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✧ Surprise Present ✧
Leyla, Mr. Remmer’s ‘daughter,’ had been invited to the duke’s party.
People in the Arvis manor had soon caught on to the rumor. Word of the party circulated quickly to the rest of the residents.
Everyone initially was mystified before turning to sympathize with her upon finding out the whole story.
Every soul in that place could see how badly Lady Brandt treated the pitiful Leyla like she was her dog.
“I fail to see why all the aristocrats are so nasty.”
Bill Remmer had been resting in the shade from the midday heat when madam Mona, the chef, visited him in the afternoon. The surprising news rooted him to the spot.
“The aristocrats claim to be considerate, but how intimidated would Leyla be in such a place?”
“Leyla isn’t the type of child who is easily intimidated by things like that. She would only briefly show her face and come back.”
“Ugh. Men don’t know anything!”
Bill just scratched his neck when she grumbled. He took out his cigarette and flicked the ashes.
“Let’s show them what they deserve!”
“Huh, what do you mean?”
“You don’t understand what I mean? With Leyla’s pretty looks, let’s take the wind out of those aristocrat’s sails.”
“No, why are you so…….?”
“I knew it! Do you want to send Leyla to the party in her uniform?”
‘What’s wrong with school uniforms?’
Bill looked at a loss and Madam Mona sighed, “Look here, Bill Remmer. After all these years, don’t you think you should know how to raise a daughter?”
“What do you mean a daughter? I’m still thinking about where to send her….”
“Sure. You have to think about that. You’ll think when you send Leyla on her wedding day, think when you’ll hold her children, and think even when you’re in your coffin.”
“No! How could I send that little girl off to marry? You’re talking gibberish.”
Seeing Bill heat up with anger, Madam Mona’s lips softened, “And you still say she’s not your daughter. You’re a man I really don’t understand.”
“Just leave if you’re going to keep talking nonsense.”
“Come on, let’s buy her a new dress, Mr. Remmer. She’s a girl. How happy will she be when she gets a surprise gift?” Madam Mona suggested him with a commanding tone. “Leyla isn’t the type of child who would ask for a dress, and you’re not the type of person who would care, so I have no choice but to meddle. I’ll help you.”
“…… How?”
“You pay for the dress and I’m going to get it ready for her.”
“Do it, then.”
Bill went inside the house with a grouse and brought his bag out. He used to save his money in the cottage due to his skepticism of the bank.
Leyla had previously gone to the goat pen. She returned to the cottage when Madam Mona was collecting money from Bill to purchase dresses and shoes. The two hurriedly concealed the proof of their deal and put on an innocent act.
Madam Mona refused Leyla’s offer of a cup of tea. After she exited the cottage, Bill silently tucked his purse into his back pocket.
“Did madam Mona nag you talking about me again? I haven’t been climbing trees lately.” Leyla anxiously asked after sitting on a chair next to Bill.
“It’s not like that; no need to worry about it.” Bill cleared his throat and ignited the cigarette he had extinguished a moment ago.
“I’m glad to hear that.” Leyla smiled and leaned into her chair after taking off her hat.
Every day, Bill was delighted to see Leyla sporting the straw hat he had given her this summer. He no longer regretted giving madam Mona his money as he thought it would be multiple times more fulfilling to see Leyla dressed up in an elegant dress.
“Leyla.”
Leyla turned after Bill abruptly called her.
“What are you planning to do? I mean, about the duke’s party.”
“I’m just stopping by to say hello. Since the Etmans have also been invited, I will go with Kyle.”
“Really? That herbivorous glutton is finally paying off for all the food he has eaten at my house.”
Bill felt a rush of relief wash over him when he heard Kyle’s name. That boy was someone he fully trusted.
“But, don’t you need anything? A dress to wear, things like that?”
“I’m fine, uncle.”
“What do you mean you’re fine. Are you planning to wear your school uniform?”
“Well, that isn’t a bad idea.”
Leyla giggled with delight. Seeing her look so carefree, Bill was absent-minded.
Is it true that I’m clueless about raising a daughter?
“No.”
My daughter? What nonsense.
Bill muttered in a dazed dismay and quickly retracted the idea. He felt awkward  when he met Leyla’s puzzled gaze which was framed with sparkling glasses.
Bill tasted her efforts to avoid causing him any trouble and avoid being indebted to him if possible. He fully understood. He simply hid it beneath his bluntness, unable to find the right words to comfort her.
Bill admitted that. Despite her extreme means, madam Mona had made a great decision to surprise Leyla with a dress and shoes.
“Leyla.”
Bill called her once again and mustered his guts.
“….. There’s a scorcher outside.”
Again, he failed to express the words he wished.
Leyla chuckled at Bill, who cleared his throat after saying useless things and gently grasped his hand on the chair’s armrest.
‘I’m the one who should comfort you instead.’
Bill’s expression got sour, but he couldn’t shake off her little hand. Leyla smiled at him; she was a girl with a charming smile.
