Cry, Or Better Yet Beg
chapter 7

For a long time, Leyla thought she was hallucinating.

Leyla does it often. Due to his poor eyesight, he saw the fruit falling from the tree as a squirrel and he was often surprised to think the tree branches floating in the water were human.

But this time, the silhouette that looked was undoubtedly someone. And it was a man. A tall and naked man. When her wet black hair came into sight, she could no longer hold fast to her self-righteousness that it was just an illusion.

Currently, the object floating in the current was undeniably Duke Matthias von Herhardt.

The confused Leyla dropped the newspaper in her hand. If he did not reflexively grasp the branch of the tree, he would have fallen to the ground with his newspaper.

Consciousness told him.

Close your eyes now. No, get off that tree as fast as you can and leave this forest behind. Or at least scream in surprise.

But all Leyla could do was stare at the man without wearing any clothes without saying a word. That was Duke Herhardt. The man only stared back at Leyla with no intention of hiding his naked body while still floating in the water.

I hope he gets swept up in the stream!

At the moment when the wind started blowing hard, the duke suddenly started swimming towards the riverbank, where Leyla was.

"Ah no!"

Leyla's screams echoed high into the clear sky.

"NO! Don't come! You can't come!”

Screaming in fear, Leyla frantically descended from the tree.

He did not bother to show his respect to the duke. He can't think of anything. Leyla threw away her basket as well as her hat and just ran away. He ran without realizing how fast his legs were moving into the forest.

“Leyla!”

On the way to the cabin, Leyla meets Kyle. A confused Kyle catches Leyla, who is about to fall.

"Where Are You? I'm on my way to find you because you're not home.”

“Kyle, Kyle, what should I do?”

Leyla muttered in a hoarse voice while breathing heavily like a half-crazy person.

"Why? What the hell is going on? Did you find any wild animals?”

As Leyla shook her head excitedly, Kyle looked further out of the way. Nothing is visible. There was only an ordinary forest in front of them.

“Then what happened? Why are you so surprised?”

"…… What should I do?"

Leyla fell to the ground crying. He used the tip of his apron to cover his face and shook his head several times.

He did not want to remember it, but the image of the man's sturdy body continued to appear in his head.

Leyla ruffled her hair.

"What should I do? What should I do, Kyle?”

“I'll answer you if you can tell me what the problem is. What the fuck?"

Kyle frowned as he knelt in front of Leyla. Not long after, Leyla's face turned as red as a raspberry.

“Hey, what do you see? Did you see a ghost?”

Kyle started to giggle.

NO. NOPE.

Leyla wanted to say it but her lips did not move.

Something more terrifying than that.1

The words he muttered slowly came out through his hot breath.

The wild scenery that was happening before him was so incredible that Matthias was out of breath. A drop of water from the end of her wet hair dripped down her nose.

After swimming to the pavilion pier, Matthias got dressed and returned to the tree. It all happened after Leyla threw away all her luggage and ran away.

Matthias checked Leyla's trail. A big basket and a hat under the tree. A newspaper on the floor. Wet handkerchief.

He laughed falsely after observing a basket full of raspberries. Is he planning to exterminate all the raspberries growing in the Arvis forest? He was amazed to imagine the girl carrying such a big basket with her slender hands.

Come to think of it, this is the tree where he almost shot the little boy.

Matthias stared at the beautiful tree. He also remembered the moment the little face, which was sitting on the branch, looked at him blankly. He laughed out loud.

No way, he was still playing around climbing trees.

He thought of chasing after her but he changed his mind and headed to the mansion.

Matthias is scheduled to meet with the director of his family's company this afternoon. Although he is not directly involved in the management of the company, his job is to oversee their plans. He must also supervise the overall structure and quality of work of his subordinates.

The Herhardt family expanded its scope on trade and resources based on their land assets. Matthias' grandfather, who acquired great wealth for his family, has made the bold choice to invest in the oil fields in the new kingdom.

All the honor and authority that had been built through the previous owners of the Herhardt household was now in Matthias' hands.

Matthias was well aware of that and he knew it was his greatest duty to keep his honor and authority and pass it on to the next Herhardt. He was confident that he would carry out his duties more perfectly than anyone else. He never doubted himself.

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Matthias headed straight for the bedroom after he arrived at the mansion. She changed her clothes and cleaned her disheveled hair.

