Cry, Or Better Yet Beg
chapter 67. Owner Arvis

Norma notices Elysee von Herhardt, Matthias' mother, continuing to walk back and forth in her room. He patted her on the pillow, put her safely to bed, before checking some details at the last minute to make sure she was comfortable.

“I feel sorry for Bill.” Norma spoke up, making Elysee turn in shock at the words of her matriarch.

"I'm sorry?" he asked in disbelief, before sitting on the edge of Norma's bed, “How can you apologize to her? You're the one who got hurt by his negligence and destroyed the greenhouse!” he exclaimed furiously.

Normally Elysee would not dare to raise his tone at Norma, he was too respectful towards Herhardt's matriarch. However, in this case he could not help himself.

“I am not seriously injured.” Norma explained softly, making Elysee snort in disbelief with her words.

“I can't believe how much you forgive this!” he exclaimed, “Your bones are broken! You almost died! The only reason why it is not worse than that is because the waiter is the one most affected by his explosion.” he pointed out.

He gets up and starts concocting medicine with Norma's arrogance, a tense and angry posture as she tries to calm her tone as she confers with Norma.

“In addition, Hessen has given them a warning not to stack firewood too close to the generator, yet she deliberately did the opposite!”

“He is not a novice employee of Elysee, we have known him for many years.” Norma added, “You and I both know that this is all just an accident.”

“Well, the accident cost me my birds, and about half of your hornbills! We're lucky that no one was involved in the fatalities, but you could have been one of the victims. Even the year-end party in Arvis is now ruined because the generator is gone.” Elysee ended his argument.

The banquet hall and other dining rooms were now filled with ancient lights just to light them up. Electricity in the mansion at the time was practically non-existent because most of the lights had been replaced to use electricity, and now it was completely useless.

“I told you we don't need that raw electricity.” Norma grunts. It was no secret from the beginning that the older matriarch was against changing the way of life of the household. He was arguably happy for losing his generator.

No need for useless things. Everything was going as well as before.

“And I understand your feelings, Elysee,” Norma continued, “But what's the point of punishing gardeners for things we can't cancel? It will not restore electricity, nor rebuild greenhouses. Better let him go now, especially since I'm sure he can't afford us back.”

“It's not about money!” Elysee said desperately, “It's about responsibility, and makes all our servants vigilant in following orders.”

There was a deep silence between the two of them. Elysee tried to catch her breath while Norma kept pondering.

“So, you will send Bill Remmer to jail?” Norma finally asked, and Elysee sighed deeply while shrugging her shoulders.

“If the court decides he is guilty, then he will be guilty.” Elysee replied diplomatically.

“Elysee,” exclaim Norma gently, “Bill has been with us for many years, been there since before Matthias was born. He's a friend now. Think about Leyla too. What will happen to him now he is gone.” he asked, Elysee can only shake his head in disbelief.

“Leyla is an adult now, she can take good care of herself.” she stated, “Again, we all know she can't stay forever in Arvis as a guest.” It seemed like Elysee's decision was already unanimous, and no one could change it.

“Also, I can't help but think about how Claudine currently feels about the explosion,” Elysee continued, “You know she likes the greenhouse, she even wants to have a wedding there.”

“That's right..” Norma fell silent. He could not help but grimace when he mentioned the name of his grandson's fiancee. He knew at this time Elysee had given instructions to diligently repair the greenhouse, but it was impossible to complete it before the wedding.

Claudine does love the once magnificent Arvis greenhouse.

“So this way, he not only troubles himself, but also many others.” Elysee continued, “And that's why we couldn't just let it go after the accident.” he firmly finished it.

“I understand,” Norma finally admitted, “But it still doesn't feel right.”

Sighing deeply, Norma changed her sitting position to lie on the bed properly. Elysee immediately nodded to the servant at the side to help him. They rushed over and helped her carefully as she lay down, resetting her pillow to make it more comfortable before returning to their previous post.

“After all, the final decision is in the hands of Matthias.” Norma finally said as she looked into Elysee's eyes with a meaningful look. Elysee's jaw clenched as she knew what Norma told her inwardly.

Matthias is the current head of the Herhardt family. In the end, he holds the fate of Bill Remmer.

