The Escape of Layla

I no longer have a beautiful and perfect daughter.

It's as if a little bird seeking freedom escapes the cage.

I, Lydia Ashbury, am a former Count Warrant, married to the Duke of Ashbury, a famous family of the kingdom Altair. Unusual in this aristocratic society, my husband and I accompanied him after a great romance. There was not a major obstacle, but at first it was sometimes subjected to unwarranted accusations because of the difference in the personality between the Dukes and Counts.

Maybe that was simply coming from jealousy. Because my parents were high among the counts, and a house of such provenance that there was no wonder that I was married to the Duke's. But even though my head understood that I had nothing to worry about, for the young me, the surrounding eyes were stretched out under heavy pressure. And I think that, perhaps, before I even knew it, it was descending like thin dust deep in my heart.

On the other hand, my husband and my husband's parents, it was already kind and honest people, who never did anything to abuse me, my daughter-in-law, who came from a less well-off house. The so-called accusations also turned into words of praise for the Duke of Ashbury family if my husband and I got married. I was recognized as the Duchess of Ashbury.

Then shortly afterwards, we were given a pretty girl. My husband has similar flax hair and eyes, he's a really adorable kid.

It was clear that the child, named Leila, would grow beautifully in anyone's eyes. Above all, my husband gave me flax hair and eyes, and I realized that she was a princess on my honorable body as a child.

But at the same time, I was scared. I can never make a mistake educating this child, who is so beautiful and innocent and who receives noble blood. The fact that the mother is out of the Count's house should not mean that Leila is pointing her back finger. The thought was intertwined with the unsurpassed accusations I once received at a time when I was a young lady, and gradually turned into something of an obsessive-compulsive notion.

Anyway, Leila needs to be educated the best she can. Moreover, Layla was more likely to be married to the First Prince, given her family's character and age. I mean, she could be the queen of the future. Though my child, you can never lose your hand. I vowed to haunt my heart if I were to raise her to the perfect courtier, staring at Layla, who would raise her up properly and laugh.

Leila was a very brilliant kid, similar to her brilliant and famous husband. Solve the problems prepared by the tutors correctly without difficulty, and try to do the manners and dance lessons with a cool face without complaining about a single one. When I saw how it was, I was in such a hurry if I didn't invite a better tutor.

Leila is like a chunk of possibilities. The more difficult she faces, the deeper her upbringing will surely be. Once I teach meticulous manners, the next day I'm already transferring them into practice. No matter how elusive the steps of the dance, they must be made to dance lightly.

For the good Leila, I thought this request might be too sweet, and gradually more time was spent discussing it with the Duchess as a Duchess, rather than having parent-child conversation. Layla was accepting it without complaining a word, and I was relieved to see Layla getting perfect day after day that this was good. Leila also needs to understand that although I miss having no parent-child conversation, there is no choice but to be born in a noble house.

But one day my husband shrugged. I'm originally an oligarchy person, so I don't talk about what I do in rare things, that husband.

"… a little too harsh for Leila"

For a moment, I didn't know what you were talking about. Even though I am still so anxious to see if this will educate Leila enough.

"Leila is a very good girl. You can be a more perfect courtier."

"... I guess so"

More than that, my husband said nothing. My husband basically doesn't do the kind of imitation that persists in eating down because the kids' education was making me do what I wanted. At the end of the day, my husband never came up with the same topic again.

Then shortly afterwards, Rose's education, born a year after Layla, became full-scale. Although Rose is a child with a flashy appearance similar to mine, she is no stranger to drawing the blood of the noble Duke of Ashbury family. In such a way as to take over Layla's tutor, I was also thinking of giving Rose the perfect education.

But Rose unfortunately didn't do as well as Layla. I know this kind of thing is unsuitable. But that doesn't mean they won't let you study. We have to take it to a level where we're not ashamed to be Duke's Lady somehow.

