Chapter 16: The Powerless Vivian
See? She was impatient again.
Eve stepped forward two more paces. The other’s brows visibly relaxed. She could clearly see Vivian’s not-yet-fully-dried hair, the jade-like feet extending from beneath the nightdress, the boredom and fatigue in those eyes.
And… curiosity?
Vivian looked up at her and fell silent. Only the ticking of the clock remained in the room.
After quite a while, she spoke again. “Kneel.”
“Young Miss, I have said before.”
“Tch… did Viya teach you anything at all? Wearing that outfit and holding that position—is it so you can refuse my orders?”
Eve still did not move. Vivian narrowed her eyes, biting her lip. “That old man of a father really assigned
a tough one.”
She realized that forceful verbal commands—trampling dignity—could not shake the maid’s will at all, even with the status of the Hatherin Family’s young lady behind her.
She was not even afraid of death. That expressionless face stirred a naless irritation. Since coercion would not work…
Vivian grew irritated. She could not believe she was actually considering reasoning with her, but she spoke anyway. “Since you will not kneel, I will explain it properly.”
“You touched
last night. That was wrong. So I return the sa treatnt to you—no problem, right?”
It sounded reasonable, so Eve did not think much and nodded lightly.
“Good. Then kne—” Vivian paused. “Squat down.”
Another silence followed. Eve could not quite grasp the aning, but squatting caused no harm.
She slowly bent her knees. Her posture was textbook etiquette, hands resting atop her knees, skirt spread across the carpet, gaze lowered to the patterns beneath Vivian’s feet.
She held the position for about two and a half seconds before hearing a light laugh, satisfied and playful.
Small, yet full of authority.
“Very good. Now look at .”
Eve complied and raised her eyes. From this angle, Vivian seed taller, her innate noble aura enveloping her completely. One could only say the height difference between the bed and floor was designed very considerately.
Then Vivian elegantly crossed her legs—and before Eve could react, her bare foot extended toward the white-haired maid’s face.
Eve instinctively leaned back.
“What are you dodging for? Do not dodge!”
“……”
“I never said I had to use my hands. This is punishnt. Accept it,” Vivian said sternly. “I have already explained enough.”
She clearly wanted to appear imposing, yet her adorable appearance and proud voice lacked real intimidation.
Eve thought for a mont. At least she had just bathed—but to clarify, she had no particular fondness for bare feet. If they were wearing stockings, this would be far simpler.
So she reluctantly straightened herself again.
Vivian scoffed and pressed her small foot against Eve’s cheek, toying with her, applying slight pressure so the toes sank in. “Such a rare face… wasted on a personality unwilling to bow.”
“If the Young Miss says so,” Eve replied expressionlessly, unmoved regardless of how she was pushed.
Do not let her enjoy this too much ()
Vivian shook her head. Not enough—clearly not enough. Why, after doing all this, did this person still show no reaction?
No humiliation, no anger, not even discomfort. She pressed harder, trying to leave a mark on that flawless face.
As ti passed, her toes grew sore. Continuing might cause cramping, so she temporarily gave up and rested her foot on Eve’s shoulder.
Ah? Was it over?
Eve snapped back to attention. She had not had enough—no, that was incorrect, she was worried the Young Miss had not enjoyed it enough. She could still endure a bit more.
Oh my God… guess what Eve’s bright blood-red eyes saw? The noble young lady unintentionally revealing a delicate outline wrapped in cute lace.
Perfect. If Old John next door saw it, he would probably grip an imaginary fighter-plane control stick in his trousers. He swore he would.
Back to the point—whether Vivian intended it or not, Eve saw it clearly. If she spoke to remind her, she would surely be verbally attacked again.
Better to let nature take its course. A ntor once said: when soone has not realized their embarrassnt, do not actively point it out.
“Where are you looking?!”
Ah… discovered. Eve raised her eyes again, eting Vivian’s angry expression. Yet unexpectedly, Vivian did not pursue it and instead curled her lips in amusent.
She leaned back slightly, hands braced on the bed, and used her rested foot to push Eve’s cheek again. “Answer . Where were you looking?”
“Young Miss, I was analyzing the fabric of the nightdress. It has good breathability but insufficient warmth. I suggest a thicker one.”
“Heh. Do you think I believe you? That filthy gaze is overflowing. You shaless lecher—keeping you alive only makes grain more expensive.”
Well insulted—but what did that have to do with Eve?
The next mont she froze—not because Vivian continued insulting her.
Generally, when a landlord shows a tenant an apartnt, it ans it has never been rented before. Yet in a single second, the landlord declared it unaffordable to view—so arrogant.
The foot left Eve’s shoulder and returned to a crossed-leg posture. Eve remained expressionless. Vivian began questioning reality.
Why still no reaction? Was she even human? Was she unattractive sohow? She did not even blink.
Nonsense—she was concentrating. With only a second, blinking would waste a tenth of it.
Vivian refused to accept it and suddenly asked, “You… am I not beautiful?”
She regretted it imdiately. It sounded like she was seeking affirmation.
“Young Miss naturally surpasses countless others.”
“Then why do you show no expression?!”
“You misunderstand, Young Miss. I am not a frivolous person.”
Vivian froze, then instantly darkened. “So you an I am frivolous?!”
“If the Young Miss says so.”
“Ah—! How irritating!” Vivian lost patience, grabbed a pillow, and vented her anger with furious elbow strikes.
After more than a dozen hits, she stopped, panting, hair ssy across her forehead. Slowly she turned to look at Eve, still squatting in place.
The light gilded the silver hair with gold, the crimson eyes shining bright. They stared at each other for two and a half long seconds.
Suddenly Vivian threw the pillow aside and patted the bed beside her, her voice carrying exhausted resignation.
“Co here. Sit.”
Reviews
All reviews (0)