On a night bathed in moonlight, the mansion was plunged into chaos.
The silence of midnight was shattered by a scream. The sharp, tear-stained scream reached the servants in the annex and even those far away in the main house. Soon, a maid who arrived first at the source of the commotion began shouting, and other servants quickly gathered.
"Oh my God!"
"Is that Mr. Christopher? Is it really Mr. Christopher?"
"Ah! Someone, please help!"
The place was filled with cries of shock and hurried footsteps. It was a dark night with no one around. The ground behind the annex was soaked with blood, and small droplets had splattered even on the walls. The red blood trail stretched long, turning the corner and leading to the front of the building. At the end of that trail, the youngest son of the Christopher family lay collapsed, bleeding. It was clear to anyone that he had been harmed by someone else. The servants were thrown into confusion, wondering who could have done this to him.
The butler immediately took action. Isabella ordered most of the servants to retreat, leaving only a few behind. The servants, glancing at Lucas who lay as if dead, returned to their posts, all of them whispering about who could have done this to him.
I was locked in my room during the commotion.
Hiding my tear-streaked face between my legs, I curled up tightly. I glared at the firmly closed door, my nerves on edge, imagining that someone would burst in and stab me. Even though the door was locked, such thoughts dominated my mind.
I'm scared.
I trembled alone all night and eventually fell into a deep sleep.
My body floated in the air. The sensation of weightlessness was pleasant. I didn't want to go back down. If I could just drift aimlessly, maybe I would reach somewhere. It didn't matter if I didn't. I wanted to disappear.
"Sister, it's okay. I'm okay."
A beautiful face smiled tenderly. I wanted to capture that image in my eyes, but they kept blurring, making it difficult. That was all I could do, but I couldn't even manage that.
"Do nothing. That's what you should do."
A mocking voice pierced me. I remained silent because I thought the same thing.
"Then think about it. This isn't a place for idle dreams."
I know. I know that well. Stop it. Don't do this. Even if you don't say it, I can't do anything. Please leave me alone.
"This is a moment you'll never forget."
A gentle voice echoed. Lucas came to mind. The man who had watched me in the darkness, the man who had confessed his love to me. He always smiled tenderly. He smiled at me then too. No, no. I didn't see his face that time. I turned away from him, perhaps for the last time.
As the darkness lifted, his face, contorted in pain, was fully revealed. He tried to focus his weak, open eyes on me. A tear streamed down the corner of his eye. His rough, dry lips parted urgently.
"Run, go!"
At that moment, my eyes snapped open.
I quickly scanned my surroundings. It was quiet. I strained my ears, but I couldn't hear any movement. It's safe here. I'm the only one here. No one else is. I let out a breath and relaxed my shoulders.
Knock knock.
Then, I heard a knock on the door.
I flinched. Hiding under the sheets, I curled up as much as possible, trying to stay in the corner. I kept a wary eye on the door.
When I didn't answer, the doorknob rattled. It seemed they realized the door was locked, and the sound abruptly stopped.
But a moment later, the door opened with a click. Someone entered through the creaking gap. I didn't take my eyes off them for a second.
The door slammed shut. Vincent, feeling his way around, slowly approached me. He seemed to be searching for me.
As soon as I saw Vincent's face, I crawled out from under the bed and ran to him.
I clung to his arm, which was groping the air, and turned him around by grabbing his chest. His emerald eyes, filled with surprise, fixed on me.
"Mr. Lucas, Mr. Lucas is—"
I stammered, unable to finish my sentence. His surprised expression gradually subsided. I anxiously scanned his lips.
"He's alive."
The moment I heard those words, my legs gave out. I collapsed, and Vincent bent down with me. He asked if I was okay, but my mind was consumed by one thought.
He's alive. He's alive. Lucas is alive... The tears I had been holding back burst forth again. I clung to his collar and sobbed.
Vincent's hand felt my face. Sensing the moisture, he embraced me.
"Don't cry."
Then he patted my back.
"It'll be okay."
"I thought he was going to die. I thought he would die just like that, sniff. The wounds were so severe. He lost so much blood. Sob."
His patting stopped abruptly. He pulled me away from his embrace urgently.
"What do you mean? Did you... scream?"
"Yes."
I wiped away my tears and answered. I remembered last night. I was so scared, so terrified, and so worried about Lucas that I finally screamed. I desperately hoped that someone would hear my scream and come to save him.
"What?"
His emerald eyes widened. His gaze wavered for a moment before he grabbed my arms.
"Who was it? Did you see them?"
"No. I didn't see them. I ran before I could see—"
"Did they see you?"
