Chapter 18 Emerald

“Uncle, this looks expensive,”

Leyla was shocked as she looked into the box with bulging eyes. Bill, too, was amazed at the present and couldn’t come up with a good excuse.

Leyla sneered at Bill, “Uncle, did you spend a lot of money?”

“No. Not really …. it was not as costly as you think! You’re too worried about everything.”

Bill stuttered a bit. On the day of the party, the dress Madam Mona had prepared arrived at their cottage.

He had believed the courier would send the dress. But who would have thought the dress was delivered by a young guy who claimed to be a store employee. So Bill assumed that maybe Madam Mona had bought a very special dress for Leyla until the clerk handed it off to them directly.

The dress was far beyond his expectations after Leyla unboxed it.

Even for Bill, who knew little about women’s fashion and accessories, his eyes could tell that the white dress stitched with golden threads appeared luxurious and heavenly. Likewise with the shoes, gloves, and the necklace.

‘Wait, how much money did I give Madam Mona before?’

Bill started counting with his fingers.

‘But did she also buy the necklace with the money I gave her?’

He was perplexed and recalculated once more, but Leyla quickly put the lid back.

“Why? You don’t like it?”

“How can I not like it?”

“Then why?”

“Let’s return it. I don’t want you to waste this much money just for a one-night event.”

Leyla seemed to be worried. Her reaction was contrary to Madam Mona’s guesses that the gift would make her thrilled.

“Leyla, if you don’t wear this to the party. I don’t want to see you again.”

Bill’s expression becomes upset all of a sudden.

“You never want to be indebted to me. I understand your reasoning, but I don’t like it if you draw a straight line between me and you, Leyla.”

“Uncle…..”

“I’ll throw it into the fireplace if you don’t take it. And I won’t see you again.”

The angry-looking Bill stepped to the front door and fled outside the cottage.

He strolled through the flower garden with his cigarette, yet his mind was loaded with late regrets for saying such hurtful things to the child. He didn’t mean it when he said he’d never see her again.

Bill was pondering whether or not to return when Kyle suddenly appeared in his tailcoat from the other side of the road.

“Mr. Remmer. Is Leyla ready?” asked Kyle with a sunny visage.

Bill mulled for a moment at his arrival. Kyle Etman, who he had thought was just a child who was always pretending to be an adult, now looked like a grown-ass man in his formal suit.

“Well. I don’t know.”

“What? Leyla isn’t home? The party is about to start.”

“She’s home, but……”

Bill sighed. He didn’t know how to explain it. But suddenly, the front door creaked open and Leyla came out.

The two-waiting men outside turned their heads and were nonplussed at the breathtaking view before their eyes.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

“Kyle, do I look weird?” Leyla asked with her smirky little meerkat face. “I feel so awkward wearing this dress…..”

“No, you look pretty.”

Kyle, who was tight-lipped for a fleeting moment, cut her words. Once again, he complimented her expressly.

“You’re so beautiful, Leyla. I mean it.”

Kyle’s blushing face melted his adolescent smile. He knew that Uncle Bill was preparing a gift for Leyla, but he hadn’t expected it would be as posh as this.

He was initially apprehensive about entrusting Bill’s eyes, which were prone to picking tacky stuff.

But for this one……

“Hey, Kyle Etman! Wake up!”

Bill chided him and patted his flustered back.

“You’re going in my place to escort her today.” He eyed Kyle sternly. “That means you have to take responsibility to protect her. You can do it, right?”

“Of course, Mr. Remmer,” Kyle answered with much confidence. “I’ll make sure to protect her!”

Bill couldn’t hold back his guffaw once Kyle vowed with a beet-red face.

Kyle took some deep breaths to calm his throbbing heart when Leyla gingerly sauntered towards him. He reached out his hand in a polite gesture.

“Hey…what are you doing?”

Leyla questioned the meaning of his outstretched hand. But Kyle seemed unfazed by her wonderment.

“We’re partners at today’s party.”

“Yeah.”

“So.”

Kyle mustered up his courage to take Leyla’s hand and place it over his arm.

“We should walk like this since I’m your party’s partner.”

His voice trembled and he stammered a little because of nervousness.

