Chapter 91
The Count's Secret Maid - Chapter 91
Translation: godsn
After that, the conversation continued with simple pleasantries centered around Joelli, though it remained rather dull. Most of the talking was done by Joelli, with Vincent and Ethan responding in turn. For me, waiting in the background, it was a tedious time. Alicia, too, seemed to have grown bored, as she secretly stifled a yawn.
Robert, who had been eating dessert, began whining for Nanny to hold him, perhaps because he was full. Once she picked him up, he fidgeted with a small horse figurine in her arms before dozing off. Watching Robert affectionately, Joelli turned to Ethan and asked,
"You've been busy lately too, haven't you? Though I suppose things have settled down somewhat?"
"More or less. Work is still hectic as ever."
"You've had it rough."
"Violet's had it rougher than me."
My ears perked up at the familiar name.
"How is she? Does she still seem worn out?"
"She's still struggling a bit, but she's doing her best. Speaking of which, has Robert been visiting Violet often lately?"
"He's gone less frequently these days. They've been exchanging letters, I hear."
"Letters? Didn't she say it was hard to get replies?"
When Ethan looked puzzled, Joelli laughed. Nanny, standing nearby, chuckled as well. Vincent quietly sipped his tea. Ethan glanced between the three of them before asking what was going on.
"Vincent personally went to deliver a reply for her."
"And he's been helping her ever since."
Nanny added the explanation. I was startled and turned to look at Vincent.
I hadn't known. I thought it had ended with him delivering just one reply. Since Robert hadn't written back at the time, I assumed that was the end of it. But it seemed the letters had continued—and Vincent had been putting in the effort to help all this time. I was... impressed.
But I wasn't the only one. Though his expression remained stiff, Ethan's face was tinged with surprise as he stared at Vincent. Vincent must have felt his gaze, yet he simply kept sipping his tea.
"You wouldn't believe how much Robert adores her."
Joelli smiled brightly, but soon her expression turned bittersweet.
"Though it'd be even better if Violet could spare some time for him..."
She hid her face behind her teacup, but the worry lingered in her eyes. Ethan and Vincent also drank their tea in silence. An odd tension hung in the air, and I found myself puzzled—until Joelli began rambling about her concerns for Violet.
"What did that sweet, kind, lovely girl ever do to deserve such hardship? Her uncle is being too cruel. She was raised without so much as a drop of water touching her hands, and now this."
"Maybe it's good for her to get them dirty for once."
When Ethan retorted, Joelli glared at him fiercely. He averted his eyes and took a bite of a pastry.
"Couldn't you have made a choice for her sake?"
This time, the criticism was directed at Vincent.
"It was Violet's decision."
"All the more reason you should've stepped in to protect her! Not just stood by and watched! Don't you feel even a little guilty toward her?"
"Fine. It's all my fault."
"If you admit it that easily, what's the point of me saying anything!"
Vincent gave him a look that said, Then what do you want me to do? Beside him, Ethan sighed and shook his head. Judging by their reactions, this must have been a frequent topic of contention.
"None of it matters. I should've stopped her when she insisted on walking that difficult path. I should've done everything to talk her out of it. But she was so resolute—my mistake was failing to stop her in the end."
"Like Vincent said, it was Violet's choice. We had no right to interfere. And the consequences of that choice are hers to bear."
"I know. I know... But it still upsets me, so what can I do?"
Seeing Joelli's pouting face, it was clear she held deep affection for Violet. Then again, she was the kind of person who could inspire love in anyone. In my memories, Violet had always been gentle—kind enough to treat even a lowly maid like me with warmth. The thought of her being forced into marriage, then losing her husband, weighed heavily on my heart.
"Vincent. You're making me dislike you. You know that?"
"How terrifying."
"That attitude of yours! The reason I'm making a scene here is entirely because of you!"
At that moment, a sharp clattering sound echoed through the room.
In the blink of an eye, the teacup Vincent had been holding fell to the floor. The spilled tea thoroughly soaked his hand as the cup shattered into pieces. Droplets of liquid dripped from his fingertips, while the broken shards of porcelain lay scattered at his feet.
"My apologies. My hand must have slipped."
Vincent tilted his head slightly, yet his expression showed not the slightest hint of remorse. Everyone present knew the truth—he hadn't dropped it accidentally but had deliberately thrown it to the floor.
A heavy silence instantly descended upon the Drawing Room. Joelli stared at the shattered teacup with a startled expression, while Ethan clicked his tongue and signaled Audrey with his eyes.
Just as Audrey, who had soaked a clean towel in cold water, was about to step forward, someone swiftly approached Vincent.
"Are you alright?"
Alicia carefully covered Vincent's hand with the damp towel. She had acted faster than anyone else present. Her face, filled with concern, examined his hand while subtly caressing it.
I too was taken aback and checked on Vincent's condition, worried he might have been scalded by the hot tea. Fortunately, apart from his soaked sleeve, there didn't seem to be any visible injuries.
"Are you hurt anywhere?"
