The Count Family's Young Master
Chapter 3 - Suspicion (2)

"Good morning, young master."

Valias was surprised and had not yet mastered his facial expression. Not used to seeing someone's face right when he woke up.

"I brought you tea." Alister smiled until his eyes narrowed.

Valias instantly woke up his body and grabbed the warm cup from Alister.

??

Valias reflex frowned. The tea is neither sweet nor tasteless but rather sour and bitter.

Maybe Alister noticed Valias' discomfort and started talking. "How is the young master."

Valias thought for a moment. "Not bad."

"Oh?"

Valias was curious about the expression Alister had and turned his face towards the strange servant.

"Has the young master's taste changed?"

Alister smiled kindly but Valias knew Alister was trying to test him.

Maybe because he worked a long time? It looks like Alister is the oldest person in the building. He had guessed a few things since he became Valias.

When compared to the four young servants yesterday, Alister was indeed calmer and dared to face him.

Even compared to the original Valias family itself, Alister was more calm in interacting with him.

That friendly smile showed that Alister was not nervous at all about facing Valias like the other servants. Perhaps the old servant would not be afraid to test Valias a little.

Lecturer Valias was previously happy to play people. Make the students believe that they will get good grades, before then slapping the faces of the arrogant children with bad grades.

Valias' rough uncle expertly portrayed her as a good sister and uncle before finally pulling out fangs and showing off her true nature.

Seeing Alister's behavior, Valias had already guessed some things the old servant might do to him.

Yesterday when Valias wanted to go to the room, he was worried that Alister would play him. Take him to the wrong room and interrogate him, for example?

With the young servant Ren guiding the way, Alister's chances of trapping him are reduced.

From now on Valias knows the location of his own room and won't let Alister test it again.

But at the moment,

"I decided to change. No need to ask too many questions."

Alister did not look surprised. I might have guessed that answer.

The boy said not to ask much.

This way Alister decided to stop testing the young master before him.

Well, I don't care what makes this rat change. But a mouse, will still be a mouse.

Alister smiling.

If he wants to change, then I will change too.

"I understand."

Valias was satisfied and returned to thinking while finishing the hot tea little by little.

For now I will take a walk.

Spending the last shred of Valias returned the cup to Alister and brought his two thin legs down to the floor.

The air was cold but the floor was covered in carpet so it wasn't too bad. "Alister."

"Yes, young master."

Valias smiled slightly.

Alister's been playing him.

He wants to play her back.

"Prepare the water."

A servant had played his master. Now the young master will make his servant work.

"I've prepared it, young master."

Valias intends to rule the old servant. Who would have thought the servant had read Valias' steps first.

Valias refused to look at the fake friendly smile and immediately took her steps into the bathroom.

...***...

Set foot out of the damp and warm room with the scent of the rose by wearing a towel robe. And brought his eyes together with Alister's eyes that smiled as kindly as before.

Beside him was a wheeled table with a pair of clothes, shoes, as well as towels and combs.

Valias grabbed the white clothes there and started unbuttoning them one by one.

"Let me, young master."

Valias raised an eyebrow but immediately handed over the clothes whose buttons had already been opened by a quarter. Letting Alister help her get dressed and tidy up her hair. Valias is not used to having someone help him. But neither did he mind so he let Alister do his job.

Valias sat on a green chair. Alister standing behind her dried Valias' damp hair after taking a bath. Comb that long red mane.

"This is the first time you've let me touch you, young master."

Valias doesn't care if Alister is trying to test him again or not.

There was silence for a few seconds.

"Alister."

"Yes." Yeah."

"Speak."

Valias felt Alister not stop drying his hair even though the waiter had not yet made a sound.

Valias turned her face slightly to show off a slanted smile at Alister.

"Tell me your view of me."

Alister looked at Valias flatly. Valias still turned to him with a smile that Alister had never seen on that tyrannical and pale face.

Alister had been working in the mansion since the first mansion was settled by Count Hadden Bardev himself. Alister was 42 at the time. Count Hadden married Ruri Osmond and brought Danial Bardev and Dina Bardev to live as Count Bardev's family.

