IDNT 22

Chapter 22.

“I love you, Layla. Will you officially get engaged to me?”

Sonet Bruce, who said those words, was holding a bouquet so large it looked like he was buried in roses.

The bouquet was twice the size of the one he had brought last time, and much more extravagant. The ribbon decorating the roses was made of silver, and it was so lavish that it felt like the jewels wrapped around the roses were the actual gift, not the flowers themselves.

“Sonet…”

Layla covered her mouth with her hand as if she were deeply moved.

Her appearance was even more of a spectacle.

Her lovely pink hair was neatly let down. The softly curled strands were elegantly arranged, draping over her shoulders and back.

Her makeup was more glamorous than usual. She even wore butterfly-shaped pins in her hair, along with matching earrings.

She was also wearing a beautiful white lace dress.

Layla looked so radiant and eye-catching that I was momentarily at a loss for words as I stared at her blankly.

“Okay.”

The moment she accepted, I felt like I had fallen into the abyss.

“What are you saying?”

“Rein?”

“What brings a physician here?”

Sonet scowled when he saw him, then ignored him and pulled a ring from the box, reaching for Layla’s hand.

“Ah… Sonet.”

“Sorry. I just want to put it on you right now.”

“Uh, okay…”

Ignoring Layla’s hesitant reaction, Sonet tried to slip the ring onto her finger in his haste. It was a ring passed down to the future Marchioness of House Bruce.

“This is too big.”

“Oh, that’s because it goes on the ring finger.”

He had been glaring at Reinier and accidentally tried to put the ring on her pinky, but then corrected it and placed it on her ring finger.

“You can’t even put a ring on your fiancée properly,” Reinier said, staring intently at Layla.

Layla smiled awkwardly, not understanding his intentions.

“Thanks for congratulating us, Rein.”

“…Sure.”

As he answered, Sonet finally slipped the ring onto her finger and stood up.

“This ring has been passed down through our family for generations. It looks perfect on you, Layla. Like it was meant to be.”

The ring of the Marchioness of House Bruce was indeed beautiful. A platinum band adorned with a brilliant white diamond in the center, surrounded by tightly clustered yellow sapphires.

It resembled a sunflower—the symbol of House Bruce.

“I’m really happy, Sonet.”

“Me too.”

Sonet looked straight into her eyes and smiled. Layla, thinking his acting was truly impressive, smiled just as brightly, mirroring his expression.

Then Sonet turned to Reinier and spoke.

“I’d like to be alone with her now. Would you leave?”

“I’m her personal physician. I should stay for her sake.”

‘Would it be bad if he kisses me?’

‘Yes. Very bad.’

‘Okay. Then we’ll do it after the engagement.’

Layla had a sudden thought that if she were left alone with Sonet, he might try to kiss her. Without realizing it, she blurted out:

“R-Rein is really competent. I never know when I might collapse again, so it’d be better if he stayed.”

“But Layla…”

“Hmm?”

“I don’t like being watched when I kiss someone.”

Sonet’s blunt comment left Layla speechless. Her mouth hung open, and her eyes widened.

Even more shocked than her, Reinier smiled strangely—like someone trying to smile while barely holding back their fury.

“As I’ve said before, Young Master Sonet, you’re currently putting Lady Layla, who is still recovering, at risk. Do you know how many germs you might be carrying?”

“Rein?”

“And flowers? You clearly haven’t considered the bacteria they might carry. She could catch a cold or spike another fever. Then she’ll be bedridden again for days.”

“I’m sorry, Layla. I didn’t mean to put you at risk. I just…”

“It’s okay.”

Flustered, Sonet let go of the hand he was holding. Reinier stood beside them expressionless, as if he’d forgotten how to smile.

“Then when can I kiss her?”

“When the lady is healthy again.”

“Understood.”

Sonet nodded as if he accepted the reasoning. Still, he looked relieved when he glanced at the ring on Layla’s hand. Then he turned to look at Reinier.

Compared to Hugo, Sonet was tall—tall enough to be proud of it. Yet Reinier was slightly taller still. That Reinier, a mere commoner (as far as Sonet knew), was looking down at him didn’t sit well.

