Chapter 8 : Chapter 8
Chapter 8. Fleeing in Defeat?
“Before you entered Morninglight Manor, did you not study the servants’ code of conduct?”
“Yes, Young Lady. I did.”
“Then recite the… mm…” Vivian began aggressively, but her words stalled halfway through. She subconsciously touched her chin and muttered to herself, “Which rule was it again…?”
“Chapter 9, Clause 1,” Eve supplied for her. “Servants must obey their master’s orders unconditionally, must not question the master’s judgment, and must not defy the master’s will.”
“I know that already! I was merely testing you.”
“As you say, Young Lady.”
Eve smiled politely. Fine, child—you win. If you say so, then so it is. She even thought that if the cross atop a cathedral fell freely from the roof, it still would not pierce through a mouth this stubborn.
Vivian seemed satisfied that she had not been contradicted this time. However, she suddenly realized something.
Her questioning had not been meant to test Eve’s memorization.
How had she forgotten the real issue?
Eager to regain control of the conversation, she hurriedly spoke again, only to choke on her own saliva. “Cough, cough… Then why… are you still not kneeling?”
She tried to suppress the maid before her with an order befitting a master’s authority, hoping to regain some dignity.
“I understand the principle,” Eve replied calmly. “However, I am not directly affiliated with Morninglight Manor. My relationship is one of assignment. I serve only the Young Lady, and therefore there is no master–servant relationship.”
“What do you mean?” Vivian frowned, unable to follow.
“It means that I have the right to refuse your orders,” Eve explained. After speaking, she stopped meeting Vivian’s gaze and instead looked straight out the window.
That simple action struck Vivian’s nerves like a blade.
In her eyes, it was no longer merely verbal defiance. It was blatant contempt expressed through action.
This lowly maid had already forced her into such a compromising situation, yet now she dared to display such an attitude—as if Vivian herself were beneath her notice.
Even the other maids who grumbled behind her back still trembled in her presence. Among the hundreds of servants, this was the first person who had ever treated her like this.
The anger that surged within Vivian shot straight to her brain, kicking her ability to think aside like a stray dog on the street.
But then again…
Vivian had never actually intended to expel Eve. At first she had wanted to make the woman pay dearly, but now her thoughts had shifted.
Now she only wanted this maid to understand the concept of absolute loyalty.
“I do not care where you came from! Once you arrive at Morninglight Manor, I am your master! Do you understand?!”
“Young Lady is correct, but I—”
“That is enough! Silence!”
“Young Lady would do well to watch your volume. The bathroom’s soundproofing is not particularly good. If other servants are drawn here and see us in our current state, I fear it may damage your reputation.”
Vivian nearly fainted on the spot.
Was she the one who failed to explain things clearly, or was this woman genuinely out of her mind?
She patted her flat chest while gasping for breath. Judging from the state she was in, she might urgently need the assistance of a psychologist.
At least, that was what Eve thought. Was that not considerate?
“Good… very good… You really are something…”
“Thank you for the compliment, Young Lady.”
“I…” Vivian opened her mouth helplessly.
She discovered that every reprimand and threat she issued seemed to sink uselessly into cotton when directed at this impervious white-haired maid.
Yet Eve did not think she had said anything wrong.
Her direct superior had never been Vivian, nor the head of the Hessein Family who had arranged her assignment.
Her only superior was the leader of the organization.
After a long silence, the cold night wind slipped through the window again, like a wandering hooligan. It brushed across Vivian’s bare feet and grazed the hem of her nightdress.
She shivered instantly, which conveniently disrupted the chaotic thoughts crowding her mind.
Narrowing her eyes, she reexamined the tall maid with the striking appearance.
There would be plenty of time in the future. There was no need to rush.
It was definitely not because she had conceded… nor because she could no longer endure the cold wind.
Vivian met Eve’s gaze with a smile that did not reach her eyes, as though issuing a declaration of war.
“You had better keep acting like this forever. I have plenty of ways to teach you how to behave like a proper [dog].”
