Chapter 2

After watching over her for a few months, Leyla Lewellin had proven to be a curious girl who wanted to learn more about the world. Flowers and grass, birds and insects.

Anything that caught her attention amazed her and piqued her curiosity.

One night when Leyla hadn't returned for dinner, Bill had gone deep into the forest to find her sitting by the river staring at a flock of water birds.

She had been so engrossed in her observation that she hadn't even noticed Bill calling her name over and Over.

Madam Mona had returned home after giving him a couple of more scathing lectures. After that, Bill took a lei surely stroll and went back to his cottage.

"Uncle!" Leyla welcome him with afriendly wave.

The child came down the tree as quickly as she had climbed it and hurriedly approached Bill.

Leyla was dressed in a ragged, dull gray one-piece dress with short sleeves.

Since she was going to meet the duke.

later, her hand-me-down dresses.

seemed inappropriate, so Bill decided to buy her new clothes.

"Get ready and come out." Bill said impulsively when they arrived in front of the back door cottage.

"Ah. Uncle?"

"You don't have to look so puzzled.We're going downtown to buy you some clothes.

" Bill coughed and uncomfortably rubbed the back of his neck.

"Duke Herhardt will be here soon,

so welcoming him in your current appearance would be a little weird,"

"The duke? You mean the owner of this estate, right?"

"Yes. Since it's his break, he'll be back."

"Break? Does the duke attend school?"Leyla tilted her head, frowning.

Bill smiled as he stroked the child's unruly hair.

The duke is only 18 years old so he has no choice but to attend school."

"What?! 18 years old? The duke?"

Bill's guffaw grew louder in reaction to the child's shocked expression.

He brushed the child's fluffy hair with his rough fingertips. It felt as soft as cotton.

At the Carls bar station, a train from the capital had arrived on the platform.

The waiting servants made theirway to the station's private section.

At all, slender boy descended onto the platform by the time they lined up in astraight line.

"Hello, Master."

All the other servants quickly bowed their heads towards the boy, starting with the butler Hessen's friendly greeting.

Matthias replied to their greetings with a light yet silent gesture in a straight and elegant manner.

His rosy lips were curved into a smile that was neither too wide nor too stiff.

The Herhardt's servants didn't start moving until Matthias took a couple of moves.

The people in the crowd stood back quickly, allowing the young master to pass through.

Matthias walked past the plat format a quick pace, showing no signs of slowing down.

"A carriage?" Matthias smirked as he left the station and spotted a carriage waiting for him.

"Ah... Yes, master. Madam doesn't believe cars are trustworthy."

"I know. For grandmother, cars are nothing more than a hunk of iron that is unbearably vulgar and dangerous."

"My apologies. Next time.."

"No. 'Classic' things are not bad. Once in a while."

Matthias boarded the carriage in a composed manner.

Slow but steady movements flowed from his long arms and legs.

As it passed through the busy shopping streets and the square, the carriage consistently picked up speed.

Matthias' luggage was transported in a separate wagon, which trailed behind the carriage engraved with a golden crest off into the distance.