A year later, Valias Bardev joined.

Alister remembered that time.

"Valias, choose one of them to be your personal servant. You can choose more."

Hadden Bardev smiled warmly. Alister glanced at the new red-haired young master who wore a flat expression as well as giving off an aura that expelled everyone around him.

"This guy."

Valias looked at Alister right in the eye. Before turning around and leaving the room without saying anything.

Alister has been his personal servant ever since. Valias does not consider it much and more often spend time alone without being accompanied by anyone.

Alister did not know why Valias chose him who was the oldest servant over the other servants - either a woman or a younger man - and looked closer to the age of adolescence before him.

Then suddenly this rat started making noises, showing off his great-grandson, and started to come out of his nest.

Valias felt that the servant behind him would immediately speak and turn his face forward. Choosing to observe a few piles of books scattered in front of him. "Young master Valias Bardev is a loner."

"How do the people here respond to me?"

There was a moment of silence. Alister has not stopped drying her hair. But Valias knew Alister would open his mouth sooner or later. "The servants in this residence consider young master Valias to be a difficult young master to deal with. Count Hadden Bardev is trying to get young master Valias to turn into a child who acts like other children his age. Lady Count Ruri considers young master Valias as her own son like young master Danial and young miss Dina."

Valias silently memorized the names Alister had mentioned. Alister brushed his hair a little and tied a black ribbon on some of the red mane.

"It's over, young master."

Valias wakes up and takes his steps to the wheeled mirror that Alister has prepared.

His appearance has not changed much from yesterday. Except for the design of his shirt which was both white but now there was a bit of perforated cloth - which Valias did not know what the term was - on the chest. Also the pattern of flower stalks on the shoulders. "Alisters. What's your schedule today?"

"I helped the other servants take care of the residence as usual, young master."

Alister watched Valias Bardev who was observing himself in front of a mirror. Guessing what the young master before him was saying. "alright. Do your job as usual."

Alister watched the young master of his rat walk firmly and confidently with a slight rush past him towards the door. His young master muttered softly but the sharp-sounding Alister could hear him.

"It's time to take a walk."

The door opens and then closes. Alister was alone in a messy room full of papers and books.

Alister glanced at the scattered bed and closed his eyes with a slanted smile.

...***...

Valias down the hall. Turn wherever he wants. Memorizing the structure of the building.

He has a pretty good sense of direction. So he shouldn't have lost his way. If there was anything he would just have to go back down the path he had just passed and return to his room.

Valias took his steps towards the large window. It features a view of a different park from the one where Valias first appeared yesterday.

Setting a goal, he continued on, passing several maids and men who had an eye-to-eye with him before those who always decided to look first. Down, and step. Either because they feel uncomfortable with Valias, or they think Valias is uncomfortable with their presence.

Valias arrived at a staircase leading downstairs. Down the stairs Valias arrived at the big room yesterday.

That was the dining room yesterday, and that's the road I walked down with Alister.

Valias looked at the closed door and the passage for a while then stepped back to ignore the other nervous servants and finally found the way to the garden he had seen.

Valias is not a fan of the park. He has no particular pleasure towards anything except the results of his own cooking.

Valias observes the garden, letting his steps lead him into the park. He walked without thinking about many things, not caring about the gazes of some servants watching him from afar.

"K-sister?"

Valias turned his head and realized the existence of a little brown-haired girl in blue clothes and dark brown pants.

"Dina."

Dina looked up at Valias with a nervous but amazed look.

Dina recalled the night last night where her brother had for the first time eaten together with her.

And I'm the one sitting closest to my sister.

Dina lowered her head to hide her cheek hue. Valias is unaware of this.

Is he still afraid of me?

"Am I bothering you?"

Valias decided to set his flat expression. He said slowly.

"T-No!"

Dina immediately raised her face. Looking at the face clearly for the first time.

Dina had long since observed her brother. Ever since he knew that the red-haired teenage boy like the sky that afternoon was his biological older brother. Dina always wanted to be close to Valias. Valias has a frail, thin, and pale body. Looks like a sick man. It always made Dina want to be around him, and asked if Valias was okay.

