The Count's Secret Maid (1)
- Stop staring.
- A?
“My face is already burning.”
Even while reading, I did not stop looking at him, because I tried to monitor his condition. He seemed to sense this and therefore frowned.
- Don't worry. I'm not going to die.
- …
- Everything is fine.
He spoke the words in a calm and confident tone. But even this did not relieve my growing anxiety. His profile, facing the window, expressed both humility and equanimity. Perhaps he was prepared for something like this to happen sooner or later.
I was also worried about Violet, who left us that day. Letters, which usually arrived every other day, now I did not receive. From a conversation with Ethan, we learned that Violet returned home safely. But when I heard that she was crying in her room every night, my heart became heavy. Loneliness is a terrible thing. I wanted to send her a letter, but I discarded the idea because I was afraid of making the situation worse.
Ethan tried to comfort me. Patting me on the shoulder, he said, “Violet is stronger than she looks. She will come to her senses soon."
I would like to believe that this is true. I just prayed that Violet would overcome all adversity and not suffer anymore.
***
As usual, I was going to the laundry to take the laundry to Lenika and pick up some clean clothes, when I suddenly heard a voice.
– Paula.
I turned around and saw Lucas in casual clothes.
After everything that had happened, meetings with Lucas had become rare. Vincent never left the four walls, and Lucas spent most of his time in his room.
Ethan was too busy, so he left the mansion a few days ago. Before leaving, he said goodbye to Vincent, and then to me.
“Take care of Vincent,” Ethan said, looking at me with pity. I, unexpectedly for myself, patted his hand. Ethan smiled widely, as if this gesture could actually cheer him up.
After Ethan left, the only guest in the mansion was Lucas.
Now I have a rare opportunity to talk to him.
- Lucas. Where are you going?
- I'm leaving tomorrow.
- Tomorrow?
- Yes. My brother had to go back first because he had a lot of work to do.
The news of his imminent departure plunged me into a stupor, but I pulled myself together and quickly nodded.
- Will everything be all right with you? – I asked, remembering the existence of James, the meeting with whom instilled fear in Lucas, as well as the words of Lucas himself... Ah!
I completely forgot about all this because of the recent incident with Violet. This should not have been overlooked so quickly. I felt ashamed that I had touched on Lucas’s feelings so unexpectedly, but he didn’t seem to notice my embarrassment and calmly continued the conversation.
- Everything is fine. Thank you for your trouble.
- It's a pity that you are leaving soon.
- Is it true? – Lucas asked with a mischievous smile.
I nodded in response. I really didn't want him to leave. His presence enlivened this quiet place.
Lucas smiled even wider.
“Then would you mind spending one day with me?”
- Today?
- Yes.
My eyes instantly widened. Lucas extended his hand to me.
- Give me some of your time.
I couldn't refuse him, considering that this could be our last opportunity. Having received permission from Isabella, I quickly got ready and followed Lucas to the village located next to the mansion. I always wanted to visit here, but I didn't have the courage. However, I didn't hesitate to go with Lucas.
When we entered the village, we immediately heard the lively sounds of the crowd. The village was large - no end or edge was visible, and the buildings were majestic, of different shapes and colors. This place looked more like a full-fledged city than an ordinary village.
The streets were filled with people. Some worked intently, others gathered in groups and chatted carefree with each other. Joyful children were running around, adding noise to the surrounding atmosphere.
After walking a little further, we found ourselves in the market square. Each merchant tried to outshout the other, attracting buyers to him.
The situation here could not be compared with the village where I grew up. I was truly delighted to find myself in such a place for the first time. While I was looking around, constantly turning my head from side to side, Lucas took my hand. When I turned my surprised gaze to Lucas, he just smiled casually and squeezed his hand tighter.
- I don't want you to get lost.
This action put me in an awkward position, but I had no intention of moving away. Like Lucas said, you can easily get lost here, in such a crowd. Moreover, we must take into account the fact that this is our last walk.
- Paula, here.
He dragged me to one of the street vendors: a decent crowd of girls had already gathered around, squatting and carefully examining the goods. My attention was drawn to the colorful decorations laid out on the cloth spread on the ground. Each of them was more beautiful than the other.
While I was admiring the products on display, Lucas picked up one of them. It was a hair decoration: a large flower in the center, two slightly smaller ones on the sides and a vine framing them. He carefully attached the clip to my hair.
- Beautiful.
“Oh, thank you,” I replied, feeling the decoration on my hair.
The seller, noting that the young man made a good choice, offered a discount. Lucas immediately reached into his pocket for the money, but I stopped him in time.
- Accept this as a gift.
“It’s enough for me to just look.”
