Chapter 81

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 81

Chapter Title: To You, Whom I Couldn't Erase Even If I Tried (5)

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A few days later, replies to the letters Robert had sent began arriving one after another. Robert was overjoyed to receive them. Seeing how they eased his loneliness even just a little made me happy too. For a brief moment, I thought it was a good thing I knew how to write.

But the most important reply never came.

Vincent, who had personally been asked by the nanny that day, had promised to bring back a response. He'd made such a sour face about it to me. It was good news, but recalling how he'd grabbed my arm left me feeling uneasy. What had he been about to ask me?

However, as the wait dragged on, I started to doubt whether Vincent had even delivered the letter properly. Seeing his initially excited face gradually cloud over with disappointment made my heart race with anxiety. The nanny felt the same; her expression had been grim these past few days.

"Well written."

I politely returned the used ink bottles to Johnny.

"Did it grab your interest?"

"Immensely. Thanks."

"Then help me out with Alicia."

"Still no progress with her?"

These days, I'd been too busy with my own tasks to pay attention to anything else. Johnny let out a deep sigh and slumped his shoulders. This scene felt familiar from before.

"Lately, she's ignoring me again. She sulks when I talk to her and barely responds. It's like how she treated me before we came here."

"Did you two fight?"

"No way. I told you, we hardly even talk."

He must have set his heart on Vincent in the end, after all that agonizing. Whenever Vincent visited, he went with Robert to see Joelly. The three of them often had tea times together, and Alicia would always dress up nicely and stand there shyly. Once, she'd overdone it and gotten called out by Audrey.

"Just give up."

"Easier said than done."

"You like her that much?"

"She's exactly the ideal girl I've been waiting for."

That much? Well, good luck then. It didn't look promising anyway. But the same went for Alicia's side.

I patted the shoulder of Johnny, who was suffering from this endless one-sided crush, to comfort him.

"This is amazing, though. It actually has color."

"First time seeing it?"

"Yeah. Rich people use all sorts of fancy stuff."

Johnny shook the ink bottle.

"What's so great about it?"

"It stands out. And it's pretty."

"Have you tried it? Wait, how did you even know about this?"

"I've received some before."

Not me personally, exactly. I swallowed the bitter aftertaste of that unspoken truth. Back then, I'd regretted burning the letter, but now I was glad it left no trace. No traces meant I could forget it easily, since I hadn't taken anything with me.

"Anyway, thanks. It must be expensive, but you got it so quickly."

"Someone I know had it."

"Who?"

I was curious who would lend out something so pricey. Maybe he had noble connections? Hard to tell from appearances, but it didn't seem likely.

Johnny just shrugged at my question and carefully packed away the ink bottle. Guess he wasn't going to tell me.

"If you need my help as thanks, just say the word."

"You'd help me?"

"If it's something I can do. Except the Alicia thing."

Bonus points if you tell me before the hiring period ends.

I waved goodbye to Johnny and headed back down the corridor. Robert, who had stayed up late reading letters the night before, was sleeping in. No need to wake him, so I left him be. That left me with a leisurely morning.

As I strolled toward Robert's room at a relaxed pace, someone was standing in front of the door. I nearly jumped. It was the last person I expected—Vincent. I stopped in my tracks at the sight of the man I hadn't even glimpsed lately, he was so busy.

Vincent, who had been staring at the floor with his arms crossed, lifted his head as if sensing my presence. I immediately clasped my hands together and bowed my head.

"G-good morning, Master."

"……."

I greeted him despite my fluster, bowing deeply to avoid showing my face. His gaze prickled at the top of my head.

After a long silence, he strode toward me and abruptly thrust something out.

"Huh?"

It was a letter. I knew right away what it was.

"Thank you!"

I snatched the long-awaited letter with both hands—and grabbed his hand in the process.

Seeing Vincent's scowl, I quickly let go.

"I was just taking the letter."

"I know."

Vincent held the letter out further. Still bowed, I cautiously reached for it. Then, something occurred to me, and I fumbled in my pocket. He watched me curiously. Truth be told, I hadn't expected him to deliver it personally, so I wasn't prepared, but this would have to do.

I pulled out a chocolate cookie from my pocket. I carried them occasionally to soothe Robert. I offered one to Vincent.

"What's this?"

"A cookie. Sweet chocolate cookie."

"Why give it to me?"

"You granted my sudden request like this, and I wanted to express my thanks, but this is all I have on me right now. It's not much, but I hope you enjoy it."

It's really sweet and delicious. I added mentally, emphasizing the sweetness. Realizing my intent, he grimaced fiercely, then let out a hollow chuckle. Ah, cookies won't cut it after all. Should've prepared cake. His gaze turned menacing, clearly displeased.

"I don't need it. Put it away."

"But……."

"Put it away or I will."

He looked ready to toss it himself, so I hurriedly stuffed it back in my pocket. Why act like that? Everyone knows he loves sweets a ton.

My attempt to sweeten his mood with sugar had failed. Vincent shot me a dissatisfied look.

