Chapter 91

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Translator: Harry Potta

Chapter: 91

Chapter Title: That Still Strange Guest (5)

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After that, the conversation dragged on with simple pleasantries centered around Joelle. It was mostly Joelle talking, with Vincent and Ethan responding. For me, waiting at the back, it was a boring stretch of time. Alicia must have been bored too, since she secretly yawned.

Robert, who had been eating dessert, started whining to be picked up by the nanny because he was full. Once she scooped him up, he fiddled with a little wooden horse figurine in her arms and fell asleep. Joelle gazed fondly at him and then asked Ethan,

"You're still really busy these days, aren't you? But surely things have settled down a bit?"

"More or less. Work's still hectic."

"You've got it rough."

"Violet's the one suffering more than me."

My ears perked up at the familiar name.

"How's she doing? Still looks worn out?"

"It's still a bit overwhelming for her, but she's pushing through. Speaking of which, does Robert still ask for Violet a lot these days?"

"It's eased off lately. Apparently, they're exchanging letters."

"Letters? Didn't you say it's hard to get replies from her?"

Ethan looked puzzled, and Joelle laughed. The nanny beside her chuckled along. Vincent quietly sipped his tea. Ethan glanced back and forth at the three of them before asking what was going on.

"Vincent went there himself and brought back a reply."

"And he's been helping out ever since."

The nanny added her explanation. I stared at Vincent in surprise.

I hadn't known. I'd thought it ended with him delivering one reply because Robert hadn't written back at the time. But apparently, the letters had continued. I hadn't realized Vincent had been steadily helping out through it all. I was honestly impressed.

But I wasn't the only one. Ethan's face, still stiff, showed clear surprise as he looked at Vincent. Even though he must have felt Ethan's gaze, Vincent just kept sipping his tea.

"You have no idea how much Robert adores him."

Joelle smiled happily. But a bitter shadow quickly crossed her face.

"It'd be even better if Violet could make time for him..."

She gulped down her tea to hide her expression, but couldn't erase the worry from her face. Ethan and Vincent silently drank their tea as well. A strange tension hung in the air, leaving me puzzled, until Joelle started rambling on about her concerns for Violet.

"What did that sweet, refined, beautiful girl ever do wrong to deserve such hardship? Her uncle's going too far. She's never gotten her hands dirty in her life."

"It might do her good to get them dirty once."

Joelle shot Ethan a fierce glare when he countered. He averted his eyes and nibbled on a cookie.

"Couldn't you have made a choice for her sake?"

This time, her criticism turned toward Vincent.

"It's the path Violet chose."

"That's exactly when you should have stepped up to protect her! Not just stand by and watch! Don't you feel any guilt toward her?!"

"Sure. It's all my fault."

"Then what does that make me if you admit it so easily?!"

Vincent gave her a look that said, What do you want me to do? Beside them, Ethan sighed and shook his head. From their attitudes, it seemed like a topic that came up often.

"Forget all that. When she said she wanted to take that tough road, I should have stopped her. I should have talked her out of it somehow. It was my mistake not to block her to the end—she was so resolute."

"Like Vincent said, it's Violet's choice. We don't have the right to stop her. And the consequences of that choice are hers to bear."

"I know. I know that... but it still upsets me. What can I do?"

Seeing Joelle's pained expression, her affection for Violet seemed deep. Well, she was the kind of person anyone could love, with her warm heart. In my memories, Violet had been kind even to me, a lowly servant. Knowing she'd been forced into a marriage and widowed made my heart heavy.

"Vincent. You're on my bad side now. You know that?"

"That's scary."

"It's that attitude of yours! That's why I'm carrying on like this—it's all your fault!"

At that moment, a sharp crash echoed through the room.

In the blink of an eye, the teacup Vincent had been holding shattered on the floor. Tea spilled out, soaking his hand. Droplets fell from his fingertips. Shards of porcelain lay scattered at his feet.

"Sorry. My grip must have slipped."

Vincent tilted his head crookedly. But unlike his words, there wasn't a hint of apology on his face. Everyone there knew he'd dropped it on purpose, not accidentally.

A heavy silence instantly blanketed the drawing room. Joelle stared at the broken cup in shock, and Ethan clicked his tongue, signaling to Audrey.

As Audrey, who had soaked a clean towel in cold water, took a step forward, someone darted quickly to Vincent's side.

"Are you okay?"

Alicia carefully covered Vincent's hand with the damp towel. She was faster than anyone else there. Her face full of worry as she examined his hand. She even subtly fiddled with it.

