The Maid and The Usurper - Chapter 39
“Why is it that, despite having such a bright personality, she rarely laughs so freely?”
The quiet lakeside offered no answer. At times, his obsession with Layla annoyed him. Objectively and honestly speaking, aside from his uncertain position, he had more than enough charm to spare.
“I’m not exactly unattractive. In fact, I’m quite handsome.”
Even when judged quite objectively, his face was more than just okay; it was exceptionally good-looking.
“Maybe if she has the standards of a mermaid… or maybe not…”
Leopold was disheartened when he thought of Layla. With her shiny silver hair and mysterious blue-purple eyes, she looked just like a mermaid from a fairy tale,
“Layla is incredibly beautiful. Perhaps her standards are just higher. She really did look like a mermaid that time.”
He remembered Layla twirling around in a sudden downpour, clutching the hem of her skirt. Her neatly coiffed hair came undone, her silver locks glistening in the raindrops. Leopold understood then why the mythical gods were so foolish to kidnap the beautiful nymphs from the field. Leopold’s eyes drifted back to the blue of the lake.
“Layla?”
He straightened his posture from where he’d been leaning. Layla wore the simple white linen dress she had saved up to buy, her first real purchase. It was a plain dress, without any lace, but she cherished it deeply. She was using a long stick to pull a small boat floating on the lake toward the shore.
“Layla!”
Leopold’s voice made Layla’s head snap up, startled. Leopold jumped to his feet and ran towards her.
“Are you crazy? What do you think you’re doing trying to get on that dangerous boat?”
He was breathless from the sudden sprint. Leopold took a moment to catch his breath. Layla, her eyes wide, clutched the mysterious stick she had found.
“It’s a perfectly fine boat, Count. Besides, isn’t this a popular resort for Rhineland’s nobility?”
Layla squatted down to inspect the boat, just to be sure. It was a little worn, but it didn’t seem to be in any disrepair, especially not with holes in it.
“Whether it’s a perfectly fine boat or not, how do you plan to get back if you go out alone? Do you think rowing is easy?”
There was a reason sailors were stronger than most other men—it was hard work. Though he had tried to express his concern, Layla spat out the words in disbelief.
“I’m not going to row. In case you’ve forgotten, I’m a wizard, and I don’t do manual labor when I can use magic.”
Do you have any idea how difficult it is to maneuver a boat? And you think you can do it?”
“I can handle a small boat.”
Layla argued, her pride clearly wounded. While her abilities might seem insignificant compared to the powerful magicians Leopold had encountered, she was confident she could manage a small boat on her own. As Layla puffed out her cheeks, Leopold sighed.
“Alright, forget it. There’s no point in arguing. Who am I to stop you?”
Leopold walked briskly to the shore of the lake. He looked carefully through the bushes. Layla cautiously walked up to his side.
‘What are you doing?’
‘I’m looking for the rope that tied the boat to the shore.’
Just as the saying goes that a tiger comes when called, a thick rope caught Leopold’s eye. He gave it a tug.
“There’s a stake here. I thought the boat was just floating freely on the lake.”
“The stake was driven deep into the ground, and with all the overgrowth, it was hard to see.”
One more tug and the boat was halfway out of the water. Leopold untied the rope from the stake.
‘Are you helping me?’
“Not helping you. I’m just keeping an eye on you because I’m worried.”
The boat was a little old but well-maintained.There wasn’t a single broken part, and it could easily carry three or four people. Leopold climbed onto the boat first.
“Hold the hem of your skirt. It’s mud underneath. You don’t want to get your clothes dirty.”