But as the study became full-blown, the pretty Rose's face became cloudy. I guess I don't really like going to my desk. Still, the minimum upbringing didn't change my mind that I had to let them wear it, and I didn't condone Rose's endurance of "I want to rest today," which is repeated every day.

But I saw it one day. Sweet Rose is moisturizing her beautiful, empty eyes and crying.

It really happened that I went to see Rose study that day, which I don't normally peek at. The tea party scheduled a few days later was cancelled and suddenly out of hand, so I thought I'd check on Rose as well.

Take a gentle glance at the study prepared for Rose. Be careful not to disturb the concentration, never to be noticed.

With my little hand, I wonder if I'm trying so hard to write it down. When I took a step into the study with such calm, I was stunned to see Rose

Sweet Rose was crying.

With parchment paper in front that remains white, rubbing both eyes with small hands.

"... Lady Rose, if you don't understand, I'll explain it to you again..."

Compare what a troubled tutor looks like to Rose and try to figure out the situation somehow. But the shock that cute Rose is crying is too big to calmly work her head off. Sometimes Leila is a child who doesn't cry at all, and I wasn't used to her tears.

"... ma'am?

I was going to take a sneak peek, but the tutor noticed me. Rose looks up at me as soon as she gets there.

"Oh Mother..."

Rose came across my dress crying. Normally, I would caution against it, but I don't feel that way in front of Rose, who is crying.

"What's wrong, Rose..."

"My teacher is mean... because I can't study..."

Unexpectedly, I still stared at the young tutor to blame. The tutor blues his face and goes to denial with all his might.

"Ma'am, I was just trying to explain to Miss Rose again what I don't know..."

"Anyway, I can't be as good as your sister!

When I saw Rose, a young man crying in my dress, she was annoyed.

... I guess I was pushing Rose through some incredible impossibility. Weren't you unconsciously demanding that you behave like a good sister?

I knew Leila would jump through and excel compared to the ladies around the same age. I was proud because that was Leila's blood muscle and my educational gift, but from Rose's point of view, having a sister too good should have been under a lot of pressure.

Rose, just compared to Layla, how painful it would have been. It was also a failure to give Rose the same tutor as Layla. They are used to good Leila lectures. I know what it's like to ask Leila's sister, Rose, for something more than strength, even if she's not going to be mean.

"... pathetically, Rose"

If I stroked Rose's platinum hair, I would have overlapped with my appearance when I was once the unsurpassed accusation in the social world. That pain, which can be blamed for the difference in personality, can hardly be helped, comes back to life.

Although the quality is different from that one again, Rose may also have suffered from the rush and disappointment that no matter how she scratched her feet, she was not suitable for a good Leila.

I must have made Rose feel bad before I realized it. I'm losing my temper.

Still, will I make it? Can you reach out before this child is crushed by despair?

"... it's okay, Rose can do what Rose can"

With a slightly trembling fingertip, stroke Rose's cheek slightly tinted. The sin that has made such an adorable child cry is heavy.

"... Really? Mother."

I moisten my empty eyes and look up at this one. That was the angel himself. I can't help but have my maternal instincts tickled. Unexpectedly, he was zeroing his grin as Rose's mother, not as the Duchess.

"Yeah, it's true."

I'll just stroke Rose's head again, hugging her again with her eyes moistened. I'll just take a good look at this poor girl who's just been compared to her sister. Yes, it was the moment I swore to my heart.

Then the thing is, Rose changed her education policy so that she wouldn't be forced to. Since the Duke of Ashbury family will be in the form Rose and her son-in-law inherit more than Leila has been whispered to be a candidate for the Crown Princess, there is no need to make Rose's education as rigorous as Leila's in the first place.

Of course, we need a level of upbringing that is not embarrassing as an aristocratic courtier, but we do not need to proceed rapidly until we make Rose cry. Rose's lecture ordered the tutors to do it on a more relaxed date than ever before. And as Rose sees it as Rose - don't push the challenge because she's a brilliant Leila's sister - I told her tough.

