Chapter 24.
“Sonnet? Didn’t you say you had something to do?”
Layla recalled how Sonnet had declined her invitation to come today, saying he was busy. At the time, she’d assumed he must really be tied up.
After all, he came and went from the Count Abier’s estate like it was his own, so she had thought it was natural he’d show up with her.
But now—what was this?
A stroke of luck?
Who would’ve thought that Siber had already begun seducing Sonnet?
“Layla, what are you doing here?”
As Sonnet faltered and opened his mouth in confusion, Siber cut in first.
“I was invited to the palace ball too…”
“Oh my, really? I thought you weren’t going because you were sick?”
“Yeah. But I decided to go this time.”
“Oh dear, what should I do!”
Siber clasped her hands together, feigning fluster. Then, with a sorrowful expression, she continued.
“I actually thought you wouldn’t be attending again, so I asked Sonnet to be my partner.”
“Oh… is that so?”
Layla also pretended to be flustered and looked at Sonnet. He glanced between Siber and Layla with an awkward expression before finally speaking.
“I’ll cancel.”
“Huh?”
“Layla is my fiancée. If my fiancée can go, then of course I should attend with her.”
“But you promised me first.”
Siber looked at him with a gloomy expression. But strangely, Sonnet’s face had gone cold and businesslike.
“Layla, can’t you let me go with your sister this once?”
“Ah? Um… but…”
“If a man with a fiancée attends the ball with another woman, people will think there’s something wrong with Lady Siber.”
Layla suddenly noticed how Sonnet was using honorifics with Siber, even though Siber was speaking informally to him.
So, it was just a one-sided closeness?
“Still, you promised my sister first. Go with her.”
“No.”
Sonnet refused firmly, and Layla was taken aback.
“Miss Layla already has a partner.”
The one who interrupted was Catherine. Layla turned to her with surprised eyes—this was the first she’d heard of having a partner.
“You didn’t read the back side earlier.”
Catherine handed her the same invitation Layla had looked at earlier. Layla, unaware there had been a back, quickly turned it over.
P.S. Since it would be discourteous to invite you so close to the ball, I’ll send my son as an apology and to serve as your partner.
I hope to see you both at the ball.
“Is this, by any chance…”
“…Yes.”
Layla looked just as startled as Catherine.
“What is it? Let me see too.”
“Ah, uh… it’s nothing.”
Layla quickly hid the invitation behind her back—but Rainier smoothly took it from her. Fortunately—or unfortunately—Layla didn’t notice.
Rainier disappeared behind a curtain with it.
“Well, I guess there’s no helping it, then.”
“Yeah. Sonnet, go as my sister’s partner.”
“I want to dance with you.”
“We can dance once we’re there.”
As Layla soothed him, Sonnet looked down, then nodded reluctantly.
Layla thought to herself how well he acted.
Her fiancé visiting a dress shop with her sister, after telling her he was too busy? She wasn’t naïve enough to be fooled anymore.
“Well then, pick a nice dress, sister.”
“Thanks, I will.”
And with that, Layla returned to her original seat.
* * *
“So that’s why Father sent me here.”
“…Yes.”
She should have realized something was up when her father sent her to such an expensive boutique. It wasn’t just about wearing a fine dress for the imperial ball—it was clearly to impress the Empress.
The Count Abier family was wealthy, but not influential enough to be considered central nobility like the Marquis Bruce family. It was only natural her father would try to curry favor with the Empress.
“But does Her Majesty not know I’m engaged?”
“No. The engagement papers haven’t been submitted to the imperial family yet.”
“I see…”
Hearing Catherine’s answer, Layla figured that if things went poorly, the engagement with Sonnet might never even be made official.
“As for the dress…”
“You can try on anything you like.”
An attendant—Layla didn’t even notice when they’d arrived—approached with an armful of dresses hanging from a rack.
Layla felt cold sweat break out as she looked at the sheer number of dresses. She liked wearing pretty clothes, but trying on all these would probably make her sick.
“I’ll just pick three to try on.”
“That’s fine, Miss.”
Layla selected one dress, and just then, Rainier appeared—she hadn’t even noticed him—and handed her another with a smile.
