Chapter 33

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 33

Chapter Title: The Count's Circumstances (3)

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"Have you ever used this place?"

"A few times when I was a kid. Staying cooped up in the mansion got stuffy, so I'd sneak out this way to play outside."

"Sneaking out?"

"Sneaking out."

I giggled. Imagining young Vincent opening this door was just too funny. Sometimes with a grumpy face, other times irritated, he'd unlatch the iron gate and dash into the world beyond.

He flicked my forehead as I laughed.

"This path is known only to family members. Now, it's just me who knows."

"Now I know too."

"Right. Now it's just you and me. No one else knows. It's a secret door, like you said."

The words had a nice ring to them. Secret door. I rolled them around in my mouth while fiddling with the iron gate.

"Shall we head to the village like this?"

"Pardon? Why?"

"You told me to go somewhere far."

"But not the village. No, just a little while ago you were scared to even leave your room. Why the sudden burst of courage?"

"You said I couldn't stay like this forever."

"True, but don't you need to stay out of sight?"

"You're right."

"Then definitely not. Let's just take a walk in the woods instead."

I shook my head firmly. I had no appetite for trouble. What if something happened out there? After making my refusal clear, I grabbed his hand and turned back toward the way we'd come.

"But how did you know about this place? I mean, you can't see, yet you strode here so confidently."

"The trees are marked."

He stopped walking and guided my hand. He felt around a nearby tree and placed my hand there. A tiny seal, like a stamp, was imprinted on it. Easier to detect by touch than sight.

"Follow the trees with these marks, and you end up at that door."

"Wow."

This really felt like an adventure!

"I love stuff like this. It's exciting."

"But it's better not to use it."

"Why?"

"Using this path means it's dangerous."

True enough. I nodded, tracing the seal on the tree.

"Aren't you curious about the village? It's pretty big and well-known."

"I am. But we can't risk danger."

"They won't recognize a blind man as Count Bellunita. And you've got my back."

Only then did I turn to look at Vincent. I couldn't understand.

"Why do you keep wanting to go out? You don't even really want to."

"You're right. I don't. But... I want to muster some courage. Like you said, I can't live like this forever."

"And you want to do it now?"

"These things need a trigger."

Why now, of all times? It was baffling stubbornness. He'd been acting out of character lately, changing so abruptly it worried me.

But Vincent's face, staring blankly ahead, looked resolute. His expression showed reluctance, but he didn't say no. Seeing that face, I couldn't refuse anymore. Truth be told, I wanted to see the village too.

"Alright. Then I'll grab a hat."

"A hat? Why?"

"Well..."

I usually wore one when going out. Especially in crowded places, I needed to hide my face. My bangs covered it, but it still felt unsafe. Besides, Vincent would look less conspicuous in a hat too.

"I think it'd make us less noticeable."

"We can buy one there."

"That'd take too long. Just wait a moment."

"Don't go."

He gripped my hand tighter. His calm face twisted with fear of being alone. I patted the back of his hand to soothe him.

"It's safe here, so you'll be fine by yourself. No one knows about this place, right? Just a quick moment. I'll be right back."

"......"

"Really, just a second? I'll run so fast you won't even see my feet. Okay?"

"......"

"Hmm, then count to a hundred. I'll be back before then."

Vincent gave me an incredulous look. Counting to a hundred wouldn't really give me enough time, but I kept reassuring him until he finally relented with permission to hurry back.

"Come back before a hundred."

"Yes!"

It was a reluctant okay, but I replied with extra cheer and carefully let go of his hand. Thankfully, he'd shaken off his anxious expression and stood calmly. I glanced at him and spun around quickly. From behind, I heard him start: one, two, three. He was really counting to a hundred.

No way he actually thought I could make it back by then, right? By the time he'd reached ten, my feet were tearing through the underbrush toward the outside.

I burst out of the bushes like a madwoman and ran straight to the annex's back door. But as I opened it and stepped in, an unusual silence greeted me.

