The Count's Strange Guest (8)
Ethan took off his coat and covered Paula's shoulders. He was kind at times like these.
- Ma'am, Vincent shouldn't continue to live like this. This is what he looks like now, but he is the head of the Count Bellunita family. We can put it off, but eventually the whole world will know about his story. If he leaves things as they are, it will only make him angry in the end. When the truth becomes known, the nobles will try to remove Vincent from his post as count.
- The owner is trying.
- This is not enough. He must try harder. At least enough for him to be able to stand alone. He is the one who will sooner or later have to walk alone.
The light from the lamp fell on Ethan's face. In the dim light, the serious face took on a sad look.
- Vincent knows. That he can't continue like this. Even knowing this, he shrugs it off. It shouldn't be this way. Life without change is like stagnant water. How can you be the only one standing still when the years pass and the situation changes.
- You are cruel.
- If I am cruel and Vincent changes, I will be so. At least I think he needs someone like me now.
- And you’re also kind.
Ethan turned his head. There was agony in his trembling eyes.
- Vincent is a blackmailer.
- That's true.
It was a way of saying, "Let's accept what we need to accept." Ethan then smiled slightly.
- But you said that you are friends.
- Yes, I said it.
“Then your master will know why Sir Christopher decided to do this.” Since we're friends, I think you know what it's like.
Ethan cared about Vincent's condition, worried about him, and made himself out to be the bad guy so he could change. Paula wouldn't call it an ideal act, but it was true that there was genuine care in it. Looking at him, she seemed to have a vague idea of what a friend was. He was someone who could feel like they were there for each other without having to express it outwardly, and that's what a friend was. He showed it to her.
She thought Vincent might have felt the same way. It was probably because of this feeling that he reacted to Ethan's threat to the point of swinging his cane at him. Like the nightmares he suffered every night, there was an underlying worry that he didn't express.
- And I agree with this to some extent. He can't live like this forever. As a servant, I also hope that my master will change.
She fell silent. Was this what she really hoped for? She was hired to serve Vincent. But if he could overcome the present and change... Didn't she disappear from this job too?
Then, she laughed. This was such an old story that it has not yet come to light.
- Do you think Vincent can change?
- Yes.
- You are confident in yourself.
- Because this is something you can be sure of.
He changed little by little...
- And I thought about it again, and I don’t think so.
- What are you talking about?
- About being a bad guy. Because a truly bad person does not say that he is bad.
Truly terrible people believe they are right and ignore their mistakes. People around her did this all the time. They all knew they were good and great. Therefore, they took it for granted to bully and take advantage of others.
Ethan asked with a blank expression.
- …Why do you think so?
- The other servants said Sir Christopher is a very good man.
Then he immediately frowned.
“Actually, I think being the bad guy is more truthful.”
“Frankly, what you showed them was nothing short of evil, right?”
When she shrugged, Ethan narrowed his eyes. There was joyful laughter. The laughter was unusual.
-Have you thought about your wish?
- Desire?
- If you force Vincent to leave his room, I said that I will fulfill your wish.
"Oh, that's exactly what I said."
Paula remembered a bet with him that she had forgotten about for a while.
- Ask me for anything. I'm quite capable.
Ethan said readily. So Paula thought for a moment and extended her hand to him.
-Then please become my partner.
- Partnership?
- I mean, let's build a relationship where we help each other.
For some unknown reason, Paula felt like she was going to meet him again. This was not impossible, since he was Vincent's friend. Weren't bad relationships stronger? She didn't think it was a bad thing to have someone like that on her side. He didn't have a good character, but he knew a lot about Vincent. Besides, wasn't he confident in his abilities?
Ethan blinked. Looking at her fingertips. Paula extended her hand even more towards him.
- I want to stay here for a long time. Please help me.
- Why?
- Because I have nowhere to return to.
-...
Ethan thought for a moment. Then he nodded and took her hand, as if he had already made his decision.
- It's not bad, because we will help each other.
A wave of approval washed over Paula and she hugged him tighter. He also squeezed her hand tighter.
- Ma'am has acquired a wonderful ally. There are few capable people like me who have a strong family and good character.
-...It's a great honor.
- There is not much sincerity in your words.
