Chapter 5
As expected, someone who was trash in the original story could never be anything but trash to me as well.
Sonnet was the type of person who would do anything to get what he wanted, despite how he looked on the outside. However, he despised those who weren’t nobility and disliked anything lacking in refinement.
He had a touch of obsessive cleanliness too, though it wasn’t severe. But because of that, there was a scene in the original story where he reacted violently upon discovering that Sieber was of commoner origin.
“Were you truly born a commoner?”
“What does that matter? I’m a count’s daughter now.”
“Ha.”
At first, things between them went smoothly.
And Sieber never imagined that Sonnet didn’t know about the rumors already circulating among the noble ladies.
The young noblewomen despised my sister Sieber. Partly because she was born a commoner, but also because of the many despicable things she did out of her inferiority complex over that fact. Her personality wasn’t exactly admirable either.
Of course, every time my sister overcame those hardships and rose higher, all the male leads fell helplessly for her one by one.
Even Sonnet, when he returned later.
“Please, just give me one more chance, Sieber. I was wrong.”
“I don’t love you anymore.”
With those words, my sister delivered a refreshing blow and went on to marry Rainier.
—Clack.
The sound of the door opening made me squeeze my eyes shut.
Then came soft footsteps—likely Sonnet Bruce. He must have a long stride, because after only a few steps, a shadow loomed over my head.
“You’re awake.”
How did he know?
“Ah, yes…”
“That’s a relief.”
I cracked my eyes open awkwardly and saw him smiling brightly, as though that unpleasant conversation earlier had never happened.
Thank goodness I hadn’t opened my eyes sooner—I didn’t have to listen to whatever uncomfortable exchange he had with Hugo.
“May I change the towel?”
“Yes.”
He removed the towel from my forehead, soaked it in fresh water, and placed it back gently. It was cool, as if he had just replaced it.
“I’ve heard Lady Layla suffers from a chronic illness.”
“Yes.”
“Would it be alright if I visit the estate often like this?”
Why on earth does he want to be engaged to me? He’s already a viscount’s heir—his marquisate is practically guaranteed.
There was no mention of him wanting to get engaged to me in the original story. I just thought of myself as a mere tool for his narrative with my sister.
If I find out why, I might be able to use it.
“Sure.”
After that, I received a bit more care and passed out again.
I knew I was weak, but I didn’t expect to faint so quickly. I should have asked him more.
A few days passed. My birthday was the day after my sister’s, but no one paid it any mind.
I used to think it was because I was sick—but after dying once, I realized they wouldn’t have cared even if I’d been healthy. Knowing that made their pettiness seem laughable.
Before, I consoled myself with, It’s just because I’m ill…
“Young Lady.”
“Yes.”
After Ella was dismissed, a new maid was assigned to attend me.
“Have you heard about Ella?”
“Only that she was taken to the security office.”
This new maid was definitely my stepmother’s person. Her demeanor was stiff, and her chin was held so high it made her seem even more difficult than Ella.
My stepmother surely wished for my smooth demise. So, of course, she would assign someone even more trustworthy than Ella.
“When Ella was taken away, they searched your room. They found quite a lot of your jewelry.”
“I see.”
“All of it was retrieved and given to Madam.”
Those are mine, though.
“I see.”
Showing interest would only annoy them. Most of those jewels were heirlooms of the count’s family, things I couldn’t even sell.
“Madam said if you behave well, she might consider returning them.”
“Right.”
Sure, as if.
“What about the other maids?”
“They searched their quarters as well. They also found some of your belongings, so they were all dismissed.”
“I see. So they stole from me while pretending to clean.”
“Yes.”
I had turned a blind eye before, but I knew.
When you’re at death’s door, jewels don’t matter much. It’s not like I could attend social gatherings anyway—I barely left the mansion.
“What’s your name?”
“Catherine, my lady.”
“I see. I’ll be in your care, Catherine. That’s a lovely name.”
