Chapter 28:
“Am I wrong? You think only Baron Eichmann acted that way? Lord Deron did it too. He blabbed everything at the tea party about how easy the young lady is!”
“And you believe something like that with no proof?”
“Hugo was there too! We can call him and have him confirm it!”
Layla knew that Hugo would always take Siber’s side. That’s what made it even more infuriating. If Bardel Rockfell, Siber’s close associate, said it, Hugo would unquestionably take her side.
“Why do I have to endure such baseless insults?”
“Insults? What you did deserves to be criticized!”
Just as Layla was about to respond, Sonet shouted.
“Enough!”
When Sonet yelled like someone genuinely angry, both Layla and Siber were startled.
“That’s enough,” he said.
Then he looked at Layla, and for a moment, he appeared almost… hurt. Layla couldn’t understand why he’d wear such an expression.
It’s all just an act anyway.
He was friends with Hugo, someone who genuinely wanted her dead. So how could he look so wounded?
Layla realized then that he was far more insidious than she thought. A difficult opponent. She tensed up.
“Let’s go, Layla.”
“Huh? But I’m supposed to attend the masquerade ball…”
“Young Lord Sonet! Lady Siber asked you to take care of me!”
As Sonet grabbed Layla’s hand to leave, Bardel grabbed his arm. His arm pulled taut like a train chain startled him, and he let go of Layla’s hand.
He remembered how last time, when they pulled her too hard, she had coughed up blood because of Hugo.
“Ah…”
Layla slipped and collapsed to the floor.
“Sorry, Layla. I was just worried you might get hurt…”
“It’s fine. Please take Lady Bardel back to the estate.”
“But…”
“I’m here as Her Majesty the Empress’s guest today. I can’t leave right now.”
Layla tried to avoid looking into his eyes as she replied. Her voice, growing cold without her realizing it, was held back with effort as she looked away.
“Ugh… Lady Layla, you’re so horrible. Vulgar and disgusting!”
Now that she looked closely, Bardel seemed drunk. Layla didn’t want to argue with a drunk.
“Please, Sonet.”
“…Alright.”
He sighed and took Bardel Rockfell with him.
Only then did Layla finally head to the palace where the masquerade ball was being held, accompanied by a handmaid giving her nervous glances.
This ball wasn’t being held for any truly significant reason. The imperial palace hosted balls every month, and it was essentially a way for the Empress to showcase her influence.
Though it was officially a charity ball, the real purpose was to give young nobles a chance to cozy up to the Empress’s faction.
And unfortunately, this masquerade ball was surprisingly effective.
More than anything, Crown Prince Anasis was still unmarried. The empty seat beside him was a prize coveted by every family with a daughter.
Moreover, everyone knew Crown Prince Anasis would appear at any masquerade ball hosted by the Empress.
In reality, the ballroom was filled with noblewomen hoping to become the Crown Princess—or at least a concubine.
And the rest were like hunting dogs flocking to where women gathered.
“Sigh.”
As soon as Layla entered the hall, she wanted to leave.
The ballroom she had originally been invited to was bright and sparkling with chandeliers, but this one was different. The lights were a dark red, and everyone wore masks, making it all feel suspicious.
Layla wanted nothing to do with this place, but she had few options.
“Where is His Highness?”
“He said he’d come fetch you if you waited inside, my lady.”
“Alright.”
Layla considered pretending to cough up blood so she could return home. But then she thought that snake of an Empress might suspect her and try to eliminate her.
Layla felt like she was walking a tightrope.
She shouldn’t have lost her temper with her sister earlier.
She should’ve held back and waited for the right moment.
That was the first time in her life she’d heard such vile insults. She wasn’t in her right mind.
Blaming herself, Layla went to sit on an unoccupied sofa away from the crowds. From there, she took in her surroundings and had to admit—it was opulent, as expected of the palace.
Unlike the earlier ballroom where chandeliers hung high from the ceiling, here they practically touched the floor. The ceiling was low, the red light reflected off the crystals, and there was a strange, almost sinister aura.
Every flower in the room was a rose. The heavy rose scent was so strong it made her head hurt the moment she walked in.
She had a feeling that once she left, the smell of roses clinging to her would let everyone know she’d been there.
“Hey.”
Because of her hair color, it didn’t take long for someone to recognize her.
“You’re obvious even with a mask on.”
“Go away, Hugo.”
“Why should I?”
It seemed Hugo had come with another partner, but he was alone now. Normally, people didn’t come to these kinds of parties solo.
