"Sometimes when I was young. I found it stifling to be confined to the mansion. Whenever I felt that way, I would use this path to go out and play."
"Secretly?"
"Secretly."
I chuckled. Imagining young Vincent opening this door made me laugh. Sometimes he would look annoyed, sometimes frustrated, as he pushed open the iron gate and ran out into the world beyond.
Seeing me laugh, he tapped my forehead, telling me not to.
"This is a path only the family knows about. Now, only I know it."
"Now I know it too."
"Right. Now only you and I know it. No one else. It's a secret door, after all."
The term sounded good. Secret door. I savored it in my mouth as I touched the iron gate.
"Shall we go to the village?"
"Huh? Why?"
"They said to go far away."
"Still, not the village. Didn't you say we shouldn't attract attention?"
"Yeah, but no one would think a blind man is the Earl of Bellunita. And you'll be with me."
Only then did I turn to look at Vincent. I couldn't understand.
"Why do you keep wanting to go out? You don't really want to, do you?"
"You're right. I don't want to. But... I want to try and be brave. As you said, I can't live like this forever."
"Is now the time for that courage?"
"Usually, there needs to be a reason."
Why is now the reason? It's an incomprehensible stubbornness. He's been doing things he hasn't done recently, and now he's changed so drastically that I'm worried.
But Vincent's face, staring blankly ahead, looked resolute. Even though he showed signs of disliking it, he insisted otherwise. Seeing his face, I couldn't say no. Actually, I wanted to see the village too.
"Alright. I'll go get a hat."
"Hat? Why?"
"Well..."
When I go out, I usually wear a hat. Especially in crowded places, I need to cover my face. Even though I hide behind my bangs, it still doesn't feel safe. Besides, it would be better for Vincent to wear a hat too.
"Wearing a hat will make us less noticeable."
"You can buy one there."
"That would take too long. Please wait a moment."
"Don't go."
He gripped my hand tighter. Was he scared of being alone? His usually calm face was gradually contorting. I patted his hand and tried to reassure him.
"It's safe here. You'll be fine alone. No one knows about this place. Just wait a moment. I'll be right back."
"..."
"Really, just a moment? I'll run so fast you won't even see my feet. Okay?"
"..."
"Um, then count to a hundred. I'll be back before you finish."
Vincent looked bewildered at this. Of course, it was impossible to come and go within a hundred counts. But as I kept reassuring him, he finally gave his reluctant permission.
"Come back before I count to a hundred."
"Yes!"
Though it was a reluctant permission, I answered more energetically and carefully let go of his hand. Fortunately, he had wiped away the anxious expression and stood calmly. I glanced at him and quickly turned around. I could hear him counting: one, two, three. He really seemed to be counting to a hundred.
No, he can't really think I can come and go within a hundred counts, right? As he was counting, my feet were frantically pushing through the bushes, heading outside.
I ran out of the forest like a madman and headed straight for the back door of the annex. But when I opened the door and went in, an unusual silence greeted me.
Why is it so quiet? The annex was usually quiet, but today there was an odd tension in the air. Was it just my imagination, or did I feel tense? I tried to steady my breath and swallowed hard.
I tiptoed towards the stairs, trying to make as little noise as possible. I first went to his room to get the hat, then to my room to put it on.
Then I heard a faint sound. It caught my attention because it was a voice. A voice shouldn't be heard here, and it was quite close.
Curious, I walked in that direction. The sound was coming from the ground floor. I went down the back stairs and headed towards the source of the sound. In the entrance hall between the main door and the central staircase, people were gathered.
The first thing I saw was the back of a tall, large man. Next to him was the butler. Opposite them stood Isabella.
The back of a black head, neatly combed back, looked unfamiliar. Was he a guest visiting Vincent? As I wondered, my eyes met Isabella's. Her eyes widened for a moment before quickly regaining their calm.
"Where is the Earl of Bellunita?"
"The master is out."
"Call him back."
A firm, commanding tone. His voice was heavy, as if he was used to giving orders. I wondered who he was to act so arrogantly, and just then, the man turned his head. I quickly hid behind the corner. Instinctively, I felt the need to hide.
After a moment, I peeked again. The man was looking towards the central staircase, scanning the surroundings with narrowed eyes. He tapped his cane on the floor, revealing his discomfort. He was a strange guest, exuding a stern and somehow dangerous aura.
He was like a snake. A venomous one. Hiding his fangs, he was scanning the area, ready to strike his prey. His dark brown eyes gleamed with overt hostility, and he made no effort to hide it in someone else's mansion.
"This is problematic."
"I only need to see the Earl. I don't know where he's hiding, but bring him here."
"..."
"How long do you plan to keep me waiting?"
Only then did I realize. Isabella had taken Vincent out because of this man. Was he someone Vincent shouldn't meet? Was it because of his condition? No, it seemed there was a more significant issue.
Could it be...?
Isabella's gaze met mine again. I quickly turned around. Silently, I walked towards the back door. I felt cold sweat trickling down my back. My heart was pounding so hard it felt like it would burst through my skin.
As soon as I stepped out the back door, I ran towards the forest. I didn't even have the time to look back. I pushed through the bushes and entered the forest. Despite getting lost halfway, I found the secret door by following the marks on the trees as he had instructed.
Vincent flinched at my approach and focused on the surrounding sounds. I approached him, breathing heavily.
"Master."
"You took more than a hundred."
He frowned, recognizing it was me. Despite his frown, he walked towards me urgently, as if he had been waiting.
"Who... is at the mansion now?"
"..."
Instantly, his steps stopped. The frown disappeared, and his face turned tense. I looked up at him, turning my suspicion into certainty.
"Who... is it?"
"James... James Christopher."
Ethan and Lucas's older brother.
The one who caused Vincent's blindness.
He had come to the mansion. That's why Vincent had run away.
"Right, he's here."
He swayed. I quickly approached and supported Vincent. His face was pale. I found a place for him to rest, but there was nowhere to sit. So I took off my coat, laid it on the ground, and made him sit on it. I felt guilty because it was a coat I had received from Isabella, but I couldn't let him sit on the bare ground.
Seeing his breathing become rough, I worried it might be a seizure, but fortunately, he soon regained his composure. He pressed his temples, looking tired.
"Why did he come?"
"He probably came to check on my condition."
"Hasn't he come before?"
"This is the first time he's come in person since I became like this. Before that, he sent people a few times. He must have heard about my recent meetings with Ethan, Violet, and Lucas. Did you see him face to face?"
"No. I only saw him from a distance. I felt it was better not to get closer."
"You did well... good."
Saying this, Vincent looked somewhat troubled. His dull eyes remained on the ground. Seeing his face, overwhelmed with complex emotions, I quietly sat beside him.
"Since I have the hat, shall we go to the village?"
"No. I'm feeling drained."
He leaned his head on my shoulder.
"Then, shall we go somewhere else?"
"Are you uncomfortable?"
"Uncomfortable with what?"
"Here."
I looked around this small space. Behind me was the secret door, and the surroundings were surrounded by bushes. It was a quiet place, free from noise and prying eyes. It was just the two of us here. It was comforting. The occasional chirping of birds was pleasant to hear.
"No."
"Then stay here. Just like this."
He closed his eyes. I put the hat I was holding on his head.