Cry, Or Better Yet Beg
chapter 33. Eden of Arvis

Leyla Remmer has been admitted to the University of Ratz.

Within moments, the news spread among the people in Arvis' palace. Since it was widely expected, no one was surprised to hear that Dr.'s only son. Etman has been accepted into a prestigious medical school with outstanding grades.

Leyla was the one leading the conversation. In these past few days, he had become a conversation in the city wherever people gathered. Even Duke's greenhouse listens to this kind of talk.

“I really don't believe,” Norma gasps. “Bill Remmer made a great choice by sending an orphan, and moreover, a girl, to College.”

Norma Catharina von Herhardt, who usually says nothing on the street about low-income children, listens to today's chat about Leyla with interest, just like everyone else.

“I guess she was born under a lucky star.” Elysee von Herhardt adds a little salt to the talk at the table. “She met her long-legged father and is even now engaged to Dr.'s son. Etman.”

Claudine secretly sipped her tea beside the Duchess, nodded gracefully, then a bright grin appeared on her face, “I'm so glad a poor child like her got such luck.”

He praised Leyla more sincerely than before. Fortunately, the waiter who went to pick up the boy on Norma's orders returned to the greenhouse just in time. He was with Leyla who was dressed well.

“Come and sit.”

Duchess Norma calmly ordered him to sit down. Elysee and Claudine both looked at him, their eyebrows slanted, as did Leyla's eyebrows.

“There's no harm in serving a cup of tea to this special kid, right?” Norma smiled as she said.

Like most Herhardt, Catharina von Herhardt honestly said that the blood flowing through her veins must have a deep blue color. Therefore, everyone was astonished at his willingness to share the tea table with the orphaned child raised by his gardener.

Sorted by the waiter, Leyla sat in her chair, her cheeks flushed with nervousness.

“I've heard that getting into Imperial University is very difficult, even for the son of the most distinguished family.”

Duchess Norma opened the conversation first after the maid placed the teacup in front of Leyla.

“That's all thanks to Uncle Bill,” replied Leyla while politely lowering her gaze.

"Yes. You must never forget your generous kindness, Bill Remmer.”

"Yes Mom."

“Are you from Lovita?”

“My mom is from Lovita, but my dad is a Berg.”

“Same as me.”

Elysee and Claudine both widen their eyes simultaneously in response to Norma's strange words that sound like veiled innuendo.

People knew Duchess Norma von Herhardt was a reputable Marquise and the only cousin of Emperor Berg. Her mother is a descendant of the Lovita noble lineage; no one dares to draw a parallel line between herself and an orphan who was raised from a humble background.

“Tell me what you want.”

The sudden request from the elderly Duchess, who had just put down her teacup, made Leyla gasp in shock.

“Bill Remmer is my favorite employee.” She stated calmly, “And you are a child she raised like her own daughter, so I have to give you a congratulatory gift.”

Shame instantly appeared on Leyla's cheeks. Just in time, he looked at the Duchess; instead of hiding his eyes, the greenhouse instead received the arrival of another visitor. Claudine looked at him as she approached them and exclaimed,

“Duke Herhardt!”

Claudine's cheerful voice caught everyone's attention, and their eyes were fixed on a gentleman.

Leyla quickly turned her head and saw Matthias von Herhardt standing arrogantly by the table. Their eyes met, faces frowning at each other for various reasons. Tension continued between them until Leyla turned her eyes away from him.

“This child has been successfully accepted at Ratz University. So we invited him to tea together because this is something that needs to be celebrated,” Elysee explained in a voice full of excitement.

After a brief nod, Matthias sat down on the chair beside Claudine, who happened to be facing Leyla.

“You came back early today.” Claudine gave a warm welcome to her fiance.

Matthias always leaves the house right after the clock strikes and will always be back late at night after he takes over the family business for good. It's been a week since Claudine's stay at Arvis, but this is the first time she's seen Matthias come home before dark.

“This meeting ended earlier than planned, Madam.”

"What is relieved. I'm afraid you'll be overdoing it lately.”

“Claudine correct, Matthias,” Elysee added. “Take your time and don't rush. If you end up ruining your health, it will be a real worry.”

Afterwards, the conversation turned to Matthias' current situation, with the family-run business and the presence of Leyla Lewellin seemingly having been erased in the blink of an eye.

But thanks to that, Leyla had time to catch her breath and sip her already cold tea. He wished he could escape this unpleasant situation, but he knew it was impolite to do so in front of the two Duchess who kept an eye on his every move.

Leyla put her teacup on the plate, taking care not to make any noise in her movements.

As he lifted his gaze, he slightly flinched, and his back hit the chair.

Matthias sat quietly between his chatty fiancee and his mother; his heartless eyes were fixed on her with the same gaze as on the day he ruthlessly trampled on her heart and left her.

