/
Norma watched as Elysee von Herhardt, Matthias’ mother, kept walking back and forth all over her room. She fluffed up her pillows, tucked her in securely in bed, before checking over some last minute details to ensure she was comfortable.
“I can’t help but feel sorry for Bill.” Norma piped up, making Elysee turn around in shock at the matriarch’s words.
“Sorry?” she asked incredulously, before sitting down at the edge of Norma’s bed, “How could you say your sorry for him? You’re the one injured by his negligence and destroyed the greenhouse!” she exclaimed in an outrage.
Normally Elysee wouldn’t dare raise her tone at Norma, she respected the Herhardt matriarch too much. However, in this case she couldn’t help herself.
“I didn’t get hurt that badly.” Norma softly explained, making Elysee scoff in disbelief at her words.
“I can’t believe how forgiving you are of this!” she exclaimed, “You have broken bones! You almost died! The only reason it wasn’t worse than that was because the maid took most of the brunt of the explosion.” she pointed out.
She got up and began to fix the medicine by Norma’s vanity, posture tense and angry as she tried to calm her tone as she reasoned with Norma.
“Also, Hessen had already given them warnings about not stacking firewood too close to the generators, and yet he deliberately did the opposite!”
“He’s not some rookie employee Elysee, we’ve known him for years.” Norma added, “You and I both know this was all an accident.”
“Well, that accident of his cost me my birds, and around half of your rare plants! We were fortunate that no person was involved in the casualties, but you could have been one too. Even the year end party at Arvis is ruined now because the generator is gone.” Elysee ended her argument.
The rest of the banquet hall and dining room were now stuck with old fashioned lamps just to light them up. The mansion’s electricity was practically non-existent at this point because most of the lamps had been replaced to use the electricity, and now they were completely useless.
“I did tell you we didn’t need that crude electricity.” Norma huffed out. It was no secret from the start that the elder matriarch had been against changing the ways of the house. She was practically happy having lost the generators.
There was no need for useless things. Things worked perfectly fine as they were before.
“And I understand how you feel, Elysee,” Norma continued, “But what good will punishing a gardener for things we can’t undo? It won’t bring back this electricity, nor rebuild the greenhouse. Better let him go now, especially since I’m certain he can’t afford to pay us back.”
“It’s not about the money!” Elysee pointed out exasperatedly, “It’s about responsibility, and making the rest of our servants vigilant in following orders.”
There was a tense silence between the two of them now. Elysee was trying to even her breathing while Norma remained contemplative.
“So you’re going to send Bill Remmer to jail then?” Norma finally asked, and Elysee let out a deep breath, shrugging.
“If the court deems him guilty, then he will be.” Elysee replied diplomatically.
“Elysee,” Norma softly called out, “Bill has been with us for years, been there since before Matthias was born. He’s a friend by now. Also think about Leyla. What would happen to her now he’s gone.” she pleaded, Elysee could only shake her head in disbelief.
“Leyla’s an adult now, she could very well take care of herself.” she stated, “Besides, we all know she couldn’t stay forever in Arvis as a guest.” It seemed as though Elysee’s mind was already made up, and nothing would change it.
“Also, I can’t help but think about how Claudine feels right now about the explosion,” Elysee continued, “You know she loved the greenhouse, she even wanted to hold the wedding there.”
“That’s true
” Norma trailed off. She couldn’t help but wince at the mention of her grandson’s fiance. She knew by now Elysee had given instructions for the diligent repair of the greenhouse, but it would be impossible to finish it before the wedding.
Claudine did love the once majestic greenhouse of Arvis.
“So you see, he inconvenienced not only himself, but also plenty more people.” Elysee continued, “And that is why we simply cannot let him be after the accident.” she sternly finished.
“I understand,” Norma finally conceded, “But it still doesn’t feel right.”
With a deep sigh, Norma shifted in her seated position to lie down on her bed properly. Elysee immediately nodded to the maids at the side to assist her. They rushed and aided her carefully as she lay down, rearranging her pillows to be more comfortable for her before going back to their previous post.
“Either way, the final decision lies with Matthias.” Norma finally said, looking at Elysee in the eyes with a meaningful stare. Elysee’s jaw clenched as she knew what Norma was silently telling her.
Matthias was the current head of the Herhardt household after all. Ultimately, he held the fate of Bill Remmer.
“Yes, I agree.” Elysee replied back, nodding in agreement, “Whatever he says will be final, I won’t disagree. I just hope he makes a wise decision.” and with that she bid Norma good night, and left the older matriarch to rest.
*.·:·.✧.·:·.*
Leyla had just managed to arrive inside the annex and immediately headed towards the reception hall. Minutes later, Mark Evers went to Matthias, who was still in a phone call. Matthias turned to him, after excusing himself for a while, before he was informed of Leyla’s arrival.
After checking Leyla was indeed there to see him, he nodded to the attendant, signaling him to leave before continuing the phone call. Mark gestured for her to come closer, to which Leyla did, and remained standing across Matthias, in front of his desk. And with that, Mark left them alone.
Leyla fidgeted as she caught snippets of Matthias’ conversation on the phone, growing more anxious by the second. Matthias was calling about the impending repairs that needed to be done in the greenhouse, as well as the generators, both of which got destroyed in the recent explosion.
When the phone call was done, Matthias put it down, before turning to look at Leyla, his hands clasped in front of him as he rested his chin on his fingers. Leyla squirmed beneath his gaze