Leyla hesitated for a moment, lost in thought, before nodding and linking her arms around his. She smiled.

“Fine, let’s go, Kyle.”

Gazing at her gaily smile that was brighter than the sun, Kyle murmured to himself.

‘This is a moment I won’t forget for the rest of my life.’

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

In a nutshell, Leyla Lewellin showed up at the party hand in hand with the doctor’s son.

Matthias had been busy welcoming the guests when he turned his back to see Leyla entering the hall, escorted by Kyle Etman.

Leyla’s appearance was Hessen’s proving ground that he was Arvis’s most capable butler. His choice of dress for Leyla Lewellin was gorgeous. But Matthias believed Leyla would still be attractive even if she wore the shabby dress bought by the chef.

Matthias locked his eyes on her, keeping a watchful glance on her things.

From her shoes.

Her dress.

Then, to the viridescent necklace that embellished her white, svelte neck.

The green necklace, which was pieced together by pearls and emeralds, was absolutely stunning.

The dress and shoes had been prepared by Hessen, but it was Matthias who chose the necklace.

It was just by chance. He was on his way to the hotel for an appointment when he happened to see that necklace.

The finely crafted emerald’s luminous green color gleaming in a display window by the hotel was captivating. Hence, Matthias instructed Hessen to buy the necklace on their way back to the estate that day.

Leyla abruptly turned her head and she realized someone had cast their eyes on her. Her green eyes, which resembled a lush summer woodland, came to a halt right in front of Matthias’s face.

Leyla slightly narrowed her gaze. But, her face shied away in surprise after she recognized who the person was.

She clutched Kyle’s arm and hid behind his back, drawing her gaze away from Matthias, who only looked at her immovably.

“Long time no see, Duke Herhardt.”

Matthias only quit staring at her after someone greeted him.

He warmly welcomed the familiar guest with a modest smile and exchanged brief pleasantries. Matthias was capable of completing his job flawlessly although his mind now was in a different place.

When Matthias shifted his gaze back to her, Leyla had already been walking away with Kyle to the other side of the hall.

Kyle Etman seemed to be proudly puffing out his chest when he was escorting Leyla. He acted as if she were his and led her around.

*.·:·.✧.·:·.*

“This is Leyla. She’s my friend.”

Claudine took Leyla and introduced her to another group of ladies.

“Hello. I’m Leyla Lewellin.”

Leyla played her part well with a polite greeting behaving like a doll with no will or feeling as she always did.

Claudine grinned satisfiedly looking at her. She was pleased with Leyla’s obedient and kind conduct then continued presenting her to other people.

“Leyla’s pursuing a teaching career. Isn’t it wonderful?”

The ladies soon replicated Claudine’s ecstatic praising manner, and they began complimenting Leyla in droves. But underneath all the praises, it was undoubtedly a tribute to Lady Claudine who regarded the poor orphan as her friend.

Those aristocratic ladies were fully aware that the two could never be real friends. Still, those empty compliments wouldn’t smudge Claudine’s reputation.

“Oh, Claudine. I heard you’re getting engaged.”

One of the ladies smoothly dropped the topic, as if their talk about an orphan who aspired to become a teacher was over. The topic of Claudine Brandt’s engagement now had sparked everyone’s interest.

Claudine adopted a shy and humble demeanor right away. It wasn’t very sensible to behave as if she had become Duchess Herhardt when they hadn’t officially announced their engagement yet.

“Oh, look! Duke Herhardt is coming here!”

A burst of admiration from one of the ladies on the other side of the hall drew everyone’s focus to one place.

Leyla, who kept wearing an apathetic expression the whole time, also widened her eyes in tandem with them.

Matthias passed by her, and as might be expected, he stood neatly beside his future bride-to-be.

Claudine then wrapped her arms around Matthias’. But it wasn’t the same with Leyla. Her face was noticeably paler than before as she saw them being together.

“Duke Herhardt, they’re my friends.”

Matthias greeted them with grace as Claudine began introducing them. He moved his eyes from one person to the next before stopping in front of Leyla’s face, who stood at the far end of the group.