Still, the shadow of Leila, who is still good, keeps Rose crying to the tutors. Sometimes the tutors remembered what they were doing and the frustration as they embraced the crying Rose, even though she told them not to compare it to Layla.

"Poor Rose, it's okay. Let's forget about today. I'll tell her to get Rose's favorite cake in no time."

"Mother...... thank you"

Even a relaxed schedule lecture was a routine tea meal, such as not going as planned. But you can't rush Rose. Treat me the same way Layla would surely break this adorable daughter's heart.

My husband used to show his face when I was spending time with Rose, too. For better or worse, my relentless husband, when it comes to education, may have felt pity for Rose, who has just been compared to Layla. It's the first time I've seen him like a father when my husband is making Rose read Miga.

After slowly advancing her education, Rose began to live each day with pleasure. This is good, I grin, stroking my adorable Rose's cheek. As a result, I was able to make a parent-child time like this, thanks to Rose asking me for help.

I didn't forget about Layla, but she can do fine without me. By contrast, Rose needs me. Rose, who gave me a taste of the fullness of what I was asked for as a mother, couldn't help but be loving.

Then a while later, Leila was chosen as the fiancée of the First Prince to see if my educational achievements had materialized. When I saw Leila, who made me try to give her the perfect thank you in front of the prince, I was going to be moved and cry.

Leila won't have to worry about anything anymore. As the perfect warrant lady, even the royal family must have it.

At the time, Layla was only nine, but she was perfect enough to convince herself of it. Layla is undoubtedly the pride of the Duke of Ashbury family.

I wonder how happy I am. I have an excellent eldest daughter who has been blessed with a kind husband and has become the fiancé of a prince, with a second daughter who is as loving as an angel beside me. It seemed like there was nothing more to be desired.

But one day when I thought everything was going well, my heart filled with happiness and clarity would be stained with a drop of black ink, a glimmer of emotion.

That was what happened when His Royal Highness Prince Wang, engaged to Leila, visited the Duke's house to greet her engagement.

His Royal Highness Prince Wang and I were waiting for Leila as we strolled through the Duke's garden. His Royal Highness arrived a little early, so Leila's schedule was not yet in place.

His Royal Highness Prince Wang, then 12, was still a boy of cuteness. I guess the future will be a beautiful young man with a sigh of breath, because she looks a lot like the queen of the world's most beautiful women and reputation. Side by side with my perfect Layla, that must be as beautiful as another picture.

We had a conversation with no other love and waited for Layla as we walked slowly. In that, uh, your Highness stops to see the flowers blooming in the garden. The gardener, who seemed to be doing some work, panicked and knelt on the spot.

His Royal Highness stared at the flowers with his jewel-like pale eyes and was asked to be impatient.

"... What flowers would Miss Leila like"

It's a question from His Highness, so I open my mouth to answer it right away. But the words didn't come out. At the same time, now, I feel the chills that draw my blood away.

... I don't know Leila's favorite flower.

Put your hands gently on your chest to rest your pulsed heart.

No, I don't think so. I am the mother of that child.

His Highness, who seems to have wondered about the silence, looks up at this one for a moment. Bad, I have to answer that somehow. I also thought of making appropriate flowers, but I am afraid that many of them will lie to His Highness's questions. But I didn't even like to put it in words that I didn't even know Leila's favorite flowers.

Driven by a slight rush and shock, I let my gaze wander. At that time, I met the gardener with a slightly raised face. I thought it was pitiful, but I signaled with my gaze and asked the gardener for help.

"... I fear much, Your Highness Prince Wang. Lady Leila prefers Anemone flowers."

The gardener answered His Royal Highness's question, showing respect with the momentum that seemed to put his forehead on the ground. His Royal Highness glances at the gardener, then a neat grin.

"... Anemone? Miss Leila likes pretty flowers, just the way they look."

