Chapter 27
# 27
27. Tea Time with the Count (9)
“Paula, did you hear? I’m meeting Vincent today!”
“Yes, I heard. Congratulations.”
“It’s all thanks to Paula for encouraging me.”
Violet smiled as if she were truly happy. Seeing her face, I felt a little proud. But the process had been so rough that the pride quickly disappeared.
“I’m so happy. If I had known, I would have dressed up even more prettily.”
“You look beautiful enough as you are.”
“Thank you.”
She smiled shyly and twirled her hair with her finger. Her luscious hair rippled at her fingertips.
“I’m so nervous because it’s been so long.”
Violet clutched her chest, anticipating her meeting with Vincent. Eventually, she even called someone from her mansion to change into new clothes. After prettily dressing up, she seemed to glow. Ah, a halo. I shielded my eyes with my hand and led her to the Reception room in the Separate Residence at the appointed time.
Vincent was sitting there, having scrubbed and polished himself since morning. He was in a relaxed posture, legs crossed and back leaning against the sofa back. His pale emerald eyes were not noticeable unless you looked closely.
“Vincent!”
She went straight to Vincent. It was faster than the speed of light. She pounced like a predator hunting its prey, leaving no time to stop her. Fortunately, Ethan skillfully blocked her path. Then, he barely managed to sit Violet on the opposite sofa, as she kept trying to go to Vincent.
Even after sitting on the sofa, she kept fidgeting. I glanced at her as I placed the prepared tea and cookies on the table.
“It’s been a while.”
“Yes. It’s been a really, really long time! I missed you.”
Her tearful voice was swallowed with effort. Violet’s gaze did not leave Vincent. Vincent calmly picked up the teacup as he had practiced, brought it to his lips, and took a sip. Then, he placed the cup on his lap, raised his head, and met her gaze. It was a short practice, but fortunately, the movement was smooth enough that it didn’t feel strange.
I stood behind Violet, and Ethan sat on the sofa between Violet and Vincent. We had agreed to signal each other if we saw anything strange, with me watching Vincent and Ethan watching Violet.
“What happened? How’s your health? Are you better now? Why are you so thin? Why didn’t you reply to my letters? What happened during that time? What happened? Do you know how worried I was?”
“Ask one question at a time. What’s the rush?”
Ethan clicked his tongue at the barrage of questions. Violet glanced at Ethan, and he shrugged. Her gaze quickly returned to Vincent.
“Okay. I’ll answer everything, so ask one question at a time.”
“What happened during that time?”
“A lot happened. Most of it you already know.”
“Are you still not feeling well?”
“No. I’m much better. I’m still recovering, but I’m not doing badly.”
“So you’re not well.”
Violet teared up and dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief. Ethan added that it was quite a sight. At that moment, her heel hit Ethan’s calf. Ethan groaned and grabbed his calf, and Vincent slightly turned his head at the sound. But since he couldn’t see, he didn’t know what the situation was, so there was no reaction from him.
Vincent calmly said the words he had practiced.
“It’s not something to worry about. And the reason I didn’t meet you was because I was a bit out of it. There were some dangerous things too. So I was in a very nervous state, and I didn’t want to say bad things if I met you. I was also worried that you would be in danger because I’m not in a safe state yet. I was thinking of meeting you when I was safer and feeling better.”
“It’s okay. I understand everything!”
Violet leaned her upper body towards Vincent and shouted.
“I’m just glad you’re safe. I’m glad you seem to be doing well. Thank you for showing me your healthy self. I… I thought you might have started to dislike me.”
“That could never happen.”
“Yes. I know. I know! I just, I really missed you.”
Those were the words I had hesitated to say but finally managed to utter. Violet smoothly said them. See, I told you I would say that. And Vincent will say thank you. With a mischievous smile.
“Okay. I’ll definitely reply to your letters from now on.”
Huh…?
“Really?”
“Yes.”
Vincent nodded. Violet reacted happily. I looked at Vincent. The answer he had just given was strange. It was definitely the conversation we had practiced… but he gave a different answer. Why? He was definitely smiling, but he wasn’t as mischievous as before.
Puzzled, I couldn’t help but look at him. He drank his tea and raised his head. His gaze was directed straight ahead, where Violet was, as we had practiced, but it felt as if it reached me, who was standing behind her. That couldn’t be, but I avoided his gaze for no reason.
