Cry, Even Better if you Beg - Side Story 2

The Herhardt family’s users, under the direction of their butler Hessen, created a line in front of their opulent car as soon as the train from the capital arrived at Carlsbar station. People watching cast puzzled looks as the train doors opened and the young Herhardt family patriarch, the Duchess, and their kid stepped out.

“Good morning, my lord.” Hessen, as always, greeted his master with the utmost deference and courtesy, as did the other employees, who all lowered their heads, out of custom. Leyla unconsciously grabbed Matthias’ arm tightly as a result of her unease with the attention she wasn’t used to. People crowded the platform in front of the opulent vehicle like honey bees around their queen, all hoping to get a peek of the action.

Matthias didn’t say anything as he received the gracious welcome, standing next to Leyla, who was breathing deeply to calm herself. He gave off the immaculate, controlled aristocrat impression that Carlsbar locals had come to anticipate by appearing at ease and unconcerned by the presence of observers.

As the onlookers gawked in astonishment, Matthias confidently walked forward. His nonchalant attitude towards the crowd made his act of escorting his wife even more striking and attractive.

The onlookers naturally stepped back to clear a path for them to pass by. They could not see any signs of scandal or flawed relationships in the couple’s demeanor. The Duchess, Leyla von Herhardt, was elegantly dressed in a blue flowing summer dress and appeared as a young woman of her age, just like the lovely child of Arvis, Leyla Remmer, who was raised by the family’s gardener.

Curious looks from the throng were aimed towards the tiny Duke in the nanny’s arms as she trailed the Duchess. The young child’s blue eyes flashed all about, beaming with delight, stealing the attention of crowd. This occasion appeared to put an end to any rumors that the Duke had damaged the family’s reputation by having a child with a low-class woman and raising questions about the child’s paternity.

Felix von Herhardt waved enthusiastically to the audience, making them grin as he stepped off the platform. ‘Carlsbar has officially entered summer’, someone in the throng whispered.

Several voices responded in unison like a chorus, “Yes, it has.”

The Herhardt family, the renowned citizens of the northern city, would return during this summer, like a magnificent work of art being unveiled.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

“Do you remember the gift you promised me?” Leyla who had been absorbed in looking out the car window, turned her head and suddenly asked. Matthias answered with a small tilt of his head, there was no need for them to exchange further glances as he had been keeping a steady gaze on his wife the entire time like a sun flower directed to the sun.

“We will be having a picnic over the weekend, the three of us together,” She reminded him of the promised plan.

Leyla’s gaze grew more intense as Matthias continued to be silent. Matthias seemed to dwelling in her emerald eyes at that moment, which seemed a little darker and deeper than normal.

Leyla announced, her enthusiasm and pleasure for her excellent marks audible in her voice, “There’s present I’d want to get.” She smiled broadly and said, “I want to go on a picnic, the three of us, to the Arvis Forest.”

“I’ll take you to see the flower fields this time,” Leyla said, emphasizing the word ‘this time’ to convey a deeper meaning. “Arvis has many beautiful flowers in the summer too,” she added with a smile, and Matthias nodded in agreement.

‘Leyla, do you know what your words mean to me? They assure me that those happy days were not just a dream or a deception.’

Leyla’s expression grew serious, “Don’t pretend like you don’t know,” she said, studying his face closely. “Don’t tease me,” she added with a hint of disbelief.

She spoke confidently and his voice carried the same firmness as when she scolded Felix. Unlike their son, his father simply chuckled without shame, leaving Leyla feeling hollow like a well devoid of water.

“Leyla, I remember, I do.” His melodious voice made Leyla’s lips quiver. “Every element of you, every inch of you”

His eyes were silent and deep; he was no longer beaming. Leyla would occasionally experience despair when she heard him say this in a cool, contained manner.

“I am mindful of your constant sarcasm.” Leyla talked louder than she had hitherto.

Matthias masterfully answered while keeping Leyla in his gaze. “Are you sure?” He fixed Leyla with a stare that seemed to portray his will to not be captivated by her. Leyla, though, was ultimately the one who again avoided eye contact. Despite the fact that these occurrences have increased lately and are both delightful and unpleasant at the same time, like the two poles of magnet, she did not feel strongly about them.

The car they were in turned into the Platanus road and headed for the mansion’s great entrance while she waged war to make sense of the complicated and ill-defined feelings she was feeling. Leyla stared out the car window with a pleasant expression on her face despite her internal anguish hoping to find the answer in the deep blue sky.

“Watch, Felix. Is it not wonderful?” Leyla gently held Felix and pointed him in the direction of what she was pointing at with her hand.

The Platanus. Forest wipes a variety of hazy plants.

The young child spoke excitedly, using the terminology his mother had taught him. Leyla, who was helping him with his pronunciation, laughed, and the child in turn laughed too. Their laughter made the summer in Arvis seem even more beautiful, bringing back life to it.

