When I suddenly let go, Vincent furrowed his brow.
"Why?"
"ā¦."
"Hey."
Still not answering, I felt Vincent reach out his hand. It was his habit, not being able to see, to feel around to check his surroundings. His hand, reaching into the air, was searching for something to touch.
See, he can't see.
Only then did I let out a sigh of relief.
"Ah, no. It's nothing."
I shook my head to compose my tense heart. Then I casually waved my hand in front of his eyes. His blank gaze didnāt even blink.
I had a pointless thought. That he could see.
"But why did you suddenly go quiet?"
"Justā¦ checking if your face is in the right direction. Ah, it's good now. This is how it should be."
I went back to the opposite sofa and sat down. I massaged my heart, which had tightened and then relaxed. Turning my head at a sharp sensation, I saw Ethan staring at me intently. He smiled mischievously when I asked why.
"Vincent seems more lively, doesn't he?"
"What are you talking about? How is he more lively?"
"Exactly. How is he more lively?"
"He's not more lively."
Be more realistic.
"Still, try to think of it. If you practice now, you'll be more natural when you meet Lady Violet. Imagine it, imagine it."
"ā¦."
Come on, hurry up. I urged Vincent boldly. He sighed and opened his mouth.
"It's been a while."
He started calmly. I immediately responded.
"Vincent. Really, it has."
"ā¦It's awkward."
"Vi, Vincent."
"Stop fumbling."
"Vincentuuuā"
"What? Why are you like this?"
Trying to mimic a sweet and cute voice, Vincent frowned. He looked like he heard something he shouldnāt have.
"Reallyyy. What's going on? Uuuuh?"
"Disgusting. Stop it."
He put down the cup as if he were throwing it. It might break. I frowned and looked at the cup. It was a bit shaky, but fortunately, it was unharmed.
I placed it back in its designated spot and sat down again.
"Please think of me as Lady Violet."
"How can I think of something so strange?"
"Is it strange?"
"It's strange."
Be more realistic.
"Still, try to think of it. If you practice now, you'll be more natural when you meet Lady Violet. Imagine it, imagine it."
"ā¦."
Come on, hurry up. I urged Vincent boldly. He sighed and opened his mouth.
"It's been a while."
He started calmly. I immediately responded.
"Vincent. Really, it has."
"ā¦Rather be stiff. I feel like I'm going to throw up."
"Really, why didn't you meet me? If you were worried about me getting into danger, you could have at least replied to my letters."
"I didn't think that far. I'm sorry."
"I was worried about you. But no reply, and you wouldn't even show your face when I came to see you. I was worried that maybe you didn't like me anymore."
"That's impossible."
The conversation flowed unexpectedly smoothly. I thought of the questions Lady Violet would ask and threw them out, and he answered promptly. Whether he had thought about it before or was being spontaneous, the conversation was smooth.
"I'm sorry for worrying you. I didn't do it because I didn't like you. Don't misunderstand."
"Are you okay now?"
"Yeah, much better. I said I was still recovering to cool my head a bit. Don't worry too much."
Is this enough? The conversation went well, and throughout, he followed my instructions to look straight ahead and not move. It didn't feel strange to think that our gazes were meeting.
Worried that I might have missed something, I mentally reviewed the things Lady Violet would say. Then I realized the most important part was missing.
This is something she would definitely say. I gathered my courage and cleared my throat. Hmm.
"Vi, viā"
"Vi?"
"Vi, vi, viā¦"
Repeating "vi, vi, viā¦" I couldn't continue. Vincent tilted his head. I licked my dry lips several times. Suddenly, it felt too embarrassing to say it out loud. The words were unfamiliar even in my mouth. After hesitating, I closed my eyes tightly and blurted out the most important words.
"I missed you!"
"ā¦."
Even after I finally said it, I couldn't open my eyes for a long time. I couldn't bear to look at Vincent. My cheeks felt hot, so I rubbed them. When I finally peeked, Vincent had a dazed look on his face. His eyes, which had widened in surprise, soon stretched wide.
"Really?"
A gentle voice flowed. It wasn't a hoarse or sharp voice, but a relaxed, slightly mischievous one. He lowered his eyes slightly and then raised them again. The slight upward curve of his lips formed a beautiful smile.
He was smiling.
His affectionate eyes sparkled.
"Thank you."
His sweet voice was filled with consideration. His affectionate smile was unfamiliar, but I couldn't look away. It was the face I had seen when we had tea in the garden. No, it was even more affectionateā¦ a kinder face.
I shouldn't be the one seeing this face. It's not directed at me. I bowed my head deeply. I couldn't meet his eyes.
"I'm really fine. Soā¦"
I didn't hear what he said. I clenched my fists and took a deep breath. My heart was pounding, as if I had seen something I shouldn't have.
Thump, thump, thump.
Strange.
Too strange.
"ā¦Lady, ā¦Lady, ā¦Maid!"
"Yes!"
I had been clutching my chest and suddenly looked up. Ethan was staring at me with wide eyes.
"Why are you so startled? It seems to be working."
"A, ah. Yes. It seems to be working."
You're doing well. I let out a light comment and stood up from the sofa. It's fortunate to have bangs in moments like this. They would hide my blushing face.
"Keep the conversation as short as possible. If it goes on too long, he'll notice something's off. End the conversation by saying you're tired. Lady Violet would never end it first."
"I won't."
"Good. So, the posture is set, and the conversation seems to be going well. The next part is important. Stand up first."
Vincent gripped the armrest of the sofa and slowly stood up.
"Then just walk out."
"How?"
"I'll guide you."
Ethan rearranged the furniture so Vincent could move easily. He pushed the sofas on either side of the table a bit further back to widen the passage. He especially widened the gap between the sofa on Vincent's right and the table. After looking around the living room, Ethan gestured to me.
"Then, maid, you need to tell Vincent how to walk out."
"Me?"
"Together."
Ethan smiled. I tried to focus my wandering mind and approached Vincent. Vincent stood there blankly. The face from a moment ago seemed like an illusion. But the image still floated in my mind. I shook my head to clear the memory.
"Sir, I will guide you by holding your hand."
I hesitated in front of his hand. I didn't want to hold it. Why am I like this? I was fine just a moment ago. I repeatedly curled and uncurled my fingers before gently gripping his fingertips.
"Let's go this way."
"Why are you like this?"
"Excuse me?"
He furrowed his brow when I asked. Then he firmly grabbed my hand.
"Don't hold it awkwardly. If you fall, I have to catch you."
"Me?"
"What?"
"No, no. That's right. I will."
Saying, "I'll hold it firmly," I tried to slip out of his grip. He held on tighter. The pressure of his grip, as if to prevent me from escaping, made me flustered. He pretended not to notice and urged me to guide him quickly.