The Escape of Layla

In the King's study, a room in the royal castle of the Altair Kingdom, I was still silently running my brush today.Right next to him, you are looking at what His Majesty wrote to me.

Silver hair and deep pale eyes trapped in the glow of the stars.Much more majestic than when I was a young man, my eyes became icy cold.His Majesty has been watching this ever since you lost Leila.

Although I was blessed with a prince after I got married and received the Empress, the only person in His Majesty's heart is Leila.His Majesty only smiles at the image of Layla in the picture.My heart was probably broken a long time ago.

It was in my handwriting that His Majesty kept me by my side.His Majesty's handwriting caught my attention when I tried to communicate with him in writing because I couldn't speak.

- Don't write beautiful characters."It's like Layla..."

After that, the emperor twisted his mouth to say that he was convinced.You must have remembered that gloomy fortnight.

- Is that so? You were learning the letters directly from Leila.

When I was pointed out, I secretly decided that I might be executed.Since the loss of Layla, the Emperor has banished his linen-haired maids and wiped all anemones and violets from the castle.He didn't want to upset his heart by seeing something reminiscent of Layla-sama.

That's why I thought that my character, which reminds me of Layla, was one of those things that His Majesty would like to be erased.However, the following words were unexpected.

--From now on, come to the study. Write something instead of Leila.

I think my handwriting resembled that of Layla-sama, to the extent that he hesitated to erase it.Since then, I've been walking into His Majesty's study and spelling out unexpected sentences on behalf of Layla.Of course, I sometimes clean the study and make the emperor a cup of tea, but it's no exaggeration to say that this is my number one job.

Since I was given this role, I have been reading books in all fields and going to the library in the castle during work in order to acquire a little education.

It was an unexpected pleasure to be close to His Majesty's son, His Royal Highness Prince Allen.

His Highness Allen seems to be feared by the castle men because of his appearance, but for me he was an irresistible friend, like my adorable brother.You are such a gentle prince that you can think of a way to communicate with your hands for me who can't speak out.

... I want her to be happy.I don't want you to think that way, like His Majesty Lewis.

Fortunately, His Highness Allen has heard that he is in good hands with his fiancée, Lady Cheryl, so there is nothing to worry about.I prayed that you and Lady Cheryl would be safe and sound.

"My hands are stopped."

A cold voice came from right next to him, and he moved his hand holding the pen in a hurry.Now I am transcribing a verse from a poem.It's a famously beautiful poem that Leila used to quote in her letters.

His Majesty has asked me for a variety of things.In other words, if we pay attention to the vocabulary, such as those that spell out the beauty of anemones and those that depict the landscape around the royal castle, we can do something about it.

The hard part is when they say, "Let me write to you instead of Leila."

I served Lady Leila only for two gloomy weeks, when she was trapped in the Moon Tower.I heard that in the social world she was always a "goddess "-like daughter who celebrated her perfect smile, but Lady Leila, who was hurt and cornered by Her Majesty, was a pathetic girl who was frightened by her irrational obsession.It's hard to say that I was watching Layla-sama's original appearance.

Nevertheless, I could not disobey His Majesty's orders.Remembering Master Layla's kind heart, he desperately wrote a false letter.

However, the letter produced in this way rarely deserved His Majesty's attention.If you write something too bad, you can be thrown into an ink pot and kicked out.If I were to be praised occasionally, it would be a sentence almost identical to what was written in Master Leyla's actual letter.

I can never produce what His Majesty wants.I'm sure your Majesty and I all knew that.

Nevertheless, His Majesty ordered me to write a false letter.Even though I knew I would be disappointed, I had to write to me again and again.His Majesty is looking for Leila.

And one day, I couldn't leave the Emperor alone.He's been steadily poisoning him every day.Unlike when he was a girl who was irrationally hurting Leila-sama, His Majesty was pitying her for not being able to keep Leila-sama's heart connected.

For whatever reason, violence shouldn't be tolerated, but now I don't feel like blaming His Majesty.I couldn't feel very reproachful when I saw His Majesty break in response to the phantom of Layla, who had killed himself.

I keep writing senseless, false letters because I wish the Emperor's heart would be saved for a moment.Just for a blink of an eye.If your Majesty had laughed like Leila did when she was here, that would have saved me.

That's a nice sentence. It's a seasonal greeting like Leila's.

Suddenly, the emperor standing next to him looked behind him and bowed down.Just by doing so, your heart is jumping out of the way.His Majesty's warmth was slightly conveyed, as if he were being hugged.

His heart was screaming so loudly in his ears.I am always distracted by His Majesty's whimsical distance.I already knew why.

My thoughts are about to overflow.When I noticed it, my shivering fingertips were writing on their own.

- I'm glad to hear that.

As soon as I saw it, I found the emperor laughing thinly behind my back.

"... I don't need any consolation. Leila loved me a long time ago.”

A hand stretched out from behind crushes the paper.The warmth that had been subtly conveyed quickly moved away.

"Back off today." And... never write anything like this again. "

With a forced smile, he broke his knee and thanked him for leaving the room.I knew it, but I feel like I'm going to cry any minute now.

When I walked towards the door of the study, I heard the voice of His Majesty like "Leila" behind me.We won't be able to do this for a while.I'm no longer in a state where I can meet people.That is why I have to keep an eye out for visitors in front of the room.

He went out into the hallway, closed the door behind him, and deposited his back so that he could lean back on it.As I lean down, tears are about to overflow.I know better than anyone that it's not supposed to happen.

... I wish I were Layla.

Then you can hug your Majesty as much as you want and call him by name.

