The Count's Secret Maid - Chapter 73

Translation: godsn

"Don't you think this one flares out too much?"

Joelli, dissatisfied as she examined the dress, removed the one she was wearing and began sifting through the others nearby. The bed seemed strewn with dresses of various designs.

Johnny turned his head away with practiced ease. Though only the mirror's position was visible behind the half-drawn partition, he didn't dare glance in that direction. Meanwhile, Alicia's soft laughter could be heard as she handed over another dress.

"Since it's marcelled, it shouldn't flare out too much. Rather than something skin-tight, one with lace at the hem like this gives a fuller, more elegant impression."

"Oh? Really?"

Joelli held the dress against herself, scrutinizing it from all angles. Alicia stood beside her, adding compliments with a beaming smile.

Then Joelli's gaze slid sideways. Alicia quickly bent down and selected a pair of shoes from the line before the mirror—ones that matched the dress—placing them at Joelli's feet.

As Joelli slipped one foot into a shoe to examine her reflection, I subtly stepped back to observe Alicia. Though her eyes and mouth smiled, I could read her thoughts: That woman's so arrogant! Who does she think she is, bossing around someone else's servants like this?What choice do we have? We're servants after all. Whatever Joelli's true identity, she was ultimately nobility. Giving orders to people like us was only natural. Damn bitch! When I become the lady of this household, I'll kick her out first. And yet she serves her so well—all smiles and feigned sweetness. When Joelli waved a hand dismissively, Alicia swiftly approached with another dress. I'd never seen Alicia move with such efficiency before.

Fastidious Joelli was unusually meticulous in selecting her party dress—more so than usual. Only after repeatedly trying on and discarding several did she finally settle on one.

"Hmm."

Even that choice didn't seem to satisfy her completely. Fortunately, she didn't change again, instead studying her reflection before settling into a chair. Alicia lifted a box of hair ornaments.

"Could Nanny help with this?"

"Yes, Lady Joelli."

"......"

Alicia, lacking dexterity, stepped aside as Nanny approached. Eventually, Alicia came to stand near us, waiting.

I leaned in to whisper to her:

"Little hypocrite."

"A minor sacrifice, nothing more."

"What do you mean?"

"This is why clueless people—"

"......"

"—need opportunities to prove themselves. Bending over backwards for a few ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠words is nothing compared to what I'll gain later. You just stand there and watch quietly."

"Why don't you try staying quiet for once? Don't go stirring up trouble."

"Didn't you say you were leaving? If you're going, hurry up."

As I opened my mouth to retort to her sarcasm, Joelli pulled out a hair ornament and pointed to another. Before Nanny could move, Alicia had already fetched a new hairpiece, opening the case to show Joelli directly. Whatever her plan was, she'd clearly committed to it.

Robert, exhausted from the long wait, had fallen asleep. Using my lap as a pillow, his small body lay stretched across the sofa. As always, he clutched a carved horse figurine in his hand. Carefully, I lifted his hand—still precariously gripping the carving—onto my knee and patted his small back.

"Mmm, I think this should do."

Just then, a knock sounded. With Joelli's permission, someone opened the door and entered. My gaze instinctively flew to the doorway before hurriedly lowering. Johnny hastily bowed.

Vincent stepped into the room, impeccably dressed in a tailcoat.

"Vincent, you're here."

"Are you ready?"

"Not yet. Wait a little longer. Ah, you can remove the partition now."

At those words, Nanny moved to remove the folding screen that had been blocking the doorway. Johnny, who had been staring at the wall the whole time, discreetly stepped forward to help. As I hesitated over whether I should join in, Vincent plopped down heavily on the seat beside ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠me. My body stiffened rigidly.

"Just do it roughly. It's only for formality's sake."

"But you still want to look pretty. Who's going, after all?"

"How admirable."

Their exchange was warm. Seeing such warmth made me think their relationship wasn't as stiff as I'd assumed. Come to think of it, what exactly was their relationship?

But my thoughts faded before they could go any further. My heart pounded rapidly from tension. I ducked my head unnecessarily and hunched my stiffened body further. My grip on Robert tightened. I was afraid Vincent might recognize me.

Yet when I stole a glance at him, my worry proved pointless—he never once looked my way. His gaze remained fixed solely on Joelli, now fully visible as the screen disappeared.

Soon after, Joelli, now fully dressed, stood before Vincent. Clad in a blue dress embroidered with jewels, matching shoes, and hair ornaments, she was breathtakingly beautiful. Her entire body shimmered with light.

Joelli twirled in place. The hem of her dress fluttered and swirled before settling. His emerald eyes rolled lazily before locking onto her.

"Well?"

Her delicate lips curled languidly. It was the kind of smile that could steal anyone's heart.

"It suits you."

"Honestly, that's so half-hearted."

"Then don't ask."

But his voice only sounded annoyed. At Vincent's indifferent reaction, Joelli made to inspect another dress. It seemed another long wait was about to begin.

When Joelli finally picked up a new dress, even Nanny and Alicia looked flustered. Meanwhile, Vincent rested his arm on the sofa's armrest, propped his chin on his hand, and watched Joelli with perfect composure.