Leyla, who was trying to grab the teacup again, hurriedly slipped her hand under the table. Matthias is seen talking to Claudine for a while before turning his attention to his mother and then returning to her.

He lowered his head, not daring to look into his eyes, but Leyla could still feel the sharp gaze of the man piercing through his body.

“So, have you thought about what you want?”

Norma's question brings the spotlight back to Leyla Lewellin.

Leyla clenched her jaw to hear Norma and subconsciously bit her lip as she watched Matthias' blue eyes remain glued to her. She immediately turned her gaze to Norma, trying to hide her flushed face.

“You have given me an amazing gift, Mom. That's more than enough.”

“You've got it?”

"Yes. Allowing me to stay here in Arvis, in Uncle Bill's cottage, is already a gift I can't repay. It was the greatest and most precious gift I have ever received and I will be forever grateful for it all my life.”

“We just granted Bill Remmer.” request

“Izin it was a gift that changed my life,” Leyla said, her lips curving into a thin smile. “I am also very grateful to Mom,” she also did not forget to say a polite thank you to Elysee.”…. Also to Duke and Lady Claudine.”

Somehow, Leyla happily expressed her gratitude to everyone, including those she disliked, rather than asking permission to leave the place.

“I will not forget the kindness you have given me, even when it came time for me to leave Arvis.” While bowing deeply, he appreciated Norma's question.

Duchess Norma observed it ama before giving a small nod. It would be impolite to refuse Herhardt's help; nevertheless, Leyla's polite demeanor seemed to amaze him, and he thought it was quite commendable for a young girl of the village.

“Have you said goodbye?”

Claudine asked sadly.

“You must be sad, Leyla.” He kept looking at her in silence and offered her something, “I understand how you feel, but I still want to give you a gift. Oh, how about I pay for your tuition?”

“No, Miss. The kindness you showed me has made me feel so grateful.”

Leyla looked at Claudine; a smile stiffened on her face.

“Uncle Bill has set aside tuition. He wants to cover the cost of my first semester of college.”

"really? I had to think of something else to give as a gift,” she said, “I can't let my old friend go empty handed who has been accepted into College and is getting married. . Right, Duke Herhardt?” said Claudine. His lips curved up to form a brilliant grin, and his voice calling out his name sounded as sweet as honey.

Matthias glanced at Leyla for a moment before she gently moved her head to approve her fiance.

Leyla was finally allowed to leave that unsettling tea table after much formal talk and pleasantries.

He stood his back to the Herhardt family as his eyes fell on the beautiful view of the greenhouse.

Eden of Arvis.

That's what everyone calls it.

The luxurious greenhouse, where people praised each other, made him feel uncomfortable and out of breath.

The suffocating feeling that enveloped him was similar to his feeling when he saw a beautiful lame-winged bird or multicolored flowers, the smell of which stung his nose. From the gurgling water flowing from the marble fountain to the incoming sunlight through the surrounding glass windows, the entire nine meters echoed that sentiment appropriately.

Leyla stepped out of the greenhouse without glancing back for the second time. Only when he stared at the glimmer of light outside and smelled the wind blowing all over his body did he sigh.

The long shadow followed his footsteps under the darkness of twilight as he walked into the heart of the forest.

“Sister, do you know what you are talking about?”

Daniel Rayner was stunned and therefore asked in disbelief. The crepuscular glow that entered through the curtainless window blinded him and his cousin, Linda Etman, who were sitting quietly opposite him.

"Sister!"

“Shut down your voice, Daniel!”

Madam Etman firmly reprimanded her while peeking at a glance through the closed door. Daniel breathed a surprised breath.

Daniel Rayner, who has just regained his business powers after the failure of his overseas mining venture, has often sought help from Linda Etman, his cousin and most trusted relative. He, who consistently rejected her plea kindly yet heartlessly, this time came to visit her first.

It is clear that the promised aid will not be returned. However, Daniel's joy at receiving the helping hand soon turned to doubt upon hearing the inappropriate words of Mrs Etman.

“It's stealing, Sister. How…."

"NO." Madam Etman suddenly cut her words and narrowed her eyes at the crimped crevice. “It's just a matter of hiding it for a while and returning it.”

"But…"

“Do you not care about Kyle too?”

"I'm ready."

“And you also need my help,” said Bu Etman as he lifted his hand from his lap and stroked his hot temple. As expected, Daniel Rayner was unable to retaliate and could only bow his head in embarrassment.

“I will save the money for a while and return it at the right time”, he reasoned. “If you can do that simple task, you will be able to take care of your family, and I will be able to protect my son.”

Madam Etman straightened her sitting posture and looked at Daniel Rayner with a satisfied expression on her face.

“I don't think this is a bad deal. Whaddya think?