# 19
19. Teatime with the Count (1)
My hands and feet swelled up in the cold weather. I endured the cold by rubbing my reddened cheeks with my hands. Returning home with my body hunched up like that, my father would welcome me. That demon bastard.
I don't know why he beats me. I grew accustomed to being beaten without even knowing the reason. Curling up my body was the only resistance I could offer. Sometimes, my younger siblings would try to stop him and get hit instead.
However, Alicia would glance at those times and then look away. She was the only one among my siblings who didn't get hit. She was a child my father doted on, lest her beautiful face get scratched. So he could sell her for the highest price someday. But Alicia didn't know that fact. That was why she was so haughty.
Then, as the beings who used to hold my hands disappeared one by one, I became able to endure both pain and sorrow calmly. Tears were no longer necessary. The moment I realized that about myself, I woke up from the nightmare. Then I couldn't fall back asleep.
I sat huddled in a corner. Then, as I leaned my head against the wall, I heard a familiar groan. Closing my eyes, I let that faint sound into my ears.
Beyond that wall, he was fighting too. I am comforted by that sound. He might get angry, but sometimes I would wake up from a nightmare and listen to his groans. Rubbing my reddened cheeks against the cold wall and shedding tears, I push away the fear. I realize I am not alone.
‘Th-then does that mean Lord Christopher's family made the Master like this?’
‘Yeah.’
‘Does Lord Christopher know as well?’
‘Ethan doesn't know. It's correct that he still doesn't know.’
I asked what that meant. I was so surprised I even stuttered, but the person involved was far too nonchalant.
‘It's just a guess. But I'm not certain. That's why I wanted to ask. Whether my family really made me like this.’
‘So did you give an answer?’
‘I didn't ask. I suppose I couldn't ask.’
‘Wh-why?’
‘Because my condition is not good.’
I was at a loss for words.
‘Even though he looks like that, he's a tender guy to his people. He couldn't poke at my wounds when I've lost my sight and am terrified.’
Only then did I understand his actions of avoiding Ethan. But at the same time, a question arose. How do you know all that?
‘Why don't you tell Lord Christopher?’
‘Because I have no reason to tell him.’
Vincent lifted his eyelids. His emerald eyes, still clouded but seeming resolute, stared straight into the empty air.
‘There are times when secrets must be kept as secrets.’
‘……’
That was the end of the conversation. He fell silent, and I didn't ask any further. A warning rang out in one corner of my mind that I shouldn't ask anymore. Since then, I never brought up that day's conversation again, and he didn't add any explanations either.
But that doesn't mean it's not terrifying. Closing my eyes, I feel with my whole body every night just how frightening a burden is placed on my deeply hunched shoulders.
Secrets must be buried as secrets.
Pretend not to have seen what you saw, pretend not to have heard what you heard, and disclose absolutely nothing.
Recalling once more the conditions I must keep to work as a servant here, I devoted myself again today to attending to the Master.
"Master, please wake up."
The round shape on the bed squirmed. However, it didn't come out. Since he was sensitive to presence, he must have already noticed I came in. I frowned and folded back the sheet.
"You need to eat."
As his face was revealed, he frowned deeply, expressing his displeasure. But his face was entirely covered in sweat. It seemed like he had a nightmare yesterday; he looked as if he had been tormented all night.
"You sweated a lot throughout the night, so it would be best to wash up first."
Now the stale smell that used to fill the room had disappeared, and the number of things rolling on the floor had somewhat decreased. Light streaming into the room that was once filled with darkness had become a familiar sight, like a daily routine. Lately, he was eating well and having what could be called a life of his own. But he was still uncooperative and highly vigilant when it came to being touched.
"Get out."
He grabbed the end of the sheet that had been taken from him. But I didn't back down either, putting strength into my hand holding the sheet and holding on.
"I've filled the bathtub with water."
When I first came here, making him take a bath was unimaginable. However, due to the strange tug-of-war with him and the changes over time, I could now even demand him to wash.
"Please, get lost."
Vincent let out a deep sigh. Irritation was evident in the hand pulling the sheet. He looked particularly in a bad mood today.
"I will support you."
"Like last time?"
"Th-that time... I'll go check the water temperature."
I fled to the bathroom. I had nothing to say about dropping him in the bathtub last time.
I needlessly dipped my hand in the water to check the temperature, hesitated for a moment, then went out of the bathroom and approached Vincent, who was lying blankly on the bed. When I carefully placed my hand on his body, he shifted. It was a familiar reaction now, so I ignored it and lifted his limp arm to place it over my shoulder. As I pulled him along, he raised his body and stepped down from the bed.
But contrary to his prickly words, he was docile today. So I was able to take him to the bathtub more easily than expected.
When I placed his hand on the bathtub, he felt around it hesitantly. As I quickly tried to unbutton his top so he could wash comfortably, he stopped my hand.
