After that, a simple exchange of greetings centered around Joel, followed by a rather dull conversation. Most of the talking was done by Joel, with Vincent and Ethan responding. For me, standing at the back, it was a tedious time. Alicia, apparently bored, yawned secretly.
Robert, who was eating dessert, whined to his nanny, complaining that his stomach was full and wanted to be held. Once held, he fiddled with a horse figurine in her arms and fell asleep. Joel, who had been looking at Robert affectionately, asked Ethan:
"Still busy these days? At least things have settled down a bit, right?"
"Somewhat. Work is still busy, though."
"You must be working hard."
"I think Violet is working even harder than me."
At the familiar name, my ears perked up.
"How is she? Still struggling?"
"Still a bit, but she's working hard. By the way, does Robert still ask for Violet a lot?"
"It's decreased recently. They've been exchanging letters."
"Letters? I thought it was hard to get a reply?"
Ethan looked puzzled, and Joel laughed. The nanny also laughed along. Vincent quietly sipped his tea. Ethan looked at the three of them in turn and asked what was going on.
"Vincent went to get the reply himself."
"The nanny has been helping ever since."
The nanny added. I was surprised and looked at Vincent.
I didn't know about this. I thought he had just delivered the reply once and that was it. Since Robert hadn't written a reply at that time, I assumed it was over. It seems the letters continued, and Vincent had been helping all along. I was quite impressed.
But I wasn't the only one impressed. Despite his usual stern expression, Ethan's face showed surprise as he looked at Vincent. Vincent, clearly aware of Ethan's gaze, continued to sip his tea.
"You don't know how much Robert likes it."
Joel smiled happily but soon looked wistful.
"It would be better if Violet could spare some time..."
She tried to hide her worry by sipping her tea, but the concern remained on her face. Ethan and Vincent also sipped their tea in silence. I felt a strange tension and was puzzled, but soon Joel started to ramble about her worries for Violet.
"What did that kind and beautiful child do to deserve such hardship? Uncle is being too harsh. She grew up without ever getting her hands dirty."
"It might be good for her to get her hands dirty once."
Ethan's rebuttal made Joel glare fiercely. Ethan averted his gaze and bit into a cookie.
"Couldn't you have made a choice for her?"
This time, the criticism was directed at Vincent.
"It's Violet's choice."
"At times like this, you should have stepped in to protect her! Not just stand by and watch! Aren't you sorry to her?"
"Yes, it's all my fault."
"Then what am I supposed to be?"
Vincent's expression seemed to ask what else he could do. Ethan sighed and shook his head. From their attitudes, it seemed this was a recurring topic.
"It's all unnecessary. When she said she would take the hard path, I should have talked her out of it. I should have tried harder. It was my mistake for not stopping her."
"It's Violet's choice. We don't have the right to stop her. And she has to bear the consequences of her choice."
"I know. But it still hurts."
Joel's pained expression showed her deep affection for Violet. After all, she was a kind-hearted person who could be loved by anyone. In my memory, Violet was always gentle and kind, even to someone like me who was beneath her. It was heavy to hear that she had been forced into marriage and then lost her husband.
"Vincent, you've made me angry. You know that?"
"You're too scary."
"Your attitude! The reason I'm acting like this is all because of you!"
At that moment, a clattering sound echoed.
In the blink of an eye, the teacup Vincent was holding fell to the floor. The spilled tea soaked his hand, and water dripped from his fingertips. The cup was shattered on the floor.
"Sorry. My hand must have slipped."
Vincent tilted his head. Despite his words, his face showed no sign of regret. Everyone knew he had dropped it, not thrown it.
A heavy silence fell in the room. Joel looked shocked at the broken cup, and Ethan clicked his tongue and gestured to Audrey.
As Audrey, who had wet a clean towel in cold water, was about to step forward, someone quickly approached Vincent.
"Are you okay?"
Alicia covered Vincent's hand with the wet towel. She was the fastest to act. Her worried face examined his hand, and she gently touched it.
I was also startled and checked Vincent's condition, worried he might have been scalded by the tea. Fortunately, apart from his pants being wet, there didn't seem to be any injuries.
