Chapter 15 : Chapter 15
Chapter 15. What Kind of Blade Do You Want to Draw
Eve now looked as if she had been thrown into chaos by the wind.
This was not a metaphor. At the end of the long corridor in the Main House, a window stood open, and the night breeze poured in again and again, making her skirt sway. She had already been standing like this for half an hour.
Because this area was the most central part of the Main House, ordinary servants rarely passed through here.
So…
When exactly was she coming? This was taking forever.
Eve maintained a standard standing posture with an expressionless face. She subconsciously wanted to lean against the wall, but her professional instincts would not allow it. In the end, she simply took the notebook out of the pocket in her skirt.
This was the one the Head Maid had given her earlier. At this moment, it could serve as a way to pass the time.
Originally, she had been told to go to the study for the meeting. But then the Head Maid said the Young Lady was bathing, so the arrangement had changed to waiting outside the room instead.
At this rate…
Why not just let her go in and warm the bed directly?
Eve sighed inwardly. Thinking too much was pointless. She might as well take this opportunity to read for a while.
That said, the Head Maid’s notes were truly comprehensive. The details were recorded so clearly that even the smallest matters were explained thoroughly.
For example, the Young Lady’s daily schedule.
In the morning, from the wake-up service to selecting clothing and assisting with washing up, it was practically no different from caring for someone who required special assistance.
After that, it was no exaggeration to say that nearly the entire day was filled with study arrangements.
In the morning there were lessons ranging from piano to yoga.
In the afternoon, illustration and tea ceremony.
In the evening, she studied in the study—languages, history, economics, and social etiquette.
Just reading such a schedule on paper felt suffocating. It was all intellectual work. Eve admitted that she probably would not handle it well. Increasing her combat record and kill ratio would honestly be easier than this.
Still…
People often assumed that daughters of noble families lived easy lives. In truth, they received extremely intensive training.
Otherwise, how could a mere decorative vase qualify to enjoy such privileges?
Having a beautiful appearance alone was not enough to serve as a political marriage partner.
They had to become works of art—flawless and perfect.
Yet at the same time, they lost the freedom to struggle.
“What are you looking at?”
A delicate yet arrogant voice suddenly spoke.
Eve lowered her head slightly toward the left when she heard it. After recognizing the person who had arrived, she closed the notebook.
She turned to face her and folded her hands neatly in front of her lower abdomen.
“Good evening, Young Lady.”
The familiar fiery red hair came into view, still visibly damp. A strand clung lightly to Vivian’s forehead.
Vivian stood with one hand on her waist. However, she did not continue questioning what Eve had been reading.
“I have been standing here for several minutes already, and you still did not notice me. If I had not spoken, would you have just kept standing there forever?”
Just as overbearing as ever.
Eve thought to herself that someone so small was not easy to notice. Next time, perhaps she should jump up and down—or hang a bell around her neck.
“Replying to the Young Lady: I did notice. I was merely waiting for you to speak first.”
Vivian folded her arms.
“You certainly have a great sense of authority. You expected me to speak first?”
“…”
“Why are you not as sharp-tongued as last night? Speak.”
Eve displayed a professional smile and had no interest in arguing. Continuing would only create unnecessary disputes.
“If the Young Lady says so, then it must be so.”
“Hmph. What an unpleasant smile,” Vivian said with disdain.
Then she noticed the different maid uniform Eve was wearing.
At first glance, it seemed… rather suitable.
The maid uniform was complementing her, rather than the other way around.
Wait—why was she thinking about praising her?
She should be ruthlessly belittling her instead, making her aware of her lowly status, then playing with her until she willingly degraded herself into a pet.
With that thought, Vivian nodded.
“I thought you might run away. It seems you truly do not believe in my methods.”
“I do believe,” Eve replied calmly. “But if the Young Lady truly intended that, then my gravestone would already have no name on it.”
“...”
“Do not try to guess what I am thinking!” Vivian snapped.
“Understood.”
“How annoying,” Vivian muttered with a pout.
But in truth, it was not entirely because of Eve.
After all, Vivian endured an intense training program every day. Nighttime was the rare moment when she could relax.
She was exhausted.
But until she could completely escape this life, she had no choice but to continue.
Because her name was Vivian Hessein.
The frustration in her heart had nowhere to go.
So why not direct it at the maid standing before her?
If the maid had objections, she could endure them. It was not as though she would dare resist.
“Why are you still standing there? Open the door. Must I do it myself?”
“If the Young Lady wishes to.”
Vivian’s eyes widened instantly.
“What did you just say?”
This was not how things were supposed to go.
Should she not have shouted harshly, and then Eve realized her mistake and obediently complied?
Just as Vivian was about to explode—
Eve moved.
She moved so quickly that the door itself barely seemed to register what had happened before it was forced open.
Eve stepped aside, gesturing toward the room with one hand.
However, she said nothing.
Vivian did not move either. She was waiting for Eve to speak.
“Please, Young Lady.”
“Hmph. You might as well irritate me to death,” Vivian snapped again before finally stepping forward.
As she walked inside, she left behind a small figure and a cold voice.
“Come in.”
Only after she spoke did Eve enter.
She closed the door behind her in one swift motion, causing a sudden gust of wind. It seemed as though it would slam loudly, but her sense of timing was perfect.
Just before the door could crash shut, a gloved hand reached out and stopped it, easing the impact smoothly.
Click.
The door closed.
Eve turned toward the direction of Vivian’s retreating footsteps. Taking advantage of the moment, she began observing the room carefully.
After all, this was unexplored territory on the map of the world.
As the bedroom of a noble young lady, Vivian’s room was extremely spacious—almost empty.
Aside from a massive four-poster bed occupying the central position, large enough to hold ten people without difficulty, there were only a wardrobe, bedside cabinet, and dressing table.
If one called it minimalist, the elegant crimson decor and luxurious details spoke of wealth everywhere.
Yet if one called it extravagant, the room still felt strangely empty.
In short, it was the kind of luxury that came from having too much money to spend.
People often said that once someone prospered, they forgot their humble beginnings.
But Vivian had never known hardship in the first place.
From the moment she was born, she had already reached a position ordinary people could never approach.
In Eve’s field of vision, the young lady—Vivian—sat at the edge of the large bed. Her nightdress blended perfectly with the crimson velvet quilt.
Then Vivian looked at her impatiently.
“I am right here. Why are you standing over there? Come here!”
Eve complied outwardly, but inwardly she was already thinking.
Something about this situation felt increasingly strange.
Meeting in the bedroom was one thing, but the more she looked at it, the more it resembled a meeting that would take place on the bed.
What kind of intention lay behind it was known only to Vivian herself.
When Eve stopped three steps in front of Vivian, the latter spoke again.
“Are you an idiot? Come closer!”