Cry, Or Better Yet Beg
chapter 31. Kind-hearted But Senseless Man

'Is it because the coin missed?'

That was the first thing he thought of when he heard the news of Duke Herhardt's return.

Duke, who has announced a delay to his military service for another year, will return home and live on Arvis' estate forever after finishing all his business dealings in the capital.

The Grand Duchess hopes her granddaughter stays by her side and looks after the 20,000-acre estate they own. Duke seemed to be considering that because he couldn't put aside his grandmother's request.

Oh, whatever.

Leyla stretched her apron and tied it tightly around her waist. But the problem has nothing to do with him. He only regretted that his bouncing gold coins had blocked his wish from becoming a reality.

'Please don't let me see Duke Herhardt again.'

Leyla prayed fervently while throwing the last gold coin she gave her into the fountain.

Since last summer, after he left the Arvis Estate, Matthias has not returned for a single day's visit until the end of the year. Leyla thought her prayers had been answered at all costs; the peaceful days of her life would last until her military service was over, and she had already left Arvis when Arvis returned home.

Leyla became dazed for a moment, but before long, she shook her head and walked towards the backyard. Moreover, his wish would most likely be granted since he had already left the Arvis forest by the time Duke returned from his trip.

With a lighter heart, Leyla began to care for livestock and diligently take care of the garden. As her morning routine subsides, Phoebe, the mountain pigeon, returns from the Etman family home, carrying a letter from Kyle affixed to her ankle.

'My mom wants to take you to dinner tonight.'

'Look, Leyla. I'm right, huh?'

He could hear Kyle's voice in the letter.

After seeing his anxiety, Kyle had convinced him a million times that his mother would like him and he would be welcome in his family.

'Everything will be fine.' He calmed. When autumn comes, they will be a college couple and enjoy college together happily, very happily.

“Uncle, I'll have dinner at Etmans' house tonight.” Leyla approached Uncle Bill who had just returned from work. "Mrs. Etman invited me.”

“Listen, what I said earlier,” Bill said in a hoarse voice, repeating the same thing Kyle said in the letter. “Don't I tell you that everything will be fine?”

Seeing her happy face, Leyla also gave her gentle smile. His heart is pounding. He put his faith in his words and looked forward to dinner tonight.

The afternoon sun had cast a long shadow on the ground when Matthias arrived at the Arvis residence. Tension did not escape the faces of the staff who were waiting in line when the car carrying it appeared in front of the lobby.

Everything's in the groove. She was greeted with affectionate hugs and given joyful smiles from the two Duchess, who stood beside her.

Every time it passed in front of the gardener, Matthias tended to lower his gaze. A little girl in neat brown shoes always queues up next to the big feet of the gardener, ready to welcome him whenever he comes home. But Leyla Lewellin, who has always been by Bill Remmer's side, is no longer here after the summer is over.

Matthias walked past the gardener without bothering to look at him. His gaze returned to the front entrance, where he could see the stairs in the lobby leading to the main hall of the palace.

“Yeah, that bird also comes back with you.”

Elysee von Herhardt chuckled as he stared at the gilded cage held by a servant. Inside the cage, there was a small canary that Matthias had brought with him when he left the Estate last summer.

“Something very strange. How can Matthias, who has never even had a pet dog, take care of a bird?”

“If you have a hobby with birds, why don't you expand the greenhouse and bring in different types of birds?” norma's advice with a smile.

“It's okay, Grandma.” Matthias grinned as he said. "One is enough."

After giving a thoughtful answer, Matthias entered the mansion.

Before climbing the stairs, Matthias lifted his head and stared at the huge chandelier for a long, thoughtful time. Right above it, the Herhardt family crest was plastered on its high ceiling.

He was born under that sign. He stayed below that peak, and he would close his eyes below that peak. It was a natural cycle—just like taking a breath, as easy as she was living life.

Matthias lowered his gaze and began to climb up the stairs.

“If he retires this year, why would he still want to postpone it another year?”

Countess Brandt grumbled softly. His voice was filled with an annoyance that he could not hide.

The reason he agreed to extend his daughter's engagement period for another year was solely to honor Duke Herhard's choice to serve the Empire. Nonetheless, if she knew what was going to happen, she would insist on having a wedding at the end of this summer, no matter what.

“I didn't expect Matthias to be a fickle man.”

“Our wedding has been postponed,” Claudine said passively, “but I think it would be better if Duke Herhardt returned to the Estate early, Bu.” There was nothing on his face that showed that he was upset.

“You look very relaxed. Your mother is very worried to see her daughter can not get married this year.”

“Is there a reason to worry? It is better to take the time to prepare it well than to have a less than perfect wedding due to the rush.”

“One year is a long period of time, Claudine. How do you know what might happen in a year?”

“Think of last year, mom. A year passed in a flash—and peace. We just have to wait another year. Wedding preparations will also be easier if Duke Herhardt stays at the estate.”

“Claudine, men cannot be trusted, and engagement is not a binding commitment like marriage.”

“She Matthias von Herhardt, mom.” With an indifferent face, Claudine added, “He is Duke Herhardt, the man who will never love anyone but himself.”

Claudine may also feel uncomfortable with her marriage if she doesn't hear the news that Leyla and the doctor's son are getting married. But now that Leyla Lewellin is no longer a problem, her mother's worries are nothing more than her parents' vague fears.