"Yes I agree." Elysee replied, nodding in agreement, “Whatever he said will be final, I will not agree. I just hope she makes a wise decision.” and with that she says good night to Norma, and leaves the older matriarch to rest.

Leyla had just managed to arrive inside the pavilion and immediately headed for the reception hall. A few minutes later, Mark Evers met Matthias, who was still receiving phone calls. Matthias turned to him, after a moment of self-excitement, before he was informed of Leyla's arrival.

After making sure Leyla was indeed there to meet him, she nodded to the attendant, gesturing for him to leave before resuming the phone call. Mark gestured for her to approach, which Leyla did, and remained standing opposite Matthias, in front of her desk. And with that, Mark left them alone.

Leyla was restless as she caught footage of Matthias' conversation on the phone, and grew more anxious with each second. Matthias called about repairs that needed to be made in the greenhouse, as well as the generator, which was both destroyed by the recent explosion.

When the phone call was over, Matthias put it down, before turning to look towards Leyla, his hand clasped in front of her as he placed his chin over her fingers. Leyla squirmed under her gaze…

“I know you are busy.” she gently starts, licking her lips nervously.

“No, thanks to Mr. Remmer.” Matthias replied, without any emotion, making Leyla nervous. Is he angry? Does he feel sorry for his uncle? "Sit down." he ordered as he pointed to the sofa opposite him. Leyla hurriedly shook her head in rejection.

In no mood to push him, Matthias simply leaned back in his chair, and crossed his legs. Leyla immediately went to the side and bowed deeply.

“I am so sorry for today's accident, Duke.” he apologized, Matthias just looked at him, not sure why he apologized for the accident.

“Why are you apologizing?” he asked her.

“I apologize on behalf of Uncle Bill.” he immediately replied, bow as low as possible, “Please forgive him, just this once.” he pleaded, very much hope he will accept his apology.

“You know my uncle, Duke, what kind of person he is.” he continued when Matthias remained silent, “This was all just an accident! He is still confused about electricity and generator, he misjudged!” he knelt this time. He then gave her a reason, about how her head always hurts every time she goes inside the warehouse because of the loud noise it makes, perhaps that is why she tried to turn it off.

“She doesn't want to hurt Mrs Norma, or destroy the greenhouse or anyone else inside. You know it." he's done.

Leyla stuttered as she explained it, but that was only because she tried her hardest not to be hysterical before him. The entire time Matthias let him talk, not interrupting in the slightest.

“Please forgive him.” he begs. His face was as white as a piece of paper, his hands trembling while waiting for the verdict, refusing to look at him as he kowtowed beside him.

“Forgiveness, yes?” he muttered to himself, calmly observing his trembling figure. Leyla immediately stood up, and stepped back a considerable distance. Matthias' gaze turned to his shoes, all covered in dust and dirt, probably because he ran to the police station and came back again.

His gaze pointed upwards, glancing at his calf wearing stocking, emphasizing its slenderness. He tilted his head, casually moving his gaze over his figure, seeing him clutching his dark gray skirt, ending right above his knees. His eyes stared further away, looking at the checkered coat enveloping him, with a red sweater hiding underneath.

Two buttons over his shirt opened, revealing his slender neck, before he met his teary eyes once again. He looks very desperate.

She was sure she had given him plenty of pretty clothes, yet she had always managed to dress like a nun.

"Why should I?" He finally asked her, her eyebrows furrowed as Leyla was at a loss for words, “Why should I forgive Bill? Show mercy to her?”

Matthias then stood up from his seat and touched it casually, heading straight for the fireplace, stopping right in front of him. He stared at the fire, wrinkles adorning his face.

“T-please Duke-” Leyla stuttered, but was instantly cut off.

“Generator exploded due to the warning he ignored,” Matthias started, “Causing my grandmother almost died, and the destruction of expensive property.” He records all the cases that have befallen Bill Remmer, making Leyla face the harsh reality.

With each item, he took one step closer towards her, looking even more impressive. He only stopped when he was only a step away from his trembling figure…

“And you want me to show him mercy?” he finished it while looking at her, "Tell me why am I doing that?"

“Please Duke-”

“So you want me to ignore all his mistakes? Letting her go just like that?” he asked her, her eyes turning to caress Leyla's collar with her fingertips.

