Chapter 41
Chapter 41
Translation: godsn
"What a sordid affair."
The Grandmother's verdict on Mrs. Etman's story was brief and icy.
"For the mistress of such a prestigious medical family to be arrested for instigating theft—what an utterly disgraceful matter."
Frowning, she took a sip of wine to cleanse her lips of the distasteful tale.
"We should sever ties with Mrs. Etman now."
Elise von Herhardt's interjection carried an expression not much different from the Grandmother's.
Linda Etman, who had been taken to the police station last evening, had spent the night detained and only returned after noon today. Bill and Leila had personally gone to the station to retrieve the money, expressing their wish for leniency toward her.
"It's unfortunate Dr. Etman had to suffer such humiliation over this. He's such a good man. Should we consider changing our family physician?"
"There's no need to go that far—it's hardly the doctor's fault. Scandals like these make noise for a season before fading away."
The Grandmother firmly maintained her unwavering trust in Dr. Etman.
"I only hope Kyle isn't too deeply hurt by all this."
A hint of pity colored her voice when speaking of Kyle Etman.
"Seeing how things turned out, I almost regret allowing that boy to stay at Arvis in the first place."
As dinner drew to a close, Elise von Herhardt abruptly remarked.
"Leila—none of this would have happened if not for that girl."
She glanced at Claudine as if seeking agreement.
"Quite right."
Claudine readily nodded.
"However unintentional, Leila has ruined the Etman family."
Emphasizing her words, Claudine subtly glanced across the table. Though never particularly talkative, Matthias had been unusually quiet throughout tonight's banquet. Yet he appeared no different from usual—his demeanor as composed as ever.
Dinner soon ended, and the scandal that had swept through Arvis was quickly forgotten.
Instead of heading to his study, Matthias went straight to his bedroom.
He instructed Hessen to send the man who had tailed Linda Etman to the police station—as a witness to the theft, timed to coincide with the postman's rounds. Since that postman covered Arvis's district, rumors would spread swiftly. And everything unfolded exactly as expected. The fact that the busybody who encountered the gossipy postman happened to be Arvis's most meddlesome cook proved especially helpful.
Predictably trite, yet mildly entertaining.
Had Linda Etman cried?
Turning on the lamp by the window, Matthias pondered briefly.
She probably had. Just like Leila.
This simple conclusion made the game slightly more amusing.
Now the marriage prospects between Leila Lewellin and Kyle Etman had crossed an irreversible line. Whatever their feelings, marriage had become impossible. It also meant every stroke of luck Leila Lewellin might have enjoyed had vanished.
On impulse, Matthias turned and strode toward the liquor cabinet. Since he rarely drank, every bottle there remained unopened.
He pulled out the nearest decanter, filling a crystal glass with clear amber liquid.
Leila's wings had been clipped.
Cradling the glass, Matthias coolly reflected.
Which meant Leila would remain within Arvis's walls.
The relief this brought outweighed his self-directed disgust.
For a long while, Matthias gazed at his canary sleeping soundly in its cozy cage. Then at the garden beyond the window. Then at the golden liquor in his hand.
On that late spring night when he first heard the news that Leila would marry the physician's son—the same terrible night when, for the first time in his life, he'd wanted to kill someone—the memory of that horror now made the present moment feel not so unbearable after all.
At least this was a better ending than someone dying.
Matthias quietly set down the untouched glass of liquor on the table.
He didn't need to borrow the courage of strong spirits. In truth, he already knew how to rid himself of this wretched feeling, this beautiful misery of his.
He simply had to let go.
The scandal of the stolen tuition money, which had thrown Arvis into chaos, reached its conclusion in the height of summer. Bill Remmer had recovered the funds, and thanks to his leniency, Mrs. Etman avoided punishment—though the lingering aftermath and scars remained impossible to erase completely.
"Kyle."
Dr. Etman slowly pushed open his son's door after knocking received no response. Kyle sat motionless at his desk. Even as his father approached, Kyle kept staring blankly out the window.
"Kyle."
Calling his name again, Dr. Etman gently placed a hand on his son's shoulder. When Kyle startled and turned, his face was noticeably gaunt.
After holding Kyle's shoulder for a moment, Dr. Etman let go and leaned against the edge of the desk.
"Your mother is doing a little better now."
"...Yeah."
Kyle's reply was hollow.
Mrs. Etman, who had collapsed in shock after returning from the police station, had nearly stopped eating altogether. She had suffered from a high fever for days, but thankfully, it never reached a critical point.
"I've found a place for you to stay in Latz."
Dr. Etman spoke calmly to the dazed Kyle.
"A place?"
"It's suitable for living alone, and it's already furnished..."
"You mean... I'm going to university alone?"
Kyle let out a disbelieving laugh.
