Chapter 14 : Chapter 14
Chapter 14. The Battle! (Close-up of Hands)
“The literal meaning.”
“...” Eve opened her mouth as if to say something, but ultimately stopped herself. Something about that did not feel right.
Sylvia could not help laughing at her reaction before adding, “That said, there is no need to worry too much.”
“Although the Young Lady has never mentioned it, it is better to prepare mentally just in case. Otherwise, if it actually happens, what would you do if you are completely unprepared?”
What would she do? Was she supposed to simply go along with it?
Eve hesitated for a moment but chose not to ask the question aloud. She calmly closed the notebook and sat upright, watching the Head Maid stand up and begin arranging the tea set.
It seemed… Sylvia was not particularly sensitive about such matters.
“Back to the main topic. Most things you will gradually learn later. For now, let us focus on the most important one.”
Sylvia arranged the teaware neatly and brought out the tea leaves she had prepared earlier.
“Tea ceremony. This is not only a form of hospitality but also an important way to understand the Young Lady’s daily habits and mood.”
She began demonstrating while explaining.
“The Young Lady particularly favors black tea, usually specialty leaves from tea estates in Victoria. The water temperature must be precisely controlled, and preheating both the teapot and teacup is also necessary.”
“You must also remember the amount of tea leaves. It is written in the notes. In addition, the Young Lady prefers sweetness, so a small amount of syrup is added to the black tea.”
Her movements flowed smoothly, each step carrying a ritual-like elegance. In the end, she pushed a cup of clear, fragrant black tea toward Eve.
“Taste it. Remember the flavor. Then…” Sylvia stepped aside. “Eve, try making it once.”
Eve did not refuse. First she used her unusually keen senses to smell the tea. She only took a small sip before immediately beginning to replicate Sylvia’s steps without hesitation.
When Eve quickly completed the process and pushed the brewed tea toward Sylvia, the latter lifted the cup and, as before, smelled it first before tasting it.
After a brief silence, Sylvia set down the teacup.
When she looked at Eve again, her expression contained not only admiration but also curiosity and surprise.
“Perfect. Eve, your powers of observation and memory—especially your attention to detail—are truly remarkable.”
Sylvia knew very well that even a trained maid would require repeated practice to imitate a process so precisely.
Yet Eve had only watched once and tasted once.
Eve merely raised her chin slightly. Her expression remained calm.
“I simply followed the steps demonstrated by the Head Maid.”
“Being able to reproduce it perfectly after seeing it once is already a kind of ability,” Sylvia said as she sat down again.
“It seems I can hold higher expectations for you regarding theoretical knowledge and basic operations. Let us continue.”
During the time that followed, Sylvia noticeably increased the pace of her explanations, and the content gradually became more complex.
She discovered that Eve not only listened attentively but also consistently grasped the key points. The questions she raised often struck directly at the core of the matter.
Those complicated schedules—Eve could organize their logic after hearing them only once.
She also quickly remembered the characteristics of various fabrics and the precautions needed to maintain them.
In truth, however, most of the information was already written in the notebook. Eve merely had slightly better memory than usual. Memorizing it did not require much thought.
Eventually, as the setting sun began casting golden light over the roses in the garden, Sylvia closed the notebook.
Everything planned for today’s lesson had already been completed—and even exceeded.
Without noticing, several hours had passed.
“That concludes today’s lesson.” Sylvia looked at Eve with a smile filled with satisfaction. “Eve, your performance has far exceeded my expectations.”
She paused, and her tone became more serious.
“A personal maid is not only responsible for daily care. To some extent, the role also requires your absolute loyalty.”
“Based on what you have shown today, I believe the Young Lady’s choice may contain wisdom that we have not fully understood.”
Eve secretly rubbed her sore backside from sitting too long.
Wisdom?
That was interesting.
Was it possible that the Young Lady simply wanted revenge?
“Continue maintaining this level. However, there will not be many opportunities for private instruction in the future. You will have to learn while working.” Sylvia stood up and began gathering the teaware and notebook. “You may move freely now. You can familiarize yourself with the manor or return to your room to rest.”
“But before eight o’clock tonight, you must go to the study to meet the Young Lady.”
Eve had just stood up when she froze.
So soon?
She had assumed it would at least wait until another day. She had even planned to go out again tonight.
Well… never mind.
“Goodbye, Sister Vya.”
Sylvia smiled as she watched Eve turn around and leave the pavilion, her figure gradually disappearing from sight.
The smile on Sylvia’s face lingered for a long time. She gently stroked the smooth notebook in her hands.
Such astonishing learning ability. Complete composure. Precise control over standards and details…
Eve, it seemed there were other secrets hidden within you.
However, for now, everything was progressing toward the development of a perfect personal maid.
And Sylvia had also fulfilled the instructions given by the Family Head.
Give her special care. Do not treat her as an [ordinary servant].
With that thought, Sylvia looked in the direction Eve had left and took a sip of the black tea.
“Once it grows cold, it does not taste as good…”
…
When night fully descended upon Morninglight Manor, Eve emerged from the maids’ single-room dormitory with a completely refreshed appearance.
Why refreshed?
Because her maid uniform had changed.
Eve held the hem of her skirt, rose slightly on her toes, and turned gently from side to side. Her gaze lowered past the deep valley of her chest before landing on the swaying skirt.
“Not bad…”
On her head sat a white lace maid headdress, with black ribbon bows on both sides that contrasted with her hair color.
The upper part of the maid uniform had changed from a fully covering design to an off-shoulder suspender style. Layers of white lace ruffles encircled the neckline, allowing her impressive figure a bit more freedom.
The ribbon at her collar also included a black bow, enhancing the overall Gothic atmosphere—elegant and retro—while conveniently concealing the bite marks on her neck.
This was the special uniform style reserved for personal maids.
It abandoned the conservative design in favor of something that better highlighted the wearer’s presence.
In simple terms, she had been promoted.
She had gone from a laboring servant to a slightly more comfortable one. At least she no longer needed to perform chores such as cleaning. Her sole responsibility was to devote herself entirely to the Young Lady.
For others, this might have been good news. A promotion meant higher wages and status.
But for Eve, things were not necessarily as wonderful as they sounded.
“If a battle must be fought, then let it be fought. I only hope it will not bore me.”
Eve murmured her declaration before battle, as if making a certain decision. Her waist-length hair danced with the evening breeze as she departed without looking back.
Five minutes later…
“What do you mean I should wait in the room?”