Chapter 37

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 37

Chapter Title: The Count's Circumstances (7)

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Coughing harshly, Lucas patted my back, asking if I was okay. Once I finally calmed down, I stared up at him in a daze. What did you just say? Who's pretty? Me? ……Is your eyesight bad or something?

"Pretty……?"

Vincent voiced his doubt. Snapping back to reality, I turned to look at him.

"Who's pretty?"

"Your maid."

Lucas charged ahead with utter conviction. There wasn't a shred of hesitation in his response. I looked at him again. Are you insane? I wondered silently.

"……Pretty?"

"Yeah."

"For real? Seriously?"

"Yeah. Seriously."

Lucas answered while looking right at me. Our eyes met, and he flashed a bright, cheerful smile. I wondered if he was teasing me. But there wasn't a hint of deceit on his face.

Vincent, who had been silent for a moment, murmured softly.

"Pretty, huh……."

"Pure white suits her perfectly."

"Pretty, you say."

"Very much so."

Their words synced up perfectly. Vincent rarely showed any sign of fluster, but he did now.

But the one most flustered was me.

I couldn't comprehend what Lucas was saying. Had he even seen my face properly? If not, I wanted to part my bangs and show him right then. What part of this face is pretty? Huh? I wanted to ask if his tastes were just that unique.

"So, she's that pretty, huh."

But I couldn't ask because of Vincent. He looked somehow dazed. Still, I had no spare attention to check on him.

"Yeah. Pretty enough to fall for at first sight."

His shocking words made my jaw drop. Vincent's eyes widened in surprise too. Only Lucas kept smiling that refreshingly perfect smile.

What do I do? This guy's weird.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"I'm not sure if I should say this, but……."

Instead of asking if he was crazy, I flapped my hand at him. Lucas leaned in slightly at the waist. Now closer, I covered my mouth with my hand and whispered just loud enough for him to hear.

"Do you have unique tastes, by any chance?"

"I haven't really thought about it, but mine are pretty ordinary."

"Then why say that?"

"Say what?"

He seemed genuinely clueless. Frustrated, I opened and closed my mouth like a fish. Glancing at Vincent, I saw he'd been quiet since earlier. His face was impassive, but I could sense a whirlwind of thoughts behind it. One thing was clear—my image in his mind had been neatly categorized.

"People might misunderstand."

"Who?"

"The Master."

"Misunderstand what?"

I had no idea why this man was acting like this. I started to retort, then hesitated. Do I really need to correct him? Thinking it over…… it wasn't bad for me. I wanted Vincent to remember me as pretty, after all.

Yeah, it's not like it's anything bad.

I was shocked, but it was a compliment I'd never hear again in my life. Honestly, it felt good. It was the first time a man had said I was pretty enough to fall for. Even if it was just polite flattery, any woman would be thrilled.

"What kind of misunderstanding?"

"No."

I lowered my hand from my mouth and straightened up. Lucas tilted his head. Clearing my throat, I spoke loud enough for Vincent to hear too.

"I'm just really shy. I know you meant it kindly, but please save those compliments for when we're alone from now on."

"Got it."

"……."

Even I felt shameless laughing at myself, but Lucas's casual agreement was just as absurd. Hearing that, Vincent's brow furrowed slightly. Still, this time it wasn't a lie on my part. I decided to get even bolder.

"Where are we strolling to?"

"The forest."

We finished the remaining tea and headed to the woods behind the annex. It was still peaceful here. And pleasant. As I admired the trees filling the sky and the fresh leaves sprouting from bare branches, Lucas veered off to the side.

"Lord Lucas. That's not the way."

"This way has better sights."

He pointed left. There wasn't even a path there. What to do…… Looking up at Vincent right away, he nodded upon sensing my gaze. Permission granted.

So we followed Lucas deeper into the forest. With no path, it was rough going. I cleared branches blocking the way now and then, warning him of dangerous obstacles ahead. Vincent gripped my hand tightly and followed carefully.

The place we reached was a wide-open clearing surrounded by dense trees. My mouth fell open. No way. A spot like this in the forest?

"Wow―!"

"Pretty, right?"

Lucas asked at my reaction. I nodded vigorously, unable to tear my eyes from the scene.

A spectacular field of flowers stretched before us.

I hadn't seen anything like a flowerbed on the way here. Yet this clearing held a vast one. White, vibrant flowers swayed gently. As if welcoming us. The trees encircled them protectively.

