Chapter 85

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 85

Chapter Title: To You, Whom I Couldn't Erase Even If I Tried (9)

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I tried to stop him in a fluster, but Vincent strode into the kitchen without so much as a glance at me. If Audrey saw an upper servant entering a place like this, she'd have a fit.

His face remained perfectly calm as he glanced around the dingy kitchen. I anxiously scanned his back, thinking we should just find the candle quickly and get out. I turned toward the large cupboard in one corner of the kitchen and rummaged deep inside, pulling out a few spare candles.

Where's the candlestick? As I spun around, I jumped in surprise. Vincent was standing right behind me, gazing down at me as if I were some curious specimen.

"Why do you keep candles in a place like that?"

"S-sometimes we need them in a hurry. If I can just find the candlestick, you can go wait outside."

"Where is it?"

"Somewhere around here... P-please, just go out first. Yeah?"

My heart pounded at the thought of someone walking in and seeing this. I begged him to wait outside since I'd find it myself, and finally, Vincent reluctantly turned away. I let out a sigh of relief as he left the kitchen.

I searched under the cupboard and around it, but there was no spare candlestick. With no choice, I grabbed an old one that had been used before. Clutching it to my chest, I stepped out to find Vincent waiting for me. It struck me as odd. Why was he still here?

"Why are you still hanging around?"

"You're going back to Robert, aren't you? I'm coming too."

"Ah, got it."

He didn't show it, but he must be worried about Robert. I nodded and took the lead. With the lamp's light restored, the fear had faded. Or maybe it was because he was with me.

The corridor still echoed with the wind's wailing screams. I could hear tree branches clashing against each other. Amid that, the steady sound of our footsteps mingled as we walked. Two pools of light illuminated the path ahead.

This felt just like five years ago. The days when I'd hold Vincent's hand and lead the way together.

A sharp pang hit me all at once. My nose tingled. I rubbed it casually and kept walking. Thanks to the Master, we easily reached the central staircase.

"Did you deliver the letter to Robert?"

"Yes. He was thrilled. Thank you so much."

"And what about that other thing?"

"What do you mean?"

"The ink."

I nearly stopped in my tracks. I barely kept my footing and swallowed hard. The tension I'd momentarily forgotten surged back. I clutched my chest, afraid he'd hear my pounding heart. I was grateful for the eerie noises around us.

Was now the right time? I had to say I couldn't find it, that I was sorry. I wasn't sure if he'd let it go easily, but there were no other options.

I steadied my breath, calmed my racing heart, and steeled myself. I couldn't let on that I was nervous. I closed my eyes once, opened them, and turned to answer him.

"Watch out!"

Suddenly, everything flashed bright. The end of the corridor, Vincent's startled face—it was all lit up. And the moment I realized it, darkness crashed in.

At the same time, a massive BOOM! thundered.

Kaboom!

"Aaah!"

I clamped my hands over my ears and screamed without thinking. The enormous thunderclap reignited my terror. It felt like lightning had struck right beside me. In the shock, I dropped the lamp I was holding.

I opened my eyes at the sound of shattering glass, just in time to see something whip past and slam into the wall. I dodged on instinct but lost my balance and fell hard on my butt. Seizing the moment, another bolt of lightning struck viciously.

Rumble rumble boom! I covered my ears again and curled up. A fierce wind howled from somewhere. Even the last remaining light snuffed out. The corridor plunged into pitch blackness.

I stayed huddled like that for a while. The disorienting thunder roared on before finally tapering off.

Bit by bit, my senses returned. I opened my eyes and looked around—nothing but inky darkness. Even the moonlight was shrouded by thick black clouds; not a hint of light remained.

My hair and clothes whipped wildly in the wind. More glass shattered somewhere; apparently, the lamp wasn't the only casualty. Wind was rushing in from nearby. Right next to me? Something had flown by—maybe a branch or a stone. The gusts were strong enough to sweep a person away.

I grabbed my tousled hair and groped around. It was so dark I couldn't tell where anything was. The only signs of life were the howling wind and distant rumbles of thunder. Where was Vincent? Where was he? I pulled myself together and patted the floor, searching for him.

"M-Master? Master!"

I called urgently, but no answer came.

I crawled toward where I thought he might be, feeling along the floor. But I touched nothing. I called again, still silence. No matter how I peered into the dark or felt around, I couldn't figure out where he was.

No, I don't even know where I am.

Was this even the corridor I'd been walking? Dread gripped me. My body hadn't been flung somewhere, but everything felt strangely unfamiliar. Because it was so dark, so cold... just like that time.

Like that day.

Someone else was in the darkness with me. I could hear footsteps—thud thud. I knew there was nothing but blackness all around, no one else, yet it felt like eyes were watching me from beyond. A warning chilled me to the bone, as if a sharp blade would lunge out any second to stab me and drag me to death. I couldn't stay here—that warning screamed it.

They're coming to kill me. I have to run.

