IDNT 19

Chapter 19

“What’s going on, Sonet? What’s with the flowers and why are you dressed like that?”

Layla looked flustered, and Rainier, who had been shielding her with a book, shut it with a clack and stepped toward the two.

“You know I sent you a marriage proposal, right?”

“Yes, I heard about it during dinner yesterday.”

“Layla, I…”

“Please leave.”

Rainier glanced at the bouquet Sonet brought, then looked down at the kneeling Sonet.

“What are you doing?”

“My lady is in a critical condition. If you’ve confirmed her state, please leave, Marquess.”

“Rain…?”

“She collapsed several times just a moment ago, didn’t she?”

“Ah, uh… yes.”

Layla accidentally nodded when she made eye contact with Rainier. She couldn’t deny it—he’d helped her fake her illness, and after what happened yesterday…

“Still, please give me just a moment.”

“What is it now?”

“Whatever it is, just leave.”

Rainier reached out to take the bouquet Sonet had brought for Layla.

“This is for Layla!”

But Sonet, pushed by Rainier’s overwhelming strength, stumbled and fell back on the spot.

“Seems like your legs are weak, Marquess.”

“…You…”

“Thanks for the flowers, Sonet. Let’s… talk another time. I’m really unwell, but I met you because I was worried.”

Rainier looked like he might pick a fight with Sonet if things continued, so Layla said this in a rush.

“Alright.”

Sonet stood up and looked at Layla. He noticed her damp pink hair soaking her negligee and quickly turned his head away.

“About yesterday—I’m sorry. I just…”

“It’s okay, Sonet. You don’t really know me that well yet.”

Layla found it odd that both Sonet and Rainier kept turning their heads in strange directions, but she knew what she had to do.

“I’m still really happy you came to see me.”

“Layla…”

Sonet looked at her at that moment. Seeing her smiling at him, he stood still as if time had stopped, but soon came to his senses and spoke.

“Can I take care of you?”

“No. Please leave.”

“…Ah. Well, alright.”

Following Rainier’s icy stare and fake smile, Sonet had no choice but to retreat. Though Rainier had to ensure Sonet wouldn’t help Hugo, now wasn’t the right time.

“I’ll write you a letter.”

“Okay.”

After lingering for a while, Sonet finally left.

Once he was gone, Rainier sighed—but it was a different kind of sigh than Layla’s.

Sonet showed up at the Avier estate the very next day, as if checking in like clockwork.

Count Avier, pleased with Sonet’s interest in Layla, invited him to dinner.

So once again, Layla had to dine with him. She was getting ready before going downstairs when—

Knock knock.

“Come in.”

Layla assumed it was Catherine.

But the person who entered had a hardened expression.

“Hugo.”

“I want to talk to you.”

“Dinner’s the perfect time to talk. I heard you were invited as my sister’s guest.”

Sivert’s decision to maintain a ‘friendship’ with her ex, Hugo, was just another way to torment Layla—and she knew it.

“Then I’ll keep following you until you say yes.”

Layla sighed and replied,

“Leave the door open and come in.”

The old Hugo would’ve ignored her completely. But now, he acted like someone caught with a weakness and obeyed.

He entered, leaving the door half open, and approached her. The two maids, sensing the mood, stepped aside.

“Tell the maids to leave.”

“No. Did you forget what you tried to do to me?”

“…Ha. Please, Layla.”

As he started acting all dominant again, Layla’s expression turned ice cold.

“Leave.”

“What?”

“You said you wanted to talk. And now this?”

“Fine. I’m sorry. Is that good enough?”

“What?”

“I said I’m sorry. Sorry I left you and went to Sivert.”

Layla couldn’t close her mouth. Hugo wasn’t the type to apologize. And even more shocking—this apology was completely insulting.

“So lend me your dowry.”

“…What did you just say?”

“You’re going to marry me anyway. I heard you rejected Sonet’s proposal yesterday.”

“What nonsense? Sonet proposed to me?”

Layla turned to the large bouquet of roses Sonet had brought. The flowers now decorating her room were from that bouquet.

Come to think of it… for get-well flowers, they had been far too large and lavish. Silver embellishments, expensive wrapping…

But he never said anything about a proposal.