- I'm glad to hear that.

That's not a lie spelled out in place of Lady Leila.It was my true feelings.Of course, that wasn't supposed to be passed on to His Majesty.

My eyes are hot. I desperately raised my mouth and tried to make a casual smile.We need to clean up the hallways subtly and be careful not to let our customers come to your emperor.

"... Monica?"

The voice of the boy who was used to hearing it raised his face.There was a beautiful prince with silver hair and pale eyes.Alongside them was the Duke of Ames, who was close to the Emperor.Your Highness's fiancée, Lady Cheryl, is the daughter of the Duke of Ames, so it is not unusual for the two of you to be together.

"Monica, what's wrong?...... Did my father do something to you?"

His Highness Allen rushes in front of me with a sad look on his face, just like your Majesty.Really, kind of you. I can't believe people like me are so attentive.

"Nothing," he replied with a signal from the hand that he had decided with the Highness, and took up a forced smile.However, His Highness's expression didn't clear up.

"It's nothing... Then why are you crying so much?"Did your father tell you something terrible?Just in time, let's talk directly-- "

I stood in a hurry in front of His Highness, who tried to reach for the door, and shook my head.We can't let His Highness through now.His Majesty is in a terrible state of mind.

Only the Duke of Ames is allowed to see you at this time.Looking up at the duke as if to ask for help, he nodded as if he knew.

Your Highness, let me ask you something.

Apparently, it was the Duke who wanted to stay in this room.I may have seen your Highness along the way and been here with you while we were talking.

His Highness seemed to know that only the Duke could enter this room.Although he looked reluctant, he drew my arm and showed some complacency.

“Okay, make sure you ask.If my father seems to be treating Monica badly, then we have to think about rearranging it. "

"... I understand."

The duke gave a bitter smile somewhere, and he shot out my eyes and narrowed my ears.

"--You might as well get out of this castle."For my daughter.I'll help you as soon as I can....... if I stay like this, I won't be able to see if I'm going to become a second Lady Layla. "

Repeatedly blinking at the whispering words.Second Lady Layla, this is a very meaningful word, but I didn't quite understand it.At least for His Majesty, Leila is the only one that He killed and is now in the painting.

Duke

His Highness pulled the arm he was grabbing further and pulled me away from the Duke.She was smiling gently as usual, but her pale eyes suddenly breathed as if she had seen an image of Her Majesty Lewis.

The duke, who was laughing and gazed upon by his grimace, gave a ceremonial smile, but the slightly floating colour of concern became more and more intense.

"Excuse me, Your Royal Highness Prince Allen."

After the duke smiled, he glanced at me with a sad look and disappeared into the study.

Only me and His Highness Allen were left in the hallway.Perhaps because the duke whispered something profound, the tears were drawn at some point.

There is a duke in the study, so it will be no problem to leave here anymore.I need to switch my moods and get on with my other work.

I've caused Hon. Allen a lot of worry.Your arms are still gripped, and your cheeks are loosened by the kindness of your Highness trying to protect me.And since you have a heart that cares for your servants, you will surely be a wonderful king who loves the people in the future.

Your Highness, I'm so worried.But I'm really fine.I think I'll go back to my place. "

After communicating with the signals of the two hands, the Highness greeted me with a quiet smile.

"Monica... you can't really accept what the Duke said."You should work in this castle. "

The duke's whisper was heard by his Highness.Although it was a meaningless word, I was going to work in this castle because I didn't know what it meant.

Besides, we have His Majesty Lewis here.I want to serve you by your side, even if it never comes true.

I'm going to continue to take care of you here, and when I tried to send a hand signal, Lord Allen clenched my hands.With this, I can't send a signal.

“I don't know how to speak, but I think it's hard to find another place to work.Above all, outside the castle is too dangerous for you. [M]"Even in your irrational eyes, you can't even scream..."I can't, I have to stay here. "

His Highness's impatient voice relaxed his cheeks again.Your Highness seems to have a surprisingly worrying side.How dare you say this to me out of compassion for my incapacity to speak.It was an honor for someone like me.

However, when I noticed that His Highness's pale eyes were deep, I took a breath.

I had the same look earlier, but it reminded me of the old emperor's eyes.His Majesty used to look at Leila like that.

Releasing my hand, the Highness took out the golden key from his pocket.It's beautifully decorated.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?... If you leave this castle, I'll use this key without hesitation."

His Highness smiled intoxicated by his sweet dreams.

After all, this man is the son of His Majesty.The way he laughed was like the image of his Majesty.

Honestly, fear is better when it comes to the memory of His Majesty in his youth.Because of that, I couldn't even see His Highness's face straight now.

His Highness's hand was once again entangled in my hand.She grabbed it gently and grabbed it so that she could never let go of me.

I wonder when His Highness's hands, which were so small and cute, had grown so big.It's no different now than your Majesty's.

"It's up to you to make me a kind king, Monica."If you're pitying Lady Leila's trail... you need to think and act. Got it? "

I thought this might be intimidation, even though it sounded gentle.The fingertips of the hand held by His Highness trembled slightly.

"... do you understand?"

I felt a slight strengthening of my tone, and I nodded heavily in reflection.Could it be that you're angry?

His Highness smiled as he raised his horrified face.But I can't read your emotions, it's like a stuck smile.

"Great.... hey, let's just read a book together for a minute."I found Monica's favorite book. "

His Highness took my hand and walked out.My will cannot be conveyed with my hand.

With a smile revealing his confusion, he narrowed his pale eyes a bit and laughed, infiltrating his eyes.