Chapter 5 : Chapter 5
Chapter 5. There Are No Humans Left in the Manor
Head Maid Sylvia silently observed Eve for several seconds.
Under the moonlight, the newly arrived maid stood upright. Her appearance was striking, her eyes clear, and her attitude respectful and humble.
Sylvia remembered that Eve had been personally introduced by the master of the house about a week ago.
According to the records, her background was clean and her assessment results were excellent—especially in matters of posture and attention to detail.
Although her demeanor was somewhat cold, every task assigned to her was completed exceptionally well.
Having served at Morninglight Manor for more than ten years and having risen step by step from an ordinary maid to a managerial position, Sylvia had seen all kinds of servants.
Yet Eve possessed a certain special aura. It was not merely beauty. It made her stand out among the many newcomers and caused Sylvia to subconsciously pay her a bit more attention.
Sometimes she even felt that Eve did not seem like someone from an ordinary household. Instead, she resembled someone who had undergone strict training.
Leaving etiquette aside...
She could climb over walls.
But then again, who did not have their own secrets?
As long as the rules of Morninglight Manor were followed and one did their duties without causing trouble, Sylvia was more than happy to see promising newcomers grow.
“It is good that you are not hurt. Lost items can always be bought again. Just remember to keep better track of them next time,” Sylvia said. Her tone softened, though there remained a trace of gentle reproach. “It is very late. Have you eaten dinner? There should still be some bread left in the warming cabinet in the kitchen. Would you like me to bring you some?”
“There is no need to trouble yourself, Head Maid. I... am not very hungry,” Eve declined.
What she needed most right now was to return to a private space as soon as possible. She could feel the scent of blood on her body becoming stronger and stronger. She could not remain here any longer.
Besides...
Eve was still not used to receiving this kind of excessive care. It made her uncomfortable.
“Are you certain you do not want anything?” Sylvia asked seriously.
“I am certain. Thank you,” Eve nodded.
“In that case... can you still walk? Shall I help you back to the staff dormitory in the side building?”
“I can. It already feels much better,” Eve said as she demonstrated by walking a couple of steps.
Sylvia nodded reluctantly and stopped insisting. She habitually adjusted her sleeve cuffs, then suddenly remembered something and took the opportunity to bring it up.
“By the way, Eve. After observing you recently, I believe you are quite outstanding.”
“You are calm and meticulous, and you learn very quickly. Many mistakes that new maids often make, you handle them very well.”
Eve folded her hands neatly in front of her abdomen.
“That is thanks to the Head Maid’s guidance. The manor’s rules are also very clear.”
“There is no need to be modest,” Sylvia said with a soft laugh. She raised a hand but lowered it again, suppressing the impulse to pat Eve’s head. “What I value is your potential. Right now, especially beside the young lady, we may need someone reliable like you.”
Eve raised an eyebrow but remained silent, uncertain what she meant.
Sylvia paused, carefully choosing her words. Then she looked directly into Eve’s eyes and spoke seriously.
“Starting tomorrow, I would like to adjust your daily work arrangements.”
“After completing your basic duties, you may come to the tea room in my study. I will teach you some more advanced forms of service—mainly concerning how to take care of the young lady.”
“Could the Head Maid explain more clearly?” Eve asked.
“In other words... I would like to promote you to become the young lady’s personal maid.”
Eve did not feel much emotional fluctuation upon hearing this.
After all, the organization’s mission only required her to remain within the Hessein Family as a pair of “eyes.”
She simply had not expected that now she would also have to serve as the personal maid of a young lady she had barely met. It was not something she had anticipated.
After thinking for a moment, she asked, “Even though my seniority is still very shallow?”
“I trust my own judgment, and I trust your ability,” Sylvia replied clearly. Her tone allowed no refusal or doubt. “The young lady’s personality may be somewhat unique, but she is not difficult to serve. She simply needs someone who understands boundaries at her side.”
“You possess a calming presence. I think you are suitable. Everything can proceed slowly.”
Eve grew puzzled again.
She had no idea she possessed a “calming presence.” It sounded like a sleeping pill.
Though if one spoke in physical terms...
It was indeed possible.
Putting someone to sleep was simple. One only needed to strike the temple firmly—something she happened to be very skilled at.
“Are you listening? I am quite serious about this. You may also consider it a personal request of mine. Eve, would you be willing to help me?”
The head maid wore a gentle, almost pleading expression.
Eve did not pay much attention to that. What she remembered was the word request.
It seemed to trigger something in the deepest layers of her mind.
Besides...
During this past week, she had indeed received a certain “special treatment” from the head maid, including small privileges that other maids did not possess.
One should not slap a smiling face.
After thinking it over, Eve slightly lowered her head and gave a submissive response.
“I understand. Head Maid, I accept your request.”
Sylvia’s face brightened with delight. She even felt a hint of pleasant surprise.
Had Eve accepted it because it was framed as a request?
Was it, in a way, done out of consideration for her?
Sylvia nodded with satisfaction.
“Then it is settled. It is very late now, so go back and rest. Remember, no matter how late it is, you must enter through the front gate in the future. Safety comes first.”
“I understand. Thank you for the reminder.”
“Hm? I am not satisfied with that farewell.”
Eve hesitated for a moment before realizing what she meant.
“Good night, Sister Sylvia.”
“That is better. Have a pleasant dream,” Sylvia replied with a smile.
The two women turned and walked in opposite directions.
The head maid continued her night patrol of the manor’s final corners, while Eve walked along the cobblestone path toward the main house.
To return to the servants’ dormitory, she would need to pass through the back corridor of the main house.
But before she could even reach her dormitory, Eve could no longer wait.
She rubbed her tightly furrowed brow with one hand while the other covered the right side of her neck.
Her steps quickened as she changed direction, heading straight for the bathroom inside the main house.
At this hour, almost no one else was active. Eve did not pay much attention to the noise she made. After entering the bathroom, she did not even bother to close the door.
Perhaps she had forgotten in her haste.
Or perhaps she simply felt it unnecessary.
But it certainly was not because she was worried about being seen using the restroom.
Rather—
RIP!
The sound of fabric being violently torn echoed through the room.
Eve had forcibly ripped open the collar covering her neck, separating it with brutal force.
Her breathing grew heavy. Supporting herself with one hand against the sink, she stared into the mirror.
The reflection revealed those crimson eyes.
They were now even more vivid than before.
Such a state was clearly not that of a normal human being.
Strictly speaking, Eve indeed did not count as a “normal person.”
More accurately...
She was not human at all.
Her gloves had already been discarded onto the floor.
Slowly, she removed the delicate hand that had been covering her neck, revealing the source of the abnormality.
There was a glaring bite mark.
Against the pale skin of her neck, it looked grotesquely out of place. Among the two rows of teeth marks, four punctures were particularly deep.
“Ha... ha...”
Eve took several deep breaths in succession.
Still not satisfied, she grabbed a clean towel from the rack, soaked it with cold water, and pressed it firmly against the bite mark.