Chapter 25
“You must know that drinking royal blood can make you healthy.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Then.”
Crown Prince Anasis lifted his chin slightly and looked at Layla as if she were beneath him.
“You should listen to me carefully, shouldn’t you?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Layla answered obediently. She was pleased to have insurance beyond Rainier, but she hadn’t expected him to be this arrogant.
Well, considering he was pampered as the crown prince, it made sense that he saw her as just another noble.
Besides, she knew the reason he came today wasn’t because of any personal relationship—it was because of Empress Ramiela.
“What would you like me to do for you, Your Highness?”
“Get close to me. And from now on, just do as you’re told.”
“Understood.”
“If you behave, I’ll make you the Marchioness of House Bruce.”
“Thank you.”
Layla thought his smug expression resembled Hugo’s whenever he got cocky. Maybe that’s why she didn’t find him all that handsome, even though his eyes looked somewhat like Rainier’s.
When they finally reached the imperial palace, he stepped down first and, wearing that same friendly mask as before, held out his hand to her.
“It’s your first time at the palace, isn’t it?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Layla took his hand and stepped down from the carriage, already thinking of when to slip away.
She followed the smiling Crown Prince Anasis into the banquet hall.
Upon arrival, her eyes widened at the lavish decor.
“Surprised?”
“It’s… really beautiful.”
But something about it felt different from what she had seen in the original story.
The banquet hall she remembered looked more like a round Islamic temple. It was said Empress Ramiela had it built based on the style of a kingdom in the east.
But now, the structure had more of a Gothic feel.
These sharp lines and spires…
This was the style Rainier had used when he rebuilt the palace after the revolution.
When did it change?
Did she lose that memory during her regression?
Layla’s head throbbed. Maybe because all the recent events had made her constantly suspicious.
“I heard you’ve been unwell. Are you already tired?”
“No, I’m just nervous because it’s so beautiful.”
The banquet hall was resplendent, even from the outside. A pyramid-like roof, white walls, massive stained-glass windows, and perfectly trimmed bushes and roses surrounded the place.
The Count’s mansion had seemed extravagant to her, but compared to this, it was like a kindergarten.
As soon as they entered, the two became the center of attention and moved straight toward the Empress.
“Oh my, welcome, young lady.”
“I greet the sun of the Empire.”
“Hohoho. I believe this is the first time we’ve met since your debutante ball.”
The Empress still had a majestic gaze and lips curled with grace. The Crown Prince stood beside her, smiling obediently. They looked unmistakably like mother and son.
“By the way, Lady Layla, I heard your family recently hired a new doctor.”
“Ah, yes.”
“Are you close to this doctor?”
“No, I’m quite shy around new people.”
Layla began to understand the true reason she had been invited.
The Empress might have noticed Rainier hiding his identity in the capital. Especially considering that she had invited Layla accompanied by the Crown Prince—it seemed related to the original novel.
In the original story, Siver got caught up in a similar situation. Before Rainier reclaimed his position, Crown Prince Anasis feigned interest in her, all while growing suspicious and keeping an eye on Rainier.
Now, seeing how they were doing the same thing to her meant they weren’t certain yet—they were trying to verify.
“I heard that doctor has red eyes.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Does he happen to have burn scars on his back?”
“I’m not sure. I’ve never seen his back.”
Layla feigned fluster, covering her mouth and lowering her head.
“Was that doctor the one who accompanied you in Eclair?”
“Ah… yes.”
The Empress seemed pleased by Layla’s obedient demeanor and laughed behind her fan.
“Why are you trembling?”
“Ah… my apologies.”
“Hohoho.”
The Empress laughed kindly and tapped Layla’s shoulder.
“You’re such a cute girl. I like you.”
“N-not at all, Your Majesty.”
“How about getting a bit closer to that doctor?”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Layla didn’t ask why. She knew the Empress liked people who simply obeyed.
