The Count’s Secret Maid - Chapter 31

Tea time with the Count (12)

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Huge thanks to rmhrpr for the Kofi! (1/3)

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A man was standing in front of Violet. Facing him, Violet’s face showed delight. Who was he? As Paula approached with a tilt of her head, she heard the voices of two people.

 

“Where have you been? You weren’t even in the room.”

 

“It’s been a while since I looked around the mansion.”

 

“You came with us and vanished.”

 

“There are many places to see.”

 

Paula felt a coolness in the conversation. Seeing someone else, she checked his brown hair but couldn’t tell because the other person didn’t turn his face toward her. When she got there, the man was heading towards Vincent.

 

She set the teapot and snacks down on the table and glanced at the back of the head of the man talking to Vincent.

 

“Who is that gentleman?”

 

“He’s Ethan’s younger brother.”

 

“Sir Christopher’s brother? Did you have any siblings?”

 

When Paula asked questioningly, an arm protruded from behind. When she turned around, Ethan was standing there with a snack in his mouth.

 

“I have a very nice little brother. I’ll also introduce him to Madam. My brother has a smooth face, a good personality, and is very popular. Don’t be against him. He is a difficult child to handle.”

 

“I don’t like you.”

 

“Everyone said that and fell in love with me.”

 

“You are confident.”

 

“Because I am a proud brother.”

 

Ethan laughed mischievously. Paula shrugged. She wanted to see the man’s face, how proud Ethan was of his brother. So she glanced at the back of the man’s head again; just in time, he approached her.

 

But the face she saw up close was familiar.

 

“Greetings, Madam. He’s my little brother. Hello to you, too. She is the lady who is currently serving Vincent.”

 

“Nice to meet you.”

 

Brown hair swayed in the wind. It was nice to hear a smooth voice. Still classy and elegant. When their eyes met, the man blinked and politely held out his hand.

 

“This is Lucas Christopher.”

 

“Christopher…”

 

Paula never thought the man she met in the woods was Ethan’s younger brother. She wondered if there would be another coincidence like this, so she blankly looked at the man. Lucas tilted his head. Paula only then realized that she had excused herself. She held his pushed-out hand and greeted him too.

 

“Ni, nice to meet you.”

 

After a short greeting, Paula was about to let go of my hand, but he held her hand tighter and lifted it. At the same time, hot body heat pressed down on the back of her hand.

 

“Please call me Lucas.”

 

It was a very elegant and polite greeting. And he reminded her of someone. He really was Ethan’s brother.

 

“Are you having a lot of trouble because of my brother? Sister, too. Everyone is so dramatic.”

 

“No way. Madam likes me.”

 

“Really?”

 

Paula’s mind was so blank that she couldn’t even answer his question. She glanced at the man in front of her. He let go of her hand and had a playful conversation with Ethan. Violet intervened between the two.

 

“Everyone is too much. Keep it a secret from them.”

 

“Sorry. Because my brother doesn’t want you.”

 

“I’m also the type to respect the person’s feelings.”

 

“Chi-”

 

Violet grumbled but didn’t say anything more. Ethan and Lucas laughed apologetically. Through their conversation, Paula realized that a man named Lucas also knew about Vincent’s condition.

 

At the same time, something Vincent said one day floated around in her head. She checked Vincent. As he drank the tea, he looked calm. He was not surprised, nor was he terrified.

 

The tea time got busier as more people joined. But in between, Paula couldn’t help but smile.

 

A friendly relationship no matter who saw it. But something strange came along. Paula didn’t know if she dared to judge this, but something… was strange.

 

Paula ran away again, making the excuse that she would refill the teapot that the new attendee had emptied. She went to the kitchen, filled the pot, and went round and round again. She was walking, trying to erase unnecessary thoughts, but she saw someone on the other side.

 

It was Lucas.

 

“Everybody looks happy.”

 

Lucas whispered softly at the faintly audible voice. The eyes that had been staring at the sky turned towards her. He knew she was coming. The wind ruffled his hair.

 

Paula nodded her head.

 

“Why are you here?”

 

“Just to get some fresh air. Come to think of it, I didn’t catch your name.”

 

“Oh, I am Paula.”

 

“Paula. Paula. Paula…”

 

It was definitely her name rolling in his mouth, but it was a sweet voice, as if calling something precious. Paula scratched the nape of her neck, feeling ticklish for no reason.

 

“Paula. I heard a lot about you from my brother. You are a nice person.”

 

“It is an honour.”

 

Paula didn’t think Ethan ever said anything nice about her.

 

‘Didn’t you curse at me?’ Paula frowned slightly and straightened her expression quickly.

 

“I’ve seen you n the woods, haven’t I?”

 

“Yes.”

