Chapter 70
The Count's Secret Maid - Chapter 70
Translation: godsn
"He's still young. And you know how he's always been... right?"
"Yes."
When I nodded, Nanny's face relaxed with relief.
Robert occasionally wanted to go outside. Except when he was particularly fussy, Nanny usually managed to soothe him. Probably because it was dangerous.
But looking back now, perhaps Robert had wanted to go to his mother. Maybe she couldn't grant his wish because he couldn't actually go.
Well, though his reckless, impulsive behavior was likely the biggest reason.
"Ugh, my head hurts."
The back of my skull throbbed. I must have blacked out for a moment... But I definitely remember tumbling down a slope right before that. Thankfully, the thick layer of soft fallen leaves cushioned the impact.
Just as that thought crossed my mind, I bolted upright.
"Young Master!"
I was about to frantically look around for Robert when I spotted him lying right beside me. But his closed eyes sent a chill down my spine. When I cautiously pressed my ear to his chest, I heard the steady thump-thump of his heartbeat. Only then did I release a sigh of relief and survey our surroundings.
We were quite far from the slope visible above. We must have rolled quite a distance down. At this depth, there was no hope that someone passing by might spot us. We'd have to climb back up ourselves.
Staggering, I pushed myself to my feet. My entire body was filthy with leaves.
As I brushed off the leaves, something suddenly caught my eye through the branches opposite me. A white structure of some sort... Without thinking, I took a step toward it. The leaves crumpled underfoot with a soft crunch, almost like a scream. My heart pounded strangely.
Just as I was about to push through the thicket blocking my view—
"Waaah!"
Robert came to. Startled, I immediately rushed to his side. I thought he might be crying, but he wasn't. Though his face was scrunched up, his violet eyes just blinked rapidly without shedding tears.
"Young Master, are you alright?"
"... Fun."
"Huh?"
"That was fun!"
Robert burst into laughter. Then he suddenly sprang up, oblivious to the leaves plastered all over him, and immediately demanded we do it again. I was so flabbergasted I couldn't speak. At least he seemed unharmed.
Robert stubbornly insisted we roll down again, but I firmly refused and, grabbing his hand, led him back up the slope. The path was quite steep, and by the time we reached the top, we were a complete mess.
I brushed the leaves from my hair and clothes, then straightened out Robert's disheveled appearance.
"Are you hurt anywhere?"
"It hurts here."
His small hand pointed to his knee. The skin was scraped, with blood trickling down. He must have hit a rock while tumbling down the slope.
Flustered, I carefully examined Robert's knee.
"Does it hurt a lot?"
"No."
"But you just said it hurts."
"Yeah, no."
So does it hurt or not? His expression was perfectly calm, without a single wince. Wondering if it really didn't hurt, I patted my chest in relief.
I untied my apron and pressed it against Robert's knee. He grimaced slightly but didn't whine as he usually would. In fact, he showed unexpected patience, which surprised me. Meanwhile, I tore the apron and bandaged his wound.
"Should I carry you on my back?"
Robert's eyes widened into perfect circles. But he hesitated, unable to give an immediate answer. He looked almost... shy. His uncharacteristic reactions ever since we fell made the little brat seem oddly endearing. I stifled a laugh and turned my back to him.
"Come on, climb up."
Hesitantly, Robert leaned against my back. I firmly supported his bottom and stood up.
"Wow! Waaah!"
Robert clung tightly to my neck, wriggling excitedly. I could feel his exhilaration. Gripping his plump legs firmly, I began walking. The child kept exclaiming "Wow," "Whoa," and other awed sounds.
"Are you enjoying this?"
"Yes!"
"We'll head back like this."
"Okay!"
Though my whole body ached from tumbling down the slope earlier, the awestruck sounds behind me weren't unpleasant. Worried he might change his mind and start being stubborn again, I quickened my pace. Before I knew it, we'd come quite far from the mansion.
"Next time, come with Nanny."
"Come again?"
"Yes, come again."
"What about Mother?"
I hesitated briefly. Robert's clear voice remained cheerful.
"Come with Mother too?"
"Of course. We'll all come together later."
"When will Mother come?"
"Later."
"When?"
"When Young Master eats well and stays healthy."
I added that she'd come if he stopped being stubborn, throwing things, and demanding to be put on the Iron Statue. Of course, that was just my wish. Honestly, I'd be perfectly content if he'd just stay quietly and safely in his room.
"Liar."
Robert immediately saw through my lie. Sharp for his age. I pretended not to notice and continued.
"It's true."
"You're lying."
"It's the truth."
"Mother won't come! Even if Robert is good, even if I miss her..."
His bright voice quickly took on a melancholy tone as he mumbled.
What should I say in moments like this? I still lacked eloquence and was clumsy at comforting others. That hadn't changed even after five years.
As I fell silent, Robert also stopped talking and buried his face in the nape of my neck. The child was clever enough to read the mood. Somehow, I could picture that small face looking despondent.
