Cry, Or Better Yet Beg
chapter 18. Emeralds

“Uncle, this... too much.”.

Leyla, who was looking inside the box with wide eyes, said in a trembling voice. Bill could not find a suitable rebuttal. He was also surprised.

"How much did you spend?"

Leyla looked at Bill with a denouncing look.

"NO. That's…. Just fine…. I have spent enough money! You care too much about everything.”

Bill had just regained consciousness when he answered back. The dress that Miss Mona prepared had arrived at the cabin on the day of the party. Bill was sure the mailman would bring the dress, but a young man who appeared to be a clerk at the clothing store delivered it himself.

Bill thought Mona must have paid special attention to the dress well enough that the well-dressed employee could deliver it directly to them. When Leyla opened the box, the dress was beyond Bill's expectations. Even in the eyes of Bill who knew nothing about women's clothing and accessories, the white dress sewn with gold thread was looking extremely luxurious and heavenly. The same goes for shoes, gloves, and necklaces.

How much more do I pay Miss Mona?

Bill counted with his fingers folded.

But did he take the money to buy the necklace?

Bill was confused and counted again while Leyla closed the lid of the box firmly.

"Why? You don't like it?”

"Impossible."

"Why then?"

“Let's give it back. I can't let you spend this much money on a party that lasts only one day.”

In contrast to Ms Mona's assurance that the gift would make her happy, Leyla just seemed worried.

“Leyla, if you don't wear this to the party. I will never see you again.”

Bill's face suddenly turned cold.

“You always didn't want to owe me anything. I know your reason, but Leyla, you must not make a clear line between me and you.”

"Uncle….."

“If not taken, I just use it as a firecracker. And I will never see you again, Leyla.”

The red-faced Bill stepped out of the front door as if he was running away. As he circled the flower bed and smoked, his mind was filled with regret for having spoken such harsh words to the child. He didn't mean it when he said he would never see her again.

While Bill wonders if he should re-enter, Kyle walks in from across the street in his tailcoat. Bill used to believe Kyle was just a kid who always pretended to be an adult, but seeing him dress up so nice, Bill realized he was an adult now.4

"Trs. Remember. What about Leyla?”

Kyle asked excitedly.

"By good. I don't know."

"What's? Leyla's not home? The party will start soon.”

“Not really, but...”.

While Bill was hesitant, not knowing how to explain the situation, the front door creaked open. The two men unintentionally turned their heads and gasped.

An unknown Leyla stood there.

“Kyle, don't I look weird?”

Leyla asked with a grimace.

“I feel very awkward wearing this outfit....”.

"You're beautiful."

Kyle, who had just been able to speak for quite some time, decisively cut Leyla's words.

“You're beautiful, Leyla. I mean it.”1

Kyle said once more with confidence. Her childish smile disappeared as her face turned red. He was aware that Uncle Bill was planning to prepare a gift for Leyla, but he never imagined the gift would be this big.

He was really worried about Bill's view of choosing tacky things, but this……

“Wake up, Kyle Etman.”

Bill clicked his tongue and patted the confused Kyle on the back.

“You will replace me today.”

Bill looked at Kyle with a serious look.

“That means you have to take responsibility and protect it. You can do it, right?”

“Of course, Mr. Remmer.”

Kyle replied firmly.

“I'll make sure to protect her!”

Bill laughed out loud as he saw Kyle swear with a crimson face. Meanwhile, Leyla took careful steps towards Kyle. Kyle relieved his thumping chest with repeated deep breaths and extended his hand in a dignified manner.

"What's this?"

Leyla confusedly asked about his hand, but Kyle did not panic.

“Today's the party. And we are partners.”

"Yes." Yeah."

"So." So."

Kyle gathered his courage and guided Leyla's hand to his arm.

“That's what should have happened. Become your partner at the party.”

Leyla, after daydreaming for a while, nodded diligently and lightly embraced Kyle's arm.

“Come go, Kyle.”

As Leyla smiled brighter than the sun, Kyle thought.

I will never forget this moment for the rest of my life.

Leyla Lewellin shows up with the doctor's son.

As Matthias was greeting the guests, he suddenly shifted his gaze and saw Leyla entering the hall under Kyle Etman's escort.

Hessen has proven herself to be the most competent butler through Leyla's looks. Leyla Lewellin looks beautiful with Hessen's choice of clothes. Matthias was sure she would still be beautiful, even with the bad gift the chef had chosen for her.

Matthias' gaze shifted from her shoes, her dress, then to the necklace that adorned Leyla's slender white neck. It was an amazing necklace held together by pearls and emeralds. Hessen prepared the dress and the shoes, but Matthias chose the necklace. That was unexpected. He was on his way to the hotel because he had an appointment and saw the necklace in a storefront near the hotel. The emerald green color is clear, beautifully made, quite impressive. When he returned to his estate that day, Matthias had instructed Hessen to buy the necklace.

