It was 2 hours before the engagement ceremony.

“It’s truly fortunate. I was so worried about what might have happened to you, Your Highness.”

The carriage sent by the royal family arrived at Millay’s residence at the appointed time, along with Layla’s lady-in-waiting.

After having breakfast and being led by Millay’s hand to choose a dress, Layla naturally assumed she would ride in Millay’s carriage to the royal palace. So when she saw the carriage with the Filmer royal family’s emblem unfurled, she hesitated for a moment.

However, as her lady-in-waiting came tumbling out of the carriage sobbing, Layla consoled her and climbed into that carriage.

Listening to the rough story, it seemed Millay had informed the royal family of his presence here first, concocting an appropriate tale.

He was quite skilled. No matter how one looked at it, Millay seemed to be a man whose lies were of a superior level.

While looking at her lady-in-waiting, who was still dabbing at her eyes with a handkerchief, Layla asked for now:

“So…? Did the royal family search for me a lot too?”

At that, the lady-in-waiting nodded her head vigorously.

“Of course, even Prince Reynold returned to the building to search for you and suffered a severe injury.”

“Severe injury?”

“He tumbled down the stairs, and according to the royal physician, his ribs are broken….”

Having learned through two experiences that Reynold didn’t cherish her that much, Layla was skeptical even hearing that Reynold had returned to look for her. Besides, how did he tumble down the stairs to break his ribs?

She suspected he might be lying in collusion with the royal physician. It seemed plausible enough for him.

Trotting along, as they conversed, the horse of the carriage sent by the Filmer royal family galloped forward, spurred on by the coachman’s whip.

Layla, glancing at her lady-in-waiting, gently opened the small window of the carriage and quietly looked back. Her gaze fell upon another carriage following the one she was riding in.

As soon as she did, her heart began to beat irregularly as if she had done something wrong.

Thump, thump.

Due to her rapidly beating heart, Layla had no choice but to take a deep breath. Why was her heart pounding like this when it wasn’t even a wedding?

But it was evident that this distinct trembling wasn’t because of the story about Reynold she had just heard.

The carriage following theirs was the one carrying Duke Millay and his subordinate, Lilburn. Layla swallowed dryly and suddenly checked her dress.

Beside her, the lady-in-waiting suddenly began to praise Layla.

“Your Highness, that dress is different from last night. Did Reynold prepare and send it for you? It suits you so well.”

“Is that so…? This, Duke Millay took care of it for me.”

“The Duke?”

Layla nodded and smiled brightly. Seeing the lady-in-waiting mistaking it as sent by the royal family, it seemed Millay had good taste. Layla was also very fond of this dress, even if it wasn’t custom-made.

The delicate lace around the wrists in particular showed a lot of effort had gone into the garment.

But Millay apparently found it lacking, as he apologized while presenting this dress to Layla.

〈I am sorry to offer such a dress to the princess. If there is an opportunity next time… I would like to present you with an even more beautiful and well-fitting dress and shoes then.〉

He said while kneeling on one knee in front of her, putting white shoes on Layla’s small feet.

〈Will there be such an occasion?〉

The moment Layla asked, Millay’s hand stopped. But only for a brief moment. Slowly rising, Millay picked up the necklace that had been unfastened to put on the dress.

〈Sometimes when I’m out, I wander to other countries, so if my feet lead me to Wessex, I shall pay a visit to the princess.〉

Though his touch was careful, while speaking, Millay’s fingertips lightly brushed her neck. Soon after, a clicking sound rang out as the necklace was fastened.

And it was when he raised his head to look in the mirror. His face reflected there was filled with a fresh smile.

Eyes of a deep blue, brimming with brilliance.

Lips drawing an uninhibited smile.

Seeing that, Layla suddenly-

Thump, thump.

Her heart began to pound loudly. She struggled to calm her heart that was beating so powerfully.

Did Millay know?

In that moment, how deeply the smile blooming on his red lips penetrated her heart, how strongly it resonated in her chest.

Because of that, Layla had to strive once more to suppress the urge to utter a forbidden question.