"Did you burn yourself?"
"I'm fine."
Vincent, receiving everyone's attention, answered calmly. He then turned his head. When our eyes met, I quickly looked away.
"Ann, please clean up the broken pieces."
"Understood."
I gathered my wits and fetched a new towel, then approached. I knelt in front of him and wiped the wet floor with the towel. I picked up the broken pieces and placed them in my apron. Audrey, holding a broom, came to help.
Meanwhile, Ethan cleared the situation.
"Joel, I understand your feelings, but let's stop this conversation here. It doesn't look good to others. I'll make time to meet Violet separately."
"…Alright."
Joel picked up her teacup with a displeased look and gulped down the tea. I heard her mutter "coward" softly, but Vincent ignored it and ate a cookie. Ethan looked at the two of them and sighed. The tense atmosphere finally eased.
"By the way, Vincent. I thought I might stay here for a few days to take a break."
As the atmosphere calmed, Ethan changed the topic. I glanced at them. Vincent, who had been looking down, raised his eyes.
"Here? You have other mansions."
"This place seems fine. It's quiet, and Robert is here."
"…"
"Is that okay?"
There was a hint of mischief in Ethan's voice. Vincent didn't answer immediately. Silence filled the room again. Just as the silence felt long and heavy, Vincent responded.
"Then I'll assign someone to serve you."
Vincent looked at Audrey, who nodded, indicating she would choose the right person. But Ethan said something unexpected.
"I want to ask this person."
He pointed to someone. Everyone's gaze followed his finger.
It was me.
I was about to stand up with the broken pieces in my apron but stopped awkwardly. Who? Me? Receiving everyone's gaze, I looked at Ethan in confusion. Ethan, who had been pointing at me, relaxed his expression and smiled kindly.
"Please take care of me."
Why did I overlook this situation?
He was still a strange guest.
"Why did you do that!"
As soon as we were alone, I cornered him against the wall.
"Pola, this is making me nervous."
"Stop joking around!"
His playful attitude in the middle of this was absurd.
"Oops, I made a mistake. I forgot that Pola is easily embarrassed. I should have hinted at it secretly."
"It's not about that!"
"Then what's the problem?"
His shameless behavior was infuriating.
Going back to the earlier situation, everyone looked at me when Ethan made his sudden statement. The questions in their gazes pierced me. Why? Do you know each other?
Audrey spoke calmly first.
"Excuse me, but Ann's probationary period is almost over."
"Then we can extend the probationary period. Or make it a permanent position."
Ethan calmly responded, and Audrey looked uncomfortable. Ah, I was supposed to leave after my probationary period ended. I had been worried about an extension, but it was a pointless worry. I shook off the unnecessary thoughts and gave Ethan a look to stop. Ethan, ignoring my gaze, smiled calmly.
Joel frowned slightly and looked between Ethan and me. The nanny also looked curious, and Alicia glanced at me. An uncomfortable silence filled the room, broken only by Robert's soft breathing.
Finally, Vincent asked.
"Do you two know each other?"
"We know each other very well. I owe him a lot."
"Why did you do that! Why did you say that!"
His shameless lie earned Vincent's approval. Since we were familiar, he thought I would serve well. As a result, my probationary period was extended. I tried to object, saying I wasn't confident, but it was ignored.
"I thought it would be convenient if Pola served me."
"Ethan-sama!"
"Well, that's an excuse. I just want to spend more time with you."
"Me?"
His eerie words made me scratch my arm. I took a step back, and Ethan laughed awkwardly.
"Don't look at me like that. It's not like that."
"I know. It's just... Anyway, what were you thinking?"
"Out of frustration?"
"..."
"Maybe it's fate."
Are you really going to talk about fate now that we've met again? Then everyone we meet on the street is also fate?
"Isn't Pola curious?"
"About what?"
Realizing I couldn't change the situation, I made a pained expression. I remembered Alicia's terrifying face when my probationary period was extended. I wasn't scared, but it was clear it would be troublesome. When I went to Audrey earlier to argue for the original period, she