One was the ivory one recommended by Count Abier, and the second was gold. Her gaze then fell on the pure white dress Rainier was holding.
“This one’s pretty too.”
“The neckline is quite low, though.”
“I thought a bold dress like this might suit you.”
Now that he said it, it made sense.
All her dresses so far had been high-collared and modest. But no matter what she wore, people had insulted her—saying she was putting on airs when she wore something proper.
Maybe if she wore something daring this time, it’d actually go over better. With that thought, she took the dress Rainier had picked and said,
“I’ll go with this one.”
And so, she was fitted for the dress and returned to the estate.
* * *
The next day, Sonnet didn’t come to the estate. But a package and letter from him did arrive.
I’m sorry, Layla. I was careless yesterday.
I hope you’ll forgive me.
I wanted to apologize in person today, but something came up.
I miss you already.
—Your fiancé, Sonnet.
The fact that he deliberately used the word fiancé showed that the engagement itself held meaning for him. And the way he’d started showing up less often ever since they got engaged was proof of that.
Layla felt bitter, but also quietly pleased—it meant things were going according to plan.
Perhaps her stepmother was no longer tormenting her because she was confident she could separate Layla and Sonnet.
Siber had never once failed to steal away Layla’s lovers. She probably thought Sonnet would be no different.
Layla folded the letter and tossed it in the trash.
She didn’t learn about Sonnet being with Siber that day until a bit later.
* * *
Finally, the day of the ball arrived.
Layla, who had been getting ready since morning, wondered if she’d really be able to attend. She felt like she might collapse any moment.
But thanks to whatever measures Rainier had taken, she was getting healthier by the day.
“You look beautiful today as well.”
Rainier said it without forcing a smile.
“You too, Rain. Will you be at the ball with me today?”
“No, Miss. I’m a commoner—I won’t be allowed to enter.”
“Ah… I see.”
As Rainier looked at her earrings, he remarked,
“Those are from the imperial family, aren’t they?”
“Oh, yes. You really do have an eye, Rain. Just like with the Eclair boutique.”
“Yes. I know a thing or two. Did you know this ruby is called the Heart of the Earth?”
“What? This is?”
“Yes.”
The ruby known as the Heart of the Earth was a famous gem—infamous, really—because the queen who wore it met a tragic end.
“Oh no… I can’t not wear them though…”
“There’s a superstition attached to the stone, yes. But this one pair of earrings is worth enough to build another manor.”
Catherine deliberately chimed in, trying to comfort the anxious Layla.
“I see…”
In any case, she couldn’t take them off. She couldn’t refuse something sent by the imperial family.
“It’ll be fine.”
Muttering to herself, she stepped outside.
Waiting there was Ashinas Ignatio Siegmund, the Empress’s only son—and the Crown Prince.
“It’s been a while, Layla.”
“I greet the empire’s little sun.”
He was the current crown prince. But when Rainier returned to his rightful place, this man would be the first to flee.
He seemed perfect on the outside, but in truth, he was someone who couldn’t do anything without hiding behind his mother’s skirts.
Layla wondered—if Siber had married him, would she have ended up in a nightmare of in-law tyranny? The thought made her chuckle under her breath.
“My mother insisted I bring you with me.”
“I’m honored.”
She took the hand he offered and climbed into the carriage.
Before boarding, he smiled like a caring gentleman and helped her in.
But the moment the carriage door closed with a click, his expression changed.
In that instant, Layla realized he was only pretending for the sake of his public image.
As the carriage began to move, her body swayed forward, then settled back into place.
He sighed, looking out the window, then crossed his arms and glanced at her with a scornful gaze once they’d left the Count’s estate.
Layla had never met him in her past life, but his silver hair and golden eyes gave him away immediately. And she knew exactly what kind of person he was.
“You just need to play along nicely.”
“Understood.”
Apparently satisfied with her answer, he crossed his legs the other way and finally looked at her directly.
Then, with a twisted smile, he said,
“I heard you have a chronic illness.”
“Yes.”
“If you behave, I might even let you have some of my blood.”
And with that, Layla was reminded: he, too, carried the blood of the imperial family—the blood that could heal her body.
