Chapter 63
Chapter 63
Translation: godsn
With the play that drew laughter from everyone, the first act filled with performances by the lower-grade students came to an end.
Children who had siblings performing in the second act stayed behind with their parents, while the younger ones who needed to go to bed early began their journey home.
"I'm sorry, Teacher. I'm truly sorry."
Monica's family kept apologizing to Leila even as they boarded the carriage.
"Please don't say that. It's alright."
"But still, because of our Monica, you had to suffer such humiliation..."
The grave words from Monica's grandmother made Leila flinch.
"Shall we have a cup of hot coffee?"
Teacher Greber, wearing a warm smile, approached Leila after seeing Monica's family off.
"Thank you, but I think I need to be alone for a while."
"Oh, come on. It's fine. It was cute."
"You know that's not very comforting, right?"
Leila grinned and playfully retorted.
"I mean it. And Teacher Lewellin really pulled off something big today. Guests from noble families rarely laugh, but you managed to make them laugh so heartily."
Leila's despair only deepened at Teacher Greber's consolation. Right. That man must have seen it too. Oh God. Dear heavens.
"The Principal seemed quite pleased too. Thanks to Teacher Lewellin, the donations are likely to increase."
"I really dislike the Principal tonight."
Leila let out a deep sigh and laughed.
After sending Teacher Greber ahead, Leila trudged toward the park behind the Public Hall. She truly needed time alone. It felt as if her soul had slipped out and scattered like white breath in the cold air.
What on earth had she done?
Plopping down on a bench in a secluded corner of the deserted park, Leila first kicked off the shoes tormenting her feet. Then, tilting her head back to look at the night sky, a long, suppressed sigh escaped her lips. Well, it seemed shame couldn't actually kill a person. After all, she was still breathing like this.
"Ughhh."
Another burst of a scream, as if it were Leila's very soul, scattered white into the air.
Matthias found Leila exactly where he had expected.
She would be too embarrassed to face anyone, so she'd flee to a deserted spot. Being a woman who couldn't stand uncomfortable shoes, she'd likely be near a bench somewhere. But since she was quite timid, there'd probably be at least one streetlamp. And if there were trees, all the better.
"Just as I thought."
In a secluded corner of the park behind the Public Hall, Leila sat motionless on a bench beside a large tree and a streetlamp. Barefoot, sighing repeatedly at the night sky.
Matthias approached Leila with slow, light steps. Only when the edge of his shadow touched the bench did Leila startle and turn her head. A small gasp escaped her lips.
"How...?"
Leila glanced around before looking at him again. Then, abruptly, she stretched her leg and pressed down on the shoes she'd taken off. It seemed she remembered the night her shoes had been stolen.
Seeing her wary expression, a faint smile curved Matthias's lips.
"Do you think that'll stop me from taking them?"
Teasingly eyeing her shoes, Matthias tossed the joke lightly. Leila gasped again and hurriedly shoved her feet back into the shoes. Only after tightly fastening the straps and springing to her feet did she look somewhat relieved. There was no need to ask if she was alright—her flustered movements were as light and lively as ever.
"Sit down."
"No. I'm fine, Your Grace."
Leila took hesitant, backward steps until she stood under the streetlamp. Her attitude was prickly, but he decided not to press further. The gas lamp cast a soft glow over her, illuminating her figure. Matthias rather liked the sight of the woman standing in that light.
"How about becoming an actress rather than a teacher? I've yet to meet an actress who could make an audience laugh more than you."
Ah. So this was why he sought me out.
Leila bit her lip and lowered her gaze to the tips of her shoes.
"I-I know I was a bit... awkward."
"A bit?"
The Duke echoed her words with a loud, mocking laugh. Burning with humiliation so intense it could kill, Leila bit down harder on her lip until it hurt. Her hands, twisted together in front of her, began trembling restlessly.
"Then I'll... take my leave—"
"Pretty."
Leila, who had been stealthily gauging how to escape, lifted her head in bewilderment at the unexpected remark. Matthias was staring straight at her with a sidelong glance.
Thank you?
That would sound ridiculous.
No, Your Grace?
Equally pathetic.
No matter how desperately she wracked her brain, Leila couldn't think of a suitable response. Maybe she should just flee without a word. But she'd inevitably be caught before getting far.
"B-Bill Uncle bought it for me."
Leila barely managed to conjure the best possible reply. She knew he wasn't referring to the necklace, but still. Or perhaps he was. After all, she'd received countless compliments about it tonight.
Matthias, who had been eyeing her with a slight frown, let out another laugh. His gaze traveled slowly from her flushed cheeks down to her pale nape—and the emerald necklace resting there. Under his lingering scrutiny, Leila grew increasingly unsettled and hunched her shoulders.
"Do you like it?"
"Huh?"
"The necklace."
"Oh... Yes. Of course."
