Joelli, who was inspecting the dress, seemed dissatisfied and took it off, then glanced at the other dresses beside her. It appeared that various designs of dresses were laid out on the bed.
Johnny turned his head as if it were a familiar action. Even though the partition only partially obscured the view, showing only the mirror, he couldn't look that way. Meanwhile, I heard Alicia softly laughing and handing over another dress.
"It won't be that flowy since you're slim. A dress with lace at the hem will give a fuller look and make you even more beautiful."
"Oh, really?"
Joelli took the dress and held it against her body, examining it from all angles. Alicia smiled and praised her from the side.
Then Joelli's gaze shifted slightly to the side. Alicia quickly bowed and picked out a pair of shoes that matched the dress, placing them in front of Joelli's feet.
Joelli slipped one foot into the shoe and checked her reflection in the mirror. I took a step back and looked at Alicia. Though her eyes and mouth were smiling, I could read her true feelings.
'That girl is so arrogant! She's not even the mistress here, yet she can boss around other servants like this?'
'What can we do? We are servants, after all.'
Joelli, regardless of her true identity, was ultimately a noble. Giving orders to people like us was a natural action for her.
'Annoying brat! If I become the mistress of this household, I'll kick her out first.'
And yet, she served her well. She smiled and put on a show. When Joelli waved her hand, Alicia quickly approached and held out a new dress. I had never seen Alicia act so swiftly before.
The picky Joelli was also cautious about choosing her party dress. More so than usual. She repeated the process of taking off and putting on several dresses before finally selecting one.
"Hmm."
Of course, she still didn't seem satisfied. Fortunately, she didn't take it off again and instead examined herself in the mirror from various angles before sitting down. Alicia picked up a box containing hair accessories.
"Would you like the governess to help with this?"
"Yes, Miss Joelli."
"……"
Alicia, who lacked skill, was pushed aside, and the governess approached. In the end, Alicia came over to our side and waited.
I whispered to Alicia.
"Flatterer."
"It's just a small sacrifice."
"What do you mean?"
"Someone who doesn't know anything."
"……"
"You can only do something if you have the opportunity. Bending your back for a few words isn't hard when you think about what you'll gain in the future. Just watch and see."
"Why don't you just behave yourself? Don't cause unnecessary trouble."
"You said you were leaving, didn't you? If you're going, go quickly."
As she mocked me, I opened my mouth to retort, but Joelli had already taken out a hair accessory and pointed to another one. Before the governess could move, Alicia had already brought the new accessory and opened the box to show Joelli. She must have been determined.
Robert, tired of the long wait, had fallen asleep. He lay on the sofa with his head on my lap, holding a small statue of a horse as usual. I gently placed his hand with the statue on my knee and patted his small body.
"Well, this seems good enough."
At that moment, a knock was heard. When Joelli gave permission, someone opened the door and entered. My gaze involuntarily turned to the door but quickly dropped. Johnny hastily bowed.
Vincent, dressed in a tuxedo, walked into the room.
"Vincent, come in quickly."
"Are you ready?"
"Not yet. Wait a little longer. Oh, you can remove the partition."
At this, the governess moved to remove the partition that had been blocking the door. Johnny, who had been staring at the wall, noticed and approached to help. I wondered if I should help too, but Vincent had already plopped down next to me. My body stiffened.
"Just do it roughly. It's just for show."
"But it should still look nice. Who are you going to see?"
"You're so unenthusiastic."
However, his voice sounded annoyed. When Vincent's reaction was lukewarm, Joelli began to inspect another dress. It seemed another long wait was about to begin.
When Joelli finally picked up a new dress, the governess and Alicia looked flustered. Meanwhile, Vincent had his arm on the sofa's armrest and was calmly watching Joelli.
Anyway, that mouth of his is still the same. Did Robert learn from him too?
I glanced at Vincent, who was sitting next to me. Apart from everything else, the more I looked at him, the more amazed I was. Vincent could see, which was not something others took for granted. I kept glancing at him.
His face, relaxed and without a hint of fear, was calm and composed. There was no trace of the trembling, fearful boy who had lost his sight and never left his room. He was no longer the one who fought his pain alone.
Good. Really good.
It's really fortunate that he's doing well.
