Chapter 79

✧Maid✧

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

The first thing Matthias saw when the door opened was Leyla. He zeroed in on her almost immediately, before he remembered his current company. He snuck a glance beside him, towards both Dr. Etman and Kyle, just enough to grasp the current situation he would be dealing with.

Claudine gasped at the sight of him, before presenting him with a bright smile.

“Duke Herhardt! You’re back earlier than we expected.” She greeted him politely after a few tense moments of silence. Matthias gave her a courteous smile back.

“I apologize for being unable to inform you of the change in schedule my Lady,” he began, “But I finished work earlier than I thought and figured I should get home. No point in delaying.”

He took a few, long strides, before stopping beside Claudine and kissed her hand. He then turned to look at Leyla, who had stumbled back instinctively under his gaze, almost hitting the window behind her.

“I didn’t realize you already had a guest.” he pointed out while staring softly at Leyla, who tried to remain inconspicuous within the shadows.

“Ah, she isn’t really here as a guest.”

Claudine admitted after debating in her head what was the best course of action here, and decided the truth was the least hassle to explain.

“My aide had unfortunately hurt her hand in an accident, so I asked if Leyla could replace her temporarily. Your mother agreed.” She added offhandedly, sparing Leyla a glance, before turning back to Matthias,  “And she’d been a great help, I was so thankful I chose correctly.” Claudine finished explaining.

This was also the perfect opportunity for her to observe what Matthias would do with both his fiance and mistress in one room.

“Ah, so she’s your aide, is she?” Matthias hummed, straightening up beside his fiance in that same undecipherable expression as always. Claudine acted innocently, just continuing to hold onto his hands. Matthias then turned to the other two guests in the room.

“Then I guess only Dr. Etman and his son were your planned guests this afternoon.” he stated, and saw both men looked equally confused and bothered by the information. He then turned to look at Claudine, who only continued to beam brightly at him.

“Yes, I did invite them when I heard they were visiting today.” She beamed, before the smile dropped on her face, and looked worriedly at Leyla, “Oh but I completely forgot…” she trailed off, her eyes darting back and forth the past fiances’ in the room apologetically.

“Oh dear, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to make things so uncomfortable.” Claudine apologized quickly, before Dr. Etman cleared his throat and gave her half a polite smile, and half a grimace.

“There’s no need for you to apologize, Lady Brandt.” the doctor said, “It happens to the best of us.”

“Well, shall we proceed with tea then?” Matthias asked everyone in the room, acting indifferent to the tension around him. Claudine couldn’t help but eye him warily, wondering what he would do next.

“No, I’m sorry,” Kyle spoke up suddenly, with a hardened look on his face, “I’m afraid we have to go now, don’t we father?” he asked his father, but more like demanded them to leave by the tone in his voice. Dr. Etman fumbled over his reply, but hastily agreed.

“Ah, yes, of course!” he almost stuttered and bowed apologetically at the Duke and his Lady, “I just remembered we have another patient to attend to afterwards, we must make haste.” he quickly explained, shooting a nervous glance over Leyla’s unresponsive form.

He clearly pitied Leyla’s situation.

“Well, I’m sorry to hear our time together must be cut short, but we understand.” Matthias replied, nodding his head at them. “I’ll make sure to give you a formal invitation for tea next time.”

“Thank you Duke Herhardt,” Dr. Etman said, bowing to him, then to his lady, “Thank you once again, Lady Brandt.” he then turned on his heels, and grabbed onto his son to keep moving, but Kyle kept staring at Leyla with a fire in his eyes.

“Didn’t you hear Leyla? Let’s go.” Kyle called out, causing the tension around the room to rise once more. Everyone’s eyes were on him, but he pressed on, “You’re not a maid around here, Leyla. Why are you acting like one?”

Claudine’s eyes narrowed over at Kyle in a subtle manner, while Dr. Etman looked at his son as though he was crazy. Matthias’ attention though, was solely focused on his mistress who first had an odd look on her face, before it turned into something desperate…

His jaw tightened at the subtle change.

She looked like she was begging Kyle Etman. She looked as though it was Kyle, and not him who would be able to help her!

“You may go now, Dr. Etman.” Matthias interrupted, his cold voice cutting through the tension like a knife, “As head of Arvis, I will handle things from here.” he said, looking straight at the doctor with an icy look.

‘Control your son.’

