Cry, Even Better if you Beg - Side Story 4

Leyla, turning her head in surprise, getting priced of a hundred pricks by the deep blue eyes of a man who seemed untroubled. He looked devoid of emotions like an iceberg just like the days old. She wondered if he still had any feelings left.

“W-What? I-In a place like this?!” She roared, shattering the peacefulness of the forest. Her hands, which quickly covered Felix’s ears, were also trembling slightly. “H-how can you say that? Felix is here!”

Leyla was trying to come up with a response when Matthias abruptly reached out and loosened the ribbon knot she had put under her chin. Leyla didn’t realize it until she opened her instinctively closed eyelids.

In a casual fashion, Matthias handed her the cap he had removed. He once more picked up the tea cup that he had just calmly set down earlier.

Leyla, belatedly comprehending the situation, looked at him with a slight daze. It seemed absurd to ask, as if he had suddenly become a terrible person. Matthias’ relaxed appearance, sipping tea and enjoying the forest view, seemed even more absurd.

Matthias looked up at the sky between the thick branches of oak trees and remarked, “No more than a hat. I am a gentleman, Leyla. I know the rules.’’ He assured her.

When she thought of his words, Leyla’s brow wrinkled. “Is making jokes like this amusing?”

“Well, it’s funny,” he chuckled. Matthias shifted his straining gaze back to Leyla. “You look lovely. When you’re blushing, you look even more attractive.” There was no smile on his face when he uttered such horrible comments.

Leyla commented sarcastically, “It’s extremely gentlemanly of you to say this in the midst of the day.

Matthias answered, leaning boldly against a stack of cushions, “A gentleman.” He continued “A gentleman befitting a serene queen.”

Through the leaves, the sun’s shadow drifted slowly over his beaming face. Due to his untidy stance, perhaps, the mood of the day seemed to relax a little.

Leyla didn’t despise having to face the person she knew so well in this situation. She did, however, experience an odd sensation of injustice.

“I’m not incorrect,” Leyla confidently disputed while stroking her scorching cheeks. “Scientists are expected to make decisions based on their experience.”

“Experience?” questioned Matthias.

“Yes. And from what I’ve seen so far, everything you say always ends up having the same meaning as what I’ve misunderstood. Just as in science, I’m making judgments based on my own experience.”

Matthias watched his wife blather on, his eyes narrowing with intrigue. ” What is the scientific verdict, then?” he asked

Leyla said, her big eyes gleaming over her glasses, “You’re the evil one, and you’re the one who’s bad. The Duke, You Crow!”

Leyla yelled angrily while continuing to blush brilliantly. Soon after, Matthias’ laughter was blown by the wind through the dense woodland and across the estate.

He didn’t intend to chuckle, but Leyla decided to stop objecting to it. Only when she was looking at him did Matthias von Herhardt smiled like this, and it was okay that they were both laughing in private and alone.

They engaged in mundane conversations and ate delicious food together. They also took a leisurely walk, side by side, without caring about anyone’s gaze.

As she savoured these trivial moments, one by one, Leyla realised it again: her wishes were hidden behind the wounds inflicted by him.

This wasn’t a particularly special or grand picnic.

She hated herself for the weakness and anticipated it for countless days while knowing she shouldn’t have. But her own dumb heart was probably what she detested the most. Despite the fact that Leyla was well aware that it went against Uncle Bill’s standards, she found it painful to love a man who deserved to be loathed.

Leyla averted her sight to the faraway sky while observing the road where the tree shadows were lengthening. It wasn’t long before it was almost time to go back.

‘’It’s nearly time to return’’, she remarked.

Leyla sighed unhappily as she looked at the clock. Felix, who was being held by his mother, was sound sleeping, possibly exhausted after a fun-filled day. The kid’s clothes were covered in red stains from eating foraged raspberries, which brought back pleasant picnic memories.

Matthias looked up at the distant sky before turning to face her. Leyla’s eyes softened instantly, as though she were buried in concentration.

“I believe a day is too brief. That’s sad” stated Leyla.

“We can come again.” Matthias spoke seriously, lowering his rolled sleeves to adjust the cuffs.

“Really?” Leyla questioned with a serious expression and eagerness, unable to conceal her excitement. Matthias was now aware. Leyla was pleading for confirmation with her words.

‘’Really,” Matthias assured

He vowed that when the time came, Leyla’s smile would be as radiant as the sun. Similar to how it is right now. Similar to this Nothing in her eyes that was other than him at this very moment could have been lovelier in his eyes.

The servants came back as Matthias adjusted his tie and put on his jacket. They needed to get back to being the Duke and Duchess of Herhardt.

The two strolled side by side as they left the forest, being followed by a nanny and servants who were carrying Felix, who was asleep. When they arrived to the road where the waiting car was parked, their summertime outing, which appeared to be coming to an end at this point, suddenly took another unexpected turn.

“Go back first.” Matthias told the driver, who had unlocked the back seat door and was waiting.

“What? That suggests…?” Confounded, Leyla enquired.

Matthias said with a wink to the nanny holding Felix, “We’re going to walk.” When the nanny realized what was being said, she hurried to put Felix in the car.

Matthias ignored Leyla’s embarrassed glances as she turned to face him. In the meantime, the nanny’s and Felix’s automobile sped off. Leyla would have immediately inquired if the housekeepers weren’t keeping an eye on her.

But she refrained from speaking and instead took Matthias’ hand. Naturally, he took her to the Schulter River’s golden banks.

As they crossed the forest path, Leyla yelled, “Matthy, look!” loudly.

She felt a little silly when Matthias casually remarked, “You said you were unhappy.”

“But this is,” she said, her eyes darting over the glistening sky, the adjacent woodland, and the tranquil current before returning to Matthias’ face.

