Chapter 48
“What are you doing?”
From behind Layla, Sonnet’s voice came—followed almost immediately by the pressure of his arms tightening around her. Layla was in the middle of gently patting him, trying to calm him down.
“Why is the doctor here?”
“I’m here so Miss Layla doesn’t suddenly collapse, of course. And you really shouldn’t be hugging her that tightly.”
Before she knew it, Rainier had stepped in and pried the two of them apart. Layla blinked in surprise when he smoothly pulled her behind his back as though shielding her.
“What are you doing?”
Sonnet frowned at him, looking irritated, while Layla could only open and close her mouth, unable to think of anything to say.
“You know the young lady’s health is fragile. Even if you’re happy to see her after a long time, you shouldn’t be squeezing her like that. And it hasn’t even been that long since you last met, has it?”
“Sorry, Layla. I was just so happy to see you…”
“Even so, keep it within reason. What if something happens to her? Will you take responsibility for it, Viscount?”
“What the—!”
When Sonnet’s face drained of color, he looked straight at Layla. She sighed and released Rainier’s hand. He let her go more easily than she expected, but the look on his face… he clearly hadn’t let her go in spirit.
“I don’t understand why it’s the same every time. Does Viscount Bruce always put his feelings above the lady’s well-being? Disgraceful.”
At Rainier’s remark, Sonnet glanced at Layla in confusion. And Layla, for the first time, realized that the vague sense of distrust she’d felt toward Sonnet might have stemmed from moments exactly like this.
“Sometimes people act like that when they care too much,” she said.
But she wasn’t the type to forget her position.
And right then—
“Oh my, Layla! What is all this?”
As expected, Siever appeared, gripping the banister tightly as she descended.
“Lady Siever?”
“I heard Layla was picking out her engagement dress, so I came to help her choose one!”
Her arrival shifted the awkward atmosphere in a different direction.
“What are you doing down here?”
Sonnet spoke as though she were an unwanted intruder, but Siever pretended not to hear. She looped her arm through Layla’s and smiled.
“Our Layla trusts my taste more than anyone’s. Isn’t that why she asked His Highness Crown Prince Anasis to get her the exact same dress I wore that one time?”
“I thought we’d already agreed that matter was settled,” Rainier said with a mocking smile.
“D-Did we? I don’t think so,” Siever replied, forcing a laugh.
Even knowing he was a commoner, she somehow couldn’t quite dismiss Rainier.
It was his tall, solid build. His low, steady voice. The sheer presence of his large frame. And that primal, instinctive sense of fear she felt whenever their eyes met.
“If I need a doctor, I’ll call for one. You may leave now, Rain,” she said.
“As you wish.”
She spoke like the mistress of the house, but when Rainier’s gaze swept over her, Siever shuddered. Rainier gave her a look of thinly veiled disdain, then turned and walked away. Layla noticed he didn’t even glance back—and it left her thinking he was genuinely upset.
Once he was gone, the servants bustled around, surrounding Layla with an array of dresses.
“That doctor seems to have a thing for you, Layla,” Siever said mockingly from beside her, making Sonnet scowl.
“I think so too. Layla, why not keep your distance from him?”
Layla knew full well that if she showed interest in Rainier now, Siever’s target would shift from Sonnet to Rainier. So she forced a smile.
“Rain is capable. And we’ve never done anything to make people misunderstand.”
“I’m not doubting you. I’m saying he’s the strange one,” Sonnet replied earnestly.
“He’s still just a commoner,” Siever added.
“Not even a landed commoner?”
At her words, Sonnet’s scowl deepened, and he exhaled sharply in contempt.
“So he’s someone with no background at all.”
Siever’s expression faltered at that, but she quickly smoothed it over and stepped closer to Sonnet.
“It’s because he’s uneducated that he dares to act like that. Even if he’s skilled, he should know his place.”
“…Sonnet? Why are you so worked up?”
“…Sorry. But once we’re married, we should have him dismissed. Or at least keep him at Count Abier’s estate.”
