Chapter 39 : Always Excessively Gentle
“I was not slandering!” Ellie hurriedly retorted, though her momentum weakened. “I was only stating facts! She is a newcomer—why should she replace my position? I have a Level Three certificate. I have worked at the manor for five years. I—”
“You do indeed have Level Three ability, but Eve also holds a Level One Professional Maid Qualification Certificate,” Sylvia interrupted.
A nationwide, association-issued highest certification—fewer than a hundred holders existed. Eve’s capability was beyond doubt.
While others relied on accumulated time and experience, passing numerous examinations before obtaining Level One, Eve had already moved ahead, becoming one of the youngest among many seasoned candidates.
The primary reason was surprisingly the comment the judges left at the end of her certificate:
[Miss Eve is thoroughly deserving. Even with full effort she cannot be surpassed. With her unique appearance and great physical potential, one wonders which fortunate household will possess her.]
…
Ellie’s eyes widened. “Level One… impossible! How old is she? How could she—”
Sylvia no longer looked at her, instead giving Eve a reassuring glance: she was here, there was no need to worry. “Age is not the standard for measuring ability. I have also verified the certificate—it is genuine. As for the Personal Maid position, it was the Young Miss’s own decision.”
“If you have doubts, you may raise them directly to the Young Miss. Of course, that assumes you believe yourself qualified to question her.”
Ellie’s face flushed red. Question the Young Miss directly? She would not even dare think such a thought.
She would not question Vivian’s decision—because that was not only the person she served, but also…
“But my understanding and care for the Young Miss…” her voice weakened unwillingly. “No one knows her preferences and habits better than I do…”
“So you believe the Young Miss’s choice is incorrect?” Sylvia slightly raised a brow.
Ellie shook her head in panic. “No! Not that! I only think I could do better!”
“But you were replaced, which means the Young Miss believes Eve does better, does it not? That is the final answer.”
Silence fell. The clock struck nine. Since Sylvia arrived, Eve’s thoughts had wandered—rather, she had never cared about this farce to begin with.
Sylvia looked at Ellie, her tone suddenly serious. “Ellie, you have worked at the manor for five years and performed well. Although you are no longer the Personal Maid, you may still remain in the manor.”
Ellie’s face became unsightly. She lowered her head, lips trembling, murmuring to herself, “Then I will not see the Young Miss often…”
Sylvia ignored the whisper. “You may leave if there is nothing else. Also, do not entertain unrealistic ideas. Not only impossible—dangerous.”
She did not say it directly, but the meaning was clear.
Ellie lowered her head. “……Yes, Head Maid.”
“I do not wish for a next time. The manor does not permit internal conflict, nor questioning superior decisions. Understood?”
“Understood…”
Ellie turned stiffly and left. At the corner, she stopped and looked back at Eve.
In that moment her gaze held unwillingness, resentment, and jealousy. Her lips moved—no sound emerged, but the shape was obvious.
“Just wait.”
After that, she disappeared around the corner.
…
Sylvia sighed softly. Hearing the sound of someone sipping liquid, she looked at Eve drinking black tea. “She said all that, yet you did not refute anything?”
“There was no need.”
Arguing with such a person was like fighting one’s own left and right brain—wasting time and meaningless. Time should be used for something of value.
For example, going to play with the green-haired little girl… unfortunately she could not be found.
Sylvia fell silent for a moment, then sat beside Eve. Their legs brushed unintentionally.
“Ellie needs time to accept the change, but if you discover improper behavior, report it directly. I am here.”
Eve blinked without speaking. Unbeknownst to her, in Sylvia’s eyes her reaction looked almost foolish—provoking an urge to bully her…
Then Eve tilted her head. “Thank you, Sister Vya.”
Her expression was serious, yet she did not realize how powerful the impact was.
“Pfft…”
“Sister Vya, what is wrong?”
Sylvia clutched her ample chest and gasped, as if she had nearly coughed up blood and crashed on the spot. Children were not amusing like this.
She placed a hand on Eve’s shoulder, deliberately keeping distance. “Nothing… nothing. Sister is fine. Eve need not worry.”
“But—”
“Spare me,” Sylvia interrupted helplessly. If this continued, she would truly lose composure.
Eve did not understand how she had failed to spare her. How strange—was there no one in this manor on the same wavelength?
Indeed, humans and Vampires were different beings.
“Oh right,” Sylvia suddenly remembered something and smiled with narrowed eyes. “Did little sister Eve go out again today? Why were the clothes you changed out of so dirty?”
“…The road was dusty, perhaps. Why?”
“I see. It is nothing—I noticed them and washed them for you.”
Eve froze, then quickly recovered. “That was unnecessary—”
Her words stopped because a finger pressed lightly against her red lips. Sylvia shook her head.
“Normally a designated maid would do it, but I worried you might not be used to it. I was free, so it was nothing.”
After speaking, she asked gently, “Eve would not dislike me for it, would she?”
Eve shook her head.
“That is good,” Sylvia smiled more clearly, then leaned closer and lowered her voice. “Incidentally, the style you wear is very feminine.”
Eve: ……
Indeed, as stated, most of Eve’s undergarments were lace-trimmed designs—but was that worth mentioning?
Was it truly only for washing clothes?
Yet Sylvia seemed to read minds and said quietly, “No other meaning. What are you thinking?”
“N…nothing.”
Eve felt rare discomfort under the gaze and took a sip of tea, choosing to lie. If she directly asked something strange, it would certainly lower favorability.
Whenever she interacted with Sylvia, Eve always sensed a maternal quality. Her aura and smile were always so gentle.
Of course, it coexisted with appropriate seriousness. If asked whether such a person was suitable as a “special CG” expansion target, Eve would responsibly answer—
When one asks that question, one has already been ruined by little girls and instinctively rejects adults; everything is destroyed.
“Well then, that is it. The Young Miss should be finishing soon. You should go work now~” Sylvia stood, straightened her skirt, and before leaving turned back to remind her seriously, “If there are any problems… any at all… come to me, remember?”
She seemed to protect Eve, always excessively gentle—and that was what Eve found hardest to grow accustomed to.