# 46
46. The Moment a Star Fell on the Count's Estate (7)
As they soon approached the door, the surroundings grew even more tumultuous. The voice of one in the group was filled with anger. Wondering what on earth was happening, I looked at Ethan, but he turned toward the stairs. Following after him as he quickly moved away, I also went down to the lower floor.
When I descended to the central hall, Isabella was there too. As she urgently looked up at Ethan, he shook his head. Relief spread across Isabella's face.
Outside the door, it grew increasingly noisy. It seemed as though the door would burst open at any moment.
"What should we do?"
"I'll try to stall for now."
Ethan walked toward the door. Isabella followed behind him at a distance of about two steps. I watched their backs with puzzlement.
Then, someone grabbed my hand. When I turned around, Lucas was standing there.
"Lord Lucas?"
But his complexion was pale.
"Are you feeling unwell?"
"Paula."
"Yes."
"This way."
He pulled my hand. I asked him why, but he didn't answer. He only showed signs of anxiety as he led me in the opposite direction of the door.
But his pace was fast. Rather than walking, it was more accurate to say he was running. I ran too, matching his hurried steps.
A moment later, a noisy commotion came from behind. Looking back, Ethan was confronting two men. A somewhat young gentleman and an elderly gentleman. But the young gentleman's face looked familiar.
James Christopher.
When I looked back at Lucas, he stared only straight ahead. His back seemed to convey his will to never look back. His clasped hands were trembling.
Lucas climbed the stairs aimlessly. Rushing up to the top of the stairs, he suddenly scrambled back down. Then he climbed a step or two again before soon stopping blankly. Seeing him as if he had even forgotten the way to his room, I eventually took the lead and guided him. As soon as we entered the room, he locked the door and drew all the curtains by the window.
Only after not a single ray of sunlight could enter the room did Lucas collapse. I hurriedly approached Lucas, who had slumped down with one hand braced against the windowsill.
"Your complexion doesn't look good."
"I was startled, that's all."
Lucas tried to smile. But the smile quickly faded. What colored his stiff face was fear. He let out a deep sigh and rubbed his face with both hands.
I waited quietly until he calmed down.
"Paula."
"Yes."
"Do you have siblings?"
I didn't know why he was suddenly asking such a thing, but I answered anyway.
"Yes, I had four younger sisters."
"That's a lot. Must have been a harmonious family."
I didn't bother denying those words. If someone has five daughters, most would think the couple must be on good terms, but the reality was different. The emotion I felt when I learned the reason for my birth was nothing but misery. Even the villagers who had watched our family clicked their tongues.
"Usually siblings get along well, right? Even if they act curt with each other, they enjoy being together, and worry when they're not around."
"I suppose so."
If they were normal siblings.
"Not fearing each other."
"Probably. But why are you asking that?"
"Paula. I'm afraid of James."
It was the first time I heard about 'James Christopher' from him. As I thought, the person I saw earlier was indeed James Christopher. Then who was the other one? I couldn't know why they had come to this mansion, but the elderly gentleman looked very angry.
"James is my older brother. He was calm, smart, and outstanding, so even to my young eyes, he was a respectable and cool older brother. But now... I'm afraid of that older brother. Very much so."
"Why?"
"Because he's a scary person."
Vincent had said something similar last time. Seeing Lucas's reaction now, he must truly be a frightening person. Lucas was trembling with fear to the point where he didn't know what to do himself.
"I thought he would come, but it's still scary. Even though I told myself it'd be fine, that I could do it, when I imagined actually facing him, it was unbearable, so I ran away. I was even scared to run away alone, so I dragged Paula along."
"..."
"Is it pathetic?"
Lucas laughed weakly. I shook my head.
"If that's considered pathetic, then my master can't show his face in public right now."
This master is quite the coward too. He just pretends otherwise.
At my words, Lucas burst out laughing. But the laughter still lacked strength, and the hand pressing against his forehead was trembling.
"Sometimes, I want to throw everything away and run away. To a far place where no one knows me."
"That sounds nice. Go somewhere with nice scenery too."
"Will you come with me, Paula?"
I blinked at the sudden proposal. Honestly, I was tempted. That's not bad, right?
"It would be an honor."
"Then let's go together."
"Yes. Please definitely take me later."
"Let's go right now."
Lucas grabbed my arm. It was a strong will to definitely take me along if I wanted. I laughed, saying it was an honor just with words.
"Let's go right now."
He said once more.
"Please take me later, not now."
"Why not now?"
"I have things to do right now."
"Does Paula like Vincent?"
My heart dropped. I was so startled I swallowed my breath. The slightly relaxed atmosphere instantly stiffened.
Lucas leaned his upper body toward me.
"If so, give up."
"Why, why would you say that."
"Paula will only get hurt."
"I don't understand what you're talking about at all. Please let go."