“She’s Leyla,” Claudine introduced her while holding Matthias’s arm tightly. “You couldn’t recognize her, right? She’s so different from usual that I almost didn’t recognize her either.”

Leyla flushed with shame at Claudine’s veiled sarcasm. She seemed to be deliberately provoking her.

As Claudine noticed it. No matter how many slurs she spat at Leyla, that emotionless girl would always react differently whenever Matthias was there.

Suddenly, a warm voice broke the brief silence.

“Sorry, excuse me.”

Kyle Etman, the boy who had been loitering around with a disapproving look ever since Claudine took Leyla away.

“I apologize for interrupting your talk, but may I take my partner now?”

Kyle reached out and pulled Leyla’s hand without hesitation.

Leyla seemed a little startled, but she complied. Instead, she looked relieved, like a missing kid who had found her parents after being separated from them.

“My friends are also looking forward to meeting her.”

Kyle eyed Claudine coldly, which contrasted with his gentlemanly manner.

“Then I have to give permission. We can’t hold Leyla for much longer.”

Claudine happily nodded her head and glanced at Matthias, who seemed to pay no heed to them.

“Thank you, Lady Brandt. And also…. Duke Herhardt.”

Kyle bowed courteously.

“Let’s go, Leyla.”

Watching their backs, which were drawing further away, Claudine soon realized something after witnessing Kyle’s tender smile when he stared at Leyla’s face.

She could tell as his mellow smile reflected his feelings clearly.

That boy loved Leyla.

That boy seemed to cherish her-who looked smaller and thinner beside him, who was the same height as Matthias- like his precious treasure.

‘But, what about Leyla?’

Through her slightly opened eyes, Claudine studied Leyla closely. That girl was smiling back at that doctor’s son.

Claudine had seen Leyla Lewellin smile in front of her before. Yet, this was the first time she saw her bright and pleasurable smiley face, like a girl who was smitten.

‘So, it’s the doctor’s son, not Duke Herhardt?’

‘Then was he the one who turned Leyla Lewellin into a princess?’

When Claudine was still ruminating in her daydream, Leyla and Kyle turned around.

“Ah, Leyla!”

Without realizing it, Claudine called her name.

Leyla stood still, bathing in the light from the ceiling chandelier.

“You’re looking pretty lovely today. Especially your necklace.”

“Pardon? Ah….. yes. Thank you, miss.”

Bewildered, Leyla fumbled for her necklace.

The long emerald necklace dangling on her chest was finely crafted in the flower petal shape and matched the iris color of her eyes.

That piece of jewelry suited her perfectly as if it had been made just for her. The green gemstones also looked authentic, similarly to the white pearls that decorated the edges.

The jewel necklace that adorned her slender neck was too lavish and enticing to be branded as a knockoff.

‘Kyle Etman is just a doctor’s son; could he afford to buy a necklace like that for her?’

“Isn’t that right, Duke Herhardt?”

Claudine grinned as she looked at Matthias.

“Yes. She is.”

Unbothered by it, Matthias answered her question as if he didn’t care.

