Chapter 41
41
How to Discard Beautiful Misfortune
“What a filthy story.”
Lady Norma’s assessment of Mrs. Etman’s tale at the dinner table was concise and cold.
“For the lady of such a prestigious doctor’s family to instigate a theft and get arrested. What an utter disgrace.”
Frowning, she took a sip of wine to wash away the distaste from her lips that had spoken of such sordiness.
“I think it’s time to sever ties with Mrs. Etman.”
Elise von Herhardt’s interjection carried an expression not much different from Lady Norma’s.
Linda Etman, who had been taken to the police station the previous evening, had spent the night locked up there and only returned past noon today. Bill and Leila had gone to the station themselves to retrieve the money and expressed their wish for leniency toward her.
“It’s a shame Dr. Etman has to suffer such humiliation from this. He’s a good man. Should we change our physician?”
“It’s not Dr. Etman’s fault, so I don’t think that’s necessary. Scandals like this blow over after a while.”
Lady Norma firmly expressed her unwavering trust in Dr. Etman.
“I hope Kyle doesn’t get too hurt by this.”
She showed a touch of sympathy when speaking of Kyle Etman.
“Looking back, I regret allowing that child to stay in Arbis.”
As dinner drew to a close, Elise von Herhardt suddenly remarked.
“If it weren’t for Leila, none of this would have happened.”
She glanced at Claudine as if seeking agreement.
“Exactly.”
Claudine nodded readily.
“Even if it wasn’t intentional, Leila has ruined the Etman family.”
Emphasizing her words, Claudine subtly glanced across the table. Mathias had never been one for much talk, but he was especially quiet at this evening’s dinner. Yet there was nothing unusual about him; he seemed his usual mild self.
Dinner soon ended, and the scandal that had swept through Arbis was likewise soon forgotten.
Instead of heading to his study, Mathias went straight to his bedroom.
He instructed Hessen to send the man who had tailed Linda Etman that day to the police station—as a witness to the theft, timed to coincide with the mailman’s visits. The mailman covered Arbis, so the rumors would spread quickly. And everything unfolded just as expected. It helped immensely that the person who met the gossip-hungry mailman happened to be Arbis’s nosy cook.
It was clichéd and trite, but amusing enough.
Did Linda Etman cry?
Lighting the bedside lamp, Mathias pondered for a moment.
She probably did. Like Leila.
With that simple conclusion, the game grew a bit more entertaining.
Now, the marriage prospects between Leila Llewellyn and Kyle Etman had crossed an irreversible line. No matter their feelings, marriage was impossible. It also meant that all the fortune Leila Llewellyn might have enjoyed had vanished.
Impulsively, Mathias turned and headed to the liquor cabinet. He rarely drank, so all the bottles there were untouched.
He pulled out the nearest one. Clear amber liquid filled the crystal glass.
Leila’s wings had been clipped.
Holding the glass as he turned back, Mathias thought calmly.
So Leila would remain within Arbis’s walls.
The relief that brought outweighed the disgust he felt toward himself.
Mathias gazed for a long time at his canary, asleep in its cozy cage. Then at the garden beyond the window, and again at the golden liquor in his hand.
The memory surfaced of that late spring night when he’d heard the news of Leila and the doctor’s son getting married—the horrific night when, for the first time in his life, he’d wanted to kill someone. Now, in comparison, things didn’t seem so bad.
It was a better ending than someone dying.
Mathias quietly set the untouched glass down on the table.
He already knew how to rid himself of this sordid heart, this beautiful misfortune—without borrowing the power of poison.
By possessing it.
The tuition theft scandal that had rocked Arbis came to a close amid the peak of a sweltering summer. Bill Lemmer had recovered the money, and with his leniency, Mrs. Etman escaped punishment, bringing the incident to a provisional end. But the aftermath and lingering shadows couldn’t be fully erased.
“Kyle.”
Dr. Etman slowly opened the door to his son’s room, which remained silent even after knocking. Kyle sat motionless at his desk. Even as his father approached, Kyle just stared out the window.
“Kyle.”
Calling his name again, Dr. Etman gently placed a hand on his son’s shoulder. Kyle flinched and turned, his face noticeably gaunt.
Dr. Etman released the shoulder he’d gripped tightly and leaned against the edge of the desk.
“Your mother’s feeling better now.”
“…Yes.”
Kyle’s response was dry.
Shocked from her time at the police station, Mrs. Etman had taken to her bed, barely eating or drinking. She’d suffered a high fever for days, causing worry, but fortunately, it never reached a dangerous level.
“I’ve found a place for you to stay in Ratz.”
