The moment when the stars fell over the count's estate (7)
As we approached the door, the noise became louder. One of the voices heard was full of anger. I looked puzzled at Ethan, who immediately turned towards the stairs. I followed his quickly retreating figure downstairs.
Walking down into the hall, I noticed Isabella. She looked back at Ethan in alarm and shook her head in relief.
It was getting louder and louder outside. The door could open at any moment.
– What should we do? – Isabella asked.
“First, it’s worth stalling for time,” Ethan answered.
He headed towards the door, Isabella following at a distance of two steps. I, still not understanding what was happening, looked at their receding backs.
Suddenly someone grabbed my hand. I turned around and saw Lucas.
- Lucas?
His face was pale.
-Are you feeling unwell? – I asked.
– Paula.
- Yes?
- Here.
He pulled me by the hand, but didn’t say anything, even when I asked him where we were going. He looked nervous, and his step was more comparable to running than just walking quickly. I had to hurry even more to keep up with him.
After a while, loud voices were heard behind them. Turning around, I saw Ethan blocking the path of two men - one young, the other much older. The young man's face was familiar to me.
James Christopher.
I turned my gaze to Lucas, who continued to look straight ahead. His back was tense and his hand was shaking relentlessly.
Lucas quickly headed up the stairs, then hurried downstairs. After a couple of such wanderings back and forth, he stopped abruptly, as if he could not remember where to go. I took the initiative and led him myself. Entering his room, he locked the door and drew the curtains.
The sunlight stopped coming in, and Lucas immediately collapsed to the floor, holding onto the window frame with one hand. I hurriedly approached him.
-You don't look well.
– I was a little surprised.
Lucas forced a smile, but it disappeared instantly. Fear was reflected on his stunned face. He took a deep breath and ran both hands over his face. I silently waited for him to come to his senses.
– Paula.
- Yes?
– Do you have brothers or sisters?
It is not clear why such a question was asked, but it had to be answered.
- Yes, the four youngest.
- A lot. It looks like you have a close-knit family.
I didn't give him any details. Many people think that the presence of five children indicates great love between spouses, but the reality was different. I experienced only suffering, living with the fact that I was born only to become a source of income. Even the villagers who were watching my family were shocked by this state of affairs.
“Brothers and sisters usually get along well, don’t they?” They may be rough at times, but they are happy together. The separation makes them worry about each other,” Lucas continued.
- I think yes.
“If these are normal brothers and sisters,” I added mentally.
– They are not afraid of each other.
- Probably so. But what are you getting at by saying all this?
– Paula, I'm afraid of James.
This is the first time Lucas mentions his second brother to me. So the man I just recently noticed was indeed James Christopher. But who was the second person? I didn’t know why they came here, but the gentleman I didn’t know looked angry.
James is my older brother. He used to be a reserved, smart and wonderful person, so as a child I respected him, he was an example for me. But now... I'm afraid of what he has become. Too much.
- Why?
- Because he is a terrible person.
Vincent also said something similar. Considering Lucas's reaction, James was indeed a very creepy person. Lucas was shaking with fear so much that he couldn't help himself.
“I thought I could stand our meeting with him, but I can’t.” I made a promise to myself that everything would be okay, that I could handle this, but the thought of having to face him knocks me off my feet. So I ran away. It was scary to run away alone, so I dragged you along with me.
-...
- Quite a shame, isn't it? – Lucas laughed weakly. I shook my head.
If you think this is pathetic, then my master has no right to walk with his head held high.
“My master is also afraid.” He's just trying to pretend it's not true.
Lucas laughed at my words. Even so, his laugh was devoid of vitality, and the hand pressed to his forehead continued to tremble.
“Sometimes you want to give up everything and run as far away from it all as possible.” So far away that no one could find it.
- Sounds good. Escape to some picturesque place.
– Would you like to go with me?
I blinked expressively, not expecting such a question. In truth, it was tempting. Very tempting.
“It would be an honor for me.”
“Then let’s run away together.”
- Yes. Take me with you later.
- Leave with me now.
Lucas grabbed my hand. He was filled with determination to take me away right now - as soon as he gave his consent. I was flattered by the fact that he had such aspirations.
“Leave with me now,” Lucas repeated his words.
- I can, but later. Not now.
- Why not?
– I still have things to do here.
– Do you like Vincent?
My heart sank. I was so surprised that I forgot how to breathe. The slightly lyrical atmosphere instantly became suffocating.
Lucas leaned his body towards me.
“If that’s the case, then give up.”
- Why, why are you saying this?
“You’ll be the only one who gets hurt.”
– I don’t understand what you’re talking about. Let go.
