Chapter 46
The Count's Secret Maid - Chapter 46
Translation: godsn
As they approached the door, the commotion around us grew even louder. One voice among the crowd was filled with rage. Wondering what could be happening, I looked to Ethan, but he had already turned toward the staircase. Following his rapidly retreating figure, I hurried downstairs as well.
When we reached the central hall, Isabella was already there. As she anxiously looked up at Ethan, he shook his head. A wave of relief washed over Isabella's face.
The noise outside the door was growing increasingly chaotic. It seemed the door might burst open at any moment.
"What should we do?"
"Let me try to buy us some time first."
Ethan walked toward the door. Isabella followed two steps behind him. Puzzled, I watched their retreating figures.
Then, someone grabbed my hand. Turning, I saw Lucas standing there.
"Lord Lucas?"
But his face was deathly pale.
"Are you feeling unwell?"
"Paula."
"Yes?"
"This way."
He pulled me along by the hand. Though I asked why, he didn't answer. He merely led me toward the opposite side of the door with visible agitation.
His pace was quick—more like running than walking. Matching his urgent strides, I began running too.
Soon, a loud commotion erupted behind us. Glancing back, I saw Ethan confronting two men—one young gentleman and one elderly gentleman. The young man's face looked familiar.
James Christopher.
When I looked back at Lucas, his gaze remained fixed straight ahead. His rigid posture seemed to declare he would absolutely not turn around. His hand, still gripping mine, was trembling.
Lucas blindly rushed up the stairs. With frantic steps, he reached the top only to suddenly scramble back down. Then, after climbing a step or two again, he froze in place, as if he'd forgotten the way to his own room. Eventually, I took the lead and guided him there. The moment we entered, he locked the door and drew every curtain shut.
Only when not a single ray of sunlight could enter the room did Lucas finally collapse. As he slumped against the windowsill, I hurried to his side.
"You don't look well."
"I just got a bit startled."
Lucas forced a smile, but it vanished almost immediately. His stiff face was painted with fear instead. He let out a deep sigh and rubbed his face with both hands.
I waited quietly for him to calm down.
"Paula."
"Yes?"
"Do you have any siblings?"
I didn't understand why he was asking, but I answered anyway.
"Yes, I had four younger sisters."
"That's a lot. You must have come from a happy family."
I didn't bother correcting him. Most people assumed parents with five daughters must have a harmonious marriage, but the reality was different. When I learned why we'd been born, the only emotion I felt was misery. Even the villagers who'd watched our family could only click their tongues in disapproval.
"Siblings usually get along, don't they? They might snap at each other, but they enjoy being together—and worry when they're apart."
"I suppose so."
If they were ordinary siblings.
"And they don't fear each other."
"Probably. But why do you ask?"
"Paula. I'm afraid of James."
This was the first time I'd heard him speak of James Christopher. So the man I'd seen earlier really was James Christopher. Then who was the other man? Though I couldn't guess why they'd come to the mansion, the elderly gentleman had looked furious.
"James is my eldest brother. Calm, intelligent, outstanding—even to my childish eyes, he was someone to admire. A cool older brother. But now... now I'm afraid of him. Terrified, actually."
"Why?"
"Because he's terrifying."
Vincent had said the same thing before. Seeing Lucas' s reaction now, James Christopher must truly be a frightening man. Lucas was trembling with fear to the point where he didn't know what to do with himself.
"I knew he'd come, but I'm still terrified. Even though I kept telling myself it would be fine, that I could handle it, the thought of actually facing him is unbearable. That's why I ran away just now. I was too scared to run alone, so I dragged you along with me."
"......"
"Pathetic, isn't it?"
Lucas gave a weak laugh. I shook my head.
"If that's what you call pathetic, then our master wouldn't be able to show his face right now."
Our master here is quite the coward himself. He just pretends otherwise.
At my words, Lucas burst into laughter. But his smile still lacked strength, and the hand pressed against his forehead continued to tremble violently.
"Sometimes, I want to throw everything away and run. Far away, where no one knows me."
"That sounds nice. Go somewhere with beautiful scenery."
"Want to come with me?"
I blinked in surprise at the sudden offer. Honestly, it was tempting. That didn't sound bad at all.
"I'd be honored."
"Then let's go together."
"Yes. Please take me with you someday."
"Let's go now."
Lucas grabbed my arm. There was a fierce determination in his grip—if I wanted to go, he would absolutely take me. I laughed and said just the thought was honor enough.
"Let's go now."
He repeated.
"Not now, but please take me with you later."
"Why can't we go now?"
"Because I have things to do right now."
"Do you like Vincent?"
My heart plummeted. The shock made me gasp audibly. The momentarily relaxed atmosphere instantly froze solid.
Lucas leaned his upper body toward me.
"If that's the case, give up."
"Why—why would you say that?"
"You'll only get hurt, Paula."
"I don't understand what you're talking about. Let me go."