Dr. Etman spoke calmly to his dazed son.
“A place?”
“It’s suitable for living alone, and it’s furnished…”
“I’m… going to university alone?”
Kyle let out a hollow laugh.
“Without Leila, after hurting her like that, I’m supposed to just go to university alone like nothing happened?”
“I understand how you feel, Kyle, but stubbornly staying here will only hurt Leila more.”
“Father!”
“Your connection with Leila ends here. Accept it. That’s the only way for both your sakes. And you need to live your own life.”
Even facing his son’s empty eyes, Dr. Etman didn’t waver. It was a terrible situation, which was exactly why he had to be even more resolute.
The most important thing was protecting Kyle. If he left Karlsvar, distanced himself from Leila, and faced a new world at university, his wounds might fade in time. That was the only hope Dr. Etman had now.
“Even though your mother was wrong, we can’t say we bear no responsibility. We didn’t handle her feelings about Leila more delicately. You and I might have driven her into a corner.”
“Are you talking about how she couldn’t accept Leila because she’s an orphan, without a glamorous background, because she couldn’t satisfy Mother’s vanity?”
“Enough, Kyle. I won’t tolerate you speaking of your mother that way.”
“I don’t even know anymore. If she’s the mother I knew, the one I loved. Or why I have to go to university.”
“Are you planning to throw away your life over a failed first love?”
“Do you think Leila… that she meant so little to me?”
“If not, you need to be even more rational. The more foolishly you act, the more she’ll suffer!”
“I can’t leave without Leila.”
“You and Leila can no longer turn back.”
“No!”
Kyle cried out in anguish.
“There has to be a way. Somehow… if I beg, apologize, and win back Leila’s heart…”
“Get a hold of yourself, Kyle Etman. You already know that’s impossible.”
Dr. Etman’s voice rose as he grabbed and shook his son’s shoulders.
Kyle shook his head repeatedly, denying reality, then shook off his father’s hands and bolted from the room. Knowing where his son was headed, Dr. Etman still couldn’t bring himself to stop him.
Painful as it was, facing unchangeable reality might be for the best.
It was an unusually sultry day, but Leila’s attire was prim to the point of being stifling.
The stiffly starched collar of her blouse buttoned to the neck, a skirt without a single wrinkle, and stockings beneath. Even on the sun-baked road in the afternoon heat, her appearance remained impeccable. Her cheeks flushed red from the warmth, her breath quickening, but Leila maintained her upright posture, her heels clicking steadily. Even after reaching a path with no onlookers, she continued.
Lately, wherever Leila Llewellyn went, she received pity. People loudly consoled her and condemned Mrs. Etman. They clicked their tongues or teared up.
Today was no different. The teacher at Gillis Girls’ School, who Leila had visited late to inquire about positions, first offered a sigh of regret.
‘Yes, Leila. You have to buck up and find a realistic solution. It’s unfortunate, but what can you do? Things have turned out this way.’
She gripped Leila’s hand and repeated it several times. Familiar faces encountered in town did the same.
Gratitude toward them came mingled with a measure of shame. So Leila bowed politely and smiled. She tried not to dwell on the ambiguous smiles that appeared on their lips then. Maintaining her proper demeanor and smile was burden enough; it was a relief she had no energy left for more.
‘I’d love to help with your situation, but this is the best I can do right now.’
After consoling Leila at length, the Gillis teacher gave a sigh-laden answer.
All positions at schools in Karlsvar had already been filled. The best option for Leila was a school in a small town about an hour away by train.
After much deliberation, Leila accepted the position. Commuting would be impossible, so she’d need to find lodgings nearby, but she could return to Arbis on weekends. After a year or so, an opportunity to transfer to Karlsvar might arise.
Reaching the grand gates of the estate, Leila paused to remove her hat and catch her breath.
Facing Uncle Bill was harder than anyone else. When she smiled, his eyes grew sad, but she couldn’t cry in front of him.
Still, she had good news to share today, so it should be fine.
Harboring cautious hope, Leila started walking again. Going to a distant school was a bit sad, but it wasn’t leaving Uncle forever.
Leila tried for a brighter smile as she quickened her steps. Eager to tell Uncle Bill soon, she headed to the garden instead of the cottage. She ran into Kyle under the archway leading to the rose garden.
“…Kyle?”
Leila’s eyes widened. Kyle, who rushed up desperately as if chased by something and seized her wrist, looked like a complete stranger.
“Come on, Leila.”
“Where? Let go. Talk after you let go. Please?”
“Let’s run away, just us.”
The grip on Leila’s wrist tightened even more.
