Quietly Hiding that I am a Man chapter 68- Fake Appearance

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Layla had a continuously surprised expression as she observed my relaxed and easygoing demeanor.

Judging by her reaction, it seemed that she, too, had heard the rumors about me that had spread throughout the academy.

According to the rumors, Jeanne was a woman who lusted after men, lived in excessive luxury, and had a foul temper, quick to use her hands instead of words.

So it wasn’t entirely unreasonable that Layla, the princess, looked at me with such a curious gaze.

After hesitating briefly, Layla cleared her throat and continued speaking.

“You don’t seem to care much about the stares from others. If I were you, I wouldn’t be able to smile so brightly. Or… is it that you’re unaware of how many people look at you with disdain?”

“Is that so? I simply like what I like, and dislike what I dislike.”

“Highborn noblewomen don’t behave like that. They hide their true feelings and inflate their lies.”

I glanced at Layla’s expression as I listened to her quietly.

It didn’t seem like she was criticizing me with subtle noblewoman talk, but rather genuinely concerned for me.

I watched as she fiddled with her tulip brooch and, without thinking, asked her a question.

“I see. Then, Lady Layla, what feelings are you hiding?”

Layla’s hand froze over her tulip brooch.

The moment I saw her visibly flustered expression, I knew for sure.

While I understood her desire to maintain a dignified front as a royal…

‘She has her vulnerable moments. Even knowing the rumors about Jeanne, she still speaks to me like this, so she doesn’t seem like someone with a cruel nature.’

Compared to the always confident and composed Carlisle, Layla appeared somewhat overshadowed.

And it was no surprise.

Unlike Carlisle, who came from a prestigious noble family, Layla’s mother was from a rather unremarkable background, and she was even from the southern region, a place often considered the outskirts.

As a result, Layla was often treated as an oddity even among her fellow royals.

The original story passed through my mind.

On the day of Cedrick and Layla’s engagement ceremony, Jeanne limped out of the ballroom alone.

Among the noble chatter, which was all about Luke, Jeanne felt a deep sense of emptiness.

Luke had saved the people of the Empire from heretics the previous night—or was it the week before?

Luke was constantly saving the Empire, and everyone loved him.

But no one loved Jeanne, whose body and soul were ruined.

Jeanne’s time was still frozen on the day he killed Jerome.

He shook his head, trying to banish the lingering echoes in his ears.

‘Mother didn’t come for me in the end because she liked my younger sister more, right? Why doesn’t anyone like me? All I need is one person…’

As Jeanne, intoxicated, staggered down the corridor, his steps halted in front of a large painting that covered an entire wall.

It was an impressive scene—a white lighthouse against a deep blue sea.

As he slowly walked toward the painting, Jeanne collapsed in front of it.

‘Just one person… that’s all I need.’

Jeanne sat staring blankly at the painting when he heard footsteps approaching.

Layla, who was beautifully dressed more than ever, looked down at him with a gentle smile.

Whenever no one else at the banquet spoke to Jeanne, Layla was always the first to approach him.

Jeanne was convinced that Layla’s kindness was because of Cedrick.

He had no doubt that Layla was using him to get closer to Cedrick.

‘Just like Cedrick, you’re so insufferable. It doesn’t matter how kind you are to me. Do you think I don’t see through your despicable attempts to win Cedric’s favor by using me?’

After gazing at the blue sea in the painting for a long while, Layla eventually sat down on the cold floor next to Jeanne.

If her attendants saw the imperial princess sitting on the cold ground, they’d be horrified.

Layla roughly adjusted her tiara and spoke calmly.

“The background in that painting is Tulip Harbor. The southern region has a cool climate, unlike here, and tulips, which are hard to find here, grow everywhere there.”

“…….”

“Even though I’m confined to this vast palace, I often think of the sea. My mother took to the sea from a young age to carry on the family business, so maybe her explorer’s spirit lives on in me.”

Layla’s unexpected story widened Jeanne’s eyes.

He noticed the tulip brooch Layla always wore.

Layla’s eyes, as she spoke about the sea, gleamed with a clarity Jeanne had never seen before.

Watching her train stretch long behind her dress, Layla smiled bitterly.

“Sometimes—only occasionally—I think that this isn’t the version of myself I truly want to be. After all, I came to look at this painting in the middle of my own engagement ceremony.”

“Are you not happy, Princess?”

“Of course, I am. Very happy. But that’s only part of me. It could never be my dream.”

To have a dream beyond being engaged to the man you love…

As the rumors suggested, Layla was indeed a rare one, even within the royal family.

Silently fiddling with her tulip brooch, Layla lowered her head.

Jeanne clenched his fists as Layla continued.

“Aren’t you curious, Jeanne? What it must feel like to live as the person you truly want to be.”