I had no idea why he was suddenly saying these things, and not knowing what he meant by them was frightening. Either way, this wasn't a welcome topic. I shook my head and tried to pull my captured hand free, but the more I struggled, the tighter his grip became.
"Don't hide it. You must feel something for him at least."
"Mr. Lucas."
"Then why don't we run away together?"
Let's run away. Leave everything behind. Somewhere far away. Where no one knows us. He whispered as he seized my other arm. His brown eyes welled with desperation. My confusion only grew more turbulent.
"W-why are you acting like this all of a sudden?"
"Because I want you to come with me."
"Mr. Lucas."
"Will you run away with me? Hold my trembling, powerless hand and come with me."
Why was he saying these things to me? Was he trying to mock me?
"When I said I liked you, I meant it."
"Th-that's absurd. Why would you like someone like me? What's the reason? I don't understand......"
I immediately protested, barely suppressing the scoff threatening to escape. But he smiled sadly and confessed his true feelings.
"There doesn't need to be a grand reason for liking someone. At some point, I just became curious about you, wanted to see you, found joy and happiness in being together, and started wishing you'd stay by my side in the future too. That's how I came to like you, Paula."
"......"
"I love you."
Lucas pulled me into an embrace. He pressed his cheek against my ear and whispered his feelings once more. His tearful voice seeped into my heart. I could feel the sincerity in his words with my entire being.
"I... I......"
"Your answer."
He held me even tighter.
"Can you give it to me later?"
"......"
"Not now... but later... give it to me later......"
As he mumbled these words with his face buried in my shoulder, he suddenly pushed me away. Seeing him force a smile in my direction, I couldn't bring myself to say anything more.
A short while later, the silence was broken by a knock at the door.
"Lucas."
It was Ethan. Lucas let go of my arm with a bitter smile and stood up, walking toward the door.
After opening it and exchanging a few words with Ethan, Lucas turned to look at me. Our eyes met, and his resolute expression disappeared behind the closing door.
Until then, I could only stare blankly at the door.
When I finally gathered my wits and returned to the Central Hall, I saw Ethan and Lucas standing outside the open door. And with them—another man.
Ethan was conversing with James. The two were laughing like ordinary brothers. It was a peaceful scene, different from what I had imagined.
Occasionally, James' gaze would land on Lucas, and each time, Lucas would smile back at him. Sometimes, he even said something. But the smiles were brief, and the conversations never lasted long.
James patted Ethan on the shoulder, then pulled him into an embrace. Ethan accepted it with an awkward laugh. To anyone watching, they looked like affectionate brothers. Yet my eyes kept drifting toward Lucas. The moment James' attention was elsewhere, Lucas' expression stiffened into something rigid.
An elderly gentleman approached them. After a brief exchange, they moved to the drawing room in the annex. James seemed to measure his words carefully, as if observing the situation, while the old gentleman made no effort to hide his discomfort, remaining silent. Both made it clear they had no intention of leaving. The atmosphere was shifting in an unfavorable direction.
Having left the drawing room first, I kept glancing outside, praying that Vincent and Violet would take a long walk. Then Lucas approached me, followed shortly by Ethan.
The trouble began after quite some time had passed.
Vincent and Violet returned from their walk. Spotting us loitering in the Central Hall, Violet waved cheerfully. Her bright smile was a welcome sight.
"Why is everyone gathered here like this?"
At her question, Lucas hesitated. When I faltered too, Ethan stepped in.
"Marquis Marguerite is here."
"Father is?"
Only then did I realize the identity of the elderly gentleman. Violet, who had been beaming with joy, now looked puzzled.
"Why would he come here?"
"Let's go upstairs first. He's in the drawing room. And Vincent—stay back, I need to talk to you."
Ethan grabbed Vincent's arm and shot me a meaningful glance. I quickly moved to Violet's side. When our eyes met, I was reminded of last night's events. Unlike me, frozen for a moment, she smiled at me warmly, just as she always did.
"I wonder why Father came here. And without any word, just showing up like this... Paula, do you know anything?"
"I haven't heard the details either."
"Hmm. Strange."
I forced a smile as I watched her tilt her head in confusion.
We were halfway up the stairs when someone descended from above. It was the elderly gentleman—Violet's father. And behind him stood an older woman.
She was watching the old gentleman's expression closely. When he saw Violet, his face darkened. Something felt ominous. As I tensed, Violet also noticed the elderly gentleman and the middle-aged woman. Beaming, she hurried up the stairs.
"Father— Oh, Nanny? Why is Nanny here?"
The old gentleman's gaze, looking down at her radiant face, was icy. The woman called Nanny, standing behind him, fidgeted nervously, stealing glances at him without a word. Sensing something amiss, Violet stopped in her tracks. Only then did the old gentleman speak.
"Take her away."
"Yes."
At his command, Nanny descended the stairs and immediately seized Violet, dragging her along.