Evening had fallen when Leyla rose from her seat. The chamber was bathed in inky darkness.
She lay motionless on her bed, taking in everything around.
A Familiar ceiling. Creamy curtains that hung over the window. An old desk with a few books on it. A soft duvet cover with a light scent of sunshine.
‘I’m in my room.’
Leyla let out a relieved sigh when she realized where she was.
The nightmares persisted to torment her. She had a flashback to the time she was abandoned in this world. She was without a family, and forced to travel around her relatives’ houses.
Every day, Leyla had been having the same dreams. Until she met Uncle Bill. Even so, her recollection of the place that had instilled in her the fear of water stayed vivid in her mind.
‘It’s all because of you!’
Her uncle always wrecked his anger on her whenever he was drunk.
He was a shy and quiet guy when he was sober, but the uncle Leyla remembered was a man who was drunk five days a week. He got more aggressive when he lost money at the casino and never failed to swear and slap her.
Leyla resented him.
He was someone she detested. All she could do was endure it, as an orphan with nowhere else to go.
Given that, Leyla made every effort she could. She never took a rest from helping with the housework and only ate a little. She rarely moved around, just like an object placed in the corner of the house.
On the day she was officially kicked out of the house, her aunt was kind enough to give her a paper bag with cookies. Leyla took the paper bag from her aunt and said her last goodbyes.
Leyla took out the cookie before going to the place of the next relative  and ate it in the carriage. The chocolate’s deliciousness was tearing her heart but she refused to cry.
On the ride to her destination, Leyla practiced smiling. No one in this world liked crying orphans. So, the more she wanted to weep, the more she tried to make her smile bright. Her dainty lips bloomed even wider after being booted out repeatedly.
When she had to cross the border into Berg, though, she hardly smiled. Leyla did believe that the single address she had in her hand was her last hope; she would be forced to go to an orphanage if she was abandoned again.
Leyla couldn’t forget. The day she had the best smile she’d ever had, was the day she met Uncle Bill’s warm, compassionate eyes.
It was an unforgettable day when she truly had a family and a home to which she longed to return to.
‘Everything is going to be well.’
Leyla comforted herself and awoke from her slumber. She seemed unconcerned and didn’t want to dwell on the duke’s party, which was to be hosted this evening. She planned to attend the party with confidence and then quietly leave.
Claudine Brandt surely didn’t know how much Uncle Bill and this warm cottage meant to her. And how Leyla was willing to do anything to protect them.
Leyla flung open the window and let the fresh air in. She washed her face and quickly changed her dress. After she slammed the door shut, she was greeted by Uncle Bill, who was getting ready to go gardening.
“Uncle, Let’s go together!”
*.·:·.✧.·:·.*
The manor was poised to welcome guests as the afternoon arrived. The large-scale party was an everyday thing for Arvisans.
They carried out their responsibilities for their respective roles. All that remained was for the sunset to herald the commencement of this glitzy celebration.
Nobody in Arvis’ manor expressed worry about the party’s success today. Tonight’s party, like anything else that lay in the Herhardt name, would be perfect as always.
Matthias dressed up and exited the fitting room in his evening suit. He exuded a chillier impression whenever he had his hair slicked back, exposing his forehead and brows. His piercing gaze and razor-sharp facial features couldn’t be melted by the faint smile on the tip of his lips.
“It went well and as you had ordered, master,” Hessen reported.
Matthias lifted his brow slightly and turned with a cigarette in his hand.
“They left about an hour ago, so the items must have been delivered by now.”
“Fine, then.”
Matthias nodded, kindling his cigar which he snuffed between his lips.
“Good job.”
Hessen bowed his head gladly in response to his master’s compliment.
Matthias found that Claudine had invited Leyla Lewellin to the party through his mother. His mother impressed and lauded Claudine for her kindness and charity towards the deprived orphan.
Matthias made no objections, believing that : The view of Claudine showing her fullest sympathy and compassion when Leyla arrived at the party in her shabby outfit would be a cringe-worthy sight to see.
Matthias seemed to know which part of Leyla Lewellin did pique Claudine’s attention.
The girl named Leyla was an annoying little child. Trampling on her pride was kind of an enjoyment.
That’s why Matthias was determined about not handing her off to Claudine. He had no intention of sharing his things with anyone.
Only he could have all that fun and pleasure. Only he could bully her.
Her only owner was Matthias von Herhardt.
“What shall I do with this, master?”
Hessen mentioned the box by the fireplace. It was Madam Mona’s prepared present package. The gift was supposed to be delivered to Bill Remmer’s cottage today, but Hessen took it and brought it here instead. The butler had replaced the chef’s box with another one he had acquired on Matthias’ request.
Matthias smoked his cigar as he stared at the gift box. Without opening it, it’s easy for him to figure out what was inside.
“Throw it away.”
His calm directives floated by, along with the soaring tobacco smoke.