Her expression softened slightly, then stiffened again.
Still, she seemed better than Ella, perhaps because she was older. Ella had been only a year older than me, which made things even more uncomfortable.
At least Catherine wouldn’t bully me with childish tricks.
“Also, Viscount Bruce has been waiting for you.”
“Why?”
“He’s been coming every day. Since you were ill, I didn’t mention it earlier.”
“I see.”
Father and my stepmother want me to marry Sonnet. And Sonnet does too—at least for now.
But why?
For Father and stepmother, it’s obvious: they want to get rid of me. I’m the only legitimate heir. If I disappear, everything goes to Sieber.
Even in the original story, after I died, Sieber strutted around like the rightful daughter of the house. I should have realized when she barely mourned me before happily resuming her relationship with Rainier.
“Please help me get dressed.”
“Yes.”
I expected her to refuse, but she agreed immediately.
They really want me to marry Sonnet.
As Catherine dressed me, I was surprised. She was incredibly skilled.
In no time, my face looked healthy, as if I’d never been sick.
And the dress she chose? Perfect—not too flashy, not too plain, exactly my taste. She tightened the corset with ease in one go.
“This way, my lady.”
“Yes.”
I followed Catherine downstairs. When the parlor door opened, Sonnet greeted me with a bright smile.
“Lady Layla.”
“Lord Sonnet.”
I smiled back, meeting his gaze. Then he averted his eyes and pressed his lips together.
That sudden tight-lipped look and avoidance of eye contact—he was definitely hiding something.
Avoiding eye contact, closing the mouth—classic signs of lying.
After my previous life, I’d become very good at reading these cues.
Ah… could it be?
“I heard you’ve been coming every day.”
“Ah… yes. Was it a bother?”
“No. I asked because I’m grateful.”
Would saying yes to marrying him keep me alive?
My sister couldn’t stand it if I had something she didn’t. What if I agreed, then handed him over to her?
Either way, Sonnet would cause her pain—whether she gets him or not.
“Um, Lord Sonnet.”
“Please, just call me Sonnet.”
“Alright, Sonnet.”
He helped me sit and took the seat across from me.
His hair looked oddly messy—as if he’d styled it stiffly this morning, then kept running his hands through it until it lost shape.
“Shall we speak casually?”
“That would be fine.”
What? He hates dropping honorifics. He really wants something from me.
“Please keep visiting often. It makes me happy to know you came every day.”
“Ah… I see.”
He cleared his throat awkwardly, then continued chatting.
Our conversation was trivial, but he stubbornly kept me there for hours.
By the time I returned to my room, it was night.
Catherine was already waiting inside.
“A new physician will arrive shortly.”
“Oh, right. I haven’t seen the doctor today.”
The doctor checked my condition daily—probably to estimate how soon I’d die.
Not that I cared who came.
This time, I’d make sure to throw away the poison and survive longer. And I’d get Rainier’s blood to heal completely.
In the original story, my sister took the ‘Mermaid’s Tear’ and nearly died. Then the male lead bit his lip and fed her his blood, curing her completely—and making her immune to all poison.
That was all thanks to royal blood, which purifies everything.
The Mermaid’s Tear was originally a protective drug, meant for those without royal blood when they entered the imperial family—to prevent assassination by poison.
It was so rare and mostly used by the royal household that it was almost never weaponized. That’s why everyone mistook my illness as chronic.
—Knock knock.
“Come in.”
I perched on the bed and looked indifferently at the supposed new doctor.
And then—what?
“Hello?”
A doctor, they said?
“Due to certain circumstances, I’ll be staying here for a while. During that time, I’ll be treating your illness.”
“Uh…?”
Why is the male lead here?
“Wh-what’s your name?”
Jet-black hair, crimson eyes, and a face like a sculpted statue.
“Rain. Lady Layla.”
He was unmistakably the male protagonist of the original story—Rainier Ignacio Ziegmund.