They weren't flashy. More plain than ornate. The mansion's gardens, meticulously tended for constant beauty, outdid them in splendor. But this place felt entirely different. Untouched by human hands, it showcased nature's own beauty. Just looking purified the soul.

"How did you know about a place like this?"

"Found it wandering around when I was bored once."

"It's so pretty. Really, really."

Lucas smiled, glad at my excited, higher-pitched voice. I scanned the white flower field eagerly. It was densely packed with pure white blooms. So amazing.

"Master, Master. The flowers are so pretty."

I shook Vincent's hand—he was behind me. He glanced around, seemingly searching for the flowers I'd mentioned.

Grinning widely, I led him into the flowerbed. The flowers here had long stems. They reached my waist, brushing Vincent's thighs and swaying.

"You're in the flowerbed now."

"A lot?"

"Yes. So many. They cover the whole area."

I described the surroundings step by step. The guarding trees, flowers filling the open space, petals so pure white they'd dust you if touched, the breeze brushing them, and the blue sky above.

All combining in perfect harmony.

"It's amazing they're only blooming here. I saw a few flowers on the way, but nothing gathered like this."

"Yeah."

"You'd definitely be amazed if you could see it."

"Your reaction's enough."

Unlike my excitement, he was utterly calm. Still, I smiled happily. Only after I gushed "so pretty" dozens of times did he finally nod.

I pressed a flower to his hand. He bent awkwardly at the waist, following my lead. His long fingers brushed the white blooms, making them sway.

"Makes me want to jump in."

"Then jump."

"They'd all get crushed."

"Jump carefully."

Was he joking? Puzzled, I saw his gaze fixed on the flowers. His hand tapped one again. And again. Then he gently caressed a petal. He seemed to like it.

I knelt beside him, burying my face in the flowers. They smelled flowery.

"They smell nice too."

"They all smell the same."

"Still."

I kept sniffing, while Vincent kept touching. Lucas approached, looking pleased as he watched us.

"Like it?"

"Love it!"

"What about you, brother?"

"Not bad."

His positive response deepened Lucas's smile.

I tilted my head back, gazing at the vast flowers. The refreshing sight made me want to dive in and run wild. So I jumped up, shaking our clasped hands. Vincent gave a puzzled look. Pretending to tug him, he got the hint and straightened.

I led him deeper in. Vincent followed me, Lucas trailed Vincent.

"Master, spread your hand."

I waved my free hand wildly. Flowers tapped my fingertips. Lucas, behind Vincent, laughed at the sight, then mimicked me. Flowers barely grazed his hand too. Seeing it, I laughed happily.

"Master. Hurry, hurry."

"Brother. Hurry, hurry."

"……."

At our urging, Vincent hesitantly raised his hand. Slowly spreading his fingers. White flowers entered and left his palm. Feeling it, perhaps, he opened wider. His hand filled with blooms.

Seeing his dazed face, I turned and quickened my pace. Flowers tickled my waist. Wind tousled my hair refreshingly. I wanted to run. Dash through. Footsteps behind sped up too. No—mine did. Suddenly, I was running through the flowerbed.

As if becoming a flower myself.

Carried by the wind.

When I stopped, we'd reached the field's end. It hadn't seemed so big visually, but it was vast. Panting slightly roughly, Lucas popped up beside me. He bent over, gasping too.

"You're pretty fast."

"Ah, sorry. I didn't mean to run."

Only seeing him panting did I realize I'd bolted. I'd gotten too excited midway. Sudden mischief for the two following.

I apologized repeatedly, but he waved it off. Still winded, he looked up at the sky, breathing hard.

Then Lucas burst out laughing. A genuinely delighted laugh.

"Haven't run like this in ages. Feels good, right brother?"

Lucas looked back. Only then did I check Vincent. Behind us, he breathed raggedly. His golden hair disheveled from running stuck out every which way. Below it, flushed cheeks caught my eye.

Our still-clasped hands were sweaty. Flustered, I approached. A-Are you okay? Even to my question, he just blinked. Like he was dreaming. Then he slowly looked down at our hands.

From behind, Lucas laughed again and plopped down. Surprised, I turned to him. Joyful laughter echoed. "Right?" he asked again. I looked back at Vincent. His panting lips curved into a long smile.

"Yeah."

His emerald eyes curved upward from gazing at his palm.

"Feels good."

His face looked utterly refreshed.