The Maid and The Usurper - Chapter 55
“The dead girl was the last heir of Orléans.”
The hairs on her body stood on end.
“Maybe, just maybe, we can turn the House of Orléans in our favor.”’
It was like an unspeakable sin against the deceased. However, if she could leave her to rot in the cold earth as an unidentified corpse, if she could assume her identity, if she could draw Orléans into their fold, then there would be no need for a risky escape.
“I need to meet with the Count first. We need to confirm if this really belongs to the Orléans family.”
Layla shoved the documents and the signet ring back into the bag. For now, she had to move quickly. There was a long way to go. She had to cross the mountains before dawn.
“Wait for me at the gamekeeper’s cabin. I’ll come to get you soon.”
It was the place where he had confessed his heart last winter. Layla tightened her hair tie. It didn’t take long to slip out of the castle. She slowly followed the path Leopold had shown her. The night, devoid of the moon, was dark as black paint unleashed. Layla relied on the faint starlight to navigate the mountain path, climbing up the steep trail.
The night’s light was bright enough that finding the way wasn’t difficult. As she quietly made her way up the mountain without leaving any tracks, she suddenly heard a noise. Layla held her breath and flattened herself under the bushes. From the distant murmurs, it seemed there were about three people. She quickly covered her mouth with her hand to stifle her breathing.
“I heard footsteps earlier…”
It was the voice of an unknown man. Knowing that hunters often roamed nearby, they would likely pass by if they realized she wasn’t a beast.
“Judging from the broken branches of the bushes, I think it’s a person, Max.”
Another voice chimed in.
“A person?”
“Yeah, judging by the height, I’d say it’s a girl.”
They were speculating among themselves. Layla carefully pushed herself to her feet. She needed to get away. Instinctively, she knew they were not hunters. Layla slowly backed away, trying not to make a sound.
“Ah!”
“Here she is! Got her!”
A strong hand twisted Layla’s arm behind her back. A man with a long scar across his mouth shouted.
“Max! Andre!”
They turned and ran toward Layla’s direction. They were well-built, muscular men. One of them had a sharply honed sword glinting at his waist. Layla froze in place. The faint moonlight illuminated the engraved pattern on the scabbard.
“She’s pretty. Her eyes are violet.”
“Looks like she’s a maid. But why would a maid come all the way up here?”
“Wait a minute. Didn’t you say there was a maid planted in the Count’s household?”
Layla felt her breath catch in her throat. There was no way she couldn’t recognize the engraving on the scabbard. It was definitely the emblem of the knight who had accompanied the Viscountess when she visited La Ellosa. There was no need for convoluted thinking. They were Baden’s knights.
“Black hair and violet eyes… I think that’s her.”
Layla started to hiccup involuntarily.Her head was beginning to spin from its dazed stupor. The Queen must have decided it was better to kill her than bother with a trial. Layla felt her whole body stiffen.
“P-please, spare me!”
Layla cried out desperately. As she struggled, the knight accidentally loosened his grip on her arm. Layla fell flat on the ground. There weren’t many ways to survive now. She had to choose from the few options available.
“I-I haven’t done anything wrong. I’ve only been doing what Her Majesty ordered me to do.”
With a sob, tears fell from her eyes. The act of crying was an abomination, but it was absolutely necessary at that moment. The Baden knights stared in bewilderment. Layla’s shoulders heaved and she began to sob violently.
“I-I really haven’t done anything wrong. I just wanted to live a normal life.”
The knight, who was not completely heartless, clumsily patted Layla’s shoulder.
“Don’t cry. Take your time and tell us.”
“I-I was just diligently watching the Count as the Queen commanded.”
Layla wiped her cheeks with her hands to hide the few drops of tears that had fallen. With reddened eyes, she slowly began to weave her lies.
“Recently, the Count has been moving secretly and gathering things without anyone knowing why, so I found it strange.”
