flinched in surprise. Carefully, he lifted her face. His azure eyes seemed to both want and not want to read the emotions she was trying to hide.
“I wasn’t trying to find fault with you.”
There were moments when he would gaze at Layla like a fool. Sitting in the study, anxiously glancing at the door, waiting for her to bring tea and snacks. But when she finally entered the study, he would pretend to be busy working. He would steal glances at her as she focused on setting down the teacup, thinking she looked like a doll, and if he let his guard down, he might just be mesmerized staring at her.
“It’s just. It’s just that you’ve been in my eyes the most.”
Sometimes, Leopold wished Layla wouldn’t notice his gaze, yet at the same time, he longed for her to see it. He wanted her to know that she had filled his world, that every part of him was focused on her. But at the same time, he feared her discovering his feelings.
“Why have I been so much in the Count’s eyes?”
So many words lingered on the tip of his tongue. He wanted to be a little greedy. Was it really so wrong to share his heart a little? So, he hoped that Layla would understand just a bit.
“It’s because… I spend the most time with you.”
In the end, the words he blurted out were neither here nor there.
“You know, because you’re learning ancient languages from me and all.”
In truth, Leopold looked forward to those times the most. He could freely gaze at Layla as she haltingly read the ancient language he taught her, carefully tracing each character. Her moonlight-like silver hair sparkled in the sunlight, and her parted lips in concentration were adorable. When she sensed his gaze and turned to look at him, he would pretend to read a book he wasn’t even looking at, hoping desperately that his reddened ears wouldn’t give him away.
“Then I must quickly become proficient in ancient languages, so as not to be so censured as this.”
After a moment of silence, Layla burst out laughing. Leopold found himself staring at her, as if enchanted.
Layla was like her namesake, the lilac.
“Yes. But don’t learn too quickly. I think I’d get quite bored without you.”
His heart ached. In this moment, he resented Layla’s innocence and lack of awareness. If she realized how he felt, maybe she’d share the same feelings. Even if it was a naive hope, he couldn’t help but wish for it.
“Since we’re here, do you want to take some lilacs home, Layla?”
Leopold reached above Layla’s head. She shrank back slightly, watching him with wide eyes. The shadow of his tall figure moved busily above her. Eventually, the sound of snapping stems ceased. Leopold, towering over her, carefully arranged the flowers.
“Here. A gift for you, Layla.”
It was a lovely bouquet. Layla took the bouquet from Leopold’s hand. Her heart leapt in her chest.
“Why are you giving me so many gifts today? You gave me clothes, too.”
“Don’t you remember?”
Leopold tilted his head, his voice questioning. Layla tilted her head in return and he burst out laughing in disbelief.
“Today is your birthday, Layla.”