But why wouldn't my body move? It was like the wind had pinned me down. Don't go. This is where it ends for you.

"...la."

A hoarse voice called my name. Barely audible, like even breathing was a struggle. I turned toward the sound, and something warm trickled over my hand. Blood. Crimson blood, vivid even in the dark.

And the man lying there.

"Ah... aaa—"

Don't do this. Please don't. A silent scream choked me. I thrashed wildly, scooting backward on my butt. Not again. This nightmare again. The horrifying terror that had bound me, the sensation of death looming.

"Don't do this to me. Don't do this."

Don't drag me back there. I wriggled desperately, but the nightmare wouldn't fade. My vision blurred, yet that face grew sharper. Why are you like this? Why, how... Lord Lucas.

My raised hand trembled in the air. His brown eyes, filled with agony, pleaded with me desperately. His twisted face cried out to me. Run. Go now. No. Maybe... maybe he was begging for help. Maybe pleading not to be abandoned. Maybe I'd just assumed what he wanted.

I... I wanted to live... so I...

"That's right, sis."

A cold hand gripped my shoulder. The body heat pressing against my back froze me solid. Even the breath on my ear carried an icy chill. The childish voice that used to cling to me every night, sobbing, now dripped with venom as it pierced my throat.

"You're a selfish person who only cares about yourself."

"No. No."

"Not content with your own flesh and blood, you devoured the man who was kind to you and survived alone."

"Stop. Please stop..."

"Come with us, sis. Come with us."

Suddenly, pale feet thrust into view. One, two, three. They dangled in the air, swinging with a creak like they were dancing. I screamed silently. A frail voice called to me. Sis, sis. My eldest sister. The voices of my long-dead siblings, the wails of infants, echoed from all sides.

Breathing grew impossible; I hacked and coughed. Guilt overwhelmed me—I didn't know what to do. Surviving while ignoring my siblings' deaths made me sick with revulsion.

I wanted to grab those clinging childish hands and share my warmth. But I couldn't; I just curled up tighter. Hands over my ears, I sobbed. The wind's screams, the thunder's fury—they faded now. Only those dreamlike voices constricted around me.

"Paula."

Then someone called me. Paula. Paula. It was so strained, so fragile it might snap any moment. A whisper you had to strain to hear. I knew that voice well.

Lord Lucas. I pictured him fighting alone in his pain. This time, I wanted to be by his side. I didn't want to leave him alone anymore.

I crawled to him awkwardly. Flashes lit the surroundings. Lucas appeared and vanished repeatedly. I feared he'd be swallowed by the dark. My palms stung, but I ignored it and kept crawling toward him. Tears streamed as I called his name. Lord Lucas. Lord Lucas.

The moment I reached him, lightning flashed. Thunder ceased, and darkness returned. I groped in the black until I felt smooth fabric. Sliding my hand down, I touched cool skin trembling violently. I gripped it tight and wrapped my other arm around his large frame, hugging him close.

"I'm right here."

I pressed closer, pulling him into my embrace. His teeth chattered in my ear. The huge body in my arms shook like a child's. He could barely breathe from fear.

I stroked his back and rubbed my cheek against his rough hair.

"I'll stay by your side."

This time, I'll be by your side.

My thumb traced the back of his trembling hand. I hugged him tighter, patting his back. It was faint, but I tried to share my warmth. I hoped he'd stop being afraid because of me.

Unlike his chilly skin, his hot breath washed over my shoulder and shattered against it. Soon, a warm pressure pressed firmly through the thin fabric. A slight tremor followed, but not as bad as before. His shaking gradually subsided.

The heat spread across my shoulder, then slid to my neck. I flinched at the unfamiliar sensation on my skin. As if soothing me, the warmth retreated over the fabric. His hair tickled my ear pleasantly. A large hand gripped my back tightly.

"La..."

The sky still rumbled, but the darkness no longer terrified me. The body heat enveloping me grew warmer, soothing my heart. It brought relief.

The moon peeked through the black clouds. Moonlight streamed through the windows, chasing away the gloom. The pitch-black surroundings brightened gradually. It felt like the light pierced my mind too.

Suddenly, my senses snapped back.

What was I just doing?

I blinked at the now-illuminated corridor. Glancing sideways, I saw shimmering golden hair aglow with light. I blinked once, twice, three times, then realized my position. I was holding someone in my arms.

I pulled back slightly, but he clung like he wouldn't let go. Flustered, I patted his broad back on impulse. I... uh, so... just now...

I rolled my eyes wildly, then pulled away again. This time, he let go easily. I leaned back and looked down at the face of the one who'd been in my arms. The moonlight brightened further, revealing his features clearly.

Emerald eyes gleaming vividly blinked up at me. His dazed expression seemed more shocked than mine. Vincent, still clinging to my chest, alternated glances between my face and our positions before recoiling in horror.

"Ugh!"

"Guh!"

With a powerful shove, he pushed me away hard.