Chapter 30
# 30
30. Tea Time with the Count (12)
A man was standing in front of Violet. A look of delight was evident on Violet's face as she faced him. Who is it? I tilted my head and approached, and I could hear the two people's voices.
"Where have you been all this time? I couldn't find you in your room."
"I was just looking around the mansion after a long time."
"We came together, but you slipped away on your own."
"There were many places to see."
There was a sense of warmth in their conversation. I wondered who it could be, so I examined the brown-haired head, but I couldn't tell because the other person didn't turn his face toward me. When I reached that side, the man was heading toward Vincent.
I placed the teapot and cookies on the table, glancing at the back of the man's head as he talked to Vincent.
"Who is that gentleman?"
"He's Ethan's younger brother."
"Christopher's brother? He had a brother?"
As I asked in bewilderment, an arm popped out from behind me. When I turned around, Ethan was standing there, already with a cookie in his mouth.
"I have a very kind younger brother. I'll introduce him to the maid. My brother is handsome, has a good personality, and is very popular. But don't fall for him. He's a difficult one to handle."
"I won't fall for him."
"That's what they all say before they fall."
"You sound confident."
"He's a brother to be proud of."
Ethan smiled mischievously. I shrugged. I wanted to see the face of this brother he was so proud of. So, I glanced at the back of the man's head again, and just then, he approached me.
But the face I saw up close was familiar.
"Maid, say hello. This is my brother. You say hello too. This is the maid currently attending to Vincent."
"Nice to meet you."
His brown hair fluttered in the breeze. His smooth voice was pleasant to hear. Still sophisticated and elegant. When our eyes met, he smiled and politely extended his hand.
"I'm Lucas Christopher."
"Christopher……."
To think that the man I met in the forest was Ethan's brother. I was stunned by this coincidence and stared blankly at the man. He tilted his head. Only then did I realize I had been rude and bowed my head. I took his outstretched hand and greeted him.
"N, nice to meet you."
After the brief greeting, I tried to let go of his hand, but he held my hand tighter and lifted it. At the same time, a warm temperature pressed down on the back of my hand.
"Please, call me Lucas."
It was such an elegant and polite greeting. And it reminded me of someone. He really was Ethan's brother.
"You must be having a hard time with my brothers? And my sister too. They're all so unique."
"Surely not. The maid likes me."
"Really?"
I was too dazed to answer his question. I scanned the man in front of me. He let go of my hand and exchanged playful banter with Ethan. Violet intervened between the two.
"You're all so mean. Keeping it a secret from me."
"Sorry. My brother didn't want me to."
"I also tend to respect the person's wishes."
"Tch―"
Violet grumbled but didn't say anything more. Ethan and Lucas smiled apologetically. Through their conversation, I realized that Lucas also knew about Vincent's condition.
At the same time, something Vincent had said a while ago floated around in my head. I looked at Vincent. He seemed indifferent as he sipped his tea. He didn't seem surprised, nor was he trembling with fear.
The tea time became more lively with the addition of one more person. But I couldn't smile amidst it all.
A friendly relationship that anyone could see. But something felt foreign. I don't know if I'm allowed to make such a judgment, but something…… is strange.
I made the excuse of refilling the teapot, which had been emptied again due to the new attendee, and fled from the scene once more. I went to the kitchen to refill the tea, and this time, I took a long detour again. As I walked, trying to erase unnecessary thoughts, I saw someone on the opposite side.
It was Lucas.
"Everyone seems to be having fun."
Lucas whispered softly, his voice barely audible. His eyes, which had been looking at the empty air, turned toward me. He knew I was coming. The wind ruffled his hair.
I bowed my head slightly.
"Why are you out here?"
"Just getting some fresh air. Come to think of it, I didn't catch your name."
"Ah, it's Paula."
"Paula. Paula. Paula……."
It was definitely my name being rolled around in his mouth, but it was a sweet voice as if he were calling something precious. I scratched the back of my neck, feeling strangely ticklish.
"Paula. I've heard a lot about you from my brother. He says you're an interesting person."
"I'm honored."
I didn't think Ethan would have said only good things about me. Did he badmouth me to his brother? I frowned slightly and quickly relaxed my expression.
"We saw each other in the forest, didn't we?"
"Yes."
