Chapter 29
# 29
29. Tea Time with the Earl (11)
I hesitated. Should I back down and ignore it, or not?
‘Paula, cheer me on.’
Her words echoed in my mind. So, I mustered my courage.
“Violet said she understands.”
“Understands? What understanding? Is she just taking pity on her blind fiancé?”
“Why would you say that?”
“Because it’s something to say.”
The thorns that had been poking out became even sharper. I could see his heart, as firmly closed as the door. I licked my dry lips and stammered,
“You know better than anyone that Violet isn’t like that.”
“I’ve learned one thing in my life, want to know what it is? The people I thought I knew well are actually not who I thought they were.”
“……”
“Even if they pretend to care about me, the moment I show weakness, they think about how to use it against me. Everyone I thought wouldn’t do that, did. They come to me and check on my condition first. Even when my parents died in an accident, they were already calculating how to exploit the young heir.”
I could see the pain he had endured in his bitter smile.
“Maybe Violet wouldn’t do that, like you said. But what about the people around her? At least her family won’t accept a blind fiancé.”
“……Are you going to keep doing this then?”
“I can’t do that.”
“……”
Watching him shake his head, I realized. He wasn’t afraid of breaking off the engagement with Violet. He was afraid of meeting her right now. He was reluctant to face her in his blind state.
Courage, that’s what he needed right now.
The courage to accept his condition and move forward.
I gently let go of his hand. He let go of my hand willingly. Leaving him behind, looking particularly powerless, I left the room. And went to my room right next door and opened the drawer. I held the things that were packed tightly inside in my arms and returned to his room.
He must have sensed my presence, as he turned to look at me as he was about to lie down on the bed.
“Why are you back?”
“Master.”
I dumped what I was holding in my arms onto him. The white letters that poured out scattered across the bed. They were Violet’s letters that I had collected so far.
“These are all letters that Violet sent. I have been keeping them under Isabella’s orders.”
“……”
He slowly groped for the letters that had been poured onto him. It was a large amount, enough to surround him. It was only natural. She had been sending letters without rest, even without a reply.
“Violet sent a letter every other day. She sent letters faithfully, even though she knew she wouldn’t get a reply from you. Master, I’m not good with words. So, I can’t give you good advice right now. But, at least I think this sincerity is genuine.”
I was amazed by her sincerity in sending letters every time, even without a reply. I was curious about the thickness of the letters, even though she sent them every other day. So, I had opened her letters a few times.
[I took a walk in the garden today. The flowers are so beautiful. I want to show them to you.]
[I bought a pretty dress today. I want to meet you wearing it.]
[I miss you, Vincent.]
The carefully written letters filled the paper. The content wasn’t anything special. The letters listed the events of the day and always ended with the words, I miss you. I could feel her longing for him as I looked at the last words where the ink had smudged.
“As you said, not everything will be smooth sailing, but you still have to face her. Be brave. I think now is the time.”
At least, I hoped that the person knocking on your door wouldn’t get tired and give up on you. I hoped that you would face that sincerity. Even if time passed and she eventually left you, I hoped that you would trust her now. I didn’t want you to lose your relationship with her because of the suspicion that it might happen.
“I can read the letters to you if you want.”
“……It’s okay.”
He picked up a letter.
“I know what’s written in it. She’ll tell me how she’s doing, say she’s worried, and say she misses me. She’s been sending them like that every time. After I ordered her not to send letters, I thought she wasn’t sending them anymore, but she was sending them.”
“Yes. Enough to pile up this much already. I don’t think it’s polite to keep ignoring someone who’s this worried about you!”
I thought this was the perfect time to shout something rewarding, but he just looked sullen. I wondered why he had that expression, but then his words left me speechless.
“You’re doing this because of something you did wrong, aren’t you? Violet said she would stay because of what you said, so you were watching my reaction.”
“……”
He’s really sensitive about this kind of thing.
I tried to ignore the prickling feeling in my heart that had been there since the incident, and brazenly denied it. I asked him if he didn’t know how worried she was about him, but he didn’t even listen. Instead, he groped for the letters scattered on the bed. I could feel his heart in his careful touch. But it seemed to have some effect.
“Do you feel more courageous?”
“A little?”
He was still cold, though.
“I’m always getting nagged by you.”
“You can just do better if you don’t want to hear it.”
“You’re so brazen.”
“That’s how I serve you, Master.”
