The Maid and The Usurper - Chapter 65
“Princess of Orléans.”
She turned at the sound of her name being called. It was one of the many idiots she’d encountered countless times. With a polished smile, he bowed slightly, his next words all too easy to predict.
“You look absolutely stunning in your light green.”
Compliments, even the most flattering ones, become tiresome after a while. There was only so much polite praise she could endure before it became stifling. She smiled slightly, her lips curving just enough as she cut him off.
“That’s flattering, but could you get to the point now?”
There were many who approached Orléans with interests. If they were from the north, they would surely bring up the topic of the port.
“If you’re talking about the port…”
“I’m more interested in you than the port, m’lady.”
Despite his boastful declaration, tension was evident in his shoulders.
“If you have no prior engagements, how about accompanying me?”
“It seems you already have a prior engagement, my lady.”
A familiar, low, resonant voice came from behind. Before she could react, her wrist was grabbed and her body spun around. She staggered from the force of the tug. Leopold reached out and supported her waist.
There was an overwhelming sense of intimidation in his relaxed smile. She slightly whimpered at the strength of his grip on her wrist. Leopold loosened his grip slightly and bent down to kiss the back of her hand. His blue eyes looked up at her leisurely as he slowly spoke.
“You have a prior engagement with me.”
“What rudeness is this, Lord Valois?”
The pale-faced young man shouted. He was a petty and infuriating man to deal with.
“I’m afraid I’m not well-versed in the finer points of etiquette among nobility, Lord Darc. You see, I’ve spent most of my life as a mercenary.”
He gripped Layla’s slender wrist more firmly.
“But there’s one thing I do know—when something catches my eye, I take it. Be it wealth or women.”
Whether noble or mercenary, there was no difference. If they wanted something, they would greedily grasp it. The only distinction was whether or not they masked their desires with pretenses of refinement.
“Rather than letting it be taken by some foolish brat, isn’t it better to grab it first?”
“How vulgar. I knew mercenaries were lowly, but this is something else.”
Though he spoke boldly, Lord Darc couldn’t easily overcome the oppressive atmosphere emanating from Lord Valois. Leopold carried himself like someone born to rule from the very beginning. Just a single glance from him froze the young nobleman in place.
“Even if I’m vulgar and lowly, isn’t there already something in my grasp?”
His blue eyes fixed directly on Layla.
“Isn’t that right, Princess Orléans?”
One corner of Leopold’s mouth lifted slightly.
“You have a prior engagement with me.”
His mouth went dry. Even though he held her wrist and he knew her choice would naturally be him, a flicker of anxiety nevertheless passed through Leopold. He tugged at her wrist, urging her to respond.
“Yes.”
The brief reply brought an inexplicable sense of relief. Leaving behind the foolish-looking young man with a vacant expression, he led Layla away. He wrapped his arm around her waist and began to move slowly to the rhythm of a waltz. It felt as if all eyes were focused on them.
“Count.”
It was a small voice, barely audible. Leopold leaned even closer to Layla.
“Lord Valois. What if others hear you?”
“Lord Valois, perhaps you can explain this situation to me?”
“I told you I would pursue you.”
“I know that. But is this really pursuing? Do you truly think so?”
He moved even closer. The strength in his arm around her waist increased. His feral eyes pierced over Layla’s shoulder.
“I think this should suffice.”
Layla surreptitiously glanced behind her. The atmosphere was indeed stirring. While she didn’t enjoy being the subject of gossip, for now, it served a purpose. She twirled in his arms, her body spinning gracefully before returning to his embrace.
“You’ve improved. You weren’t this skilled before.”
“It’s natural to improve with the passage of time.”
But despite her words, some things hadn’t changed. There were still traces of the past. Her balance faltered slightly when she stepped forward with her left foot, and her right hand gripped a little too tightly. Small remnants of her former self remained.
“I was expecting a little more, though. Perhaps the noble Princess of Orléans could’ve given me a sharper retort.”
“What bad taste.”
She couldn’t help but laugh at his mocking tone.
“Spring flowers have become summer flowers, yet some things remain unchanged.”
“Summer flowers?”
