Chapter 53
Crown Prince Anasis somehow felt that his suspicions were correct.
The Rainier he had briefly seen as a child was a very cold person — more machine than man.
When he later heard rumors about him, they matched exactly the impression he had back then.
Whenever his mother sent women to kill him, Rainier would simply kill them and disappear. This wasn’t the first time Anasis had lost track of him.
This was, however, the first time he had seen him in person since becoming an adult.
In the past, Rainier would have hidden his hair and eye color. But now, for some reason, he was openly walking around with rare black hair and red eyes — the kind of red that was nearly impossible unless one had royal blood.
Of course, red eyes could occur naturally, but it was extremely rare. That was why Anasis was certain that Rain, who possessed both of these rare colors, was indeed Rainier.
Even with a mask on, his beauty shone through. Seeing that dazzling appearance again, just like in childhood, made it impossible to deny.
“Your Highness?”
And Layla — though she might be just a lowly count’s daughter — had a face worth looking at.
In truth, he had always dismissed her as someone else’s possession, but in reality, few women were as beautiful as she was.
“It’s a pity you can’t have children.”
“…All of a sudden?”
He looked her over. She was certainly exceptional in appearance.
Her light pink hair was as beautiful as a peony. Pink hair had often been a subject of ridicule, mostly because it rarely suited anyone. But on her, it fit perfectly — along with those pale blue eyes.
She was as lovely as someone painted in watercolor… with curves that didn’t match such a delicate face.
“And your family is insignificant.”
Crown Prince Anasis openly mocked her. Layla stared straight at him, wondering what on earth he was trying to do. He only smirked, as if amused.
Realizing that this was his way of showing interest almost made her laugh.
After all, he had seen countless women throw themselves at him to become the Crown Princess.
Women who, like Layla, would risk injury — even to the ankle — just to be in his arms were common. Many wrote him letters every day, trying to win his favor. There was even the daughter of the Vymar Duke who spent money like water to please him.
“You said you wanted to become the Marchioness of Bruce?”
“Yes.”
He also liked that, even while devoting herself to him, she still held on to Sonnet Bruce. The Bruce Marquisate was a well-known name among the central nobility.
If she really did marry Sonnet Bruce, he wouldn’t have to worry about her bearing children. It wasn’t unheard of for noblewomen to be imperial mistresses while married to someone else.
If it came to it, she could enjoy herself with Sonnet Bruce as well.
Thinking along those lines, Layla felt almost like a marionette in his hands.
“Then cooperate well.”
Unlike other noble ladies, Layla was extremely obedient. That part of her satisfied him.
“…I will. But as I said earlier…”
“I know.”
The only problem was that the person he intended to use her with preferred men, not women.
Of all people, why did his half-brother have to like men?
Crown Prince Anasis sighed at his own mistaken assumption.
“I’d like to have a word alone.”
Anasis was chatting with his subordinates in a special room on the fourth floor when he turned to Rainier, who was nearby.
“It’s an honor, Your Highness.”
Rainier — who had been making polite conversation with Lady Verona (though in truth, he was gritting his teeth the entire time) — immediately stood.
At that moment, Rainier felt an almost unbearable itch, like an allergic reaction all over his body, and nearly shouted in frustration. But it was something he had to endure without showing it.
He hated being touched — especially by women.
“Let’s go to the terrace.”
“Yes.”
The two headed to the central terrace, the same place Anasis and Layla had been the day before.
Standing by the terrace railing, Anasis chuckled as Rainier closed the door behind him.
“So… is that your type?”
“…Pardon?”
“I mean, do you like men?”
Rainier was so irritated he couldn’t even pinpoint which part annoyed him most. Still, he had to remember his role and keep smiling.
“Who told you that?”
“Layla.”
At that, Rainier unconsciously clenched his fist and hid it behind his back.
“Does that matter?”
“Oh, it matters. If you swing that way… I could recommend someone for you to enjoy tonight.”
“…How so?”
Rainier was furious at being misunderstood like this, though he had to admire the fact that Layla’s plan had worked — the Crown Prince had made the first move.
