/
As soon as the servants came back with Claudine’s in tow, Matthias wasted no time in making her unveil her wound. As soon as the doctor unwrapped her bandage, it revealed a large gash on her hand, but not deep enough to hinder her from doing her duties.
Elysee couldn’t help but scoff at the revelation. She sneered down at the maid, who squirmed underneath all their gazes.
“What a lazy brat, feigning illness over something so small!” she exclaimed, prompting the others to immediately agree in their assessment, even Madam Norma couldn’t hold back her disapproval at the lie.
Claudine on the other hand kept her lips shut as she stared at the duke.
“Please mother, we don’t know if it really is just skin deep.” Matthias pointed out to his incensed mother, “Doctor, if you please?”
“Ah, of course.” Dr. Etman cleared his throat and assessed the injury with an expert eye. “Well, it’s a large gash, I won’t deny, but the bones beneath seemed to be intact.” he told everyone, “Overall, I would say it’s just a minor cut.”
The maid suddenly burst into tears, unable to hold back her nervousness under their scrutiny. There wasn’t even an ounce of pity thrown her way.
“Oh, but isn’t that absurd?” Matthias hummed thoughtfully, finally looking towards his fiance, with that glint in his eye, “My lady specifically told me her maid had been injured and thus couldn’t do her job, hence employing a temporary replacement. Was she wrong?”
All eyes then shifted to Claudine, who inaudibly gulped. On the outside it looked like she was just as clueless as everyone, but anyone who would observe her closely could realize it wasn’t cluelessness, but nervousness instead.
“I, I didn’t know,” Claudine stammered, “I honestly believed she was unable to do her work.” she reasoned out, casting a nervous glance at her sobbing maid.
At this, Matthias drew closer to the maid and took her hand from the doctor’s, and caressed her gash just right beside it. “Well if that’s true then,” he eyed the maid coldly, “It must be the maid who lied to my Lady after all.” he pointed out, and there was an uproar amongst the nobles with them.
The maid just kept crying, and bowed her head deeply in apology, refusing to utter a single sound aside from an apology. Matthias couldn’t help but feel a tad bit impressed with his fiance.
Claudine von Brandt was a different breed of noble, he’d admit. She was intelligent as she was beautiful, and she knew how to use it to her advantage. A desirable trait for his future duchess. Which was why her maid was determined not to rat her mistress out.
“I, I can’t think of anything else but believe she did deceive me.” Claudine weakly replied, and Matthias hummed, turning the maids hands up calmly, making the sobbing girl look up at him in fright. He couldn’t help the satisfaction he felt at seeing her cry beneath him.
“How dare you deceive my Lady?” he questioned in a low voice, his icy glare directed towards her. But behind his harsh words, Claudine could hear a hint of amusement hidden so well if she wasn’t looking for it.
Immediately Claudine stood up and walked closer to them.
“Please my Duke, let me handle Mary. Forgive her indiscretion, just this once.” Claudine interrupted, gaining Matthias’ attention once more. The audience they had watched with bated breaths, wondering what was about to happen.
“In the meantime, accept my apology on her behalf.” Claudine declared, ignoring the way her mother reached out for her to stop her. The maid looked ready to faint any moment now by the intense stare down Matthias and Claudine had between them.
“It’s my job as her mistress to take care of her, she’s my responsibility.” Claudine persisted, “I must have been neglectful of her that she had no choice but to feign injury for time to rest.”
“And you would just forgive her like that?” Matthias asked, tilting his head in faux confusion at what she was asking of him, “Someone who deceived you? You’re too kind for your own good, my Lady.”
“I can’t help it.” Claudine shot back politely, “She’s been with me for a long time. How could I just ignore the years she served me well over a single mistake?”
Claudine had a feeling she would come to regret having said that, but as he was driving her into a corner, she didn’t have any other argument in her arsenal to plead for Mary’s mercy without admitting she lied and knew the extent of the injury.
“I’m not so sure I should let it slide.” Matthias admitted, frowning in thought, but Claudine persisted.
“You’d understand it most though, I’m sure my Duke,” she added, “After all, you did the same thing with the gardener not too long ago.”
Matthias’ gaze hardened for a while at the subtle jab she gave him over his decision to let the charges be dropped against Bill Remmer. He held his fiance’s gaze for a moment, before nodding in agreement.
