The kitchen staff had been generous with portions lately. The initial shock of the pound cake had taught me a valuable lesson, so I had specifically requested that the chef increase the serving sizes.
“Wouldn’t it be too much for Master to eat alone?”
“He feels lonely eating by himself, so he keeps insisting I join him. Even when I say it’s fine, he keeps asking… How can I refuse Master’s request? If this can comfort his loneliness, I’m more than willing to bear the intrusion and eat with him.”
I placed both hands over my chest and spat out the brazen lie. The chef, clearly touched, pledged to make something even more delicious. That was how I secured the result. I found myself looking forward to his desserts more than he did these days—a painful realization that the world was full of delicious things I’d never known before coming here.
The cake plate quickly hit bottom. Good things always disappear too fast. Looking at the empty porcelain, I smacked my lips in regret.
“Eat this, too.”
Lucas pushed over the portion of cake he’d left after taking just a single bite. An angel! I was moved and asked if it was really alright. Even as I spoke, my hands were already snatching the plate away.
Vincent’s gaze landed directly on us. His plate was empty, too. I pulled my prize closer and watched him warily.
“T-this was given to me by Lucas.”
“Did someone say otherwise?”
He said it haughtily, tossing his fork aside before reaching for his teacup. He frowned, pulled it toward his lips, then turned it upside down. Nothing. Preoccupied with the cake, I had forgotten to pour his tea.
His dissatisfied gaze pinned me down. I flinched. Lucas reached out, picked up the teapot, and poured tea into Vincent’s cup.
“Hyung, drink.”
“I don’t know who is supposed to be serving whom.”
Vincent pressed the cup to his lips. I set my fork down.
“I’ve suddenly lost my appetite. Would you like more?”
“Stop lying and finish it.”
“Weren’t you the one who wanted more? I thought you were sulking because I ate the extra piece.”
“I’m not that narrow-minded.”
“I doubt that.”
Vincent loved sweets, and since I had only just opened my eyes to the taste, I was always disappointed by the portion sizes. Because the flavor and volume varied depending on the type of dessert, that frustration occasionally flared up.
A subtle war of nerves ensued between us every time. Vincent was usually ahead, but sometimes I managed to take more—just a finger’s width extra, without him knowing.
However, having lost his sight, his other senses were unnaturally keen. He never let his guard down. He would send me a look that suggested he knew exactly what I was doing, and frankly, it terrified me. Just how much does he love sweets?
The more he watched me, the more shameless I had to be. Whenever he sent that look, I would offer to share, feigning innocence. Of course, I knew he would refuse. His pride wouldn’t allow him to ask for back what he had already given to a maid.
So, this time, I shoved the plate toward him, insisting he could have as much as he wanted. Vincent waved a hand, refusing, claiming he wouldn’t eat anything touched by my saliva. How much could I have possibly touched it? I vehemently insisted it was only a little, but suddenly, Lucas burst into laughter. His gaze was fixed on the plate. It was already completely empty.
“The more I watch, the more interesting you two are.”
I couldn’t tell if it was a compliment. I pretended not to notice and set the plate down, having momentarily forgotten we had company. Vincent signaled with his eyes, demanding to know what that was supposed to mean. I prayed for Lucas to keep his mouth shut.
Fortunately, Lucas, still chuckling, brought up a different topic.
“You two have a good relationship.”
“As if.”
“There is a misunderstanding.”
The answers came out simultaneously. We locked eyes. I blinked, and though he couldn’t see me, Vincent opened his eyes wide as if he could.
Lucas added that this was exactly what he meant by having a good relationship. Vincent drank his tea without a word, and I cleared away the empty plates. Only Lucas’s laughter echoed in the garden.
I quietly took out a book, deciding to ignore the strange atmosphere. Vincent seemed to agree, as the subject naturally changed.
As I sat down to read, Lucas looked at me with curiosity.
“What are you going to do?”
“I am going to read to him.”
“Read?”
Lucas’s gaze was pinned to the book in my hand. I cleared my throat. Vincent drank his tea calmly. Lucas’s eyes darted between us.
“Are you really going to read it to him?”
“Yes.”
Obviously. I opened the book and began reading. It was a sudden start, but Vincent listened to my voice as if he were used to it.
The book was a medium-length adventure story for children. Long, complex prose made my concentration wander, but I had recently realized that simple content was easier to read and far more pleasant to listen to.
It was a selection I had made with great care. Lucas seemed stunned by the story carried on my voice. He looked at Vincent openly, but Vincent paid him no mind, entirely focused on my voice. I leaned into the reading; if I slacked off even a little, I would be corrected, so I had to stay sharp.
Lucas’s astonishment gradually subsided. After a moment, he surreptitiously pulled his chair closer to Vincent.
“Why are you sticking so close?”
“I’m listening, too.”
The two men sat side by side, listening to me. I hadn’t realized it when it was just Vincent, but reading to an audience made me nervous. My breath hitched a few times. I saw Vincent frown, but I hurriedly read the next part, pretending not to notice.
Lucas’s eyes twinkled like a child’s. I didn’t know if he found the situation fascinating or if he was simply amazed that I could read, but he sent me such an intense gaze that the skin under my hair tingled. It felt exactly like reading a fairy tale to a younger sibling.
