Cry, Or Better Yet Beg
chapter 25. The color of my sorrow

By chance, Matthias sees Leyla through the car window.

Leyla was running across the street with a beaming smile on her face that she had never seen before. He let his long blond hair that had been scattered in the wind follow his footsteps.

Matthias slightly clenched his hand. He was about to tell his driver to slow down his car, but eventually, he changed his mind and only glanced at him who was running towards a middle-aged man who was none other than Bill Remmer.

Leyla jumped with light steps into the gardener's arms like a winged bird, and the gardener caught her in the bear's arms. She looked like a little girl in her big arms and smiled widely as if it was the brightest smile in the world and saw the gardener laughing out loud.

At that moment, the car drove past them. Matthias turned his gaze from the window and peered down at his hand. From that slightly raised hand, he could still feel her touch and scent remaining on that day.

The engagement is coming soon.

By the time Matthias was relieved of the truth, the car had passed through the gates of Arvis' house.

Leyla's wish came true.

Everything's going to be okay once Uncle Bill gets back.

The sadness of her teenage years, the unpleasant memories of her terrible first kiss, all her confusion and despair are gone because she is no longer alone.

In the meantime, the morning and evening weather is getting colder. The days passed, and the palace of Arvis began to have a more magnificent and festive atmosphere than before.

“Oh, don't tell me anymore, I'll serve you all the most delicious dishes in the world.” Madam Mona, who had just arrived in the forest, threw a commotion with a flat face. He leaned leisurely on the chair next to Bill Remmer and began to bleat in earnest. “I've been afraid to imagine how magnificent their wedding would be if their engagement ceremony was so lavish like this.”

Leyla had just returned from milking the goat and greeted him with a cheerful smile.

“Wait a minute, Leyla. Tomorrow I'll make your mouth water until you're fed up. No matter the number of guests invited, they will not be able to spend half of the food I will cook.”

Leyla involuntarily gripped the tip of her blouse upon hearing Madam Mona's warm laughter.***** the duke sprinkled around her neck was still clearly visible even after a few days. The red mark that was seen in the mirror every time he saw it made him feel embarrassed and disgusted.

“Is her engagement ceremony already tomorrow?”

“Please, do not use the word 'already' Leyla. I hope....no, I just hope this engagement ceremony ends soon.”

“Tomorrow...” Leyla muttered softly, then smiled again. “Yes, Aunty. I'll wait for him.”

She tried to smile brighter as if to erase her nightmare-like memory. From that day on, the duke never once set foot in the forest. Glad to hear, Leyla is happy to know that.

“I like chocolate cake. And raspberry cake too!”

“I'll bring you chocolate or raspberry.”

“How can I repay your bud?” ask Leyla.

"Pay back? Just eat a lot and grow well.”

“Do I have to grow as big as Uncle Bill?”

“Yes God, Leyla. You will be single for life if you grow according to his size.”

Madam Mona giggled as she got up from her seat and waved. Bill Remmer furrowed his brows, but then he gradually rejoiced.

Not long after he left, the usual night arrived at the cottage.

After dinner with her uncle, Leyla tidied up the house and reopened the textbooks she had neglected. He chose to sleep for a while because of the drowsiness that plagued him. But by the time he woke up, the sun had already begun to be seen; and the Duke's engagement day had already arrived.

Leyla put on her glasses from the table and rubbed her sleepy eyes before walking to the window. He opened the window wide, letting the cold morning air in.

As the early morning approaches and the sky is colored with a clear and transparent blue. Leyla raised her eyes— the color of the blue sky today reminded her of the color of her last candy.

The duke's eyes were also blue, similar to the color of the candy.

Claudine chose a pastel pink dress for her red day. Wearing a chiffon dress on silk, her figure is so graceful and stunning as the main character of the event.

“You are so beautiful, Claudine!” Countess Brandt cheered in excitement as she looked at her daughter. His face was filled with an enchanted expression, similar to Brandt's servant, who was standing at the back of the room.

Claudine smiled sweetly to show her gratitude for the sweet flattery that had been bestowed upon her. Even today, the radiance of pride and satisfaction in his eyes never went out after seeing his reflection in the mirror.

It was Claudine's idea, holding an engagement ceremony at Arvis' palace. In addition to wanting to show respect to Herhardt's family, Claudine wanted to reassure through her presence that she would be Arvis' next noblewoman.

“Marie, is he still not coming?” Claudine turned around slightly and asked the waiter while wondering.

“He should have arrived by this time... Oh, look over there! He came from the garden!”

The servant hurriedly exclaimed and Countess Brandt furrowed his brows as he looked out the window.

Leyla Lewellin is seen climbing the marble staircase that connects the rose garden to the mansion while carrying a basket of flowers in her hand.

“Yes, Claudine! Did you bring him in again?”

“It's okay, Bu.” Claudine calmly put her mother to sleep. “I just need a flower decoration in my hair to look good.”

“Is there a reason why it should be him?”

“Yeah, no special reason.”

Claudine shrugged her shoulders, then stepped in front of the mirror once more. His face reflected in the mirror was no longer smiling.

“Getting flowers and congratulations from old friends is a good thing.”

Arvis' house was filled with excitement as Duke Herhardt's residence prepared to welcome guests who would attend the engagement party later in the afternoon.

Leyla trudged down the hallway behind the mansion designed for the servants to enter. His feet trembled nervously many times as he stepped on the floor that glittered like a clear mirror.

Claudine had sent a servant to the cottage to call him in. Leyla knew right away when she was told to pick roses to decorate her hair.

