Chapter 85

✧Crack✧

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Mark Evers was Duke Herhardt’s current attendant. As he followed after his master, he couldn’t help but feel a little perplexed by his recent actions.

He’d been working in the Arvis Mansion for many years now. He’s filled up every position, from a lowly servant, to an apprentice to the head butler, Hessen, down to the Duke’s attendant. He’d been them all. He’d witnessed many things about them too, but not this.

This wasn’t the Duke he was accustomed to.

He’d noticed it for a while now, how unfocused his master had been, even in the presence of the Royal couple. It wasn’t like him. The Duke had always been attentive, even though he pretended not to be interested. So when he spaced out back there, Mark could tell something was amiss for his Master.

Suddenly, Matthias stopped, startling Mark by his sudden change.

His master was turned towards the window, his gaze resolutely looking out the window with an intense look in his eyes. Mark couldn’t help but follow his gaze.

And there, he spotted her just as she was passing through the garden, basking in the fading light of the sun as the skies gradually darkened, was Leyla. She was headed for the forest path, located just behind the mansion as she carried a large bag in her arms.

Mark opted to wait for his master patiently, instead of breaking his reverie for them to get to the dining room promptly. Leyla must have gone grocery shopping, and was now just returning. Though her load looked rather heavy. It mustn’t be, for she was walking at a leisurely pace, neither in a hurry nor struggling.

‘She’s back,’ Matthias thought with a certain relief, ‘Leyla’s returned.’ Matthias remained looking at her beautiful figure, enamored by the sway of her french braid with every step she took further into the forest.

It didn’t escape Mark’s notice how the stiffness in his master’s form slowly eased out of his shoulders the longer he stared at the unsuspecting girl. She didn’t even bother looking towards the mansion.

Matthias gaze trailed over her body, taking in every detail. Like the way her coat and skirt fluttered with the winter breeze, revealing some of her porcelain leg’s fair skin. He watched as she paused for a while, shaking something off of her before continuing on her path.

Belatedly, he remembered it was supposed to be colder than usual today, and he couldn’t help but frown at her carelessness. She must have been commuting too, because she wasn’t pedaling her way back home, which meant she walked all the way from the entrance of the estate.

‘What a foolish woman, trying to brave the cold with such a heavy load on her shoulders.’ Matthias mentally berated her. Deciding he’s had enough, he resumed his pace, and continued on his way to the dining area.

But even though he walked away, his mind stayed resolutely on the retreating woman.

Even the sight of her was enough to call attention to those unfamiliar sensations he’d been feeling around her lately.

“There you are, my Duke!” Claudine greeted him brightly as she came forward to welcome him into the lounge area, where their other guests were currently assembled at. Matthias politely smiled back at her, offering her his arm before she snaked her own over his forearm.

His arrival drew the attention of the crowd as they all welcomed him back.

“You were taking too long, so I decided I should go look for you.” Claudine informed him, “I got worried something happened, it isn’t like you to be late to these events.” she pointed out. Matthias absentmindedly patted her gloved hands.

“I apologize, my Lady, for worrying you.” he said, looking down at her indifferently, “I took longer than expected to be prepared for dinner.”

Claudine regarded him carefully for a moment, before giving him a small smile.

“Well, I’m glad to know you’re alright, after all.” she then turned back to their guests, pulling away from him. She conversed with each and every one of their guests naturally with ease. Matthias observed her in a pensive manner.

She was going to be the perfect Duchess. A fact he was glad for, and couldn’t deny. Still, his thoughts kept returning to Leyla. His eyes kept trailing to Claudine, following her movements in the room as she drew closer to his mother, and grandmother, who were close to the Crown Prince and his wife.

The light from the fireplace casted a faint orange glow all over the lounge’s occupants.

Marriage was just another business transaction in their circle. The more powerful or influential the family, the better. This was true for him as it was with anyone in his shoes and Claudine was the best candidate he was presented with.

A marriage to her would just cement the Herhardts more into their place of power. But was that all marriage was?

He wasn’t one to question his decisions, so why was he starting now?

There was a flickering of light from the room’s chandelier, before it brightened up the room indefinitely. Matthias, along with the other guests, squinted at the sudden brightness. Seconds later, Hessen came into the room, announcing that dinner had been served.

One by one, their guests made their way to the dining room, leaving Matthias as the last one to leave.

There in the middle of the lounge, he could see clearly the portraits of his predecessors, as though they were staring at him.

As though they sensed how he was wavering.

“My duke?” Claudine called out, who looked back at him, and Matthias wasted no time in catching up with the rest of his guests, escorting his fiance down the stairs and through the long halls leading up to the dining room.

