Circumstances of graph (3)
– Have you been here before?
– Sometimes, when I was younger. It was boring being in the mansion. So whenever the opportunity arose, I would sneak down this road to play outside.
- Secretly?
- Secretly.
I giggled. It's funny to imagine the image of young Vincent opening those gates. I imagined him, with an expression of either dissatisfaction or irritation, unlocking the iron gate and running out into the outside world.
Vincent gently tapped my forehead, telling me to stop laughing.
– This path is known only to family members, so now only I know about it.
- Now I know too.
- Fine. Now only you and I know about this. Nobody else knows. This is, as you put it, a secret exit.
It sounded great. Secret exit. With these thoughts, I ran my hands along the iron gate.
- Shall we go to the city?
- What? For what?
“You yourself said that we need to go as far as possible.”
“But the city is not that far away.” Besides, until recently, you were afraid to even leave your room. Why so much courage all of a sudden?
“You said I couldn’t be afraid forever.”
– Yes, that’s true, but shouldn’t you avoid unnecessary attention? You see, you stand out too much.
- Understand.
– Therefore, going to the city is the worst decision. Let's just take a walk in the forest.
I shook my head, emphatically demonstrating my refusal. We didn't need any trouble. What if something happens while we're outside? Having expressed my disagreement, I took Vincent’s hand and led him in the direction from which we had come.
– But how did you find this place? I mean, you can’t see, but you confidently came to where you need to go.
– There are marks on the trees.
Vincent stopped and guided my hand. He felt for the nearest tree and put my hand to the trunk. There was a barely noticeable mark on it. It was easier to find it by touch than to see it.
– If you follow the marked trees, you can find this gate.
“Wow, that sounds like quite an adventure!”
– I like these things. It's exciting.
“But it’s better not to use this road.”
- Why?
- It's dangerous.
That's probably how it was. I nodded and felt the mark on the tree again.
– Aren’t you interested in seeing the city? It is quite big and famous. – continued Vincent
– I’m interested, but since there are risks, it’s not worth it.
“It would never occur to anyone that the blind man they saw was Count Bellunita.” Besides, you'll be there.
After that I looked back at Vincent. I couldn't understand him at all.
– Why do you continue to insist on going to the city? In fact, you don't want to go there.
- Okay, yes, I don't want to. But... I try to be brave. Like you said, I can't live like this forever.
– Is it time to show courage?
- Yes, because such a chance arose.
“Why now?” Incomprehensible stubbornness. I was worried about the fact that Vincent had become more unpredictable lately.
But when I looked at his persistent expression, I could see his determination. There was no point in objecting. In fact, I wanted to see the city myself.
- Okay, I understand. Then I'll bring my hat.
- A hat? For what?
Because... when I go outside, I usually put on a hat. I need to hide my face more carefully if I go to a crowded place. Even though my bangs were already covering it, I still felt uneasy. Besides, Vincent could use a hat too.
“I thought we would attract less attention if I wore a hat.”
“We can buy it on the way.”
“But then it will lose all meaning.” Please wait a moment.
- Don't go.
He grabbed my hand tightly. His calm expression became distorted, as if he was afraid to be alone. I patted the back of his hand to reassure him.
“It’s safe here, so you can be alone.” Nobody knows about this place. Give me a minute and I'll be back in time.
-...
- It really won't last long. I will run as fast as I can. Fine?
-...
- Okay, then you can count to one hundred and after this time I will already be here.
Vincent looked at me in bewilderment. In fact, it was difficult to get back before he counted to one hundred, but I continued to reassure him. Ultimately he agreed.
“Come back before I count to one hundred.”
- Fine!
I was reluctant to agree to such terms, but I responded vigorously to his demand and carefully lowered my hand. Fortunately, he maintained his composure and the recent anxiety faded away. I took a quick look at him and turned around. I began to hear the count of “one, two, three...”
“Do you really believe that I can really return in this time?”
While the counting continued, I frantically made my way through the bushes. I headed towards the back door of the annex. Once inside, I immediately noticed that there was an unnatural silence around.
“Why is it so quiet?” Of course, this place was not characterized by excessive liveliness, but now I felt a strange tension.
Was it just me or was I really more nervous than usual?
I took a deep breath and swallowed quietly.