I was overcome with embarrassment because he started talking about it so suddenly, and I was also scared because I didn’t know how to answer. In any case, he did not choose a pleasant topic. I turned my head and tried to escape from his grip, but the more I tried, the tighter he squeezed my hand.
- Don't hide it. At least admit that it is so.
- Lucas.
– Paula, do you want to run away?
“Let's run away together. Let's drop everything and leave it behind. Far away, to where there is no one,” he whispered, grabbing my other hand. His brown eyes looked only at me, and were full of melancholy. Now I'm even more confused.
-What came over you suddenly?
- I want you to be with me.
- Lucas.
-Will you follow me? – he held our hands together.
Why is he asking me this? Is he mocking you again?
“I was serious when I said that I liked you.”
- It sounds absurd. Why would someone like you say that he likes me. What is the reason? “I don’t understand...” I immediately objected, barely restraining myself from grinning. But he smiled sadly and admitted his true feelings.
“I don’t have any particular reason why I like you.” It’s just that at some point I began to have more and more frequent thoughts about how much I wanted to see you, and I was so happy when you were around, I missed you so much and only wanted you to stay with me until the end of my days. That's why I like you, Paula.
- …
- I love you.
Lucas pulled me into his arms. He pressed his cheek to mine and whispered his confession in my ear. His wet voice seemed to pierce right through my heart. He expressed genuine sincerity.
- I-I...
- Answer me something.
Lucas hugged me even tighter.
- No, you can put it off until later.
-...
“Not now, but later... You’ll do it later...” he muttered, burying his face in my shoulder.
Quite unexpectedly, he pushed me away. When I saw his smiling face, I lost all concentration.
Soon the silence was broken by a knock on the door.
“Lucas,” it was Ethan. Lucas smiled bitterly and let go of my hand. Then he stood up and walked to the door.
Lucas opened the door and talked to Ethan for a short moment, then turned his eyes back to me. Our eyes met, and he disappeared through the door.
All this time I, spellbound, looked at one point.
When I came to my senses, I immediately went down to the central hall and saw Ethan and Lucas standing in front of the open door, and a man opposite them.
Ethan was talking to James. The two giggled easily, like ordinary brothers. This calm picture did not at all fit with what I had imagined.
Periodically, James glanced at Lucas, and each time Lucas smiled at him. Sometimes he even inserted a couple of words. But the smile was short-lived, and he practically did not participate in the conversation.
James patted Ethan on the shoulder, then pulled him in for a hug. Ethan returned the brotherly hug with an awkward smile. I kept my eyes on Lucas, who was tense because of James' presence.
An elderly gentleman approached them. They talked a little and moved into the living room. James became quiet, as if waiting, and the second guest openly expressed dissatisfaction. They clearly had no intention of leaving. The situation was quite bad.
Leaving the living room first, I looked anxiously at the door, constantly praying that Vincent and Violet would stay on their walk as long as possible. Lucas walked towards me with Ethan following behind him.
After a rather tedious wait, I began to become even more impatient.
Vincent and Violet have returned after a long absence. Violet waved her hand when she noticed our group standing in the middle of the hall. Her face lit up with a pleasant smile.
– Why are you all gathered here? – Violet asked immediately.
Lucas hesitated on this question. I didn't know where to start either, so Ethan decided to take on the burden of explanation.
– Marquis Margarita is here.
- Father?
Now it became clear who the unknown guest was. Violet, who had been smiling widely all this time, changed.
- Why is he here?
– First, go upstairs. He's in the living room. Vincent, if anything, it's me.
Ethan grabbed Vincent's hand and signaled to me. I quickly moved to Violet. When I looked at her, last night immediately appeared in my mind. I didn’t know how to behave, but Violet, unlike me, smiled as good-naturedly as usual.
– What brought my father? I can't believe he showed up here without even telling me. Paula, do you know anything about this?
“I haven’t heard any details either.”
- Hm. This is all strange.
I smiled faintly, looking at her thoughtful appearance.
Halfway up the stairs we met people descending. It was Violet's father - quite an old man - and behind him stood an elderly woman.
When Violet's and her father's eyes met, the latter frowned angrily. While I warily watched the unfolding situation, Violet also assessed the situation and, smiling broadly, hurried to meet her father.
- Father. Um... and a nanny. Why is the nanny here?
The old man's eyes looked down at Violet with coldness. The woman, who was called the nanny, continued to stand behind. She looked worried as she examined Violet, but remained silent. Violet froze in place, feeling that this behavior was quite strange. Only then did the old man speak.
- Take her.
“Yes,” the woman standing behind immediately responded.
Following orders, the nanny went down, grabbed Violet and led her away.