Then Ethan took off his overcoat and draped it over my shoulders. How considerate he is at times like this.
“Miss, Vincent shouldn’t live like this. Even though he looks like this now, he is the master of the Belunita Earl’s family. We can delay the situation for a while, but eventually, the story about Vincent will spread. If he continues like this, it will only bring trouble. When the truth is revealed, the nobles will go to great lengths to remove Vincent from his position as earl.”
“The master is trying.”
“It’s not enough. He needs to try harder. At the very least, he needs to be able to stand on his own. He will have to walk alone someday.”
The lamp light illuminated Ethan’s face. In the soft glow, his serious expression carried a hint of sadness.
“Vincent knows. He knows he can’t keep living like this. But he turns a blind eye to it. That’s not acceptable. A life without change is like stagnant water. Time flows, and the surroundings change, but how can he alone remain still? Whether he wants it or not, he must accept the change. I don’t want Vincent to die.”
“You’re harsh.”
“If being harsh can make Vincent change, then I’ll do it. I think he needs someone like me.”
“You’re also kind.”
Ethan turned his head. I could see his struggle in his wavering eyes.
“You mean you’re willing to be the bad guy for the master. That shows how much you care about him. You’re kind.”
“I’m a threat to him.”
“That’s true.”
He acknowledged it. Then Ethan smiled lightly.
“But, you said you’re a friend.”
“Yes.”
“Then you must understand why Mr. Christopher made that choice. As a friend, you should understand his heart.”
Ethan had been watching over Vincent, worrying about him, and acting as the bad guy to make him change. While I couldn’t call it a noble act, it was genuine concern. Watching him, I felt I was beginning to understand what a friend is. Someone who can feel for each other without needing to express it outwardly, that’s what a friend is. He showed me that.
I think Vincent feels the same way. That’s why he probably just waved off Ethan’s threats with his cane, just like he tried not to show his suffering from nightmares every night.
“And I somewhat agree with you. We can’t live like this forever. I also hope the master changes, as his servant.”
He stopped speaking. Do I really hope for it? I was hired to serve Vincent, who is stuck in his current state. But if he overcomes it and changes, won’t my usefulness disappear?
Then I laughed. It seemed too far off to really feel the impact yet.
“Do you think Vincent will change?”
“Yes.”
“You’re confident.”
“I have a good reason to be.”
He is changing, little by little.
“And after thinking about it, I don’t think it’s true.”
“What isn’t true?”
“That you’re a bad guy. Real bad people don’t call themselves bad.”
Real bad people believe they are right and don’t recognize their faults. The people around me were like that. They all thought they were great and important, so they took it for granted to torment and use others.
Ethan looked at me with a blank face.
“Why do you think that?”
“Because the other servants said Mr. Christopher is a very good person.”
Then he frowned.
“But honestly, you seem more like a bad guy to me.”
Honestly, the way you acted towards me was no different from a villain. I shrugged, and Ethan’s eyes twinkled. I heard a laugh filled with amusement, different from his usual tone.
“Have you thought about your wish?”
“My wish?”
“You said you’d grant me a wish if I could get Vincent to take a step out of his room.”
Ah, I did say that. I recalled the bet we had, which I had momentarily forgotten.
“Tell me what you want. I’m quite capable, you know.”
Ethan said this readily. After a moment of thought, I extended my hand to him.
“Then, let’s form a partnership.”
“A partnership?”
“I mean, a relationship where we help each other.”
I felt like I would meet him again somehow. Since he’s Vincent’s friend, it’s not impossible. They say bad connections are the most persistent. If I can’t avoid him, I might as well make him an ally. He’s a bit of a jerk, but he knows a lot about Vincent. Plus, he’s confident in his abilities.
Ethan blinked and looked at my outstretched hand. I held it out to him.
“I want to stay here for a long time. Please help me a lot.”
“Why?”
“Because I have nowhere else to go.”
“……”
Ethan pondered for a moment. Then, as if he had made up his mind, he nodded and shook my hand.
“A mutually beneficial relationship, not bad at all.”
We shook hands, a sign of agreement. I squeezed his hand tightly, and he firmly returned the grip.
