Chapter 12
“What do you mean by that?”
When Sonnet asked with a cold expression, Rainier twisted his lips and spoke again.
“I said the young lady needs to stay with me to stay healthy.”
“Layla, what is he talking about?”
“He’s a doctor. And Rain is very competent.”
Layla said that because she didn’t know how else to respond. He had helped her several times before. So, she couldn’t just brush it off like the others and say, ‘What nonsense.’
“So, you shouldn’t be touching other people’s hands carelessly.”
“How did you know?”
“I could hear it.”
“Oh.”
At his words, Layla remembered how she had compared hand sizes with Sonnet earlier.
“But why?”
“Do you know how many germs are on your hands? If you catch even a cold, you’ll be bedridden for days, yet you treat the germs on other people’s hands so lightly.”
Suddenly, she was reminded once again of what kind of personality he had in the original story.
‘Do you know why I’m keeping you alive?’
He deliberately didn’t kill the Empress, who had tried to kill his mother and then him.
‘Because I want you to see with your own eyes when your child and every single one of your family members dies.’
‘Just kill me! Kill me already!’
‘That would be too easy. Not until every last one of those bearing the Pendleton name has disappeared from this empire.’
True to that declaration, Rainier made sure the Empress couldn’t die until the Pendleton Ducal family—her family—was completely wiped out. After eliminating all his political enemies, he then drove her to take her own life.
What was even more cruel was that he handed her poison under the pretense of mercy—but it was fake. The Empress was executed the next day, and until the very moment of her execution, she was not in her right mind.
“You need to answer, young lady.”
“Ah… Yes, Rain, you’re absolutely right.”
Anyway, she thought this was actually for the best. If he wanted something from her, she could just give it. After all, she needed his blood.
If they could make a deal, she would make a deal. Until then, she intended to play along.
“How dare a commoner give advice to a noble.”
Siver hated commoners. As Layla expected, it was because she herself was of common birth.
Sonnet didn’t look pleased either, but since he agreed that Rainier was right, he didn’t add anything.
“It’s advice for your health, that’s all.”
Even so, every time their eyes met Rainier’s, they felt a strange chill run through their bodies—as if they were staring at a predator baring its fangs.
Siver, perhaps annoyed that Sonnet wasn’t backing her up, scooted closer to him. Sonnet, noticing Layla’s expression, then inched a little away.
“Big sister, where did you go today?”
Layla broke the silence on purpose. She was relieved that Siver seemed interested in Sonnet. But if things stayed this quiet, all her efforts to bring them closer would be for nothing.
“Oh, I went to look at some jewelry earlier.”
“Oh my, why?”
“Hugo said he’d buy me something as a birthday gift.”
Layla found it a bit amusing that Hugo, despite the fate of the Idon Trading Company hanging by a thread, was still running after Siver.
Although he acted as if everything was fine, this matter was a huge loss for him. In her previous life, he had barely managed to keep his title as a count because of her dowry. Of course, this time, she had no intention of letting that happen.
“Sister, but did you really break up with Hugo?”
“Yes.”
“Why? Is it because of me?”
“…Why would you ask that?”
Because Hugo said so.
Layla swallowed her words and lowered her eyes in silence, looking upset. Siver forced a smile and said,
“It’s not because of you. I was planning to break up with Hugo anyway.”
“Why?”
“Hugo was your lover. How could I possibly marry him? I only stayed with him for a while because… well, you gave us your blessing, and I felt bad.”
Layla bit the inside of her cheek at Siver’s shamelessness, then forced a smile as if she were about to cry.
“No. Don’t worry about me. Honestly, I just want you to be happy with Hugo.”
When Sonnet tried to take out a handkerchief from his inner pocket, Rainier stopped him coldly with his hand.
“No, Layla. You’re more important to me than Hugo ever was.”
At Siver’s words, Layla pretended to be moved and wiped her tears with her hand. Then, ignoring Rainier’s gesture, she accepted Sonnet’s handkerchief and smiled.
“Still, I don’t think it’s right to receive gifts from an ex-lover.”
The one who said that was Rainier.
