# 18
18. The Count's Household's Strange Guest (8)
Then Ethan took off the coat he was wearing and draped it over my shoulders. He's thoughtful at times like this.
"Miss, Vincent cannot continue living like that. He may look like that now, but he is the master of the Bellunita Count's household. We may delay the timing for a while, but eventually, stories about Vincent will spread. If he remains like that even then, it will only bring disaster. Once the truth is known, the nobles will be hell-bent on dragging Vincent down from the count's seat."
"The master is making efforts."
"It's not enough. He must try harder. At least enough to stand on his own. Because he is someone who must walk alone someday."
The lamplight illuminated Ethan's face. In the soft glow, his grave expression took on a sorrowful light.
"Vincent knows. He knows he can't continue like this. Yet knowing that, he turns away from it. That's not right. A life without change is like stagnant water. Time flows and the surroundings change, so how can one remain stopped alone? Whether one wants it or not, one must accept that change. Because I don't want Vincent to die."
"You're being harsh."
"If I could become harsh so that Vincent can change, then I would do so. At least I think someone like me is needed for him right now."
"You're also being kind."
Ethan turned his head. In his wavering eyes, I could glimpse his anguish.
"It means you're willing to play the bad guy for the master's sake. That shows how much you think of him. You're kind."
"To Vincent, I'm a blackmailer."
"That's true."
It was a tone that acknowledged what should be acknowledged. Then Ethan laughed lightly.
"But you said you were friends."
"I did."
"Then the master must know too. Why Lord Christopher made such a choice. Because you're friends, I think he'll understand that heart well."
Ethan checked on Vincent's condition, protected him, and played the bad guy to make him change. That couldn't be called a noble action, but it was true that pure worry was contained within it. Watching him, I felt like I vaguely understood what a friend was. A being who could feel that they were there for each other without necessarily expressing it outwardly—that was what a friend was. He showed me that.
I think Vincent must feel the same way. That's why he let Ethan's threats pass with just swinging his cane. Just like that consideration when he struggled with nightmares every night but tried hard not to show it.
"And I also agree with those words to some extent. You can't live like this forever. As a servant, I too am hoping the master will change."
Then I stopped speaking. Am I really hoping for that? I was hired to serve Vincent who was stagnant. But if he overcomes the present and changes... wouldn't my usefulness also disappear?
Then I let out a small laugh. It was a story of too distant a future, so it didn't hit home much yet.
"Miss, do you think Vincent will change?"
"Yes."
"You're confident."
"Because it's something worth being confident about."
Even now, he is changing little by little.
"And thinking about it again, I don't think so."
"What do you mean?"
"About being a bad guy. Because truly bad people don't say they're bad."
Truly bad people believe they are right and don't know their own faults. The people around me were like that. They all thought they were great and wonderful. So they took it for granted to torment and use others.
Ethan asked with a blank face.
"...Why do you think so?"
"Because the other servants said Lord Christopher was a very good person."
Then I immediately frowned.
"Actually, from what I see, the bad guy side seems more fitting."
Honestly, the side he showed me was no different from a villain, right? When I shrugged, Ethan's eyes curved. A laugh filled with joy was heard. That laugh was different from usual.
"Have you thought about your wish?"
"Wish?"
"You said you'd grant one wish if I could get Vincent to take even one step out of his room."
Ah, I did say that. I recalled the bet I had with him that I had forgotten for a moment.
"Tell me anything. I may look like this, but I'm quite capable."
Ethan said readily. So after thinking for a moment, I held out my hand to him.
"Then please become partners with me."
"Partners?"
"I mean let's be in a relationship where we help each other."
I had a feeling I'd meet him again somehow. Since he's Vincent's friend, it's not impossible. Don't they say bad ties are more tenacious? If I can't avoid it, let's clash—rather, it might not be bad to make him my ally. His personality is a bit lacking, but he still knows a lot about Vincent. Besides, didn't he confidently say he's capable?
Ethan blinked as he looked at my fingertips. I pushed my hand out toward him.
"I want to stay here for a long time. Please help me a lot."
"Why?"
"Because I have nowhere to return to."
"...."
Ethan thought for a moment. Then, as if he had made up his mind, he nodded and clasped my hand.
"A relationship where we help each other, not bad."
Shaking clasped hands, a sign of acceptance. I gripped the hand holding his tightly. He also gripped my hand firmly in return.
"Miss, you've gained an excellent partner. People like me who are capable, from a solid family, and have a good personality are rare."