Episodes
1 Chapter 1 Delivered Girl
2 Chapter 2 A Beautiful Bird Slayer
3 Chapter 3 Bring Her In
4 Chapter 4 After a Long Time
5 Chapter 5 The Duke Changed His Mind
6 Chapter 6 Canary
7 Chapter 7 Something Scarier Than That
8 Chapter 8 Safe World
9 Chapter 9 That Humble and Beautiful Girl
10 Chapter 10 Do You Think I’m Begging You?
11 Chapter 11 Deep Water
12 Chapter 12 The Raven Duke
13 Chapter 13 A Night Under the Moonlit
14 Chapter 14 Desirable Woman
15 Chapter 15 Friendly Hunting
16 Chapter 16 Something That Is Nothing
17 Chapter 17 Surprise Present
18 Chapter 18 Emerald
19 Chapter 19 Kiss Me Please
20 Chapter 20 Cry, Even Better If You Beg
21 Chapter 21 Time To Become An Adult
22 Chapter 22 Into The Blanket of Light
23 Chapter 23 Tore It Out, Crushed It Up, and Threw It
24 Chapter 24 Blue Candy
25 Chapter 25 The Color of My Sadness
26 Chapter 26 Let’s Get Married
27 Chapter 27 Season of Roses Without You
28 Chapter 28 Fly in The Spring Like A Bird
29 Chapter 29 A Failed Wish
30 Chapter 30
31 Chapter 31
32 Chapter 32
33 Chapter 33
34 Chapter 34
35 Chapter 35
36 Chapter 36 So, Then?
37 Chapter 37
38 Chapter 38
39 Chapter 39
40 Chapter 40
41 Chapter 41
42 Chapter 42
43 Chapter 43
44 Chapter 44
45 Chapter 45
46 Chapter 46
47 Chapter 47
48 Chapter 48
49 Chapter 49
50 Chapter 50
51 Chapter 51
52 Chapter 52
53 Chapter 53
54 Chapter 54
55 Chapter 55
56 Chapter 56
57 Chapter 57
58 Chapter 58
59 Chapter 59
60 Chapter 60
61 Chapter 61
62 Chapter 62
63 Chapter 63
64 Chapter 64
65 Chapter 65
66 Chapter 66
67 Chapter 67
68 Chapter 68
69 Chapter 69
70 Chapter 70
71 Chapter 71
72 Chapter 72
73 Chapter 73
74 Chapter 74
75 Chapter 75
76 Chapter 76
77 Chapter 77
78 Chapter 78
79 Chapter 79
80 Chapter 80
81 Chapter 81
82 Chapter 82
83 Chapter 83
84 Chapter 84
85 Chapter 85
86 Chapter 86
87 Chapter 87
88 Chapter 88
89 Chapter 89
90 Chapter 90
91 Chapter 91
92 Chapter 92
93 Chapter 93
94 Chapter 94
95 Chapter 95
96 Chapter 96
97 Chapter 97
98 Chapter 98
99 Chapter 99
100 Chapter 100
101 Chapter 101
102 Chapter 102
103 Chapter 103
104 Chapter 104
105 Chapter 105
106 Chapter 106
107 Chapter 107
108 Chapter 108
109 Chapter 109
110 Chapter 110
111 Chapter 111
112 Chapter 112
113 Chapter 113
114 Chapter 114
115 Chapter 115
116 Chapter 116
117 Chapter 117
118 Chapter 118
119 Chapter 119
120 Chapter 120
121 Chapter 121
122 Chapter 122
123 Chapter 123
124 Chapter 124
125 Chapter 125
126 Chapter 126
127 Chapter 127
128 Chapter 128
129 Chapter 129
130 Chapter 130
131 Chapter 131
132 Chapter 132
133 Chapter 133
134 Chapter 134
135 Chapter 135
136 Chapter 136
137 Chapter 137
138 Chapter 138
139 Chapter 139
140 Chapter 140
141 Chapter 141
142 Chapter 142
143 Chapter 143
144 Chapter 144
145 Chapter 145
146 Chapter 146
147 Chapter 147
148 Chapter 148 (END)
149 Epilog I
150 Epilog II
151 Epilog III
152 Epilog IV
153 Side Story 1
154 Side Story 2
155 Side Story 3
156 Side Story 4
157 Side Story 5
158 Side Story 6
159 Side Story 7
160 Side Story 8
161 Side Story 9
162 Side Story 10
163 Side Story 11
164 Side Story 12
165 Side Story 13
166 Side Story 14
167 Side Story 15
168 Side Story 16
169 Side Story 17
170 Side Story 18 (END)
Episodes

