Cry, Even Better if you Beg - Epilog II

Felix von Herhardt quickly won over the hearts of both his grandmother and great-grandmother. The very same day that Mattias brought Leyla and Felix to the Ratz mansion, the Duchess’, Elysee and Norma von Herhardt, fell in love with their grandson.

It wasn’t hard to believe either, the young boy resembled his father so much and reminded the two ladies for a young version of Matthias. That striking resemblance between the father-son pair completely stunned everyone.

How could they deny a child who embodied the shape of a Herhardt so perfectly?

“Do not worry, Elysee, this is what’s best for the child.” Norma comforted her daughter-in-law. A sad expression was plated on her face, yet her voice was kind and had a hint of laughter on its fringes.

“Yes, I know.” Elysee said, nodding slowly as she tried to keep her inner strife and worry at bay. Felix, enfolded in her arms, soothed her dejected heart with a bright and innocent smile.

Early on, Matthias announced his plans to move his family to the Ratz Mansion, along with the family business . They officially announced it as “renovation for a new era” and had major plans to expand exponentially. People knew the real reason behind these sudden changes. Their scandalous marriage was too terrible for everyone to accept, yet vocally opposing it was tough.

Given the materialistic and social concerns within the aristocracy which values material adornments and social class over someone’s noble intentions or hard work, Leyla would never be accepted as a Duchess, even if she legally carried the title.

As far as they could tell, She had nothing that could be used as her spark. She didn’t come from a reputable background, or family of rulers. She had no special talent or skill that made her stand out from the rest of the crowd. She didn’t even seem to have any confidants about her, the sort of forthrightness you’d expect to find in a Duchess. She was smart and with the right guidance, she could learn to cultivate that, but it was going to be difficult for her, to say the least.

No matter how hard Leyla would try, the noble families would never accept her into the ranks of their social circles. She would never be able to meet the standards they set for others. That’s just the vile truth of the today’s social world they were living in.

Matthias knew very well how disturbing everything already was, how hard it would be for Leyla and for their family, and how draining it would be for his own peace of mind. So before things turned grave and disturbing he decided to move. He believed that it was better to get out now, while they only looked down on them, out of sight, than risk open resentment and rejection later.

The human heart can be very cunning. They looked down on those who compared their loyalties to a wagging dog. They would waste their time distracting others in showing concern for those who hold no care for their ideals and social status. If only to divert attention from their own inadequacies.

People were concerned about Duke Herhardt’s social standing after he distanced himself from the social circle, leaving the hostess’ seat next him practically empty.

“Then you will be crippled, like a bird with only one wing, would you be able to afford that?” Matthias’ Grandmother, Norma von Hearhardt had asked.

“Yes, Grandmother.” Matthias showed no hesitation in the face of Norma’s anxious questions. He didn’t give a hoot about what people in those social castes thought. “In this new era, I will make the Herhardt name shine brighter than ever and we will be the strongest we have ever been.” He continued staring at the spotless yet gloomy sky through the window for more couple of seconds, a smile on his face.

Matthias was careful not to show any unwarranted confidence or unnecessary enthusiasm. He presented his goals and ambition to the two Duchess’ as he saw it, a simple truth. His cold and unflinching attitude was more than enough to reassure the two elderly women. But they still didn’t know why he had sent Leyla to college.

“At least we got a good deal for Felix.” Elysee smiled down at her grandson.

In return for allowing Matthias and Leyla to stay in Ratz, they would have to let Felix stay at Arvis for at least one season at a time. The Duchess Norma believed that, no matter how the world changed, there was always a place for tradition and customs. Values that would be best taught at Arvis, where these values were the strongest. She hoped that the future Duke von Herhardt would grow to embrace and upheld those values.

“Fine, I will acquest your demands, mother.”

Matthias accepted her unreasonable offer without hesitation, surprising Elysee. Perhaps he didn’t realize the agony of being apart from your child for such a lengthy period of time. Given his attachment to Leyla, she expected a fight, but this did not mean that Matthias was neglecting his duties as a father. Elysee knew Matthias better than anyone else, it was not something they could question him about, but Leyla seemed to be the lone exception

Did Leyla know about this arrangement? Elysee thought to herself, as she looked up at the stage of the wedding. Could it be that it was an arbitrary decision Matthias made, that Leyla knew nothing about?

She got the impression that Leyla was not a very cunning girl though she herself considered Leyla was not suited for the position of Duchess. She could see that Leyla was struggling to adjust to her new life, but she was willing to do her best for the sake of her child and Matthias.

Elysee had wondered into the garden after hearing that people were finally starting to arrive. The flowers were in full bloom, soaking up the warm summer sun and spread dazzling colour around the border of the vibrant green lawn.

A handsome groom and a beautiful bride.

If you’ve ever witnessed a wedding, it will be nothing short of a masterpiece compared to this one.

A small number of guests were invited to the wedding, but word of the nuptials quickly spread. The story of this sordid wedding spread throughout all the social circles and the talk was of the new Duchess, Leyla von Herhardt.

Everyone, at the very least, praised Leyla Lewellin’s beauty and agreed that she was a good match for the handsome Matthias von Herhardt. They further said that the beautiful gardens of Arvis were the perfect place for the lovely couple to share their first kiss as husband and wife. Following the solemnization of their holy marriage, the sweet scent of flowers drifted on the breeze, illuminated by the rosy glow of the setting sun.