"I, I'm not sure. We were under the moonlight, so they might have—"
As I hesitated, his expression grew more serious. The grip on my arms tightened. I winced at the pain, and he bowed his head.
What he muttered, I listened carefully. Just then, the door burst open. I jumped and looked over.
It was Ethan.
Ethan, who had been surveying the room, quickly walked over to us. Vincent's gaze shifted to Ethan. Ethan grabbed Vincent's collar and roughly pulled him up.
I jumped up from my seat and anxiously watched the two of them.
"Vincent. Tell me now."
"..."
"Tell me the truth."
Ethan's face was distorted. It was very different from his usual mischievous and carefree demeanor. His clothes were disheveled, and his breathing was heavy.
He was trembling with fear. His face was pale, and his eyes were red.
Despite Ethan's sudden actions, Vincent remained calm. He looked at Ethan with a composed face.
"Did James, your brother, do this to you?"
Vincent answered a beat later.
"...Yes."
"Did he target you from the beginning?"
"No. His target was Lucas."
"Why?"
"Because Lucas discovered James's secret. It was a secret he shouldn't have known. So he threatened Lucas. But he must have still felt uneasy. Even if Lucas promised to keep quiet, he must have been a thorn in his side."
"So James did this to Lucas?"
I looked at Ethan in shock, then back at Vincent. He seemed to have foreseen all of this for a long time, his expression complex as he spoke.
"Yes."
Ethan gritted his teeth. The hand gripping Vincent's collar trembled. He then let go and buried his face in his hands, a face mixed with sorrow and confusion.
"...Did he also kill my father?"
The heavy question came again. This time, the silence was longer. Soon, Vincent closed his eyes and gave a heavy answer.
"Yes. Lucas witnessed it."
"..."
"That was the secret James wanted to hide."
Ethan turned away immediately. Vincent, realizing this, reached out and urgently continued.
"Ethan! Understand Lucas's feelings."
Ethan didn't turn around. He said nothing.
"Lucas didn't tell you because he was worried about you."
"Why?"
"Because both of you are precious to him. You and James."
"You, you—"
"You didn't want to kill your brother."
"..."
"Both Lucas and I were worried about that. You loved your father so much."
Ethan, taking a deep breath, pushed Vincent's hand away. He walked out of the room, and Vincent, trying to follow him, stumbled and fell against a table. I rushed to Vincent and asked if he was okay. His gaze followed the sound of his departed friend, lost in despair.
He felt my hand that was holding him.
"Follow him. Stop him. Tell him not to."
"What, what not to do?"
"Everything. Stop everything."
Vincent urged me. I hurried out of the room and looked down the corridor. Ethan was already walking to the end of it.
I ran and grabbed him. His confused face turned to me.
"Don't do it."
"..."
"Please, don't do it."
"What, what not to do?"
"Everything. Stop everything."
"It's too late."
Ethan smiled bitterly. His brown eyes were moist.
"Maid, I didn't come here for permission. I just wanted to confirm. But in fact, I already knew. I just refused to accept it. This is the result."
"Still, don't do it."
"He tried to kill Lucas. My own flesh and blood."
"..."
"Next, it could be me. Or Vincent."
Hearing this, my hand slipped from his. Ethan wiped away his sorrow. His face, now calm and composed, was frighteningly serene.
"Tell Vincent I'm sorry."
"..."
Ethan turned away. This time, I couldn't stop him. I didn't need to ask what thoughts were running through his mind, how firm his resolve was, or what he blamed himself for during his hesitation.
I watched his retreating back and lowered my head.
When I returned to the room, Vincent immediately turned his head, sensing my presence. I answered his questioning gaze with a helpless smile.
"I'm sorry."
"It's okay. You don't need to apologize."
Vincent shook his head. But his exhaustion was evident.
I approached him as he felt his way around and helped him up. He grabbed my hand.
"Pack your things immediately."
"What?"
"I'm sending you away."
I widened my eyes.
"Why, why? What did I do wrong? Is it because I couldn't stop Lord Ethan?"
"No."
"But why—"
"Because you're in danger."
He turned, still holding my hand. Facing me, he spoke calmly.
"James must have known you were at the scene when Lucas was attacked. You might be safe for now, but eventually, James will realize you exist. He won't let you be. You're the only witness."
"..."
"We have a cottage in Novelle, one of our family's properties. I'm sending you there. Go and rest for a while. When the situation is under control and I think it's safe, I'll bring you back."
"No."
"..."
"No."
I shook my head and took a step back. As I tried to pull my hand away, he held it tighter. The distance between us grew, but his hand remained firmly on mine.