"Yeah... it is. I like it a lot."

I'm glad I wasn't pursued for not answering the question directly. His Highness opens his mouth again when he strokes his chest down so relieved.

"Finally, I'd like to ask you, what is Miss Leila's favorite gem? What color do you prefer? What types of tea leaves are always consumed? What do animals think is cute? What books can you read?... Speaking of which, are you sure embroidery is your hobby? Would Miss Leila be happy if I gave her a collection of embroidered motifs or something? Oh, but isn't Miss Leila worthy of what's already out there... Then pick up the rare embroidered yarn -"

As he stared at His Highness in disquiet at the sudden questioning attack, His Highness mumbled as if he had noticed my expression. I was just a little confused by how His Highness was doing in front of me, hearing rumors that he was always calm and deposited.

"... I'm sorry. With…"

His Royal Highness apologized with a stifling, evil-looking face. I rush to reclaim the atmosphere of the field.

"Yes, no...... It is a great honor that Your Highness is thinking about Leila that way. It's a corner, so I'll send you a written summary of Leila."

"I'm glad to hear that"

His Highness smiled all the time and looked up at me. That smile was supposed to be accompanied by an adorable boy's shadow, but it was a strangely tense grin.

"All this time, I thought I had to say"

His Highness shot through my eyes with a pale gaze, without breaking his grin. Unexpectedly, I take a breath and stare at His Highness.

"- Thank you for sending your precious Lady Leila to me. For the rest of my life - no, even if I die all the time... I'll take care of it."

With the words, His Highness smiled once more. In that grin, I feel like I've seen a piece of madness and a cold sweat tells my spine. The pulse sooner and worse did not know where to quiet.

Can I, really, give Leila to this beautiful prince?

This is the first time a stray has arisen, even though Leila said she has been rigorously educated to let the royal family marry her since she was born. That's about it, His Highness's grin and words fueled my anxiety.

"... there is no destruction, His Royal Highness Prince Wang"

The liturgical words that came out of my mouth about me are so cold that I don't think they belong to me. I can't believe His Royal Highness Prince Wang was so frightened by the laughter of a boy only 12 years old. I wonder if this is royal blood.

"- Oh, looks like Miss Leila's ready. Shall we go, Duchess?"

When I looked at the mansion, Leila was watching this one, wrapped in a luxurious dress in colour. His Royal Highness Prince Wang walks out to Leila before I do. As I rushed after His Highness's back, I was desperate to assume that the chills and tensions I had just felt were just my fault.

Then I made a paperwork summarizing Leila's preferences as promised to Her Royal Highness - no, maybe I should say I let a maid with Leila make it, to be exact.

I didn't know more about Leila than I thought. I can't believe I didn't know one of Leila's favorite flowers, even though she was meant to know more about Leila than anyone else because she's a mother.

I felt a strange sense of impatience as I watched the paperwork summarising Layla's preferences. I might make a big mistake. Shouldn't we have made some more time with Layla as a mother?

"... Mother?

I guess he had a harsh look on his face before he realized it. Rose stops by and looks up to me like she cares. He's a really sweet angelic kid.

"... no, it's nothing, Rose. Shall we make tea in the garden today?"

"Nice! The sky is so beautiful today!

Rose's platinum hair, laughing brightly, is glittering reflecting the light of the sun. It was a sight as if it were a symbol of happiness.

Yeah, I can't go wrong. Leila is a brilliant, special child, though she was about to be pulled by the way she approached Rose. Didn't Leila grow up to be such a perfect warrant lady, even if she spent less time with me? That seemed like the most important proof that my chosen path was not wrong.

Although I'm a little concerned about Your Highness, it seems that Leila and I have only had a minimal relationship, and that fear may have been my mistake. I assumed that, and I tried to repeat my happy routine.

It's okay, my life is smooth and full of sails. I don't have any grievances or regrets, because I'm living the days I deserve to be called the hua of the social world.