Honestly, that guy's mouth is still the same. Did Robert pick that up from him?

I stole another glance at Vincent beside me. Setting everything else aside, the more I looked, the more amazed I was. Vincent, who could see. What was ordinary for others had never been so for him, so I kept stealing glances, observing him.

His languid face held not a trace of fear. It was calm and composed. No remnants remained of the terror he'd once shown after losing his sight. He was utterly different from the man who had refused to step even a foot outside his room for fear of being harmed. The Vincent who had once fought his pain alone was gone now.

That's good. Really good.

I'm so glad he's doing well.

I smiled faintly as I watched Vincent. Then, as another face surfaced in my mind, my smile faded. My gaze dropped to the floor, drifting aimlessly. The tremors spread like ripples, and my mood grew endlessly gloomy.

I pressed my lips tightly together, forcing my emotions under control. When I exhaled a shaky breath and lifted my gaze again, Vincent was sitting upright, staring intently at something.

His serious gaze remained fixed ahead for a long moment. Following his line of sight, I saw Alicia standing there, adjusting Joelli's hair. Alicia had been stealing glances at Vincent ever since he entered the room.

Realizing he was watching her, Alicia feigned indifference, tilting her face slightly to ensure he had a good view. And just as she intended, Vincent couldn't tear his eyes away for the longest time.

Only Alicia moved, with Joelli's occasional voice chiming in. All the while, Vincent silently observed them. No—his gaze was almost entirely fixed in one direction. It followed Alicia's movements as she shifted.

Why is he staring like that? Puzzled, I was still watching Vincent when Johnny tapped my shoulder. He had ducked his head close ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠behind me and whispered low.

"Who is that person?"

For a moment, I wondered ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠what he was talking about and turned to look at Johnny. Still staring at Vincent, Johnny voiced his question. Then, noticing my gaze, he widened his eyes as if to ask, You mean you don't really know?

"Who is he?"

"He's the master of this estate."

"Oh, really?"

Johnny's eyes bulged as he scrutinized Vincent again. His genuinely clueless reaction was baffling. Hadn't all the servants gathered to welcome Vincent when he returned?

"All the servants assembled to greet the master when he arrived, didn't they?"

"I know. But I was secretly dozing off then."

"......"

"It's a secret, okay?"

As if I'd tell anyone? I let out a disbelieving laugh, and Johnny, perhaps embarrassed, quickly added that he'd woken up too early and was exhausted. Ah, of course. I nodded calmly and shook my head.

Then, I suddenly felt someone's gaze on me. I whipped my head around, but no one was looking our way. Strange. I could've sworn someone was watching...

"Hey. But why is he staring at Alicia like that?"

"Probably looking at Lady Joelli."

"No. His gaze is intense. Like he's smitten."

"Not everyone's like you."

I didn't want to hear any nonsense about love at first sight. Just remembering how I'd been pestered over it before made my expression darken.

I was about to snap at him to stop talking nonsense, but Johnny gave me an odd look instead. What? Why? When I glared back, his face suddenly turned serious, and I had a feeling he was about to say something that would only irritate me further. So I hardened my expression and widened my eyes in warning. Don't you dare.

"You there."

A deep voice cut through the air.

My body stiffened instantly. Johnny turned toward the sound first, while I lagged a beat behind, my neck creaking as I slowly followed.

But Vincent was still looking at Alicia. His call hadn't been for me.

"Are you a new servant?"

It had been directed at Alicia. As if she'd been waiting, she swiftly turned toward him.

"Pleased to meet you, Master."

With a shy smile, she pressed both hands to her stomach and bent deeply at the waist. Her long, tied-back hair cascaded over her shoulders.

"Your name?"

"It's Alicia."

Her eyes, slightly lowered before lifting again, sparkled. Her clear voice rang out distinctly. The corners of her red lips curled upward into a lovely smile. It was the kind of face anyone would find charming—and Alicia knew it, flaunting it without reserve.

"I attend to Lady Joelli."

"......"

"Master?"

Vincent stared holes into her beaming face. His gaze was so intense that Alicia's cheeks gradually flushed. Joelli, who had been half-turned with an arm draped over the back of her chair, smirked mischievously.

"My, my, Vincent. You'll bore a hole through her face."

Only then did Vincent exhale shortly and lean back.

"Smitten?"

At the teasing remark, Alicia's eyes twinkled.

But his expression quickly soured again, his eyes silently warning her to stop with the nonsense. He didn't answer. Joelli didn't press further either, leaving only Alicia looking disappointed.

"Ann."

Then Joelli called for me. Distracted by them, I reacted a beat too late.

"...... Yes!"

"Come here. Fix my hair for me."

Joelli, having undone the updo Nanny had styled for her, beckoned me over. My eyes widened. Me? Really? As I hesitated, Nanny approached.

"I'll watch over the Young Master."

After glancing at her gentle smile, I hesitantly rose to my feet.

It felt like everyone's eyes were fixed on me. Nanny settled Robert onto her lap in my place, while Joelli waited. Alicia, standing beside her, openly scowled at me.

With heavy steps, I walked toward Joelli. The back of my head prickled—probably because Johnny was watching. And I could feel Vincent's gaze too.