"I know".
He smiled again as she feigned innocence. Paula dropped his hands and looked out the window again. The moon, shedding light in the darkness, was especially beautiful today.
The next day, Isabella sent Ethan away as he left the annex. Vincent, of course. Didn't go out. Ethan, who was wearing a top hat just like the first time Paula saw him, briefly greeted Isabella and walked up to Paula.
- I'm sorry for making you suffer.
- Everything is fine.
She wanted to scold him for doing this deliberately, but she restrained herself because she had a trained eye. Ethan laughed maliciously, I know how he feels.
- Ma'am has been so kind to me, so I should visit you more often.
Paula waved her hand behind Isabella.
“Leave quickly.”
Ethan laughed briefly as he looked at her.
Попрощавшись, Паула вдруг вспомнила, о чём хотела спросить, наблюдая, как Итан пытается сесть в машину. She allowed herself the impudence to quickly approach him.
- Hey, Sir Christopher.
He looked back at her as he got into the car.
-Did you often send letters to the owner?
- Letters?
- Yes.
- Well, I'm sure you've been sending them quite often lately.
- Oh, then...
After a moment of hesitation, she continued.
- Did you write with gold ink?
-...
Ethan blinked. Paula swallowed at his silence.
Was he really this person? Who exchanged letters with her?
"The branches of the trees have sprouted."
Paula remembered what he said the other day. He said this in passing, but it remained in her memory for a long time, because this was the content of the answer she wrote one day. In fact, these were not such special words, but since he arrived, letters written in gold stopped coming. So she thought it was possible.
But he shook his head.
- No, I wrote in black ink.
- Is it true?
- Yes.
This was a categorical answer. Paula showed signs of disappointment.
- It's clear.
- Any problems?
- No, none
She shook her head with a grimace. Ethan looked at her questioningly, but she tried to interpret his words in her own way. Ethan then smiled slightly and got into the car.
When she turned her head to watch the car drive away, she saw Vincent standing in front of the window on the top floor of the mansion. But the curtains were immediately drawn. After looking out the window where he stood for a while, Paula also turned away.
But soon after, Ethan returned to the mansion with another guest.
The golden letters, which had not arrived for a while, are back again. This time he was sent with a small keg. It contained tea leaves.
[Smells delicious]
It definitely smelled delicious. It had a subtle and sweet aroma.
“Wouldn’t that be better for him?”
So, with Isabella's permission, she brewed some tea leaves and took them to Vincent.
- This is black tea sold at Nobel.
- How do you know?
It was written on the tea packaging, and she was amazed when he immediately identified it. Vincent took a sip of tea and opened his mouth.
- This is what gave me pleasure. Where did you get this?
- This is a gift.
- I understand.
Seeing him drink tea over and over again, it seemed like he was really enjoying it. He was given a nice gift. She poured tea into an empty mug in advance to bring it to him whenever he lost his temper in the future. She should respond to the letter by saying, “Thank you very much.”
- Next time just hit it. So this may be closed.
He said, looking at the empty window above the door. She didn't know why he woke up and broke it every time. However, the culprit, despite everything, drank tea.
- Pointless worries. If Ethan comes next time, don't let him in here and kick him out. You can ask someone to do this.
- What?
It was a sharp order. Vincent's face expressed complete calm, Paula thought she was hallucinating.
- Why? Master, don't you want Sir Christopher to come?
- No.
She received an answer immediately, although the question was frivolous. Why on earth? Of course, Ethan had threatened him, but until yesterday it had been overshadowed by the way they bickered and responded to each other's letters. It was strange. He said they were close friends. But why did Vincent hate him so much? Ethan knew about his condition, so Vincent wouldn't have to hide.
As if there was a reason for this.
Vincent seemed to sense that Paula was suspicious.
- It's not that I don't like Ethan.
- Then what?
- I hate this family.
-You mean the Christopher family? Is there a reason?
He placed the cup on the table with a clink and handed it to Paula. She carefully took the cup. He threw the sheets over himself and collapsed on the bed. A pair of slightly lowered eyes were deeply hidden between disheveled golden hair.
- Master?
- There's nothing special about it.
-...
- It was my family that made me this way.
The shocking confession continued so calmly.