Cry, Or Better Yet Beg
chapter 50. To my Precious Cousin

Arvis is busy with preparations for Herhardt's dinner party.

As Leyla walked home from school, the streets were filled with carriages and vehicles. Uncle Bill was very busy these past few days, busy arranging flowers for the interior of the mansion. It was then that the flowers began to wither, so he had to collect a portion of the greenhouse and buy the rest from the local flower garden.

Leyla helped her uncle by frequently traveling downtown to buy flowers. His busy days made him feel lucky; at the very least, he could forget his missing questioner and his unrequited letter from the Duke. But now that his work was done, he had to return to Arvis.

As the entrance to the mansion drew closer, Leyla slowed down her pace.

Fortunately, Duke Herhardt seemed to be ignoring the matter. Or more likely, he had no chance to ponder on it. He is also preoccupied with the work of late, and Phoebe, who is secretly communicating with him, is confined inside a cage in the backyard.

“I don't believe.”

He had spoken these words at least a hundred times since Phoebe brought the Duke's letter.

“How did he get the idea to tame Phoebe and use it as a carrier bird?”

He did not live long, nor did he know many people. However, in his lifetime, Duke Matthias von Herhardt was the strangest yet enigmatic man Leyla Lewellin had ever met.

“Why is he constantly picking up other people's stuff? Is he a kleptomania?” Leyla kicked an innocent rock in the street while grumbling.

He didn't want to meet the Duke, though he needed to get his pen back. She didn't really know why she was getting determined to avoid him now, but Leyla felt she had to.

Just as Leyla was about to enter the mansion from the side door, a blaring horn shocked her. He turned to look at the Brandt family car park right in front of him.

As the rear-seat window slowly lowered, Leyla approached the car with stiff steps.

“Leyla, long time no see.”

Sitting inside was the familiar face of Claudine Brandt.

“How are you?” Claudine beamed, observing Leyla from head to toe.

Leyla was silent for a moment. Familiar guilt, like the feeling of a child who has made a big mistake, gripped him tightly. It was the same emotion she felt last summer, on the day of Duke Herhardt's engagement ceremony and Madam's. The memories of his first kiss stolen by Claudine's fiancee unceasingly made him feel pity.

Duke's soft voice, his gentle laughter, and the touch of his strong and powerful hand flashed through his mind, but Claudine's gaze brought him back to the present.

Clenching her frozen hands together, Leyla, as usual, greeted Claudine with a polite bow.

“Halo, Miss Claudine.”

It doesn't surprise anyone that Herhardt's dinner party ended perfectly. Always the epitome of elegance and elegance, both party hosts were consistent throughout the event. In the Berg Empire, Herhardt's name got the nickname ‘perfection’. An accident at Herhardt's dinner party will only increase everyone's curiosity.

“Is it okay if we walk around the greenhouse for a while?”

Claudine politely asked Elysee after everyone chatted in the living room. Standing on the other side of the room were the people that Claudine meant her fiancee – and her cousin.

“Of course, please.” Elysee von Herhardt agreed. “You young people do need to spend time together.”

With her delicate tone of voice, the women around Elysee laughed out loud, as if they were dancing in rhythm.

Claudine comes out of the living room and Matthias with Riette follows her, leaving the women who start gossiping about the young children's love affair.

“Oh, Duke Herhardt, Mrs Norma gave me permission to expand this greenhouse when I became Duchess of Arvis,” Claudine said, her bright voice piercing through the quiet greenhouse in the dark.

"So that's it."

Matthias' lips twitched with a faint smile.

"What do you think?"

“I will obey whatever Miss.” wants

Claudine already knew what Matthias was going to answer, but she still nodded with a friendly smile. “You can look forward to it. I am sure that I can really like this amazing greenhouse, Arvis' Heaven.”

Claudine walked along the path with spring steps. Although she was ushered in by her fiance, most of her conversations ended with Riette.

"mastering."

Claudine had just started talking about what tropical plants would be grown in the expanded greenhouse when a waitress came to see Matthias. Someone has been looking for it to discuss business-related issues.

"Return quickly." Claudine smiled as she let go of her fiance's arm. “I will continue my journey with Riette.”

“I've always been Duke's replacement for dear Lady Brandt.”

Despite the grumbling, Riette willingly lent her arm to Claudine.

After Matthias and his servant leave, only Claudine and Riette are left in the greenhouse, surrounded by the gentle tranquility of the flowing fountain.

They continued their previous discussions and journeys. Claudine's visualization of greenhouse expansions is quite specific; she's already decided which plants to import and how to style her garden.

“It looks like you've become Duchess Herhardt. Your love for Arvis outweighs your love for your fiancee,” Riette surmised as she turned to him after listening to her idea.

Claudine nodded without the slightest bit of embarrassment. “However, I still show love to Herhardt.”

“You two are really great.”

Riette's laughter showed defeat.

“Matthias is quite cold, are you okay with that?”

"What do you mean?"

“Duke Herhardt loves no one. He never loved you before, does not love you now, and will never love you in the future.”

“Which prestigious noblemen married for love?”

“Someone did! It would definitely happen if Lady Brandt became my wife.”

