Cry, Even Better if you Beg - Side Story 6

Leyla von Herhardt’s swimming skills were, to put it kindly, disastrous. It seemed almost pointless to even assess her abilities. She was putting in so much effort just to stay afloat that it could hardly be considered swimming.

As she stumbled, spluttered, and flailed, Leyla let out repeated screams. Yet, when Matthias pulled her close in an embrace, she calmed down, as gentle as could be, her gaze steady and full of unwavering faith. Matthias knew in that moment that he would never forget it, the moment got imprinted his eyes and in his mind forever.

Leyla’s attempt at swimming, if it could even be called that, finally came to an end as the sun began to bid farewell. Matthias lifted the exhausted Leyla and placed her at the end of the dock. She panted heavily, the sound of her breaths depicting the ripples of the water. Shortly after, Matthias also sat down beside her, equally spent.

“It looks like the water level in the Schulter River might have gone down a bit today. I swallowed a lot of water,” Leyla said with a silly smile when their eyes met.

As he gazed at her face, Matthias watched the water droplets travel across the woman’s body, like the magnificent drops of rain. The water altered the color of her hair and cheeks, making her skin appear even paler in comparison. At the top of her chest, where it rose and fell sharply with each breath, drops of water formed and flowed down her slender collarbone like the water finally found it’s stream to be united with. The natural hue of her skin seemed even clearer now like a crystal.

Slowly but surely, the droplets fell to the ground and disappeared between her legs, without saying a good bye.

Matthias succeeded to bring back her joyous expression. Leyla found herself caught in an odd tension and held her breath, even though there was no hint of desire in his guarded gaze.

It was almost comical.

She hadn’t gone swimming naked in quite some time, but all of a sudden she felt like it. After all, he was also the father of the child she had given birth to. They had been sharing a bed and waking up together every morning for nearly a year now.

‘’Can you smile even when something is unpleasant?’’ Leyla pushed back her wet hair, revealing her bare chest, beautiful like a star lit sky. “I’m going to look ridiculous,” she said.

The strength in her tightly pressed together knees was almost reflexive.

Matthias tilted his head and looked down at her, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. However, given how mortifying the situation was, it seemed that the matter was no laughing matter.

Leyla searched for the clothes she had removed, playing with the strand of hair that was twisted around her finger. But instead of finding her garments, she discovered a basket filled with neatly arranged dresses and towels.

When she realized someone had arrived, Leyla looked embarrassed. Matthias, on the other hand, was dressed casually.

Leyla veiled her naked body with a gown. The gentle touch brought back memories of how he had been staring at her body earlier, and Leyla became more puzzled as she tried to push these thoughts out of her mind and the sensations became more intense, birthing wild desires in her.

“Should we try again?” Leyla impulsively suggested. The river was suddenly bathed in a deep, crimson light, which was both beautiful and unsettling. Leyla was ready to embrace the allure fully. “I feel comfortable floating in the water now. So if I pick up a little more knowledge. . . “

Matthias responded unexpectedly, untying Leyla’s gown’s thread, and saying, “Slowly, Leyla.” In the breeze from the river, the orderly knot shuddered and flapped. “The summer is lengthy.”

The large hand that cupped her chin was gentle and cold. The downward gaze that accompanied it was equally soft. Leyla’s lower eyes were slightly hazy as she saw the shadow of his long eyelashes there.

He was already just a few inches away from her nose. Without thinking, her lips parted as the grip on her chin became firmer, welcoming him to kiss her.

“You can do it slowly,” Matthias’ voice grew softer and lower as he added a hint of warmth to it. Leyla nodded in agreement. She now knew the source of this tension. She was certain that next time, she would be able to guess it.

Matthias, however, simply fixed his gaze on her intensely, as if he was measuring something to engineer an innovation. His enigmatic demeanour only piqued Leyla’s curiosity further.

He did not hesitate.

She could at least be sure of that. Perhaps that concept didn’t apply to this man’s life. Leyla knew this better than anyone, especially when it came to herself.

Yes, but why?

Leyla accidentally closed her toes in the river, causing the surface to ripple with just a slight movement.

After brushing her lips for a while, Matthias let her go lightly and in vain. He chuckled and cocked his head slightly to the side, as if he was unsure of something.

It surprised Leyla. It was another instance where her scientific decision, based on experience, was once again compromised.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

The Duchess served dinner at a table set up on the annex’s balcony, which overlooked the Schulter River. It was unclear who had prepared the meal, but the steam was still rising from the hot dishes.

Leyla glanced at Matthias in surprise, as she had assumed they would change their clothes and return to the mansion. But the man who would have given all of these orders simply stepped outside and onto the balcony, pulling out a chair and gesturing towards the table with a series of natural movements, as if it was the most natural thing in the world to do by a Duke.

Leyla glanced at her reflection in the glass door of the cabinet. She smoothed out the wrinkles in her skirt and tidied her loosely curled hair impulsively. The broad lace collar of her blouse swayed as she started walking again.

She took a seat at the table, and Matthias sat in the chair opposite her. Everything was served at once, from appetisers to sweets, giving the table a lavish appearance, depicting heaven. It seemed that the message that meals were unnecessary had been conveyed effectively.

Leyla started eating deliciously, perhaps because she was so hungry. Matthias’ attention was diverted from the food and glued on her face.