I was flustered, not knowing why he was suddenly saying such things, and I was scared, not knowing what he knew to say them. Either way, it was not a welcome topic. I shook my head and tried to shake off his grip, but the more I did, the harder he held on.
"Don't hide it. At the very least, you must be attracted to him."
"Lord Lucas."
"Why don't we run away instead?"
Let's run away, us. Leave everything behind. To a very far place. To a place with no one. He whispered as he grabbed my other arm as well. In his brown eyes facing me, earnestness flickered. My confusion grew increasingly fierce.
"W-why are you acting like this all of a sudden."
"Because I want Paula to come with me."
"Lord Lucas."
"Will you run away with me? Holding my hand that can only tremble helplessly, together."
Why on earth was he saying such things to me? Was he making fun of me?
"What I said about liking you—I meant it."
"N-no way. Why would you like someone like me? What's the reason? I don't understand..."
I immediately rebutted. I struggled to hold back a snort of disbelief. But he smiled sadly and confessed his true feelings.
"There's no big reason when you like someone. Just from some point, I became curious, wanted to see you, felt joyful and happy being together, and came to wish you'd stay by my side in the future too. With those feelings, I like you."
"..."
"I love you."
Lucas held me in his arms. He rubbed his cheek against my ear and whispered his feelings once more. His moist voice seeped into my chest. I felt the sincerity contained within it with my entire body.
"I, I..."
"The answer."
He pulled me even tighter.
"Can you give it to me later?"
"..."
"Not now, but later... give it to me later..."
Mumbling with his face buried in my shoulder, he suddenly pushed me away. Seeing his face trying hard to smile at me, I couldn't continue speaking.
A moment later, a knock breaking the silence was heard.
"Lucas."
It was Ethan. Lucas smiled bitterly and released my arm. Then he stood up and walked toward the door.
Opening the door and briefly talking with Ethan, Lucas looked back at me. Our eyes met, and his face filled with resolve soon disappeared as the door closed.
Until then, I could only blankly stare at the door.
When I came to my senses and went back down to the central hall, I saw Ethan and Lucas standing outside the open door. And the man standing facing them as well.
Ethan was having a conversation with James. The two smiled like ordinary brothers. It was a peaceful sight different from what I had imagined.
Occasionally, James's gaze reached Lucas, and each time, Lucas smiled back at him. And sometimes he said a few words. But the smiles were brief, and the conversation didn't last long.
James patted Ethan's shoulder. Then he embraced him. Ethan smiled awkwardly and accepted it. Anyone could see it as the appearance of affectionate brothers. But my eyes kept drifting toward Lucas. Lucas's face, freed from James's gaze, was stiffly hardened.
The elderly gentleman walked over to their side. After talking briefly, they moved to the annex reception room. James kept his words to himself as if observing the situation, and the elderly gentleman openly showed his discomfort and stayed silent. And both revealed their intention not to leave. The situation seemed to be flowing in a bad direction.
Having come out of the reception room first, I kept glancing outside, praying that Vincent and Violet would take a long walk. Lucas approached beside me, and Ethan joined after him.
It was when a considerable amount of boring time had passed that trouble occurred.
Vincent and Violet, who had gone for a walk, returned. Violet, who spotted us pacing in the central hall, waved her hand. Her bright, smiling face was lovely to see.
"Why is everyone standing around here?"
At her question, Lucas hesitated. When I also hesitated, Ethan stepped forward.
"Marquis Margaret has come."
"Father?"
Only then did I realize the identity of the elderly gentleman. Violet, who had smiled brightly as if pleased, showed a puzzled expression.
"Why did he come here?"
"For now, go up. He's in the reception room. And Vincent, I need to see you."
Ethan grabbed Vincent's arm and gave me a glance. I quickly stood beside Violet. When I met her eyes, last night's events came to mind. Unlike me, who stiffened for a moment, she smiled affectionately as usual.
"Why would Father come here? And so suddenly without any notice. Do you know anything, Paula?"
"I haven't heard the details either."
"Hmm. That's strange."
Looking at her tilting her head, I forced a smile.
When we were halfway up the stairs, someone came down from above. It was the elderly gentleman who was Violet's father. And behind his back stood an older woman.
She watched the elderly gentleman's mood. The elderly gentleman frowned upon seeing Violet. How ominous. While I set up my guard, Violet also noticed the elderly gentleman and the middle-aged woman. She ran up the stairs with a bright smile.
"Father— Oh, Nanny? Why is Nanny here?"
The elderly gentleman's eyes looking down at her bright face were cold. The woman called Nanny standing behind the elderly gentleman also watched his mood anxiously without saying a word. Sensing something strange from their reactions, Violet stopped walking. Only then did the elderly gentleman open his mouth.
"Take her."
"Yes."
At the elderly gentleman's words, the nanny came down the stairs and immediately grabbed and dragged Violet.