It was fortunate that Matthias had enough foresight to have the generator as one of the first to be repaired. It made the chandelier in their dining room look more majestic, showing off it’s exquisite shine as it basked their guests in a bright white glow.

On the long table were rows of their best silverware and cutlery. In the middle of the table was lined ornate candelabras, along with a few cut orchids in vases and some sculpted desk ornaments.

All this served as reminders for Matthias that he was a powerful person. He’s the Duke of Arvis, and is well-respected, and highly regarded in both society and among royalty. He had all this in his possession…

And yet his mistress walked in freezing temperatures on uneven ground. He could almost imagine her back in her cabin, sitting alone in front of a shabby table, with a poor excuse of a fireplace illuminating her.

“Duke Herhardt.” Claudine’s voice called out for him, taking him out of his reverie, and looked over to her. She wordlessly gestured over to the seat in front of him.

It was odd. He’d known her since they were children, yet all of a sudden, it was like he was in a room filled with strangers.

“Matthias?” Claudine called him softly once more, looking up at him in a confused manner. He acknowledged her once more, before finally taking his own seat, along with a few others.

Dinner was just beginning.

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The royal couple stayed in Arvis for a total of five days before they finally moved on.

On their last day, all of Arvis’ employees lined up in front of the mansion as they all bid the royal couple and their entourage goodbye. Leyla had been part of the group, and stood with the same crowd she was with on the day of their arrival.

The security made things such a hassle to move along, but there was also a sense of dismay in the air once they realized their guests would be leaving.

In all that time the Crown Prince and his wife were in Arvis, Leyla had not been visited by the Duke, at all. It was almost like he even forgot about her. He sent her no note, not even from Phoebe. There was also no summon for her.

She just got to live her recent days worry and stress free from the Duke. The past few days made her feel like she did before this whole affair started, back when she was just Leyla, her uncle’s ward. The days were peaceful for a change.

And she loved it.

She couldn’t help the hope blooming in her chest. Perhaps these few days were enough to make the Duke rethink about keeping her as his mistress. Maybe he’s finally grown tired of her! After all, his obsession with her made absolutely no sense!

Maybe he was just taken with her because he finally found something he couldn’t have for himself, and now he finally did, he’d gotten bored once more.

She couldn’t help the smile on her face, believing this would be the day she’d be free of him at long last! He was a prideful man after all. He couldn’t bear to stay with her ungrateful disposition and terrible bedside manner towards him for too long.

In her relief at the prospect at the end being within reach, she failed to look away, just as the Duke turned his eyes towards her direction. She knew he was looking at her, and he knew she saw him back.

There was that odd sensation running over her body once more, finally making her lower her gaze from him in trepidation. After a few more seconds, she looked back up to him, and saw he was no longer looking at her.

Instead, he was busy exchanging farewell with the Prince, with Lady Brandt by his side. Another familiar feeling welled up in Leyla, but she couldn’t put her finger in it.

Soon the procession of the Prince’s farewell ceremony ended, and they all left Arvis. Leyla watched on the sidelines as Matthias offered Claudine his arm, and began escorting her inside, with their own entourage following them in suit.

The rest of the employees sighed in relief now that their important guest was gone, and things could return back to normal. Leyla remained rooted in place, as the buzz around her grew louder when they all began chatting amongst their respective groups.

Somewhere behind her, Leyla could vaguely hear a couple maids gossiping with each other in whispers.

“I just think they should have stuck with the schedule.”

“I know, they shouldn’t have to push back the wedding.”

“Lady Brandt is practically the Duchess already, isn’t she?”

Leyla felt uncomfortable with their conversation, feeling her heart beating fast at the new information. She silently stepped away from them, and returned back to her own cabin. It didn’t matter what news about the Duke’s wedding was.

She fully believed that their time together was running out, and that almost made her skip in her steps for joy! Soon, she can finally work on convincing her uncle to leave Arvis, and she could forget this whole kerfuffle had ever happened!

Yes, they would move to the farthest place from Arvis, one where no one knows her, or has even heard of Arvis. Maybe she won’t get to go back to the way things were entirely, and maybe she’ll have to work twice as hard to get their new life in order, but no hardship could hold a candle to the suffering she was now facing.

With her world starting to fall in place, Leyla wasted no time in diligently doing her chores, humming happily as she scrubbed the stain out of their laundry, brushed their floors clean. She even baked herself some jam cookies! She hadn’t felt that urge in a long time now.

As soon as they finished, she took them out to cool on the rack as she grabbed her book, and poured herself some tea to enjoy the cookies with. She sat leisurely for the first time since the accident at the green house, and read her book as she gobbled up the cookies with no problem.

