Chapter 85 - - 85 : Crack
Mark Evers was Duke Herhardt's current attendant. As he followed after his master, he couldn't help but feel a little perplexed by his recent actions.
He'd been working in the Arvis Mansion for many years now. He's filled up every position, from a lowly servant, to an apprentice to the head butler, Hessen, down to the Duke's attendant. He'd been them all. He'd witnessed many things about them too, but not this.
This wasn't the Duke he was accustomed to.
He'd noticed it for a while now, how unfocused his master had been, even in the presence of the Royal couple. It wasn't like him. The Duke had always been attentive, even though he pretended not to be interested. So when he spaced out back there, Mark could tell something was amiss for his Master.
Suddenly, Matthias stopped, startling Mark by his sudden change.
His master was turned towards the window, his gaze resolutely looking out the window with an intense look in his eyes. Mark couldn't help but follow his gaze.
And there, he spotted her just as she was passing through the garden, basking in the fading light of the sun as the skies gradually darkened, was Leyla. She was headed for the forest path, located just behind the mansion as she carried a large bag in her arms.
Mark opted to wait for his master patiently, instead of breaking his reverie for them to get to the dining room promptly. Leyla must have gone grocery shopping, and was now just returning. Though her load looked rather heavy. It mustn't be, for she was walking at a leisurely pace, neither in a hurry nor struggling.
'She's back,' Matthias thought with a certain relief, 'Leyla's returned.' Matthias remained looking at her beautiful figure, enamored by the sway of her french braid with every step she took further into the forest.
It didn't escape Mark's notice how the stiffness in his master's form slowly eased out of his shoulders the longer he stared at the unsuspecting girl. She didn't even bother looking towards the mansion.
Matthias gaze trailed over her body, taking in every detail. Like the way her coat and skirt fluttered with the winter breeze, revealing some of her porcelain leg's fair skin. He watched as she paused for a while, shaking something off of her before continuing on her path.