Chapter 20: Stubborn ans Stubborn!
“Haa… Sister Eve… could you use a little more force…?”
That evocative voice ca from the adorable Ail. She tilted her green-haired head, actively leaning into the hand that continued to stroke her.
It was only a head pat. Do not overthink it.
Of course, Ail had not slipped out to idle around this ti. She had been looking for the Head Maid when she happened to encounter Eve. Her eyes lit up, and like a kitten spotting catnip, she happily hurried over.
Eve, seeing how cute and interesting the little creature was, instinctively began petting her as if stroking a cat—she had even worried the girl might dislike it, but clearly that concern was unnecessary.
Looking toward the rose bushes ahead, her right hand resting on the small girl’s head beside her—how pleasant…
Hm? Why did she suddenly not feel the touch? Oh… now she did again. Was it an illusion? Why did the texture feel different?
Eve raised an eyebrow. Even through the glove she could clearly sense a different quality of hair. Turning her head…
There was no trace of Ail. She must have slipped away long ago. In her place stood Vivian, arms folded, frowning coldly—an outright usurper.
“How long do you plan to keep touching?”
“Until the Young Miss objects,” Eve replied as usual, calmly withdrawing her hand behind her back.
But Vivian did not dwell on the head pat. She had another matter in mind. “You are quite bold. I have not settled this morning’s matter with you yet, and now you act as though nothing happened, playing with other servants?”
Eve did not panic and answered each point. “Young Miss, firstly, you said not to touch you. Secondly, I rely encountered her by chance.”
Though truthful, Vivian was dissatisfied. What she wanted was unconditional admission of fault, not clarification.
“Smooth-tongued,” Vivian stepped forward slightly, closing the distance in what she believed was pressure. “So you think you are always proper and always correct?”
Eve lowered her eyes, avoiding direct confrontation but not retreating. “Never. Any request of the Young Miss is my duty.”
“Duty? Then why are you here?”
“At this hour, it should be the Young Miss’s piano lesson. Naturally I would not interrupt. But if you require , I will co at once.”
“You…!”
Vivian halted midway. She rembered she had indeed ordered everyone not to disturb her during lessons unless she called for them.
Moreover, Eve had complied—when told not to touch, she imdiately stopped. So was she supposed to feel pleased or angry?
No—she was Vivian, the Hatherin Family’s young lady. What she said was law. Thinking so, she declared almost petulantly, “I do not care! You are still at fault. I will deal with you later!”
“If the Young Miss says so.”
Eve watched the red-haired girl turn away in a sulk, wondering whether she was always this explosive from morning to night.
It matched her stereotype of nobility. Then another thought occurred—at this ti, Vivian should not have appeared here.
She attempted to speak first. “Young Miss.”
No response.
“Yo—”
“Do not bother !” Vivian snapped, turning back to glare, her face filled with displeasure and fatigue.
After a long mont of wind brushing past, she finally muttered, “Continue.”
Clearly sothing troubled her, but Eve chose not to ask directly. “The Young Miss appears sowhat tired. Would you like to return to your room and rest?”
“None of your concern.”
“As your personal maid, it is my responsibility to care about your condition.”
Vivian clicked her tongue impatiently and spun to face her. Yet she did not shout as usual, only stared coldly, trying to regain control.
Again—again this false concern. She had heard too much of it.
Her eyes held suppressed emotion, more than anger. “Stop pretending. Do not ask what you should not.”
“You are correct. But caring for you is my work, regardless of whether the intent is genuine.”
“Pretty words are easy,” Vivian turned away, looking toward the roses. The pressure wrapping around her like vines returned, suffocating her.
Eve’s voice pulled her back. “The Young Miss is troubled, and I happen to be present. Listening is also within my duties. You need not bear it alone.”
“What right do you have?!” Vivian’s voice sharpened. “You are just a maid, soone placed here because of an assignnt. What does my business have to do with you?!”
The air fell silent. Vivian did not realize moisture had gathered at the corner of her eyes.
Sudden anger rarely ca without reason. She needed a place to vent, yet pride restrained her.
Though communication was never impossible, no one had dared attempt it until now.
Eve, seeing this, felt her goodwill wasted—but she had promised the Head Maid she would not disappoint her. She would not break that promise.
She had soothed children before. Even the most stubborn mouths had leverage points. Troubleso, yes—but Eve never feared trouble.
Then she did sothing unexpected. She slowly crouched, lowering herself beneath Vivian’s line of sight.
Looking up calmly, she said, “You need not treat
as soone to confide in. Consider
only sothing that will not carry your words elsewhere.”
“After speaking, you remain yourself, and I continue only my duties.”
Vivian froze.
There was no flattering concern, no hollow promises she had grown tired of, not even an attempt to grow closer.
Just a line drawn—Eve was here, she could listen, and afterward everything would remain unchanged.
This detached honesty loosened Vivian’s stubborn heart, because it ant safe release without unwanted sympathy or pity.
The wind blew softly. The scent of roses was heavy.
Vivian pressed her lips together, fingers clutching the expensive skirt. After a long while—just as Eve thought she would respond sharply again—
Vivian spoke softly to herself, tired.
“…All of them only want a Miss Hatherin.”
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