On top of that, every time their eyes met, Sonet felt a strange chill—as if he were facing a predator barehanded.

“Then, would you leave now? My lady seems to have overexerted herself today.”

“I’m sorry, Layla. I keep letting my feelings get ahead of me and failing to be considerate.”

“No, Sonet. I’m really fine. I’m happy you came, and I’m very happy about today. So don’t worry.”

Sonet stared blankly at her smiling face, then quickly came to his senses and smiled back.

“See you tomorrow.”

“Yeah.”

Layla was relieved that Reinier helped send Sonet away quickly.

The engagement alone was already overwhelming enough.

–Rumble! Crash!

As Sonet left, thunder rumbled and heavy rain began to pour. It had been sunny just moments ago.

Layla returned to her room with Reinier after seeing Sonet off.

“You look beautiful today.”

“Thank you.”

Reinier, holding the bouquet, looked back at Layla as she followed him slowly. Her bright expression unsettled him deeply.

“Did something bad happen to you today, Rein?”

“What do you mean?”

“You seem… down.”

“Me?”

Though he was still smiling, she could tell it was fake. And strangely, there was a hint of hostility too.

Maybe he was jealous of a future rival.

Sibere had returned to Reinier after being rejected by Sonet when it was revealed she was of common birth.

Reinier might just have a strong intuition.

“The bouquet is very extravagant too.”

“Oh, yes. I’ve never seen anything like it… Ah!”

Suddenly, a bee tangled in the roses flew near Layla. Reinier sighed and swatted it away. Then he opened a third-floor corridor window and let it fly out before closing it again.

—Pitter patter…

The moment the window closed, the sound of rain striking the glass filled the air.

“You’re scared of bugs.”

It didn’t sound like a question. Layla remembered she wasn’t the only one afraid of them and nodded. Reinier smiled silently and walked ahead.

Once inside the room, he took the bouquet she was holding and placed it on the desk, then gestured for her to sit on the bed.

Layla felt anxious from Reinier’s oddly subdued demeanor, wondering if she had done something wrong.

Dealing with Sonet and Sibere was urgent, but she also had to build trust with Reinier. Only then would he voluntarily give her his blood and cure her of the poison.

Royal blood could neutralize any toxin and even heal wounds.

And anyone who ingested a mermaid’s tear would become nearly invulnerable when purified with royal blood.

“Rein, did something really bad happen today? Or… did you go to Éclair alone?”

“No.”

“Then why do you look so unhappy?”

“Me? I feel fine.”

Again, that manufactured smile.

“But, my lady…”

“Yes?”

“How many times did you say your engagements have broken off?”

“About… five, I think.”

“I see.”

Among nobles, engagements started from a young age. Layla had many past fiancés. All of them had broken things off to pursue Sibere, but Sibere never officially got engaged to any of them.

That was when Layla stopped attending social gatherings on her own initiative.

Engagements were extremely serious among nobles. Yet she had been engaged multiple times, and all had ended badly.

People didn’t blame Sibere for stealing suitors. Sibere had twisted the story cleverly, and besides, they enjoyed blaming Layla more.

Always bedridden, barely able to speak up for herself—Layla was like an easy target no one feared opposing.

Sibere, on the other hand, dazzled people with her wit and bold personality at social gatherings.

Of course, she had enemies. Quite a few behind her back.

But Count Avier’s wealth and influence were intimidating, so few dared openly oppose her.

“Then breaking off one more engagement won’t be such a big deal for you, will it?”

“…What?”

Layla looked at him, wondering if she misheard. But Reinier was staring at her seriously, no trace of a smile.

“Do you want me to break off my engagement?”

“Yes.”

At that, Layla was sure of it.

He really was one of the Countess’s people. She recalled how her stepmother told her to leave Sonet and go back to Hugo. Reinier’s behavior now made sense.

“But I like Sonet.”

“Are you sure about your feelings?”

“Yes.”

Her unwavering answer wiped the smile off his face.

“What do you like about him?”

“The Bruce family is rich.”

“So you want to marry for money, not status?”

“Sonet can make me healthy.”

At that, Reinier stared deep into her eyes.

“Then health is more important to you than wealth.”

And then he said,

“Would you like me to tell you how you can become healthy?”