Why so quiet? The annex was always pretty hushed, but today there was a strange tension in the air. Was it my imagination? I felt on edge. Catching my breath, I swallowed dryly.

I tiptoed toward the stairs on my heels, careful not to make a sound. First, I slipped into his room for a hat, then mine to pull one on before heading out.

That's when I heard a faint noise from somewhere. It caught my attention because it was voices. Voices here? And they sounded close.

Puzzled, I headed that way. The sounds came from downstairs. I took the back stairs down and followed the noise. In the entrance hall between the door to the main house and the central staircase, people were gathered.

The first thing I saw was the broad back of a tall, burly man. The butler stood beside him. And across from them was Isabella.

The black hair neatly slicked back looked unfamiliar. A guest here to see Vincent? As I stared curiously, my eyes met Isabella's from across the way. Her eyes widened briefly before settling back to calm.

"Where is Count Bellunita?"

"The Master is out."

"Call him."

A firm command in a heavy voice accustomed to giving orders. Who was this guy to act like that? My questions grew as the man turned his head. I quickly ducked behind the corner. Instinct screamed to hide.

A beat later, I peeked out again. He was looking toward the central staircase, eyes narrowed, scanning the area. He tapped the floor impatiently with his cane, radiating stern, somehow dangerous vibes. An unfamiliar guest.

He was like a snake. A viper. Hiding venomous fangs, eyeing prey. His deep brown eyes gleamed with open malice. He didn't even bother concealing it in someone else's home.

"This is problematic."

"I just need to see the Count. I don't know where he's hiding, but if he's here, bring him."

"......"

"How long are you going to make me wait?"

Then it clicked. Isabella had sent Vincent out because of this man. Someone he shouldn't meet. Because of his condition? No, it felt like something more serious.

No way...?

Isabella's gaze flicked back to me. I spun away fast. Muffling my footsteps, I hurried to the back door. Cold sweat trickled down my back. My heart pounded like it would burst through my ribs.

I bolted into the woods the moment I was out. No time to look back. I plunged into the forest, crashing through bushes. I got lost midway and struggled, but following the tree seals as he'd described, I reached the secret door.

Vincent startled at my approach, then focused intently on the sounds around him. I rushed to him, panting.

"Master."

"You passed a hundred."

He recognized my footsteps and scowled, though he hurried toward me like he'd been waiting.

"Wh-who was that at the mansion just now?"

"......"

His steps halted abruptly. The scowl vanished, replaced by tension washing over his face. Looking up at him, I turned my suspicion into certainty.

"Who... was it?"

"James... James Christopher."

Ethan and Lucas's brother.

The one who'd exposed Vincent's real name.

He was at the mansion. That's why Vincent had fled.

"So he really came."

He staggered. I rushed to support him. His face was pale. No place to sit nearby, so I spread my coat on the ground and helped him down onto it. It was from Isabella, which pricked at me, but I couldn't let him sit on bare dirt.

His breathing grew ragged—I feared a seizure—but he soon steadied. Exhausted, he pressed his brow.

"What's he here for?"

"To check on my condition, probably."

"He never came in person before?"

"First time since this happened. He's sent people a few times prior. He must've heard I met Ethan, Violet, and Lucas recently. Did he see your face?"

"No. I only saw him from afar. Felt like I shouldn't get close."

"Good... you did well."

Vincent looked somehow forlorn saying that. His clouded eyes fixed on the ground. Watching the storm of emotions on his face, I quietly sat beside him.

"I got the hat, so shall we go to the village?"

"No. I'm drained."

As I gauged his mood, he leaned his head on my shoulder.

"Somewhere else then?"

"Am I a bother?"

"What do you mean?"

"This place."

I looked around the small space. The secret door behind us, surrounded by bushes. No noisy crowds or prying eyes—just peaceful quiet. Only him and me. That was comforting. The occasional bird calls were pleasant.

"No."

"Then stay here. Like this."

He closed his eyes. I placed the hat on his head.