“I look forward to that day very much,” Eve replied without expression. Her tone was calm, yet it also signified that she accepted the challenge.
She had every confidence.
Before arriving, the head of the Hessein Family had already assured her that, so long as she caused no harm, she was permitted to resist this rebellious child’s outbursts.
As for why such leniency had been granted… perhaps it had something to do with the leader of her organization.
Eve did not know.
She only needed to carry out her orders.
“Tsk.” Vivian made an impolite sound, then abruptly changed the subject, temporarily avoiding their previous confrontation.
“Since you refuse to kneel, you should at least obey my other commands, right?”
“Please give your order, Young Lady,” Eve replied vaguely, choosing to hear it first before deciding whether to comply.
“Right now, escort me back to my room.”
Eve had expected another humiliating demand. This one posed no problem.
“Understood.”
Vivian’s behavior matched her small stature—there was an unmistakable childishness to it. She lifted her chin proudly.
But in the very next moment, the smile on her lips froze before it could fully form.
Her eyes widened in shock.
She had never imagined that Eve’s method of escorting her back to her room would be so direct—and so startling.
“Hey! What are you doing?!”
“Executing your order, Young Lady,” Eve replied.
Her movements were swift. Before Vivian could even step back instinctively, Eve bent down and scooped her up.
“I did not tell you to escort me like this!”
“This is the most efficient method.”
Before Vivian could evade her, she was already lifted horizontally into Eve’s arms.
Her delayed struggle began immediately. Her legs kicked wildly while her hands struck Eve’s shoulders.
“Put me down! I will count to three!”
But it was already too late.
Eve gave her no chance at all. Carrying her firmly, she walked out of the bathroom and back into the dark hallway.
Vivian instantly deflated. The words she had been about to shout were trapped behind her parted lips.
Only her small hands continued their futile retaliation, striking Eve’s shoulders and arms.
Slap! Slap! Slap!
The series of smacking sounds echoed through the empty main hall of the manor.
Coincidentally, they fell into rhythm with the sound of boots striking the floor.
Moonlight streamed through the glass windows of the hall as Eve carried the still-struggling Vivian steadily up the staircase to the second floor.
Her gaze remained straight ahead as she walked toward the direction of Vivian’s bedroom.
She had cleaned the area outside it before and had learned its location from the Head Maid.
Along the way, she ignored the negligible attacks on her shoulders.
As time passed, the embarrassed resistance of Vivian—who had been curled up in Eve’s arms—gradually weakened.
Now she was forced into an unprecedented closeness, feeling the body temperature emanating from this hateful maid.
Why is she so cold? Like a block of ice.
Vivian wondered silently. For a moment, she even forgot that she was pressing against the impressive fullness of Eve’s chest.
Why does this feel a little comfortable?
No, no! Why is it so large anyway?! Excess flesh only ruins one’s appearance!
Yet soon enough, a delayed blush finally colored Vivian’s fair cheeks.
After all, Eve’s collar—torn open earlier—had still not been fixed. She had merely covered it casually.
It was enough to conceal the bite marks on her neck.
But the glimpse of snow-white skin beneath the loose collar remained visible.
The half-hidden, half-revealed view was far more provocative, striking directly at one’s nerves.
“Young Lady, this is as far as I will escort you.”
Vivian was pulled back to her senses by Eve’s calm voice. Even the automatic mental alarms in her head seemed to shut down.
“Oh… alright.”
She was gently set down, her feet touching the ground again.
Strangely, however, she did not feel any safer.
“Wait,” Vivian called out to stop the white-haired maid who seemed ready to leave.
“You are not planning to run away afterward, are you?”
Eve paused in surprise. It seemed she had been underestimated.
Turning her head slightly, she smiled.
“Please rest assured, Young Lady. You will certainly see me tomorrow.”
“You had better,” Vivian snorted.
Her proud tone lasted only a moment before it was swallowed by the sound of the bedroom door closing.
Eve remained standing where she was.