“I see you got busy.” she softly started, licking her lips nervously.
“No thanks to Mr. Remmer.” Matthias replied, devoid of any emotion, making Leyla nervous. Was he angry? Was he pitiful of her uncle? “Sit.” he commanded, gesturing to the sofa across from him. Leyla hastily shook her head in denial.
Not in the mood to push her, Matthias only leaned back in his seat, and crossed his legs together. Immediately, Leyla went beside him, and took a deep bow.
“I’m deeply sorry for the accident today, Duke.” she apologized, Matthias only stared at her, unsure why she was apologizing for the accident.
“Why are you apologizing?” he asked her.
“I’m apologizing on behalf of Uncle Bill.” she immediately replied, bowing lower as she could, “Please forgive him, just this once.” she pleaded, desperately hoping he would accept her apology.
“You know my uncle, Duke, what kind of a person he is.” she proceeded when Matthias remained silent, “This was all just an accident! He’s still so confused about electricity and generators, he misjudged it completely!” she knelt down this time. She proceeded to give him excuses, about how his head always aches whenever he went in the warehouse due to the loud noises it produced, which was probably why he tried to shut it down.
“He would never wish to harm Madam Norma, or destroy the greenhouse or anyone in it. You know that.” she finished.
Leyla stuttered through her explanation, but that was only because she tried her best not to act hysterical in front of him. All that time Matthias let her talk, not interjecting even once.
“Please forgive him, please.” she begged. She was as white as a sheet of paper, her hands shaking as she waited for the verdict, refusing to look up at him as she kowtowed beside him.
“Leyla.” the Duke called out for her softly in a low and gentle voice. Leyla’s head shot up immediately, looking up at him with red-rimmed eyes. “How would you suggest I show him forgiveness then? Just let him go?” Matthias asked rhetorically, and Leyla frantically nodded, swallowing back her tears. Matthias took a deep breath

“Forgiveness, huh?” he murmured to himself, calmly observing her quivering form. Leyla immediately stood up, and stepped back at a respectable distance. Matthias’ gaze went to her shoes, all covered in dust and dirt, probably from all the running she did to the police station and back.
His gaze trailed up, glancing at her stocking clad calves, emphasizing it’s slenderness. He tilted his head, leisurely moving his eyes up her form, seeing her clutch at her dark gray skirt, ending just above her knees. His eyes went further up, watching her checkered coat envelop her, with a red sweater hiding beneath.
The two top buttons of her shirt were open, revealing her slender neck, before he met her teary eyes once more. She looked so desperate.
He had been certain he’d given her loads of pretty clothes, yet she always manages to dress like a nun.
“Why should I?” He finally asked her, his brows furrowing as Leyla found herself at a loss for words, “Why should I forgive Bill? Show him mercy?”
Matthias then stood up from his seat and brushed up against her casually, heading straight for the fireplace, stopping right in front of it. He stared into its flames, a frown marring his features.
“Pl-please Duke-” Leyla stammered, but was immediately cut off.
“The generator exploded because of a warning he ignored,” Matthias began, “Resulting in my grandmother almost dying, and the destruction of expensive property.” He listed off all of the cases against Bill Remmer, making Leyla face the harsh truth.
With every item, he took one step closer to her, looking all the more imposing. He only stopped when he was only a step away from her quivering form