“I’ll be going to the plaza tonight. You could join me for drinks, and I’ll introduce you to some of my knight friends. They’re all strong, well-built, and have no prejudices about such things.”
Anasis’s eyes scanned Rainier’s physique. None of the palace knights were as tall or as solidly built as he was.
It wasn’t a big deal — he only intended to use him for a while.
“Very well, let’s do that.”
“Oh, and…”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Anasis pointed at Rainier’s mask.
“Come without the mask.”
“Yes.”
Rainier gave the Crown Prince the assurance he wanted before leaving.
“Lady, do you truly wish to become the Marchioness of Bruce?”
In another VIP room on the fourth floor, Lady Vymar asked Layla. Six people in total, including her close aides, were seated together.
“Yes.”
“Come to think of it, I heard you’re having an engagement ceremony this weekend. Is that true?”
“Yes, it is.”
Layla thought back to the hastily arranged engagement with Sonnet and nodded. At that, Lady Vymar let out a sigh, finally setting aside her doubts about her.
“The young Lord Bruce — he’s the one with blond hair and golden eyes, right? Very… cold, isn’t he?”
“Is Sonnet cold? He’s actually very kind.”
Layla knew that wasn’t his only side, but she deliberately said so.
“Oh my. How did you end up getting engaged so suddenly?”
Lady Fenalden, Vymar’s right-hand woman, asked in a way that encouraged conversation — though it was really to probe for information.
“Actually, Sonnet has liked me since my debutante ball.”
“Oh my!”
“I was also very tired of everything… I just want to settle down now, have children, and live peacefully.”
When Layla lowered her gaze with a harmless smile, Lady Vymar instinctively placed a hand on her shoulder.
“It will work out.”
Lady Vymar wasn’t ignorant of the rumors about Layla in the social circles — rumors that came from Layla’s sister, Siver, which she had never bothered to refute.
“Thank you, my lady.”
“Think nothing of it.”
“Is there anything I can do to help you? Honestly… I’m already so grateful that you would ask how I feel and comfort me like this.”
Layla looked at her with a pitiful smile, and Vymar, caught off guard by those sorrowful eyes, spoke without thinking.
“What do you mean? Are you saying no one has ever done that for you before?”
“N-no… that’s not…”
“So that’s why you want to marry Lord Bruce? Because no one recognizes you?”
Realizing that Vymar had grown sympathetic toward her, Layla forced a small smile. She discreetly wiped away the tears pooling at the corners of her eyes by pretending to yawn.
“My goodness.”
Sensing the shift in Vymar’s attitude, Lady Fenalden spoke up.
“Lady Siver always talks about you.”
“Now that you mention it, she always spoke negatively.”
“I know… I got tired of hearing it.”
“I felt the same. No matter what Lady Layla might have done wrong… she’s still family.”
“I’ve heard it a few times as well.”
As Vymar’s aides began siding with Layla, she bit the inside of her cheek and wiped her tears.
“It’s all my lack of virtue. My sister has done nothing wrong.”
Lady Vymar found Layla pitiful. How lonely must she be to want to marry someone who had suddenly appeared in her life?
At the same time, she remembered that Sonnet Bruce was actually quite a decent man, and she wanted to support their match.
“I’ll help you from now on.”
“My lady…”
“So you help me, too. The truth is… I like the Crown Prince.”
Inside, Layla was overjoyed. She had already won favor with the Crown Prince, so using Rainier as a pretext to call him out wouldn’t be difficult.
“Oh… Even if you didn’t help me, I’d still help you.”
“Lady Layla.”
“Just you coming all the way to Mont means so much to me. The truth is, before I die, I wanted to try running a business, so I spent all my dowry to open this shop.”
Lady Vymar’s eyes grew misty with emotion.
“Let’s help each other. In House Vymar, we always repay both kindness and grudges.”
And so, Layla secured a strong ally — someone who would no longer believe any of Siver’s nonsense.
Sonunda onu destekleyecek birileri çıktı. Rahatça uyuyabilirim artık 🥹🥹