Chapter 5

In the pitch ink of night there was a shadow standing, contemplating something for a while before pushing open one of the chamber gates in the castle grounds of the Everdale. 

"Layla...." rustling of sheets was heard as the person sat on the bed and smiled boldly as they tugged the lock of pink hair into their fingers before looking at the delicate figure of the woman that was sound asleep. 

"My sweet sister....." warm palms cupped the pale cheek of the sleeping fairy and the person sighed as if regretting coming so late when in reality they were not sorry at all, how can the master be sorry for when they couldn't play with their favorite toy for a while- that was what Layla was for that person, a personified doll.

"Engagement with Duke Valentine huh?" The sweet chuckle would have been simply charming if it wasn't for a twisted obsession in the eyes of the person that laughed without any sense of happiness. 

"But how is that possible huh?"

Its only I whom you can love Lylah, not our father and neither anyone else.

If it is Valentine then I will kill him before he could take you away from me."

The person stayed behind for several more minutes rummaging through the belongings of the sleeping woman as if to see something before departing. Only when it was half an hour past those happenings did those pink eyes fluttered open in terror, trembling fingers of the angel touched the skin that was held by the person with exquisite cocoa hair- Marianna.

Unbelievable

In her previous life Marianna seldom visited Valentine castle because of her health but when she did it always ended in a fight between Jeremiah and her, at that time Layla assumed that it must be her love for Duke Valentine that caused Marianna to behave as such but.....horror struck the woman's heart as she sat breathing heavily.

There appeared a pattern that she had never observed, Marianna's visit if seen closely coincided with the death of several members of House Valentine, what if the one person she really intended to murder was Jeremiah?

What if the person whom she wanted to have a closed grasp on wasn't Jeremiah but her?

How coincidental it was that only yesterday Marianna visited her before she had a meeting with Duke Valentine and he had a carriage accident, even the physician said that it could have been fatal?

For her father she was an obedient political tool, for her brothers she was a sacred sacrifice and for her sister who she could never hate despite so much pain, she was an unfeeling and lifeless toy in shackles.

Trembling fingers strengthened into a fist with rage. 

Even if she dies this time, she will flow so far away that these abhorrent creatures would not even have the ashes of her body.

When sun glimmered its first rays on Everdale, the duchy was more lively than usual with servants going back and forth and carrying chests full of precious items to a carriage situated outside but the maids did not smiled despite how their mistress was laughing like a blooming lotus.

It was as if Layla had returned to her original self as she gave away small rewards to all the servants, her pinkish irses twinkling as she was dressed into an elegant yet seemingly very plain dress.

"I will be asking all four of you if you still wish to follow me?" The personal maids cried in happiness when such a proposition was made and thus they prepared their lady with all their heart.

While one section of the ducal house was thrumming with whispers and bustling with energy it attracted enough attention of the duke and his sons, even Marianna that seldom showed her face came out to ask a servant of what was transpiring.

"Replying to the lady, princess Layla is leaving for the Valentine duchy." It was as if someone had chocked her neck, Marianna's smile faltered as her eyes clouded with anger and confusion.

"What did you say?!"

"m-my lady Layla is leaving."

By the time Damien arrived, Leon was already reprimanding the workers heavily.

"What does this impudence means? We haven't still allowed her to go! Move away and let me talk to her." Yet how can the people who served the lady be disloyal to her so even after they were threatened by Leon's words they refused to comply.

It was only when Layla stepped out with her personal attendants with her clothes and books packed in several chests did Leon saw her.

"Layla what is the meaning of all this, don't tell me you have lost your mind?" Karl was the eldest and also one person whom the people of the ducal house respected and feared after Damien thus when Layla simply shook her head to his statement giving him a lukewarm response along with a smile it was almost a shock to the onlookers.

Once she was afraid of him to the extent of never even trying to look into his eyes and now she did not care at all, she rather gave explanation to Damien.

"Duke, as expected I have talked to Sir Valentine and have agreed together on this matter that I will live in the secondary resident of the Valentines which is near the outskirts of the city. It has been upon myself to take the responsibility of the wellbeing and welfare of the citizens of Avesta empire which I shall fulfil as the princess of Everdale.

Also, since I will be living in the secondary residence which is far away there will not be any rumors of mine and Duke Valentine's intimate relationship, rest assured if asked to marry again I will still be pure and can perform the duty again."

Never in their life Karl and Leon have heard such harsh words from Layla, forget about the adorable little sister that used to seek their affection, these words were so heart wrenching that it showed how she viewed them. It simply implied that she will remain a virgin so in case they wish to sell her in future her price would not dwindle.

If it wounded the brothers then what about Damien? After his wife's death it was his daughters that he could show affection to and no one else but to become such a despicable being to the person whom he cared for...having the tar ink spot of trading his daughter's life for his selfish greed...Layla now called him duke and not father...

So this was how she viewed all of them.

If they showed her indifference then she equally hated them.

"Layla....what father said-"

"What duke said had no flaws young master, it was I that was unable to distinguish."

 'Elder brother look I made this protecting charm for you'

'Father! F-father can you eat with me for once.'

"Layla come inside, its your birthday in a week....lets go inside and talk. I will get you whatever you wish for."

"Then can I ask for anything?" Hoping that the fragile daughter of his would agree the man who towered over her replied quickly.

"Then I will please ask the duke to give me permission to take my maids with me. I never celebrated my birthday eitherways so one more time will not make a difference."

"How can you leave me alone!" It was only then the one person who was standing listening to all, came forward and clutched the female tightly. Marianna looked at Layla with desperate insane eyes that looked as if there was no tomorrow.

"No, how can I leave my sister that I loved my entire life, it is just that I am not only Layla...it is also princess of Everdale and from now on I would not be a burden to this prestigious house."