"Isabella still looks beautiful. She hasn't changed a bit."
"Lord Ethan, you've become even more manly since the last time I saw you."
"Oh, you don't have to flatter me. I've grown old and haggard."
Ethan stroked his chin and sat down on the sofa. Isabella gave me a nod. Holding the tray, I quickly placed the tea in front of him.
"Thank you."
He smiled kindly at such a trivial act. It was strange to see a man who looked so distinguished and of high status being so kind to a mere maid like me.
"Vincent's condition has worsened a lot since the last time I saw him. The last time I saw him, he wasn't this bad. How long has he been locked in his room?"
"About half a year."
"Half a year... I see."
Ethan smiled bitterly. His eyes were filled with worry. It was clear that Ethan knew about Vincent's condition.
That he had lost his sight.
Given that he knew it was hidden even from the servants, it showed the depth of their friendship.
"Vincent and I are friends. Very close friends."
I must have been staring at him intently, because Ethan kindly added an explanation. I immediately lowered my gaze and bowed my head.
"I'm sorry."
"Haha, no need to apologize. You're new here, right?"
"Yes."
"Hmm, you feel different from the maids I've seen before..."
He looked at me as if examining me. I tensed up, my body stiffening.
Fortunately, the topic changed quickly.
"Is Vincent still confined to his room?"
"Yes."
"His current state... the situation just now speaks for itself. I heard that more bad things happened after I left. I had to leave for business, and I was too complacent."
"Lord Ethan did your best."
Ethan stroked his teacup and smiled bitterly.
"Isabella, I chose the family over my friends. That's the truth. It was partly the timing, but ultimately, it was an excuse. I left, thinking Vincent could handle things on his own. But I never wanted him to end up like this..."
"Lord Ethan."
"I've never seen Vincent like this. Even when the Count and Countess Bellunita passed away in an accident, he wasn't this bad."
Ethan's face darkened. His eyes were filled with worry and sorrow for his friend. It was strange to see someone feel another's pain as if it were their own. Is this what true friendship is like?
What? After pretending to be alone and being scared of everything, he has such a good friend. It's surprising that such a friend exists for that stubborn master.
"Isabella, I must see Vincent's face this time. I can't sleep at night thinking about it."
"I'll prepare a room for you."
Isabella gave me a nod. I nodded back and left the parlor.
"Does it taste good?"
"Alright."
Vincent spooned the gruel into his mouth. He chewed slowly and quietly, exuding the grace of a noble.
Recently, Vincent has started eating by himself. It's a remarkable change. The day after that dream-like night, when I handed him a spoon as usual, he started eating the gruel slowly. I was astonished.
'You don't get tired of shoving it down your throat until it hurts, do you? If you keep eating like this, you'll choke to death one day.'
'You have a good sense of humor.'
'It's not a joke.'
Not really, but... I grumbled to myself, but I couldn't help but be moved by the sight of him eating the gruel by himself. It felt like taming a stray cat in front of Uncle Mark's bakery.
'Are you feeling unwell somewhere?'
'Shut your mouth before you spit it out.'
His temper is still the same, but it's a touching change. However, the amount he eats is disappointing. Looking at the bowl of gruel that was barely half-empty, I suggested cautiously.
"Would you like to eat a little more?"
"I'm full."
"Just a little more."
"I said I'm full."
Vincent scowled. I sighed and took the bowl.
"You need to take your medicine. Here."
I guided his hand to the medicine bowl, and he obediently drank it. Good, good. I looked at him fondly. After he finished, I took out a round object from my pocket. I peeled off the outer layer and put it in his mouth.
"What is it?"
"It's a candy. Since you always say it tastes bitter, I thought it would be good to have something to freshen your mouth after taking the medicine."
"Am I a child?"
To me, he's just a grown-up in body but still a child at heart. Still, he didn't spit it out, so he must find it somewhat useful.
"What happened to that guy?"
"Who are you talking about?"
"The one who came this morning."
"Oh, Lord Ethan Christopher said he would stay here for a few days. He insisted on seeing your face."
Vincent closed his eyes tightly. His face looked like he had seen hell. He even sighed, a rare occurrence, and rubbed his face with both hands. Seeing him like that, I thought of the guest from earlier. He seemed genuinely worried, so why did Vincent dislike him so much?
"Will you see him?"
"Enough. Absolutely don't let him into my room."
Vincent waved his hand and lay down on the bed. Seeing him like that, I finally spoke up with something I had been wanting to say for a long time.
"Master, you need to take a bath."
"..."
But he turned his body away without answering. He was curled up against the wall, showing no intention of bathing. I stared at his back for a moment, then approached and sniffed. I frowned.
I grabbed his arm and placed it on my shoulder, then helped him up from the bed. Vincent, who was dragged along, soon twisted his body. A few days ago, he would have shouted and gotten angry, but now he asked in a resigned voice.
"What are you doing?"
"You smell."
I held his arm tightly. I couldn't let him go this time. It was the same smell I had noticed when I first entered this room. At first, it was unfamiliar, and then I was too busy catering to his whims to ignore it, but now I was used to it. I had tried to clean his face, neck, and hands with a wet towel, but it wasn't enough. Today, the stench from him was almost unbearable.
"When was the last time you took a bath? The smell is so strong it's making my nose hurt. If you can't see, you should have asked for help to bathe."
"Stop talking nonsense and let go of me."
"If you take a bath."
As soon as I entered the room, I had already filled the bathtub. Today, I was determined to make him bathe. Vincent flailed his arm on my shoulder, but it was easy to overpower him. I held his arm tightly and wrapped my other hand around his waist, leading him to the bathroom. He was almost being dragged along. Even as we approached the bathtub, he resisted stubbornly.
When we reached the bathtub, I guided his hand to the edge. He felt around and grabbed it tightly. I could see the intent to throw water in my face. Surprised, I grabbed his wrist, but he refused to let go.
I tried to pull him away from the bathtub, and he resisted, leading to a tug-of-war. It ended when I lost my balance. Still holding his arm, we both fell forward.
Splash! We landed on the bathroom floor. I turned around to see Vincent submerged in the bathtub. He looked shocked and then began to tremble with anger.
"Are you okay?"
"You, you..."
Seeing him unable to speak, I was also at a loss for words. When I tried to grab his arm, he fiercely pushed me away. He then tried to get up by himself, but the slippery bathtub made it difficult. Each time he fell back in, the water splashed, drenching him. It seemed he no longer needed a bath.
Suddenly, he stopped moving. I tensed up and watched him. Then, the door opened, and Isabella entered the bathroom. She stopped when she saw me and Vincent in the bathtub.
For a moment, she looked surprised, but she quickly regained her composure.
"Next time, it would be better to undress first."
"..."
"I have something to say. I'll take care of the rest."
She looked at me. I bowed and quickly turned around. I picked up the laundry and hurried out of the room. I was saved!
"Lord Ethan is here, right?"
Renika, who had come to collect the laundry, asked. We had started to have simple conversations since we met once a day. I looked at what she had brought and replied.
"Do you know him?"
"He's the master's friend and the second son of the Christopher family."
"He seems famous."
"He is. Not only because of his family, but also because of his looks."
Renika moved her hand up and down in front of her face. Was he handsome? Well, he was striking. And he was polite to someone like me, a mere servant.
"He seemed kind."
"Yes, he's very kind. Usually, people like us are often ignored by those above us, but Lord Ethan treats us kindly. That's why he's very popular among the female servants."