Chapter 38 : Fame Brings Trouble
Vivian felt extremely uncomfortable now. Crossing her arms, she leaned back in the chair and looked up at the ceiling. “Then tonight I simply will not study. What can you do about it? Report me to that old fossil as well?”
Eve shook her head. “Listen to the condition first. As long as the lessons are completed, I can take Young Miss out unconditionally.”
“Tsk…”
Vivian clicked her tongue and fell silent. Time passed second by second. Already irritated, and then urged by Eve’s seemingly prompting “Have you considered it?”, her ability to think rapidly declined.
She asked the same question again. “Really?”
“I guarantee it. And there will be no problem with the Family Head either.”
Although it would be acting first and reporting later, Eve was not worried. At worst she would show the same attitude—she had taken her out, so what could they do to her? Exaggeratedly speaking, they would not even dare raise a blade to her neck.
Vivian looked at the book that had been picked up, then at Eve’s calm and serious face.
After a long time, she took a deep breath. Somewhat unwillingly, she pursed her lips and opened the book before her as if resigned to fate.
Seeing her compromise, Eve did not mention going out again. She simply left a sentence: “I will call the tutor back. I shall not disturb Young Miss’s studies.”
When leaving, she did not bow as usual. Her tall figure reflected in Vivian’s eyes, disappearing at the doorway, until voices were heard outside.
Vivian collapsed onto the desk as if deflated, resting on her arms and murmuring softly, “I hate you…”
…
After parting with Vivian, it was now Eve’s personal rest time. Sitting alone on the sofa in the main building’s first-floor lounge, she crossed her legs, drank the black tea she brewed herself, and read the newspaper to pass the time, fully embodying leisure.
The newspaper reported another suspected incident of a Vampire injuring someone in the old district. Just today, the Church announced that the public need not panic; personnel had already been dispatched. They asked everyone to trust them and the Lord.
Eve had just turned the page when deliberately slowed footsteps sounded from the far end of the corridor. Her crimson eyes merely shifted slightly toward it.
The owner of the footsteps approached and stopped beside the sofa. A sharp voice followed.
“You are Eve?”
A brown-haired girl wearing a conservative Ordinary Servant maid uniform stared tightly at the white-haired beauty on the sofa.
Eve glanced at her and returned her attention to the tea. To be honest, she had not cared much for black tea before, but recently it had felt rather pleasant.
“Yes. Is there a matter?”
Her indifferent attitude enraged the other. Taking half a step forward, anger overflowed in her voice. “You are the one who stole my position! And now you act as if nothing happened!”
So she had come to cause trouble. Eve understood the visitor bore ill intent and calmly took a sip of tea. “Personnel changes are the manor’s arrangement.”
“Arrangement?!” The maid clenched her teeth, angrily pointing at Eve, then at her own chest. “I have worked at Morninglight Manor for five full years! Five years! Starting from the very basics, learning step by step, I obtained a Level Three Professional Maid Certificate, and three years ago I finally became the Young Miss’s Personal Maid!”
“Mm…” Eve raised her head, expressionless. “And?”
“And you, some newcomer who appeared from nowhere, suddenly replaced my position. Why?!” The maid’s gaze swept over Eve’s face and body.
“Other than being somewhat pretty and having a good figure, what else could you have? Hah? Do not tell me you advanced through your looks—a useless ornament!”
Her words nearly sprayed with spittle. Her gaze lingered long on Eve’s face and paused along the curve of her chest outlined by the uniform.
Honestly, Eve did not wish to engage in meaningless quarrels. Being too outstanding hurt others’ fragile hearts—it was unfortunate.
But disputes in the manor had always been like this.
Eve’s gaze remained calm because she noticed behind the maid that the Head Maid had arrived at some point, standing in the shadows observing.
The maid before her noticed nothing and continued her accusations in a frenzy.
“You think you can hold this position long? Do you know how strict the Young Miss’s requirements for a Personal Maid are?! Do you understand the daily work? It took me three years to fully master it—what about you? You have been here only days!”
The more she spoke, the more agitated she became. Her voice rose uncontrollably and an unnatural flush spread across her cheeks.
“I wake up an hour early every morning to check all the clothes the Young Miss will wear that day. She is sensitive to smells—I memorized every scent she likes and dislikes. Can you do that?!”
Eve remained silent, unmoved by pressure. This cold response further enraged the other.
“Speak! Why do you not refute me? Was I correct? Other than that face and that body, what do you have?!”
Her voice trembled. It did not seem to be merely anger. When she spoke of the Young Miss, it clearly lacked the respect a servant should have toward a master.
One might even call it obsession.
Eve rested her elbow on the sofa arm and supported her cheek lazily. “Do you like the Young Miss?”
“I—y-you—what nonsense are you saying?! I am not, I do not, stop talking nonsense!”
“I tell you!” The maid stepped forward again. At this distance, she could slap the other at any moment. “This position is mine! I paid too much for it—you are unworthy! If you have any self-awareness, you should go to the Head Maid yourself and admit you are unsuitable, then leave voluntarily.”
She stared into Eve’s eyes. The calmness only pushed her further. “Do you hear me?!”
So she truly did not like her? That seemed doubtful—one question nearly made her confess everything. Eve deliberately nodded. “As you say.”
At that moment, the Head Maid also stepped out of the shadows. The sudden footsteps stiffened the maid’s body. She turned sharply, her face collapsing instantly.
“Ellie,” Sylvia’s voice was calm, yet both others clearly understood its weight.
“Could you explain why at this hour you are not in your assigned work area… but making such a disturbance here?”
The maid called Ellie moved her lips, unable to speak. Her gaze shifted anxiously between the Head Maid and Eve.
“H-Head Maid, I was only…”
“Only what?” Sylvia approached and stopped between them. “Only questioning the manor’s arrangements? Or slandering your colleague?”