Translator: Nox

Chapter 46

46

46. The Moment a Star Fell on the Baron family (7)

As they approached the door, the surroundings became even more chaotic. One of the voices in the group was full of anger. Wondering what was going on, I looked at Ethan, but he turned towards the stairs. Following him as he quickly moved away, I went downstairs.

When I went down to the central hall, Isabella was also there. As she looked up at Ethan urgently, he shook his head. A sense of relief spread across Isabella's face.

The noise outside the door grew louder and louder. It felt like the door would open any minute.

"What should we do?"

"I'll try to buy some time."

Ethan walked towards the door. Isabella followed him, keeping about two steps behind. I watched their backs with a puzzled expression.

Just then, someone grabbed my hand. I turned to see Lucas standing there.

"Lord Lucas?"

But his face was pale.

"Are you feeling unwell?"

"Paula."

"Yes."

"This way."

He pulled my hand. I asked him why, but he didn't answer. He just led me to the opposite side of the door, looking anxious.

And he was walking fast. It was more like running than walking. I ran to keep up with his hurried pace.

After a while, I heard a loud commotion from behind. I turned around and saw Ethan confronting two men. A slightly younger gentleman and an old gentleman. But the younger gentleman's face was familiar.

James Christopher.

Looking back at Lucas, he was staring straight ahead. His back seemed to convey his intention not to look back. His hand, holding mine, was trembling.

Lucas went straight up the stairs. He hurried up to the top of the stairs, then suddenly went down in a fluster. Then he went up a couple of steps again, and soon stopped blankly. He seemed to have forgotten even the way to his room, so I finally took the lead and guided him. As soon as he entered the room, he locked the door and drew all the curtains on the window.

Only when not a single ray of sunlight entered the room did Lucas collapse. I rushed to Lucas, who had sunk down, leaning on the windowsill with one hand.

"You don't look well."

"I was a little surprised."

Lucas tried to smile. But the smile quickly disappeared. Fear colored his hardened face. He sighed deeply and rubbed his face with both hands.

I waited quietly until he calmed down.

"Paula."

"Yes."

"Do you have any siblings?"

I didn't know why he was asking such a question, but I answered anyway.

"Yes, I had four younger sisters."

"That's a lot. You must have had a harmonious family."

I didn't bother to deny it. Most people would think that a couple with five daughters must have a good relationship, but the reality was different. The only feeling I had when I realized why I was born was misery. Even the villagers who had watched our family were shaking their heads.

"Siblings are usually close, right? They might be blunt with each other, but they're happy when they're together, and worried when they're not around."

"I guess so."

If they were normal siblings.

"They don't scare each other."

"Maybe. But why are you asking?"

"Paula. I'm scared of James."

It was the first time I had heard him talk about 'James Christopher'. So the person I saw earlier was James Christopher. Then who was the other one? I didn't know why they had come to this mansion, but the old gentleman seemed very angry.

"James is my older brother. He's calm, smart, and wonderful, so even as a child, I respected him and thought he was a cool brother. But now... I'm scared of that older brother. Very scared."

"Why?"

"Because he's a scary person."

Vincent had said something like that last time. Judging by Lucas's reaction, he must be a really scary person. Lucas was so terrified that he didn't know what to do.

"I thought he would come, but it's still scary. I kept telling myself it was okay, that I could do it, but when I thought about facing him, I couldn't stand it, so I ran away. And I was too scared to run away alone, so I dragged Paula along."

"......"

"Pathetic, right?"

Lucas smiled weakly. I shook my head.

"If that's pathetic, then our master can't even show his face."

This master is also quite the coward. He just pretends not to be.

Lucas burst out laughing at my words. But his laughter was still weak, and the hand holding his forehead was trembling.

"Sometimes, I want to throw everything away and run away. To a faraway place where no one knows me."

"That sounds good. Go somewhere with a nice view."

"Will Paula come with me?"

I blinked at the sudden suggestion. Honestly, it was tempting. That wouldn't be bad, would it?

"I'd be honored."

"Then let's go together."

"Yes. Please take me with you someday."

"Let's go together now."

Lucas grabbed my arm. It was a strong will to take me with him if I wanted to. I smiled, saying that I was honored just by the words.

"Let's go together now."

He said again.

"Please take me later, not now."

"Why not now?"

"Because I have something to do now."

"Does Paula like Vincent?"

My heart dropped. I was so surprised that I swallowed my breath. The slightly relaxed atmosphere instantly hardened.

Lucas leaned towards me.

"If so, give up."

"Why, why are you saying that?"

"Paula will only get hurt."

"I don't know what you're talking about. Let go of me."

