Chapter 30

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 30

Chapter Title: Tea Time with the Count (12)

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A man stood before Violet. Joy radiated from her face as she faced him. Who could he be? Tilting my head, I drew closer, and their voices drifted over.

"Where have you been all this time? You weren't even in your room."

"Just taking a tour of the estate after so long."

"You come with us and then slip away on your own."

"There was just so much to see."

Their conversation brimmed with familiarity. Wondering who he could be, I eyed his brown-haired head, but he never turned my way, so I couldn't make out his face. By the time I reached them, the man was heading toward Vincent.

I set the teapot and pastries on the table, stealing a glance at the back of the man's head as he chatted with Vincent.

"Who's this gentleman?"

"Ethan's younger brother."

"Ethan Christopher's brother? He has a brother?"

As I asked in surprise, an arm suddenly poked out from behind me. Whipping around, I found Ethan standing there, a pastry already in his mouth.

"I've got an incredibly sweet little brother. I'll introduce him to you, maid. He's got a handsome face, a great personality, and he's super popular. But don't go falling for him. He's too much to handle."

"I won't."

"That's what they all say before they fall."

"Pretty confident, aren't you?"

"He's my pride and joy."

Ethan grinned mischievously. I shrugged. Now I was dying to see what this pride-and-joy brother looked like. I glanced at the man's head again, and just then, he turned toward me.

His face looked familiar up close.

"Say hello to the maid, this is my little brother. You say hi too. This is the maid currently attending to Vincent."

"Nice to meet you."

His brown hair swayed in the breeze. His smooth voice was pleasant to the ear. Still that refined, elegant air. Our eyes met, and he smiled brightly, extending his hand politely.

"Lucas Christopher."

"Christopher..."

I never imagined the man I'd met in the forest was Ethan's brother. What a coincidence. Staring blankly at him, he tilted his head. Snapping out of it, I realized my rudeness and bowed my head. I took his outstretched hand and greeted him.

"N-Nice to meet you."

As I tried to pull away after the brief greeting, he gripped my hand tighter and lifted it. At the same time, the heat of his palm pressed firmly against the back of my hand.

"Call me Lucas."

It was such an elegant, courteous greeting. And it reminded me of someone. He really was Ethan's brother.

"Must be tough dealing with my brothers, right? You too, sis. They're all so... unique."

"No way. The maid likes me."

"Really?"

His question left my mind blank, unable to respond. I scanned the man before me. He released my hand and bantered playfully with Ethan. Violet wedged herself between the two.

"You guys are too much. Keeping it a secret from me."

"Sorry. He didn't want me to."

"I respect the man's wishes myself."

"Tch—"

Violet grumbled but didn't press further. Ethan and Lucas smiled apologetically. From their exchange, I realized this Lucas knew about Vincent's condition too.

At the same time, something Vincent had once said floated through my mind. I glanced at Vincent. He sipped his tea calmly, showing no surprise or fear.

With one more person, tea time grew even livelier. But amid it all, I couldn't smile.

They seemed like such a warm family. Yet something felt off. I wasn't sure if I had the right to think that, but... something was wrong.

Using the excuse of refilling the now-empty teapot thanks to the new arrival, I fled the scene again. I went to the kitchen to refill it, then took the long way back, trying to shake off the nagging thoughts. That's when I spotted someone coming from the opposite direction.

It was Lucas.

"Everyone looks like they're having fun."

His low whisper reached my ears faintly. His gaze, which had been on the sky, shifted to me. He'd known I was coming. The wind tousled his hair.

I bowed my head politely.

"Why are you out here?"

"Just getting some air. Oh, right—I never caught your name."

"Ah, Paula."

"Paula. Paula. Paula..."

My name rolled off his tongue sweetly, as if he were calling something precious. It tickled me oddly, and I scratched my nape.

"Paula. I've heard a lot about you from my brother. Said you're an interesting one."

"I'm honored."

I doubted Ethan had only said good things. Probably badmouthed me to his brother. I frowned briefly, then smoothed it out.