“And you want me to just show him mercy?” he finished, looking down at her, “Tell me why I would do that?”
“Please Duke-”
“So you wish for me to just dismiss all his wrongdoings then? To just let him go?” he asked her, eyes shifting to caress Leyla on her collar with the tip of his fingers.
She looked rather cute with the way the shirt hung loosely on her shoulders, though it did look rather familiar to him. It wasn’t long until he realized it was the same shirt she wore during that picnic in autumn. The exact blouse he’d taken off when she had the accident as well.
He couldn’t help but wonder if perhaps this was also the same shirt she wore when she asked to be transferred away from Arvis and work at a different school?
His grip on her collar tightened, as he stared at her coldly.
“Who do you think you are to ask for such a thing?” he practically snarled at her. Leyla felt as though he slapped her in the face with his response. His hands moved up, and grasped her chin tightly. “Huh, tell me Leyla.” he demanded.
Tears welled up in Leyla’s eyes as he forced her to keep eye contact. Tears flowed down her cheeks in streams, drowning the fingers around her chin. His voice softened up as he straightened up, her face still in his hand.
“Truly, who do you think you are?” he asked calmly, his voice back to being indifferent. Leyla couldn’t help but wonder if their last interactions together were all just something she conjured up in her mind

How he kept his word to not harm Phoebe, to not harm her as he healed her injuries. Even the jokes and light hearted smiles they secretly shared in the latest autumn season. All those times he intrigued her with every new side she discovered from him

She could still see them as clear as day, and yet, looking now into his dull and cold eyes, she couldn’t help but wonder if they all meant nothing to him after all.
Her voice was caught in her throat, unable to speak as her body was wracked in terror. Images of her precious uncle trapped behind iron bars, shattering her safe haven in Arvis, and his cold imposing figure muddled her brain.
She couldn’t think clearly.
“How bold of you to demand such a thing from me without an equal exchange.” he informed her. Leyla bit her lower lip to stifle back her sobs, but wasn’t successful to do so as she openly cried in front of him.
Matthias continued to act as though her world wasn’t falling apart in front of him.
“I don’t like entering an exchange that will bring me nothing.” he finished, and Leyla couldn’t help but try once more.
“D-Duke..Please-” she sobbed, but he cut her off once more.
“Sadly your tears are not enough to buy Bill Remmer’s freedom.”
“I-I have nothing to offer you but my apologies, please! We don’t have money-” She kept begging. But his grip on her tightened as he forced her to keep quiet.
“I wasn’t talking about a monetary exchange Leyla.” He explained to her, “A deal can be made with whatever one party wishes to have that the other can only offer to gain the favor they want.” he pulled her closer, until their faces were only a hair’s breadth away. “And I’m willing to enter such a trade with you.”
“A-a trade?” Leyla’s sobs have quieted as she grew curious as to what he wanted from her.
“Yes, a trade.” He slowly nodded, glancing up and down at her before meeting her gaze once more. Her eyes widened in realization and began to pull away from him, shaking her head widely in refusal.
He released her from his grip, letting her stumble back as he returned to his position and sat unbothered on his wing chair. The fear in Leyla’s eyes was now replaced with a silent fury as she glared at him intently.
“I-I won’t do that!” she exclaimed, locks of her hair coming undone due to her struggling, making her neck all the more enticing to him, “You’re engaged to Lady Claudine! You’re about to get married!” she pointed out in an outrage.
Matthias only shrugged as he looked at her inquiringly, “And that’s relevant how?” he asked her, casually pulling out a handkerchief as he looked back at her defiant figure. He looked rather bored to be in this conversation.
Suddenly, the phone rang once more, making Leyla jump in surprise as she stumbled away from his desk. Matthias only sighed softly, before brushing up against her again as he walked back towards the phone.
“The final decision is up to you, think about it.” He told her as he placed his hand on the ringing phone. “You can refuse if you want, and that’ll be the end of it.”
Just as Leyla was going to ask him what would happen should she refuse, he picked up the phone. She watched as the perverse man in front of her transformed into a respectable Duke so seamlessly.
He was talking about his grandmother this time, asking about updates on her health. Leyla couldn’t dream of being anything of value to this man.
She found it difficult to breathe as she stood still. She walked out of the room, and was greeted by a nicely lit part of the annex, a complete opposite of the darkness threatening to overwhelm her.
She kept walking until she stopped by the stairwell outside, leading up to the second floor of the annex, and crumpled down to the floor in a daze. She could feel her chest constricting as she pulled her knees to her chest. She watched the currents of the outside river reflect the moonlight, getting lost in its shine.
She felt as though she had just woken up from a long sleep, dreaming of a beautiful nightmare.