But Valias always ignored him. Not responding to Dina's presence and words spoken to her. Dina was always nervous when she was near Valias, and she was rarely able to muster up the courage to look at her brother's face. He only dared to invite his brother to talk while watching the shoes and foot poses that Valias used, then watched the foot step past him just like that.

But now..

Valias talk to him. Valias looked at him right in the eyes. And Dina could also look at her brother.

Brother is handsome.

So handsome that it almost looks pretty. Dina heard Valias' face was similar to that of their late mother.

Then that red hair.

Dina rarely goes out of the house. All the necessities are provided in the mansion. The only faces Dina ever saw were the servants, her father, her mother, and Danial.

Her family has caramel brown hair, except for her black-haired mother. While the servants are dominated by black and brown hair. Dina heard that people in Hayden have black and brown hair on average. So do nobles and other citizens.

Valias is the only one with red hair.

Valias silently looked at Dina who was looking at him with a nervous but sparkling face.

She must be glad her brother spoke to her.

But unfortunately, Valias who was in front of Dina right now was not her brother.

"What are you doing, Dina."

"A-I? A, I'm making a sword."

A sword?

Valias observed the bushes on Dina's left side. There's a hole in there. And inside that huge bush, there was a space that could hide one Dina, filled by some sort of blade and wood that had a handle.

"You made a wooden sword?"

"Uh? Yeah.."

Dina is very happy at the moment. She could barely resist calling for her brother and hugging the pale man. But, Dina was worried that her brother did not like her, and would return like before. Imagining that Dina looked down again and tried to hold back the tears that Dina felt would flow if she did not control it.

"Why not ask people to make it for you?"

"Mom and Dad don't know. Maybe only Danial knows."

Maybe I can tell my sister?

Dina wanted to tell him.

Dina tried to observe her brother. Looking for clues as to whether she could tell her brother or not.

"Hm.."

Valias placed both of his hands around his waist and looked up at the sky surrounded by the roof of the mansion.

Dina silently watched her brother again.

The red mane swayed slightly due to the movement of his head. From below, Dina could see her sister's lashes were pliable and looked soft like the pen feathers her father had gifted her.

Dina also asked Hadden to give her a red one. Because Dina felt the tiny and soft pen reminded her of her brother who was cold to her, but very much Dina admired.

Brother also uses a quill pen like this.

That was what Dina thought at that moment.

Valias.

"You want me to help you?"

"E- Eh?"

Dina was doubtful about her hearing.

She felt that her brother had just offered her help. But Dina was afraid she was just mishearing. At the same time he was also afraid that if he answered for a long time, his brother would get upset and leave.

"M, Mau."

Valias observes Dina who is nervous but chooses to stick to her promise. If you've offered to help, then you should help that person completely.

Valias approached the wood in the bush and sat himself on the grass. Seeing Dina who was silent petrified on the spot, Valias put on a small smile and swung her hand, telling Dina to come closer.

While Dina, who was stunned by the small smile Valias gave her, felt her mind split in two. Stunned by her brother's smile and the desire to walk towards her brother. But that split thought made him fail to control his footwork and made him stumble over his own leg.

"Aah!"

Dina was already preparing to feel her body hit the ground, but it turned out that a pair of frail hands caught her body.

"Haha. Comehere. Sit in front of me."

Dina felt her body being guided to sit on the grass.

Dina could not take her eyes off the pair of hands that had just restrained her body.

Dina raised her head and looked at her brother who still had a small smile and focused her eyes on the unfinished wood Dina chiseled.

"...Thanks."

"Together." Valias answered without looking at Dina. He observed how far Dina had carved the wood in his grasp.

"You sculpted this yourself? You're smart." Only then did Valias raise his face to look at Dina.

Tests.

Tears came out from one eye.

"...Dina?"

"K-Sister.."

Valias was taken aback by the child's circumstances.

Why her?

"Hiks."

The wound?

"D-"

"Dina!"