I, too, checked on Vincent in alarm. I worried the hot tea might have scalded him. Fortunately, aside from his trouser hem being wet, he didn't seem hurt.

"Did it burn anywhere?"

"I'm fine."

Vincent answered calmly amid everyone's attention. He turned his head. Our eyes met as I watched him, and I quickly looked away.

"Anne. Clean up the shards."

"Yes, sir."

I pulled myself together, grabbed a fresh towel, and headed over. Kneeling before him, I wiped up the pooled tea from the floor. Then I gathered the broken pieces into my apron. Audrey came over with a broom to help.

In the meantime, Ethan smoothed things over.

"Joelle, I get how you feel, so let's drop this. It doesn't look good in front of others. I'll make time to see Violet myself."

"...Fine."

Joelle picked up her teacup with a displeased look. She gulped it down as if her stomach was in knots. A faint "coward" slipped out under her breath, but Vincent ignored it and ate a cookie. Ethan glanced between the two, then let out a small sigh. The razor-sharp tension finally eased.

"Anyway, Vincent. How about staying here a few days? Call it a vacation."

With the mood calming, Ethan changed the subject. I glanced up to watch them. Vincent, who had been looking down, lifted his eyes.

"Here? You have other estates."

"This place feels right. It's peaceful, and Robert's here."

"..."

"That work for you?"

There was a playful lilt in Ethan's voice. Vincent didn't answer right away. Silence settled over the room again. As it grew a bit longer and heavier, Vincent finally replied.

"Fine. Then assign someone to attend me."

Vincent glanced at Audrey. She nodded as if to say she'd pick someone suitable. But then Ethan said something unexpected.

"I'd like to ask her."

He pointed somewhere. Everyone's gazes followed his finger.

Toward me.

I froze awkwardly mid-rise, clutching my apron full of shards. Me? Who, me? Under everyone's stares, I looked at Ethan in bewilderment. He, still pointing right at me, softened his stern expression into a kind smile.

"Take good care of me."

How had I overlooked this situation?

He was still a strange guest.

"What on earth was that?!"

The moment I was alone with Ethan, I cornered him and slammed a hand against the wall beside his face. I couldn't hide my anger.

"Paula. You're making me tremble here."

"Cut the joking!"

His playful demeanor even now was absurd.

"Oops. My mistake. I forgot how shy you are. Should've asked on the sly instead of outright."

"That's not the issue!"

"Then what's the problem?"

His shamelessness was infuriating.

Going back to that moment, everyone had stared at me after Ethan's sudden remark. Questions stabbed at me. Why her? Do they know each other?

Audrey spoke up first, calmly.

"If I may, Anne's probation period is almost over."

"Then extend her probation. Or hire her full-time."

Ethan replied evenly, and Audrey looked troubled. Ah, right—I had to leave once my probation ended. I'd worried it might get extended, but that was needless. I shook off the random thought and shot Ethan a glare to drop it. He smiled serenely, unperturbed by my look.

Joelle frowned slightly, glancing between Ethan and me. The nanny eyed us curiously, and Alicia shot me a quick look. Uncomfortable silence flowed, broken only by Robert's soft breathing.

Vincent, unable to stand it, finally asked.

"Do you two know each other?"

"We know each other very well. She did me a huge favor once."

"What on earth was that?! Why did you say that?!"

With his brazen lie, Vincent's permission came through. Something about how our acquaintance meant I'd serve him well. Thanks to that, my probation got extended. I belatedly protested that I wasn't confident, but it fell on deaf ears.

"I thought it'd be comfortable having you attend me."

"Lord Ethan!"

"Alright, that was an excuse. I wanted to spend more time with you?"

"Pardon?"

His chilling words made me scratch my arms. I stepped back warily, and Ethan gave an embarrassed smile.

"Don't look at me like that. It's not like that."

"I know. It just feels... Anyway, what were you thinking?"

"Frustrated?"

"..."

"Felt like fate, too."

Was he really going to spout destiny nonsense now that we'd met again? Then every villager he bumped into on the street was fate?

"Aren't you curious too, Paula?"

"About what?"

I realized this situation couldn't be undone and made a face. Remembering Alicia's scary glare when my probation extended—it didn't frighten me, but trouble was inevitable. I'd gone to Audrey earlier to argue I'd work the original term, but she thought it was for my sister and said she'd extend Alicia's too. All bad outcomes.

All because of this man.

"What are you even talking about?!"

"Whether Vincent forgot you... or remembers."

"..."

"Aren't you curious?"

"...No. I'm not."

My head turned first, the answer lagging a beat. I wasn't curious. I didn't want to be.