"We've met in the woods before, haven't we?"

"Yes."

"I wondered who you were then, but you're the one attending my brother. Did the letter get delivered properly?"

The forgotten memory resurfaced. I pressed on hurriedly.

"Um, where did you find that letter?"

"I picked it up off the ground by the entrance when I was leaving the estate. I figured it needed delivering, but no one was around, so I kept it in case it was important. Then I ran into you in the forest while touring, and you seemed like estate staff, so I gave it to you. Was it something important?"

"...I see. Yes, it was. Thank you for passing it on."

Thinking how close I'd come to losing that precious letter, I was deeply grateful for his kindness. I bowed again. He chuckled softly.

"How's Vincent? Doing well?"

"Yes, he's doing fine."

"He looks it. Better than I expected, actually. I thought he'd be holed up in his room. This is a surprise."

What? Blinking in confusion, he smiled. His smile did resemble Ethan's.

"He hasn't told you?"

"What do you mean...?"

"I blinded him."

"...!"

What... what did he just... say?

What on earth was this man saying?

"Your face says you knew too, Paula. You were eyeing me warily the whole time. I didn't think he'd even tell you that much. He must trust you a lot."

"I-I..."

"Don't be too shocked."

He took a step closer. I backed away quickly. My heart pounded. Fear surged after his shocking confession. Suddenly, the man before me terrified me. His smiling face looked sinister.

'That family is the one who did this to me.'

His eerily calm voice echoed in my mind again. I retreated unsteadily, clutching my trembling heart. Understanding my reaction, Lucas kept smiling.

"Good thing it's just like I imagined."

As I opened my mouth to demand what he meant, a rustling sound cut through. Our gazes snapped toward it. Vincent stood there. He looked startled too, as if sensing someone's presence.

I whipped my head to Lucas, then back to Vincent. I didn't know how he'd gotten here so fast, but his reflexes were quicker than I'd thought. Dashing past Lucas, I grabbed Vincent's arm. Pressing down on his instinctive attempt to shake me off, I pulled him the other way.

"You..."

"F-First. Let's go. Please, just go."

He shut his mouth at my urging, whatever he'd been about to say. Hurrying him along, I glanced back. Through the howling wind, I saw the man watching us. The one who'd just confessed to blinding Vincent.

My heart raced again. Sweat slicked my grip on Vincent. Terrified I'd slip and lose him, I clung tighter. The gaze boring into my back was horrifying.

He must have felt it too.

"Why are you so freaked out? What happened?"

"Let's get out of here first, then I'll explain."

Suddenly, he stopped. I tugged hard, but he held firm. No matter how much I pulled, he wouldn't budge. My steps halted too. Turning, he spoke first.

"Tell me what happened."

"Master. I'll tell you once we're away."

"Tell me now."

He made it clear he wouldn't move a step without an answer. Not now! I glanced behind him. The man was out of sight, but I feared he'd catch up any second. I swallowed dryly.

"That man... he really did it?"

"Did what?"

"Master... your eyes."

His expression questioned what nonsense that was. Frustrated, I shot back.

"Ethan Christopher's brother, Lucas Christopher—he said he did that to your eyes."

"...Lucas did that?"

"Yes."

He fell silent. That scared me more. It felt like confirmation. But his response defied my expectations.

"No."

"Master. Please don't hide it. You need to avoid him."

"Really, no."

"Then who was it?"

I crossed the forbidden line without thinking. Ignoring the warning not to ask. That's how rattled I was. My head spun as I demanded tearfully, and Vincent sighed before answering.

"James Christopher."

"Who's that?"

"Ethan's half-brother."

A fierce gust howled, tousling my hair as it swept past him. My mind was on the verge of exploding, but he was so nonchalant it felt like a dream.

"He's the one who did this to me."

Vincent didn't take it back. The truth. He was telling me the truth—the secret he'd meant to keep—even from a mere maid like me.

And that was when I realized, much later, that I'd crossed a line I shouldn't have. And the truth behind Lucas's kindness toward me.