The voice of a mature woman appeared from behind Valias. When Valias looked back, Ruri Bardev stood in the hallway with a servant and now began to move his heels towards Valias and Dina.

Ruri squatted near Dina. Touching the boy's shoulder. He tried to glance at Valias stiffly.

"Good morning, Mrs Osmond." Valias put on a small smile and bowed a little over her body.

"P, Morning, Valias."

Ruri was confused as to what she should do to the situation back then. Why is Dina crying? Why was Valias who had never glanced at the garden now there? Wood and knives too.

Ruri felt her heart beating fast. But as a Count's mother and wife, she should be able to cope with all sorts of situations.

Even my own family.

"Mother?"

"Yes, Dina."

"Sister.." Several scenarios came to Ruri's mind.

"Son't talk to me.."

Ruri thinks maybe Valias just said something bad to Dina. "Yes. What did your brother say?"

Ruri watched Dina who was trying to wipe away her tears and worked on a smile. While in the corner of her eyes, Ruri saw Valias looking at herself and Dina with a flat expression.

"Sister finally replied to me. I'm happy, mom. I always wanted my sister to say back. L-Then, that was.."

The tears that had been removed were now replaced by new tears.

The tension that Ruri felt disappeared and was replaced by a feeling of relief. Very happy, and warm. Ruri glanced at Valias and received a small smile from the teenager.

Last night, after Valias left the room, the family of four fell silent for a moment without anyone being able to make a sound.

But the four of them both thought of one thing.

Valias has opened his heart to us.

For a moment the four were busy with their respective thoughts before Danial finally opened his mouth and resuscitated the other three.

"According to dad, brother will be eating with us again tomorrow?"

Danial looked at his father who sighed softly and scratched the tablecloth under his index finger.

Dad's tense too.

"Dad doesn't know what's going to happen tomorrow. But.."

Hadden was wondering what to say next.

"Let's let Valias do what he wants. Valias never bothered and hurt you, did he?"

Danial nodded with a flat face, while Dina shook her head slowly.

"Let's see what Valias will do tomorrow. You guys just face it, okay? If Valias bothers you, meet dad and I'll try to talk to him."

Unspoken agreements are formed.

Ruri tries to loosen the tension by asking what activities Danial and Dina did that day. But it seemed that even her two children were too shocked and lost the spirit to tell anything. After that Hadden allowed them to go to the room and rest.

Ruri put on a smile watching her two children say good night then clasped her husband's hands still on the table, trying to calm down.

"We can."

Hadden smiled and carried the back of Ruri's hand towards her lips.

"Thank you Ruri. You're correct. We certainly can. Let me know if you run into trouble, okay?"

Ruri smiled and nodded.

Ruri returned her thoughts at this moment.

If Valias had really changed, and had already opened his heart to us..

Ruri felt warmth and happiness invade her heart. Imagining how happy Dina was because her brother invited her to speak, Ruri seemed to be able to feel what feeling Dina was feeling at this moment and felt like crying as well.

But of course as an adult woman Ruri is more clever in controlling her feelings and expressions. He paid attention to Dina.

"Alright, Dina. No cry. Your brother is near you. You don't want to make your brother feel uncomfortable, do you?"

"I know! But.."

Dina covered her face with both hands.

Ruri let out a small laugh before looking at Valias.

"Thank you for opening your heart to Dina. I'm so grateful."

Valias closed his eyes and decided to open his mouth.

"Sure, mother."

Finally, the fragile water bag that Ruri had carefully guarded, broke. A little tear made both of his eyes glazed over. Warmth and relief invaded his heart, making him barely able to control anything anymore.

But, no. Ruri did not want to make Valias even more uncomfortable. She put on her maternal smile and said before getting up after patting Dina on the shoulder.

"I left Dina with you. Is there something you want?"

"Thank you, but there's nothing I want."

"alright. I'm going first."

Valias just nodded. Seeing that Ruri finally left with a relieved heart.

"Now, can we start?"

"I-yes. Sorry, brother."

"No problem, Dina. I'm good at making carvings. Is there a special model you want?"

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