Chapter 11 : Chapter 11
Chapter 11. Living in a Manor Really Is Nice~
[Wosini Daily Special Report]
Horrific Train Tragedy!!!
At approximately 21:00 last night, a freight train departing from Wosini Port for Victoria was attacked by unidentified assailants.
During an emergency inspection, three bodies were discovered lying inside the first carriage, including the well-known business tycoon Klein Master and two accompanying bodyguards.
Preliminary investigation indicates that all three victims suffered fatal wounds caused by sharp weapons.
Furthermore, a central bishop of the Church personally arrived at the scene and announced that a grand funeral will be held next Tuesday at the Cathedral.
The bishop also called upon the citizens to pray and mourn for him and his innocent attendants.
…
“Ah… they moved rather quickly.”
Eve held her parasol in one hand while reading the newspaper, glancing at the road from the corner of her eye as she walked steadily.
Line after line passed beneath her gaze.
A faint smile appeared beneath the shadow of the parasol. She could not help but find the whole situation rather ironic.
Calling upon the citizens to mourn together?
Did people really believe the Church was that kind-hearted? Or were they overestimating the conscience of Wosini’s citizens?
Klein had long funded the Church’s so-called “charitable activities” during his lifetime.
Those who understood, understood.
They even claimed the funeral would be grand.
In reality, Klein’s death meant little to ordinary people.
But to his rivals, it probably felt as though even God had lent a helping hand.
Well… what did that have to do with Eve?
The one who killed him was an assassin.
As for her, she was now nothing more than an ordinary maid.
Those were two entirely different matters.
With that thought, Eve shrugged. She folded the newspaper neatly and tossed it into a trash bin as she passed.
Because it was daytime, the guard dogs stationed at the gate had been taken back to rest before their night shift.
In their place stood two bodyguards in suits working the day shift.
As Eve walked past them, both men nodded simultaneously. Their posture remained straight and professional.
Eve could not see their eyes behind their sunglasses, while they could only see half of her pale face beneath the parasol.
Simply by wearing the standard uniform of the Hessein Family, it was enough to confirm that she belonged here.
Security within the estate was strict, so there was no concern about outsiders slipping in.
When Eve returned to the manor grounds and was about to pass the main house, she spotted a familiar golden-haired figure.
It was the Head Maid, Vya.
She was carrying two stacked wooden crates with her bare hands. The boxes reached up to her chin, and her steps were slow and slightly strained.
She noticed Eve at the same time.
Her face brightened immediately, and her voice was as warm and pleasant as ever.
“Eve! Good morning! What a relief to run into you. Could you help me for a moment?”
Eve did not respond verbally. She simply walked toward her.
As she stepped beneath the shadow of the roof, she closed her parasol and tucked it under her arm.
“Oh! Actually, one box each would be enough—” Sylvia hurriedly said with concern.
But it was already too late.
Eve had already taken all the crates.
Her red eyes looked calmly at the Head Maid as she tilted her head slightly, silently asking where they should go.
Lead the way.
“They are quite heavy. Why not give one back to me?”
“It is fine. Head Maid, please lead the way,” Eve finally spoke.
As she said this, she slightly lifted the two crates pressed against her chest.
Sylvia’s mouth formed a small “O” as she saw how easily Eve carried them.
It was truly unwise to judge by appearance.
Who would have guessed that someone who looked so slender and delicate possessed greater strength than she did?
No wonder she could climb a three-meter wall…
Maids were mysterious creatures, were they not?
“Alright then. But if it becomes too heavy, please say something,” Sylvia said with a gentle smile.
She then led the white-haired beauty—who was half a head shorter than herself—toward the backyard.
They walked side by side along the corridor.
To accommodate someone carrying such a heavy load, Sylvia deliberately slowed her pace, afraid she might disrupt Eve’s rhythm.
In reality, however…
Eve would have preferred to run.
This was not the time to admire flower beds.
More importantly, she had to avoid direct sunlight. What a nuisance…
There was also something else on her mind.
What exactly was inside these wooden crates?
They seemed completely full—so tightly packed that there was no movement inside at all.
As if reading her thoughts, Sylvia began to explain patiently.
“These are gifts for the little ones. The weather is getting colder, so I paid for some winter clothing and warming supplies for everyone.”
She turned her head slightly and happened to meet Eve’s eyes.
“Have you met them before, Eve?”
Eve nodded.
She knew who Sylvia meant by “the little ones.”
The other maids living in Morninglight Manor.
However, she was not familiar with most of them.
“I have.”
“Mm-hm. They are all very adorable, are they not?”
Sylvia spoke like a proud mother showing off her children. A strong maternal warmth radiated from her, almost dazzling.
She then raised her hand and brushed a fallen leaf off Eve’s head.
“Those children are all quite young. They were brought here from orphanages.”
“It was the Young Lady who gave them an opportunity—a job and a place to live.”
“On the surface, it allows them to earn a living. But in their eyes, Morninglight Manor may have already become their second home.”
She paused before asking softly,
“And what about you, Eve? How do you see it?”
Eve froze slightly when she heard her name.
For a moment, she did not quite process the question.
The word that had suddenly resurfaced in her mind was both familiar and strangely distant.
“Home…”
Sylvia did not rush her.
She simply kept walking at the same slow pace, waiting patiently.
Sometimes, silence itself was a form of acceptance.
After a long while, Eve finally spoke. Her voice was even softer than usual.
“This place feels peaceful. It is quiet, and the work is clearly defined.”
“Peaceful…” Sylvia repeated thoughtfully.
However, the indirect nature of the answer gave her something to ponder.
“Eve, you know something? Sometimes peace of mind is not something others can give you. It is something you have to find yourself.”
“Everyone in the manor—including me—welcomes you.”
“Perhaps you are not used to it yet. Or perhaps you have not found that feeling.”
“But that is alright. There is plenty of time.”
“You can take it slowly and experience it little by little.”
After saying this, Sylvia carefully watched Eve’s face, hoping to see a warmer expression appear.
But Eve remained far too calm.
Even though the topic concerned her own life, she seemed almost detached from it.
In the end, she simply said quietly,
“Thank you, Head Maid.”
“You are welcome,” Sylvia replied gently.
“But could you perhaps change the way you address me?”
“……”
“Thank you, Sister Vya.”
“Ah~ Whenever I hear you call me that, my mood becomes inexplicably better.”
A question mark slowly appeared in Eve’s mind.
What did that mean?
Was it really such a remarkable thing?
If calling her “Sister” produced such a reaction, would calling her “Mother” cause an even bigger one?
After passing the main house, the two arrived at a door on the first floor of the dormitory building in the backyard.
Sylvia unlocked it with a key.
“Alright, let us place these in the storage room first. The little ones will definitely be happy when they see them.”
“Mm,” Eve responded and followed her inside.
The crates landed on the floor with a soft thud.
Even so, no dust rose from the ground.
Even though it was merely a storage room, it was obvious that someone cleaned it regularly.
Eve dusted off her hands.
Beneath her white gloves, her palms were slightly red from the pressure.
Facing the Head Maid, she bent forward slightly—raising the well-shaped curves of her back.
They were standing rather close.
So she simply turned her head aside to avoid looking directly.
After confirming everything was in order, Sylvia straightened up.
“Oh!”
“What is it? Is there a problem?”
“No, I suddenly remembered something very important that I have not told you yet.”
“……”