After all that preparation, Matthias leaned back slanted against the chair located near the window on the west side of the bedroom. There's still an hour left until the next appointment.

Judging that just sitting and waiting was futile, he was about to get up from his chair until he heard the chirping of birds.

Matthias directed his gaze towards the direction of the voice. The canary in the bird cage was singing on the table. He used to believe that the bird could not chirp because its voice was very slow, but now, the canary sings beautifully enough to cover up his past thoughts.

Matthias slowly approached and opened the door of the birdcage. The canary, which stopped singing, flapped its cut wings and came out of the cage.

He thought of leaving the bedroom but changed his mind and observed the bird while leaning against the window frame. That little thing is so hard. He flew a little, fell, then floated around the room without rest.

The canary was finally exhausted and gently sat on the armrest of the chair. Matthias took the bird to put it back in the cage. Instead of thrashing and letting out deafening cries, the canary obediently entrusts itself to its owner.

Matthias was fascinated by the bird's changing attitude so he tried to put the bird on his finger. He thought the bird was going to run away but suddenly the bird remained silent and boldly looked back at him.

“It feels like I met a new world.”

“It's understandable. Your vision is very bad. You must be having trouble.”

“No, it's not too bad. Except when I have to read the book.”

Leyla replied cheerfully as she put down her glasses after she lifted them up. The cloudy world magically became clear. Leyla was once again pleased with the obvious.

The amount of raspberries that the forest provides turns into jam through Leyla's fingertips. When she had enough money to buy her glasses, Leyla rode her bike downtown. He easily found the eyeglass shop he frequented.

After talking to the optician for a few minutes, he left the shop. The scenery outside became too clear that it felt a little foreign, yet amazing.

Leyla expresses her gratitude and love for the wild fruits of the Arvis forest, which shine brightly in the summer sun. He also thanked himself for stirring raspberry jam in front of the fire under the scorching sun.

But why did he remember those bad memories on such a happy day?

Leyla suddenly frowned the day she accidentally saw the duke's naked body.

How ashamed and fearful he was.

Leyla had not dared to go back to pick up her basket and hat until sunset.

When he finally returned, the forest calmed down and the river glistened peacefully.

Leyla who was relieved immediately left the river with her basket and hat. But his cheeks kept burning. He was so distracted that he did not realize how heavy the basket he had in his arms was. After that day, he felt embarrassed even to see Uncle Bill and Kyle.

Even though it was his property, how could he swim naked in the river? In broad daylight?

Leyla shook her head to dispel those memories of hatred.

I must not go to the riverbank until the Duke leaves this estate.

Leyla promised herself and was about to head towards the cabin until she heard a familiar voice.

“...... Leyla?”

This tall and clear voice was undoubtedly the voice of Claudin von Brandt.

Yep. That's he's fine.

Leyla regulated her breathing and slowly turned around. He prepared himself with a polite smile. However when he suddenly met a glance with Duke Herhardt, the man who had disturbed Leyla's mind just a moment ago, he froze.

Leyla could clearly see the man standing in front of her.

Leyla frantically turned her gaze to Claudine, who was standing beside her. When Duke Herhardt worked as an officer on the overseas front lines, Claudine did not visit Arvis as often as he used to. It's been a while since Leyla hasn't seen the woman. Claudine has grown into a flawless woman.

Leyla politely saluted and the two gracefully nodded to receive her greeting.

“When did you start wearing glasses? I barely recognize you.”

Leyla wished she was gone but Claudine spoke again.

Leyla faced him with a ready smile. He tried hard not to meet the eyes of Duke Herhardt.

“Are you okay?”

Claudine meticulously observed Leyla with her eyes thinly opened.

“Ya, Miss.”

“We are on our way to drink tea.”

Claudine pointed to the hotel across the street with her eyes.

Yes, Miss. Or so, Miss.

Leyla was thinking about which answer to answer when Claudine generously said,

“Let's go together, Leyla.”

"What?"

“A long time ago we did not meet, so I want to have tea with you. Is it okay, Duke Herhardt?”

Claudine asked Matthias. Matthias expressed his agreement with a slight grin on the tip of his lips. They didn't seem to care what Leyla said. As usual.

The two started walking while Leyla followed behind. The servants accompanying them quietly followed him.

Leyla sighed and dragged her bike. The creaking sound of the old wheel mixed with the sound of footsteps.