Chapter 18
# 18
18. The Baron family's Strange Guest (8)
Then Ethan took off the coat he was wearing and draped it over my shoulders. He could be so considerate at times like this.
"Maid, Vincent shouldn't live like this. He may look like this now, but he is the master of the Bellunita Baron family. We can delay it for a while, but eventually, the story about Vincent will spread. If he's still like this then, it will only invite trouble. When the truth is known, the nobles will be desperate to drag Vincent down from his position as the Baron."
"The master is trying."
"It's not enough. He needs to try harder. At least to be able to stand on his own. He's someone who will have to walk alone someday."
The lamplight illuminated Ethan's face. In the soft light, his serious face had a sad tinge.
"Vincent knows. He knows he can't stay like this. Knowing that, he's turning a blind eye. He shouldn't. A life without change is like stagnant water. Time flows and the surroundings change, so how can he be the only one standing still? Whether he wants to or not, he has to accept that change. I don't want Vincent to die."
"You're being harsh."
"If me being harsh can change Vincent, then I will be. At least, I think someone like me is needed for him right now."
"You're also kind."
Ethan turned his head. I could see his anguish in his trembling eyes.
"You mean you're willing to play the bad guy for the master. That means you care about him that much. You're kind."
"I'm a blackmailer to Vincent, though."
"That's true."
It was an attitude of admitting what needed to be admitted. Then Ethan laughed lightly.
"But, you said you were friends."
"I did."
"Then the master must know too. Why Christopher made that choice. As a friend, I think he knows his heart well."
Ethan was looking after Vincent's condition, caring for him, and playing the bad guy so that he could change. It can't be called a great act, but it's true that it contains pure concern. Watching him, I felt like I vaguely understood what a friend is. An existence where you can feel that you care for each other even if you don't express it outwardly, that's what a friend is. He showed me that.
I think Vincent feels the same way. That's why he brushed off Ethan's threats by just waving his cane. Like the consideration he showed by not showing that he was suffering from nightmares every night.
"And I agree with that to some extent. He can't live like this forever. As a servant, I also want the master to change."
Then I stopped talking. Do I really want that? I was hired to take care of Vincent in his stagnant state. But if he overcomes the present and changes... wouldn't my usefulness disappear too?
Then I chuckled. It was a story for the distant future, so it didn't really hit me yet.
"Do you think Vincent will change, Maid?"
"Yes."
"You sound confident."
"Because it's something to be confident about."
He's already changing little by little.
"And after thinking about it again, I don't think so."
"What do you mean?"
"About the bad guy thing. The really bad people don't say they're bad."
Really bad people believe they are right and don't know their faults. That's how the people around me were. They all thought they were great and amazing. So they took it for granted to harass and use others.
Ethan asked with a blank face.
"...Why do you think so?"
"The other servants said that Christopher is a very good person."
Then I immediately frowned.
"Actually, it seems like the bad guy is more fitting to me, though."
Honestly, the way he showed himself to me was no different from a villain, right? As I shrugged, Ethan curved his eyes. I heard a laughter filled with joy. The laughter was different from usual.
"Have you thought about your wish?"
"Wish?"
"I said I'd grant you one wish if you could get Vincent to come out of his room even one step."
Ah, I did say that. I recalled the bet I had forgotten for a while.
"Tell me anything. I'm quite capable, you know."
Ethan said readily. So I hesitated for a moment and held out my hand to him.
"Then please be in a cooperative relationship with me."
"Cooperative relationship?"
"I mean, let's be in a relationship where we help each other."
I had a feeling that I would meet him again somehow. He's Vincent's friend, so it's not impossible. They say bad relationships are more persistent anyway. If I can't avoid it, let's face it, it wouldn't be bad to make him my ally. His personality is a bit bad, but he knows a lot about Vincent. Besides, he claims to be capable.
Ethan blinked and looked at my fingertips. I held out my hand to him.
"I want to stay here for a long time. Please help me a lot."
"Why?"
"Because I have nowhere to return to."
"......"
Ethan hesitated for a moment. Then, as if he had made up his mind, he nodded and took my hand.
"A relationship where we help each other, that's not bad."
Shaking hands, a sign of acceptance. I squeezed the hand holding him tightly. He also held my hand firmly.
