What am I seeing right now?

’Vincent is protesting in front of Cardien’s door?’

Vincent, who used to cower in front of him, is now protesting?!

I couldn’t believe what I was seeing and just stood there in a daze, staring ahead.

Meanwhile, Vincent’s protest continued.

It even became more intense over time.

“Duke!! I’ll stay here until you let me meet Tutor Via!!”

“Young master, you really shouldn’t do this… You’ll be able to see Tutor Via again soon.”

“I’ll meet her now! Right away!”

“That’s because Tutor Via is still not feeling well…”

“I’ll see it with my own eyes! Winston, if you’re going to interfere, then leave! Duke!! Please let me see Tutor Via!!”

“Young master…”

In his pajamas, Vincent banged on the door like a creditor demanding payment, shouting, while Winston stood next to him, unsure of what to do.

In the midst of all this, Cardien, who didn’t even glance his way, remained unfazed.

Watching the scene from afar, I could only chuckle in bewilderment.

’I did think Vincent might want to see me, but…’

I never expected him to stage a one-man protest in front of Cardien’s door.

It seems like Winston and Cardien were planning to let me meet him only after I fully recovered.

’Vincent seems to be unhappy with that decision.’

As a result, the situation turned into Vincent’s one-man protest.

’To be honest, it’s kind of cute…’

Although Vincent himself must be very serious, his appearance in pajamas with his hair sticking out in protest against his guardian resembled a defiant puppy, making it hard not to find it cute.

Even though it was a protest to see me, my heart swelled with emotion.

But…

‘If I leave it like this, Winston might collapse this time.’

Seeing the elderly Winston standing there helplessly, unable to do anything, I couldn’t help but let out a nervous cough.

“Cough!”

At the sound, Vincent, who had been pounding on the door, swiftly turned his head towards me.

Gradually, his eyes widened.

His small lips slowly parted.

“Tutor……Via.?”

“Yeah, hehe… Long time no see, right?”

I awkwardly wave my hand, still feeling bad about showing him all that blood.

Vincent’s eyes widened and he struggled to speak.

“Really, is that you, tutor Via?”

I smiled softly and nodded, looking like I’d just witnessed a dream.

“Yes, it’s really me.”

His voice trembled.

Before long, Vincent started running towards me.

“Young… master!”

A startled Winston hurriedly called out to Vincent, but Vincent’s steps only quickened.

Instinctively, I lowered my posture and opened my arms wide.

As always, it was to catch Vincent as he leaped towards me.

But…

“…….?”

Stopping just one step away, Vincent froze.

Vincent’s head drooped downward; his hands clenched tightly. His shoulders trembled slightly.

Winston, who had hurriedly followed, also stopped and looked at Vincent’s back.

“… I won´t do it…”

“Vincent?”

As I cautiously spoke, Vincent suddenly jerked his head up.

In that momentary glimpse of his face, I fell silent.

“Tutor Via, because… because you’re hurt… I won’t… won’t hug you.”

“Ah…”

I stared blankly at Vincent.

Tears welled up in his ruby eyes, shimmering and brimming over.

His lips were tightly pressed together, as if determined not to cry.

“Vincent…….”

But his small body was trembling slightly as if he couldn’t handle the rising emotions.

I quietly observed his demeanor.

‘He must be very surprised.’

It might seem natural.

After all, it was likely his first time witnessing someone bleeding and collapsing.

Moreover, it was someone he had admired and obeyed so well.

Vincent seemed as fragile as a porcelain doll, ready to shatter at the slightest touch.

‘I’ve planted a bad memory in him.’

That’s why I had hoped his symptoms wouldn’t manifest in front of Vincent.

My mouth felt dry.

“Vincent.”

As I called his name, Vincent looked up at me, a bit startled.

When our eyes met, I smiled even wider.

“I’m sorry for worrying you.”

“…….”

“It was just a moment, a very brief moment of pain. I’m fine now.”

“But…”

“I’m telling you, look.”

I took a step closer to Vincent, who had kept his distance, and then, gently, I pulled him into a tight embrace.

Vincent’s stiff body tensed up in surprise.

I hugged him even tighter and whispered softly, “See, everything’s okay, right?”

“…….”

“It was just a moment, it’s okay now.”

“……really?”

“It was just a momentary thing. I’m fine now.”

“Really?”

In a trembling voice, almost like a lullaby, I replied, “Yes, really.”

And then, I said the words I had been wanting to say to Vincent.

“I missed you, Vincent.”

At that moment, Vincent’s frozen body began to thaw as if it had encountered spring.

He immediately clung to me tightly, releasing the tears he had been holding back.

“Sob… Sniff! Please, Tutor Via, don’t get hurt…”

And I quietly stroked Vincent’s back, whispering, “Yes, I won’t hurt anymore.”

After that, Vincent couldn’t stop crying for a while.

* * *

“Hic…”

“Are you feeling calmer now?”

Nod, nod…

“I’m sorry…”

Vincent, who had slipped out of my embrace, bowed his head deeply and muttered softly.

His eyes were puffy from crying and his throat was hoarse.

At that moment, Winston, who had been observing the situation from behind, sneaked up and spoke.

“Master, now that You’ve confirmed that the tutor is safe, let’s go back to your room.”

“Ha, but…….”

Vincent looked back at me urgently.

I could tell he was worried that we might not see each other again.

It was then that Winston gave me a helpful glance.

I realized then that he had aged significantly during the years of tending to Vincent’s needs.

Our butler… he mustn’t age any further…

“How about having the next class outdoors?” I suggested.

Vincent’s eyes lit up at the idea.

While Cardien might protest using my body for lessons, there was no denying that outdoor classes were beneficial for Vincent. Besides, the prospect of the next class itself meant another chance to meet.

“It’s too cold outside, though,” Winston quickly interjected. “But there’s a glass greenhouse on the inner path. It’s warm there, so it should be fine.”

“A greenhouse sounds nice. What do you think, Vincent?”

“I… I like it too!” Vincent nodded vigorously in agreement.

“Alright then, the next class will be outdoors,” I decided, slowly getting up. “You should start preparing for the exam we’ll have then, okay?”

“Yes!”

“I have something to attend to, so shall we wrap up here?”

Vincent still seemed disappointed, but he didn’t insist any further. As he glanced back one last time with a wistful expression, I waved my hand with a smile until he was out of sight. Finally, when Vincent disappeared completely from view, I slowly lowered my hand. The cheerful smile that had adorned my face faded away, replaced by a tense expression as I looked at Cardien’s door.

Although it was a place I visited daily, today it felt oddly different. Taking a deep breath, I knocked on the door.

Knock, knock.

But there was no answer.

It was then that I remembered Cardien being preoccupied with Vincent’s one-person protest. I cleared my throat and called out, “Your Grace, it’s me.”

Surprisingly, a response came, “Come in.”

Was he deliberately pretending not to be there?

Chuckling to myself, I cautiously opened the door and stepped inside.

“Your Grace, I…”

I looked up as I spoke, frozen in place.

“Oh my God, this is……. “

The Oval Office, the filing cabinet.

He had piles of papers everywhere he looked.

Every visible surface was covered with piles of documents—on the desk, the table, the sofa, even the console.

I stood there in shock, realizing why it was like this.