The Preciousness of Money - 2
The lady clung to me for a long while, her breaths coming in shaky gasps. I had no idea what had scared her so badly, but she wouldn't let go until her ragged breathing finally steadied in my arms.
"Ricardo..."
"Yes."
"Ricaaaardo...."
My hands wandered uncertainly. "Ughhh..." I had no clue where to hold the lady who was nestled against me. Should I pat her back to comfort her? Or wrap my arms around her waist? Patting her back alone felt insufficient, but embracing her fully made my heart pound too fiercely.
I'd always thought of myself as a butler who could do everything perfectly, but moments like this reminded me I still had a long way to go.
"It's okay."
My wandering hands finally found their place, pulling her into a firm embrace as they settled on her back. I gave her a small smile, murmuring words of comfort—"It's alright"—while gently stroking her back.
"It'll be fine."
Whatever had happened, it'd be okay. With that reassurance, I held her close.
"No matter what...."
I'll be by your side.
"I'll be right here with you, my lady."
There was no need to worry.
Late into the night, Olivia lay wide awake, clutching the edge of her blanket and blinking into the darkness.
-Blink, blink.
She wasn't sleepy at all. The sleepiness that had fled at the sudden appearance of the blue window showed no sign of returning. For Olivia, whose favorite hobby in the world was sleeping, this elusive slumber left her tossing and turning with wide eyes.
"I can't sleep..."
Turning toward the window didn't help, nor did flipping to face the door. In her unsettled frustration, she gripped the blanket's edge tightly.
One small mercy: she wasn't alone in the room. If she had been, she might have been terrified of ghosts. Thankfully, Ricardo had stayed, waiting patiently until she fell asleep.
Olivia crossed her legs and gazed at Ricardo, who was dozing off with his head nodding. A guilty expression crossed her face.
"..."
She'd told him he could go, but he'd insisted on staying until she slept. Now he was slumped in the chair, fast asleep.
-You can go.
-No.
-Why?
-I'm bored and can't sleep.
-I'm not bored, so go to your room and sleep.
-Seems like you're planning to see ghosts without me. I can't allow you having fun without me.
-I won't. And ghosts scare me anyway.
He was such a worrier. A bit odd, always teasing, but no one worried about her this much. Olivia knew his grumbling came from genuine concern. Anyone but a fool could see that.
She gave him an apologetic smile, staring intently. Ricardo sat there, arms crossed, blanketless despite the chill, dozing in the chair.
"Ricardo, are you... asleep?"
"..."
"Guess so."
With trembling hands, Olivia pushed aside her blanket. She wriggled toward him, dragging herself across the bed sheets as quietly as possible, hoping her numb legs wouldn't make noise and wake him. Careful not to disturb his sleep, she reached out to drape the blanket over his shoulders.
"Don't catch a cold, Ricardo."
"..."
"Cover up."
Her arms were too short. Hmm... Olivia stretched again, more forcefully, clutching the heavy winter blanket. Sensing something off from its unusual weight, she frowned and put her strength into it.
"Urghhh...!"
What had she been doing while others grew strong? Biting her lip at her frail arms that couldn't even reach his shoulders, Olivia made a face like she might burst.
"Eeeeeek!"
Desperate not to wake him, she let out strange grunts of effort.
"Hnnngggg!"
Her eyes bulged wide as she tried to lift the blanket. It felt heavier than usual today—almost like someone was holding it. No matter how much of a delicate beauty she was, failing to lift a single blanket didn't make sense. Lost in thought, staring at the immovable fabric, Olivia suddenly spotted a black silhouette shifting on the bed. Her pupils trembled rapidly.
"What...?"
A massive form was inching toward her feet. As the black shape moved, the blanket tugged along with it. Olivia whispered in terror.
"A ghost...?"
She remembered now why she'd called for Ricardo. The blue window had briefly driven it from her mind, but the memory resurfaced. Trembling, she stared into the dark space at the foot of the bed.
-Wriggle.
Olivia swallowed hard, clutching the blanket's edge. Even a ghost couldn't have her blanket—she held on tight.
"It's mine..."
Wriggle...
"Eek...!"
It seemed beyond what she could handle. Deciding to give up cleanly—before she got yanked off the bed—Olivia called out in a quivering voice.
