I want to see Sion.
With that single thought in mind, Laila went to the Duke of Axid’s residence and met the butler before she could see Sion.
At first, she felt a sense of familiarity seeing someone who seemed like a butler from the “real world,” but that feeling didn’t last long.
“The master is not in the mansion right now.”
“Ah…”
Why hadn’t she anticipated this situation?
How many hours would she have to wait here? Laila pondered this and asked, “When is His Grace expected to return?”
“He left for the territory about ten days ago…”
Laila doubted her ears. Territory?
“He will be back in about ten more days.”
Rumble. A storm brewed in Laila’s mind.
Soon, rain poured down. It was a mix of disappointment, regret, and emptiness.
As Laila stood helplessly getting soaked in the rain, the butler spoke up.
“Shall I inform him that someone came to visit?”
Laila snapped back to reality.
That means…
‘He’s telling me to leave.’
It was a dismissal. Laila’s mind raced with thoughts only she could comprehend.
What should she do?
‘Should I introduce myself as Laila Hildegarde and say I want to stay at the Duke’s residence until Sion returns?’
If she did that, they wouldn’t feel the need to kick the “Marquis’ lady” out of the mansion.
But…
‘But then Henry will find out where I am.’
There’s no way Henry would leave Laila alone after learning where she was.
He would either come to capture and kill her himself or send someone to do it.
And it takes about a week to travel from the Hildegarde territory to the capital at a leisurely pace.
Dying at Henry Hildegarde’s hands before Sion returns to the Duke’s residence? That was entirely possible.
Laila furrowed her brows after finishing her calculations.
She wasn’t really afraid of dying. After all, it was just a dream.
However, if she went through all this—evading the guards and riding in a carriage for days—only to not see Sion…
‘I don’t want that! It’s unfair!’
Even if she were to die again at Henry’s hands and wake up from the dream, she wouldn’t want that.
Laila wanted to see Sion, who existed in “this dream.”
If someone were to ask why she wanted to see Sion, who was merely a creation of her subconscious, well, Laila had no answer.
If she had to pinpoint it, it was simply…
She just wanted to see him.
“Lady?”
The moment the butler addressed her with a title, Laila snapped back to reality.
It dawned on her.
A way to stay in this mansion as “Laila,” not as Laila Hildegarde.
“Butler, I’m not a lady. Actually…”
Laila continued, clasping her hands tightly.
“I want to work as a maid in this mansion.”
☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓
Laila thought that the butler of the Duke of Axid wouldn’t recognize who she was.
That much was true.
However, Cecile Dimart, who stayed at the Duke of Axid’s residence, was different.
She knew exactly what “Laila Hildegarde” looked like.
Laila Hildegarde rarely engaged in social activities. In other words, she had hardly ever shown her face in public.
But a useful informant would know even the number of forks and knives in someone’s house.
Cecile had collected information about the appearance of the entire “Hildegarde family” through her informants.
She believed it was necessary to know who had once tried to harm her and her family.
‘A new maid? Fine, accept her. I’ll tell the Duke.’
Cecile accepted Laila as a maid, fully aware of her identity.
‘I don’t know what her intentions are, but…’
Cecile coldly smiled, recalling Laila using the alias “Lala.”
“A wolf can’t give birth to a rabbit.”
Laila had luxurious pink hair and green eyes, with a small, pale face.
She looked like someone who couldn’t even harm an ant on the street, but still, she was a “Hildegarde.”
“Before Sion returns, I’ll uncover your true intentions. And I’ll humiliate you and drive you away.”
Ten days ago, Cecile had certainly made that resolution.
And now, having watched Laila, who was working as a maid, for ten days…
☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓 ☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓
Sion recalled Cecile’s words and expressions.
‘That woman is working as a maid in the mansion.’
Cecile informed Sion about what Laila was doing at the estate while seeming flustered.
At first, Sion thought that Cecile was flustered because Laila Hildegarde was working as a maid at the estate.
He himself had felt a bit flustered when he heard that.
However, Cecile immediately added to Sion’s speculation, as if to indicate he was wrong.
“But the reason is… in my opinion… I’m still confused, but from what I’ve seen…”
Sion’s steps slowed as he walked down the corridor, recalling her words.
That couldn’t be.
When Cecile finished her sentence, the thought that came to Sion was those three words.
‘…It might not be, but keep it in mind. And you decide what to do with that woman.’
The voice that had been echoing in his head faded. At the same time, Sion’s eyes met those of the maid who was cleaning the windowsill with a mop at the end of the hallway.
The maid, with her eyes wide open, dropped the rag.
“…Sion?”
A very small voice slipped from the maid’s lips. If someone had been standing in Sion’s place, they might have thought the maid merely twitched her lips slightly.
But it was Sion who was here now, and he clearly heard her voice.
It felt strange.
Was it because ‘Laila Hildegarde’ was wearing a maid’s uniform in his own mansion?
Or was it because she suddenly called out a name that hadn’t even been introduced?
Or perhaps…
Her expression.
Was it because of that expression, which felt like it would be etched in his vision forever?
Sion paused for a moment before moving again, approaching the maid.
The maid, Laila, hesitated in her place.
Sion observed Laila closely. Why was she hesitating? Did she want to naturally step back because someone was approaching her?
But that didn’t seem to be the case. Rather, Laila…
For some reason, it seemed like she was holding back her desire to come closer.
Why was she holding back? Was there a need to? Sion thought that far and felt as if he had bitten his tongue.
Sion found it hard to deny that just a moment ago, he seemed like someone who hoped Laila Hildegarde would come closer to him.
After experiencing his own unknown twists and turns, Sion stood in front of Laila. Dressed in a maid’s uniform of white and black, Laila looked up at him.
Laila stared at Sion for a moment before lowering her head as if she had just realized her mistake.
“Nice to meet you. Your Grace, the Duke.”
“……”
“I’m Lala, and I’ve been working in this mansion for ten days.”
“Lady Hildegarde.”
Laila quickly raised her head. She looked as if she had been struck by lightning. Sion thought absentmindedly as he looked at Laila’s face.
“I already know who you are.”
“……”
“So I will only ask questions that need answers. Why are you here?”
“……”
“Was it your intention to meet me?”
Laila did not answer immediately.
Was she concocting a plausible lie?
Or was she contemplating whether to answer honestly or to lie?
If she were to answer honestly, what would that answer be?
‘You see, Sion, that woman…’
The moment Sion saw Laila’s face, he was certain. Up until this moment, he had never met this woman.
That’s why he couldn’t understand Cecile’s words even more.
‘You…’
Laila opened her mouth. Cecile’s voice faded away.
“Yes.”
Sion’s eyes widened slightly. He briefly thought about what he was saying “yes” to. Soon, he recalled the question he had asked: whether meeting him was her intention.
“I really wanted to meet you, Your Grace.”
“……”
“I apologize for not revealing my identity and working as a maid. However, there were circumstances. If you allow me, I would like to explain.”
“I’m listening.”
After responding, Sion suddenly suggested, “Shall we move to another place?”