Hearing the joyful voices of the two of them, Matthias’ gaze wandered to the road where her fallen bicycle during a summer past had shaken his life. The memories rushed back. He vividly remembered the spinning wheels, the rustling of leaves in the wind, and the pounding of his heart that overwhelmed him during that moment.

Every part of his existence was saturated by the desire to linger and disappear. And Matthias treasured these lovely moments because they had become a part of who he was now.

After leaving the Platanus road, the car entered the estate by driving past the ornate front gate. At the mansion’s front door, Norma and Matthias’s mother, the two Duchesses, were waiting. As the automobile comes to a stop, Felix’s nanny casually handed him over to them.

“Welcome home, Matthias” Norma smiled broadly and greeted her grandson, saying, “And you too, Leyla”, she continued.

Even when she looked at Leyla, her expression was as kind as ever. The reception was quite different from what it was like last summer. Elysee von Herhardt, who had previously made no attempt to conceal her disdain for her daughter-in-law, was displaying a relatively gentle attitude today.

As Leyla prepared to enter the main hall, she couldn’t help but glance towards the far end beneath the stairs, the same spot where a young orphan girl once stood, her gaze filled with a mixture of fear and curiosity as she looked upon the young Duke.

It would have been unimaginable for the young girl to conceive that she would one day ascend to the rank of Duchess. The world was unpredictable in beautiful ways. If anyone had made such a claim to her during her childhood, she would have deemed them insane. Yet future knew no rules.

In fact, she still struggled to come to terms with it. She still thought she was dreaming.

To exist in this dazzling epoch, as the wife of a man who could only be her partner in secret, Leyla von Herhardt, was an unusual and perplexing concept. There were moments when she found it hard to reconcile, feeling as though her life was but a fantastical dream. It was only through Matthias, who constantly served as a grounding force that she was able to return to a sense of reality.

“Let’s go, Leyla.”

At the sound of a voice that was like a familiar beacon, Leyla slowly lifted her head in response. Her senses were heightened by taking a deep breath.

Together, they walked into the Duke’s hall, Leyla slowly and carefully climbing the steps, her mind occupied by the plans she had for this summer. The grand marble staircase and dazzling chandelier lights still held an intimidating presence to her.

She thought about the idea of having a picnic with the three of them, perhaps taking a walk along a path lined with wild roses, or visiting the fields of violets and the birch woods at the end of the road, she believed it would be nice to see the flock of water birds flying over the Schultter River at sunset.

But the place where the vista appears most picturesque is on the striking tree that grows alongside the river.

However, would that be a feasible possibility for Matthias von Herhardt?

Even though she knew it was a preposterous thought, Leyla gave it serious consideration.

“Hey, Matthy,” Leyla whispered his name, and Matthias directed his gaze towards her. “Are you able to climb a tree?” she asked in a hushed tone, mindful of the possibility that the two leading duchesses might overhear her. The wrinkles on Matthias’s forehead, which had been smooth till now, deepened.

“I can teach you if you don’t know how,” Leyla said, with a straight face, even though the idea was absurd. “Do you want to climb it with me?”

Because he found it difficult to accept what he was hearing at this moment, Matthias had been distracted for some time. Leyla’s eyes were fixed intently on him even at that precise moment only to get her answer.

“I’m not pressuring you.” Leyla continued, embarrassed at the last minute. “I’ll abide by your wishes.”

Leyla felt like she was sinking deeper and deeper into the muck as she talked, but there was no turning back. The two eventually arrived at the center of the hallway that led from the central staircase to the reception area.

“I’ll do as you say,” Matthias responded unexpectedly and lowered his head courteously. Leyla’s expression was bewildered.

“Never do it!” Silently shouting, Leyla pleaded with Matthias, but he didn’t appear to hear her.

“My queen,” He said softly in her ear, making her blush in shame. Matthias continued to casually twirl despite her clear disdain, a scowl engraved on his features. It was an odd circumstance.

Leyla eventually burst into joyous laughter, which only confirmed the Norma and Elysee’s’ suspicions. They turned around to look at her, and Leyla soon realized why their eyes were fixed on her alone. Duke Matthias von Herhardt, who had quickly changed his expression, stood tall and looked down at her as if he didn’t understand why his wife was laughing.

“Felix, your mother seems to be in a very good mood today,” said Elysee, turning to her grandson in her arms and choosing to comment instead of scold. Leyla couldn’t explain the reason for her laughter, but it didn’t seem fair to laugh alone.

Matthias smiled nonchalantly again when his eyes met Leyla’s gaze. She had to resist the urge to shout and let everyone know the real reason for her laughter. She tightened her grip on her cheeky husband’s arm. She wanted to tell the world it was him, her Matthy, the subject of her happiness. It was him who made her laugh, it was him who made her happy, yet she chose customary silence over the avalanche of words.

Nonetheless, it was going to be a very long summer.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*