Chapter 25
Chapter 25
Translation: godsn
As Matthias absentmindedly turned his gaze toward the carriage window, he saw Leila. She was running along the path with a radiant smile he had never witnessed before. Her long, unbound golden hair fluttered in the wind.
An unconscious tension gripped Matthias's fingertips. Leila's destination was likely the man walking ahead—Bill Remmer. Just as Matthias was about to order the carriage to slow down, he pressed his lips tightly together instead. By then, Leila had already reached her destination.
Light as one of his birds, she soared into the gardener's arms.
The gardener lifted her effortlessly. Cradled against his massive frame, Leila looked every bit the young girl she still was. In his embrace, she smiled with what seemed like the most dazzling light in the world, and the gardener burst into booming laughter. The moment passed as the carriage carrying Matthias sped past them.
Matthias finally withdrew his gaze from the window. He looked down at his hand—the hand that had nearly reached out into empty air, the hand that still seemed to carry the lingering touch and scent from that day.
The engagement was now imminent.
Just as he should have felt relief at that thought, the carriage passed through the gates of Arvis.
Leila's wish had come true.
Everything was alright now that Uncle Bill had returned.
She was no longer alone, and so the sorrow of having to grow up too soon, the memory of that terrible first kiss, all the confusion and helplessness—they had all become bearable. Meanwhile, the morning and evening breezes grew increasingly crisp, the days shorter, and an air of celebration more splendid than ever before began to permeate Arvis.
"My goodness, it's unbelievable. It's like we're preparing every dish in the world," grumbled Mrs. Mona with a stern face, having barely managed to steal a moment to visit the woods.
"If the engagement ceremony is this extravagant, I can't even imagine what the wedding will be like. It's already terrifying to think about."
Mrs. Mona plopped down onto the chair beside Bill Remmer and launched into full-fledged complaints. Leila, who had just returned from milking the goats, greeted her with a bright smile.
"Just wait a little longer, Leila. After tomorrow, I'll make sure you eat so many delicious things you'll get sick of them. No matter how many guests we've invited, they won't even finish half the food we've prepared!"
Mrs. Mona gave a warm chuckle. Leila unconsciously clutched the front of her blouse.
The red mark the Duke had left on her nape still hadn't faded after days. Every time she caught sight of it in the mirror, shame and humiliation made her shudder.
"Is the engagement ceremony really tomorrow?"
"'Really'? Don't say it like that, Leila. I've been praying for that blasted—no, anyway, I've been praying for that engagement to be over with as soon as possible."
"Tomorrow, then..."
Leila murmured softly before smiling again.
"Yes, ma'am. I'll look forward to it."
As if trying to erase the nightmare-like memory, Leila forced her smile to brighten even more. Since that day, the Duke had not once returned to the woods. It was a relief.
"I love chocolate cookies. And strawberry cake too!"
"Whether it's chocolate or strawberries, we've got mountains of them. I'll bring you plenty."
"How can I repay you?"
"Repay me? Just eat well and grow big and strong."
"Can I grow as tall as Uncle Bill?"
"Oh dear, Leila. If you do, no one will marry you!"
Mrs. Mona cackled, waving her hands as she stood up. Even Bill Remmer, his thick eyebrows twitching, couldn't help but laugh.
After Mrs. Mona left, the cabin returned to its usual evening routine.
After having dinner with her uncle and tidying up the house, Leila reopened the textbooks she had neglected. She had only meant to study a little before bed, but when she came to her senses, dawn was already breaking. It was the day of the Duke's engagement.
Setting her glasses down on the desk, Leila rubbed her tired eyes and walked to the window. As she opened it, the crisp dawn air rushed in.
As dawn approached, the sky was dyed a clear, transparent blue. Just as Leila thought the color resembled the last remaining piece of candy, she realized—the Duke's eyes were exactly that same shade of blue.
Claudine had chosen a pale pink dress. The silk gown layered with chiffon embellishments made her look elegant and radiant, befitting the evening's protagonist.
"How truly beautiful you are, Claudine!"
Countess Brandt, watching her daughter, exclaimed with emotion. The expressions of the Brandt family maids standing behind her were no different.
Claudine responded with a quiet smile, displaying appropriate modesty. Yet even then, the pride and satisfaction reflected in her eyes as she gazed at her mirror image never faded.
It had been Claudine's decision to hold the engagement ceremony at Arvis. She had framed it as a gesture of consideration and respect for the Herhardt family, but in truth, her desire to firmly establish her presence as the future mistress of Arvis had weighed slightly heavier.
"Marie, is she still not here?"
Claudine turned lightly and addressed the maid.
"She should be arriving any moment now— Ah! There, she's just coming from the garden now!"
The maid, who had been peering out the window, hastily reported. Countess Brandt's brow furrowed as she glanced toward where the maid's gaze was directed. Leila Lewellin, carrying a basket of flowers, was ascending the marble staircase connecting the rose garden to the mansion.
"Did you summon that girl again? Good heavens. Claudine Brandt!"
"It's alright, Mother."
A calm light settled in Claudine's jade-green eyes.
"I merely need flowers to adorn my hair."
"What reason could you possibly have to entrust that task to her?"
"Well, it serves multiple purposes."
Claudine shrugged lightly before turning back to the mirror. The face reflected there no longer wore a smile.