…Wait. Didn’t he kneel as soon as he came in?

“I heard everything. You even went to Eclaire to find him.”

Hugo, who had looked pale, now had some color in his face again. Clearing his throat, he prepared his voice.

Layla responded coldly.

“You didn’t hear that I went with my lover?”

“You don’t have a lover. And this wouldn’t be the first time you tried to get me back. No need to be embarrassed.”

His deluded assumptions were both shameless and disgusting, and Layla couldn’t help but frown.

“Sivert’s a bit rough around the edges. But even I know I should marry someone gentle—like you.”

“Hugo.”

“If you lend me your dowry, I’ll marry you.”

“Hey.”

“Sivert and I only kissed, okay? With you, I’ll have kids, kiss you every day. Isn’t that enough?”

Layla stared at him, unable to contain her rage.

“To be honest, I should’ve said this earlier, but… you are prettier.”

“Get out.”

“Come on, Layla. Don’t be mad. Look at everything I’m saying for you.”

“Get out, you psycho.”

“Layla.”

“Do you even look in a mirror? Who are you to judge anyone? How are you this shameless?”

“That’s enough. I get you’re mad, so I’ll let it slide.”

Hugo’s face turned hard. He clenched his fists.

“Send the maids away. I’ll do what you want.”

“I don’t want anything from you.”

“You’re mad about the kiss, right?”

“Are you insane? Where do you get this baseless confidence from?!”

Layla was so dumbfounded, she raised her voice. Hugo just scratched the back of his head, thinking she was acting coy.

“Didn’t you once say I was the best-looking man in the world?”

“What are you doing here?”

Even Sonet’s sudden arrival wasn’t welcome to Layla. Especially if he really did come to propose yesterday.

Sonet stepped between Hugo and Layla, holding her hand.

“Let’s go. The Count is waiting.”

“…Okay.”

Hugo crossed his arms and looked at Layla confidently, as if unfazed by Sonet’s behavior.

The moment Layla made eye contact with Hugo and saw him smirk, chills ran down her spine.

Just as she suspected, Hugo thought Layla still had feelings for him and was using Sonet to make him jealous.

He believed her rejection was all part of some childish tantrum.

Meanwhile, Rainier had returned to his original residence, not the Avier estate.

“Your Highness.”

“Mm.”

He sat in his office, reviewing a stack of documents.

There would be no proposal from Sonet Bruce today. And Hugo Ronald would be rejected.

Organizing his thoughts, he skimmed through the backlog of papers.

“As you instructed, we sank the Ethan Trading Company’s ship.”

“I know. I checked yesterday. They weren’t able to get their goods.”

He could still hear the voices of the women who’d insulted Layla.

“If I were her, I’d just leave the country. Why cling so pathetically when he won’t even come back?”

“Right? And that Ronald guy isn’t even good-looking. Tall? Please.”

“She has no taste, seriously.”

Crunch.

He had crumpled the paper in his hand without realizing it. Startled, Sir Riar glanced over.

“Hey, Riar.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Riar was also a knight commander stationed at the Avier estate. He’d been sent ahead under Rainier’s orders.

“You know Hugo Ronald, right?”

“Yes.”

“Am I uglier than him?”

“…Excuse me?”

“Be honest.”

Riar looked at Rainier’s face.

Features more dazzling than any chandelier, jet-black hair, eyes red as blood… and a perfectly sculpted face.

For a moment, Riar thought the question was absurd and intentionally gave an evasive answer.

“Um… why are you asking?”

“Am I less attractive than him?”

“…Why all of a sudden?”

“How could she pay attention to a guy like that when I’m around?”

“…Sorry?”

“How could she not mention me even once?”

“…What?”

Rainier glared at a red book written in Balkan.

“Well… everyone has their own preferences.”

Riar awkwardly dodged the question, confused by Rainier’s cryptic mutterings.

“Once isn’t enough.”

“Excuse me?”

“This.”

Rainier waved the crumpled document.

“The Ethan Company seems to have launched a new trade ship.”

“Yes, I saw that.”

“Sink it.”

“…Again?”

“Yes.”

Riar went quiet for a moment, then sighed and answered.

“I’ll make sure there are no casualties and proceed without error.”