The Maid and The Usurper - Chapter 51
“If I’m hurt, I’ll tell you, so don’t worry about me.”
“That’s just a lie. You’d never say a word even if you’re beaten half to death.”
He released her wrist, but everywhere their skin had touched still felt warm. Sweat dripped from Leopold’s forehead. The thought that he had run all the way from the castle to find her made her feel selfishly happy.
“It’s hot today, so you’ll sweat a lot if you run like this,”
Layla wiped the sweat from his brow using her sleeve. Leopold had grown so tall that it was hard to reach him even when she stretched out her hand. He was now a head taller than her. His once boyish frame had filled out with solid muscles that were visibly defined through the thin fabric of his shirt. His sharp blue eyes glimmered as he keenly examined Layla. As her hand was about to move away from wiping his sweat, Leopold pulled her wrist back.
“Just stay like this for a moment. Your hand feels cool, and it’s refreshing,”
He leaned his cheek into her hand. He liked that she cared for him. Layla still looked like a mermaid to him. She had grown a foot taller with a bit more flesh on her bones, but still as enchanting as ever with her silver hair and shimmering violet eyes. It felt like they were lovers.
“…Count, there are many eyes on us.”
It was time to wake up from his reverie. Layla’s soft voice was pleasant to hear, but he wanted to ignore the content. When she tried to pull her hand away again, he tugged on her wrist, causing her to stagger.
“So what? Everyone knows I care about you.”
Even the queen had noticed. It was his own lack of caution that had put Layla at risk, pulling her down into his complicated world. But there was nothing he could do. His feelings for her were overwhelming, unstoppable, and he had no way to contain them.
“Not everyone knows, Count. Don’t assume that they do.”
“You’re still as cold as ever. Just like when we first met.”
Leopold grinned playfully as he let go of her wrist. Every part of her that he touched felt like it was burning.
“What do you mean by cold? I’m just worried about you, Count.”
“Enough. I don’t need your worry.”
“First, you said you liked it when I worried about you, and now you don’t need it. You’re so fickle.”
“I’ve always been a little fickle.”
Leopold skillfully countered Layla’s unwavering remarks, something he had become more adept at over time. He was beginning to realize how much these small, everyday interactions would soon change.
“Layla, do you have time this evening?”
“This evening? I always have time.”
“Then come to the castle walls we visited before when the moon rises. I’ll be waiting.”
Leopold brushed his hand against Layla’s cheek. Layla wanted to lean into his touch as he had done earlier, but she held back.
* * *
The summer night was still slightly cool. As Layla rubbed her arms, Leopold took off his jacket and draped it over her shoulders. The stars poured down like a waterfall. In La Ellosa, where the lights were always bright, she had never seen stars like this. On clear summer nights, Leopold and Layla would climb up the castle walls and look up at the stars. His soft voice, naming each star, came to mind.
“Rhineland still has many stars.”
“Because it’s a place that doesn’t change.”
Layla looked up at Leopold at his meaningful words. In the flowing starlight, he appeared somewhat sharp.
“And so, I remained here, unchanged as well.”
He turned away with a determined look. The backlight cast a deep shadow over his face. Layla hesitated and stepped back.
“But now, instead of staying stagnant here, I’m going to move forward. To somewhere more expansive.”
It wasn’t an impulsive decision. It was a conclusion reached after countless hours of contemplation. Even if it seemed like a reckless youthful whim, he didn’t mind. He had thought it through more carefully than anyone could imagine.
“The Queen will use you to frame me as a heretic.”
