Chapter 28
Chapter 28
Translation: godsn
"It's an understandable choice, but I can't help feeling disappointed."
Colonel Farrell, the commander of the Royal Guard, looked at Matthias with a quiet smile. Matthias met his superior's gaze with composed eyes.
"It feels like losing a competent officer. Though looking at the empire as a whole, keeping Duke Herhardt tied to the military would be a greater loss. But I speak from a soldier's perspective."
The genuine regret in his eyes went beyond mere formal courtesy.
Captain Herhardt, who had been expected to remain in the Royal Guard for another year, had changed his mind. When the discharge papers arrived instead of the expected extension request, the colonel had been quite surprised. He'd considered persuading him, but with the reason for discharge being the elderly Herhardt family matriarch, there was no grounds to object.
"Thank you for everything until now."
Matthias bowed respectfully.
By status, Duke Herhardt was far higher in nobility, yet he always maintained proper decorum toward his superiors. His attitude was markedly different from other noble officers who struggled to separate public and private matters—a quality the colonel greatly admired in Matthias. The same went for how he'd chosen a hazardous overseas frontline as his first post and distinguished himself there.
"Be sure to visit me whenever you're in Latz."
Matthias readily accepted the handshake the colonel offered.
"Yes, Colonel."
With a firm clasp of hands to mark their parting, Matthias took his leave from the colonel's residence.
As he stepped outside, the languid spring sunlight poured down.
The carriage carrying Matthias moved toward downtown Latz. Only after meeting several more superiors there did his days-long farewell tour for his discharge finally conclude.
As Matthias approached his waiting carriage, he suddenly halted mid-step. His gaze fixed on a figure at the far end of the street across the road. It was Leila. There was no mistaking it—the woman walking through the bustling streets of downtown Latz could be no one else.
"Your Grace."
An attendant approached where he stood motionless.
"Return ahead of me."
Matthias issued the brief command, his eyes still trained on the street across the way.
It was Leila. Though it seemed impossible, Matthias didn't doubt it.
With long strides, he crossed the street.
The museum was just as enormous as she remembered.
Leila gazed up at the majestic building of the Natural History Museum of the Berg Empire with the same awestruck expression as on her first visit.
The day after arriving in Latz, Kyle had brought Leila here first. The art history museum and natural history museum facing each other across the grand avenue were among Latz's proudest landmarks, he'd said. Though accustomed to the equally prosperous city of Carlsbar, even Leila found herself enchanted by this particular street in Latz.
All her school friends who'd visited the capital had unanimously praised the beautiful art museum, but Leila had unhesitatingly chosen the natural history museum instead. As Kyle had declared, it was like heaven to her. The only problem was that it was so vast she couldn't possibly see everything in one day.
If she devoted this entire day to it, and spared one more day before leaving Latz, she should be able to see most of it. Having steeled her resolve, Leila stepped into the museum lobby with buoyant steps.
Kyle had offered to accompany her again today, but Leila had refused. While she'd finished her exams yesterday, Kyle's were tomorrow. No matter how much he claimed to have studied in advance, she couldn't possibly drag him here on the eve of his tests.
Before entering the exhibition halls, Leila reaffirmed her preparations:
Comfortable shoes—check.
Notebook and pen—check.
Stamina reserves—also check.
Leila, clutching the notebook and pen she had pulled from her bag, took brisk little steps toward the exhibition hall she hadn't been able to finish viewing the previous day.
Today, Leila Lewellin looked every bit like a child on a school outing.
Matthias gazed intently at Leila, who was tirelessly weaving through yet another vast exhibition hall without a trace of exhaustion.
He had been certain it was her the moment he spotted the back of a woman entering the Natural History Museum, but he had kept a reasonable distance, following her from behind. At first, he had been curious about what she intended to do, and once he saw what she was up to, he found himself wanting to observe her a little longer.
Come to think of it, the university entrance exams in the Capital must have been around this time. Seeing that she had come to take the exam, it seemed she had made up her mind to attend university. And likely, to marry Kyle Etman as well.
Leila stood glued to the glass display case filled with plant specimens, scribbling something diligently. She even smiled brightly, as if she were examining precious gems. He couldn't fathom what about mere specimens could make her smile like that.
He considered approaching her but decided to watch a little longer. If he did, she might stop smiling.
With his hands clasped behind his back, Matthias slowly followed Leila's path.
Her appearance hadn't changed much since last summer, yet there was something subtly different—her face slightly more refined, her expression gentler, the movements of her body softer. Dressed in a white lace-trimmed dress, Leila seemed more mature than before.
After lingering in the plant specimen hall for quite some time, Leila came to an abrupt halt at the passage leading to the next exhibition room. Matthias soon realized why.
