Of course, for Abella it was a name she had heard of. They were both of Amerigoâs bloodline, but wasnât she the same age as Abella? People often liked to compare Layla and Abella.
Although Abella and Layla were close cousins, Abella was born on the day of Skellus.
That Layla as the Mistress?
Thud-
It was probably the sound of a heart sinking.
It was as if Cade, who had never been on Abellaâs side, declared that he would be on the other side. Abella bit her lip.
It seemed that all the clear thoughts so far were getting mixed up. Like her memory.
She couldnât figure out what to say.
Cade was in favor of Abella. Whatever his feelings, it was certain. But what did it mean to suddenly bring Layla into the harem? Why was he telling it directly to Abella?
Meanwhile, Cade was closely monitoring Abellaâs reaction.
He was relieved.
He would have been broken-hearted if Abella had just been dumbfounded without any response, but she hadnât.
Cade smiled painfully as he faced Abellaâs pale face.
âIt seems like she wasnât that uninterested at all though.â
Itâs like he was relieved by just that one expression.
Cade covered his jaw with his hand.
âItâs a strategic thing.â
âWhat can you get from Layla Amerigo? Layla knows that she only bears Amerigoâs name; sheâs nothing.â
Abella questioned and listened without knowing. She trembled like a deer in headlights at the thought that she might lose Cade who once sided with her.
He was sorry to Abella, but he was not happy with Abellaâs reaction now.
Cade was silent for a moment to control his own emotions.
But despite his efforts, it was deeply immersed in his voice.
âItâs to monitor the dangers Layla Amerigo poses.â
âWhatâs dangerous about that kid?â
âLayla Amerigo is a card that Chloe Amerigo can use anytime. And Chloe is after you.â
Cade spat out the excuses he had carefully prepared. After all, it was something that could not be easily understood except by those who had gone through the story of the future and came back. So, he decided that it would be better to bring up an understandable story, even if it was a little lacking.
What touched Abella was, âChloe is after you.â
That was right.
Amerigoâs relatives were eager to somehow drive Abella out and tear her family apart.
It wasnât just Chloe. Even Count Gilmus and Voltoto had a dislike for Abella.
Besides, nothing was clarified. If Cade reached out to help her, she had no reason to refuse. Even if it somehow hurt Cade.
HoweverâŠâŠ
âWhat about you?â
âWhat?â
âAre you okay? Are you okay with that? Bringing in a Mistress. It will affect your life in some way.â
Cade shrugged his shoulders.
How would he explain that receiving those worries was enough?
Abella would not know in what form Cadeâs obsession and affection were developing.
âItâs okay. As long as I can protect you.â
Abellaâs lips trembled. She felt like she could touch the clearly revealed emotions. However, this time, Abella turned her head, pretending not to know.
Cade, noticing Abellaâs actions, swallowed his sigh and opened his mouth. âAnd the good thing⊠something you would have wished for.â
He once again succeeded in attracting Abellaâs attention.
âYou should take care of April Clemington.â
Abella rolled her eyes. April of Clemington! Wasnât that what she was trying to achieve by pressuring Serin? She was the only wizard she could come into personal contact with.
It was clear that she would be of great help in business as well.
But he was just going to send April Clemington to Abella?
It was almost understandable why Burke was hostile. Wasnât he giving Abella all the profits he could get from April? Abella shook her head.
âIs that possible? Why are you soâŠâ
âAbella. You donât know how dangerous it is for you right now.â
Cade bent over in front of Abella. He lifted the teacup to moisten his burning throat. Tea water, which he did not know what it tasted like, ran down his throat.
âIf April Clemington helps your safety, I would.âAbella asked, curling her lips.
Everything Cade said somehow sounded like a confession of love.
Abellaâs eyelashes trembled.
Abella had already known that someone would try to harm her.
Abella had a gut feeling that the past carriage accident was not just an accident. If so, there was no way that the accident that killed her father would never happen again.
However, the reason she hadnât taken any reaction so far was because she thought it wouldnât matter if she died like this.
Abella was only now aware of the melancholy thoughts that swirled around in her mind.
âI donât care if I dieâŠâ
So she jumped on with this body. without any safeguards.
Abella quickly drank the tea. The revealed past may have some effect on Abella. Besides, the past threats could become Abellaâs current threats. She could have thought of such a thing, but had been ignoring itâŠ
âI wanted to die, me.â Abella chuckled.
Cade was trying with all his might to protect the life she had abandoned.
She could see it now. What did Cadeâs gloomy eyes and closed eyes mean?
Abella couldnât help but laugh.
ââŠâŠThank you.â
There seemed to be nothing else she could say now.
*
It didnât take long for the messenger from the imperial family to arrive at Chloe Amerigoâs steps. Chloe looked at the letter in front of her, and curled her lips long.
The Emperor showed an interest in Layla Amerigo.
In fact, it felt like a great opportunity for Chloe, who had thought Layla would fit in a higher position. Layla was worthy of a shining crown. How many people started as the Mistress and sat in the position of the Empress?
Layla would follow that path.
Then Sirius would be nothing.
Chloe called her maid over with a quick gesture.
âI will write a letter right now.â
âYes, Madam.â
She didnât even have to ask anyone. Layla would one day understand what this meant. If Arsene Sirius wanted her, she could be his mistress in the future. In this aristocratic world, there was nothing wrong with this.
Chloe wrote the letter of permission with excitement.
[Tomorrow at 10pm.
In the hotel suite.]
The fact that it was a Sirius hotel would be a better bait for Layla. Chloe organized the letter and handed it to the messenger. Considering that it came directly from the imperial family, this was definitely an opportunity, not a trap.
Since Abella Amerigo was  not good enough, the opportunity had passed to Layla Amerigo.
âCall Layla.â
âYes, madam.â
The new game played by Cade had began to move.
*
âAbella.â
âHave you been waiting?â
Enoch nodded his head. In order to tell Abella about April, he hadnât left work and had been waiting for her. However, the expression on Abellaâs face when she returned was strange. She had a look that seemed both happy and sad.
His heart pounded with anxiety.
He had no idea what Cade would have said to have shaken Abella up like this.
âWhatâs going on?â Enoch couldnât even wait for Abella to speak.
Living in the same mansion, Enoch was the most distant. Enoch said with a bitter smile on his face.
âWhatâs going on⊠huh? Serin managed to get in touch with April. Looks like sheâs on her way to Timur now. She will arrive within a week at the latestâŠâ
âAha.â
âI persuaded April. She promised to meet you first.â
Abella nodded her head.
A wound was engraved in Enochâs heart at the seemingly casual reaction. He waited for her with joy, thinking that if he told her this news, Abella would like him, but that was all she said. Abella really didnât seem to care.
ââŠIâll have to pass it on to you too. Princess April will be staying in Amerigo for a while.â
âWhat?â
It was something he hadnât heard of yet. Maybe even April, who was coming in the capacity of the Grand Duke, didnât know?
âItâs the Emperorâs command.â
âAhâŠâŠâ
Enoch salivated. The candy that rolled in his mouth was now bittersweet.
Why did he always think he was the fastest, when in reality, he was the slowest?
Enoch was slower than Cade and Arsene. It felt like Abella had gone so far ahead to the point where he could no longer catch up with her. Enochâs frown deepened.