"Do you miss her?"
"Yeah. But I have to endure it."
"Why?"
"They say Mother's busy. Really, really busy. So I can't throw tantrums."
I'd thought he was just an insufferable little brat, but these were admirable words. Yet knowing Robert's circumstances, they struck me as rather sad.
Come to think of it, Robert never threw tantrums about missing his mother or demanding to see her. Clearly he longed for her, yet never showed it. He simply waited quietly. Accepting this endless, uncertain wait without complaint.
Perhaps even that small head held complex thoughts. Robert seemed to clearly understand what he could and couldn't say. One shouldn't underestimate him just because he was young.
'He acts out because he's lonely.'
'But he's a good child at heart.'
Had Nanny and Joelli already known this side of Robert? The words I'd wanted to argue against at first now made me nod slightly in agreement. It was just unfortunate I'd become the target of his tantrums.
"Madam must miss you too, Young Master. Very much."
"Really?"
"Of course."
"Then why doesn't she come see Robert?"
"She's doing very important work, so she can't come yet."
"Is Mother important?"
"Yes. She's a very important person."
Robert burst into giggles at this, apparently pleased by the praise of his mother. His excited squirming forced me to adjust my hold.
"So you can wait patiently, right?"
"Yeah, dummy."
Ah, that dummy remark. My softened heart instantly hardened again. I understood he had hidden loneliness and was fundamentally a good, mature child—but he was definitely still a little rascal too.
"Robert's okay."
Robert rubbed his face against the back of my neck. His hair tickled my skin with each poke. " Okay, okay," came his childish voice, soft and soothing.
"Will you stay with Robert......?"
Robert suddenly asked, his voice tinged with unease. I paused mid-step for a moment before continuing to walk and finally parted my lips.
"Yes. This fool will always remain by Young Master's side."
I felt a small nod against my back and couldn't help but chuckle. I wasn't sure if he'd properly understood my words, but I liked to think he had.
Suddenly, the mood grew heavy. This wouldn't do. There was a solution for times like this—something I used to do when carrying my younger sibling on my back whenever their mood soured. I adjusted Robert more securely on my back and broke into a run. Behind me, his bright laughter rang out like tinkling bells.
"Are you enjoying this?"
"Yes! I love it!"
Encouraged by his response, I ran even harder.
The distance shrank rapidly, and soon we arrived near the mansion. By then, every ounce of strength had drained from my body.
"Huff, huff..."
Bent over, I gasped for air, too exhausted to even stop Robert from wriggling down from my back.
Just as I was catching my breath—
"Robert?"
An unfamiliar voice called out abruptly, followed by the sound of approaching footsteps. Who could it be at this hour? Lifting my head with effort, the first thing I saw was a small figure darting forward eagerly—and a tall man lifting that small figure into his arms.
Sunlight glinted off golden hair that swayed with his movement. Beneath it, vivid emerald eyes curved gently. His impeccable, wrinkle-free attire and robust frame spoke of refinement, but the moment I saw his face, my mind went completely blank.
Why... Why are you here...?
"Vincent!"
Robert beamed, pressing his cheek against the man—Vincent's—face. Vincent smiled back at him warmly.
"Have you grown taller since I last saw you?"
"Nanny says I've gotten big!"
Robert stretched both arms upward as he answered cutely. Vincent chuckled softly, his eyes crinkling with a smile that made him look at ease.
Watching them, I realized one thing.
He's... watching.
His eyes... they're...
While I stood frozen in shock, Vincent noticed my presence and turned his head. Emerald eyes fixed on me, brimming with curiosity. His gaze swept over me from head to toe before tilting his head slightly. The wind tousled his golden hair.
"Who's this?"
My heart plummeted at the sound of his smooth voice. The face before me—so vivid, so real—confirmed that this wasn't some illusion.
"Fool!"
"Fool?"
"Yeah. Fool."
He studied me again. Only then did I manage to clasp my trembling hands and bow. The sight of his shadow stretching across the ground made my heart pound violently. Unable to hide my turmoil, I bent even lower. A dry swallow, lips trembling with effort—yet no sound came out.
"Are you new here?"
"...... Yes."
I barely forced out the single word before pressing my lips shut. My scalp prickled. After a brief silence, he spoke again.
"I see."
That was all. Soon, the sound of his footsteps faded into the distance.
Only then did I straighten up.
"Where's Mother?"
"Mother didn't come."
Vincent stroked Robert's hair consolingly as the boy pouted. The affection he held for Robert was palpable. The tenderness in his expression was almost too much to bear. Watching them, my vision blurred uncontrollably. Before I knew it, a single tear rolled down my cheek.
How could this be happening? It wasn't as if I'd never imagined reuniting with him. At times, I'd dreamed of it—played out scenarios in my mind. But never, in any of them, had I pictured it like this.
Vincent Bellunita.
This was our reunion after five years—one where he didn't even recognize me.