Leyla always had little appetite, although she consistently ate.

She taught him that there was a specific formula to adhere to when it came to the outward aspect of eating. Take little nibbles, chew them, and then swallow them before moving on to the next one. Continue doing this while smacking your lips and puffing your cheeks for more effect. One of his greatest joys in life is now seeing Leyla consume her meal piece by piece.

“Oh. Later, once Felix is an adult.” Leyla’s face lit up with amusement as she abruptly raised her head. Matthias made genuine eye contact with her after releasing the lids on his eyes. Leyla snatched the napkin with a start, in contrast to him, who was composed. The lips that had been vigorously stroked turned crimson.

“When Felix matures?” Matthias asked again, remembering Leyla’s interruption. Leyla didn’t see him again until she took a sip of water to moisten her lips. “It would be lovely to teach Felix how to swim when he grows up.”

“Swimming?”

“On the Schulter River, of course.”

“Alright,” Matthias agreed readily. “I will.”

Even though it wasn’t difficult at all, Leyla was overjoyed as if she had achieved a great dream. But shortly after, she began to feel anxious.

“By the way, Matthy, will you also be teaching hunting?”

“Maybe,” Matthias gave her another pleasant response.

He learnt to hunt, and his father gave him a gun with his name on it. It was also a process that was acknowledged as Herhardt’s successor and a tradition that had been passed down for many years. Leyla looked quite dissatisfied while nodding her head to indicate that she understood.

“I will carry out my responsibilities, but Felix will decide.” Matthias turned back to Leyla after giving the lit candlestick and center piece a quick glance. “The ability to read a bird’s thinking or to be a great shooter. He is left with the decision.”

“And you?” Leyla asked seriously after a moment of contemplation. “What is your opinion on the matter? Will there be a hunt in this forest this summer?”

“What do you think?” Matthias smiled and looked at his wife, who didn’t look away from his gaze.

“I don’t think it will happen,” Leyla said with pleading eyes that were crystal clear.

“Why not?”

“The Duke of Herhardt is a man who understands the hearts of birds.”

She is skilled at answering rudely, but she comes across as quite serious.

“You’re the nicest gentleman in the empire, not just in this Carlsbar!”

Leyla caught Matthias’ attention and he eventually started laughing again. If there had been service staff around, the chuckle would have been extremely embarrassing yet it was very comfortable and delightful nonetheless.

Leyla could tell that Matthias had nothing to say other than that amusing laugh. The Arvis Forest, where the Duke has returned, will be serene this summer. Love is likely another term for that peace. Dinner went on in a more informal setting.

Leyla relieved the awkward tension by laughing and chatting happily. It was a beautiful moment when countless stars emerged over the setting sun and a stream of starlight flowed.

“Ah look! There are fireflies!”

She gasped in wonder at the glowing light drifting along the riverbank. Jumping up and running in front of the railing was an action that was as joyous and carefree as a baby bird taking flight.

After finishing his meal and taking a sip of icy champagne, Matthias also stood up and went to join his wife. Before she knew it, a group of fireflies that were gently floating one by one had formed like a constellation.

Leyla appeared to be in a dream as she watched the light wave. Her pulse was racing as if it was the first time she had ever seen the divine view from the Schulter River in the summer.

Maybe this was the first time she was with him like this, savoring the divine moments, enjoying the simplicity of life and feeling love deep in her heart.

Leyla turned her head, ready to embrace the excitement yet Mathhias’s blue eyes captivated her like a magical spell. His eyes were beautiful than anything else in the world and for a moment fireflies meant no meaning before his magnificent eyes.

Leyla hesitated as Matthias’ hand crept closer and gently cupped her trembling cheek. Unlike in the evening when she was exhausted, he gave her bright face a careful, satisfied inspection.

Leyla said, her eyebrows raised, “Why do you keep playing these kinds of jokes?”

“Jokes?” he questioned in surprise

“Earlier, you were the same way.”

“Ah,” Matthias chuckled as he gave her chin-jawed hand a squeeze. “Leyla, if you get tired too soon, it’s not very enjoyable.”

“What do you mean?”

Leyla would hold her breath as she occasionally remembered the night when this man had become extremely aggressive. She had screamed and moaned loudly at that point before losing consciousness. It wasn’t something that could be controlled by will, but she knew that Matthias didn’t particularly enjoy it.

“I feel like you’ve had enough sleep,” With his other hand, Matthias expertly removed her hairpin. “Do you not?

While grinning, Matthias held her thick curly hair. Leyla’s body skyrocketed, causing her respiration to become shallow, troubling her breath.

She could see his eyes by simply slowly opening her closed ones. It’s as if she flicked a switch and he became someone entirely different. The thought that she would be the only person in the world to recognize this man’s face warmed Leyla’s breath as well.

“Yes. Your thoughtfulness allowed me to get adequate rest and eat healthily.’’

Leyla didn’t panic like she usually did; she addressed him with a rather open demeanour. She was undoubtedly walking on a hard surface, and her toes kept reminding her of the ripples’ feel yet she didn’t care.

‘’So I’ll give it to you in exchange. ‘’Leyla tentatively stuck out his hand and covered her lovely face. The toe-tingling current now appeared to have sucked the entire body in. “Do whatever you want.”

She mustered up her confidence to speak her heart out.

“I desire it.”

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*