After that, they continued to talk about how they had been. She excitedly spoke, and Vincent occasionally answered. Then, when it became awkward, Ethan jumped in and smoothly continued the conversation. Violet seemed to be so focused on the conversation that she didn’t notice anything strange about Vincent yet.
I could see a long-standing relationship in the way they talked to each other.
“Oh, Vincent. Isn’t the flower pretty?”
“Flower?”
He asked, puzzled. I realized I had messed up.
“Oh, dear. I sent you a bouquet. I asked them to put it next to your bed, did you see it?”
“…Yes.”
“Are the flowers fresh? They’re all fresh and the colors are pretty. Which flower was the prettiest? I’ll make it with only that flower next time.”
“……”
Vincent put the teacup he was holding on his lap and fumbled with his fingertips. He seemed to be lost in thought, but he was actually panicking. I was the same. I hadn’t told him about the bouquet Violet had made. Things had happened before I could even tell him.
Not knowing what to do, I waved my hands in panic, and Ethan’s eyes met mine. He smiled at me.
“He’s being shy.”
Ethan nudged Vincent’s arm. It was a playful gesture. Vincent’s gaze slightly touched that side. Ethan smiled slyly and answered for Vincent.
“He said the purple flower was the prettiest, right?”
“Oh my. That was the prettiest?”
At Violet’s question, Vincent nodded a beat late. She was delighted and added that she would make it with that next time. There was no hint of doubt in her cheerful voice. I looked at Ethan, and he smiled and nodded slightly.
The crisis had passed. I secretly let out a sigh of relief.
It was almost time for Vincent to get up. The longer the conversation, the worse it would be. If the time got too long, she might notice something strange. Even if she was intoxicated with the joy of meeting him right now, there was a high possibility that she would notice if she kept looking at him.
As planned, Vincent was the first to get up.
“Violet. I’m a little tired today, so can I get up now?”
“Ah, I see.”
It was an answer dripping with regret. I couldn’t see her expression, but I could guess that the emotion was showing on her face as well.
“Can I come to see you again?”
“Of course. You’re welcome anytime.”
After finishing his words, Vincent quickly got up. I also quickly stood by the door to support him. Ethan also got up following him, and Violet also got up.
Now all that was left was to go out. The last act of the play. It was the moment when Ethan and I were exchanging glances to wrap up this situation.
“Vincent!”
Suddenly, Violet jumped into his arms as he was about to leave. It was such a sudden situation. Vincent, who had inadvertently caught her, froze. Ethan was also surprised and widened his eyes. I also stiffened.
Meanwhile, Violet, who didn’t know anything, peeked her head up from his arms.
“Vincent. I missed you so much. I wanted to see you so much.”
“Vio…let. Calm down first.”
“Really, really.”
Her eyes, moist with tears that seemed about to fall, were directed at him. I hoped that Vincent would not meet Violet’s gaze. However.
“Huh? Vincent’s eyes are…”
As soon as those words were spoken, Vincent pushed her away. It was like his instinctive defense. Violet fell backward onto the table behind her.
As Ethan approached to support her, Violet looked at him with a blank face. Vincent, who heard the loud noise, was also flustered. And when you’re flustered, you’re bound to make mistakes. Vincent’s hand waved in the air. In a short moment, he quickly withdrew his hand, but she must have already seen it.
“Vincent?”
“Sorry, I’m sorry.”
Flustered, he turned around. He was trying to leave.
But the misfortune didn’t end there.
As he was trying to quickly dart out, his knee hit the armrest of the sofa and he fell. He fell to the floor as it was, burying his face. Thud! The sound that was painful just to hear followed.
I ran to him in shock, grabbed his hand waving in the air, and supported him.
And only then did the commotion subside.
“V, Vincent…”
“……”
His face was flushed red.
In the end, things had gone wrong. In the worst possible way.
“Vincent! Vincent! Please open the door. Huh?”
Thud! Thud! A soft sound came from beyond the tightly closed door.
“Vincent, let’s talk. Huh?”
Again, thud! thud! thud! But the closed door never opened. Even though she knew that, she kept knocking on the door without rest.