Leila answered with certainty. For some reason, the Duke laughed again—a low, velvety chuckle.
Since when did he know how to laugh like this?
Baffled by this unfamiliar side of him, Leila studied him intently. Matthias, his laughter fading, stared back just as deeply, his darkened eyes drinking her in. The silence between them was shattered only by a bird perched on a nearby branch.
Startled by the sound of wings fluttering into the night sky, Leila staggered back. The sudden fear of being seen froze her entire body.
"Ah—!"
Desperate to leave, she barely took a step before Matthias's grip seized her.
A short scream escaped her as her stiff back hit the cold lamppost. Towering before her, Matthias was as immovable as ever.
"I-I'll scream," Leila threatened, her face crumpling as she shoved against his chest.
"Do as you please."
His indifferent reply came as he cupped her small face firmly in one hand, scrutinizing every inch. No matter how much she struggled, she couldn't shake his piercing gaze.
"Where did you hide it?"
Under his relentless stare, as if searching for something, Leila flinched and held her breath.
"...Hide what?"
Her trembling voice was pitiful.
"What in the world...?"
She stared up at him helplessly. After a long moment of studying her face, he exhaled a sigh tinged with frustration.
Just when he thought he'd caught a faint trace, it vanished again.
Though it irritated him immensely, the woman before him was beautiful enough to erase that gnawing desire.
Slowly, Matthias trailed his fingers from her cheek to her jawline before wrapping them around her slender neck. When the cold pearls brushed his fingertips, her throat quivered unconsciously.
Her delicate skin marked easily. If he squeezed hard enough, his fingerprints would linger. No—better yet, what if he licked and sucked until crimson traces bloomed? From head to toe. Covered in me. Made mine.
Even with a woman who could easily be made his right before him, Matthias let out another hollow sigh. With the same hand that had gently stroked the nape of her neck, now stiff with fear, he cupped Leila's cheek once more. The lips his fingertips traced were moist and warm. Yours must feel like this too.
When he slid his finger between her parted lips, Leila's eyes widened in shock. His probing fingertips soon brushed against the soft surface of her tongue. It was then that Leila bit down—Ah. The absurd resistance, too weak to even hurt and only serving to send a dizzying thrill through him, made Matthias laugh.
"Harder, Leila."
Looking down at the woman still clamping onto his finger, Matthias whispered softly, as if offering advice.
"That's how you make it hurt."
He's insane. Absolutely insane.
Disgusted by his laughter, Leila lost her resolve and released his finger. Even if she bit down hard enough to hurt him, it was clear Matthias had no intention of stopping.
When she fell silent, he chuckled and withdrew his finger. With the digit glistening from Leila's saliva, he slowly traced her lips again.
If I kiss you, you'll resist again, won't you?
But subduing this woman's defiance was laughably easy. As always, Matthias could indulge his desires whenever he pleased.
And yet.
He hesitated to lower his lips, simply cradling Leila's face between his hands and staring down at her. He imagined a Leila who welcomed him willingly—small hands pulling him close instead of pushing him away, caressing instead of striking. That moment. That joy.
His fingers, which had been idly tracing her jaw, slid down to stroke the pale nape of her neck. A helpless frustration rose in him, and before he realized it, he swallowed dryly. Damn it. The urge to curse nearly burst out, but he clenched his fist, then gently cupped her cheek once more. Finally, with a quiet sigh, he released her.
Dazed, Leila only managed a relieved expression after he took a step back.
He had expected her to flee like a startled bird, but to his surprise, Leila remained rooted in place. Lost in thought, she lowered her eyes briefly before looking back at him, brows slightly furrowed. Again and again, her gaze returned to Matthias—and all the while, his eyes never left hers.
Just as he began to feel adrift in an unfamiliar, unsettling emotion, something cold and delicate landed on his lashes.
Leila startled and lifted her head. Matthias, too, slowly looked up at the sky.
Snow was falling. The first snow of winter.
By the time the second act of the performance ended, the night had deepened.
After finishing the post-performance cleanup, Leila hurried across the hall. Given the worsening weather, she'd likely have to take a stagecoach or bus to get near Arvis. The last departure was soon, and anxiety crept into her chest.
"Leila! No—Miss Lewellin!"
Just as she descended the Public Hall's steps, a familiar voice calling her name made her turn in surprise.
"Uncle!"
It was Pete, Bill Remmer's friend and the coachman of Arvis, waving vigorously at her.
"Come on, let's hurry."
He pointed to the Herhardt family carriage waiting by the roadside in front of the hall. The sight of the crest alone conjured that man's face in her mind, and Leila reflexively shook her head.
"No! I'll go on my own—"
"It's the Dowager's orders, Leila."
The unexpected mention of that figure left her stunned.
"She said since we're heading back to Arvis anyway, we might as well take you along. Come on, now. They're both waiting for you."