“For him, this engagement is also a symbol of the pride of the Herhardt family. No one can get in the way.”

Claudine expressed her thoughts confidently as she cut and tidied the embroidery thread.

A kind but heartless man.

From childhood, that's how Matthias was called. While his other cousins often made fun of Claudine with his sharp jokes, only Matthias remained polite and kind to him. In fact, the attitude of the good Samaritan also builds a barrier between them and makes him an unapproachable man.

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'Does he have feelings?'

It was hard for him to imagine Matthias being angry, sad, or happy.

From the beginning of his life to the present, he seemed to look down on the world with his arrogant yet graceful smile. And this Matthias von Herhardt is something that Claudine wants to have.

“I have to visit Arvis next week.”

Claudine got up from the sofa, her mood became slightly lighter.

“I want to meet Duke Herhardt and congratulate my friend who is getting married soon. It's for both of these reasons.”

“Friends who are getting married? Oh God. What do you mean by 'friend' is the gardener's orphan?”

Countess Brandt gave a fussy moue. Claudine smiled unhinderedly to her mother and said,

“Leyla is my friend. Of course, I have to give a wedding gift to my old friend.”

Leyla wore the white dress she bought in Ratz after going through a lot of consideration when she traveled there to take the exam. Her golden hair was beautifully braided, and she adorned the ends of her hair with her favorite ribbon.

This is not her first visit to Etman's house, but Leyla is uncomfortable for some reason. His stomach felt nauseous as if this was his first experience.

Thoughts of his impending marriage with Kyle exacerbate his anxiety, and the fact that the one who invited him personally was Kyle's mother further adds to his worries.

“Uncle, how do I look?”

Leyla came out of her room. He stood in front of Bill and asked with a serious expression. Bill, who was relaxing by the open window with his mouth smoking his cigarette, looked towards Leyla and smiled broadly.

“Wooho... Since you are getting married soon, it seems like you are trying your hardest in dressing like never before.”

“Not so, I was only nervous once to meet Bu Etman.”

“Yeah! Haven't you met Mrs Etman once or twice before?”

“But today is a special event.”

“Nothing to worry about. That won't be a problem.” Bill smiled gently as he turned off his cigarette and got up from his seat. “You just have to be yourself, Leyla. Enough."

Bill gently patted Leyla on the shoulder. His smiling face was warm, as well as his hands.

Leila smiled. He willingly nodded, even though he knew it was just his subjective point of view. After a restless day, he was finally able to relax a little. Kyle arrived at the cottage at that moment.

“Kyle, i...”.

"perfect."

Kyle praised him before Leyla could ask a question.

"Be yourself." She smiles. His gaze was warm, similar to that of Uncle Bill. “That's all you need, Leyla.” Kyle convinced.

"By good. Others have said exactly the same thing as you.” Leyla giggled as she watched the two people with the same expression and said exactly the same thing.

"What's? Wh who? What kind of person?”

“Do not talk nonsense and go, little bastard.” Bill hit Kyle's back with all his might. Kyle staggered backwards and turned around, his face shrinking.

“But, uncle, there are jerks who seduce him...”.

“That jerk is me!”

“So... uh, what!?”

“Basic spoiled voracious brat, you! I'll seriously consider whether I can entrust Leyla to you or not.”

Contrary to his scathing tone, Bill Remmer graciously patted Kyle on the shoulder. Leyla stood to the side and silently watched the couple quarrel.

Two of the most loved people in the world. Two of his precious. Two people he wanted to protect at all costs.

His heart began to warm, a smile on his face. Uncle Bill and Kyle are everything to her, and Leyla can't imagine living her life without the two by her side.

That's why Leyla decided to get married after a long fight.

As Kyle proposes to her and she rejects him, the tension in their relationship grows. If he can't accept his feelings, it's better that he just leave. Kyle tried hard to narrow the gap between them, but since he had already expressed his feelings, they were faced with two choices.

Married or a stranger.

It would shatter his deepest hopes for them to remain good friends forever if they grew up keeping a distance from each other.

Leyla could feel her heart breaking every time she thought of them, from autumn to winter, to spring living as a stranger.

To Leyla, the marriage and future Kyle had thrust upon her, was just a faint picture in the distance. He was afraid to indulge his greed to an extent beyond his reach. But if that's the only way he won't lose Kyle, then,

Leyla wanted to be brave.

It was late spring; after Duke Herhardt insulted her to tears, Leyla finally made up her mind. On that night, he threw his gold coins into the fountain because he did not want anything that had been given to him, then he saw the face of Kyle, who came looking for him soon after.

The moment he met Kyle, all the sadness and sadness in his heart was completely forgotten. He stood out like a beacon of light in the middle of the dark forest. It was like the warm light from Uncle Bill's cottage that was always waiting for his return, and illuminated his journey down the dark forest path. That flash of light became solace and comforted all the wounds that the forest outer world had given him.

Surprisingly, Kyle and Bill's pointless quarrel ended in a carefree laugh. With a smile still lingering on his face, Kyle walked towards him.

“Come to go, Leyla.”

Kyle extended his hand to her. With a little reluctance, Leyla grabbed the edge. Kyle stared at him for a long time. He grinned and then gently grabbed her hand. So intimate and in such a tight grip.

Although their relationship change was still very awkward and embarrassing, Leyla did not ignore it.

Because he is Kyle.

People he doesn't want to lose..