It was what his look demanded, and immediately Dr. Etman forcibly ushered his son out of the reception area despite the wordless protests Kyle had against leaving without Leyla by his side.

Kyle caught Leyla’s pleading gaze, begging him to leave her alone. Kyle’s fists clenched beside him, but ultimately had to respect Leyla’s wishes no matter how much he wanted to disobey.

The door clicked to a close, just as the doctor and his son managed to leave successfully this time. Matthias then grabbed onto his cup of warm tea, and stirred its contents, watching the vortex swirl in his cup.

“I guess you’ll have to spend tea with just me, my Lady.” he stated, and invited his fiance back to tea. When he turned to look at Claudine, she was visibly pale as she nervously looked at him.

Matthias decided to ignore her for now, his attention back to observing Leyla, who now held a grief-stricken expression as she continued to dutifully stand at the corner of the room to give them some kind of privacy.

And yet she must have felt his gaze on her, for her eyes shifted away and met his own. A viscous smirk paved its way on his lips as she looked at him.

‘He won’t be coming for you Leyla.’ he conveyed to her, and the fearful look in her eyes quickly changed into rage. His smirk widened at the sight of it.

Yes, that was a much better look on her.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

“Your mother should be back soon enough with the other ladies,” Claudine informed him as they sipped on their tea, “She’d be happy to see you return sooner than expected.”

It had been silent as soon as the Etmans left them. She felt too much like an outsider between the Duke and his mistress. She couldn’t stand it anymore, and decided to break the deafness she was beginning to feel.

“Well, it seems to be getting closer to dinner, I should start preparing by now.” Claudine continued. Matthias kept silent, content in letting her talk as he calmly sipped on his tea, “Aren’t you going to prepare for dinner as well?” she prompted him to reply.

“I think I want to enjoy my tea a little longer.” He finally said, still not looking at her, “You’re free to do as you wish though, Lady Brandt.” he pointed out. Claudine pursed her lips as she stared at him a little bit more.

“Well then, if you’ll excuse me.” she sighed out, and stood up from her seat. There was no point in bothering the Duke more. Should she press the wrong buttons, he might do something to her, and the thought of it terrified her.

“Aren’t you taking your aide with you?” Matthias asked as soon as she passed him by to leave. Claudine paused, and looked back at him to see him staring at Leyla, who stood in the same spot she had been since tea time began.

She glanced at both of them for a while, pondering what to do, before waving her metaphorical white flag to the Duke.

“Not tonight.” she told him, “I think Leyla deserves a little reprieve from her temporary tasks.”

Earlier, Matthias had acted like the perfect fiance, defending her in front of their guests, while acting like he was unbothered with Leyla’s current status. He passed her little test that much at least, but she couldn’t help but feel more nervous pushing him further as of the moment.

“Good work today Leyla,” she turned to the poor woman this time, smiling brightly at her, “Consider yourself duty-free for the rest of tonight.” she praised before swiftly leaving them alone to meet up with her actual servant, who waited patiently for her outside the room.

Claudine nodded at the woman outside, who then walked in quietly, handing Leyla some money for her pay for the day. Leyla numbly accepted it, as both Lady Brandt and her aide left them by themselves, and the doors swung to a close behind their retreating backs.

Leyla stood rooted in place, her face devoid of her feelings. Matthias would have thought she was a statue if it weren’t for the way her hands shook in front of her. He regarded her thoughtfully for the moment.

Was it just him, or her pale complexion that made her lips so rosy today?

With a click of his tongue, he gracefully stood from his seat and began stalking towards her like a predator would his prey. He held onto his cup, his knuckles turning white with how strongly he was gripping it. He only stopped when he stood just an inch apart beside her, and stared out the window.

“You are to wait for me in the annex.” he ordered, glancing at her from his side with an icy stare, “Or don’t. It’s your choice in the end.” he whispered right next to her ear. He kept staring at her, and Leyla bowed her head further down to avoid his eyes.

The pouch of money in her hands crinkled as her hands continued to shake.

Finally he stepped away from her and set the cup down back on the table before swiftly leaving her behind the room alone with her thoughts. He quickly turned towards his study.

He sat down in front of his desk and drummed his fingers on the table top before he rang the bell in his study. Not a moment longer, Hessen came walking in, and bowing beside his table.

“How can I help you, master?” Hessen asked dutifully as he retained his bow.