"Without Leila? After hurting her like that, you expect me to just... go off to university like nothing happened?"
"I understand how you feel, Kyle, but at this point, stubbornness will only hurt Leila more."
"Father!"
"Your relationship with Leila ends here. You have to accept that. It's the only way that's best for both of you. And you have to live your own life."
Even as he faced his son's empty, hollowed-out gaze, Dr. Etman didn't waver. The situation was terrible—precisely why he had to be even colder, even more resolute.
The most important thing now was protecting Kyle. If he left Carlsbar, if he distanced himself from Leila, if he faced the new world of university—perhaps his wounds would gradually fade. That was the only hope Dr. Etman could cling to now.
"Your mother was clearly in the wrong, but we can't say we bear no responsibility. We failed to understand her heart—how she could never accept Leila. Maybe it was you and I who drove her into a corner."
"Are you talking about the reason she couldn't accept Leila? Because she's an orphan? Because she doesn't have a glamorous background? Because she couldn't satisfy Mother's vanity?"
"Enough, Kyle. No matter what, I won't tolerate you speaking of your mother that way."
"I don't understand anymore. I don't know if the mother I knew—the one I loved—is even the same person. I don't even know why I have to go to university."
"Are you saying you'll throw your life away over a failed first love?"
"Do you really think Leila—that she was just that to me? Just some fleeting infatuation?"
"If she wasn't, then you need to be even colder. The more you act like a fool, the more you'll only make Leila suffer!"
"I can't leave without her!"
"You and Leila are beyond fixing now."
"No!"
Kyle shouted as if wailing.
"There has to be a way. Somehow... if I beg, if I apologize and win back Leila's heart—"
"Pull yourself together, Kyle Etman. You already know that's impossible, don't you?"
Dr. Etman's voice had risen as he gripped his son's shoulders and shook him.
Kyle kept shaking his head as if denying reality, then wrenched himself free and bolted from the room. Though he knew where his son was headed, Dr. Etman couldn't bring himself to stop him.
Perhaps it was better to face the unchangeable reality head-on, painful as it was.
The day was unusually sweltering, yet Leila's attire was stiflingly proper.
The stiffly starched blouse with its collar buttoned to the very top, the wrinkle-free skirt, and even stockings beneath—her appearance remained immaculate despite the scorching afternoon sun beating down on the road. Though her cheeks flushed red from the heat and her breath grew labored, Leila only straightened her posture further, walking with measured, precise steps. Even when she reached a stretch of road where no one could see her, she didn't relent.
These days, Leila Lewellin was met with pity wherever she went. People loudly offered her sympathy while disparaging Mrs. Etman, clicking their tongues or welling up with tears.
Today was no different. When Leila visited Gillis Girls' School to inquire about teaching positions, the teacher she met began with a sorrowful sigh and words of regret.
That's right, Leila. You must gather your strength and find a practical solution. It's unfortunate, but what can you do? Things have turned out this way.
The woman clasped Leila's hands and repeated the same words over and over. Familiar faces she encountered in town did the same.
Her gratitude toward them was tinged with a measure of shame. So Leila bowed politely and forced a smile. Each time, she tried not to dwell on the ambiguous smiles that flickered across their lips. Maintaining her composure and smile was already taxing enough—she had no energy left for anything more.
I wish I could help your situation, but for now, this is the best we can do.
After consoling Leila at length, the teacher from Gillis finally sighed and gave her answer.
All the teaching positions in Carlsbar had already been filled. The best Leila could hope for was a school in a small town about an hour away by train.
After much deliberation, Leila accepted the position. Commuting would be impossible, so she would have to find lodgings near the school, but she could return to Arvis on weekends. If she endured a year like that, an opportunity to move back to Carlsbar might arise.
When she reached the grand gates of the estate, Leila paused, removing her hat to catch her breath.
Facing Uncle Bill was harder than facing anyone else. If Leila smiled, Bill's eyes would grow sorrowful—yet she couldn't possibly break down in tears in front of him either.
But today, she had good news to share. Surely that would be alright.
Holding onto that cautious hope, she stepped forward. Though leaving for a distant school was a little sad, it wasn't as if she was leaving Uncle Bill's side forever.
Trying to muster a brighter smile, Leila began walking with quick, light steps. Eager to share the news with Uncle Bill as soon as possible, she turned toward the garden instead of heading straight to the cabin. It was beneath the archway leading into the rose garden that she ran into Kyle.
"......Kyle?"
Leila's eyes widened. Kyle, who rushed toward her as if being chased and seized her wrist, looked like a completely different person—unfamiliar, almost unrecognizable.
"Let's go, Leila."
"Go where? Let go of me first. We can talk. Okay?"
"Let's run away. Together."
The grip on Leila's wrist tightened with even greater force.