As they neared the doorway, the hallway grew noisy. A sharp edge of hostility cut through the voices. Wondering what was happening, I looked toward Ethan, only to see him turn toward the stairs. I followed as he moved with urgent, hurried steps, descending to the floor below.
When I reached the central hall, Isabella was already there. She looked up at Ethan, her eyes searching for answers. He shook his head, and a wave of relief washed over her face.
But the clamor outside the door intensified, sounding as if it would burst open at any moment.
“What should we do?”
“For now, I will try to stall them.”
Ethan walked toward the door. Isabella followed, maintaining a distance of two steps. I watched their backs, feeling a prickle of unease.
Just then, someone grabbed my hand. I turned to see Lucas standing there.
“Lucas?”
His face was deathly pale.
“Are you not feeling well?”
“Paula.”
“Yes?”
“This way.”
He yanked my hand. I asked what was wrong, but he didn’t answer. He led me toward the opposite side of the door, his movements frantic. His pace was rapid—more of a run than a walk—and I struggled to keep up with his desperate strides.
A moment later, a loud commotion erupted behind us. I looked back to see Ethan facing off against two men: a young gentleman and an elderly one. The face of the younger man looked familiar.
James Christopher.
I turned back to Lucas, but he was staring straight ahead, his gaze fixed on nothingness. His back signaled a frantic refusal to look behind him. The hand gripping mine was trembling.
Lucas bolted up the stairs without aim. He reached the top, scurried back down, then climbed a few steps only to stop, blank-faced. He looked as though he had forgotten the way to his own room, so I took the lead. As soon as we entered, he locked the door and pulled every curtain shut.
Only when not a single ray of sunlight remained did Lucas collapse. He sat on the floor, gripping the windowsill with one hand. I rushed to his side.
“You don’t look well.”
“I was just… a little startled.”
Lucas forced a smile, but it vanished instantly. Terror stained his rigid features. He let out a deep, ragged sigh and buried his face in his hands. I waited quietly until he regained his composure.
“Paula.”
“Yes.”
“Do you have any siblings?”
I didn’t know why he would ask that so suddenly, but I answered.
“Yes. I had four younger sisters.”
“That’s quite a lot. It sounds like you had a happy home.”
I didn’t bother to deny it. Most would assume that five daughters meant a happy marriage, but the reality was different. When I realized the reason I was born, I felt only misery. Even the villagers who had watched our family grow grew weary of us.
“Siblings usually get along, don’t they? Even if they act blunt, they enjoy being together. They worry when the other isn’t in sight.”
“I suppose so.”
If they were normal siblings, at least.
“And they aren’t afraid of each other.”
“Probably. But why do you ask?”
“Paula. I am afraid of James.”
This was the first time I had heard him speak of ‘James Christopher’. So the man I had seen earlier really was James. If so, who was the other man? I didn’t know why they had come to the mansion, but the elderly gentleman had looked furious.
“James is my eldest brother. He was calm, smart, and magnificent; even to my young eyes, he was a brother I respected. But now… I’m afraid of him. Very much so.”
“Why?”
“Because he is a terrifying person.”
Vincent had said something similar. Judging by Lucas’s reaction, it was true. Lucas was trembling so violently he didn’t know what to do with himself.
“I thought they would come, but it’s still frightening. Even though I told myself I was okay, that I could handle it, the thought of actually facing them… I couldn’t bear it, so I ran away. And because I was too afraid to run alone, I brought you along, Paula.”
“…”
“It’s pathetic, isn’t it?”
Lucas smiled weakly. I shook my head.
“If that’s considered pathetic, our Master wouldn’t be able to show his face in public.”
My master was a coward, too—he just pretended otherwise.
My words made Lucas burst into laughter. But it was hollow, and the hand gripping his forehead continued to shake.
“Sometimes, I want to throw everything away and run. To a faraway place where no one knows me.”
“That sounds nice. Go somewhere with a good view.”
“Would you like to come with me, Paula?”
I blinked at the sudden proposal. It was tempting. It didn’t sound bad at all.
“It would be an honor.”
“Then let’s go together.”
“Yes. Please be sure to take me later.”
“Let’s go now.”
Lucas grabbed my arm—a declaration of his desperate will to take me if I would just say yes. I smiled, telling him that his words alone were an honor.
“Let’s go together, now.”
He said it once more.
“Not now, please take me later.”
“Why can’t we go now?”
“Because I have things I must do.”
“Do you like Vincent, Paula?”
My heart plummeted. I swallowed a gasp. The atmosphere, which had softened, turned rigid in an instant. Lucas leaned his upper body toward me.