‘Could it be that I’ve come to like him?’

A man who lies.

Someone who hides so much that one cannot know his true nature.

Moreover, if she left this place as he planned, they might never meet again. Not only that. Since he said he couldn’t forget his first love, he must have no interest in her.

Obstructed by reality, Layla finally closed the window. And once more, she sat demurely inside the carriage.

Amidst the rattling noise ringing in her ears, Layla, who had been sitting idly, asked her lady-in-waiting after a while.

“By any chance, is there no separate communication from Wessex? Like a message from my father….”

“There was nothing like that.”

Seeing the lady-in-waiting shake her head glumly, Layla lowered her gaze. Judging from her expression, the lady-in-waiting seemed to think Layla was waiting for a letter from her father or mother.

However, she didn’t expect her parents, who had not a shred of affection for her, to write a letter to her who had come to another country.

〈Just go obediently and bear a child. A child like you will have nothing else to do.〉

That’s what her father had said to her the day before she left for Filmer. He also didn’t hesitate to add the insulting remark that she should just meekly lift her skirt when Reynold pulled her into bed. Her mother had heard her father’s words, but she didn’t stop him and maintained her silence.

She wasn’t particularly shocked by their attitude. It was the attitude her parents routinely showed, knowing Layla wasn’t the Tuner.

So how could she have such expectations of her parents? She had merely asked because of the contents of the report Millay had shown her yesterday.

‘Is that really true?’

If it was true, when would it be?

Princess Isabella’s plan, which she had supposedly devised, also included abducting Cedric. But more than anyone else, she hoped her youngest brother Cedric was safe.

He was her cute little brother who was particularly fond of her. It was no exaggeration to say she had practically raised him on her back, given their large age gap.

If that child were to be captured by the Fitzroys….

Her mind went blank, not knowing what to do.

In that case, would the Wessex royal family be able to exert their power? Layla was skeptical. There was no way Wessex had the power to stand against the Fitzroys.

In the end, to get Cedric back, they would have to pay an even greater price than anticipated.

‘If that’s true, there’s no choice but to return quickly, as Millay said.’

She didn’t mind if no one believed her words. As long as Cedric was safe. Even if the royal castle burned down, she wanted to save that child unharmed.

It was when Layla was making a firm resolution, clenching her fists tightly.

The road had felt even up to now, and sure enough, a sound was heard from outside.

“Your Highness, we have arrived at the royal castle.”

Layla inhaled deeply.

Yesterday, she had joked around with Millay, holding hands and dancing, and they had bantered about how to escape from the engagement ceremony. But today was different.

As the carriage door slowly opened, dazzling sunlight from the sun high in the sky poured into the carriage.

Her lady-in-waiting alighted from the carriage first, and after a moment, someone’s shadow was cast at the door.

‘Reynold?’

She had that thought for an instant, but it wasn’t him.

Millay, who had been following behind, was standing in front of her carriage, waiting to escort her.

Could it be that Reynold hadn’t even come to greet her?

No matter what, while Layla was hesitating for a moment, unsure if she should take his hand and get off instead of Reynold, who was her engagement partner, the lady-in-waiting slightly stepped into the carriage and explained the situation to Layla.

“Many people have already arrived at the engagement ceremony venue, and His Majesty the King and the princes are there. I was told that Prince Reynold Filmer’s injury is so severe that he is having difficulty moving, so he is waiting at the engagement ceremony venue. Therefore, please take Duke Millay’s hand and alight.”

“Ah, I see….”

Layla replied absentmindedly, unable to inquire further about the situation as it was right in front of her, but she couldn’t shake off her doubts.

‘Just how injured is he to entrust even the escort to Duke Millay?’

As she extended her foot out of the carriage, Millay came even closer and kindly offered his hand to her.

Layla looked up at his tall figure and placed her lace-gloved hand on top of his. Then, a quiet voice was heard.

“Do not be nervous.”

Those words evoked tension.

Her hand trembled, and her heart began to race rapidly once more.