Cry, Or Better Yet Beg
chapter 44. The First Autumn

"Yes God! Leyla! what are you doing up there!”

The high-pitched screeches from under the tree almost made Leyla drop her half-bitten apple.

He grabbed the fruit before it fell. Madam Mona appeared before him while lowering her gaze. He glared at Leyla with his arms crossed tightly.

“Halo Bu Mona's. Isn't the weather really good today?”.

After giving a simple greeting, Leyla hurriedly stuffed the apples and books into her bag. Mistress Mona's brows furrowed as she watched Leyla smoothly slide down the tree trunk. At the same time, Bill Remmer returned to the cottage.

“This is all because of you, Mr Remmer!”

Madame Mona growls at Bill Remmer moments after he dumps his wagon.

“I warned you to raise her like a humble woman! I have counseled you many times, based on my experience of raising three daughters, yet you constantly ignore what I say! Look at him now!? A mature woman and a teacher who was supposed to educate children, climbed a tree like that!”

“Is there a rule that schoolteachers should not climb trees? A good teacher should be able to do everything!”

Confused by the matter, Bill raised his voice and prepared to argue with him. Since Leyla lived in Arvis, the parenting style of the couple has never been in line.

Leyla wanted to say that she was now an adult, instead, she cleverly approached her uncle.

"Look at that woman! It's all your fault! You should have gotten rid of her tomboom bad habit by at least hitting her ass when she was a kid!”

Mistress Mona's horrible grunt made Leyla gasp and impulsively caress her butt. Bill and Leyla's feet were both frozen, as if they were being punished for making a mistake.

After a few minutes of nagging, Ms. Mona suddenly remembered the original reason for being there and handed them a basket of food before leaving. Bill and Leyla looked at each other and laughed out loud.

“I feel his scolding has hit my ass.”

“I can't handle this anymore, Leyla. You should climb the tree silently from now on. Don't get caught by him. I was worried I would become deaf if I heard her voice blaring.”

“Okay uncle, I'll do it for you.”

After nodding, Leyla picked up the heavy basket and walked inside the house. The old sling bag on his shoulder trembled, making a clattering sound as it moved following his steps.

“After all, that garbage bag should be burned immediately.”

Bill rambled while staring at the trash bag, which he refused to throw away.

Her worries did not seem to affect Leyla's daily life; she lived gallantly. After the new school semester began, he began teaching the children as a new elementary school teacher. He is sometimes careless and cannot avoid mistakes, but he quickly overcomes them.

School seems to be something of interest to him these days. Bill, who was worried whether he could teach the boy well, was now able to relax. Yet she was well aware of the pain and sadness Leyla had hidden in the depths of her heart.

He was a kid who had a hard time throwing away his purse because of his attachment to the bag. He knew what Kyle meant to him more than anyone. It's hard for him to heal his wounds from losing Kyle. She was his closest friend, before he became an innocent lover so quickly. He was too weak to heal himself.

'It's not time yet.'

After much thought, Bill put Kyle's letter back in his pocket.

Even after moving to Ratz, Kyle sends a letter to Leyla once a week. Bill explicitly asked to send the letter only to him. The postman had understood his intention, and was willing to comply with his request.

Bill knows he's cruel, and his cowardice doesn't represent an adult's attitude. However, her need to protect Leyla overcame her regrets and guilt towards the boy.

"Uncle!"

Leyla waved at him, and Bill came to her.

They sit next to each other on the terrace and share apples while enjoying the cool weather as the forest glitters in autumn colors.

"Oh I forgot. I have something to say to the butler. Uncle, can you pass on my message to her?”

"Head maid? You mean, Mr Hessen?”

"Yes. Because of schoolwork.”

Leyla wiped the droplets of juice on her finger with the handkerchief she took out of her apron.

“I want to ask Duke if children can have an autumn picnic in the forest Arvis.”

“Ah is right, you should tell Hessen first, because you can't go directly to Duke. Sure do. I'll ask, not you.”

“I'm a bit worried if it's an impolite request.”

“Not polite? Don't worry; the Duke is notoriously generous with such things, and I'm sure he'll gladly allow it. In addition, Duke Herhardt is the sponsor of the school.”

"Sponsor?" Leyla's eyes grew three sizes. “Duke Herhardt is my school sponsor?” A surprised expression flashed across his face.

"So so…."

Leyla muttered a little. He closed his eyes, wanting to block the Duke's face from his thoughts.