Moreover, he was active.
“So, what happens then?”
“Pardon? Oh, so what happens is…”
He didn’t just sit there. He threw in questions, asked for my opinion, or babbled about things he’d heard somewhere. It was trivial, but he acted as if he were having a wonderful time. Vincent just frowned, not stopping him. I, caught in the middle, was left bewildered.
“Comradeship and love gained through adventure. It’s a story that teaches a good lesson.”
Once I finished, he didn’t forget to add his impressions.
“Yes. Did you enjoy it?”
“I enjoyed it very much. Perhaps because you read it in a way that’s easy to listen to, it really sunk in.”
“You are too kind.”
I had learned a lot from someone. As I spoke, I stared at Vincent. The man who would usually sigh and pressure me if a single detail went awry just leisurely sipped his tea. It must have gone cold, but he sipped it anyway. Even though he surely felt my gaze, he pretended not to notice.
“Better than before.”
“Yes, yes.”
Just as I thought. Wouldn’t a compliment like “you read well” be in order? His praise was far too stingy.
However, the other person’s was excessive.
“It wasn’t unpleasant to hear, and you read it very smoothly. I never knew that a story told by someone could be this pleasant. I could feel your consideration for the listener. Your voice was also very good… no, I think everything was just too good.”
“I am merely reading. Please tell me if you have any other works you’d like to hear.”
“Really? I’ll choose one next time.”
I laughed. Lucas had subtly gained a chance to participate again.
“It’s fun, Hyung. Isn’t it?”
“I suppose.”
The problem was that the other attendee was too cold. But perhaps accustomed to his attitude, Lucas didn’t care.
“I didn’t know Hyung liked sweets this much. How did you hide it all this time?”
“I didn’t hide it.”
“Eating like this…”
“I didn’t say you didn’t.”
“I’m just not eating it—it’s not that I can’t.”
Lucas nodded. That was true.
“Still, if I had known, I would have bought a few boxes of cake. I know plenty of famous places.”
“There’s no need for that.”
Vincent Bellunita refused coldly, asking what reason he would have to accept something from him. It was a statement heavy with subtext, but Lucas just laughed, retorting that he knew perfectly well that if he bought it, Vincent would eat it happily.
For a moment, a peaceful atmosphere flowed between them.
“Oh, right. I ordered that tea you like. It’ll arrive tomorrow. You still enjoy it, right? Nobelle’s black tea.”
“Yeah.”
“You’ll accept that, won’t you?”
“Since your sincerity is touching, I suppose I will.”
He was about to run out, and he hadn’t been able to serve any lately. He had considered asking Isabella to find some, so this worked out perfectly. Lucas clearly remembered the disappointment Vincent showed when he was out of Nobelle’s, just as he recognized the joy hidden beneath that blunt exterior.
Was he doing this on purpose because he was his younger brother?
Lucas, knowing nothing, was just happy.
“Hyung. Honestly, I’m relieved.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You look comfortable. When I only heard about it, I had my doubts. Even when I saw it with my own eyes, I couldn’t believe it. But after staying here, I realized it. You really have been doing well. I’m glad.”
“…….”
“I didn’t even know you liked sweets. I didn’t know you went for walks, listened to books, and lived so peacefully.”
Lucas laughed shortly. He seemed happy, but I could feel the bitterness soaked within it. The look in his eyes as he gazed at Vincent Bellunita was intense. They were glossy with moisture, as if he would shed tears if he blinked.
“I’m truly relieved.”
His voice was laced with a deep, weary sense of peace.
Now that I think about it, Lucas said he was the one who blinded Vincent Bellunita. If so, that means Lucas already knew about his condition—perhaps he even knew about the ‘something’ that Vincent Bellunita was hiding.
The image of the two of them talking in the room came to mind. What was contained within that must be heavier than I could imagine. I felt like I understood a little of Lucas’s feelings toward Vincent Bellunita. His concern was genuine.
For a moment, Lucas looked like a different person. Seeing him with his gaze lowered to the floor, steeped in worry… it was somewhat moving.
However, the emotion was shattered quickly. Unfortunately, that sadness did not reach the other party. Vincent Bellunita clicked his tongue.
“How repulsive.”
“Is it?”
The sadness was wiped away in an instant. It was so fast I wondered if I’d seen an illusion. Was that grief really so short-lived?
Seeing Lucas break into a wide grin, I was flustered.
“This must all be because of her.”
This time, Lucas’s interest was fixed on me. At the sudden praise, I blinked. Me?
“Thank you for staying by Hyung’s side.”
“Oh, no, it’s nothing.”
“There’s no need to thank someone for something that’s only natural.”
His retort was swift. Excuse me? I looked at Vincent Bellunita, baffled. He didn’t correct himself. Yes, honestly, he was right—it was only natural—but couldn’t he be at least a little bit grateful?
Hmph! I snorted. Even so, Vincent Bellunita didn’t even pretend to hear me. You jerk. Angry, I took a rough gulp of my tea. My throat was dry.
“Well, I suppose so. With someone as pretty as her by your side, you must be getting your strength back.”
I ended up spitting out the tea.