"While receiving the flowers, I might as well receive congratulations from an old friend too."
The Duke's residence, now prepared to welcome guests for the engagement party, was buzzing with excitement.
Leila entered through the servants' passage at the back of the mansion. No matter how many times she wiped her feet, stepping onto the mirror-like polished floors remained unavoidably cautious.
Claudine had gone so far as to send a maid all the way to the cabin to summon Leila. The moment she received the message requesting roses to decorate her hair, Leila knew—what the young Lady Brandt desired wasn't flowers at all.
As Leila reached the east wing of the fourth floor where Claudine's guest bedroom was located, her steps gradually slowed. The knuckles of her hand clutching the basket turned white. Her heart beat irregularly, and her lips kept drying out.
No.
Leila repeated to herself as if trying to convince her own mind.
What happened that afternoon beneath the tree was nothing more than an unfortunate accident. Perhaps even the Duke had dismissed it as such. No—he must have. So it was fine.
Just as she was struggling to steady her nerves, Leila arrived at Claudine's bedroom door. She knocked with stiff fingers, and the door slid open quietly.
"Good day, my lady. I've brought the roses you requested."
As always, Leila offered a polite greeting. Claudine was dressed in a gown of the same soft pink hue as the roses Leila had brought.
"How do I look? Presentable?"
Claudine beamed as she stepped toward Leila.
"Yes, my lady. You're beautiful."
The answer was sincere. Today, Claudine was as radiant as a rose in full bloom.
"I was so nervous, but hearing you say that puts me at ease. Do you think Duke Herhardt will see me the same way?"
"...Yes."
Leila's gaze wavered at the man's name spoken from Claudine's lips.
"I'm certain he will."
Even her hastily added reply carried a faint tremor.
She felt like a child who had committed some terrible misdeed. To Leila, it had been a dreadful incident, yet she couldn't shake the feeling of being some shameless thief. That sensation gnawed at the last shred of dignity she had painstakingly preserved before Claudine all these years, leaving her feeling wretched.
At Claudine's glance, the maid took the basket of roses. And, as a matter of course, handed over the money. More than usual—money that clawed even deeper into her heart.
"What are you doing? Take it gratefully."
The maid frowned, scolding Leila for hesitating.
Leila tightened her grip on the money and bowed her head. It was something she had repeated countless times since childhood—there was no reason for it to feel difficult now.
"Thank you, Young Lady."
Fortunately, Leila managed to reply in a composed voice. Claudine, who had been watching her with an impassive expression, soon regained her bright smile.
"You're welcome. If anything, I should be thanking you, Leila. Thanks to you, the engagement ceremony will be perfect."
With that, Claudine turned away, signaling the end of their conversation.
Relieved, Leila hurried out of the room. All she wanted was to escape this stifling, unfamiliar place as quickly as possible—but she couldn't afford to act carelessly.
Adjusting her dress and gripping the basket properly, Leila began walking at the fastest pace permitted within decorum. But just before reaching the servants' passageway, she came face-to-face with the Duke, who had ascended the stairs.
"It seems you've been running an errand for Young Lady Brandt, Leila."
Hessen, the butler standing behind the Duke, spoke with a benevolent smile.
Leila bowed politely and hastily retreated to the edge of the hallway. She desperately wished he would just leave—but the Duke remained still, gazing down at her.
When she stole a glance upward, her cheeks flushed, and she lowered her head even further. Their eyes had met. Just that—and yet her heart pounded erratically. The Duke looked unbothered. As if he had forgotten everything. How foolish.
Just as she considered fleeing, propriety be damned, the Duke brushed past her. Only after the sound of his footsteps faded did Leila flee the mansion as if running for her life.
The rest of the day passed uneventfully. As evening approached, guests invited to the engagement party began gathering at Arvis, but the cabin nestled deep in the hunting grounds remained as quiet as another world.
There, Leila busied herself with her own life.
She weeded the garden, cleaned the goat pen, simmered stew for dinner, and folded the sun-dried laundry. After finishing all her tasks, she took a solitary walk through the woods. Before she knew it, she had reached the riverbank.
Climbing her favorite towering tree, Leila quietly watched the tranquil evening scenery of a summer's day. It was beautiful. The birds soaring into the sky, the Schulter River tinged with red, and the pristine white annex floating atop the water like a swan—everything her eyes took in.
Eventually, as the sun set and the sky melted into the clear twilight blue of a remembered candy, Leila suddenly realized: The Duke's eyes were exactly this color.
You had eyes the color of my sorrow.
For some reason, a hollow laugh escaped her. That was when she sensed an abrupt presence.
"Kyle!"
Spotting the familiar face beneath the tree, Leila brightened and called out.
"How did you know I was here?"
"You love summer evening walks, and whenever you take one, you always end up at this riverbank."
The playfulness in Kyle's eyes had vanished, replaced by a depth and softness unfamiliar to Leila. She studied him quietly as the rustling of leaves, carried by the wind across the river, seeped into the silence between them.
"Leila."
After a long pause, Kyle finally spoke. Leila tilted her head slightly in response.
"Marry me."
The words, surreal in their abruptness, drifted on the gentle evening breeze. While Leila stood dumbfounded as if in a dream, Kyle repeated them—this time, with more force.
"Let's get married, Leila."