Chapter 107 : Chapter 107
Chapter 107 : Young people don't know how to restrain themselves
Click.
At ten o’clock that night, Eve quietly closed the bedroom door. She drew in a deep breath of the corridor’s cool air and slowly exhaled, as though a heavy burden had finally been lifted from her shoulders. The corners of her eyes drooped slightly, and she looked utterly exhausted.
After expending tremendous effort, she had finally coaxed that red-haired little girl to sleep. Bathing together had already been noisy and troublesome enough, yet once they returned to the room, Vivian had shown no intention of letting her go.
Truly vexing. Eve had assumed it would be like being drunk—hazy and muddled, passing in a blur—so she had chosen to comply.
She had not expected that experiencing it again while fully sober would feel entirely different. She could not call it unpleasant. Rather… it had been too far from unpleasant.
Without alcohol dulling most of her senses, everything had felt magnified countless times.
Every touch had been so distinct that she could hardly grow accustomed to it. And so… within mere minutes, she had been unable to stop herself from letting out a sound.
She truly could not endure it. How strange. Even being stabbed would not have drawn such a reaction from her. Was it possible to endure pain, yet be unaccustomed to pleasure…?
This was also part of a maid’s duty, was it not?
With that thought, Eve sighed again and reached beneath her skirt to adjust the panties Vivian had helped her put on earlier.
They were slightly crooked, though fortunately not stained. Otherwise, she would have needed to change into a fresh pair.
As she descended toward the first floor, a thought suddenly struck her.
This was not right. If she could be taught, did that not mean she could also teach in return?
She pressed her lips together involuntarily, recalling the sounds she had made earlier. If it were Vivian instead… what would she be like?
Curiosity stirred within her.
Ah… she had arrived.
Eve came back to herself. She was standing before the Head Maid’s office. Her hand instinctively reached for the handle, but she paused and chose to knock instead.
Within seconds, there was a response from inside. As the door opened, Sylvia’s figure came into view. The benevolent expression on her face inexplicably made Eve’s scalp prickle.
“It is you, Eve. Should you not be attending to the Miss?”
“The Miss is asleep.”
Sylvia’s lips formed a small “o,” and she nodded as if she understood, though her gaze was rather peculiar. When she noticed the faint fatigue in Eve’s lowered eyes, the corners of her mouth lifted slightly.
“Then… at this hour, is there something you need?”
“I am conveying a message on behalf of the Miss,” Eve replied calmly, watching as Sylvia stepped out and closed the door behind her.
“I see. That works well. I also have matters to attend to. Let us speak as we walk.”
Eve hummed in acknowledgment and followed alongside her. They left the main residence together, and the crisp night air immediately wrapped around them.
A gust of wind swept past, lifting strands of Eve’s hair. She lowered her head slightly and narrowed her eyes.
Sylvia noticed and hesitated, then thought of the rumors spreading through the manor in recent days—whispers that the Miss and Eve were not merely involved, but that the Miss was the one in control.
If that were the case, then Eve’s current exhaustion… was it because the Miss had been less than restrained?
“Eve.”
“Mm… what is it?”
Eve looked over at the sound of her name. Sylvia’s hand gently came to rest atop her head. Eve did not resist. She allowed the warm palm to softly stroke her hair.
The gesture lingered for quite some time before Sylvia withdrew her hand. Her voice was full of tenderness.
“Caring for the Miss… must be tiring. You have worked hard.”
“Mm… I made a promise. I am properly fulfilling the commission. I will not disappoint Sister Vya.”
“How could I ever be disappointed?” Sylvia’s heart nearly melted. She reached out to tuck a loose strand of hair behind Eve’s ear, her voice as gentle as a mother’s. “You have done very well. Better than I expected. I believe you will do even better in the future. I could not be more pleased.”
The Miss truly was too much. Look at how she had worn Eve down. The child who was usually so composed and capable in everything now showed a weariness that seemed to seep from her very bones.
Young people truly did not understand restraint.
Unlike herself—this year she had already turned thirty. She was growing old…
They walked along the covered passage connecting the main residence to the Back Garden. The night was still, broken only by the faint chirping of insects in the distance.
Sylvia led Eve to a more secluded corner of the manor. There stood a wooden door secured with a heavy iron padlock, guarded by two security personnel in suits.
She exchanged nods with the guards before turning back to Eve and returning to the matter at hand.
“What message did the Miss send?”
“She committed a grave taboo. Handle it as you see fit,” Eve repeated without changing her expression, though she did not actually know what had occurred.
Sylvia pressed her lips together and nodded lightly. She then turned to the guards.
“Bring her out.”
They complied. The wooden door was unlocked and opened, revealing a staircase leading downward. A strong scent of alcohol wafted up at once. Eve surmised that this might be the wine cellar basement.
The wait was not long. Within a few minutes, footsteps echoed from below. The two guards reappeared, though this time they were carrying a figure slung over their shoulders.
It was the maid Ellie.
Her eyes were closed. She looked as though she were dead, though faint breaths still rose from her chest. Her dress was filthy, and her hair was tangled with gravel and some unidentifiable liquid.
“What happened to her?” Eve asked.
“You do not know?” Sylvia met Eve’s puzzled gaze. She gently guided her back a step, as if to shield her from the sight of such squalor, before continuing.
“She made a mistake outside. She tarnished the Miss’s reputation. That is a grave taboo. In truth, I bear some responsibility as well.”
Hearing this, Eve remembered that she had not finished relaying the message. She added, “The Miss also said that Sister Vya need not worry excessively. You need only attend to your proper duties.”
Sylvia shook her head. She appeared determined to shoulder the responsibility herself. Though she seemed calm on the surface, there was regret within her heart.
As Head Maid, managing the manor was her duty. Ellie had been a Senior and possessed considerable experience. The time and effort invested in her were not negligible.
Yet she had committed such a mistake. It should never have happened. Unfortunately, rules could not be bent.
The guards were equally practiced. They understood without words. It was not their first time handling such matters. This was merely procedure.
One of them smiled and asked as usual, “The same as before? Throw her far away? Or is there a new arrangement?”
Sylvia fell silent for a moment. Her gaze lingered on Ellie before she finally spoke.
“Mm. This time, there is no need to break her limbs.”
“Heh, understood.”
A measure of mercy had been shown. One could consider it a form of “retirement benefit.” It was already quite generous. Had Vivian handled it personally, whether Ellie would have left still breathing would have been another matter entirely.
At that moment, Ellie, in her weakened state, overheard their conversation. She struggled to open her eyes. Resentment burned within them.
Especially when she saw Eve standing quietly at Sylvia’s side—neatly dressed, calm and composed—the anger in her chest surged like oil thrown onto flames.
Summoning the last of her strength, she gritted her teeth and forced out a hoarse whisper from her throat.
“Did you come here specifically to watch me make a fool of myself?!”