The question came from behind the servant. Vincent, who had been leaning against the wall and staring at me as if I were crazy, stepped forward. I took a step back for every step he took.
At that moment, a candy fell from my hand and rolled on the floor. I couldn't bring myself to look up and fixed my gaze on the ground.
"What kind of favor do you want to ask?"
"Two of these letters were written by Mr. Robert. One is for the master, and the other is for the mistress."
"Robert?"
"Yes. I'm asking you to deliver these letters personally."
As I spoke, I trembled so much that I tightly clasped my hands together. I wasn't a governess, but a lowly servant, and I wasn't sure if I should be asking him such a favor. That's why I had tried to go through the servant.
But it was too late. Since I had to tell him anyway, I emphasized the word "personally" in case he sent someone else. It was important that he deliver them himself.
"What about the other two?"
"One is a letter about Mr. Robert's daily life, and the other was written by the governess. I was going to ask for a favor through a letter because I didn't know you would come in person."
I heard a rustling sound. Vincent's shoe toe was touching the servant's. He seemed to have taken the letter from the servant's hand.
I could feel his gaze on the top of my head. His eyes felt piercing as if he was trying to understand why I was asking this.
"You want a reply, don't you?"
"Yes."
"You could have sent it through the governess."
"The governess said that the mistress has been very busy recently and might not be able to reply. But I think the master can meet the mistress and get a reply for me."
"Why do you think so?"
"From the way you care about Mr. Robert, making sure he's comfortable and not lonely, I assumed you have a close relationship."
That's why I had asked him if he would be Robert's adoptive father as a joke before. He seemed too affectionate. And I thought he would understand why I was asking this favor. As expected, he was silent for a moment.
"Do you know why Robert climbs the horse stand?"
"Yes."
"Then you must also know why he didn't choose a safer way to write the letters."
"Yes, I heard."
"Is it because of the accident last time?"
Indeed, he knew that Robert had had an accident while trying to climb the horse stand.
"Yes. I thought if you received a reply, he wouldn't climb the horse stand again."
"Do you think this will alleviate Robert's loneliness?"
"No."
"Then why should I waste my time on such a useless favor?"
At that moment, I felt dizzy.
"Tell me, why do you think I would easily grant a favor to a servant?"
His words carried a strange sense of authority. The servant, who had been listening to our conversation, kept glancing around. I had no answer. The tension in the silence hit me hard. He was openly showing his displeasure. My clasped hands were drenched in sweat.
I realized that when I met him by chance in Robert's room, he had turned a blind eye to my attitude. It was a feeling I hadn't experienced in five years.
The way he looked down on me as a lowly servant.
No, five years ago, he didn't give off such a sense of authority. Maybe it was because of his appearance, but I felt more pity than fear. That's why I confronted him despite my fear. I thought he would easily grant my favor this time too, because of that memory.
I had overlooked the fact that Vincent was a different person now.
He was no longer a man who only stayed in his room. He was Vincent Bellunetta, the Earl. A noble like any other, someone I couldn't speak to casually, who naturally looked down on servants, and who had the power to get rid of anyone who displeased him.
Throwing things was a minor issue. He could have even pulled out a gun and shot.
Only now did I feel his authority.
He was a noble too.
"That's... "
It was the first time I felt such a heavy sense of authority pressing down on me. But I could endure it because of my past experiences. I knew there were times when I couldn't back down, even if I was afraid. Just like five years ago and now.
I moistened my dry lips with my tongue and straightened my back a little. I lifted my gaze slightly from the floor. Being short had its advantages. I had to look up at him even if I didn't want to.
"Because you are the one who can get a reply."
"Why?"
"Because you said you don't want Robert to be lonely in this mansion."
"..."
"So, I thought you would grant my favor."
For a brief moment, I met his gaze calmly. Then I bowed my head again. I thought he might say something, but Vincent didn't offer any rebuttal.
"What's that box?"
Vincent pointed to the box on the floor.
"Oh, this."
The box contained a bouquet of flowers I had made with Robert. The governess had suggested putting it in a box to prevent it from getting crushed. I quickly picked up the box.
"The box contains a bouquet of flowers. Robert made it himself. I'm asking you to deliver it as well."
The servant took the box into his arms.
"This is for the master."
There was another box of flowers, intended for Miss Carrot, which became Vincent's share. I didn't want him to be disappointed if he was the only one not receiving a bouquet. This was also the governess's suggestion. She had skillfully turned Robert's heart with her experienced and smooth talk.
I had intended to give it to the servant but hesitated and changed direction. Still looking at the floor, I took a step closer to Vincent. His shoe toe was dangerously close to my toes.
I imagined his face, watching my actions. I swallowed hard and extended the box to him, bowing even deeper. Respectfully.
"Please, I beg of you."
"..."
He fell silent again. I was worried he might not take the flowers or throw them away.
Fortunately, Vincent slowly took the box from my hand. I glanced at him as he opened the lid and took out the bouquet.
It was the only one of the three bouquets I had made due to time constraints. The densely packed flowers tickled Vincent's face. His eyes, which usually had a cold look, gazed down at the flowers. He touched them, but didn't seem particularly moved.
Still, he couldn't take his eyes off the flowers for a long time.
"Tell him I received them well."
"Yes, I will definitely tell him."
"Is there anything wrong with Robert?"
"Yes, he's doing well."
Vincent asked about Robert's daily life, as if to clear the tense atmosphere. The uncomfortable expression from before was gone. I answered his question while looking at the bouquet in his hand. Holding it seemed like his way of saying he would grant my favor.
"I'll be going now."
With my purpose achieved, I no longer needed to stay. Worried he might change his mind, I quickly fled.
Vincent, who had been receiving the letters from the servant, nodded in agreement. I immediately bowed and turned around. I tried not to show my urgency as I took each step away from him.
I entered the mansion with as gentle steps as possible. Once I was out of his sight, I finally felt a sense of relief. I sighed and relaxed my tense body.
I'm tired. I was wiping my tired face when it happened.
"Ah!"
Suddenly, my body spun around. Someone had grabbed my arm and pulled me. Vincent reappeared in my suddenly changed field of vision. His face was stern.
"Where did you get this?"
"Huh?"
He shook the letter in his hand. My gaze shifted from the letter to his hand, which was gripping my arm. The tight grip was painful. As it grew tighter, I frowned. It felt like he was holding me to prevent me from escaping.
Vincent took another step closer to me. I instinctively tilted my head back. His larger, now more muscular body loomed over me. His stern face slowly twisted. His furrowed brows suggested he was angry, but his eyes were strangely shaking.
Why? I couldn't understand why he was making that face. His emerald eyes were urgently scanning me.
"You... "
"Lord? Anne?"
A sudden voice made both our heads turn. The governess stood there with wide eyes. She looked at me and Vincent in turn, then approached, looking flustered.
"Is everything okay?"
I was also flustered by the sudden appearance of the governess.
"Actually, why are you here? Didn't you go out this morning?"
"I just got back and saw Lord and Anne... "
The governess trailed off, glancing at Vincent's hand gripping my wrist. I quickly shook off his hand and took a step back. Vincent stared at me intently.
I waved my hand at the governess.
"It's a misunderstanding. Nothing happened."
"Really? It didn't seem like it... "
"No, I was just asking the master to deliver the letters and bouquets, and he had a question. Master, what did you want to ask?"
I tried to act calm and turned to Vincent. I could feel the governess's worried gaze and forced a smile.
However, his irritated face was more noticeable than before. His gaze was sharp, and I