All too quickly and eagerly did the conversations slip into negativity. Putting up arguments that Leyla had bewitched the Duke some how. Matthias treated his little bride like precious jewel, which was a hard pill to swallow. How had this girl made a cold and hard to reach noble~Matthias von Herhardt behave this way?

For a little while, the disgraced nobility put aside the snub of being excluded from the wedding in favor of being invited to the reception. They hoped the to be invited to the beautiful gardens of Arvis to celebrate the up coming Duchess, that party, at the least, should be public.

The season changed gradually, but their expectation did not result in reality. The news that the Duke and Duchess were settling in Ratz rather than Arvis brought more disappointment. This went against tradition and against their nerves. There was so much to this couple that was unorthodox. The Duke von Herhardt even stated that they would not be going on a honeymoon, as the Duchess would be going to collage in the Fall.

However, the rumors progressively became true. By his countless deeds, the cold-hearted and stern Duke evidenced affection toward his wife. He was showing that he was madly in love with his beautiful wife, Leyla von Herahrdt.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

Leyla walked out of the Biology class clutching her book firmly to her chest. She could always feel the stares of the other students upon, whether in class or wondering about the campus. She had been tolerating these probing gazes on herself since the first day of her freshman year at this college. She was used to it by now. It seemed no matter where she went, she was destined to draw the attention of others around her.

The news of the Duchess spread around the campus like wildfire. People really had a hard time believing the Duchess was attending the collage, studying biology. Once the semester started, the gossip died down a little, to which she was very thankful.

They still called her Duchess, though, a grand title she was never going to get used to. She would have preferred it if they called her by her name, however, she had to bare this burden for Felix’s sake for the time being

Leyla stopped in her tracks as she noticed a group of young men staring at her. She recognized them as the aristocratic heirs to the families she had dined with recently. Unlike before when they were more or less friendly~their looks were now filled with animosity and derision—a attitude to which she was familiar with.

She straightened her stance and held her books tight. Nervous sweat started to form and she could feel her strength sap away, but her gaze never faltered.

Leyla gave a light smile, raising the corners of her lips only a little and gave a delicate nod. She imagined herself as her ever graceful and refined husband. Then, with grace and pace, she glided down the corridor, leaving the lads stunned at her unexpected internation.

Once out of sight, she made a beeline towards the stone fountain in the plaza in front of the building. Her plan was to meet Felix at this place and then take him to the park for the afternoon.

Now that he could walk on his own and was starting to talk quite well, he only grew more and more adorable.

‘The Kind Matthias’

That was the title people had started to give the young boy. As he grew, he resembled his father more and more, but shared his mothers kindness.

“That’s why you’re so lucky.” Elysee von Herhardt, whom they had met recently, told that she was lucky in that regard. Leyla was taken aback by such kind words. Matthias was right by her side, but did not seem to react at all.

“Mommy!” Felix called out, struggling in the arms of his nanny. Leyla smiled as she saw that Matthias was there too. He was sitting beside the fountain, silently staring off into the sky, thinking god only knows what. Felix’s cheerful shout drew him from his thoughts and he smiled as their eyes met.

Leyla ran towards them and dumped her books into Matthias’ arms, who was expecting a hug and looked rather startled at the change. Leyla thought it amusing, but was distracted with replacing the books with Felix and took the little bundles into her bosom.

“What’s going on? You said you had an important meeting today. Not busy anymore?” she inquired, smiling brightly as she stood before him. The child in her arms was laughing innocently too, shared her mother’s adorably happy smile.

“It ended early.” Matthias gave a brief answer and took Felix into his arm. The child nested comfortably in his father’s without showing any concern about being separated from his mother’s embrace.

“Then you can come with us?” Leyla’s eyes sparkled in expectation, but she was prepared for disappointment.

Since they tied the knot and moved to Ratz, Matthias’s work schedule had been fairly full. The process of relocating the business from Arvis was time-consuming and taxing, so he was kept busy working long into the night. He could finally catch his breath after finishing off the final steps of moving the company’s headquarters to Ratz. But, no matter how much free time he had, such an unexpected surprise visit from him had never happened before.

“Sure. Shall we go together?” Matthias said. His eyes were full of ardour and his lips rose to a kind smile.

Leyla was pleasantly delighted to discover this man’s tender side. Who would have thought this man would be willing to visit a park with his wife and son!?

She was reminded of the first time she saw him. The little boy beamed at the her, an unaided orphan girl and grinned in a little mischievous way. She couldn’t tear her gaze away from him: the beautiful yet terrifying young Lord of Arvis.

“If we go together, I will buy you some ice cream too…” Leyla could hardly contain her excitement. It seemed strange to her at times. Being as family with him and enjoying such a lovely days together, she still found it hard to believe.

Leyla hummed a question in hopes of getting an answer from Matthias, but he remained silent throughout. She rolled her eyes and stomped the ground, embarrassed. Matthias then gave out a quiet chuckle, “Alright.”

Leyla glanced up into his eyes’ deep blue sky and saw herself reflected in those sparkling orbs. His free arm wrapped around her shoulder. “Lets go then.”

Felix grinned and chuckled as he saw his father smiling. His laughing was so contagious that Leyla found herself smiling along with him. She reached for his hand that was tangled in hers playfully. The afternoon light was dazzling and bathed them in a warm glow as they made their way to the park.