Chapter 33
33
Arbis’s Paradise
Bill Lemmer’s Leila had been accepted to Ratz University.
The news spread through all of Arbis in an instant. Word also came that Dr. Etman’s only son had been accepted to medical school with excellent grades, but since that was something everyone had expected, it didn’t become much of a talking point.
Thus, for the past few days, whenever two or more people gathered, the topic was invariably Leila Llewellyn. The greenhouse of the ducal household was no exception.
“To send an orphan girl—who’s practically no different from a man—to university. Bill Lemmer must have made quite the bold decision.”
Lady Norma Katarina von Herhardt, who normally wouldn’t add to gossip about lowly children, spoke of Leila today with genuine interest.
“That child must have been born under a lucky star. Not only did she meet a benefactor, but she’s even going to marry Dr. Etman’s son. That’s nothing short of heavenly fortune.”
Elise von Herhardt chimed in. Claudine, who had been sitting quietly between them sipping her tea, nodded with her usual polite and bright smile.
“I’m so glad such good fortune has come to that poor child.”
Claudine could praise Leila more sincerely than ever before. Just then, the maid who had gone to fetch the girl at Lady Norma’s command returned to the greenhouse. Leila, neatly dressed, was with her.
“Come sit here.”
Lady Norma calmly commanded upon spotting Leila. Naturally, Mrs. Herhardt and Claudine widened their eyes in surprise.
“It’s not a bad idea to treat a commendable child to a cup of tea.”
Lady Norma chuckled softly.
The Herhardts were all like that, but Katarina von Herhardt was a noblewoman of such lofty pride that people said the blood flowing through her veins must surely be a deep blue. It was no wonder everyone was shocked at the thought of her sitting at the same tea table as an orphan girl raised by the gardener.
Leila sat in the spot the maid guided her to, her face tense.
“I’ve heard you were accepted to a university that’s hard even for sons of renowned noble families to enter.”
Lady Norma spoke first as Leila’s tea was set down.
“It’s all thanks to Uncle Bill.”
Leila replied with her eyes modestly lowered.
“Yes. You must never forget the kindness of your benefactor, Bill Lemmer.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“You’re from Robita, right?”
“My mother was from Robita, but my father was from Berg.”
“That’s the same as me.”
Elise and Claudine’s eyes widened simultaneously at Lady Norma’s casual remark.
Lady Norma of the Herhardt family came from a prestigious marquisate that was related to the Berg emperor by marriage. Her mother was of Robita royal blood—a lineage that no lowly orphan could possibly compare to.
“Tell me what you want.”
Leila startled and looked up at Lady Norma’s abrupt command after setting down her teacup.
“Bill Lemmer is a servant I value, and you’re the child he raised like his own daughter, so I should give you a congratulatory gift at least.”
Her follow-up words were just as matter-of-fact.
As the flustered Leila forgot to avert her gaze and stared at Lady Norma, another person entered the greenhouse. Claudine was the first to spot him walking over with steady footsteps.
“Duke Herhardt!”
Everyone’s gazes followed Claudine’s delighted voice.
Leila turned her head in surprise as well. Matthias von Herhardt was already standing by the table. Their eyes met, and both frowned for different reasons. That small disturbance ended with Leila looking away first.
“This child was accepted to Ratz University. We were having tea together since it’s something worth congratulating.”
Elise von Herhardt explained the unexpected situation with a smile in her voice.
Matthias nodded briefly and took the seat beside Claudine. Coincidentally, it was directly across from Leila.
“You’re back early today.”
Claudine welcomed her fiancé with a warm smile.
Now that he had taken over the family business in earnest, he usually left the mansion early in the morning and returned late at night. It had been nearly a week since he arrived in Arbis, but today was the first time Claudine had seen Matthias return before sunset.
“The meeting ended earlier than expected, my lady.”
“That’s a relief. I’ve been so worried that you were pushing yourself too hard lately.”
“Claudine’s right, Matthias. It’s something you can take your time with, so don’t rush. It would be a disaster if you ruined your health.”
Elise von Herhardt added her piece.
From there, the table’s conversation flowed to Matthias’s recent affairs and the family business. Leila Llewellyn’s presence seemed to vanish in an instant.
Thanks to that, Leila took a moment to breathe and sipped her cooled tea. She desperately wanted to escape this uncomfortable seat, but she couldn’t show it in front of the two ladies of the ducal house.
Leila carefully set her teacup back on the saucer without a sound. And the moment she absentmindedly lifted her gaze, she flinched involuntarily and leaned back against her chair. Amid his chatting fiancée and mother, Matthias was looking at her. Those ruthless eyes were no different from the day he had crushed her heart and left.
Leila started to reach for her teacup again but quickly pulled both hands under the table. It was only for a moment that he met Claudine’s eyes across from him while talking. When his gaze shifted to his mother, he naturally turned back to Leila as if it were the most obvious thing.