I was flustered because I didn't know why he was suddenly saying this, and I was scared because I didn't know what he knew. Either way, it wasn't a pleasant topic. I shook my head and tried to shake off his hand, but the more I did, the more he held on.

"Don't hide it. At least you're attracted to him, right?"

"Lord Lucas."

"Why don't we run away?"

Let's run away, us. Let's throw everything away and leave. To a faraway place. To a place where no one is. He whispered, grabbing my other arm. His brown eyes, facing me, were filled with longing. My confusion gradually intensified.

"W-Why are you suddenly doing this?"

"Because I want Paula to come with me."

"Lord Lucas."

"Will you run away with me? Take my hand, which is just trembling weakly, and go together."

Why was he saying these things to me? Did he want to tease me?

"The words I said about liking Paula, I meant them."

"T-That's ridiculous. Why would you like someone like me? What's the reason? I don't understand..."

I immediately retorted. I tried hard to hold back a scoff. But he smiled sadly and confessed his true feelings.

"There's no big reason for liking someone. It's just that from some point on, I became curious and wanted to see you, and I was happy and joyful and happy when I was with you, and I hoped that you would continue to be by my side. That's how I like Paula."

"......"

"I love you."

Lucas hugged me. He rubbed his cheek against my ear and whispered his feelings again. His tearful voice seeped into my heart. I felt the sincerity contained within with my whole body.

"I, I..."

"The answer."

He hugged me tighter.

"Will you give it to me later?"

"......"

"Not now, later... give it to me later..."

He mumbled and buried his face in my shoulder, then suddenly pushed me away. When I saw his face, which was trying to smile at me, I couldn't say anything more.

After a while, a knock broke the silence.

"Lucas."

It was Ethan. Lucas smiled bitterly and released my arm. Then he got up and walked towards the door.

Lucas opened the door and talked to Ethan for a moment, then turned to look at me. Our eyes met, and his face, full of determination, soon disappeared as the door closed.

Until then, I could only stare blankly at the door.

When I came to my senses and went back down to the central hall, I saw Ethan and Lucas standing outside the open door. And the man standing opposite them.

Ethan was talking to James. The two laughed like ordinary brothers. It was a peaceful sight, different from what I had imagined.

Occasionally, James's gaze reached Lucas, and each time, Lucas smiled back at him. And he sometimes said something. But the smiles were short, and the conversations didn't last long.

James patted Ethan on the shoulder. Then he hugged him. Ethan smiled awkwardly and accepted it. It was a sight of affectionate brothers to anyone who saw it. But my eyes kept going to Lucas. Lucas's face, out of James's sight, was stiff.

The old gentleman walked over to them. After talking for a while, they moved to the Separate Residence Reception room. James was sparing with his words, as if watching the situation, and the old gentleman was silent, openly showing his discomfort. And both of them expressed their intention not to return. The situation seemed to be flowing in a bad direction.

I came out of the Reception room first and kept looking out the door, praying that Vincent and Violet would take a long walk. Lucas approached me, and Ethan followed.

The trouble started after quite a boring time had passed.

Vincent and Violet, who had gone for a walk, returned. Violet, who found us lingering in the central hall, waved her hand. Her bright smiling face was good to see.

"Why is everyone here?"

Lucas hesitated to answer her question. When I also hesitated, Ethan stepped forward.

"Marquis Marguerite has come."

"Father?"

Only then did I realize the identity of the old gentleman. Violet, who had been smiling brightly as if glad to see him, showed a puzzled expression.

"Why did he come here?"

"First, go up. He's in the Reception room. And Vincent, I need to see you."

Ethan grabbed Vincent's arm and winked at me. I quickly stood next to Violet. When I met her eyes, I remembered what had happened last night. Unlike me, who had been stiff for a moment, she smiled kindly as usual.

"I wonder why Father came here. And he came so suddenly without saying anything. Does Paula know anything?"

"I haven't heard the details either."

"Hmm. That's strange."

I forced a smile as I looked at her tilting her head.

When we were halfway up the stairs, someone came down from above. It was the old gentleman, Violet's father. And behind him stood an old woman.

She was watching the old gentleman's mood. The old gentleman frowned when he saw Violet. It was ominous. While I was on guard, Violet also found the old gentleman and the middle-aged woman. She smiled brightly and ran up.

"Father— oh, Nanny? Why is Nanny here?"

The old gentleman's eyes, looking down at her bright face, were cold. The woman called Nanny, standing behind the old gentleman, was also restless, watching his mood silently. Violet stopped walking, sensing something strange in the reaction. Only then did the old gentleman open his mouth.

"Take her away."

"Yes."

At the old gentleman's words, Nanny came down the stairs and immediately grabbed Violet and dragged her away.