Chapter 3: Brother-in-law

'Letty, try and calm down first.' Matthias said, taking out a handkerchief from his pocket and pressing it against his wife's cheek.

'But Amber...I'm only thinking of Amber....'

'Yes, but at this moment your pretty eyes will turn red like a rabbit's.'

Like he was a gentle mother, her tearful face was gently wiped dry by her husband. He stroked her hair dotingly. Matthias was a gentle husband, six years older than Leticia.

In such a moment, Amber was aware that not everyone could obtain such affection and doting even if they wished and prayed for it. That realization always pained Amber.

Whenever they fought, Leticia always ended up crying.

Such stupidity made Amber sick.

Amber dropped her gaze feeling nauseated.

Meanwhile, Leticia was comforted by her dear husband and gradually calmed down.

With her moist eyes, she looked up at her husband and said,

'Thank you, Matthias. Because of your timely intervention, my eyes would not turn red.'

'You're welcome, Letty.'

'Thanks to you, Amber did not continue being angry.' (Zuben: I'm nauseated)

Listening to her words, anger bubbled up to the gain in Amber' chest.

'Whenever she speaks to people who are worried about her, Amber gets angry.' Leticia said with a droop of her shoulder. (Zuben: I officially hate Leticia.)

They were not worried about her, Amber thought to herself.

Nothing has changed since her childhood.

Leticia was innocent and has never noticed anything. Whenever she cried in public, it was because she was fighting foolishly with Amber. She would tell her admirers and they would corner Amber behind Leticia's back. The more she complained to her admirers, the more Amber was assailed.

Leticia would never understand what Amber was going through.

'Matthias, I love you!' Leticia cried as she threw herself against his wide chest. Matthias looked at her with deep affection as he stroked his wife's hair, as though he was stroking a well-loved pet.

When would this penance end? Amber thought to herself.

She sighed inwardly and moved to rise from her seat. At that moment, Matthias pulled back and looked at his wife,

'But darling, don't you think you were a bit overbearing?' Matthias commented as he shot a wry smile at Amber, 'Amber is Amber, I had told you she would lose her temper.'

Amber met Matthias' eyes, but she turned her gaze away.

'Oh, do you mean that perhaps, I have gone too far?' Leticia asked him. Matthias nodded.

'Oh…'

Leticia cast her gaze down, she turned to Amber and said, 'Amber...I didn't mean anything bad, I was just thinking of you…' (Zuben: That's the problem, "never mean anything bad" but leave disaster in your wake)

Amber watched Leticia's watery green eyes; that was her elder sister's usual apology.

And Amber replied, 'I understand, Sister.' as usual.

No matter how hurt Amber was, she could not blame Leticia who was not bad. Amber always ended up being the bad guy.

'Thank you, Amber.' with Amber' forgiveness, Leticia was happy.

Amber used to dislike Leticia in the past. But recently, it was coming close to hate. As long as she remained beside her, Amber always lost and Leticia gained an advantage. Was the Leticia's greatest advantage was her eye for men?

'Thank you, Matthias.'

'It's alright, you did well Letty.'

Although he worshipped Leticia like she was an angel, he was the only one amongst Leticia's admirers, who did not decide that Amber was the bad one without asking why. Matthias tempered Leticia's flights and disinclined labeling Amber as the one at fault. An example of the intellect that got him the position of a personal aide to the King at a young age.

But he still chose Leticia.

Amber rose from her seat,

'I've decided!' Leticia exclaimed. Her glittering eyes sparked a sense of fear in Amber.

'I will search for a man for you.'

'But…'

'At the monthly ball, hosted by His Majesty the King. Three days from now I will find a man for you. If I leave it to you, it would be delayed.' (Zuben: The worst kind of person; one that never learns)

Leticia gave a satisfied smile as though she had thought of a really good idea.

Amber stared at her in confounded, she had not given up.

Leticia turned to her husband, and looked up at him,

'Please Matthias, could you list the names of unmarried men attending the ball.'

'No, Letty...even if you look at me so prettily, that is…'

She would not hear that is was impossible. He gave a wry smile. Although he was the Marquis de Reinfeldt as well as the king's aide, it did not mean he could leak sensitive information that could put their house in a predicament.

Why was Leticia asking her husband to abuse his authority?

Leticia clasped her hands between her full bust imploringly, while Amber looked at her astounded.

'Matthias, please. For Amber' happiness, you think she's pretty too, don't you?'

'Well, I understand your thoughts but…'

Even though it is what his wife wants, it was natural that it wasn't something that could be done. Matthias looked thoughtful, but he was probably thinking of how to refuse.

If Matthias refused, Leticia would not have a choice but to give up. Amber was holding a high hope that this would be the case, but she could not believe her ears when Matthias spoke up and said,

'Alright, I will write the list as Letty wants.'

'What?' Amber cried.

What did Matthias say?

While she was confused, Leticia embraced her husband, full of joy.

'I love you, Matthias. I love you.'

'I love you, Letty.'

Matthias embraced his wife's soft body happily.

'Leticia! I have told you I had no desire to get married.'

'Oh don't worry, you just have to wait for the results.'

'That's not the problem; I have asked that you don't choose my husband without my permission, in the first place.'

'It's alright, the ball at the castle will be filled with more wonderful men than any other ball. Why would there be problems?'

This time Leticia was determined and more than anything,

'This time, Matthias will cooperate, and we will find you a lovely husband.'

Leticia smiled full of confidence.

In the past year, whenever Leticia tried to decide Amber' marriage without a by-your-leave, it was Matthias who talked her down every time. Leticia was only obedient to Matthias.

What should she do?

Matthias was on the side of his wife who he loved.

Now that Matthias, who had always been a recourse, has agreed to assist in choosing her husband, how could Amber avoid the crisis?

'Elder brother, this is rude and a little bit insane.'

She wanted him to regain his sanity quickly and refuse her sister.

Matthias smiled at Amber,

'Amber, why don't you attend the royal ball? It has been a long time hasn't it?'

'But…'

'If you attend the ball, you'll be able to know who Letty picks and prevent it from going further.'

It looked like Matthias had given up trying to stop Leticia.

But, he was allowing her to fight back.

'Matthias is already worried,' Leticia said cutely, 'don't worry I will choose a man who suits Amber.'

Matthias pressed his lips against Leticia's forehead affectionately to appease her.

But…

The incident that occurred that night a year ago happened at the royal ball.

The memory of joy she had picking her dress, her shoes and hair accessories, the slight hope she had had, had become tarnished with the occurrence: The night she threw away everything.

She did not want to return to such a place.

However, she did not want Leticia to choose one of her admirers without permission either.

Matthias looked up at her, his eyes narrowed cunningly,

'Amber, I will send something good to you.'

Something good?

It was delivered to her with a letter the day before the ball.

Amber gasped.

It was a powerful love potion that manipulated the mind.

To summarise the letter Matthias wrote:

If you don't want to be bothered by Leticia anymore, and you want to live freely, you should use this love potion and get married as soon as you can.

(Zuben: Not the brightest solution, but without it, there would be no story.)