Tea party with the Count (7)
-What the hell did you just say?
You could tell from his voice how angry he was. I realized that now I am unable to say anything. He chuckled and laughed briefly.
- It's all over now.
– Maybe Miss Violet can understand you...
- Do you understand? Understand what? That her fiancé has become a blind asshole? Is this what she needs to understand: “If I marry him, then I will serve my husband for the rest of my life”?
-...
I fell silent again because it was the honest truth. I didn't want this, but I was the one who started the fire that led to this situation.
A heavy silence reigned in the room. Vincent ran his hand over his face. Ethan seemed lost in thought for a moment, and I just stared at them in silence.
– I don’t want to see you anymore. Get out.
- Vincent, calm down. – said Ethan.
- You too will perish.
Ethan sighed.
- Why are you so upset? We have to figure something out, and if we leave here now, nothing will change.
-...
-What's so difficult about it? Just meet her.
Vincent winced, making it clear that Ethan was talking nonsense. I also thought it was a stupid statement. Under our shared gazes, Ethan calmly explained.
– But it’s really not difficult. You just have to pretend that you can see at least a little.
– Some time ago I could see a little, but now I am completely blind.
“But then you only saw a blur, and still spoke to others well enough that they didn’t realize you couldn’t see them.” Because you knew what they wanted and what they were planning. You still know how to do this - pretend.
- AND?
- Let's get back to pretending.
Ethan clapped his hands. His smile was as easy as always.
- You're joking, right?
“Honestly, this is the only way out.”
Ethan shrugged. Vincent narrowed his eyes, but this time he didn't answer, just sighed. I looked back at them, not understanding what “before” Ethan meant.
– You arranged all this on purpose, right? – I asked Ethan in a low whisper.
- Yes.
Ethan had the nerve to admit what he did. I wanted to get to the bottom of it, but he was the most incomprehensible person I had ever met, so I gave up. Ethan just grinned.
- They hate both you and me. Looks like we make good partners, maid.
No, he just likes torturing other people. No, but why does it have to be me? What did I do that was so bad? It's so hard to be a maid.
“I'm going to slap you.”
- Oh, don't say that. We've only just begun to get to know each other, I'm really sorry.
– Why do you want to know about me? I have nothing to do with it.
I shook my head decisively and took a step to the side. Ethan looked at me and stepped after me. I took another step to the side, and he stepped behind me again, and then again and again. Suddenly a useless struggle began.
Finally I stopped.
- But thank you. For helping me.
Honestly, if he hadn't intervened earlier, I would have looked at him as a traitor. So in that sense I was grateful. Ethan then shrugged.
- My pleasure.
His casual attitude seemed like a gesture to ease my burden. Maybe his behavior was driven by deeper motives than I thought?
- By the way, the maid. Can I ask you something too?
- Yes, speak up.
“Did you grow those bangs on purpose?” – he asked, pointing to the hair that covered more than half of my face. I instinctively grabbed my bangs. Я не хотела, чтобы он видел мое лицо.
- It's a pity, you have a beautiful face.
- You joke well.
- I'm serious.
- Is it true? Even if I say that I will cut your lips if it comes out, is that a lie?
He quickly rolled his eyes from side to side, and then carefully covered his mouth with his hand.
“I meant your inner beauty.”
– Вы только что говорили о моем лице.
– Speaking metaphorically.
– Thank you for your empty words.
I take my words back. He couldn't be serious for a second.
I pulled my bangs tighter and tilted my head. Ethan then walked over to Vincent, who was already ready. Vincent looked rather tense. Just like when he was told to take a step out of the room.
“Don’t be such a coward, Vincent.” Are you really not confident in yourself at all? Apparently, Count Bellunita's confidence has decreased to the size of a bird...
- Shut up.
- So, so. Let's meet Violet, have a few words with her, calm her down and send her home. I will be the director, and the maid will be the assistant, all you have to do is play. Let's put on the perfect performance. What do you say?
Poking at the other man's pride, Ethan gently guides him in the direction he needs. Vincent understood this, but did not argue. His silence was proof of this.
As a result, the current situation has arisen.
Now in the living room, located a short distance from his room, the stage of our play is located. Ethan is the director, I'm the assistant, and Vincent is the actor.
The plot of the play is as follows: Vincent will call Violet to this living room. Then he will sit on the sofa and wait for her until she comes in and sits opposite him. After this, Vincent will give a speech that he prepared in advance. It is important to keep the conversation short. Therefore, after a short dialogue, Vincent must apologize to her and leave the room, citing fatigue. When he comes out, I'll jump up and take him to his room. Ethan, of course, will help him too.
– The main thing is eye contact. We have to make her think that you are not looking at her.
- I know.
- Mister, don't worry. If you have good eye contact, no one will ever realize that you are blind. I sometimes forget about this myself when you throw things and throw tantrums.
-...
“You must be very angry if the maid forgot that you can’t see.” And why are you throwing things? This is dangerous. You are crossing all boundaries. Don’t even think about calling yourself a gentleman after this.
Ethan clicked his tongue. I waved at Ethan, telling him not to do that. Vincent fumbled with his hands. It looked like he was about to start showing how much of an ungentleman he was, so I discreetly grabbed his arm.
– First I will show you where the tea cups are. If you keep your back straight and lean slightly, the edge of the table will touch your palm, like this.
I placed his hand on the edge of the table.
– If you open your fingers, you can reach the cup of tea.
He did as I said - he stretched out his fingers, and the cup touched his fingertips. He reached out a little more and wrapped his fingers around the handle. He then lifted the cup and brought it to his mouth in one smooth motion.
– You can lightly feel it when you take it from the table. Just don't make it too obvious.
“If you just touch it with your fingertips, it won’t be so noticeable,” Ethan added.
“But you shouldn’t probe it too hard with your fingertips, it might arouse suspicion.”
- Yes, just touch it lightly and everything will be fine.
“But you need to pull yourself in the right direction.”
He frowned and put down his cup. The click with which it hit the saucer must have been very irritating to his ears. Given the situation, he might already be on the edge.
I looked at the placement of the cup, vase and chocolates: the vase should be placed in the center, at such a distance that Vincent would not touch it when he leaned over. It is better to place the cup closer and the sweets not far from it.
“Now let’s make eye contact.” Maid, come here.
Ethan gestured towards me. I approached him, perplexed. He sat me down on the sofa opposite Vincent. This position allowed me to look directly at him.
“Vincent, look here,” he said.
- Where?
- In front of you. I'm sitting on the sofa opposite you, and Miss Violet will be sitting there too.
He turned his head to follow my voice. His eyes wandered around, although they were vaguely directed in the right direction. He doesn't seem to know where to look. I jumped to my feet, grabbed his face and looked into his eyes.
- Like this.
He jumped in surprise when I grabbed him. Then he narrowed his eyes at the sound of my voice. I decided not to pay attention to it.
“You have to look straight ahead, like this.”
I let go of his hand slightly, but his eyes were still looking in the wrong direction.
– Please look here.
As if in response to my words, his emerald eyes slowly moved. They turned straight ahead and we made eye contact.
He looks at me.
For a moment my heart trembled.
Looking at him up close, I felt as if he was really looking at me and seeing me. His emerald eyes became slightly misty, and it seemed to me that I saw my reflection in them. I involuntarily retreated without realizing it.