She paused reading after a while, deciding to pen some of her friends who had recently sent her letters. When she just finished sealing the last of her letters, a knock sounded in front of her door, followed soon by a familiar voice.

“Leyla! Are you in there?”

It was her friendly, yet equally nosy neighbor, Mrs. Mona.  Leyla went out to greet her with a beaming smile.

“Ah, Mrs. Mona!” Leyla greeted before gasping at the large basket her neighbor was holding, “What a feast you got there!” she exclaimed, and Mrs. Mona smiled sheepishly.

“Oh, I was a bit worried about you dear,” Mrs. Mona sighed and went in as soon as Leyla stepped aside, “After all, you’re a grown woman now, you should be eating a lot more by now.” she then breathed in, sniffing the faint smell of cookies in the air, “Ah, but I see I shouldn’t have been too worried.” she smiled at Leyla, who only laughed good naturedly.

“Well, I did learn from the best.” Leyla praised at Mrs. Mona, who preened at the implication. Leyla led her to their kitchen, and began preparing her some tea.

Mrs. Mona did take it upon herself to teach Leyla how to cook when she had been younger. She taught her what to do around the kitchen, following her instructions as best as she could until she became a very skilled housekeeper.

It felt as though the warmth was returning in their small cabin, and Leyla couldn’t be happier.

They sat across from each other, sharing stories as they chatted back and forth between tea and their sweets. Mrs. Mona was doing the most of the talking, while Leyla took her sweet time listening and enjoying the food.

Mrs. Mona moaned as she took another bite from Leyla’s baked cookies.

“These ones really came out delicious, dear.” She praised, “Any man who marries you would be very lucky!” she added as an afterthought, before pursing her lips as she looked back over at Leyla, “Speaking of, about Kyle-”

Leyla quickly cut her off.

“Oh, that’s because you taught me so well yourself, so really this is all you!” Leyla exclaimed, grabbing a snack from the basket, “Perhaps you can come over next time when I’m baking cakes, and then you can tell me if they’re of any good!”

Mrs. Mona eyed her carefully, knowing full well Kyle was still a sore topic on the girl. And she looked so happy today, she didn’t have the heart to be the reason it disappeared, not when she was looking so relaxed the last couple of days.

“Well then, you’ll have to let me know when you decide to bake them so I can make sure to stop by.” Mrs. Mona conceded, taking another bite of the cookie, moaning at the deliciousness.

Everyone was curious and worried at the slow progress of Kyle and Leyla’s reconciliation, but perhaps that was a worry for another day instead, Mrs. Mona decided.

So she proceeded to complain to Leyla about the intricate and picky dishes the aristocrats had her cooking in the mansion. They were very picky and snobbish. The kitchen staff never had to worry about so much before, but alas, they had to. They were hosting very important people after all, and nothing but the best should be served!

Still, that didn’t mean she couldn’t bemoan the stress they had put on her.

“Pity that the Brandt girl decided to stay behind,” Mrs. Mona grumbled, “I thought she’d be leaving by now, along with all the guests.” she huffed in a pout. “In all honesty, I don’t know why she insists on staying in Arvis, when the master isn’t even around to entertain her.”

“Oh?” Leyla piped up at the mention of Matthias, “The Duke is not in Arvis now? What for?” she asked curiously and Mrs. Mona nodded.

“Yes, I think it was something about a business, I wasn’t too privy with the information.” Mrs. Mona was quick to answer, “But he left for the city, just after the Crown Prince and his entourage did. He won’t be back for a few days, I’m afraid.” She informed.

Leyla tried to subtly breathe a sigh of relief at the knowledge.

The Duke would be gone for a few more days! Oh this was just the best piece of news she received in forever!

“Unfortunately, the Duchesses Norma and Elysee insist on Lady Brandt remaining in the pretense of discussing wedding arrangements.” Mrs. Mona scoffed, “In all honesty I’m sick and tired of having that snobbish lady around! She’s the pickiest eater I’ve ever met! Doesn’t she know how to just eat what’s being served? Honestly.”

They continued to chat, until Mrs. Mona noticed how late it was getting. They bid each other goodbye, and finally, Leyla was back alone in her cabin. But unlike the aftermath of Mrs. Mona’s visits, Leyla remained in a good mood, and easily finished the cookies left of the place.

Each crunch had crumbs breaking off the cookie, and Leyla just dusted them off from her clothes, deciding she’d sweep them clean later. Today was a good day, and would continue to remain good in the following days after all.

‘Thank god!’ Leyla sighed in relief as she resumed humming to herself in unabashed bliss.

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