She thought it best to play along for now and extract the blood she needed before backing out. These people would be the ones in danger the moment Rainier returned to the imperial palace.
“Oh my, how adorable. It’s the first time someone’s obeyed me without conditions.”
“If that’s what Your Majesty wishes.”
“Good. I like you.”
The Empress closed her fan and moved her hand from Layla’s hair down to her collarbone.
“Report everything about that doctor to me. I’ll help you recover your health in return.”
“Yes. I’ll do that.”
Layla clutched her chest and looked up at the Empress as if nervous. The Empress smiled beautifully in response.
“Your Majesty, His Majesty the Emperor is about to enter.”
“Very well. I’ll see you again soon, Lady Layla.”
“Y-yes!”
Layla bowed her head sharply and pretended to tremble. Crown Prince Anasis, amused, snorted and offered his arm for her to take. She accepted with a still-trembling act.
When she looked up again, the Empress was already gone.
“I must begin the first dance.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Since this was the Empress’s ball and she wasn’t present, the Crown Prince was to lead the opening dance—meaning Layla had to dance with him.
She suddenly worried whether she might cough up blood during the dance. But given how her health had improved recently, one dance should be fine.
“Let’s go then.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
He smiled as if being considerate and led her toward the center. The orchestra switched to an elegant tune as the Crown Prince stepped into place.
Layla knew how to dance. She followed his lead. It had been so long since her debutante ball that dancing with someone felt oddly refreshing.
As if, despite the tension of the situation, it gave her a sliver of breathing room. But the moment her eyes met the Crown Prince’s, that feeling dissipated.
The song was slow and not exhausting. When the music ended, he smiled and led her to a table.
“Let’s go greet my mother.”
When the Crown Prince asked her to accompany him again, Layla waved her hands.
“I’ll wait here for a bit.”
“Are you feeling tired?”
“Just a little short of breath.”
“Understood.”
He let go of her hand with a smile, secretly relieved.
“I’ll be quick.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Everyone was curious about why Layla had arrived with the Crown Prince and danced with him, but no one approached her.
Her reputation was too scandalous. Besides, she didn’t seem important enough for people to think she had any real connection to him.
After all, the Crown Prince never got engaged and changed dance partners at every ball. It was a political move—creating the illusion that anyone could stand by his side was a way to draw nobles to the Empress’s camp.
A fair amount of time passed, but neither the Emperor, Empress, nor Crown Prince returned. People chatted amongst themselves, and Layla stood quietly in a corner like a wallflower.
She thought about heading to the lounge but figured the vulture-like noblewomen there wouldn’t leave her alone.
So she headed to the terrace.
When she drew the curtain, the noise of the ballroom seemed to fade.
The sky was already dark, dotted with stars. The terrace lighting was so bright that the glow behind her outshone the stars.
Since the ballroom was on the first floor, the terrace was well isolated, surrounded by dense bushes.
“You don’t look very well.”
Startled, Layla almost screamed but instead just shivered.
The figure who appeared before her—
“Rainie?”
“Yes.”
Rainier stood before her in a black suit, wearing a mask.
“You left your mask behind.”
“Wait… was this a masquerade?”
“Starting in two hours, yes.”
He handed her a white mask. Layla accepted it and looked around warily.
Because of the Empress’s earlier questioning about Rainier, meeting him now made her even more anxious.
“Why were you crying again?”
“I wasn’t crying.”
Despite her answer, he brushed her cheek with his hand. Then, with a wry smile, he said,
“I’ll believe you.”
She still didn’t understand why he was cooperating with the Countess.
He was the emperor’s designated successor. Why would a future emperor care about the Countess?
Just then—
“Who’s there?!”
“Oh dear. I’ll come back later.”
Rainier slipped away into the darkness. Layla returned to the ballroom, not wanting to be caught by the guards.
And then—
“Oh my, Layla?”
Siver entered, arm-in-arm with Sonet.
“Layla, your dress is…”
And next to her, was a young lady wearing the exact same dress as hers.