The corridor connecting the exhibition halls was like something out of heaven. Silver-painted branches adorned with pristine white feathers, arranged like leaves, stretched overhead. Crystal ornaments shaped like colorful birds hung from the branches, reflecting the light and making the space seem even more dreamlike.
"Wow—"
Leila's innocent exclamation reached Matthias's ears.
Watching her skip ahead excitedly, Matthias couldn't help but chuckle. Her voluminous golden hair and the hem of her dress swayed as she ran like a child.
At the center of that beautiful passage, Leila stopped. Even standing on tiptoe and stretching her arm as far as she could, her fingertips couldn't reach the ornament.
As she craned her neck, marveling at the ceiling, Matthias strode toward her without hesitation. His movement—lightly lifting her from behind—was just a fraction faster than the moment Leila noticed his presence.
When she turned her head in surprise, Leila was already floating in the air as if she had taken flight. The crystal bird, once out of reach, now sparkled at eye level. It was a strange and beautiful moment, as if she were dreaming with her eyes wide open—as if she could soar anywhere on the wings of spring.
Matthias set her down as if nothing had happened. The full, billowing hem of her white dress settled softly, brushing gently against her calves.
Dazed, Leila lifted her head, hiding the hand that still tingled from the touch of the crystal behind her back. Meanwhile, he slowly removed his officer's cap. The same blue eyes from that late summer afternoon held her in their gaze.
Beneath the museum's dome was a café serving simple meals and drinks—the same place where she had eaten lunch with Kyle on her first visit.
Matthias led the way toward it. Realizing his intention, Leila frowned and stopped in her tracks.
"It was a pleasure meeting you, Duke. I should be going now."
At Leila's words, Matthias turned to look at her. After steadying her breath, she bowed her head in farewell.
"Stay right there."
His command halted Leila as she turned away.
She took a few more steps, heedless, but in the end, she couldn't flee. In the blink of an eye, Matthias overtook her and blocked her path. She could feel the curious glances of passersby flickering toward them.
"Why are you doing this?"
Leila's sharp question came as she glanced around nervously.
"I don't like it."
"Don't like what?"
"...This kind of thing. I don't like it."
Matthias's utterly indifferent demeanor only stoked Leila's anger.
"You shouldn't act like this."
Fidgeting restlessly, she gripped the strap of the bag slung over her shoulder.
"Now, I mean—"
"Or do you want me to do something I shouldn't?"
A faint trace of laughter laced Matthias's voice. For a moment, Leila could only blink in disbelief before her face twisted in outrage.
"No!"
The sheer insult of it made her hands tremble violently.
"Absolutely not!"
A burning heat flared across her cheeks. She must have turned bright red. The humiliation of it only made her face grow hotter. Here, in front of the Duke, who looked utterly composed and amused—only Leila was left flustered.
Matthias's gaze, which had been slowly surveying their surroundings, settled back on her face.
"Buying a cup of tea for an orphan from my territory whom I happened to run into in the capital. What exactly is the problem with such kindness?"
Even as he spoke words meant to demean her, Matthias's demeanor remained perfectly detached.
"There's no problem at all."
The amusement in his eyes faded, replaced by something colder.
"Right, Leila?"
With that question, murmured almost to himself, Matthias turned back toward the café. Watching his retreating figure, Leila let out a long, thin sigh.
She couldn't claim to know Duke Herhardt well, but one thing had become painfully clear: this man would stop at nothing to get what he wanted, and the more she resisted, the deeper the trouble she'd find herself in.
Resigned, Leila followed him with heavy steps.
Their order arrived swiftly—two cups of coffee placed between them. Steam curled delicately from the white porcelain cups in the silence.
"I never expected to run into you here in the capital, Duke."
Leila forced the words out. She couldn't bear the stillness—she had to say something.
"I didn't think you had an interest in natural history—"
"I don't."
Matthias cut her off, setting down his cup after a sip.
"You already know that, Leila."
A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips.
"I have no interest in these things."
"Then the promise—"
"You know this isn't a coincidence either."
"No."
Leila answered reflexively. Her body tensed, her heartbeat growing erratic. She would rather be nothing more than a pitiful orphan deserving of the Duke's pity. She wanted to be nothing else to this man.
"The only thing I know—"
Her voice shook. She swallowed dryly.
"—is that you despise me."
As if trying to erase the sudden, horrifying memory of their first kiss, Leila lowered her eyes. But it was futile. When she opened them again, Matthias was still there, his blue eyes fixed on her, and the past became the present, tightening its grip around her.
"That's right. I do."
Matthias agreed breezily. A dry smile lingered on his upturned lips.
"In fact, I despise you terribly now, Leila."