Chapter 29
Layla couldn’t figure out why Crown Prince Anasis had told her to wait inside.
What’s more, he hadn’t come, even though he’d sent her here. It had taken her more than an hour to change clothes and make it all the way here, yet he still hadn’t shown up.
Maybe she really was just bait to lure Rainier in.
But then, why had Rainier come to see her?
There was definitely some kind of connection between him and her stepmother. Like how he’d told her he’d act as a double agent.
Besides, Layla herself thought she needed to get on Rainier’s good side—at least enough for him to willingly give her his blood.
Still, she had nothing to offer him. It was she who had to win him over.
She wasn’t exactly someone useful, after all.
“Why are you crying again? I’m trying to take you somewhere safe.”
Startled, Layla replied as he turned around.
“I’m not crying.”
“Right.”
He sighed and let go of her hand. Then he took off his coat and draped it over her shoulders.
“You look beautiful no matter what you wear. No other young lady here could pull off such a glamorous dress like you do.”
“That’s kind of sudden?”
“Isn’t that what it’s about?”
“It’s not…”
Layla put on the coat he gave her. It was so large that it nearly touched her ankles.
“Then what is it?”
“I’m not telling you.”
She gave him a look as if to say, let’s go already. Rainier gazed into her blue eyes for a moment, then gently brushed her cheek with his thumb.
“Let’s go.”
“…Okay. But I have to come back soon. I’m supposed to be waiting inside.”
Rainier let out a quiet sigh at her words.
“I want to hold your hand.”
“Alright.”
Layla reached out her hand, giving him permission. He took off his gloves, tucked them into his pocket, and then took her hand.
“Let’s go.”
And so, Layla had to follow Rainier outside.
As they passed near the imperial guards, Layla felt something was off. Even as they walked by, the guards stood stiffly, staring straight ahead as if they didn’t see them. Normally, they’d at least lower their gaze out of courtesy when a noble passed.
She looked back at them, confused, and then turned forward again—only to lock eyes with Rainier.
He removed his mask and tucked it into the front pocket of his vest. Then, smiling at her, he raised a finger to his lips as if telling her to be quiet.
Layla couldn’t make sense of this strange situation at all. It was as if the guards couldn’t see her—completely absurd.
They walked for a while before arriving at a secluded palace. It was old and shabby, and there wasn’t a single guard in sight.
It looked like the kind of place where a low-ranking prince or princess might have lived back when the imperial family had more children.
The furniture inside looked luxurious at first glance but was worn and faded. As if it hadn’t been used in a very long time.
Or perhaps someone had lived here once and was sent away. The pieces were pretty in shape but clearly aged.
Rainier looked back at her. His bright red eyes glowed in the dark. Layla tensed up, wondering why she’d followed him so trustingly without any suspicion.
“There won’t be any trouble.”
“Can I ask now?”
“Yes.”
No one else was around.
Once they were inside, Rainier closed the door.
“For the next hour, don’t go outside.”
“Why?”
With him standing in front of the door, Layla felt threatened. She remembered how Hugo used to block her path when he was angry or when he’d force his opinions on her.
“Just say you’re fine! Why do you always have to be so difficult?”
It felt like she could hear Hugo’s voice again, and she instinctively shrank back.
“It’s not an order… it’s a request, my lady.”
Noticing her reaction, Rainier stepped away from the door and walked around behind her. She was startled when he moved behind her so suddenly, and her mask slipped from her face. Before it hit the floor, he caught it.
“Then why do I have to stay here? It’s dark—no lights or anything.”
“Because you need to hide.”
“Rain, how did you even get in here? Are you hiding because you broke in?”
“It’s not me who needs to hide—it’s you.”
“Why?”
Rainier tried to put her mask back on, but their eyes met and he froze. She took the mask from him and looked at him seriously.
“I can’t tell you everything, but something will happen at the masquerade ball.”
“What kind of something?”
“You’ll be kidnapped. And used as bait.”
“What…?”
Rainier seemed to be telling the truth. Layla could see he was serious—different from when he was just teasing her. This felt real.
But the original story had changed so much. Who knew if he himself hadn’t changed too?
No, even in the original, he was only kind to Siver. He wasn’t a genuinely warm person. After he became emperor, his retainers feared him. Though he ruled the empire well, his temperament was cold—almost inhuman.
A person like that wouldn’t show her kindness without a reason.
“You said you were a double agent.”
“Was this your stepmother’s doing?”
“No. This is… Her Majesty the Empress’s act alone.”
“She wants to lure someone using me?”
“I don’t… I don’t know… No, I won’t say. I don’t want to lie.”
Rainier lowered his gaze and didn’t speak further.
The Empress’s probing attitude.
Her appearance that made no attempt to hide her identity.
Layla was the bait. And if so, then Rainier’s words were probably true.
But why? Even if someone kidnapped her, Rainier wouldn’t come for her.
So why was he here now?
This whole incomprehensible situation made her feel suffocated.
“You’re crying again.”
“No, I…”
“There are some interesting things upstairs. Want to see?”
“Now’s not really the time to…”
“It might help take your mind off things. And if it does, I’ll answer one question truthfully—anything you want.”
Layla didn’t know why he was doing this, but she decided to follow him.
He gently led her up the stairs. Neither of them spoke as they ascended the dusty steps. Layla was nervous about the unknown and thought about what to say to break the silence.
Come to think of it, she really did feel much better. Climbing the stairs wasn’t leaving her breathless anymore.
“The medicine you gave me works really well.”
“I’m very competent.”
He smiled at her compliment, and for a moment, Layla thought—it was the first time he seemed to smile for real.
“My mood doesn’t matter that much. You just don’t want to tell me, right?”
“No. Your feelings matter the most to me.”
“Why?”
“They just do. More than anything.”
He answered while walking beside her. Layla still had doubts about him but decided not to show it.
They reached the second floor, and Rainier, familiar with the place, led her to a room.
Layla realized this secluded palace was bigger than she’d thought.
The floor of the second-floor hallway was cracked marble. Her heels made clicking sounds with every step, accompanied by his heavier footsteps.
When they reached a certain room and opened the door—
“This is…”
Layla murmured in surprise.
It looked like a child’s room. A faded mobile with plush toys hung from the ceiling.
There was also a bed, but it was covered in thick dust, sheets and all.
“Don’t go near the bed. There’s too much dust—it won’t be good for you.”
“Okay.”
Layla did as he said and stayed away.
While she looked up at the mobile, Rainier quietly let go of her hand and walked toward the bookshelf. Old books covered in cobwebs lined the shelves.
Somehow, Layla felt like she recognized this room.
It had appeared in the original story.
With a faint clicking sound, he walked back toward her.
“I’m going to hold your shoulders for a moment.”
“Okay.”
“And I’ll be moving a little.”
“Alright.”
He gave a soft chuckle, perhaps amused by the situation, and gently placed his hands on her shoulders. Then he slowly and precisely began to shift her position—
As if trying to place her in a very specific spot.
At that moment—
“Huh?”
Translucent butterflies began fluttering around her.
“What is this?”
Layla looked up in wonder, her heart fluttering. And in that moment, Rainier realized—
He hadn’t meant to get this close.
While repositioning her, it had happened unintentionally.
“Rain?”
He held her shoulders at a distance of just two finger joints. As he saw her smiling blue eyes, and felt his own hands trembling, he involuntarily held his breath.