"Ricardo..."
Her voice was a tiny, fearful whimper, but Ricardo slept on undisturbed.
-Wriggle... Slowly, toward the bed.
Olivia locked eyes with the black mass, heart pounding fit to burst. She clenched her fists, ready to wake Ricardo at any moment.
The black shape began to reveal itself atop the bed. As the enormous form climbed on, Olivia gulped and gripped her fists tighter.
-A bear?
Front paws on the bed, butt wiggling—the familiar creature made Olivia yell in irritation.
"Eek! You little bear bastard!"
-Bear?!
She was pissed. She'd been scared stiff thinking it was a ghost, only for it to be Gomtangi gnawing on her blanket. Olivia hurled her pillow at him, and Gomtangi happily tore into it with a gleeful grin.
"...Huh?"
Suddenly pillow-less, Olivia stared blankly at the shredded remains, a depressed look on her face.
And then.
"Pfft... Puhaha! What the hell!"
A chuckling voice drifted into her ears—the butler's, laced with laughter.
"Ahaha... My stomach hurts."
Ricardo watched her with clear, alert eyes—no trace of sleepiness or fatigue. Propping his chin, he smiled and spoke.
"Was Gomtangi that scary?"
"Eek! Don't tease me!"
"Puhahaha! Gomtangi the ghost...!"
Pouting, Olivia shot back at him.
"Why weren't you asleep?"
"Just was."
"Why?"
"How could I sleep with the world's prettiest girl right in front of me? I was just pretending."
"I am pretty cute."
"I know. And such a kind heart, too. Even trying to tuck me in."
"Right? I'm pretty nice."
Olivia beamed happily at him, then smoothed her hair fluttering by the window and said,
"You really weren't asleep?"
"No."
"Why?"
"Told you. I was watching the show."
Ricardo was weird. Staying up just to watch her. Yielding delicious food. Taking her tantrums without a sour face. So strange. Olivia grinned broadly at him.
Seeing her sudden smile, Ricardo furrowed his brow. "Flirting?"
"Why are you grinning like that?"
"No reason. You're just ugly."
"I think I've got a pretty handsome face myself."
"Ricardo's got a huge ego."
"Not ego. I am handsome."
His smiling face made things feel a little less scary. The ghost, too. And whatever the blue window had shown. Olivia smiled at the elusive sleep and scooted closer to Ricardo—or rather, made space for him to lie down, which meant moving away a bit.
Her crawling with immobile legs looked ridiculous, but Ricardo didn't laugh at the clownish sight.
Olivia patted the empty spot beside her on the bed.
"Lie down, Ricardo."
"Pardon?"
"Lie down. I don't have a pillow anymore."
"Ah..."
Ricardo's face fell, flushing. It was dark, so she couldn't see clearly, but she could tell he was embarrassed. He was such a shy guy.
"Lie down!"
She urged him insistently. She wanted him to rest after all his trouble for her sake—and to shake off the lingering fear of ghosts.
Most of all.
Would you like to view it?
With Ricardo beside her, the fear would fade. So she specially offered him the spot next to her.
Ricardo let out a deep sigh and slowly climbed onto the bed, lying down.
"It's been a while since we lay together like this."
"Yeah."
"You used to hate it 'cause I smelled like sweat."
"You don't now."
Click. The bedside lamp flickered on. Ricardo opened a picture book with a small smile.
"Ta-da."
"Ooh...!"
"Fresh off the press."
Leaning on his shoulder, Olivia said seriously,
"I have no idea what it says."
"..."
"Ancient language?"
"..."
Ricardo hated Olivia.
As the darkness finally lifted, Olivia leaned on Ricardo's shoulder and slowly closed her eyes.
She had to face it now. He'd be sleepy too. No more avoiding it.
Olivia shut her eyes and thought inwardly,
'I'll view it.'
And then.
"Blame me."
"My lady."
She saw Ricardo, drenched in blood. His long hair tied back, eyes weary but open.
"No...!"
"It wasn't you!"
"So... so...!"
A crying version of herself stood before him. Ricardo wore a bitter smile.
And as always,
he looked at her with a smile.
"So."
"Become the hero, my lady."