 

“Someone said that then, you were someone who tests my brother. Did you deliver the letter well?”

 

Only then did a forgotten memory come to mind. Paula spoke urgently.

 

“Oh, umm, may I know where you found the letter?”

 

“I found it lying in front of the mansion when I was leaving. I thought I should deliver it, but there was no one around, so I thought maybe it was important and kept it with me. While exploring the mansion, I happened to meet you in the forest, so I handed it over to you. Was it something important?”

 

“…Okay. Yes. It’s important. Thank you for giving it to me.”

 

Thinking that she almost lost the precious letter, she was so grateful for his consideration. She bowed down again. Lucas laughed briefly.

 

“How about Vincent? How is he doing?”

 

“Yes, he is doing well.”

 

“Looks like it. He seems to be doing better than expected. I thought he would just stay locked up in his room, but he’s surprising.”

 

What? When Paula asked again, blinking her eyes, he smiled. He laughed, so he resembled Ethan.

 

“Didn’t my brother tell you?”

 

“What is that…?”

 

“I have blinded him.”

 

“…!”

 

This… How…? What…?

 

‘What did you say now? What the hell is that man talking about?’

 

“Looking at the face, I realized that you indeed knew who I was. You had been giving me guarded glances all this time. I never thought Ethan would tell you that. I didn’t expect my brother to say that, but he must be relying on you a lot.”

 

“Ah, me, me.”

 

“Don’t be too surprised.”

 

Lucas took a step closer. Paula quickly backed away. Her heart thumped. Fear rushed in after the shocking confession. In an instant, the man in front of her became scary. His smile was eerie.

 

‘It’s that family that made me like this.’

 

That voice, which had been overly calm, roared in her head again. Paula staggered back and grabbed her trembling heart. As if he understood her reaction, Lucas kept smiling.

 

“I’m glad it’s as I imagined.”

 

Paula was about to ask what that meant, but there was a rustling sound. His gaze and her simultaneously turned towards the sound. Vincent was standing there. He also looked surprised, as if he had sensed someone’s presence.

 

Paula quickly turned her head to look at Lucas. Then she looked at Vincent again. She didn’t know how he got here, but acted faster than she thought. She passed Lucas and grabbed Vincent’s arm. Instinctively, she grabbed his arm and pulled him to the other side.

 

“You…”

 

“Well, first of all. Just go. Go. Please just go.”

 

Vincent was about to say something but shut his mouth at Paula’s urging. She glanced behind her as she quickly led him to the other side. Through the howling wind, she saw the man. Lucas was looking this way. He confessed that he was the one who caused Vincent’s blindness.

 

Her heart thumped again. Sweat was seeping out of the hands that held Vincent. She held onto his arm tightly, fearing that she might lose him by slipping in sweat. The eyes following her behind her back were so frightening.

 

She guessed Vincent felt that too.

 

“Why are you so scared? What is it?”

 

“We need to get out of here for now, and then I’ll tell you.”

 

Suddenly Vincent stopped walking. Paula quickly pulled him back, but he held on without moving. She pulled, but he still didn’t move. Eventually, her steps stopped. Turning around, he spoke first.

 

“Tell me what is going on.”

 

“Master. I’ll tell you once we are gone from here.”

 

“Now, tell me.”

 

He showed his will not to move a step until she spoke. Now was not the time for this! Paula looked behind her. The man was nowhere to be seen. But she was afraid that he would come after them any minute. She swallowed dry.

 

“Excuse me, is that really him?”

 

“What?”

 

“Master… him.”

 

The question came back as to what that meant. Paula replied as if she was frustrated.

 

“I heard that Ethan Christopher’s younger brother, Lucas Christopher, made master’s eyes like that.”

 

“…What, Lucas?”

 

“Yes.”

 

Vincent was silent for a moment. Paula grew more afraid. She thought it was positive. However, the answer that came back was different from what I expected.

 

“No.”

 

“Master. Please don’t hide it. You have to avoid him.”

 

“Not really.”

 

“Then who the hell did that to you?!”

 

Unknowingly, she asked for a taboo. She ignored the warning not to do that. It was also confusing. When she was crying because her mind was complicated, Vincent answered with a sigh.

 

“James Christopher.”

 

“Who is that?”

 

“Ethan’s half-brother.”

 

A strong wind roared. The wind that passed through ruffled her hair. Paula’s complicated head was on the verge of exploding, but Vincent was so calm that she felt like she was dreaming.

 

“He is the one who made me this way.”

 

Vincent didn’t change his words.

 

Truth.

 

He was telling the truth. He just revealed to her, a mere maid, the truth he had been trying to keep a secret.

 

And then, Paula later realized she had crossed a line she shouldn’t have crossed.

 

The truth of the kindness that Lucas showed her…

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