“Summon Dr. Etman once more.” Matthias said as he began to arrange the documents in his desk back to their working order. Hessen looked up at him in confusion. “I’m afraid we still need his services after all. I want him to look after another patient here in Arvis.” he finished, leaving no room for any argument.

“I will do so at once, master.”

“Do send him my apologies for the inconvenience.” Matthias added as an afterthought, and Hessen bowed at him once more, before swiftly leaving his study to call for the doctor once more.

Deep down inside, Hessen couldn’t help but worry what had happened earlier, and what would happen later when the doctor arrived.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

When Claudine was changed and dressed for dinner, she wasted no time in leaving her room and headed out once more to the room, where the ladies had just returned, and were accompanied by familiar gentlemen gathered around the area.

When she entered, eyes turned at her arrival and greeted her with warm smiles.

“Oh you look beautiful as always Lady Brandt.”

“Yes, Claudine’s always had a nice figure, and she’s quite tall as well.”

“Any dress would compliment her!”

“Hush you, don’t you see Marquis Lindman is here?”

The ladies chattered, and Claudine only gave them a pleasant smile before she locked eyes with Riette. He had been away for a couple of days since he had to attend a different gathering by the central city, and had just returned tonight. She couldn’t help but feel a little more at ease with him around.

Perhaps earlier’s incident wasn’t a big deal. She hadn’t seen hair nor hide of both Matthias and Leyla. Perhaps they’re off frolicking under the sheets, and the entire mishap she made would be forgotten.

After all, if the past few days were of any indication, it meant Leyla knew her place was less than Claudine’s. While earlier’s performance made her see that in front of an audience, Matthias knew how to act accordingly and put her in priority compared to his mistress.

Yes, she would be fine. She had to believe that.

She mingled among them, the atmosphere becoming brighter as they chatted and laughed around with each other in what they’ve been up to in the city. Everything had been going well, at least until Matthias returned with Dr. Etman in tow.

The chatter died down, as they looked at the unexpected guest. Madam Norma was the first to recover.

“Oh, Dr. Etman, are you back so soon?” she asked him, looking confused. She had felt fine all day since he visited her after all.

“Oh, I’ve been summoned by the Duke. He told me there was a patient I needed to see urgently.”

“A patient?”

“Is someone sick?”

“Perhaps someone’s injured.”

Murmurs slowly filled the room, as the nobles looked around to see who needed the help. Riette glanced nervously towards Claudine, who had narrowed her gaze towards Matthias who looked right back at his fiance.

‘No.’ 

Claudine thought to herself and felt a bead of sweat roll down the nape of her neck.

‘He wouldn’t.’ 

Her hands twisted into her skirts, fisting her skirt into her clammy palms. She caught the smirk Matthias subtly sent her way and knew then and there he wouldn’t let her go so easily for the mishap earlier.

“Why, my Lady, don’t you remember?” Matthias asked innocently as he blinked at her. “You told me your maid had gotten into an accident and had been unable to do her duties, so I summoned the doctor to tend to her.”

“My maid?” Claudine asked softly in an incredulous manner, looking nervously at the eyes that turned towards her, “Oh, you mean Mary?”

“Yes.” Matthias quickly nodded, “If you would so please summon her here so that the good doctor could tend to her quickly.”

Every noble then began to look at the duke in awe at his thoughtfulness. Others couldn’t even believe he would go as far as to summon their family doctor just for a maid, that wasn’t even really part of their household, never mind the fact it was his fiance’s.

“Honestly Matthias, how could you summon our doctor for a maid’s wounds?” Elysee scoffed, and Matthias only smiled at his mother politely.

“It isn’t just any maid dear mother, but my Lady’s.” he calmly explained, “I would hate to see the rest of her stay be uncomfortable because of her maid being so injured to the point she can’t even use her hands. It worried me greatly, so I can’t imagine the burden she must be feeling right now.”

The other ladies cooed at how sweet he was being, Claudine could only breathe deeply as she smiled gratefully at the duke in a nervous manner.

“You are so kind, my Duke.” she replied, licking her lips, “But you didn’t have to trouble yourself over my concerns-”

“Nonsense,” Matthias interrupted her, “What’s your concern, is also my concern. After all, we are to be married soon enough.” he said, staring down at her in faux kindness. Waiting no further confirmation from her, Matthias turned to one of the servants in the room.

“Find Lady Brandt’s servant, and bring her here this instant!” he barked, and they swiftly left to do his bidding.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*