Duke Herhardt's name followed him wherever he went in Carlsbar, and Leyla must have accepted that unavoidable reality.

King Carlsbar.

That was the nickname given to Duke Herhardt by the citizens of this city. The imperial nobility was on par with the emperor's family in terms of wealth and power. He served as a symbol and source of pride for the Carlsbar community.

"Why? Is there a problem with the Duke? Did that haughty fiancee bother you again?”

Layla shook her head, surprised by Bill's question. "NO. How come?"

Once again, the Duke's face, his gaze, and those suffocating moments consecutively imprinted in his memory, robbing him of his speech.

“Let's have tea, uncle.”

Leyla stood up and ran to the kitchen before Bill could answer. He poured the tea into a cup and placed the cake from Ms. Mona on the serving plate after it was sliced.

The day began to subside, and the night began to enter the house. However Leyla hesitated to turn on the lights as if she wanted to hide her vigilance in the darkness.

No need to rush.

Matthias's opinion of Leyla Lewellin is as follows. He had a burning desire to have it, but he did not want to take immediate action.

“Oh, Miss Lewellin is there.”

Mark Evers giggled as he saw Leyla walking on the path of Platanus with her students. After Leyla established herself as a good adult and schoolteacher, the residents of Arvis began calling her 'Miss Lewellin'.

The driver interrupted. “Today must be their picnic day.”

His grandmother allowed children from the local school to have autumn picnics in the Arvis forest. His mother also gave a cool nod to the idea. In essence, the agreement is under the authority of the hostess, which explains why Matthias did not raise any objections and respect their decision.

The excited students around him reminded Matthias the first time Leyla came to Arvis. He was still a spirited child who liked to roam the forest, who knew he could behave so maturely in front of his students.

A smile fell on Matthias' lips as he looked out of the car window. A moment later, his car passed Leyla and the children. But his shadow lingered in his mind for some time after that.

Nowadays, toying with Leyla Lewellin is her favorite pastime.

The worse he oppresses her, the more obvious his reaction is. His emotions did not stray from shame, anger, shame, and fear, but he enjoyed every change in his emotions. Seeing her flinch, become angry, and reply to her was much more comforting than seeing her obedient face with a polite smile.

Last weekend, they met each other in the mansion's greenhouse. He was helping his uncle tidy up the flowerbed when he saw it. The color of his face quickly faded. Leyla dropped her garden basket, and dirt-stained tubers scattered over the paving stones. Bill Remmer, a few feet away, was busy tending to another flowerbed and did not seem to notice the commotion.

He calmly approached and stood in front of her. When she stepped on the tubers with her shoes, Leyla raised her head in anger. He looked nervous if anyone saw them, but his eyes were filled with uncontrollable hatred.

Matthias chuckled, recalling how people thought of Leyla Lewellin as a kind and gentle woman who never vilified anyone. But that didn't stop him from being satisfied. Since she had never learned to share her things with others, she was overjoyed when Leyla was being sharp only to him.

The majestic birds living in Arvis' heavenly greenhouse let out loud chirps. Leyla quickly picked up the tubers as if she did not want him to touch them, then stood up.

As he leaned over and was about to run, he tripped his leg. The basket in his hand fell down, and the tubers were scattered again on the paving stones. Leyla stumbled, but she had already hugged her waist to save her from falling over.

Matthias recalled how frightened Leyla was and how she quickly covered her mouth to prevent screams. Although the flowering season had passed, he could still feel the faint scent of roses smelling from his skin.

After releasing it, he took a step back and pointed to the fallen tuber with his gaze. Leyla scowled, hatred visible in her eyes, but she had no choice but to comply with her request.

Gritting his teeth, he knelt down to collect the tubers. As he kicked a few bulbs with the tip of his shoe towards him, a red hue appeared on his cheek.

The red color beautifies the skin color perfectly.

Matthias wondered how beautiful it would be if he could paint his entire body with that color. Beautiful red color. Color dia.

“What is my sore schedule?”

Matthias asked as their car approached downtown.

“The last schedule today is to attend a board meeting.”

Matthias nodded in satisfaction and checked his watch. He could be home early this afternoon.

After getting out of the car, he took a moment to admire the tall, cloudless blue sky. The afternoon sun shines on the buildings with its warm light and the wind keeps things cool.

The weather is perfect to enjoy a picnic in the autumn