IDNT 21

Chapter 21 

“I still want to marry Layla.”

At Hugo’s final words, Layla almost clutched the back of her neck.

But Hugo himself didn’t know why he’d said that.

He wanted to use Sybelle’s money. But the thought of actually marrying Sybelle? That wasn’t it either.

He couldn’t understand his own indecisive feelings. Even so, if he had to get married, he’d rather do it with Layla than with Sybelle.

For some reason, from the moment Layla rejected him, Sybelle’s hand-holding and smiling didn’t seem so pretty anymore.

And Hugo knew it too. He’d be happier marrying Layla than Sybelle. That’s why he thought he had chosen Layla.

Not long ago, he’d been intoxicated by the burning love he shared with Sybelle. But when it came to actually thinking about marriage, it was clear he’d be happiest living with Layla.

She was someone who would believe in him even if he was in the middle of a fire. Even if he became pitiful, she would cherish and love him.

Even if his circumstances changed for the worse, she was someone who would still be grateful just to have him by her side.

And if he married Layla, she’d probably look the other way even if he met Sybelle in secret.

Just as she had always done.

“If you’re going to marry Layla, you’ll have to use her dowry. Isn’t that right, dear?” the countess added quickly.

But the count said nothing. He just continued watching, eyes fixed on Layla.

Layla knew her father was looking at her.

“I don’t want to marry Hugo.”

“But, Layla, didn’t you say earlier—when it was just the two of us—that you wanted to try again with Hugo?”

“What? Me?”

Layla looked at the count with a face full of grievance. The very thought of marrying Hugo filled her with such horror that her eyes began to well up with tears.

Strangely, the count thought she looked more like her late mother today than ever before.

“I want to be with Sonet… Um… Sonet, that is…”

Layla trailed off and bowed her head. Sonet, realizing what she was trying to say, turned his head and covered his mouth. But his face and ears had turned completely red.

The count let out a sigh and sat quietly. Noticing his displeasure, everyone else in the room fell silent—including Sybelle.

“I heard Viscount Bruce brought a formal proposal, Madam.”

“Ah… Yes. But when I thought Layla had changed her mind, I was going to pair her with Hugo instead. And I felt bad for the Viscount, so I hoped he and Sybelle could stay friends.”

Normally, the count would have listened to the countess. But the necklace Layla wore today was the one he had given her mother when he proposed.

He had married Layla’s mother because he coveted the title of Count. But after Layla was born, there had been a period of genuine happiness.

For a moment, he was lost in nostalgia before continuing.

“Layla, I want to know what you think.”

Layla was surprised that her father asked for her opinion, but she was soon moved and spoke in a trembling voice.

“I don’t want to marry Hugo. He belongs to my sister.”

“…Then, do you want to be engaged to Viscount Bruce?”

“Um… That is…”

In truth, Layla didn’t want to be engaged to him.

Birds of a feather. No matter how kind Sonet Bruce acted in front of her, she couldn’t forget he was Hugo’s friend. Marrying him would be dangerous.

Maybe he really was trying to marry her just to gain a mistress.

If that were the case, she could just get engaged and hand him off to her sister later.

But first, she’d have to ruin Hugo completely and exile him to the countryside.

Layla nodded shyly, her plan forming. And she felt relieved when she saw the count sigh.

“Then, as we discussed before, Layla will date Viscount Bruce.”

“But dear…!”

“Madam, this is my decision.”

The countess quickly backed down. She knew better than to push him when he took that tone.

“…Yes.”

“And since Ronald and Sybelle had been together for a while, even if their relationship has ended, it would be good for Sybelle to assist him.”

“…Yes.”

The current countess had gained the count’s favor by always appearing obedient.

Originally, the count title belonged to Layla’s mother. Many men had hovered around her, seeking the title. The current count was just one of them—he had only pretended not to be.

There was no way Layla’s mother, who originally held the title, was weaker than the current count.

It was that show of obedience that made the count fall for his former maid, now countess.

So even though she had more to say, she closed her mouth.

“But Father…!”

“Sybelle, be quiet.”

At the count’s firm tone, Sybelle shut her mouth.

“Let’s eat, then. I hear they’re serving trout raised by our merchant guild today.”

“Oh, is that so?”

