Chapter 73
“I was just so flustered back then,”
Leila stepped back as Sonnet approached her. But then Sonnet grabbed Leila’s hand and pulled her closer.
“We agreed not to have a mistress after marriage, Sonnet.”
Sonnet chuckled at Leila’s words.
There was something almost joyful in Sonnet’s expression.
Leila looked at him, confused.
“I’m actually a little happy.”
“…Why? Are you happy about this situation?”
“Yeah. I’m really glad because it seems like you’re jealous.”
Sonnet was genuinely smiling. Soon, he grinned and rested his head on Leila’s shoulder.
Leila wondered how he could be so shameless. But at the same time, maybe the two weren’t exactly the kind of relationship she had assumed.
Because otherwise, he wouldn’t be so confidently forward.
There had been no report from William yet. William was supposed to be watching from the address Hugo gave.
But no news had come in. All they had confirmed was that the address Hugo gave was indeed where that woman had stayed.
“Leila, actually… this is a little embarrassing for me. That’s why I did what I did. Will you forgive me?”
“What is it? You’re starting to scare me a little.”
At Leila’s reply, Sonnet pulled her toward the sofa and sat her down.
Opposite her sat Sonnet’s guest, a woman. Sonnet, as if it was natural, sat beside Leila.
“Can you let go of my hand?”
“No, I can’t.”
Sonnet laughed and refused Leila’s request.
Leila was beginning to wonder what kind of situation this was.
“I’d like some tea, Miss Leila.”
Leila nodded at the woman smiling at her. But just as the woman was about to get up, Sonnet tugged the leash.
At the door, Catherine answered promptly, and Sonnet peeked out.
“Bring out some tea. For three.”
“Yes, sir.”
Sonnet then sat naturally back beside Leila.
The woman spoke.
“Miss Leila, you are truly beautiful. I’ve never met anyone as pretty as you.”
“Oh, thank you. May I ask your name?”
“I’m Ceres.”
“I see, Miss Ceres.”
“Hohoho, I’m no lady like you.”
Hearing that, Leila thought that Ceres was definitely not noble.
Since she wore no jewelry, Leila assumed she was a commoner.
If she wasn’t a noblewoman yet hung around Sonnet so closely, then she was very likely his mistress. And they seemed very close.
Leila’s expression darkened, thinking her plan was being ruined by Sonnet. Even though Hugo was an idiot, it seemed this was the truth.
Knock knock
‘Tea is ready, Miss.’
“Come in.”
“No, I’ll get it.”
Sonnet went to the door, took the tray with tea, then closed the door firmly and came back to set it down.
Ceres arranged the tea set and poured the tea.
“Drink quickly. Then you can explain it to Leila.”
“Oh, yes.”
Ceres took a sip to wet her throat. Leila was a little surprised to hear Sonnet speak in such a commanding tone toward the woman who had been kind to her.
Sonnet looked at Ceres, then melted his stern expression as if nothing had happened and smiled at Leila.
“The truth is, I’m the daughter of Marquis Bruce.”
“Huh?”
“My mother was originally the marquis’ mistress…”
Ceres spoke hesitantly, and Sonnet urged her with a disinterested look to hurry up.
“I wasn’t recognized as his daughter.”
“What?”
“The marquis had quite a few mistresses. Even his current wife was one of them.”
“Oh… I see.”
“So I wasn’t acknowledged. And there are many others like me who aren’t recognized as children.”
Leila looked at Sonnet as if to ask if this was true. He gave a bitter smile.
“Those people…”
“Yes, my older brother secretly helps all of them. Even if my father ignores them, my brother feels responsible.”
Leila found herself looking at Sonnet in a new light.
“Is it true, Sonnet?”
“…Yeah. I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you the truth.”
“Why hide it? It’s not a bad thing.”
Leila asked in surprise. Sonnet blushed as he replied.
“It is bad. And I was afraid you’d leave me if you knew how shameful my family was.”
