Chapter 33
“Alright. You’re really going on board yourself, right?”
“Yeah.”
When Hugo said he’d be boarding the ship personally, it seemed to shake Siver, and she readily agreed.
Saying he would personally get on the ship was basically a declaration that he was determined to make the trade a success no matter what.
After all, the Count Ronald family had originally been very wealthy, and it was only recently that misfortunes had piled up.
In fact, during the time Hugo had dated both Layla and Siver, he’d had more than enough money—far more than now, when he was broke.
Back when he had plenty of money, Hugo had been the type to buy expensive gifts for Siver without a second thought.
Since there was a limit to the money Siver received from her family, it was true that she found that kind of offer tempting.
“In return, if this fails again, give me shares of Eclaire.”
Siver was thinking that if Hugo failed to secure the goods again and Eclaire had to shut down, she could take over the business for cheap and start something else.
“Sure, fine.”
Money would naturally come once Layla got engaged to Sonet anyway.
Layla had already broken off five engagements. Who knew how this one with Sonet would end?
But from the family’s point of view, marrying into a diamond mine in Barrel was the best deal they could ask for.
“I’ll bring the contract tomorrow.”
Siver smiled as she replied.
Because those two lingered in the hallway talking about who knows what, Layla couldn’t find the right moment to leave and ended up being late for dinner.
She finally made it to the dining room, only to find—
“You’re late, Lady.”
—the Crown Prince Anassis was already there.
“Ah… the Empire’s little sun…”
“That’s enough. Please sit.”
Layla saw that the Crown Prince Anassis was seated at the head of the table, and she was startled to realize her seat was directly across from her father. She had always sat far from the head seat.
“I looked for you quite a while after you left so abruptly yesterday.”
“Ah, yes. I’m sorry. I suddenly felt very ill.”
“Where were you?”
“In the powder room for a bit…”
Layla forced a smile as she took her seat. The one who had given it up for her was Anassis, and his strange kindness made her even more uncomfortable.
Maybe what Rainier had said was true. Maybe the Crown Prince really had tried to kidnap her.
Maybe it was because of Rainier.
But even if she were kidnapped, there was no way Rainier—who had no real relationship with her—would let it slide. She didn’t know how to describe this frustrating feeling.
Still, her opponent was one of the most powerful people in the Empire. No one could beat the Empress right now.
And Anassis, the one most cherished by the Empress, was a power unmatched until Rainier returned and reclaimed his place.
“The truth is, I suddenly became very unwell. I fainted, and when I woke up, the party was over.”
“Oh dear.”
Anassis looked at her with sympathy and then with sorrow. Layla, noticing, pretended to be sad too and said:
“Your Highness, as I’ve said before, I truly want to help you in any way I can.”
“You did say that, yes.”
“Yes. So if I do my best, please make sure to keep your promise to me.”
Layla spoke like someone desperately hoping to become Sonet’s wife.
The Empress and Crown Prince had promised her royal blood—and marriage to Sonet Bruce.
A person’s weakness was always what they valued most. For Layla, the most valuable thing right now was her health and her life.
So she had to act like Sonet was the most precious thing to her. If they ever found out what truly mattered to her, they would use it to control her.
“If you say so, of course.”
Count Avière and the Countess, unable to understand the conversation, sipped their water with strained smiles.
“Oh my, what are you talking about? I can help too, Your Highness.”
Siver cluelessly chimed in, and Anassis smirked as he looked at her.
“Did I say anyone could speak to me first?”
“Ah? Oh, I’m sorry.”
“From now on, Lady Siver Avière, do not speak unless I address you first.”
“…Yes.”
Layla couldn’t help but laugh at the Crown Prince’s words, and he laughed too, seeing her reaction.
“After the meal, please show me that garden you tend to. I’d like to see what it’s like.”
“Ah, yes, of course.”
She smiled, all the while inwardly realizing that he was here to keep tabs on Rainier’s whereabouts and pretending everything was fine.
This hadn’t happened in the original story. Maybe it had just been skipped. But since she’d already twisted the story, it could be the ripple effect.
Layla thought the original shouldn’t change too much. If it did, it would become unpredictable and spiral out of control.
Her goal was to survive—and more than anything, to become healthy and happy. And part of that meant dealing with nuisances like Siver along the way.
“Enjoy your meal, everyone.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
And so, she had to eat steak made from veal, specially brought from the Imperial Palace by Crown Prince Anassis himself.
“You know why I asked to walk alone, don’t you?”
Anassis was walking alone with Layla after dinner. They were strolling through the glass garden.
“Yes, of course.”
“Were you really ill yesterday?”
“Yes. I’m genuinely not in good health. Long events like that are hard for me to endure.”
He looked at the dark circles under her eyes and believed her. Of course, that was only because Layla had deliberately worn no makeup. Even her lips had a pearly tone.
There was no one she wanted to look good for.
“Usually, when someone is sick, their priority is getting better. You’re an unusual one.”
Realizing no one was around, the Crown Prince casually slipped back into informal speech. Layla pretended not to notice.
“Health comes and goes. I just want to settle down and live peacefully. I’m tired of relationships.”
Anassis didn’t even bother to hide his mocking smile as he said:
“The young viscount you’re so in love with came with your sister, didn’t he? And yet you still like him?”
“I was His Highness’s partner, so of course Sonet had to yield. He came with my sister out of consideration—so that I could go with someone more honorable.”
Of course, it was all lies, but Layla was acting like her old self again. Like the version of her who saw only the good when she was in love.
She was just pretending to be that person now—so why did it make her feel so disgusted?
Back then, it had come as naturally as breathing, but now it wasn’t easy.
Maybe it was because the old her had truly died after dying once.
“Well, whatever. As long as you cooperate, that’s all I need.”
“Anytime.”
He smiled as if pleased and said,
“Bring that doctor to the fountain in the plaza tonight.”
“That’s all you want?”
“Yes.”
And with that, he left around midday to take care of his business—
—leaving only orders behind.
“Crown Prince Anassis told me to bring Rainier to the fountain in the plaza.”
Layla immediately relayed the order to Rainier.
It seemed the Crown Prince and Empress were trying to use her to set a trap for him.
But Rainier wasn’t the type to come just because she was in danger.
Since he’d offered to act as her double agent, she decided to do the same for him.
He was the male lead of the original story—and the future Emperor. It made sense to stay on his good side.
“Are you sure it’s okay to tell me that?”
“I have to. Didn’t you say you’d be my double agent too? I’ll be one for you as well.”
She said it like it was nothing, and he looked at her with a strange expression. Then he chuckled and said,
“Even so, you should take your medicine.”
“Ah…”
Layla was still wary of the medicine he brought. He seemed to be cooperating with her, yet he kept giving her the strange medicine from her stepmother. She couldn’t understand why.
And yet… when she took his medicine, she somehow felt healthier.
It couldn’t be true.
But maybe he had paused the effects of the Mermaid’s Tear and was managing her lifeline—keeping her useful for now.
That’s why Layla was doing her best to prove she was useful.
“Ah.”
She really didn’t want to take the medicine Rainier offered her. Whether it was the Mermaid’s Tear or something else, it always had a strange, fishy aftertaste.
“Oh no!”
Layla pretended to slip and tried to knock the teaspoon away. But—
“Ah…”
Instead, she slipped for real—and ended up falling right into Rainier’s arms.