“You like trout, don’t you, dear?”

The count smiled at the countess, acting as if nothing had happened.

“How thoughtful, dear.”

She smiled and placed her hand atop his, pretending to have forgotten everything.

Thus ended a dinner that had felt more like a battlefield.

* * *

“I’ll come by tomorrow.”

“Okay.”

At the door, Sonet kept avoiding Layla’s gaze. Layla thought he looked a little more human today—perhaps he actually had a conscience.

“I’ll come at noon.”

“Okay.”

“I promise I’ll be there on time.”

“Okay.”

Layla’s jaw ached from forcing herself to smile.

It seemed like he was going to propose—something he hadn’t managed to do yesterday.

Layla reminded herself that she couldn’t stop the engagement anyway and forced a smile.

“I’ll be looking forward to it.”

“Okay.”

She was tired of this pointless conversation dragging on at the door when he said he was leaving.

She was feeling better physically, but she still wasn’t used to standing for long. Her thighs were sore. And riding a horse recently had only made things worse.

“Layla.”

“Yeah?”

“Can I kiss you?”

“No. You can’t.”

“…Okay. Then after we’re engaged.”

“Sure.”

When she rejected him immediately, he lowered his head in embarrassment.

“Bye, then.”

“Okay.”

Even though he said he was leaving, Sonet just stood there. Tired of waiting, Layla finally turned her body first.

The next day, Layla thought she should at least pretend to go along with things. Otherwise, the countess would try again to push her toward Hugo.

If she had to choose, she’d rather marry Sonet than Hugo.

At least Sonet pretended to be nice. Hugo couldn’t even do that.

“Today, we’ll go all out.”

“Okay.”

Layla had never been treated this nicely in the count’s estate.

It was likely because of the count’s recent orders. Catherine and the two maids were fired up. They picked out an extravagant dress and laid out an array of colorful cosmetics for her makeup.

Layla sighed quietly, then forced a smile to hide it.

Once they were done and she looked in the mirror…

“Catherine, you’re a genius. How can you be so good at makeup?”

“It’s because you’re so beautiful, my lady.”

Catherine smiled—not a forced smile, but a genuine one.

Even though she had told the countess everything, she figured if Layla married into House Bruce, the unease she felt would finally go away.

Layla was about the same age as her deceased daughter. Her sky-blue eyes reminded Catherine of her. Even her poor health was similar.

“Where’s Sonet?”

“He’s waiting in the parlor.”

“Alright.”

Layla left her room. As she walked down the hallway, voices echoed loudly from Sybelle’s room.

‘We’re over! Why should I help you?’

‘Your father asked me to lend you your dowry. Why are you saying no now?’

‘It’s my dowry! And what if you can’t pay it back?’

‘I’m Hugo Ronald! You think I can’t pay back that measly amount?’

It’d be nice if another shipwreck happened.

Layla thought to herself as she trudged downstairs, her steps heavy.

‘I’ll repay you tenfold, so don’t regret this!’

‘Ugh… Hey!’

‘Hold still.’

‘You…!’

Layla didn’t want to hear any more.

The strange silences and resumed talking hinted that, even though they were supposed to have broken up, they were still intimately close.

She thought she could hear Sybelle sighing through her nose, so she hurried away.

When she reached the parlor, though, she didn’t have the courage to open the door.

She steadied her breath and stood there for several minutes before finally gripping the handle with resolve.

And then, she threw the door open.

* * *

As you instructed, everything has been handled. The ship sank, and we sent rescue boats to prevent casualties.

Rainier read the note Leard had handed him and smiled in satisfaction.

Passing by him, Rainier cheerfully gathered his medical tools and headed to Layla’s room.

“Where is the young lady?”

“She just went down to the parlor.”

Something about the maid’s response gave Rainier a bad feeling.

Unconsciously, he rushed down the stairs in large strides, not even out of breath as he reached the parlor.

He spotted the door to the first-floor parlor. Grabbing the maid’s arm as she tried to stop him, he pushed her aside.

She stood there, confused, not even understanding what had just happened.

By then, the door had already swung open.

Inside, what Rainier saw was—

“I love you, Layla. Will you be officially engaged to me?”

Sonet Bruce, holding an even larger bouquet than last time, was down on one knee, offering her a ring.