Lady Brandt wanting to meet her wasn't a matter of flowers.

Leyla began to slow down her steps as she approached the east side of the fourth floor. It was the guest bedroom where Claudine was staying. His hand, which was holding the basket, looked pale. His heart felt like it was pounding and his lips were feeling dry.

'NO.'

Leyla muttered, reassuring herself.

'This was just an unfortunate accident. Duke will think the same. So it's okay. There's nothing to be afraid of.'

"Hello Miss. I've brought you the roses you asked for.”

Leyla greeted him politely as usual. She brought Claudine a pink rose, which matched the color of the dress she wore for today's event.

Claudine approached Leyla with a big smile. "How do I look? Do I look good?"

“Ya, Miss. You look beautiful."

Leyla answered with all her heart. He would lie if he said no. Claudine's current beauty is undeniable as beautiful as a rose that is in bloom.

“Before, I was very anxious, but now that you say it, I feel relieved. Do you think Duke Herhardt would think the same too?”

"…Yes.Yes."

The Duke's name that came out suddenly from Claudine's mouth made him flinch..

“I'm sure, he'll do it.”

A faint vibration was seen in his voice.

Leyla felt very pitiful, as if she was a little child who had made a mistake. Their kiss was an unpleasant occurrence, but he could not put aside his guilty feelings as if he had become a shameless thief who stole Claudine's fiancee.

Leyla could see that the pride she had been proud of and worked on in front of Claudine for so many years had been shattered, making her look shabby at this moment.

Claudine glanced at a servant who received a basket of roses. And, as if it was a natural thing, he gave Leyla a handful of gold coins. The amount of money he gave her today was more than usual. Without realizing it, it only made Leyla's heart even more hurt.

"What are you doing? Why don't you show your gratitude?”

The frowning servant reprimanded him.

Leyla quickly lowered her head while tightly holding the money in her hand. He did not feel humiliated as he bowed to Claudine because he had repeated this attitude many times since he was a child and was already used to it.

"Thank you Madam."

Thankfully, Leyla was able to convey her gratitude calmly. Claudine, who from earlier looked at him with a flat face, immediately returned a bright smile. "No problem. Instead, I'm the one who should be thanking you, Leyla. Thanks to you, this engagement ceremony will be perfect.”

Claudine turned around after she finished speaking.

Leyla let out a long sigh and rushed out of the room quickly. What was buzzing inside his head at this moment was the desire to get out of this uncomfortable and unfamiliar place as quickly as possible but he could not act rashly within the mansion.

He tidied up his clothes and arranged his flower basket first before walking down the corridor reserved for the workers as quickly as possible.

He was about to walk through the entrance of the passageway when a surprise surprised him. Just as he was about to turn the corner, he passed the Duke who was climbing the stairs.

“It looks like you're doing Lady Brandt's job, Leyla.”

Butler Hessen, who was standing behind the duke, spoke with a friendly smile.

Leyla replied politely and rushed back to the side of the corridor. He only wanted to continue, but the duke stopped silent and lowered his gaze towards him.

Her cheeks flushed. He lowered his head even deeper as he did not dare to make eye contact with her. It was just eye contact, but his heart was pounding erratically. While the duke looked fine, it was as if he did not care anymore. It seemed like he had forgotten everything that happened between them.

'How stupid of me. How can my heart beat when I see a man like him?'

The Duke walked past him as he wanted to escape impolitely. Only after she could no longer hear the stomping of her shoe steps did Leyla dare to move her legs and leave the mansion.

After completing her task, Leyla returned to her daily routine.

As the night drew near, the guests of the engagement party invitation began flocking towards the manor. In contrast to the large, crowded mansion, the little hut looked peaceful deep within the forest as if it had stopped in another world.

There, Leyla lived her life diligently.

He weeds the garden and cleans the goat stable. Continue with cooking soup for dinner and folding the dried laundry into a basket.

After all her homework was done, Leyla took a leisurely walk in the forest to feel the thrill of nature. He enjoyed his walks before long he realized that he had arrived by the riverbank.

Leyla climbs her favorite beautiful tree to witness the open night view on a windless summer day. Stunning scenery surrounds it; birds soar high above the sky, the red Schulter river bathed in sunset light, and the white swan-shaped pavilion floating above it all make for an even more beautiful view.

It was a sight worth millions to see. His eyes were fixed on all those beautiful things.

As the sun set, a few thin lines of clouds on the horizon turned into sparkling gold. The bright darkness at the beginning of the night enveloped the sky like the blue candy she remembered from her childhood.

The thought crossed his mind.

The Duke's eyes were also the same as those colors.

“Your blue eyes are the same as my sorrow color.”

Leyla chuckled because she was feeling sad. Then suddenly, he felt the presence of someone approaching him.

“Kyle!”

Leyla shouted in excitement as a familiar face stood under the tree.

“How did you know I was here?”

“You like to take a walk on summer evenings, when out the afternoon streets you always go to this river.”

Kyle's cheer had disappeared, and his eyes had become deeper and softer than before. Leyla observed him quietly, her gaze towards him felt a little strange.

The wind blows through the river. The rustling sound of leaves at the tops of trees and the groaning of branches broke the silence created between them.

“Leyla.”

Kyle opened his lips after a while.

Leyla replied with a slight tilt of her head while waiting for her to speak.

"Let's get married."

Those overly unrealistic words were torn apart by the gentle night wind. Leyla daydreamed in disbelief, but now Kyle said it once more. This time in a more serious tone.

“Let's get married, Leyla.”