Episode 21
A few days passed.
Even after deciding to rebel, Layla continued to act obedient.
But this time, she kept her ears open. She stayed up late reading noble newspapers, secretly looking for rumors and information about high society.
After checking today’s paper, Layla folded it and threw it onto her desk.
All the debutante balls for the young noble ladies who came of age this year were finally over.
According to Duke La Rose’s plan, she would soon be sent to the Imperial Palace.
‘They say the Emperor refuses to marry.’
Normally, the Empress is chosen before any concubines. But this Emperor had no interest in women and even declared he might never marry.
So even if Duke La Rose’s ultimate goal was to make her Empress, he probably planned to first push her into the palace as a concubine.
Layla glanced at today’s schedule.
Today, Countess Ohara—the best boutique owner in the capital—was coming.
It made sense to get a new dress if she was going to the palace.
As a clever idea popped into her mind, Layla’s lips curved into a soft smile.
After three years of hard work, she looked like the perfect noble lady. She raised her teacup gracefully and looked out the window.
Her eyes landed on Duke La Rose, who was greeting Countess Ohara.
She was only living because she couldn’t die.
If life was going to be painful no matter what, then she might as well break one of that man’s dreams before she left.
Layla slowly walked out of her room.
When she came downstairs near the drawing room, she saw Duke La Rose and Countess Ohara chatting as they walked.
“You’re so lucky, my lady. You have such a kind father,” said Countess Ohara.
“Haha, not at all. I just want my child to be happy,” the Duke replied.
“And to be sent straight to the palace without even having a debutante ball… You must have raised her very preciously.”
She laughed behind her fan.
Just then, she spotted Layla walking toward them from a distance.
“Oh my.”
Her fan lowered as her eyes widened in surprise.
“It’s Lady La Rose!”
Layla was like a jewel.
Her beauty was stunning, and she carried herself with perfect grace—truly the daughter of Duke La Rose.
But what made her more fascinating was that, despite clearly being from the capital, she still had a pure and untouched air, as if untouched by high society.
Countess Ohara blinked rapidly and rushed toward Layla.
“I feel so inspired!”
“Make sure to create a dress that will make her stand out the most when the concubine candidates are introduced—no matter the cost.”
“Of course! Let’s go inside, shall we?”
It had been a long time since the Countess felt this excited.
She eagerly pulled Layla along.
Layla followed quietly, with a soft and shy smile on her face.
The Duke closed the door behind them with a satisfied look.
As soon as the door shut, Layla calmly spoke.
Her open display of interest was good news for Layla.
“Countess Ohara.”
“Yes, Lady La Rose?”
The Countess was busy taking out catalogs she had brought.
Layla looked at her back and spoke again.
“I have a special request.”
“What is it?”
“Apart from the dresses I’ll take to the palace… I’d like a black dress made.”
“A black dress?”
The Countess tilted her head in confusion.
“You might not know, but it’s almost the anniversary of my brother’s death.”
Her eyelashes trembled slightly as she looked down.
“Now that I’ve come of age, I’d like to honor him properly…”
Tears began to well in her eyes like dew on grass.
“I… I’m sorry…”
She began to quietly sob, unable to hold in her sadness.
Startled, Countess Ohara quickly pulled out a handkerchief.
“I understand, Lady La Rose. I also lost my younger brother in an accident a few years ago…”
Her face darkened as she remembered her own loss.
“Thank you for understanding. Would you mind keeping this a secret from my father? He wants me to move on quickly…”
“Of course! Grief doesn’t go away overnight… Don’t worry, I won’t tell a soul.”
“Thank you, Countess.”
Layla wiped her tears and forced a small smile.
She had already learned from the newspapers that Countess Ohara had lost a brother too.
This was the perfect first step in her plan to go against Duke La Rose.
“Now, let’s stop thinking sad thoughts and look at some beautiful dresses.”
“Yes…”
People with the same kind of pain often grow closer faster.
Layla had just used someone for the first time—and even though it worked, she couldn’t help but feel slightly uneasy inside.
“Is it really necessary to take an Empress?”
“…What?”
Easton, who had his nose buried in papers, quickly looked up.
“You know exactly why I decided not to,” he said.
“You mean that honey-colored lady.”
“…Shut it.”
Please.
His tightly clenched brow twitched. He was already miserable, unable to forget her no matter how hard he tried—and Jayden kept bringing her up at every chance.
“But if the Empress’s seat stays empty, Duke La Rose will keep making moves.”
“Good thing he doesn’t have a daughter.”
Easton shook his head, brushing back his golden hair.
“But he’ll probably try to present someone from a high-ranking noble family. I heard Lady Tia, the daughter of Marquis Tinas, also had her debut this year. Maybe she’s his pick?”
“Oh, the redhead.”
“So you have been paying attention?”
“Hmph.”
Easton’s expression slowly hardened at the teasing remark.
He let out a silent sigh.
Layla had likely celebrated her coming-of-age in that peaceful village of Elton.
She would’ve decorated a table with food from the villagers, placed a homemade cake topped with fruit, and filled the room with fragrant flowers.
The image made Easton chuckle without thinking.
Though their time together had been short, those memories were some of the happiest and most vivid moments of his life.
“Still, I’m not getting married.”
“I meant you should choose someone from the Emperor’s faction.”
“The Emperor’s faction?”
“There’s Lady Tetis de Montana from the Montana Marquis family.”
“Oh, you want me to use her…”
Easton smirked slightly and narrowed his eyes.
“You’re saying I should strengthen my power base?”
Actually, Easton hadn’t been doing nothing.
He had quietly gathered support from the Imperial faction, including magic towers suppressed by Duke La Rose and several of his enemies. He’d also strengthened the royal knights under his command, and now each of them could use sword aura.
But his side still lacked unity.
He needed something—or someone—to bring the nobles under his banner together.
“Yes.”
“So you’re telling me to do the same thing as Duke La Rose?”
Still, marrying someone he didn’t love and helping her family gain power felt like a betrayal to that woman.
He didn’t want to use someone’s life for his own gain.
That kind of thing was what Duke La Rose would do.
“Your Majesty.”
But even so, it was true that Duke La Rose’s secret crimes were getting worse.
“With all due respect, doing that wouldn’t make you like him.”
Easton slowly turned to look at Jayden after his bold words.
“They would actually want that. They want you to use them, Your Majesty.”
Jayden was right.
Easton knew he was right.
Even so… it still left him with a heavy heart.