She was confident, he’d give her that too. She wasn’t the kind to lose composure easily in public, even if it was up against someone who already knew what she did. And so he flashed her a pleased smile in front of everyone.
“Does this mean my Lady finally understands why I did what I did?” he asked, a smirk on his lips, knowing he’s once more driven her to a corner. Claudine took a deep breath before nodding at him with a soft smile.
“Of course,” she stated, her cheeks growing red, both in embarrassment and frustration, but for everyone watching, they’d simply assume it was because of the loving way he seemingly looked at her,
“I am still so amazed by your kindness and generosity. Which is what inspired me to forgive my servant.” she added. Matthias nodded along, and clasped his hands behind his back, before turning to the maid and back to Claudine.
“That is admirable of you, but I believe your maid still owes someone else an apology.” Matthias pointed out. “After all, we are not the only ones she’d inconvenienced.”
“Yes,” Claudine breathed subtly out of relief, “I’ll take Mary with me tomorrow and visit Leyla to deliver her an apology.”
“You’re going with her?” Matthias asked, quirking up a brow at her.
Claudine seemed to have forgotten a few lessons in protocol in her nervousness, for she completely forgot the implications of what she just said.
“Hm?” she asked cluelessly.
“That’s right Claudine, why must you go with Mary, it would look like you are the one apologizing instead!” her mother chastised her, before it finally dawned on Claudine what mistake she made.
“You’re right mother, I must have forgotten, I apologize once more.” she said, and looking back at Matthias. He noted how she was becoming more frazzled the longer they stayed on the topic. He deemed she had been put in the spot long enough and decided to end his little test.
“Indeed, let your servant apologize to Leyla alone tomorrow, on behalf of both you, and myself.” he finally said, placing his hand at the small of her back to escort her back to their seats.
Matthias appeared to be trying to be comforting, but having his hand behind her was like a weight on her shoulders, giving her more pressure and nervousness that chilled Claudine to the bone. How could she be so reckless, trying to take him on in a fight in front of an esteemed audience?!
However, she was also glad it was over now. Even more relieved that such a cold-hearted person did not regard her as highly as he did with Leyla.
“As you will, Duke Herhardt.” Claudine finally muttered, and walked ahead of him back to their seats.
Satisfied that Claudine was dealt with, Matthias turned back to the maid, who immediately bowed her head when he glanced back at her.
“See that you apologize to Miss Lewellin tomorrow.” he commanded, and glanced back at his pale fiance, “And remember the mercy your mistress had shown you today.”
*.·:·.✧.·:·.*
When Matthias had gone over to the annex, his first observation was that it was dark. His breathing remained steady as he sighed into the night, scattering his white huffs of breath into the night.
He had thought to stop by the gardener’s cabin just to be sure, but chose instead to head directly to the annex. At first it was because she might have chosen not to come, but knowing her, she most probably decided to stay in the darkness.
Such stubbornness, he couldn’t help but click his tongue in irritation.
He pushed the entrance doors open, and locked it behind him as soon as he entered. The sound of the door’s locks bounced off the walls, echoing in the halls, before dying down and silence reigned once more.
He pressed on, headed up to his room, where it was just as dark as the night outside. Not even the lamp was turned on. His room was beyond freezing, the fireplace remaining unused.
Matthias frowned, wondering perhaps Leyla really didn’t come. He’d given her the choice not to after all. And so he walked out, to check the whole property just to make sure. Something in him was restless, and he found himself unable to ignore it as he looked all over for her presence.
He chanced another glance inside the room, pausing just outside the door to look. Everything was in tranquil state, and still he found no sight of her. His hands dug into his pockets, his right hand clutching into the box well hidden in his coat, as he could feel his lips dry in the chill air.
It was almost as if the annex was sucking in the coldness outside, accumulating inside bit by bit until it filled the annex entirely. He swiftly turned on his heels and went back to his room.
Despite having ordered her to come over, for once, he wished she’d find the gall to disobey him. Just as he thought she was indeed absent from the annex, he arrived in his room.
His eyes have long since adjusted in the dark. He began loosening up his clothes, and looked around when he frowned at the lump he found waiting for him on his wing chair. Matthias sighed in disappointment.
There, sitting in front of his unlit fireplace was the woman he’d just been searching for. In that position, she looked so peaceful, all curled up in herself as she slept. She was dressed warmly, but not enough to warm her in the freezing temperature.