Hugo sat beside her, and the sofa tilted slightly before settling. Layla felt nauseous—not from the movement, but from how much she loathed him.
“Are you drunk?”
“Yeah.”
“How much did you drink to reek like this? Go away. You smell awful.”
He smelled like someone who had bathed in liquor. Layla felt like she was sniffing the mouth of an open rum bottle. She was getting drunk just from his stench.
“Hey.”
“I said go away.”
“Quit throwing tantrums.”
“This isn’t a tantrum. It’s called rejection. Look it up.”
“I’m sorry.”
“…You were going to borrow my sister’s dowry anyway.”
Layla said, referring to his sudden apology. Hugo gave her a strange smile and fiddled with his half-mask before gesturing to a nearby servant. The servant handed him a glass of rum and stepped back.
“Sigh.”
Hugo downed it in one go and slammed the glass down.
“Hey. I kissed Siber.”
“Oh, great. I don’t care, so disappear.”
“But f***… I didn’t feel anything.”
“And?”
“It didn’t feel like anything because of you.”
“I don’t care.”
Layla tried to get up from the sofa, but Hugo grabbed her hand and made her sit again.
“I know what you’re curious about.”
“Do you think I’m crazy? Why would I be curious?”
“How many times did I kiss Siber? Hmm, maybe ten times yesterday?”
“You’re insane. Stop.”
Layla genuinely looked disgusted and tried to pull her hand away. But Hugo only gripped her wrist tighter.
“Not once did it make me happy.”
“You’re the one who left me. That was the moment you lost everything.”
“Then give me another chance. With you, even just holding hands is enough…”
The stench of alcohol got worse when he sighed heavily, and Layla wrinkled her nose.
“I’m uncomfortable. Let go.”
“Should I kiss you?”
“Are you insane? Let go!”
Layla glanced around for help, but no one was paying attention. Everyone was busy chatting, and the hall was too crowded.
Ladies in dresses, young lords talking with them—none of them cared about Layla and Hugo sitting off in a corner.
“Hey.”
“I said let go.”
“What do I have to do for you to take me back? I know you still like me. You’re just mad right now.”
Layla finally yanked her hand free and stood up.
“The moment you chose my sister, you lost every chance you had.”
“It’s because of Siber, isn’t it? Okay, I get it.”
Hugo’s voice softened, just like when they used to date. Layla felt a chill run down the back of her neck.
“Layla, I know what you want.”
“What I want is for you to stay far, far away from me.”
“It’s because of Siber, right?”
“You don’t even listen to me. What could you possibly understand?”
“You’ll kiss me again someday, Layla. You’ll be the one to do it.”
“You’re out of your mind.”
With that, Layla walked away and didn’t stop until she was far from him. She turned back once without meaning to—and saw Hugo looking at her with a pitiful expression.
She shook her head and deliberately walked through the crowd so he wouldn’t see her anymore.
“My lady.”
“Yes?”
Someone grabbed her wrist and called out to her.
It was a man. About the same height as Hugo, and his hair looked like a wig—his sideburns didn’t match the rest.
“Never seen pink hair before. Is it a wig?”
“Yes.”
Layla forced a smile. Since pink hair was rare, claiming it was a wig was better.
“The dress looks stunning on you. Care to talk with me over there?”
“No, I’m waiting for someone.”
She realized this man was drunk too.
“Was such a beautiful woman always in the capital? Are you from another country?”
“No, I…”
“Did you wear that dress on purpose?”
Suddenly, Layla felt extremely uncomfortable in her red dress. If she had known, she would’ve worn something that covered her neck completely.
“Let’s get to know each other. Why don’t we go over there and take off our masks? I really want to see your face.”
“No thanks. I’m not curious about yours, so let go.”
“Come on, let’s just talk—”
“She said she has company.”
The man who stopped him was—
“Rain?”
“I wondered why it was so noisy. Are you crying again?”
“No, I…”
“Let go.”
At Rainier’s warning, the man quickly released Layla. Rainier’s crimson eyes, oppressive aura, low voice, and tall frame made the man instinctively shrink back. He even sensed the threat of physical harm if things escalated.
“I didn’t know she had someone with her.”
The moment he locked eyes with Rainier, he felt like he’d shoved his head into a crocodile’s mouth.
“Then disappear.”
“…Yes, sir.”
The man fled, and Rainier sighed before taking Layla’s hand and leading her somewhere.
“Where are we going?”
“To a very important place.”
Layla had no choice but to follow him as he firmly laced his fingers through hers.
