Robert sometimes wanted to go outside. The nursemaid usually managed to soothe him, except when he was particularly stubborn. It was probably because it was dangerous.
But thinking about it now, Robert might have wanted to go to his mother. Perhaps he wanted to go, but couldn't.
Well, his impulsive behavior was probably the biggest reason.
"Ugh, my head hurts."
The back of my head tingled. It felt like I had just had a dream... Before that, I was definitely rolling down a hill. Fortunately, the soft, fallen leaves on the ground cushioned the impact.
Thinking up to that point, I suddenly jumped up.
"Master!"
I looked around to find Robert, but he was lying right next to me. He had his eyes closed, which was ominous. I pressed my ear to his chest and heard his heart beating. Only then did I let out a sigh of relief and look around.
The hill above us was quite far away. We must have rolled down quite a distance. It was too high to expect anyone to find us as they passed by. We had to climb back up ourselves.
I staggered to my feet. My body was covered in leaves.
As I was brushing off the leaves, something caught my eye through the branches opposite. It looked like a white building... Without thinking, I moved in that direction. The leaves crunched under my feet, and my heart beat strangely.
Just as I was about to push through the bushes in front of me.
"Ugh!"
Robert regained consciousness. Startled, I immediately ran to him. I thought he might be crying, but he wasn't. Though his face was pained, he only blinked his purple eyes without shedding any tears.
"Master, are you okay?"
"...Yes."
"Pardon?"
"It's fun!"
Robert smiled widely. Then he sprang up, covered in leaves, and urged me to do it again. I was speechless with disbelief. Still, I was relieved to see he was fine.
When Robert insisted on rolling down again, I firmly refused and took his hand to climb back up. The path was quite steep, and by the time we reached the top, we were in a terrible state.
I brushed the leaves off my head and body and straightened Robert's clothes.
"Does anything hurt?"
"Here."
His small hand pointed to his knee. It was scraped and bleeding. He must have hit a rock while rolling down the hill.
I was flustered as I examined Robert's knee.
"Does it hurt a lot?"
"It doesn't hurt."
"But you said it did just now."
"Uh-huh, it doesn't hurt."
Does it hurt, or doesn't it? His face was completely clear, which made me wonder if he really wasn't in pain. I sighed in relief.
I placed my apron over Robert's knee. He winced slightly but didn't whine as usual. Instead, his unexpected patience surprised me. I tore a piece of the apron and wrapped the wound.
"Would you like me to carry you?"
Robert's eyes widened. But he hesitated and didn't answer right away. He looked embarrassed. His unusual behavior made the little brat seem somehow cute. I smiled and turned around.
"Come on, get on my back."
Robert hesitated for a moment before climbing onto my back. I firmly supported his bottom and stood up.
"Wow! Wow!"
Robert, who had tightly wrapped his arms around my neck, wriggled with excitement. I could feel his enthusiasm. I held his chubby legs firmly and took a step forward. The child kept exclaiming, "Wow, oh wow!"
"Are you enjoying it?"
"Yes!"
"We're going back this way."
"Okay!"
Actually, my whole body ached from rolling down the hill, but the admiration from behind wasn't unpleasant. Worried he might change his mind and start being stubborn again, I quickened my pace. We were already quite far from the mansion.
"Next time, we'll come with the nursemaid."
"Come again?"
"Yes, we'll come again."
"Mother?"
"Yes, Mother too."
"When will Mother come?"
"Later."
"When?"
"When you eat well and stay healthy."
I added that if he didn't throw tantrums, throw things, or ask to be put on the iron bed, she would come. Of course, all of that was my wish. If only he would behave and stay safely in his room, it would be wonderful.
"Liar."
Robert immediately detected my lie. Kids can be sharp. I pretended not to know and continued.
"Really."
"Liar."
"Really."
"Mother won't come! Even if Robert behaves well, even if he misses her..."
His clear voice quickly turned gloomy and muttered.
What should I say in a situation like this? I still lacked the words and was clumsy at comforting. That hadn't changed in five years.
When I fell silent, Robert also stopped talking and buried his face in my neck. The child was cunning and could read the atmosphere well. I imagined his small face was sad.
"Do you miss her?"
"Uh-huh. But I have to be patient."
"Why?"
"Mother is busy. Very busy. So I can't throw tantrums."
I thought he was just a troublesome little master, but he said something touching. However, knowing Robert's situation, it sounded sad to me.
Come to think of it, Robert never threw tantrums about wanting to see his mother or go to her. He clearly missed her but never showed it. He just waited quietly. It was an endless wait, and Robert accepted it silently.
Perhaps his small mind had its own thoughts. Robert knew what he could say and what he couldn't. Just because he was young didn't mean he was naive.
"Robert is fine."
Robert rubbed his face against my neck. His hair tickled my skin. A gentle, childish voice whispered, "Robert is fine, Robert is fine."
"Will you stay with Robert...?"
Robert suddenly asked. There was unease in his voice. I paused for a moment, then continued walking while speaking.
"Yes. I'll always be by Master's side."
I felt him nod slightly behind me. I smiled. I wasn't sure if he understood my words, but I thought he did.
The atmosphere suddenly became heavy. I had to do something. There was a method I used when carrying my younger brother on my back and he felt down. I firmly adjusted Robert on my back and ran forward. A small laugh echoed from behind.
"Are you enjoying it?"
"Uh-huh! I'm enjoying it!"
Encouraged by his voice, I ran even harder.
The distance we had covered was quickly closing, and we soon reached the vicinity of the mansion. By then, I was completely out of breath.
"Huff, huff."
I bent over and panted. I couldn't even stop Robert from wriggling off my back.
Just as I was catching my breath.
"Robert?"
A sudden unfamiliar voice rang out. I heard footsteps. Who could it be at this hour? As I lifted my head with difficulty, I saw a small figure running quickly. Then a tall man caught the running child.
His golden hair, shimmering in the sunlight, swayed. Below it, his bright emerald eyes curved kindly. The man, dressed neatly without a wrinkle, had a robust build. The moment I saw his face, my mind went blank.
Why... Why are you here...
"Vincent!"
Robert smiled widely and rubbed his cheek against Vincent's face. Vincent smiled affectionately in return.
"You seem to have grown taller?"
"The nursemaid said I grew!"
Robert raised his hands high and answered cutely. Vincent chuckled softly. His face, with a gentle smile, looked at ease.
Seeing this, I realized something.
He's watching.
His eyes...
Stunned, I watched as he noticed another presence and turned his head. His emerald eyes filled with curiosity as they scanned me. He tilted his head slightly, and his golden hair fluttered in the wind.
"Who are you?"
My heart sank at his smooth voice. The clear face in front of me, the current situation, all told me this wasn't a dream.
"Ugly!"
"Ugly?"
"Uh-huh. Ugly."
He looked at me again. I finally clasped my trembling hands and bowed. Seeing his shadow on the ground made my heart race. Unable to hide my confusion, I bowed deeper. I swallowed hard and tried to speak, but my voice wouldn't come out.
"Is this someone new?"
"...Yes."
I managed to say one word and then clamped my mouth shut. My scalp tingled. A moment of silence passed before he spoke again.
"I see."
That was all he said. Soon, his footsteps faded away.
Only then did I straighten my back.
"Where's Mother?"
"Mother didn't come."
Vincent stroked Robert's hair and comforted him, showing affection. It was a very tender scene. Watching them, my vision kept blurring. A tear finally rolled down my cheek.
How could this happen? I had imagined our reunion before. Sometimes, I would dream about it. But none of those imaginations included this scene.
Vincent Bellunita.
This was our first meeting in five years, and he didn't recognize me.