"I'm fine."
Vincent, now the center of everyone's attention, answered nonchalantly. Then he turned his head. When his gaze met mine—as I'd been watching him—he quickly looked away.
"Ann. Please clean up the broken pieces."
"Understood."
Gathering my scattered thoughts, I grabbed a fresh towel and approached. Kneeling before him, I wiped up the spilled tea from the floor with the towel, then collected the broken shards into my apron. Audrey came over with a broom to assist.
Meanwhile, Ethan took charge of the situation.
"Joelli, I fully understand how you feel, so let's end this discussion here. It doesn't look good in front of others. I'll make time to visit Violet separately."
"...... Fine."
Joelli picked up her teacup with a displeased expression. Whether from frustration or not, she gulped down her tea in large swallows. Though I faintly heard her mutter "coward," Vincent paid no attention and simply picked up a pastry to eat. Ethan glanced between the two of them and let out a small sigh. The tension that had grown sharp finally began to ease.
"Speaking of which, Vincent. I was thinking of staying here for a few days while I recuperate."
With the atmosphere calming, Ethan changed the subject. I subtly raised my head to observe them. Vincent, who had been looking down, lifted his eyes.
"Here? There are other mansions."
"This place seems nice. It's quiet, and Robert is here too."
"......"
"Is that alright?"
There was a hint of playfulness in Ethan's voice. Vincent didn't answer immediately. Silence once again filled the room. Just as the pause began to feel prolonged and weighty, Vincent finally responded.
"Then I'll assign someone to attend to you."
Vincent glanced at Audrey, who nodded as if to say she would select a suitable person. But then Ethan made an unexpected request.
"I'd like to ask that person over there."
He pointed somewhere. Following his finger, everyone's gaze turned—
directly toward me.
Having just carefully stood up while clutching the apron full of broken shards, I froze awkwardly in place. Who? Me? As all eyes focused on me, I stared at Ethan in confusion. The man who had so precisely singled me out relaxed his stiff expression and smiled warmly.
"Please take care of me."
Why had I overlooked this situation?
He was still such a strange guest.
"What on earth were you thinking?!"
The moment we were left alone, I cornered Ethan against the wall, bracing one hand against the surface beside his face. I couldn't contain my anger.
"Paula. You're making me tremble."
"Stop joking around!"
Even in this situation, Ethan's playful attitude was absurd.
"My, my. I made a mistake. I forgot Paula is easily embarrassed. I should've whispered my request instead of saying it outright."
"That's not the issue here!"
"Then what is the problem?"
His shameless behavior made me choke on my breath.
To revisit the earlier situation—Ethan's sudden declaration had everyone staring at me. Their gazes were laden with questions piercing through me. Why? Do they know each other?
Audrey was the first to calmly break the silence. "If I may be so bold, Ann's probationary period is nearly over."
"Then we can extend it. Or hire her officially."
When Ethan smoothly countered, Audrey looked troubled. Ah, so I was supposed to leave once my probation ended. I'd been worried about the possibility of an extension, but it seems I was fretting over nothing. Shaking off the irrelevant thought, I shot Ethan a look telling him to stop. Unfazed, he simply smiled.
Joelli subtly frowned, glancing between Ethan and me. Nanny watched with blatant curiosity, and Alicia gave me a sidelong glance. An uncomfortable silence stretched, broken only by Robert's ragged breathing.
Finally, Vincent couldn't take it anymore. "Do you two know each other?"
"Very well. I owe her a great debt from the past."
"What were you thinking?! Why would you say something like that?!"
Thanks to his shameless lie, Vincent granted permission—something about how we were acquainted, so I'd serve him well. As a result, my probationary period was extended. I belatedly protested that I wasn't confident in the role, but it fell on deaf ears.
"I just thought having Paula attend to me would be comfortable."
"Lord Ethan!"
"Well, that's an excuse. Maybe I just wanted to spend more time with you?"
"Excuse me?"
His eerie words made me scratch my arms nervously. I took a step back, wary, and Ethan laughed awkwardly.
"Don't look at me like that. It's not like that."
"I know. It's just... unsettling. Anyway, what were you really thinking?"
"I was frustrated?"
"......"
"And... it felt like fate."
Is he seriously calling this reunion fate now? Then does that mean every villager I pass on the street is also fate?
"Aren't you curious too, Paula?"
"About what?"
Realizing there was no way to reverse this situation, I grimaced. The memory of Alicia's terrifying expression when my probation was extended flashed in my mind. I wasn't scared, but it was painfully obvious this would be troublesome. Earlier, I'd sought out Audrey separately and argued to keep my original term, but she—assuming it was because of my sister—offered to extend Alicia's period as well. It was an all-around terrible outcome.
All because of this man.
"What exactly are you trying to say?!"
"Whether Vincent has forgotten you... or remembers you."
"......"
"Aren't you curious?"
"...... I'm not curious."
My head turned away first, and my answer came a beat too late. I wasn't curious. I didn't want to be curious.