"You've gained an excellent partner, Maid. There are few people as capable, with a solid family, and a good personality like me."
"...That's quite an honor."
"There's too little sincerity in your words."
"There couldn't be."
As I pretended not to know, he laughed again. I let go of his hand and looked out the window again. The moon, shining proudly in the darkness, was too beautiful today.
The next day, I escorted Ethan, along with Isabella, as he left the Baron family. Vincent, of course, did not come out. Ethan, wearing a top hat like when I first saw him, exchanged brief greetings with Isabella and approached me.
"Sorry for making it difficult."
"It's okay."
I wanted to scold him for doing that knowing it, but I held back because there were eyes watching. Knowing that, Ethan smiled mischievously.
"You're doing so well, Maid, I'll have to come often."
He's annoying until the end. I waved my hand secretly at Isabella. Go away quickly. At that, Ethan laughs briefly.
After finishing the farewell greetings and watching Ethan get into the car, I suddenly remembered something I wanted to ask. I quickly approached him, risking being rude.
"Excuse me, Christopher."
He, who was about to get into the car, turned to me.
"Did you often send letters to the master?"
"Letters?"
"Yes."
"Well, I've been sending them a little more often lately, for sure."
"Ah, then..."
I hesitated for a moment and continued.
"Did you happen to write the letters in gold ink?"
"......"
Ethan blinked. At his silence, I swallowed hard. Is that man really the one? The person I exchanged letters with?
'The branches have sprouted.'
I remembered what he said last time. It was a passing remark, but it remained in my head for a long time because it was the content of a reply I wrote sometime. It wasn't a very special word, but the gold-lettered letters stopped coming after he came. So I had a thought.
But he shook his head.
"No. I wrote in black ink."
"Really?"
"Yes."
It was a firm answer. I showed a disappointed look.
"I see."
"Is there a problem?"
"No. It's nothing."
I composed my expression and shook my head. Ethan sent a questioning look, but I tried to change the subject. Then Ethan smiled nonchalantly and got into the car.
As I watched the car leave, I turned my head and saw Vincent standing in front of the window on the top floor of the mansion. But the curtains were immediately drawn. After staring at the window where he had been standing for a while, I turned around as well.
However, not long after, Ethan visited the mansion again, bringing another guest.
\ \ *
The gold-lettered letters, which had been cut off for a while, arrived again. This time, it came with a small container. Inside was tea leaves.
[The scent is good.]
The scent was definitely good. It's a subtle and sweet scent. It would be even better if brewed? So I got permission from Isabella and brewed the tea leaves and took them to Vincent.
"It's black tea sold in Novelle."
"How did you know?"
I was amazed that he immediately recognized that Novelle was written on the tea leaf container. Vincent said as he sipped the tea.
"It's what I used to enjoy. Where did you get it?"
"I received it as a gift."
"I see."
He seems to really like it as he keeps sipping the tea. I received a good gift. As I poured tea into the already empty teacup, I thought that I should bring it out whenever he throws a tantrum in the future. I have to send a reply saying thank you so much.
"Next time, just punch it. What a waste."
I said, looking at the window that was gaping beyond the door. I don't know why he breaks and destroys it every time. But the person in question leisurely sipped the tea without paying attention.
"Don't worry about useless things. Rather, next time Ethan comes, don't let him in here and kick him out. You can even have people kick him out."
"Yes?"
It was a sudden order. Vincent's expression was so calm that I wondered if I had heard a hallucination.
"Why? Don't you like Christopher coming, Master?"
"I don't like it."
I asked lightly, but the answer came back immediately. Why on earth? Of course, Ethan did threaten him, but it was all the more strange considering that they were bickering and writing replies to letters until yesterday. It's strange. They're supposed to be close friends. But why does he hate him so much? Knowing his condition, there's no need to hide it.
As if there's definitely a reason.
Feeling that I was questioning, he continued.
"It's not that I don't like Ethan."
"Then?"
"I don't like that family."
"Are you talking about the Christopher family? Do you have a reason?"
He put down the teacup, making a clattering sound, and handed it to me. I took the cup in a daze. He rummaged through the sheets and collapsed on the bed. His slightly lowered eyes sank deeply between his disheveled golden hair.
"Master?"
"It's nothing."
"......"
"That family is the one who made me like this."
The shocking confession continued so calmly.