Leyla noticed Matthias' gaze as she suddenly turned her head. His eyes, resembling a vibrant summer forest, stopped right on Matthias's face. Leyla seemed to have only recognized who the man was after she narrowed her eyes.

In contrast to Matthias, who looked at her with an unwavering gaze, Leyla avoided eye contact in surprise. He tightly held the boy's arm and hid behind him.

“Old no see, Duke Herhardt.”

Matthias turned around after his familiar face greeted him.

With a simple smile, he greeted the guest and exchanged a brief greeting. Although his mind was in a different place, Matthias was able to complete his task perfectly.

When Matthias shifted his gaze again, Leyla and the boy were moving to the other side of the hall. Kyle Etman triumphantly escorts Leyla. He led the woman and acted as if he belonged to her.

“This Leyla. He's my friend."

Claudine takes Leyla to another group of women.

"Hello. I'm Leyla Lewellin.”

And Leyla did her part again with a polite greeting. He acted as if he was a puppet without any will or emotion.

Claudine smiled brightly and continued to introduce her to others. Claudine was satisfied with how obedient and kind Leyla was.

“Leyla is preparing to become a teacher. Isn't that amazing?”

The women agreed with Claudine's proud praise in unison and praised Leyla. Their praise was a tribute to Lady Claudine, who regarded the poor orphan as her friend. The women knew that the two were not true friends, and that reality did not damage Claudine's dignity.

“Oh, Claudine. I heard you're getting engaged.”

One of the women gracefully changed the subject as if she had finished talking about an orphaned child who was about to become a teacher. Everyone's interests are now focused on Claudine Brandt's engagement.

Claudine took a shy and humble attitude. Since her engagement has not been officially announced yet, it would make no sense for her to act as if she were already Duchess Herhardt.

“Duke Herhardt is here!”

The other woman standing in the opposite direction from Claudine gasped in admiration.

Everyone's eyes turned in the direction the woman pointed. Leyla, who had only been smiling carelessly, widened her eyes with Claudine.

Matthias passed Leyla and of course stood beside Claudine. Claudine hugged him. Leyla's face, when she glanced at the two, looked paler than before.

“They are my friend, Duke Herhardt.”

As Claudine began to introduce them, Matthias greeted them elegantly. Matthias' gaze, as he looked at one after another, stopped on Leyla's face standing at the end of the group.

“That's Leyla.”

Claudine clasped Matthias' arm tightly.

“You can't recognize him, can you? She was so different from usual that I also barely recognized her.”

Leyla blushed in embarrassment at what Claudine said by disguising herself as sarcasm. No matter what kind of humiliation Claudine gave Leyla emotionless, Leyla always seemed to react differently when Matthias was in front of her.

“Um, excuse me.”

A warm voice dissipated the sudden silence. It was Kyle Etman, the wandering boy with a disapproving look since Claudine had taken Leyla away.

“Sorry to interrupt, but may I invite my partner now?”7

Kyle held Leyla's hand without hesitation. He looked a little surprised, but Leyla did not reject his touch. Instead, she looked like a lost child who had found her parents.

“My friends are also looking forward to being introduced to Leyla.”

In contrast to his gentle demeanor, Kyle's gaze on Claudine was firm and cold.

“Then I have to give my permission. We can't hold Leyla for too long.”

Claudine willingly nodded her head and looked at Matthias. Matthias watched Leyla and Kyle with insensitive eyes.

“Thank you, Mrs Brandt. And Duke Herhardt.”

Kyle bowed politely.

“Come to go, Leyla.”

It was only after Kyle showed a gentle smile when he saw Leyla's face. Through her gentle smile, Claudine knew. The boy loved Leyla.

Leyla looked smaller and thinner beside Kyle, who was the same height as Matthias. The boy seemed to love Leyla like a treasure.

What about Leyla?

Claudine carefully examined Leyla with her eyes slightly opened. He smiled at Kyle. Leyla Lewellin was always smiling in front of Claudine, but only this time did Claudine see her face smiling as comfortably and brightly as now. It seems absurd to say that she looks like a girl in love.

That's the doctor's son, isn't Duke Herhardt?

Claudine is confused when Leyla and Kyle turn around.

Did she make Leyla Lewellin a princess?

“Ah, Leyla!”

Claudine, who was pondering, impulsively opened her lips. The chandelier lights Leyla.

“How beautiful you are today. Especially that necklace.”

"What's? Ah yeah. Thank you Madam."

The confused Leyla stroked her necklace. The long necklace dangling on Leyla's chest was perfect for her. The edge of the emerald that emitted the same color as her eyes was meticulously made into flower petals. It looks genuine. The same goes for milky white pearls. All of the jewelry was too delicate and alluring to be considered imitation.

Could Kyle Etman, the son of the doctor's family, be able to hang such a necklace on Leyla?

“True, Duke Herhardt?”

Claudine faced Matthias and smiled.

"Yes. He did it.”

Matthias replied without the slightest hesitation. He seemed unperturbed.

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