"I wondered who you were back then, but you were the one attending to my brother. Did you deliver the letter safely?"
Only then did I remember. I quickly continued.
"U, um, where did you find the letter?"
"I picked it up in front of the gate as I was leaving the mansion. I thought I should deliver it, but there was no one around, so I carried it around, wondering if it was important. As I was looking around the mansion, I happened to meet you in the forest, and I thought you were an employee here, so I handed it over. Was it important?"
"……I see. Yes. It was important. Thank you for delivering it."
Thinking that I almost lost a precious letter, I was so grateful for his consideration. I bowed my head again. He chuckled briefly.
"How is Vincent? Is he doing well?"
"Yes. He's doing well."
"He seems to be. I'm surprised he's doing better than I thought. To be honest, I thought he would be holed up in his room, but it's unexpected."
"Pardon?" I blinked and asked back, and he smiled. He did resemble Ethan when he smiled.
"Didn't my brother tell you?"
"Tell me what……."
"That I'm the one who blinded him."
"……!"
What…… on earth……?
What did he just say? What is this man talking about?
"Looking at your face, I see Paula knew as well. You've been giving me wary glances the whole time. I didn't think my brother would have told you that, but he must rely on you a lot."
"Ah, I, I."
"Don't be too surprised."
He took a step closer. I quickly stepped back. My heart was pounding. Fear washed over me after the shocking confession. In that instant, I became afraid of the man in front of me. His smiling face felt eerie.
'The family is the reason I became like this.'
That overly calm voice stirred in my head once more. I stumbled backward, clutching my trembling heart. Lucas continued to smile as if he understood my reaction.
"I'm glad it's as I imagined."
As I was about to ask what he meant, a rustling sound echoed. His and my gazes simultaneously turned toward the source of the sound. Vincent was standing there. He also looked surprised, as if he had sensed someone's presence.
I quickly turned my head to look at Lucas. And then I looked at Vincent again. I don't know how he got here, but his actions were faster than I thought. I passed by Lucas and grabbed Vincent's arm. Instinctively, I pressed down on his arm, which he was trying to shake off, and led him to the opposite side.
"You……."
"L, let's go. Let's go. Please, just go."
He closed his mouth at my urging, as if he was about to say something. I quickly led him to the opposite side, glancing behind me. The man was visible through the rustling wind. Lucas was looking this way. The one who confessed to blinding Vincent.
My heart pounded again. My hand holding Vincent was sweaty. I gripped his arm tightly, afraid that I might slip and lose him due to the sweat. The gaze following me from behind was terrifying.
He must have felt it too.
"Why are you trembling so much? What's wrong?"
"Let's get out of here first, and then I'll tell you."
Suddenly, he stopped walking. I quickly pulled him, but he resisted without moving. I kept pulling, but he still didn't move. Eventually, my steps stopped following him. When I turned around, he spoke first.
"Tell me what's wrong."
"Master. I'll tell you if we go."
"Tell me, now."
He showed his determination not to move a single step until I spoke. This is not the time for this! I looked behind him. The man was not visible. But I was afraid he would come after us any moment. I swallowed hard.
"D, did, did that person really do it?"
"Do what?"
"Master…… your eyes."
A question asking what I meant came back. I retorted as if frustrated.
"Ethan Christopher's brother, Lucas Christopher, is the one who made your eyes like that."
"……Lucas did?"
"Yes."
He was silent for a moment. That was even scarier. It felt like he was affirming it. But the answer that came back was different from my expectations.
"No."
"Master. Please don't hide it. You have to avoid him."
"Really, no."
"Then who on earth did it?"
Without realizing it, I asked a forbidden question. I ignored the warning that I shouldn't. I was that confused. My head was so complicated that I asked as if I was about to cry, and Vincent sighed and answered.
"James Christopher."
"Who is that?"
"Ethan's half-brother."
A strong gust of wind roared. The wind that brushed past him ruffled my hair. My complicated head was about to explode, but he was so indifferent that I felt like I was dreaming for a moment.
"That person is the one who made me like this."
Vincent did not retract his words. The truth. He was telling me the truth. To me, a mere maid, he revealed the truth he wanted to keep secret.
And then, I realized later that I had crossed a line that I should not have crossed. And the truth of the kindness that Lucas had shown me.