- But I want to buy it for you.
- It's okay, no need. Are you hungry yet? – I deftly changed the topic.
Lucas narrowed his eyes slightly, clearly demonstrating his displeasure, but did not insist any longer and pointed his finger at the nearest restaurant. I suggested that he quickly head there, citing the fact that he was probably very hungry. Lucas sighed and finally pulled his hand out of his jacket pocket.
- I know a place where it tastes better than there.
-Then let's go there.
I quickly returned the jewelry to its place and pushed it forward.
The restaurant Lucas took me to was large and crowded - apparently the place was very popular. He quickly found a table for us and made our order.
Soon the table began to be filled with a variety of dishes. Who could possibly get into so much? Plus, there was a lot of food here that I had never seen before.
I took the fish plate closest to me. My eyes widened with delight, the fish just melted in my mouth. Very tasty! Then I tried the meat, which was no less tasty.
I quickly got full because I was in a hurry to try everything that was here. Any more and my stomach could have burst. However, we wouldn't be able to eat everything. It's a pity that the rest couldn't be taken to the mansion.
- Did you like it?
- Yes, very much.
I ate so much that I had difficulty even moving.
– Is there some place where you would like to go? – Lucas asked.
- Hm. I just want to explore the area.
- Fine. Then let's take a look around.
Lucas took my hand again. This time I squeezed my hand tightly in response. He smiled happily and we walked through the crowded streets.
The village was larger than I had imagined, and everything around me never ceased to amaze me. During the entire walk, I managed to lose sight of Lucas several times while buying snacks from street vendors. At some point I wandered into an unfamiliar place, but quickly returned back. Then I got lost and meandered until my legs finally gave out and I squatted down to rest a little.
Despite all the troubles, we had fun. Even such difficulties made the walk more exciting. I decided to push all the depressing thoughts away to focus on the joyful moments of today. I didn’t want the sadness of recent events to overshadow our time together.
It was a momentary amusement.
While we were engrossed in our walk, the sun began to quickly set. I immediately thought of Vincent, who needed dinner soon. It was time to return.
I glanced at Lucas as we watched the sunset together. A scarlet glow colored his face. Feeling my gaze on him, he looked back and, as always, smiled at me. Perhaps it seemed so because of the sunset light, but his smile reflected a slight sadness.
***
We returned to the mansion before the sun completely disappeared below the horizon.
– Paula, I had a great time today.
- Me too.
I smiled sincerely at him. I've been feeling down lately, but today's walk brought me back out of that state. Now that Lucas leaves the mansion, it will become completely empty here, and this could not help but upset.
“I need to prepare dinner for the master, so I’ll go first,” I quickened my pace towards the mansion, wondering if Vincent was waiting for me.
– Paula.
I turned around at Lucas’s call and saw that he was standing motionless, rooted to the spot, and looking at me incessantly. The setting sun behind him enveloped his entire figure in shadow, making his expression difficult to see.
- Lucas?
- Paula, you know...
- Yes?
He paused for a moment, as if hesitating. What did he want to say? I waited patiently for him to continue.
– I will never forget this moment.
There was joy in his voice. Even though his face was hidden, I imagined him smiling now. Was he really hesitant just because of those words? In fact, there was nothing special about it. If such an opportunity arises, I will happily walk like this again. It would be nice if Vincent, Ethan and Violet could join so we could spend time together. Thinking about this made me smile.
“Me too,” I answered, and turned around again, heading into the mansion.
As soon as I was inside, I immediately went to get dinner for Vincent. Without even changing clothes, I took food with me and brought it to the master, but he refused, saying that he had no appetite.
- At least a small piece.
– I really have no appetite.
- But still...
- Get out of here already. I want to sleep.
He already slept all day, but my persuasion did not make him change his mind. Vincent turned to the wall, curled up and closed his eyes. I again regretted that I could not grab some goodies from the village.
I was sympathetic to his current state and stopped arguing. Instead, I left the tray on the nightstand, telling him to eat later if he was hungry, and quietly left the room.
Sighing, I headed to my room to change clothes and fix my hair. When I left the room again, it was already completely dark outside.
Looking out the window, I was convinced that Lucas was not outside. He must have returned to his room. I started to worry that he might be hungry, so I decided to go down to him.
I knocked on the door, but it never opened. I knocked again, more insistently. Silence. Even when I loudly declared that I would open the door now, there was no answer.
Opening the door, I found the room empty. There was no sign of his recent presence. I was puzzled and looked out into the corridor again - everything was also empty. I thought he might have gone to the kitchen, but I couldn’t find him there.
Has he really left? But his luggage was there. I checked other places he might go. But Lucas was nowhere to be found.