"...What an honor."
"There's too little sincerity in your words."
"That can't be."
When I feigned innocence, he laughed again. I released our clasped hands and looked out the window again. The moon shining solemnly in the darkness was so beautiful today too.
The next day, I saw off Ethan leaving the Count's household together with Isabella. Vincent naturally didn't come out. Wearing a top hat just like when I first saw him, Ethan exchanged a brief greeting with Isabella and came to me.
"I'm sorry for making things difficult."
"It's fine."
I wanted to scold him asking if he did that knowing it, but there were watching eyes so I held back. As if knowing that feeling, Ethan smiled mischievously.
"Since Miss treated me so well, I'll have to come often."
Annoying until the end. I waved my hand secretly without Isabella noticing. Just go already. At that, Ethan gave a short laugh.
Like that, after finishing the farewell greeting, while watching Ethan about to get into the carriage, something I suddenly wanted to ask came to mind. Disregarding the discourtesy, I quickly approached him.
"Excuse me, Lord Christopher."
He who was about to get into the carriage turned to look at me.
"By any chance, did you often send letters to the master?"
"Letters?"
"Yes."
"Well, I certainly did send them somewhat often recently."
"Ah, then..."
I hesitated for a moment then continued.
"By any chance, did you write letters with gold ink?"
"...."
Ethan blinked. At his silence, I swallowed dry. Is this man really the one? The one who exchanged letters with me?
'A sprout has budded on the branch.'
The words he said last time came to mind. It was something he said in passing, but the reason it stayed in my head for so long was because it was the content of a reply I had once written. Actually, it wasn't that special of a statement, but since he came, the letters with golden writing had stopped. So I had a hunch.
But he shook his head.
"No. I wrote with black ink."
"Really?"
"Yes."
It was a firm answer. I showed signs of disappointment.
"I see."
"Is there some problem?"
"No. It's nothing."
I controlled my expression and shook my head. Ethan sent a questioning look, but I tried hard to turn the conversation away. Then Ethan laughed nonchalantly and got into the carriage.
After watching the carriage leave, when I turned my head, I saw Vincent standing in front of the window on the top floor of the mansion. But soon the curtain was drawn. For a moment, I looked at the window where he had been standing, then I also turned my body.
However, not long after, Ethan visited the mansion again, this time bringing along another guest.
* * *
The letters with golden writing that had been cut off for a while arrived again. This time, a small container came along as well. Inside it were tea leaves.
[The fragrance is good.]
The fragrance was indeed good. A subtle and sweet scent. Wouldn't it be even better if brewed? So I got Isabella's permission, brewed the tea leaves, and brought it to Vincent.
"This is the black tea sold at Nouvel."
"How did you know?"
It said Nouvel on the tea container, and I was amazed that he noticed it right away. Vincent said as he sipped the tea.
"It's something I used to enjoy drinking. Where did you get it?"
"I received it as a gift."
"I see."
Seeing him repeatedly sip the tea, he must really like it. Good thing it was gifted. As I refilled the now-empty teacup, I thought I should brew this whenever he throws a tantrum in the future. I should really send a reply of thanks.
"From next time, just punch with your fists. What a waste."
I said while looking at the hollowly pierced window beyond the door. I don't know why he breaks and destroys things every time. However, the person concerned drank the tea leisurely without caring at all.
"Unnecessary worry. More than that, from next time when Ethan comes, don't let him in and kick him out. You can even order someone to kick him out."
"What?"
It was a sudden order. Vincent's expression as he said that was so calm that I wondered if I had heard things.
"Why? Do you dislike Lord Christopher coming, Master?"
"I dislike it."
I asked lightly, but the answer came right back. Why on earth? Of course, Ethan did make threats, but it was inconsistent with the sight of them bickering and writing replies to letters just yesterday. Strange. They're supposed to be close friends. But why does he dislike it so much? Since he knows his condition, there wouldn't be a need to hide it.
As if there's definitely some reason.
Perhaps sensing my doubt, he continued speaking.
"It's not that I dislike Ethan."
"Then what?"
"I dislike that family."
"Do you mean the Christopher family? Is there a reason?"
He put down the teacup with a clinking sound and handed it to me. I received the cup without thinking. He haphazardly pulled the sheets over himself and flopped down on the bed. Between his disheveled golden hair, his slightly lowered eyes sank deeply.
"Master?"
"It's nothing."
"...."
"Because that family is what made me like this."
The shocking confession continued so calmly.