I groveled again, extending my hand. But just as my fingers brushed the edge of the letter, it pulled back. My eyes flicked up to follow it to him.

"First, I have a question."

"Yes, go ahead."

"This."

He pulled a crumpled paper from his pocket and shook it. My gaze landed on it.

"Who came up with this?"

It was the letter Robert had written and I'd delivered.

"Young Master missed his mother so much……."

"Not the letter. What's written here."

"……?"

Unable to grasp it quickly, Vincent unfolded the letter. The colorful writing came into view.

"The ink color's different."

"Ah—yes. We used ink in various colors."

"Your idea?"

"Yes. He hates writing letters, so I thought this might make it fun for him."

"Have you seen ink like this before?"

"Pardon?"

"Have you seen ink with colors like this?"

"……Why do you ask? Is there a problem?"

"Answer first."

At his sharp command, I hesitated before continuing.

"Yes. I've seen writing done with colored ink before."

"Where?"

"A while back……."

Was it my imagination?

"Where exactly, a while back?"

It felt like an interrogation.

"Have you ever worked here before?"

"……!"

Why, why ask that all of a sudden? The unexpected question threw me off. Unable to hide my shock, it showed on my face, so I quickly bowed my head. From the corner of my eye, Vincent was frowning.

What had he seen to say that? Was that what he'd been about to ask when he grabbed my arm last time? Why, what exactly had he…….

Suddenly, tension raced down my spine. The letter's writing. The colored ink. I finally realized what he'd noticed in the letter and what it had reminded him of. Just as it had triggered a memory for me, it must have for him too.

I'd messed up. I'd only thought of it as an expensive item. Even seeing others' reactions, I hadn't caught on. I'd been amazed by it myself at first, but now I realized I hadn't seen such ink anywhere before coming to this mansion.

Vincent's reaction was basically demanding to know where I'd gotten it. That meant it was extremely rare. Or perhaps not even sold commercially.

"This ink isn't sold on the market."

I squeezed my eyes shut at those words. I knew it wasn't for sale. And I'd admitted to having seen it.

"No, it might be sold across the sea somewhere, but at least not here. So very few people know about it. Especially not among the lower classes. It's not sold, but I know someone who uses this ink. I've received letters from them. But you said you've seen it. So either you worked here, or……."

Or you know Lucas.

That's what he was getting at.

Who are you?

My lips moved, but no sound came out. I was too confused—what to say, where to start. I could see the man waiting for my answer, his face as rigid as when he'd grabbed my arm.

But his emerald eyes, fixed on me, gleamed sharply, as if determined to uncover what I was hiding.

Had he recognized me?

I clamped my mouth shut and swallowed dryly. Should I tell him? Just blurt it out? That I was the maid who attended you when you couldn't see? What reaction would he have? I was curious. I wanted to say it. The impulse I'd suppressed so tightly burst forth in an instant.

The moment I was about to let it slip, a flash of light sparkled behind him. I blocked the sudden beam with one hand. Squinting, I saw sunlight reflecting off the glass pane crossing the door handle, glittering. As the sparkle faded, a woman's reflection appeared. Small, thin, plain, and unattractive.

"……As you know, Master, I can read and write a little. I used to do copying work. That's where I heard from a colleague about colorful inks. They were so fascinating that they kept a paper with writing on it, and I saw it just once."

This is weird. Lies poured from my mouth so smoothly. Even I was surprised at how natural it sounded; I nearly laughed inwardly. Since when had I gotten so good at lying? Layering deceptions upon deceptions had made it effortless to cloak myself in falsehoods.

"Who was it?"

"I don't know. We didn't pry into each other's affairs."

"Where was this copying job?"

"A small house near Novelr Square…… It's gone now."

I added hastily, in case he decided to check the house.

"Then where'd you get this ink?"

"I asked someone I know. Heard they borrowed it from an acquaintance."

"From whom?"

"All I heard was some distant acquaintance."

"Who did you ask?"

"Well……."

The questions kept coming, relentless. No matter how I dodged, he pursued what I was hiding. Afraid he'd notice my tension, I clenched my fists tightly.

"Master, can't you tell me what the problem is?"

"It's something I need to know, so answer."

"Is it that important?"

If he said no, I'd play dumb and insist I didn't know.

But he replied firmly.

"Yes. Very important."

"……."

"Who did you ask?"

"Another servant…… I'll look into it."

I added that bit fearing he'd ask who. He looked ready to track down the ink's provider right then. I couldn't drag Johnny into this.

He fell silent. His probing gaze made me uncomfortable, like standing on a bed of thorns.

"Can't I see that ink myself?"

"I already returned it, so I don't have it. Sorry."

Thank goodness I'd given it back just earlier.

"Didn't the person who told you about it say where they saw it?"

"Just that it was from their old workplace."

"Did you hear where?"

"Not that far…… Sorry."

I bowed deeply, hiding my face to conceal the trembling. He went quiet again. In that time, my heart plummeted countless times. I was terrified he'd suddenly yell at me not to lie.