As usual, Riette kept her expression and tone light and relaxed. Claudine simply smiled in response.

“Riette, I've been in and out of Arvis with my mother for ten years.” Claudine turned to look at Riette. “Do you what does it mean?”

“That is to say, for ten years now, these imperial nobles have regarded you as Duchess Herhardt.”

“True, Riette, this is why I like you.”

Claudine laughed softly and put back her hand on Riette's arm.

Riette calmly escorted her cousin. The delicate tension between them immediately disappeared as their conversation relaxed and laughter flowed back.

Claudine changed the subject while observing the birds in the greenhouse.

“Is this the birth of a bird lovers couple?” Riette asked cynically.

“Riette!”

“By the way, the bird is still there. Beautiful little bird who lives in Duke's room.”

"I don't mind. Duke Herhardt should at least get a little pleasure. We must respect his wishes.”

“I hope it stays that way.”

“It's not worth your worries. No matter how beautiful it is, you cannot give the title of Duchess to a bird, Riette.”

“Yeah, that's right.” Riette failed to argue. No matter how much Matthias adored the canary, a bird was still a bird. “Do you know how long canaries can live? Is it long life?” She asked.

Claudine tilted her head, "Come on, but I hope the noisy bird doesn't live long."

“Don't you just say that we should respect Duke's little pleasure?”

“Yes, but if the bird dies, there will be another bird that will entertain Duke Herhardt.”

“Claudine, I really want to give my blessing to you and Matthias.” Riette laughed absentmindedly as she looked at Claudine's face, “You two are such a compatible couple.”

Riette felt a little sorry for Matthias' little bird. The poor bird will surely hover around the mismatched pair helplessly.

Claudine's lips lifted into a natural smile. Seeing her cruel yet beautiful face, Riette exclaimed, “Should I know that bird for my precious cousin?”

“I didn't know you had such a hobby.”

“She's not my favorite, but she's still pretty.”

“This won't be easy.” Claudine giggled as if she was having fun. “That bird may look beautiful, but she has pride as a princess.”

“Hahs. Do I look like the type of person who easily fails?”

“No.. but I was curious. Can you make friends with that haughty bird?”

Claudine was no longer smiling, her face was as cold as a window glass reflecting the moonlight.

“If you succeed, I'll be happy to send you a congratulatory gift.”

"What gift?"

“Isn't gratitude and love enough?”

Their glaring smiles disappeared as the sharp gazes of the couple deepened.

"Not bad."

As the greenhouse door opened, Riette let out a slow sigh and the couple walked forward. Matthias is back.

Neither the carrier bird nor Leyla has returned. Everything was exactly the same as before he sent the letter.

Matthias snorted while looking up at the sky, where the white dove used to fly. He laughed coldly, bitterly and very angry.

“You can come back now.”

Matthias declared to the waiter who was waiting in front of his balcony door.

“Then I will wait in front of the pavilion when it is time to leave.”

Mark Evers left a polite greeting and returned with the rest of the staff.

Left alone, Matthias let his mind wander while gazing at the calm river below his balcony. He believes Leyla has been too busy helping gardeners lately. But now, it no longer happens.

After lifting his handcuffs to check his watch, Matthias paced on his balcony. There is still time left before the afternoon appointment. Besides, it was a weekend, so Leyla Lewellin might be in her cabin.

Therefore, he concluded a fair conclusion and decided to follow up on his plan without hesitation.

Matthias walked down the riverbank and entered the path in the forest filled with fallen leaves.

He was filled with regret.

The water flooded itself hot and thick, darker than the color of the autumn foliage.

'I should have hurt her until she cried.'

However, he soon finds Leyla Lewellin. He's hanging laundry near the cottage fence. He looked very calm and relaxed, enough to make Matthias look foolish from the restless wait for the past week.

Matthias stood still and watched her wisely. Leyla continued to hang up the clean bed, her attention fully focused on her task. He pulled it left and right, pulled it once more, then twisted the sheet until it was dry enough to hang.

His proud smile added to Matthias' confusion.

'Ha... Will you see it?'

Lately, he had been thinking about those words a lot. She was very cute yet fierce, and she always comforted her with her unique attitude. Matthias felt frustrated at himself for being so stripped away by him.

Leyla turned around as Matthias stepped forward. His body stiffened like a pole as soon as he saw it. All this time he thought his actions were adorable, but Matthias now decided to change his views.

Leyla turned around and started running. When he disappears outside the courtyard, Matthias realizes that he escaped from her.

"The woman…"

The sight of him running away as if he were seeing a ghost made Matthias mock. It was funny to watch and even funnier to think that he was sure he dared to run away from her.

He held back his feelings for now. After he stopped laughing, Matthias started chasing after him.

Leyla ran out of the courtyard and towards the harvest fields across the Schulter river. Matthias's steps grew longer, and the distance between the two narrowed. Leyla looked back in fear, and then she stumbled.

He ended up trapped under a willow tree near the river. Leyla fought against him, but Matthias held onto Leyla's shoulder tightly and locked her between the tree trunk and her body. His hands flared as he aggressively grabbed his tangled hair.

When he looked down, Matthias was greeted by the sight of Leyla crying.

She smiles.

“Where are you, Leyla?”