“If you do, give it up.”
“Why, why would you say that?”
“It will only hurt you, Paula.”
“I don’t know what you are talking about. Please, let go.”
I was flustered, terrified by what he might know. It was not a conversation I welcomed. I tried to pull my hand away, but the more I resisted, the harder he gripped.
“Don’t hide it. You must at least be drawn to him.”
“Lucas.”
“Don’t do that. Why don’t we run away instead?”
Let’s just run away, us. Let’s throw it all away and leave. To a place very far off. A place where there is no one else. He whispered this, grabbing my other arm as well. Within his brown eyes, a desperate longing flickered. My confusion grew.
“W-why are you suddenly acting like this?”
“Because I want you to come with me, Paula.”
“Lucas.”
“Will you run away with me? Take my hand, which is only capable of trembling, and come with me.”
Why was he saying these things? Was he trying to tease me?
“When I said I liked you, Paula, I meant it.”
“Th-that’s impossible. Why would you like someone like me? I don’t understand…”
I retorted, barely suppressing a scoff. He smiled sadly and confessed his sincerity.
“There isn’t a grand reason for liking someone. From a certain moment, I became curious about you, wanted to see you, felt joyful when I was with you, and I began to wish that you would stay by my side in the future. That is how I like you.”
“…”
“I love you.”
Lucas pulled me into his arms. He rubbed his cheek against my ear and whispered his feelings again. His tearful voice seeped into my heart. I felt the absolute sincerity in it.
“I, I…”
“Your answer.”
He pulled me tighter.
“Can you give it to me later?”
“…”
“Not now, but later… please tell me later…”
Muttering this against my shoulder, he suddenly pushed me away. Seeing the face he was forcing into a smile, I couldn’t say another word.
A moment later, a knock broke the silence.
“Lucas.”
It was Ethan. Lucas smiled bitterly and released my arms. He stood up and walked toward the door. After a brief word with Ethan, he looked back at me. Our eyes met, and as the door closed, the resolve on his face vanished.
I stood there, staring blankly at the bedroom door.
When I returned to the central hall, I saw Ethan and Lucas standing outside, facing the visitor. Ethan was talking with James. They laughed like ordinary brothers—a peaceful sight, quite different from what I had imagined.
Every so often, James’s gaze drifted to Lucas, and each time, Lucas smiled back. But the smiles were fleeting, and the conversations never lasted.
James patted Ethan Christopher’s shoulder, then pulled him into an embrace. Ethan accepted it with an awkward laugh. To anyone else, they looked like an affectionate pair of brothers. But my eyes kept straying to Lucas. Once he was out of James’s line of sight, his face set into a rigid, cold mask.
An elderly gentleman walked over. After a brief exchange, they moved to the drawing room of the annex. James remained quiet, as if observing, while the elderly gentleman made no effort to hide his discomfort. Both made it clear they had no intention of leaving. It felt as though the situation was spiraling.
I had left the drawing room first, keeping my eyes on the door, praying that Vincent Bellunita and Violet would be out on their walk for a long time. Lucas approached me, with Ethan Christopher following close behind.
The trouble started after a tedious stretch of time.
Vincent Bellunita and Violet returned. Seeing us pacing the hall, Violet waved. Her bright, smiling face was a welcome relief.
“Why is everyone gathered here?”
Lucas hesitated. I faltered, so Ethan Christopher stepped in.
“Marquess Marguerite has arrived.”
“Father?”
Only then did I realize the identity of the elderly gentleman. Violet, who had been beaming, looked puzzled.
“Why is he here?”
“For now, just go up. He’s in the drawing room. And Vincent Bellunita, I need a word with you.”
Ethan Christopher gripped Vincent Bellunita’s arm and shot me a look. I quickly moved to Violet’s side. As our eyes met, the events of last night flashed through my mind. Unlike me, she smiled with her usual warmth.
“I wonder what brought Father here. And to show up so suddenly without a word. Do you know anything about this, Paula?”
“I have not been informed of the details myself.”
“Hmm. That’s strange.”
I forced a smile as I watched her tilt her head in confusion.
When we were halfway up the stairs, someone descended. It was her father. An older woman stood directly behind him, watching his expression carefully. When he saw Violet, he furrowed his brows. A bad omen. While I braced myself, Violet ran toward them with a bright smile.
“Father—oh, Nanny? Why are you here?”
His gaze was cold. The nanny behind him remained silent, looking nervous. Sensing something was wrong, Violet stopped. Only then did her father speak.
“Take her.”
“Yes.”
At his command, the nanny descended the stairs and immediately grabbed Violet, pulling her away.