Chapter 79 - - 79 : Maid
The first thing Matthias saw when the door opened was Leyla. He zeroed in on her almost immediately, before he remembered his current company. He snuck a glance beside him, towards both Dr. Etman and Kyle, just enough to grasp the current situation he would be dealing with.
Claudine gasped at the sight of him, before presenting him with a bright smile.
"Duke Herhardt! You're back earlier than we expected." She greeted him politely after a few tense moments of silence. Matthias gave her a courteous smile back.
"I apologize for being unable to inform you of the change in schedule my Lady," he began, "But I finished work earlier than I thought and figured I should get home. No point in delaying."
He took a few, long strides, before stopping beside Claudine and kissed her hand. He then turned to look at Leyla, who had stumbled back instinctively under his gaze, almost hitting the window behind her.
"I didn't realize you already had a guest." he pointed out while staring softly at Leyla, who tried to remain inconspicuous within the shadows.
"Ah, she isn't really here as a guest."
Claudine admitted after debating in her head what was the best course of action here, and decided the truth was the least hassle to explain.
"My aide had unfortunately hurt her hand in an accident, so I asked if Leyla could replace her temporarily. Your mother agreed." She added offhandedly, sparing Leyla a glance, before turning back to Matthias, "And she'd been a great help, I was so thankful I chose correctly." Claudine finished explaining.
This was also the perfect opportunity for her to observe what Matthias would do with both his fiance and mistress in one room.
"Ah, so she's your aide, is she?" Matthias hummed, straightening up beside his fiance in that same undecipherable expression as always. Claudine acted innocently, just continuing to hold onto his hands. Matthias then turned to the other two guests in the room.