Updated 170 Episodes

1
Chapter 1 Delivered Girl
2
Chapter 2 A Beautiful Bird Slayer
3
Chapter 3 Bring Her In
4
Chapter 4 After a Long Time
5
Chapter 5 The Duke Changed His Mind
6
Chapter 6 Canary
7
Chapter 7 Something Scarier Than That
8
Chapter 8 Safe World
9
Chapter 9 That Humble and Beautiful Girl
10
Chapter 10 Do You Think I’m Begging You?
11
Chapter 11 Deep Water
12
Chapter 12 The Raven Duke
13
Chapter 13 A Night Under the Moonlit
14
Chapter 14 Desirable Woman
15
Chapter 15 Friendly Hunting
16
Chapter 16 Something That Is Nothing
17
Chapter 17 Surprise Present
18
Chapter 18 Emerald
19
Chapter 19 Kiss Me Please
20
Chapter 20 Cry, Even Better If You Beg
21
Chapter 21 Time To Become An Adult
22
Chapter 22 Into The Blanket of Light
23
Chapter 23 Tore It Out, Crushed It Up, and Threw It
24
Chapter 24 Blue Candy
25
Chapter 25 The Color of My Sadness
26
Chapter 26 Let’s Get Married
27
Chapter 27 Season of Roses Without You
28
Chapter 28 Fly in The Spring Like A Bird
29
Chapter 29 A Failed Wish
30
Chapter 30
31
Chapter 31
32
Chapter 32
33
Chapter 33
34
Chapter 34
35
Chapter 35
36
Chapter 36 So, Then?
37
Chapter 37
38
Chapter 38
39
Chapter 39
40
Chapter 40
41
Chapter 41
42
Chapter 42
43
Chapter 43
44
Chapter 44
45
Chapter 45
46
Chapter 46
47
Chapter 47
48
Chapter 48
49
Chapter 49
50
Chapter 50
51
Chapter 51
52
Chapter 52
53
Chapter 53
54
Chapter 54
55
Chapter 55
56
Chapter 56
57
Chapter 57
58
Chapter 58
59
Chapter 59
60
Chapter 60
61
Chapter 61
62
Chapter 62
63
Chapter 63
64
Chapter 64
65
Chapter 65
66
Chapter 66
67
Chapter 67
68
Chapter 68
69
Chapter 69
70
Chapter 70
71
Chapter 71
72
Chapter 72
73
Chapter 73
74
Chapter 74
75
Chapter 75
76
Chapter 76
77
Chapter 77
78
Chapter 78
79
Chapter 79
80
Chapter 80
81
Chapter 81
82
Chapter 82
83
Chapter 83
84
Chapter 84
85
Chapter 85
86
Chapter 86
87
Chapter 87
88
Chapter 88
89
Chapter 89
90
Chapter 90
91
Chapter 91
92
Chapter 92
93
Chapter 93
94
Chapter 94
95
Chapter 95
96
Chapter 96
97
Chapter 97
98
Chapter 98
99
Chapter 99
100
Chapter 100
101
Chapter 101
102
Chapter 102
103
Chapter 103
104
Chapter 104
105
Chapter 105
106
Chapter 106
107
Chapter 107
108
Chapter 108
109
Chapter 109
110
Chapter 110
111
Chapter 111
112
Chapter 112
113
Chapter 113
114
Chapter 114
115
Chapter 115
116
Chapter 116
117
Chapter 117
118
Chapter 118
119
Chapter 119
120
Chapter 120
121
Chapter 121
122
Chapter 122
123
Chapter 123
124
Chapter 124
125
Chapter 125
126
Chapter 126
127
Chapter 127
128
Chapter 128
129
Chapter 129
130
Chapter 130
131
Chapter 131
132
Chapter 132
133
Chapter 133
134
Chapter 134
135
Chapter 135
136
Chapter 136
137
Chapter 137
138
Chapter 138
139
Chapter 139
140
Chapter 140
141
Chapter 141
142
Chapter 142
143
Chapter 143
144
Chapter 144
145
Chapter 145
146
Chapter 146
147
Chapter 147
148
Chapter 148 (END)
149
Epilog I
150
Epilog II
151
Epilog III
152
Epilog IV
153
Side Story 1
154
Side Story 2
155
Side Story 3
156
Side Story 4
157
Side Story 5
158
Side Story 6
159
Side Story 7
160
Side Story 8
161
Side Story 9
162
Side Story 10
163
Side Story 11
164
Side Story 12
165
Side Story 13
166
Side Story 14
167
Side Story 15
168
Side Story 16
169
Side Story 17
170
Side Story 18 (END)

Download

Like this story? Download the app to keep your reading history.
Download

Bonus

New users downloading the APP can read 10 episodes for free

Receive
NovelToon
Step Into A Different WORLD!
Download MangaToon APP on App Store and Google Play