46. The Moment a Star Fell on the Earl's Family (7)
As they approached the door, the surroundings became even more chaotic. One of the voices in the crowd was filled with anger. Wondering what was going on, I looked at Eitan, who turned his body toward the stairs. I followed him downstairs, keeping up with his quickening pace.
When we reached the central hall, Isabella was already there. She looked up at Eitan anxiously, and he shook his head. Relief spread across Isabella's face.
The commotion outside the door grew louder, as if it were about to burst open at any moment.
"What should we do?"
"Let me try to buy some time."
Eitan walked toward the door. Isabella followed a few steps behind him. I watched their backs, puzzled.
At that moment, someone grabbed my hand. I turned to see Lucas standing there.
"Lord Lucas?"
His face was pale.
"Are you feeling unwell?"
"Pola."
"Yes."
"This way."
He pulled me along. When I asked why, he didn't answer, only leading me to the opposite side of the door with a look of anxiety.
His steps were quick, almost a run. I ran to keep up with his hurried pace.
A short while later, the noisy murmurs from behind grew louder. I turned to see Eitan facing two men. One was a younger gentleman, and the other was an elderly man. The younger gentleman's face was familiar.
James Christopher.
Looking at Lucas again, I realized the person I had seen earlier was indeed James Christopher. Who was the other man? I didn't know why they had come to this mansion, but the elderly man looked very angry.
"James is my older brother. He's calm, smart, and excellent, and even as a child, I admired him and thought he was a cool older brother. But now... I'm afraid of him. Very much so."
"Why?"
"Because he's a scary person."
Vincent had said something similar before. From Lucas's reaction, it seemed James Christopher was truly terrifying. Lucas was trembling with fear, unsure of what to do.
"I thought he would come, but he's still scary. Even though I keep telling myself it'll be fine, that I can handle it, I just can't bear the thought of facing him. That's why I ran away. I was scared to run alone, so I brought Pola with me."
"..."
"Is it embarrassing?"
Lucas smiled weakly. I shook my head.
"If that's embarrassing, our master wouldn't be able to show his face."
Our master is also a coward. He just pretends not to be.
Lucas burst into laughter at my words. However, his laughter was still weak, and the hand on his forehead was trembling.
"Sometimes, I want to throw everything away and run far, far away, where no one knows me."
"That sounds nice. Go somewhere with a beautiful view."
"Would Pola come with me?"
Taken aback by the sudden proposal, I blinked. Honestly, it sounded tempting. It wasn't a bad idea.
"It would be an honor."
"Then let's go together."
"Yes. Please take me later."
"Let's go now."
Lucas grabbed my arm firmly, with a strong resolve to take me if I wanted.
"Why not now?"
"I have something to do now."
"Does Pola like Vincent?"
My heart sank. I was so startled that I held my breath. The relaxed atmosphere instantly turned tense.
Lucas leaned in toward me.
"If that's the case, I'll give up."
"Why, why are you saying that?"
"You'll just get hurt."
"I don't understand what you're talking about. Let me go."
I was confused by his sudden words and scared by what he might know. Neither option was pleasant. I shook my head and tried to free my hand, but the more I struggled, the tighter he held on.
"Don't hide it. At least you must be attracted to him."
"Lord Lucas."
"Let's run away together?"
Let's run away, just the two of us. Leave everything behind and go far, far away, where no one can find us. He grabbed my other arm and whispered, his brown eyes filled with earnestness. My confusion grew more intense.
"Why, why are you saying this?"
"Because I want you to come with me."
"Lord Lucas."
"Will you run away with me? Hold my trembling hand and come with me."
Why was he saying these things to me? Was he just teasing me?
"I told you I like you, and I meant it."
"That's ridiculous. Why would you like someone like me? What's the reason? I don't understand..."
I immediately refuted him, trying hard not to laugh sarcastically. But he smiled sadly and confessed his true feelings.
"There's no big reason. I just started to feel curious and wanted to see you, and being with you makes me happy and joyful. I hope you'll stay by my side forever. That's how I feel about you."
"..."
"I love you."
Lucas pulled me into his embrace. He rubbed his cheek against my ear and whispered his feelings again. His moist voice seeped into my heart, and I felt his sincerity with my whole body.
"I... I..."
"Your answer."
He held me tighter.
"Can you give it to me later?"
"..."
"Later... not now... give it to me later..."
He mumbled, burying his face in my shoulder, then suddenly pushed me away. Seeing him force a smile, I couldn't continue speaking.
A short while later, a knock broke the silence.
"Lucas."
It was Eitan. Lucas smiled bitterly and released my arm, then walked toward the door.
As he opened the door and spoke briefly with Eitan, Lucas glanced at me. Our eyes met, and his determined face soon disappeared as the door closed.
I stood there, dazed, staring at the door.
When I regained my composure and returned to the central hall, I saw Eitan and Lucas standing by the open door. And the man standing opposite them.
Eitan was talking to James. The two of them laughed as if they were ordinary brothers. It was a peaceful scene, different from what I had imagined.
Occasionally, James's gaze would fall on Lucas, who would smile back at him. Sometimes he would say something, but the smiles were short-lived, and the conversation didn't last long.
James patted Eitan's shoulder and then hugged him. Eitan laughed awkwardly and accepted the hug. To anyone, they looked like affectionate brothers. But my eyes kept drifting toward Lucas. Whenever James's gaze left him, Lucas's face would stiffen.
The elderly man walked over to them. After a brief conversation, they moved to the annex parlor. James remained quiet, observing the situation, while the elderly man sat in silence, clearly uncomfortable. Both of them showed no intention of leaving, and the situation seemed to be taking a bad turn.
I came out of the parlor first and kept checking the door, hoping Vincent and Violet would take a long walk. Lucas approached me, and Eitan followed behind him.
The trouble started after a rather boring stretch of time.
Vincent and Violet returned from their walk. Seeing us loitering in the central hall, Violet waved. Her bright smile was a pleasure to see.
"Why are you all standing here?"
Lucas hesitated to answer. I also hesitated, so Eitan stepped in.
"Lord Marguerite has arrived."
"Father?"
Only then did I realize who the elderly man was. Violet, who had been smiling brightly, now looked puzzled.
"Why is he here?"
"Go upstairs first. He's in the parlor. Vincent, I need to talk to you."
Eitan grabbed Vincent's arm and nodded at me. I quickly stood beside Violet. When our eyes met, I was reminded of last night. While I froze, she smiled affectionately as usual.
"I wonder why Father is here. And why did he come without any notice? Does Pola know anything?"
"I haven't heard the full details."
"Hmm. That's strange."
I forced a smile as she tilted her head in confusion.
When we were halfway up the stairs, someone came down from above. It was the elderly man, Violet's father, and an older woman stood behind him.
The woman glanced at the elderly man. He frowned at Violet. It was ominous. As I became more alert, Violet also noticed the elderly man and the middle-aged woman. She ran up the stairs with a bright smile.
"Father—oh, nanny? Why is nanny here?"
The elderly man's gaze on her was cold. The woman, who was called the nanny, stood behind him, nervously watching his reaction.
Feeling something was off, Violet stopped. Then the elderly man spoke.
"Take her."
"Yes."
At his command, the nanny came down the stairs and immediately grabbed Violet, pulling her away.