Chapter 7: How About a Boiling Explosion
The moment the words left her mouth, Eve’s pupils shrank again, because she finally overlapped the girl before her with someone from her memory.
No way…
On the other side, the red-haired girl had originally been drowsy. First confusion, then gradual comprehension—and instantly she was fully awake.
“Per—mmph!”
But Eve moved faster than she could speak. In the blink of an eye she was already in front of her, one hand covering her own neck and the other covering the girl’s mouth, pressing her down.
The girl beneath her was pinned to the toilet, not even having had time to pull up her undergarments. Her eyes were filled with terror as she shook her head desperately, making muffled sounds.
Of course, Eve was not in a much better state. The collar she had torn open earlier had lost its buttons somewhere unknown. The loosened clothing exposed her fragrant shoulders and half of the generous curve wrapped in black fabric.
“Mmmph!!!”
“Miss, calm yourself. I bear no ill intent,” Eve said calmly, ignoring the strange atmosphere between them.
“Mmm… mm…” The girl continued struggling at first, then gradually settled, though her eyelashes still trembled uncontrollably.
As stated, this small, red-haired, cute-faced girl was the second daughter of the Hatherin family and the owner of Morninglight Manor.
Vivian Hatherin.
To outsiders she was a rebellious yet brilliant noble lady. Among the manor’s maids she was known as a harsh and unreasonable master.
But in Eve’s impression… honestly, there was hardly any impression. She had only been here a week and had met her only a handful of times.
She only knew she was beautiful—Eve had to admit, not inferior to herself. While other nobles tried desperately to approach her, Vivian had already won at the starting line.
Who else in this world could witness the entire process of her using the restroom and even approach at such close distance?
As for the price—best not ask. Eve herself was still figuring out how to resolve the misunderstanding. Logically, it was not entirely her fault.
If the other had not come in, how would she have seen anything?
But she obviously could not say that aloud. Her mission clearly required long-term contact with the Hatherin family. She could not ruin it over such a “small matter.”
Feeling the irregular breath against her palm, Eve slightly loosened her grip when she noticed the girl had stopped struggling.
“You shameless—mmph!”
“Tch…”
Why was this girl so disobedient? The moment she loosened her hand, she tried to shout again. Eve had no choice but to cover her mouth once more.
And once covered, she quieted again. Eve’s lips twitched. It felt like operating a wind-up toy. She had lost count of how many times she had sighed tonight.
She was tired.
A thread of cold wind slipped in through the window gap. Eve did not mind—the body of a Bloodkin was not so fragile.
But she could clearly feel the girl beneath her tremble. Instinctively, Eve glanced at her thin nightwear and bare feet. The undergarments were secondary.
Vivian noticed her gaze, her embarrassment and anger intensifying as her legs were pinned and unable to close.
Eve ignored it and turned toward the bathroom door, which the wind slowly pushed shut.
Click…
Good. Now she could only pray no third person discovered them. Otherwise, even jumping into a river would not clear her name. What would it sound like? The new maid pinned down the young lady?
It would sound absurd.
But she was not laughing. Eve closed her eyes heavily, then opened them to meet her gaze again. “Miss, I guarantee this is a misunderstanding. Could you calm yourself and listen to my explanation?”
No response.
“It is cold. If we remain like this, your health may suffer.”
Still no response.
“Tch…” Eve had no choice.
She suddenly understood why opinions about this girl were so extreme. Reasonable words did not reach her—then she would use methods suited for stubborn targets.
She took a breath and spoke calmly yet sharply: “My patience is considerable. I can remain like this indefinitely. If you do not wish others to discover…”
She deliberately paused.
“The sight of you and me in disheveled clothing—and the rumors about your reputation—then you may continue resisting.”
After two and a half seconds of silence, Vivian finally nodded.
Eve removed her hand and braced it against the wall beside her ear, though she did not rise.
“You are still not getting up?” Vivian snapped irritably, frowning and crossing her arms. “Do not think your threat makes me yield. Dream on!”
“But you still nodded.”
“I—I was cold!” Her face flushed red, her voice precise through clenched teeth. “Tell me your name. After your explanation, I might graciously allow your grave to bear your name.”
Eve could not help laughing softly. The girl was oddly kind—even offering a grave. But one thing at a time…
She had never been threatened. Those who had threatened her already had grass growing over their graves.
“What are you laughing at? Do you think I cannot do it? I can call someone right now and have you seized!”
“I believe you,” Eve replied calmly. “But before that, Miss must gamble—whether help arrives faster, or I act faster.”
“You!” Vivian was momentarily speechless, reason returning. She began suspecting something wrong with this maid’s mind. “How dare you? Do you know who I am?”
“I do.”
“And you still behave like this?!”
“I said it was a misunderstanding. Before entering, you overlooked someone already present. That created the current situation.”
“So now you blame me?”
Vivian then noticed the uniform—standard Hatherin issue. She scoffed. “Why have I not seen you before? New?”
“Yes. One week.”
“One week and you dare pin me down and threaten me. Do you wish to die?”
Another verbal attack. Eve showed no emotion. She had said she possessed patience. “Merely a method to calm you, Miss. I hope you understand.”
“I guarantee I will keep silent about tonight.”
Vivian sneered. “Do you not know the dead are the quietest?”
She studied Eve’s face—no fear, no regret. Confusion rose. Did this woman feel no pressure?
“You are not afraid?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because I am not afraid.”
Eve remained calm as still water. Were it not for her breathing, she might seem lifeless.
“I trust your generosity, Miss. Could we treat this as though it never happened?”
Flattery was effective. With her flawless cold beauty and lowered gaze, it unconsciously stirred a desire to conquer.
Vivian felt it too. Interesting. When had Morninglight Manor gained such a specimen?
Regardless of her courage, the continued composure suggested insufficient obedience—and Vivian tolerated no disobedience.
Conversely, she liked those who bowed to her. This one did not—at least, not enough.
“Heh. Pretend nothing happened? You possess a decent appearance, yet your thoughts are naive enough to amuse me.”
Eve glanced again at the garment not yet pulled up. After all, she had caused this. She silently accepted partial fault.
“Does it look good?” Vivian asked.
“You misunderstand. I am not frivolous.”
“You have looked at least three times.”
“The night is cold. I was concerned for you.”
Eve could swear she had no interest in such a childlike figure—and such a temper.
Besides, God governed humans. What did that have to do with the Bloodkin…
Vivian rolled her eyes. “Smooth talker… get up before I change my mind.”
Eve hesitated. She too was gambling, but ultimately complied, standing aside. “What mind?”
Vivian smirked but did not voice her thought—that the maid might make a suitable pet. She still required training.
She rose from the toilet. The white undergarment slid naturally to her ankles.
She ignored it, placed hands on hips, lifted her chin, and spoke sternly to the much taller Eve: “I have not forgiven you. And who allowed you to stand while speaking to me? Kneel.”
“Miss has not finished dressing.”
“Tch!” Vivian almost laughed in anger. Even now she noticed her undergarment.
She quickly bent down, pulled it up into place, and stood again. “Now you may kneel!”
“I refuse.”
“?”