Tiptoeing my way down the stairs. I tried my best not to make noise. First I went to the master's room, and then to my own, to put on my hat. After that, a faint sound reached me from somewhere. What caught my attention was that it sounded like someone was talking.
Where does an outsider come from here? Moreover, the source of the sound was nearby.
Thinking about this, I headed straight there. The sound came from the lower floor. I carefully went down the stairs, continuing to move in the given direction. There was a group of people between the front door and the central staircase.
The first thing that caught my attention was the back of a large man. The butler stood next to him, and Isabella stood on the other side.
His neatly combed black hair was unfamiliar to me. Is this Vincent's guest? I looked at this man in surprise when Isabella and I met our gazes. Isabella's eyes widened for a moment, but she quickly pulled herself together.
-Where is Count Bellunita?
- The gentleman left.
- Call him.
This was said in an unwavering tone and a heavy voice that seemed accustomed to giving orders. This puzzled me and made me wonder even more about who this person could be. At the same moment, the stranger’s face turned in my direction, and I instantly hid around the corner.
After a short pause, I cautiously peeked around the corner. The man examined the stairs and squinted, looking around. He tapped his cane on the floor, expressing his dissatisfaction. The stranger gave off an overwhelming and dangerous aura.
It could be compared to a snake, which, exposing its fangs soaked in poison, looked around to choose a victim. His brown eyes were full of obvious intentions that he didn't even try to hide.
- This will be problematic.
“I just need to meet the Count.” I don't know where he hangs out, but you shouldn't just stand there. Go and bring him to me.
-...
“How long are you going to keep me waiting?”
Only then did it finally dawn on me. This man was the reason why we left the mansion in such a hurry. Maybe he was someone Vincent shouldn't have met? Is it because of his condition? No, there was probably a more compelling reason than that. It can't be. Really?..
Isabella's gaze turned towards me again. I quickly turned around and ran out the back door. Cold sweat instantly began to flow down my back, and my heart was pounding so hard that it was ready to burst out of my chest at any moment.
As soon as I was outside, I immediately headed towards the forest, not daring to look back. I entered the forest and began to climb through the bushes. Having gotten lost halfway, I felt the marks on the trees, as Vincent had shown, and got to the right place.
The approaching footsteps seemed to startle Vincent, but he quickly focused on his surroundings. I, breathing heavily, approached him.
- Mister.
“I’ve already counted more than a hundred.”
As soon as Vincent realized that the approaching steps belonged to me, he immediately assumed a stern expression on his face. At the same time, he quickly walked towards me.
-Who arrived at the mansion?
-...
My words made him stop. The severity gave way to tension. One glance at him was enough to confirm my fears.
- Who... Who is he?
- James... James Christopher.
Ethan and Lucas' older brother.
The man who made Vincent blind.
He showed up at the mansion, so Vincent had to act quickly.
- Yes, he really is here.
Vincent stumbled back and I quickly went over to hold him back. His face instantly turned pale. We decided to find a place for a little rest, but there was nowhere to sit. So I took off my coat and laid it on the ground, and then carefully sat Vincent on it. Isabella gave me this coat, but I couldn't let Vincent sit on the cold ground.
Watching his heavy breathing, I began to worry that he might have a seizure, but fortunately he quickly calmed down. Vincent furrowed his brow as if he were tired.
- Why would he come here?
“He must have come to check on my condition.”
– Has he been here before?
– This is the first time he personally came to me after everything that happened. Previously, he only sent a few people. Apparently he found out about my frequent meetings with Ethan, Violet and Lucas. Did you come face to face with him?
- No, I only saw him from afar. I had a feeling that I shouldn't go near him.
– I understand... You did well.
Vincent seemed embarrassed as he spoke these words. His eyes were directed to the floor, and his face was filled with mixed emotions. Continuing to watch him, I carefully sat down next to him.
- Since I finally have the hat, then we can go to the city?
– I don’t want to go. I have no strength left.
Vincent leaned his head against my shoulder as I looked back at him.
“Then can we go somewhere else?”
-Can’t we stay like this?
-What do you mean?
- We'll stay here.
I looked around. There was an iron gate behind us, and the rest of the space was surrounded by bushes. This place was secluded and quiet. We were all alone here, and that comforted me. From time to time we could hear the pleasant chirping of birds.
- We won’t go anywhere.
“Then we’ll stay here, like this.”
Vincent closed his eyes. Я надела на него шляпу, которую всё это время держала в руках.