“You’ve gained an excellent partner. Not many people are as capable, have a strong family background, and a good personality like me.”
“……That’s quite an honor.”
“You don’t sound very sincere.”
“Why would I not be?”
I put on a show, and he laughed again. I released his hand and looked out the window again. The moon, shining proudly in the darkness, was as beautiful as ever tonight.
The next day, I saw Ethan off with Isabella. Vincent, of course, didn’t come out. Ethan, wearing a top hat as he did the first time we met, exchanged brief pleasantries with Isabella and approached me.
“I’m sorry for giving you a hard time.”
“It’s fine.”
I wanted to scold him for knowing what he was doing, but I held back because of the onlookers. Ethan smiled mischievously, as if he knew my thoughts.
“Since you were so kind, I’ll have to visit more often.”
He’s so infuriating. I secretly waved my hand at him, urging him to leave quickly. Ethan chuckled briefly.
After seeing him off, I watched as he got into his carriage, and suddenly, I remembered something I wanted to ask. I braved the intrusion and quickly approached him.
“Mr. Christopher.”
He turned to look at me as he was about to get into the carriage.
“Did you often write letters to the master?”
“Letters?”
“Yes.”
“I’m not sure, but I did send a few recently.”
“Oh, then……”
I hesitated for a moment before continuing.
“Did you write the letters in gold ink?”
“……”
Ethan blinked. I swallowed hard, waiting for his response. Could it really be him? The person I had been exchanging letters with?
‘The branches have sprouted buds.’
I remembered the words he had said before. It was a casual remark, but it stuck in my mind because it was something I had written in my reply. It wasn’t particularly special, but after he came, the letters in gold ink stopped. So I wondered if it was him.
But he shook his head.
“No, I wrote them in black ink.”
“Really?”
“Yes.”
His answer was firm. I felt a bit disappointed.
“I see.”
“Is there a problem?”
“No, nothing.”
I composed my expression and shook my head. Ethan looked at me curiously but changed the subject. He then got into the carriage with a casual laugh.
As I watched the carriage leave and turned my head, I saw Vincent standing by the window on the top floor of the mansion. But the curtain was quickly drawn. I stared at the window where he had been standing for a moment before turning away.
However, not long after, Ethan returned with another guest to the mansion.
* * *
The letters in gold ink, which had been absent for a while, arrived again. This time, there was a small container with tea leaves inside.
[The aroma is good.]
Indeed, the aroma was good. It was a subtle and sweet scent. I thought it would be even better if we brewed it. So, after getting Isabella’s permission, I brewed the tea leaves and brought them to Vincent.
“It’s the black tea from Novelle.”
“How did you know?”
The container was labeled ‘Novelle,’ and I was impressed that he recognized it immediately. Vincent sipped the tea and said,
“I used to enjoy it. Where did it come from?”
“It’s a gift.”
“I see.”
Seeing him drink the tea repeatedly, it seemed he really liked it. I had received a good gift. As I refilled his now empty cup, I thought I should bring this to him whenever he gets angry. I should send a grateful reply.
“Next time, just punch the window. It’s a waste.”
I said this, looking at the empty window beyond the door. I didn’t understand why he always broke and shattered things. But he ignored my comment and sipped his tea leisurely.
“Don’t worry about it. Next time, when Ethan comes, don’t let him in. You can have someone drive him away.”
“Huh?”
It was a sudden order. Vincent’s expression was so calm that I wondered if I had heard wrong.
“Why? Don’t you like Mr. Christopher?”
“I don’t.”
I asked casually, but his answer was immediate. Why? Of course, Ethan had threatened him, but until yesterday, they had been exchanging letters and bickering. It was strange. They were supposed to be close friends. Why did he dislike him so much? There must be a reason, given that he knew Vincent’s condition.
As if sensing my confusion, he continued.
“It’s not that I dislike Ethan.”
“Then what is it?”
“I dislike his family.”
“You mean the Christopher family? Do you have a reason?”
He put down his cup with a clink and handed it to me. I took it reflexively. He pulled the blanket over himself and fell back onto the bed. His eyes, slightly closed, were deeply sunken beneath his disheveled golden hair.