Usually she would be defiant when they’d be alone together, now she looked a little bit docile.
She must have gotten used to him at some point, because it wasn’t long until her eyes fluttered open, to see a half-undressed Matthias looming over her. She blinked up at him blankly, before the anger, fear, disgust and resignation filled her eyes once more.
“Have you decided it was easier to freeze to death than starve?” he snapped at her in disappointment, looking down at her like she was an inconvenience. He abruptly turned around and moved to lit up the fireplace.
Hessen had already piled up some firewood in the room. It just needed to be lit.
“Or perhaps, and I’m giving you the benefit of the doubt here,” Matthias sighed as he straightened up from lighting the fire, “You did not know how to light a fire?”
He peered up at Leyla, who only remained unresponsive. Finally he straightened up, crossing his arms over his chest, waiting for her answer. Leyla finally gave in after a few more moments in silence.
“It would have been seen.” she weakly replied.
“What would have been seen?” Matthias prodded.
“The light, the smoke,” Leyla answered weakly, “Anyone would have seen it from the chimney.”
Currently, her face was shined upon by the light from the fireplace, giving Matthias a clearer view of her. He couldn’t tell by the yellow light, but she looked rather pale. It wouldn’t have been a stretch to think she could have frozen to death.
“After all, I wouldn’t dare light a fire without the owner’s permission.” Leyla clapped back at him, and Matthias sighed at the glare she shot his way.
“No one comes by the annex at night.” he informed her, “It’s just me. So there was no point for you to worry.”
“Still. I didn’t want to have others see it by chance.”
Leyla grasped onto her skirt, rubbing her palms on her knees to warm herself up some more, before uncrossing her legs to plant them back on the ground. Matthias watched as she rubbed her palms together, breathing warm breath over them, despite her gloves.
“Then why didn’t you stay in the cabin?” he shot back at her. Leyla shot him another glare.
“You ordered me to wait for you.” she hissed back, “I only did as you told me.”
“I also said it was your choice.” Matthias pointed out. When she refused to answer, he tilted his head at her, and reached out to caress her cheek, making her flinch away from him, “When did you become so obedient to my whims?”
Leyla bit her lip, and scooted away when he grazed his knuckles against her cheeks once more.
“If I didn’t come, you would have come after me in the cabin!” she hissed at him, “And I don’t want you stepping foot in my home!”
“Oho,” Matthias smirked at her, “Then perhaps I should come to you next time after all.” he grinned, before tossing a few more pieces of firewood into the fire. “I wonder how beautiful you’d be crying beneath me then.”
“I hate you! I hate you so much!” she exclaimed, standing up to get away from him, despite having no plans to run away from him. She just needed to put more distance between them.
Matthias clicked his tongue.
“Must you say the same thing every time Leyla?” he teased, “It’s getting cumbersome hearing the same insult over and over again. Be a little more creative!” He encouraged her.
“That’s great then because I have no plans in entertaining you!” she snapped back, her rage bringing life into her. Matthias seemed pleased with himself to know she won’t be freezing any time soon, not with the way she paced back and forth in her anger.
He only chuckled to himself, picking up his coat and tossing it over to the bench nearest his bed. He then walked over to Leyla, who had just taken a seat once more. When she noticed him coming closer, she began to rise from her seat when he boxed her in.
He briskly gathered her up in his arms, and repositioned her until she sat on his lap. She struggled against his hold, but he ignored it as he leaned back on the sofa, bringing her along with him. She eventually gave up, and sat limply atop him.
His arm snaked behind her waist, as the other grasped onto her hands and he began to rub circles against the small of her back. He gently tucked her head beneath his chin and sighed deeply as he began to relax

“Please, finish it quickly today.” Leyla whispered to him, muffling her plea against his chest. Matthias’ loving caresses stilled in place.
“What do you mean?” he asked, a bitter tone seeping through his voice.
“What it is you wanted to do with me.” she raised her head to look at him pleadingly, looking so exhausted by everything. “After all, it doesn’t matter what I want. You’re going to make me do it anyway.” she laid out to him, before she lowered her gaze once more. “So I don’t care what it is anymore. Just do it quickly.”
Matthias remained unresponsive, which Leyla took to elaborate some more.
“I just want to go home and finally rest when all this is over.” she finished.