The Maid and The Usurper - Chapter 61
Romantic love existed only in Leopold’s delusions. No, he knew better than anyone that Layla and he didn’t share the same feelings.
Layla had never once whispered words of love to him.
Yes, he had been denying what was obvious to everyone. It wasn’t just pride, it was just… he simply hadn’t wanted to face the brutal reality. It was pathetic that it all came to its end in the very place he had given his heart away.
It was Leopold who had chased after Layla, intoxicated by fantasy, while she merely regarded him with indifference. Perhaps it was pity on her part. Was he so miserable that even a maid from La Ellosa would feel sorry for him? The veins in his hand bulged.
“She’s probably just late…”
Even though his mind reached a cold conclusion, he still held onto hope. He wanted to believe that all of this was a lie, that Layla hadn’t betrayed him to survive. He wanted to think that he had simply misunderstood her. She was just a little delayed. That was all and it was right. Things aren’t always what they seem.
The money he had hidden in the cabin was all gone. His clothes were missing. Layla had revealed everything to that knight. In truth… it was all just Leopold’s misunderstanding. Yes, it was his misunderstanding.
Leopold buried his face in his hands. He felt so miserable for still hoping it was an illusion. He knew better than anyone. Layla had chosen to survive. It could be called betrayal, or it could simply be seen as a rational choice.
Leopold waited a long time for Layla.
As dawn approached and the rain began to ease, Layla still did not appear.
* * *
“My dear, are you awake?”
The bustling voice of a middle-aged woman reached Layla. She felt as if her whole body had been crushed under a rock. When she opened her eyes, she saw the whitewashed ceiling of a cabin. Startled to find herself in an unfamiliar place, she immediately sat up.
“Move carefully. I was so worried when I found you collapsed in the woods.”
Hannah handed Layla a glass of water. Layla hesitantly took a sip. After briefly assessing her condition, Hannah brought over a bowl of thin soup and placed it on Layla’s lap.
“You must be hungry. You’d been sick from the rain and were out for a whole day. If my husband hadn’t seen you while he was out cutting wood, it could have been a disaster.”
“Thank you.”
Layla bowed her head. She didn’t consider herself that weak, but facing such a situation made her realize otherwise. She still struggled to swallow the thin soup with her sore throat.
“I want to repay you…”
“Nonsense. How could I take money from someone who’s sick? You’re better now, so forget it.”
Hannah waved her hand dismissively. She clicked her tongue and sat down on a chair.
“With all the dreadful news going around lately, it’s a relief to see a little lady like you recovering.”
“What dreadful news?”
“Did you know that there’s a poor bastard prince living around here?”
Layla felt her entire body freeze. She forced herself to nod calmly and focused her gaze on the soup bowl. She was anxious about what news might come next.
“They say he’s dead.”
“He died?”
Layla’s voice suddenly rose. The unexpected outburst triggered a fit of coughing. Hannah hurriedly handed her the glass of water.
“Drink slowly. Why are you so surprised?”
“Thank you.”
“I don’t know why, but they say he fell off a cliff and died.”
Layla held her breath. Her hands trembled. If that were true, it couldn’t be Leopold.
“They said his face was so badly damaged that he was unrecognizable, but luckily they identified him by the money and clothes he had. It’s so pitiful. Those Baden bastards…”
It wasn’t Leopold; it was Bern, who had died at her hands. Even if they realized it was a lie, they would still conclude that Bern was Leopold. That would be for the best. Hannah, perhaps thinking Layla’s complexion had improved, brought her belongings and placed them on her lap.
“It’s a good thing these didn’t get wet in the rain. Check to see if you’ve lost anything.”
After swallowing the soup, Layla slowly examined her belongings. Everything was intact. The Orléans family seal dangled from her fingertips.
“In three days, my husband will be transporting some goods by carriage. If you’re headed in the same direction, why don’t you join him?”
Hannah asked calmly.
“In three days?”
Leopold was likely already on his way to Orléans, having left Rhineland behind. It was too late for Layla to stay at the cabin. She needed to catch up quickly.
“I’ll be heading towards Orléans. Is that along your way?”
Layla’s face lit up with excitement. If they were going to Orléans, it was more than possible she’d meet Leopold along the way.
“That’s a relief, but how far are you going? We’re going to the mainland. If you’re going to the port, we’ll have to part midway.”
“Then I…”
The sensation of the Orléans family seal at her fingertips was vivid. She could become a princess of Orléans. Like the beautiful ladies who visited Rhineland, she could transform into a swan. She could be Hortensia of Orléans, not Layla of La Ellosa.
If that happened, she could have Leopold all to herself.
Whether he was a bastard prince or a mercenary, his essence remained unchanged. But if, just if, he found his place again, what would become of her? The daughter of a mere prostitute, her origins unknown. She would always be defined by her lowly birth, no matter how long she endured. She would remain in his shadow, never able to claim even a letter of his name, fading away as nothing more than his mistress.