“Felix must be worn out. He must take a nap.”

He made a joke, and Leyla laughed. ” Do you not despise Felix?”

“Why would I dislike him? After all, he is my son “Matthias retorted, dipping his head slightly downward.

He instinctively cared for his son, but that love wasn’t the same as the one he had for Leyla. He had no desire to dispute this. The only person who would be in his life forever was Leyla, the only person he could truly love.

Leyla, who had been gazing at him for some time, smiled and nodded her head.

Matthias went slowly alongside the Schulter River while holding her hand. Leyla frequently made stops along the river to point out the birds. Her voice had a crisp, echoing quality to it that resembled the sounds of singing birds as she told him the names and qualities of the birds and flowers.

“Look! Watch that bird, please? Matthy!’’

A bird with vibrant feathers was flying in the skies, as Leyla pointed out. The bird she wished to show Matthias, though, quickly vanished past the river, like it only appeared in her visions.

“Ah, it’s gone,” Leyla looked at the riverside where the bird flew off with a saddened expression sounding like a child who got ripped away from her favourite toy.

“Did you know that Arvis is home to a variety of unusual flowers and birds? Arvis is comparable to heaven on earth, according to Professor Lorenz.” Leyla clasped Matthias’ hand once more and pointed up into the sky. He, in response, firmly grasped her tiny hand.

Leyla sighed, “That bird earlier was incredibly hard to see.”

“Would you like me to get it for you?” Matthias questioned softly while keeping his eyes glued to the direction in which the bird had gone. He continued, his voice even more collected, “So that you can retain it.”

Leyla gave him a hearty smile as she shook her head and gazed at him with big eyes. “No!” she firmly exclaimed.

“Why? Ornithologists typically do that, right?” Matthias enquired.

She hesitated before answering. It was accurate to say that catching and stuffing exotic birds served as a study tool. Also, she was quite fond of Professor Lorenz, who also owned a number of stuffed birds.

‘’Don’t fool around like that, please.’’ Leyla stated in a commanding tone. She chose to interpret it that way even though she knew it wasn’t a joke. Even if it was required, she had no desire to bring home a fresh stuffed Arvis for her study.

Fortunately, Matthias acknowledged her choice and grinned pleasantly. They arrived at Leyla’s favourite tree by the river as they continued their journey.

“Would you like to ascend there?” Leyla questioned as she regarded the tree like an old friend, “The view of the Schulter River from the top of this tree is the most beautiful vista in the world you would ever get to see.”

“Is this really required?” Matthias laughed as he asked, turning to face the tree branch where Leyla used to sit in the old days.

“Of course! The view of the Schulter River from the top of this tree is unparalleled in beauty. Believe me!” Leyla approached the tree, in contrast to her cautious face, she began to climb it with a bold and agile pace.

Sitting on a thick branch stretching out to the riverside, Leyla grinned up at him.” C’mon Matthy! You can do it like me! I’ll hold your hand!” She shouted, sounding like she really wanted to teach him how to climb.

Matthias laughed when she extended her tiny hand to him. He then took a step forward and began to climb the tree without her assistance. As he got to the top, he pulled her deep into his arms. Leyla could feel his heart racing in time with her own while resting her back against his chest.

“You really can do anything, can’t you?” Leyla whispered in awe, nestled in Matthias’ embrace.

“Not everything.” Matthias replied, his lips brushing into a smile as he looked out at the river below. “For you a thousand times over’’ He said in a whisper.

Leyla couldn’t help but blush at his words, feeling warmth spread through her chest. She closed her eyes, savoring the moment and the feeling of being loved by this amazing man in her life.

She looked up at him, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “I knew it. You’re a pro at climbing trees.”

Matthias chuckled, enjoying the feeling of Leyla’s warm body pressed against his. “It’s not my first time,” he admitted, “But it’s not something I do often.”

Leyla smiled, content to be wrapped up in Matthias’ embrace. Everything about this moment with this man was nice for her, even his smile and the warmth of the massive, strong body encircling her. She no longer wanted to conceal or refute it because it was the most honest thought.

They perched on the branches and looked down at the glistening river, calm and serene. The moment belonged to them while the world chose not to interrupt. The moment was drenched in simplicity yet shining bright with divinity. Leyla couldn’t help but feel grateful for the moment they shared, sitting on the tree by the river as the sun set. It was moments like these that she treasured, feeling close to him and at peace.

They sat on a tree with a view of the Schulter River as the sun started to drop. A flock of birds was gliding lazily above the surface of the water, which was shimmering in golden hues.

“What do you think?” Leyla turned to face Matthias, her eyes gleaming with eagerness. “Isn’t it beautiful?”

Her pride in the scenery could be seen in the way Matthias peered intently into her green eyes. As much as he could, he could concur with such a viewpoint.

“Yes, it’s beautiful.” As he whispered, his lips touched her lips in a passionate kiss. Although startled, Leyla wrapped her fingers around Matthias’s neck and gave him a kiss in response. Her hand went up to feel the contours of his face, quickly found itself digging into his hair. She was flushing a rich rose colour, slathered in joy, her face, ecstatic.

After the long kiss that had flowed like a silent stream had finally come to an end, Matthias gently wiped his wife’s lips with a silk handkerchief. His lips softened into a content smile, , like the evening air on a summer night. “I promised that I would teach you how to swim on the weekends,” he said.

“Swimming?”

He gazed at the water for a moment before turning his attention back to Leyla. “Because I promised.”

“I guess it’s fine if you forget that one….” Leyla made a reluctant effort to withdraw, but Matthias was adamant.

“I’ll teach you how to swim.” His face suddenly took on a childlike smile. “Right here on the Schulter River.”

In the light of the immense beauty of his smile, she simply couldn’t bring herself to recall the words of rejection.