Layla was startled by Rainier’s action, as he just crushed the stepping stone she had laid to push Siver back toward Hugo.
“If it were me, I wouldn’t want even a blade of grass from an ex-lover.”
He wasn’t wrong.
Layla thought the same. But she also knew Rainier had never had any lover—not even a close relationship with any woman.
That was because of the Empress who tried to kill him. He didn’t want to create any weaknesses. If he ever had a lover, that would become a weakness.
So, he had always been extremely cautious about that.
“That depends on the person, Rain. If the relationship was deep, it might not be that easy.”
At her words, Rainier smiled faintly.
“I misspoke.”
“It’s okay, Rain.”
Seeing Siver’s displeased face, Layla quickly responded first. Because of that, Siver didn’t lash out even though she looked angry.
“Sonnet.”
“Oh, yes. Layla.”
Layla decided it was time to leave with Sonnet. That way, Siver would cling to him even more later.
“Do you want to see the greenhouse I’ve been tending?”
“You have a greenhouse?”
“Yes, my sister helped me a lot with it.”
Sneaking in some praise for her sister, Layla stood up naturally and reached out her hand to Sonnet. But when she saw Rainier’s cold red eyes staring at her, she quickly withdrew it.
“Sister, thanks for keeping Sonnet company.”
“It’s nothing. Ask me again anytime.”
“Thanks. And thank you too, Rain. See you later at the check-up.”
“Yes.”
Feeling relieved that Sonnet was following her, Layla left the room.
Once they arrived at the greenhouse, Layla felt comforted as she looked at the blooming hydrangeas.
Neither of them spoke during the walk. The only difference from usual was that Sonnet offered his arm like a cane and matched her slow pace.
“There are so many hydrangeas.”
“Yes. Aren’t they pretty?”
“Can I pick one?”
“Sure.”
When Layla let go of his arm for a moment, Sonnet plucked a hydrangea. Then, he tucked it behind her ear with a smile.
“Beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
She picked a white hydrangea in return and tucked it behind his ear.
“You’re very pretty too, Sonnet.”
At her words, his eyes widened, and he took a step back, startled. Then he cleared his throat and moved closer again.
“Do you know why I want to be engaged to you?”
“No.”
“Are you curious?”
“Yes.”
Layla didn’t particularly care what he thought of her. But she needed to know his true motive if she wanted to use him and Hugo for revenge on Siver. That’s why she pretended to be interested.
And now, Rainier had shown up as well.
She considered herself lucky. This time, she was determined not to be an easy prey like before.
“The truth is…”
He hesitated, gauging her reaction.
Layla wondered if he was a genius actor because right now, he looked like a man hopelessly in love.
But she remembered his conversation with Hugo word for word.
‘Why are you so obsessed with Layla? She’s really easy, you know. Just be a little nice to her, and she’ll marry you.’
‘Thanks for earlier at the banquet, Hugo.’
‘If you’re thankful, then help out with the Idon Trading Company. All you need to do is help with your engagement and maybe lend me some money.’
‘Of course.’
Treating her like a commodity was one thing. There was no way his reason for marrying a sickly woman who could die any day was pure.
‘He wants to marry you because you’re going to die soon.’
Layla didn’t believe Hugo, but the words sounded plausible.
Still, Hugo would say anything to get her back just to reclaim Siver. So, while convincing, she didn’t take it as truth—just as a reference point.
“I first saw you at your debutante ball.”
“You mentioned that before.”
Layla paused and looked at him intently. Sunlight filtered through the glass of the greenhouse, illuminating the inside. The warm rays seemed to suit his golden hair perfectly.
Sonnet parted his lips as if to say something, then closed them again.
He repeated that for several minutes, and Layla began to feel tired.
Pretending to be interested in something she wasn’t was exhausting. Plus, summer was approaching, and for someone as frail as her, heat was just as threatening as cold.
“It was from that moment.”
She blinked blankly, then met his golden eyes straight on. His face was flushed as he finally let the words spill out.
“I’ve liked you since then, Layla.”
She momentarily forgot he was acting and stared at him in surprise, her lips slightly parted.
“That’s why I want to marry you.”
Okay, so just because she’s pretty then