Jeanne, who was pretending to be a noblewoman against his will, and Layla, who had her own dreams, shared some similarities.

In the original story, Jeanne never trusted Layla, and they never became close.

But perhaps, if Jeanne had opened his heart to Layla, the two might have become the best of friends.

‘By the time Jeanne finally opened his heart to Layla, the princess was already bedridden from poison.’

There were many reasons Jeanne was executed, but the biggest was his alleged curse on Princess Layla.

Several items of dark magic were found in Jeanne’s room, serving as proof.

But I knew who the real culprit behind Layla’s death was.

As the ominous face surfaced in my mind, I shook my head.

‘It’s important to clear Jeanne of the curse accusation, but I don’t want Layla to die for political reasons either. She’s a good and kind person.’

It felt like I’d added another quest to my list.

The thought that my retirement as a noblewoman had been delayed made me feel unsettled.

Damn it, when will I ever get to retire?

I just want to live peacefully.

And I must finish my epic BL fantasy novel, the follow-up to The Golden Ring!

As my mood darkened, Layla, noticing my sudden change in expression, spoke up.

“Well, like you said, the blessing festival will start soon. If any other noblewomen give you trouble there, try to be understanding. After all, you’re the one who always attracts rumors wherever you go.”

“If you’re worried I’ll be hurt, it’s fine. I’m from Sacre. Mental attacks like that don’t work on me…”

“I know. I’m more concerned that those noblewomen will be the ones hurt by you.”

Ah, so it wasn’t concern—she was warning me not to cause a scene.

As my expression soured, Layla chuckled.

When she suddenly stepped closer, I flinched and took a step back.

“You’re definitely different from the other noblewomen I’ve met. Your emotions show so clearly on your face. Even in front of me. Are you ignoring my status?”

“Ignoring? Not at all. I think the princess is an amazing person.”

“Amazing?”

I nodded toward Layla, who raised an eyebrow.

Layla was bold, ambitious, and unlike the other royals, she didn’t discriminate against minority groups.

When the imperial ministers tried to exploit Sacre’s mines, Layla was the only one to oppose them.

Maybe I’m not such a good person, but I liked people who were good without reason.

I thought Layla, who always tried to be true to herself, was admirable.

Muddling through, I mumbled in a small voice.

“Because you have an embracing heart as vast as the sea.”

“…….”

“If you were born a man, you’d definitely have become a pirate captain.”

“A pirate captain, huh…”

My bold remark, which bordered on treason, made Layla’s expression freeze.

Oh no, I thought to myself and was about to take back my words when Layla suddenly burst out laughing.

Just moments ago, she had been lecturing me about how a noble lady should behave.

Her laughter was hearty, reminiscent of a general from Romance of the Three Kingdoms.

After laughing for quite some time, Layla spoke in a voice brimming with amusement.

“The children of the Duke of Efilia always know how to entertain me. Fine, let’s see how much fun you can bring me during the Blessing Ceremony.”

“Please don’t expect too much.”

“Oh, I hate being bored. If you bore me, I’ll have you executed on the spot.”

While I paled at the thought of suddenly becoming the princess’s jester, Layla kept laughing.

After barely controlling her laughter, she winked playfully and left.

I sighed in relief, feeling as though a storm had passed.

‘Well, now that I’ve met her in person, it’s certain. Layla, the empire’s socialite, can turn anything into a trend. Just like in the original story.’

Around this time in the original story, the Academy hosted the Blessing Ceremony.

It was a grand event where people prayed to Maya, the Mother of Humans, and released sky lanterns, wishing for the eternal rest of the heroic ancestors.

In the original, Luke learns that Layla’s mother was from the southern territory and gifts her “that” during the festival.

The gift becomes wildly popular among the noble ladies, and Layla herself is so pleased that Luke’s standing in high society soars.

But what if I gift Layla “that” before Luke does, and not only that, I distribute it through the guild, selling it to eager noble ladies who want to be ahead of the trend?

‘This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to win Layla’s heart and sit on a pile of money.’

While walking, I couldn’t help but smirk at the thought, which startled a passing Academy student.

‘Carlisle, you bastard, do you think I’ll give up my chastity so easily?’

I’ll turn 5 million carats into coins and dump them all in front of Flare’s guild house.

As I briefly entertained that petty thought, another idea hit me, and I stopped in my tracks.

‘But… it doesn’t feel right to just use Layla for my benefit…’

The conversation between Layla and Jeanne in front of the sea painting flashed through my mind.

Layla must want to return to her mother’s homeland in the southern territory, but as a princess, it’s nearly impossible for her to travel to another land without a solid reason.

I shrugged with a faint smile.

“Well, I guess there’s no helping it. Maybe I’ll do a good deed for a change.”

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