Sold to My Killer Husband: His Concubine's Dilemma
Chapter 44: Mother..

Chapter 44: Mother..

Layla’s fingers were about to touch Lucien’s face before Roseria asked her to stop, hovering just above Lucien’s hand. Her face, which was reflecting adoration just now, turned to an irritated expression. She frowned as she looked at her hand, but covered the expression as soon as she could when she turned to look at Roseria; no one had ever stopped her before. She had command on the courts of Valcour and yet here was this crybaby girl, barely out of childhood, halting her as if she had any right to do that.

Layla scoffed internally but her lips curled slightly into a smile as she regained her posture, which was leaning towards Lucien, whom Roseria had just tugged at.

Layla’s slowly withdrew her, "You misunderstand me, Lady Roseria," she said sweetly. "I was merely checking on His Highness."

Roseria, sensing that she spoke too rashly, lowered her voice again. "Physician’s prescribed that Brother needs rest."

With a faked look of innocence, Layla agreed. "Fine, I won’t touch him," she conceded smoothly. But just as she was about to step away and leave the room, a thought struck her.

"Rosie, have you met the concubine yet?" Layla folded her arms, tapping her chin as if she were giving it a thought while asking the same to Roseria

Roseria blinked, as if she were only remembering now that Liora existed. "Oh, the concubine." She hesitated before shaking her head. "Not properly. Why?"

Layla’s brows lifted. "Really? You have not met her yet? But I saw her earlier, near the library, while we were there."

Roseria frowned. "She was near the library." She moved her eyes while trying to remember the same. "No, I did not see her there."

"Yes," Layla said, crossing her arms. "Isn’t it odd? Her husband, Layla, rolled her eyes while calling Lucien as Liora’s husband, "If we can even call him that, he is unconscious in bed, and instead of being by his side, she’s off wandering."

Roseria’s lips pressed together. She hadn’t given much thought to Lucien’s so-called concubine, but Layla’s words did make some sense to her.

Layla tilted her head. "Tell me, does that seem like the behavior of someone who was sent here for him?"

Roseria’s eyes darkened. "No. It doesn’t."

Before Layla could add more, Roseria suddenly grabbed her wrist and tugged her toward the door, to the corridor. Layla was caught off guard and she stumbled slightly. "Rosie! Honestly, must you be so rough?" she huffed.

Roseria ignored her, pulling the door closed behind them as gently as possible to avoid disturbing Lucien. She turned to Layla; she asked in whispers. "Where exactly did you see her?"

Layla smirked, trying to fix her dress and dusted it, which creased just now, as if Roseria had dirtied it. "I told you, near the library."

Roseria’s brows knitted together. The irritation on her face was clear now, her lips slightly pursed. "Where is she now?" she muttered under her breath.

Layla smirked, sensing she had successfully planted a seed of doubt. "That’s what I was wondering too. She was peeking into the library; she did not know that I was there."

Roseria’s fists clenched at her sides. "She doesn’t care at all, does she?"

Layla let out a dramatic sigh. "It certainly doesn’t seem like it. And after everything Mother did to bring her here, you would think she’d at least put on a show of concern."

"Why isn’t she here, then? Why isn’t she doing anything for him?"

"Maybe she doesn’t care or maybe she’s just leeching out on the benefits, do not it seem so?"

That made Roseria pause. "Princess, do you know if she met Mother today?"

Layla blinked at the sudden shift in conversation. "Well, I imagine she must have at some point. Why?"

Roseria’s eyes darkened slightly. "Because if she did and Mother didn’t summon her to Lucien’s side, that means she either failed to gain favor or... Mother simply doesn’t care what she does."

Layla’s smirk widened at that. "Interesting thought, Roseria."

Now fully annoyed, Roseria didn’t bother with further sweet pleasantries with Layla. She turned and started marching down the hallway.

Roseria exhaled sharply. The irritation bubbling inside her was no longer just a passing thought. She turned on her heel and started marching down the hallway.

Layla watched her go; her eyebrows arched in amusement. "And where are you off to?"

Roseria didn’t glance back at Layla. "To mother"

"Quite bold of you, dear Roseria," Layla scoffed. "I didn’t know you had such strength in that dainty frame of yours."

Few minutes ago,

Liora had entered this room with a heavy smell of metallic blood. Liora blinked and took a look at the room The faint streaks where blood had been and which were roughly cleaned, left smudged spots on the floor. This room had no decor; it was dirty and looked like it had been locked for a long time, giving it a thought. This was the hallway where no one was allowed so why is this person her?

The woman attending to the person on bed turned when she mistook Liora for someone else. She didn’t look startled, nor did she appear baffled. Instead, she smiled at Liora, The lady was wearing cotton gloves, which told Liora that she must be a physician.

You are not the helping lady," the woman remarked; her voice was soft , while pulling her hands out of the cotton gloves she was wearing. "So, Madam What brings you here?"

Liora was standing stiff as a board; she could barely meet her eyes, as the blood on the gloves held by that woman, had all of Liora’s attention. Her hands curled into her skirt as she swallowed down her nerves.

Without a word, she lifted her pinky finger slightly, her face heating up. She felt shame to do this but she could not utter a single word. She felt like if she said anything, she was going to make herself embarrassed.

"...."

Soon the doctor understood; she then let out a soft chuckle. "Ah, I see."

Without asking further, she pointed her finger towards a small door at the far end of the room. "That way, dear. Feel free to use the bathroom."

Liora nodded hastily; her face turned red, burning. "Thank you."

She stepped around the bed as carefully as she could, trying to ignore the blood patches on the floor. But as she reached for the bathroom door, her eyes betrayed her, flickering to the person lying there.

Liora stepped into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her with a quiet click. The air was filled with the same metallic tang of blood that lingered in the other room. She wrinkled her nose but quickly shook off the discomfort; this made her almost puke.

Focusing on why she came, she quickly did her business, sighing in relief.

She took a moment to look around. The bathroom was surprisingly not that small. The tiled floor was cool beneath her feet, and the wooden shelves lining the walls held neatly arranged supplies, with a metal bucket, folded cloths, and small glass bottles filled with unknown liquids. A scrubber that sat on the edge of the basin, likely was used to clean the bloodied floors outside.

After fixing her dress, she walked up to the washbasin, turned the faucet, and let the cool water run over her hands. She scrubbed her palms carefully, making sure not to disturb the bottles beside her.

But just as she was about to dry them, the clothes were blood stained and could not be used for drying. She looked at her wet hands, as she could not help it, she rubbed and patted her hands on the skirt of her gown.

"Doctor...", It was Lily’s voice.

"Oh you are here"

Liora heard the familiar voice; she knew it was Lily. She walked up to the door of the bathroom and she leaned on to the door, trying to hear clearly, every word of the conversation outside.

"Doctor, but Sir Samuel said the herb couldn’t be found."

"Then it will be impossible to save this woman. She has already lost too much blood. If the medicine isn’t obtained soon, she won’t make it."

"Please, madam," Lily urged. "Say where I may get the medicine. I’ll go myself. Sir Rowan requested this woman be healed. I was told to do this, so please, just say, and I’ll get it."

Liora smiled at the selflessness of Lily but she hardly had time to consider this when she heard the squeak once more. Liora, horrified, turned her around to look at the floor; she saw the mouse tucked behind the bucket and it was licking on the cloth, which had blood stains.

"Ahhhhhhh..." desperate yelp escaped her mouth, her fear taking over everything else.

Without a thought, she flung open the door, rushing out in haste.

Lily, having stood with a bowed head in front of the physician, jerked her head back at the jerky motion.

Her eyes opened wide.

"Madam?