“…Sonnet.”
“I thought it was better than you mistakenly thinking I had a mistress.”
Sonnet lowered his gaze and couldn’t meet Leila’s eyes. But he still held her hand tightly.
“I’ve never been close to any woman like that. I’m really not like my father.”
“…Yeah, I know. I believe you, Sonnet.”
Leila unconsciously said that, and Sonnet looked at her with moist eyes, relieved.
“I’m sorry I didn’t explain sooner. I was so afraid you’d leave me.”
“Sonnet.”
“I won’t keep any secrets from you anymore. I won’t make things hard for you like this.”
“…Sonnet.”
“I swear. So please forgive me.”
Sonnet brought her hand to his cheek as he spoke, and Leila nodded.
“Then let’s meet often. The three of us.”
Leila wondered if Sonnet might be better than she thought.
“Can I call you ‘unnie’ (older sister)?”
“Yes, that’s fine, Miss Ceres.”
“Thank you, unnie. Our brother is really a good person.”
Ceres smiled at Leila. Leila felt vaguely uneasy because Ceres reminded her of Sieber.
“Please take care of us from now on.”
“Likewise.”
They shook hands.
Sonnet smiled happily as he watched them.
“I didn’t call you. How did you show up?”
Leila was reading a book to forget her worries before sleeping. Then she sensed Rainier’s presence beside her and said without lowering the book.
“William came with reports and news about Hugo Ronald.”
“William really can’t keep a secret. We agreed to keep it quiet.”
“He’s my subordinate.”
Leila sighed and put down her book. Then she was startled — Rainier was again shirtless from the waist up.
“Ah…! Uh…”
Leila tried to scream but Rainier covered her mouth.
“You were crying earlier, now you’re surprised.”
As Leila calmed down, Rainier slowly took his hand off her mouth.
“Are you really trying to help me get used to this?”
“You were crying while reading.”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“You must have been feeling sad for me to come here.”
Leila hadn’t cried. But from what he said, it seemed he appeared when she was depressed or in danger.
But he claimed he was human.
How could an ordinary human do that?
Of course, since Leila had experienced reincarnation, she didn’t think it impossible.
Rainier said he held grudges against Sonnet and Hugo. And that he had strange abilities like teleporting near her.
Maybe he had his reasons. But she didn’t want to get too involved.
She just wanted to use blood to fully recover her health. And take revenge on Sieber who ruined her previous life.
However, because of today’s events, she was wavering on whether to use Sonnet.
“Give it here.”
“Are you getting used to it?”
Leila deliberately avoided looking at his broad chest, only at his eyes.
But maybe he knew she was embarrassed because her cheeks reddened, as he smiled slyly and fluttered the paper he was holding.
“Is it gross?”
“No.”
Leila answered immediately without thinking. She felt embarrassed afterward but tried to act normal as she looked at Rainier.
“Let’s report like this from now on.”
“I don’t think I’ll be able to concentrate.”
“If you see me every day, you’ll get used to it.”
“I’ve never seen a body like Rain’s before. How could I get used to it so easily?”
“Then don’t just look, touch it too. You’ll get used to it faster.”
Leila knew his reasoning was nonsense but couldn’t argue. Her mind went blank.
“R-Really?”
“Yes. I say this as a doctor.”
She used to think he was a quack, but now she didn’t. He was actually healing her body.
He took her hand and placed it on his left chest, pressing gently.
Leila’s face flushed deeply. She felt his heartbeat through her palm, and it was so loud she thought she could hear her own heart in her ears.
“Rain, last time you said you were a modest person.”
Leila couldn’t pull away her hand and said this. He chuckled.
“I thought I was relaxed then.”
“What do you mean relaxed?”
“Well…”
He slowly moved her hand down to his belly.
Leila unconsciously gasped.
“A r-report…”
“Yes, let’s report.”
Rainier, smiling brightly, handed her the paper. It contained astonishing information.