Layla found the whole situation uncomfortable. She couldn’t help thinking the two of them were like hyenas, waiting for Rainier to leave before baring their teeth.
They both knew he was “just a commoner,” but when he was nearby, they didn’t dare say such things—likely because they were both, in some inexplicable way, afraid of him.
Layla let out a sigh. “As long as the doctor is competent, what more do you need?”
With that, she turned her attention to the racks of blue dresses.
Just then, Sonnet caught her by the arm.
“Layla.”
“—Ow…”
His grip was so tight that her body instinctively turned toward him. He stared intently into her eyes.
“You don’t have feelings for that doctor, do you? Why do you keep defending him?”
“My engagement is with you. We’re going to be married. Why would I have those feelings for Rain?”
She glanced at Siever, aware that she was watching, and then looked back at Sonnet. His gaze dropped, and he sighed.
“Sorry. It’s just… I’ve liked you for so long. And lately I keep feeling like I’m not good enough for you…”
“Don’t say that.”
Her arm hurt so much she gave a strained smile as she pulled it back. Only then did he seem to snap out of it and release her.
“Sonnet, there’s never been another man I wanted to marry more than you.”
It was a lie, but she said it anyway.
“Layla…”
His face lit up, and he hugged her tightly again. Layla thought he was both very good and very bad at acting—especially after Rainier’s scolding earlier, when he’d already been holding her this tightly.
She half expected her ribs to crack before he finally let go.
They spent the rest of the time looking over the dresses.
“So these are all just for design reference?”
“Yes, my lady. Once you choose a base design, we’ll incorporate your preferences and custom-make the dress.”
Layla feigned interest. “I like things that sparkle.”
“Then how about this one? A mix of purple and blue.”
“Oh my…”
The dress the designer showed her was an exquisite blend of colors—purple and blue intertwined, shimmering as if dusted with crushed crystal.
“I like this color. Let’s go with that.”
“And for the design?”
“This one.”
She chose a style with a neckline that exposed the collarbones.
“I think this would suit you best—your figure has… nice curves,” Sonnet said, ears turning red.
Siever forced a smile. “But Layla’s a bit chubby. A sleeveless dress might make her look bulky.”
“Oh, not at all,” the designer cut in. “Miss Layla has a shapely figure and slender arms and legs. It will only enhance her beauty.”
Siever cleared her throat awkwardly.
“This one’s the closest to what you picked—would you like to try it on?”
Layla handed the dress to a maid and stepped into the fitting room.
When she emerged in the sample dress—
“…Layla.”
Sonnet’s eyes widened, while Siever’s expression twisted with annoyance.
“I—I want a dress too,” Siever blurted.
“Sister?”
“You there.”
“Yes, Miss Siever?”
“I want to try that one on too.”
Taking a similar-colored dress, Siever went into the fitting room. Sonnet didn’t seem to notice and walked up to Layla.
“You look beautiful, Layla.”
“Thank you.”
“I’ll have butterfly accents added. And these earrings.”
“All right.”
Layla thought he was oddly fixated on the jewelry she’d worn for her debutante ball—perhaps because he remembered little else about her from that time.
“We’ll try to finish the initial stage by tomorrow, my lady,” the designer said with a bow.
“Go on, Sonnet.”
“Why? I want to look at you in that dress a bit longer.”
“I’m too tired.”
Perhaps still riding the high of having chosen their engagement outfits together, he nodded without protest.
“When I come tomorrow… can we practice?” he whispered in her ear.
Not knowing how to respond, she just smiled.
“If you promise me that, I’ll go.”
It sounded like he might not leave otherwise.
“Fine. See you tomorrow, Sonnet.”
Once he left, Siever made an excuse to share his carriage, leaving Layla alone.
She returned to her room.
Then she picked up a needle and pricked her own index finger.
“…Ah. That hurts.”
Tears welled at the corners of her eyes. She closed them, then opened them again—
“What is it?”
Rainier stood before her, fresh from the shower, a towel slung low around his waist.