Then he smiled softly.
“Thank you.”
Did he…… what?
I blinked, wondering if I had misheard, and he grabbed my hand again. It wasn’t as strong a grip as before. It was a more careful, ticklish touch. And soon his fingers intertwined with mine.
“The thank you I said when we practiced talking last time, that was to you. I thought it was funny how hard it was for me to say I missed you.”
He smiled briefly again, as if recalling that time. The smile was unfamiliar. Unfamiliar yet…… familiar. A kind face that was considerate of others. The face I had seen back then. That face was directed at me.
“Thank you. I mean it.”
No, actually, it was directed at me.
“I wasn’t planning on ignoring Violet forever. It’s not what I wanted, but I have to fix what happened. But I think I lacked courage, like you said. Thanks to you, I feel a little better. Thank you.”
He hesitated and raised his head. His cloudy emerald eyes were fixed on me. Thanks to the practice, he was able to follow the sound of my voice and focus his gaze. And I, who met that gaze, moved my lips several times but ended up closing them.
The intertwined skin was hot, and his gentle voice tickled my ears. I stared blankly at him, unable to think. A warning rang loudly in my head.
\ \ *
The tightly closed door opened a day later. Vincent met Violet. She burst into tears as soon as she saw him. She seemed to have a lot to say, but she replaced her sadness by hitting his chest repeatedly. Vincent hugged her and patted her back. She released her pent-up emotions in his arms. Ethan also patted the backs of the two of them.
“I will never break off the engagement. And I won’t tell anyone about your condition. I mean it.”
“Thank you.”
Just because she was silent didn’t mean she could hide his condition forever. Nevertheless, she would keep that promise. Knowing that, Vincent smiled back at her.
The three of them talked all day. For the first time in a long time, cheerful laughter echoed throughout the mansion. I rubbed my chest for no reason at the sight of the handsome couple.
The next day, they had tea time.
The attendees were Vincent, Violet, Ethan, and me. I was embarrassed because it didn’t seem like I belonged there, but Violet actively led me. When I said I couldn’t do that without permission, she even got permission from Isabella. In the end, I, a mere maid, had the honor of attending the nobles’ tea time.
The tea time took place in the garden behind the Separate Residence. It was the same place where he and I had tea time before. We drank tea there and had ordinary conversations that were nothing special. That alone made the atmosphere cheerful enough.
Then Violet’s letters came up as a topic of conversation.
“Maid. Weren’t some of the letters crumpled?”
“Yes? Oh, now that you mention it.”
“Violet has a temper. She must have crumpled them up when she got angry that she wasn’t getting a reply, and then unfolded them again. I can imagine it.”
Ethan chuckled as he said that. Violet hit his side repeatedly with a embarrassed face. Ethan groaned, and Vincent elegantly sipped his tea and smiled slightly. In the meantime, I shifted my butt several times.
It was uncomfortable. It didn’t seem like I belonged there. They talked to me and took care of me, worried that I would feel awkward, but in the end, I was an outsider. I didn’t have any memories to share with them. So, I looked around and picked up the empty teapot and got up from my seat. I tried to leave the seat with the excuse that I was going to refill the tea, but Vincent quickly grabbed me.
“Where are you going?”
“Oh, the tea is empty. I’m going to refill it.”
“You don’t have to drink it. Stay here.”
“Yes? Oh, but…….”
The conversation that had been going on was cut off by him. Violet and Ethan’s gazes were on me. I was flustered because I felt like I was interrupting their fun time, but Ethan intervened.
“Wow, Vincent. Anyone would think the maid is leaving you forever? So desperate, so desperate. No matter how much you don’t want to be apart, let her have some time alone to go get tea. How uncomfortable do you think it is for her to be here?”
“Oh my. Was it?”
Violet asked if it was true, and Vincent waited for my answer. I was flustered by the unexpected words and couldn’t answer right away. Then Vincent gently let go of the hem of my clothes that he was holding. I didn’t know whether to be grateful or not, so I just bowed and left the place.
I felt relieved when I got away from the three of them. I guess it was uncomfortable. I scratched my head and went down to the kitchen to brew new tea.
I asked the cook to prepare some sweet cookies and then deliberately took a long way around. It was true that I wanted to get some fresh air alone. I hadn’t had any time to myself lately. Maybe that’s why. This short time felt as sweet as honey.
When I returned to the tea time location, there was a new attendee.
