Chapter 16

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 16

Chapter Title: The Count's Strange Guest (6)

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"It's impossible."

"Still, there must be some way."

I racked my brain for ideas, but nothing concrete came to mind. Show them that I'm trying, she said. But what exactly does "trying" look like? It was such a vague concept.

Did I need to show them me eating well, sleeping soundly, or even using the bathroom properly? No, even if I tried, if they didn't see it as effort, it wouldn't count as "trying." So I had to show effort they could recognize... It felt like some kind of word game.

"There's nothing. Unless I could see."

"If you could see... Ah!"

I clapped my hands. How had I not thought of that? It was the simplest solution. No, he'd already given me the hint himself.

"That'll do it."

"What?"

Vincent shot me a look that said, What nonsense is this? I met his gaze with a bright smile.

"I can't. It's impossible."

"You can. Here, your hand."

I stretched out my hand as far as I could to reach him. But he didn't budge. I urged him again. Come on. He hesitated, then extended his hand, flinching the moment our fingertips touched.

We repeated this a few times until his hand finally rested in my palm. Afraid he might pull away, I gripped it tightly.

"It's okay. I'll hold on tight."

The effort Ethan had mentioned. I wasn't sure exactly what it meant, but I decided to keep it simple. I'd gotten a clue from what Ethan said in the study when he made that bet.

If the maid can get Vincent to take even one step out of his room, I'll grant her one wish.

That's what he wanted to see. So I'd show him. Vincent walking out of his room on his own, without anyone's support, just like when he could still see.

Of course, it wouldn't be easy.

That's why I was coaxing and encouraging him like this.

I took a step back. He didn't move an inch. I stepped back again, but he just leaned forward without advancing. I retreated once more. He lowered his eyes and finally got off the bed.

Thud. The sound of his foot hitting the floor felt like the trumpet of an angel.

"Slowly, like a baby taking its first steps. One foot at a time."

"Don't exaggerate."

Even as he grumbled, he looked resolute just taking that single step.

Vincent hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward with a stern expression. I retreated in sync, pushing aside anything that might obstruct him.

"Yes, you're doing great."

"It's not my legs that are hurt."

"Still."

He shuffled along, step by step, until suddenly he started striding confidently. I glanced back, guiding him toward the door. His steady pace soon brought him right in front of it.

"See? Not so hard."

"Don't treat me like a child."

Stubborn as ever. I knew he was scared, though.

He gripped my hand so tightly it went numb. But I understood the immense courage it took for him to walk this far. His room was huge, and the distance from the bed to the door was considerable. Short for me, but for him, it must have felt like an eternity.

"You did well."

"You think I'd be satisfied with something this minor?"

"You will be."

No guarantees, of course. Vincent turned away reluctantly, his face full of dissatisfaction. But he stopped abruptly and didn't move. Wondering why, I looked at him. He seemed lost, unsure which way to go.

"This way."

Even as I tugged his hand, he wouldn't budge.

"What's wrong?"

"I can't."

"You did it earlier."

"That was because you were holding on. Look, I can't even walk without you."

Confidence drained from his face. He looked like a lost child. He was bigger than me, an incredible man, yet in my eyes, he seemed so fragile, like a kid.

That must mean his condition was that unstable.

"Master. I agree with Lord Christopher to some extent. You can't live like this forever. I was hired knowing your condition from the start, but can the other servants remain ignorant forever? What about the people who already know you?"

Rumors spread before you can even grasp them. If a mansion servant sneaks into the annex and catches a glimpse of Vincent by chance, or if one of the annex staff lets something slip outside, the gossip would spread like wildfire. People would scramble to verify if it was true.

"Someday, everyone will learn about your condition. Will you stay locked in this room then too?"

"...Fine. I get it, so stop nagging."

"Good, as long as you understand."

"For a maid, you sure talk a lot."

He rubbed his face with one hand and groaned. I took his hand and led him back to the bed, then guided him to the door again.

After two or three more tries, Vincent seemed to get the hang of it. He stepped with more confidence. So I changed tactics.

"From now on, I'll let go halfway."

"What?"

"Don't worry. Just keep walking straight when I do."

I turned his rigid body to face the door and positioned him perfectly. Then I took his hand and led him forward. His steps felt even heavier than before.

"I can't."

"You can. Ready to let go?"

"Wait. Not yet."

He shook his head vigorously. I backed away, glancing behind me. Halfway across the room, I asked again.

"Now?"

"Not yet."

I walked farther, then asked once more.

"How about now?"

"Still not."

How long would he keep saying "not yet"? We were almost at the door.

"Letting go now."

"Wait."

As I loosened my grip, he seized my hand. I glanced back and said,

"I'm letting go."

"Wai—!"

I pulled away firmly and retreated quickly.

His steps halted immediately. His anxious eyes darted around, followed by his hands. Realizing I wasn't there, his face stiffened with tension.

I'd told him to keep walking straight, but he quickly lost his bearings and flailed about. I stomped loudly and backed up two steps.

"This way, Master."

"Where... where are you?"

"Here. Follow the sound."

He turned his head toward my voice. But he didn't move easily.

"Just walk straight toward me, Master."

"I can't."

"You haven't taken a single step yet."

"I can't."

"You can. Your legs aren't injured."

I extended both hands toward him. He still hesitated. Just one step—why couldn't he muster the courage?

The wait felt endless. Vincent couldn't bring himself to move. He licked his dry lips, hesitating endlessly.

I waited patiently. For him to find his courage, take that step, and gain confidence from it. This was something he had to overcome alone.

"Don't worry. If you fall, I'll catch you."

I braced my legs, ready to dash forward at any moment.

Vincent said nothing. The longer he hesitated, the more anxious I grew. I worried he might give up entirely.

But then, he took a step.

Then another, and another. He began approaching me slowly. I deliberately stomped thud, thud as I backed away.

"Yes, you're coming along nicely."

I widened my strides and reached the doorway in an instant. He gauged my direction from the footsteps, advancing cautiously.

I stretched out both arms as far as possible, leaning forward, my eyes fixed solely on him.

He soon reached the door as well.

Just one more step.

"The door's right in front of you."

He reached out toward me. His large frame leaned forward. I leaned in to meet him. But in that moment, he slipped on something that hadn't been cleared away.

His body wobbled. Instinctively, I started to step forward, but he suddenly lifted his face. His clear emerald eyes stared straight ahead—as if he knew exactly where I was, reaching for me.

Don't move.

That's what it felt like. I halted my foot.

He quickly steadied himself with his other foot, then staggered forward another step. His large hand extended toward me again. I reached out with both of mine. His body brushed past the doorframe as he came to me.

I pulled him into a tight embrace.

"Master!"

The moment he fell into my arms, his knees buckled. I barely caught his collapsing weight, sinking to the floor and bumping my nose on his shoulder. A dull thud followed, with a sharp pain shooting through my backside.

But the pain faded quickly. The warmth filling my arms took precedence.

"Hah... hah."

His ragged breaths echoed in my ear. His sweat dampened my nape. His hands clutched my back, transmitting his tremors and tension to me. And only then did it hit me—he had walked out of the room alone.

Emotion surged within me. My nose stung for no reason, and I sniffled, patting his back.

"You did so well. Really, you did."

I whispered reassurances repeatedly. Vincent buried his face in my shoulder, breathing steadily. His golden hair poked at my cheek. It tickled, but instead, I rubbed my cheek against it. Knowing what he must be feeling, I couldn't bear to move.

We sat there on the floor for a long while.