"I'll do it myself, so get out."
"Really?"
When I asked in surprise at his unexpectedly obedient cooperation, he nodded and slowly began to take off his clothes. I blankly watched him do it, and only came to my senses when I saw him drop his fully unbuttoned top onto the floor.
What's gotten into him. I quickly bent down and picked up the pajama top he had taken off. He, who was about to take off his pants too, suddenly stopped his movements.
"If you don't get out right now, I'll flip this thing over."
"Understood."
Tch. As I clicked my tongue softly and stood up, Vincent's face grew fierce, perhaps having heard it. Feeling like he might say something, I left the change of clothes on the floor and quickly slipped out of the bathroom.
And I deliberately made tapping footsteps from one spot, pretending to walk away. As I slowly reduced the loud footsteps and stopped abruptly, the sound of water came not long after. He had gotten into the bathtub.
Seriously, what's going on? I thought he'd flip it over at least two or three times.
Surprised by his obedient attitude, I decided to focus on the things I had to do right now for the time being. I needed to clean the room while he was washing.
As always, I put the scattered things in the room back in their places, and changed the bedspread, sheets, and pillowcases to new ones. Next, I dusted the corners, swept the floor, and wiped the dust off the furniture. When the room was somewhat clean, I felt proud and headed to the bathroom.
Vincent, who had finished bathing, was changing his clothes. I took out a towel from the nearby dresser and wiped his dripping wet hair. When I quickly patted his head with the towel to remove the moisture, he accepted it meekly this time too.
"I changed the sheets. You can go now."
When his hair was somewhat dry, I grabbed his forearm and supported him. Moving slowly, I led him to the bed and sat him down. Then I noticed his shirt buttons were misaligned.
I thought he dressed well today. I smiled slightly and unbuttoned his buttons to fasten them again from the bottom up.
"Meal."
"Yes? Ah, aha, yes. Meal. I'll prepare it."
I quickly went back to the door and brought the silver tray. Holding it, I stood hesitating for a moment, then knelt in front of him. Placing the silver tray on my knees, I scooped up a spoonful of porridge and brought it to his mouth. Then Vincent began to quietly accept the porridge.
Although he had indigestion once last time, he empties the bowl quite well now. Delighted by that change, I looked at him eating with satisfaction. He cleanly emptied his bowl today too. It seemed like it would be okay to prepare food with small chunks in it now.
Vincent, who had even taken his medicine, lay down on the clean bed. Pulling the sheet up to his neck, he turned his body toward the wall.
"I'm going to sleep."
"Yes, I'll wake you up at lunchtime."
Carrying the pre-gathered laundry and empty dishes, I left the room with satisfaction.
"The Master has been eating well lately."
"Yes, he emptied it all today too."
I showed the empty bowl to the chef. The chef seemed moved and wiped away a tear. The kitchen maid helping him rejoiced and joined our conversation.
"I think it's fine to bring out the ones with rice grains now."
"I'll prepare a hearty meal tomorrow!"
I nodded my head and came out of the kitchen. Then I went outside the annex and waited for Lenika.
But today, she wasn't alone. Isabella was with her.
"The Master's condition seems to be improving lately."
"Yes, he's eating well, and now he even bathes himself. He still throws things and throws tantrums, but it has decreased a lot compared to before. Last time, he even got out of bed and walked for a short while."
I clearly stated the last part in a small voice, loud enough only for Isabella to hear. I also told her that last time, he even stepped outside the room, albeit just one step. I recalled Isabella's surprised face upon hearing that. She didn't show a huge reaction, true to her character, but I came to realize that the raising of her eyebrows was her way of expressing surprise.
"That's great progress. You've worked hard. Please continue to take good care of him as you are now."
"Yes."
After finishing the short conversation with Isabella, I approached Lenika. She took the laundry basket from me and handed me a basket containing new sheets and clothes. After exchanging greetings, I went back inside the annex.
The Master was being agreeable today, so I had more free time than expected. Usually, time flew by as I struggled with him every time. After a whole day of a tug-of-war with him, I would end up completely exhausted, let alone having the energy to look around the annex. Because of that, looking around the interior of the annex like this was a first for me today.
The interior of the annex was mostly neat. I heard that maids from the main house came to clean the annex at regular times. So, Lady Isabella told me shortly after I arrived here that I didn't need to worry about anything else and just focus on the Master.
Thanks to that, my cleaning area was only the Master's room. Furthermore, the place I stayed in was the room right next to the Master's, and the only places I went to were the kitchen to fetch meals and the back door to hand over the laundry.
So this is what it looks like. I excitedly looked around the mansion, tilting my head back to see the distant, lofty ceiling and gazing around the spacious interior that I wouldn't be able to fully explore even if I wandered around all day. Since it was my first time in such a place, everything was fascinating.
Then, as I climbed the large staircase running down the center, I examined the picture frames hanging on the wall one by one.