Episode 22
“Today’s finally the day!”
From early morning, Duke La Rose was very excited.
“The day my daughter becomes Empress!”
He even hummed a tune—something he never usually did—and had the best carriage in the mansion prepared.
Then, Layla slowly walked out, dressed more beautifully than ever.
“Oh, Layla. My beloved daughter.”
The Duke opened his arms to hug her in excitement.
Layla also smiled slightly and gently patted his back.
“I’ll be right behind you, so don’t worry. The Emperor will definitely choose you.”
Where did all that confidence come from?
Layla wondered but didn’t show her thoughts on her face.
“I’ve had good training for the past three years, so of course he will.”
“Yes! That’s my girl!”
He only started calling her his daughter recently—she was added to the family register just a week ago.
And when they were alone, he wouldn’t even let her call him “Father.”
She almost laughed in disbelief, but bit her lip to hold it back.
“You’ll be married soon anyway, so I’ve prepared what you need. I’ll follow later. See you at the Great Hall. Someone will guide you.”
“…Okay. Got it.”
Still in a great mood, Duke La Rose walked off to a different carriage behind hers.
It was ironic. He was so happy his daughter might become Empress, yet didn’t even ride in the same carriage.
Once he was out of sight, Layla let out a small smirk and climbed into the carriage slowly.
Just as she was about to close the door, she saw someone walking toward her.
“…Layla.”
It was none other than the Duchess of La Rose, her voice trembling.
She held a small jewelry box in her hands.
“It’s been a while.”
Her face was pale, and she fidgeted nervously with the box.
“I won’t ask for forgiveness. I just…”
Her voice was thin and shaky, as if it could break at any moment.
“There were some misunderstandings. But even so, I can’t justify what I did. I can’t turn back time.”
Layla blinked slowly.
“So I want to do what I can now…”
“No.”
Layla reached out and took the box from her hands.
“Just keep apologizing.”
“What…?”
“Say you’re sorry hundreds or even thousands of times. Beg me to forgive you. Then maybe…”
Her sentence faded, but her voice soon became firm again.
“…maybe one day I’ll be able to forgive you.”
“Layla.”
“Well, I’m busy with today’s schedule.”
Without hesitation, Layla shut the carriage door.
The wheels started rolling toward the Imperial Palace.
She angrily threw the jewelry box on the floor.
The accessories inside scattered with a sharp sound.
Even on the floor, the jewels still sparkled—but Layla’s face twisted in pain.
The Duchess’s sorrowful expression kept flashing in her mind.
She felt so uncomfortable that she almost gagged.
But she didn’t care.
She would never give the Duchess another chance. That woman would never be forgiven.
Besides, today Layla was either going to die at Duke La Rose’s hands… or take her own life.
Feeling heavy inside, Layla turned to look out the window.
Ironically, it was her first time ever seeing the world outside the capital.
She had lived her whole life like a bird in a cage inside the Duke’s mansion.
She quietly observed the scenery passing by.
The capital’s roads were clean and smooth, unlike the bumpy roads in the countryside.
The city buildings were white and elegant, each with unique styles that made them interesting.
‘This might be my last time seeing this…’
Normally, she would have admired the view with excitement.
But today, it only made her feel sad.
Layla forced herself to smile faintly and stared out the window in silence.
When the carriage finally stopped in front of the Imperial Palace, she took out the veil Duke La Rose had prepared and placed it over her head.
She grabbed the bag she had packed and stepped out slowly.
She could feel everyone’s eyes on her.
Of course they would stare—a mysterious woman stepping out of a carriage with Duke La Rose’s family crest was bound to attract attention.
She wasn’t the only concubine candidate.
Since the Emperor wasn’t choosing an Empress, many noble families had brought their daughters in hopes of becoming royal consorts.
“You must be the lady?”
Someone spoke to her—most likely a palace maid who had been informed by the Duke in advance.
Layla only nodded slightly, since she had been told not to speak until her official introduction to the Emperor.
“Please give me your bag. This way.”
With a nervous heart, Layla followed the maid into the palace.
It was as grand and beautiful as a royal palace should be, and she couldn’t help but look around.
Part of her wanted to explore the lovely palace—but she didn’t have time.
Still silent, she tapped the maid on the shoulder.
When the maid looked at her, Layla pointed to a stain on her dress.
“Oh…”
The maid looked surprised and flustered.
“You have a spare dress, right?”
Layla nodded softly.
“I’ll take you to the dressing room.”
The maid pulled out a small gold pocket watch to check the time.
It looked far too fancy for a low-ranking maid.
Layla raised one eyebrow at her suspiciously but followed her into the room.
Once inside, she could finally speak.
“I’ll change by myself. I just need to go to the Great Hall, right?”
She waved her hand arrogantly, signaling for the maid to leave.
“Um… But…”
The maid looked unsure and hesitated.
“I said leave. You’re not even a proper maid—how dare a servant ignore an order from Lady La Rose.”
Layla glared at her as fiercely as she could.
“A-alright. I’ll wait outside…”
“I said I’ll go alone. I hate repeating myself.”
“Y-yes, ma’am…!”
At Layla’s cold tone, the maid quickly left the room.
As the door closed, Layla narrowed her eyes.
Inside her bag was the black dress she had packed earlier.
With a pale face, she slowly took it out.
If she entered the Great Hall wearing this black dress, the Emperor would never choose her as a royal consort.
And that would mean the “product” had no more use—and would be discarded.
“…Heh.”
She let out a quiet laugh, imagining the Duke’s shocked face.
“Pfft… Hahaha!”
It was the biggest laugh she had let out since leaving Elton.
Humming like the Duke had done, Layla happily changed into the black dress.
“The consort candidates are arriving.”
Jayden, looking out the window, turned to Easton and joked.
“You should come look. They’re all like peacocks trying to catch your eye.”
“I’m not choosing anyone.”
Easton didn’t even look up from his papers.
“Come on, at least—”
Suddenly, Jayden’s eyes widened as he looked out the window.
Then he squinted and looked between the window and Easton.
“What now? Did the queen of the peacocks show up?”
Easton laughed without interest.
“No, it’s just that…”
Jayden hesitated for a moment, unsure if he should say it.
Then he spoke.
“The carriage with the La Rose crest just arrived.”
“…What?”
Easton immediately stood up.
He had expected the noble faction to make a move—but Duke La Rose didn’t even have a daughter.
“No way…”
Easton rushed to the window with a tense face.
Just as Jayden said, someone was stepping out of a carriage marked with Duke La Rose’s crest.