Leila hurriedly bowed her head, but she still felt that uncomfortable stare. And that gaze inevitably brought back memories of last summer. Recalling that day with Claudine right there made it all the more humiliating, and Leila shuddered faintly. The duke was the one who had done wrong, yet Leila was always the one feeling guilty.
“So, have you thought about what you want?”
With Lady Norma’s question, the table’s topic returned to Leila Llewellyn.
Leila reflexively looked up and bit her lip without realizing it. Matthias’s blue eyes were still fixed on her. Struggling to hide her agitation, Leila hurriedly turned her gaze to Lady Norma.
“You’ve already given me a great gift, ma’am. That’s more than enough.”
“You already received it?”
“Yes. Just allowing me to stay in this Arbis, in Uncle Bill’s cottage—that alone is a favor I could never repay in a lifetime. It’s the greatest and most precious gift, one I’ll be grateful for forever.”
“We merely granted Bill Lemmer’s request.”
“That permission changed my life, ma’am. It was a gift.”
A faint smile appeared on Leila’s lips.
“I’m truly grateful to you as well, little madam.”
Leila also offered a polite bow toward Elise von Herhardt.
“…And to the duke and Miss Claudine.”
Instead of saying the only thing she wanted was to escape this uncomfortable world, Leila graciously expressed her thanks even to those names she wasn’t particularly fond of.
“I will never forget the kindness you’ve shown me, even on the day I leave this Arbis.”
With a deep bow of her head, Leila put a polite period on her refusal.
Lady Norma, who had been quietly observing Leila, nodded at that point. Boldly refusing the Herhardt family’s goodwill was presumptuous, but her demeanor was dignified, unlike that of a child raised in poverty.
“You’re already saying goodbye. It makes me feel a bit sad, Leila.”
Claudine, who had been watching silently, spoke with a hint of regret.
“I understand how you feel, but I still want to give you a gift. Ah, how about I cover your tuition?”
“No, miss. I’m just grateful for your kind offer.”
Leila looked at Claudine with a smile still on her face.
“Uncle Bill has already prepared the tuition. He insisted on paying for my first semester himself.”
“Is that so? Then we’ll have to think of another gift. I can’t send off a longtime friend who’s not only gotten into university but is about to get married empty-handed.”
A bright smile bloomed on Claudine’s face as she looked at Leila.
“Isn’t that right, Duke Herhardt?”
Claudine’s voice, prodding him sweetly like honey, rang out. Matthias, who had been looking at Leila for a moment, lightly nodded, honoring his fiancée’s wish.
After a few more ritual exchanges and greetings, Leila was finally able to leave the uncomfortable tea table. Only after turning her back on the Herhardt family did the greenhouse scenery come into view.
Arbis’s Paradise.
Whenever she entered this splendid greenhouse, which people praised so extravagantly, Leila’s heart felt endlessly uncomfortable and stifled. Facing the beautiful birds with clipped wings and the flowers with overly intense colors and scents made her feel suffocated somehow. The same went for the marble fountain’s spray and the sunlight filtering through the glass.
Leila left the greenhouse without once looking back. Only when the real sunlight and breeze enveloped her body did a sigh of relief escape her.
The long shadow of early evening followed behind Leila as she walked briskly toward the forest.
“Sister, do you realize what you’re saying right now?”
Daniel Rayner asked in disbelief. The sunset light streaming through the uncurtained window illuminated him, wide-eyed and stunned, and his cousin sister sitting calmly across from him—Linda Etman.
“Sister!”
“Lower your voice, Daniel.”
Mrs. Etman glanced at the closed door and cautioned him with a surprisingly composed expression. Daniel sighed in exasperation.
After failing in an overseas mining investment and watching his fortunes plummet, Daniel Rayner had repeatedly sought help from his wealthiest relative, his cousin sister. She had always refused with elegant yet firm rejections, so it was unusual for her to come to him first.
He had anticipated it wouldn’t be for free, of course. But the words from Mrs. Etman’s mouth were so shocking that even Daniel, desperate enough to grasp at straws, hesitated.
“That’s theft, sister. How could…”
“No.”
Mrs. Etman, who had slowly closed her eyes, opened them and cut him off coldly.
“It’s just hiding it temporarily and returning it later.”
“But…”
“You care deeply for Kyle, don’t you?”
“Of course.”
“And you need my help too.”
Mrs. Etman lifted her neatly folded hands from her lap and rubbed her throbbing temple. As expected, Daniel Rayner just flushed red and couldn’t retort.
“It’s just borrowing the money for a while and returning it when the time comes. Do that simple task, and you can protect your family while I protect my son.”
Straightening her posture again, Mrs. Etman looked at Daniel Rayner as if urging him on.
“That’s not a bad deal, is it? What do you think?”