She looks rather cute with a shirt hanging loosely on her shoulder, even though it looks familiar to her. It wasn't long before he realized that it was the same shirt he wore at a picnic in the fall. The exact blouse he took off when he had an accident as well.

Inevitably he wondered if perhaps this was also the same shirt he wore when he asked to be transferred from Arvis and work at another school?

His grip on the collar of his clothes grew tighter, as he stared at him coldly.

“Who do you think would ask for such a thing?” he practically growled at her. Leyla felt as if she slapped her face with her response. His hand moved upwards, and clasped his chin tightly. “Hah, tell me Leyla.” she asked.

Tears welled up in Leyla's eyes as she forced her to maintain eye contact. Tears flowed down his cheeks, drowning the fingers around his chin. His voice softened as he straightened his body, his face still in his hands.

“Really, who do you think you are?” he asked calmly, his voice returning indifferently. Leyla inevitably wondered if their last interaction together was just something she had imagined in her mind…

How he kept his promise not to hurt Phoebe, not to hurt her as she healed her wounds. Even the jokes and light smiles they secretly share in the latest fall. The entire time he made her curious about every new side he found out from her…

She could still see him as clearly as noon, yet, while staring into his dull and cold eyes, she wondered if all of that meant nothing to her.

His voice was stuck in his throat, unable to speak as his body was wracked with fear. The image of his beloved uncle being trapped behind bars, destroying his shelter in Arvis, and his cold and imposing figure plunges his brain into chaos.

He can't think straight.

“How dare you demand such a thing from me without equal reward.” he told her. Leyla bit her lower lip to hold back her sobs, but did not manage to do so because she cried openly before her.

Matthias continued to act as if his world was not falling apart before him.

“I don't like entering exchanges that don't give me anything.” he's done, and Leyla inevitably tries once again.

“D-Duke..Please-” she sobbed, but she cut it off once again.

“Unfortunately your tears are not enough to buy Bill Remmer.” freedom

“I have nothing to offer you other than my apology! We don't have any money-” He keeps begging. But his grip on the woman grew tighter as he forced her to remain silent.

“I'm not talking about monetary exchange, Leyla.” He explained to him, “Deal can be made with whatever one party wants, which can only be offered by the other party to get the help they want.” he pulls it closer, he said, their faces were only a hair away. “And I am willing to make such a trade with you.”

"a trade?" Leyla's sobs subsided as she grew increasingly curious about what Leyla wanted from her.

“Ya, a trade.” He slowly nodded, glancing up and down at her before meeting a look at her once more. His eyes widened in realization and began to pull away from him, shaking his head wide in refusal.

He released it from his grip, letting it stumble backwards as he returned to his position and sat uninterruptedly in his wing seat. The fear in Leyla's eyes was now replaced with a silent rage as she stared intently at Leyla.

“I-I won't do that!” he exclaimed, strands of his hair were released because of his struggle, making his neck even more alluring to him, “You are engaged to Lady Claudine! You will be married soon!” he showed with anger.

Matthias just shrugged his shoulders while looking at him curiously, “And it's relevant how?” he asked her, casually taking out a handkerchief while looking back at her rebellious figure. He seemed a bit bored in this conversation.

Suddenly, the phone rang once more, leaving Leyla stunned as she moved away from her desk. Matthias only sighed softly, before touching her again as she walked back towards the phone.

“The final decision is in your hands, think about it.” He told her while putting his hand on the phone that was ringing. “You can refuse if you want, and that will be the end of everything.”

Just as Leyla was about to ask him what would happen if he refused, he picked up the phone. He watched the evil man in front of him turn into an honorable Duke so smoothly.

This time she talked about her grandmother, asking her the latest news about her health. Leyla could not dream of becoming something precious to this man.

He found it hard to breathe as he stood still. He walked out of the room, and was greeted by a brightly lit part of the pavilion, the opposite of the darkness that threatened to overwhelm him.

He continued walking until he stopped near the stairs outside, headed to the second floor of the pavilion, and slumped to the floor in a daze. He could feel his chest constricting as he pulled his knee to his chest. He watched the river currents outside reflect the moonlight, lost in its luster.

He felt like he had just woken up from a long sleep, dreaming a beautiful nightmare