I smiled gently at Vincent. Then, a face came to mind, and my smile faded. My gaze was fixed on the floor, wandering around. The unease spread like ripples, and my mood became increasingly gloomy.
I tightly closed my mouth and tried to compose myself. After taking a shaky breath and raising my head, I saw Vincent straightening his back and staring intently at something.
His gaze was fixed for a long time. When I followed his gaze, I saw Alicia touching Joelli's hair. Alicia had been glancing at Vincent since he entered the room.
Realizing that he was looking at her, Alicia pretended not to notice and put on a haughty expression. She tilted her head slightly to make sure her face was visible to him. As Alicia intended, Vincent couldn't take his eyes off her for a long time.
Only Alicia was moving, and occasionally, I could hear Joelli's voice. Vincent watched them silently. No, his gaze was almost entirely fixed on one person. His eyes followed Alicia's movements.
Why is he looking at her like that? As I wondered, I also watched Vincent, and Johnny tapped my shoulder. Johnny, who had leaned in close behind me, whispered.
"Who is that person?"
For a moment, I looked at Johnny, confused. He was still looking at Vincent and asked his question. Then, he gave me a look, as if asking if I really didn't know.
"Who is he?"
"He's the master of this place."
"Really?"
Johnny's eyes widened as he looked at Vincent again. I was baffled by his genuine surprise. Didn't all the servants gather to welcome Vincent when he returned?
"The servants gathered when the master returned."
"I know, but I secretly fell asleep then."
"……"
"Is it a secret?"
I don't plan to tell anyone. I laughed awkwardly, and Johnny, feeling embarrassed, added that he had woken up too early and was tired. Ah, I see. I replied calmly and shook my head.
Then, I felt a gaze. I quickly turned my head, but no one was looking at us. That's strange. I definitely felt someone watching us...
"Hey. Why is he looking at Alicia like that?"
"Surely, he's looking at Miss Joelli."
"No, his gaze is intense. It's like he's fallen in love."
"Everyone is like you."
I didn't want to hear about love at first sight. Just thinking about the past when I was harassed by such talk made me frown.
I was about to tell him it was nonsense, but Johnny looked at me strangely. What? Why? I glared at him, and his face suddenly became serious, as if he was about to say something that would irritate me. I stiffened and glared at him to stop.
"Hey."
At that moment, a deep voice spoke.
My body tensed. Johnny looked at him, and I turned my head a beat later.
However, Vincent was still looking at Alicia. His call wasn't directed at me.
"Are you a new servant?"
It was directed at Alicia. Alicia, as if she had been waiting, quickly turned around.
"Nice to meet you, Master."
She smiled shyly, placed her hands on her stomach, and bowed deeply. Her long hair, tied back, flowed over her shoulders.
"What's your name?"
"My name is Alicia."
Her eyes, which she had lowered and then raised, sparkled. Her clear voice rang out clearly. Her red lips curved upward, forming a beautiful smile. Anyone would like her, and Alicia knew this well, so she displayed it fully.
"I'm serving Miss Joelli."
"……"
"Master?"
Vincent stared at her smiling face intently. Her cheeks gradually turned red, perhaps due to the intensity of his gaze. Joelli, who had been sitting with her body half-turned and her arm on the back of the chair, laughed mischievously.
"Oh, Vincent. You're going to burn a hole through her face."
At that, Vincent sighed and pulled back.
"Have you fallen in love?"
Alicia's eyes sparkled at the playful remark.
But his face turned indifferent again, and he signaled her to stop talking. He didn't answer. Joelli didn't continue either, and Alicia looked disappointed.
"Ann."
At that moment, Joelli called me. I reacted a beat late, having been watching them.
"……Yes!"
"Come here. Fix my hair a bit."
Joelli, who had undone her hair that the governess had styled, gestured to me. I widened my eyes. Me? Me?
The governess approached me, who was flustered.
"I'll watch over the young master."
I looked at her gentle smile and hesitantly stood up.
It felt like everyone's gaze was on me. The governess took Robert and laid him on her lap, and Joelli waited for me. Alicia, standing next to her, openly frowned at me.
I took heavy steps and walked toward Joelli. The back of my neck tingled, as if Johnny was watching me. I also felt Vincent's gaze.