Chapter 42 : An Awkward Way of Expressing Concern
Eve tilted her head slightly, confused by Vivian’s reaction. “Your question concerned my parents’ opinion of , and I have already answered it. It has nothing to do with my current expression.”
After speaking, she stood and walked to the window, closing the half-open pane completely. “It is late, Young Miss. You should rest.”
“Wait,” Vivian stopped her. “What I said just now... hmph, I did not an it...”
Eve turned around, moonlight falling behind her. “I understand. Young Miss need not dwell on it.”
“I am not!” Vivian imdiately retorted. Then, realizing her reaction, she quickly grabbed a pillow and hugged it to her chest, burying half her face inside.
“How did they die?” Vivian asked softly, then hurriedly added, “If... if you do not want to say it, you do not have to. I do not absolutely need to know.”
Eve’s gaze shifted toward the night outside the window, her voice as calm as ever. “Vampires attacked our holand. Most people did not survive, so perhaps I was fortunate?”
Hearing this, Vivian suddenly wondered whether Eve’s unresponsive deanor ca from standing at the edge of life and death. Had she simply grown numb?
“Then how did you survive?” Vivian asked curiously.
Eve did not answer. After a mont of silence, she turned and walked back to the bedside, sitting down again. “Those were events from a long ti ago.”
“But you still rember them, do you not?”
“Rembering and indulging are two different matters. It is late. You should sleep as well.” Eve repeated the signal for sleep, clearly unwilling to continue the conversation.
“Hmph, fine if you will not say it.” Vivian pursed her lips. Yet she unexpectedly followed the arrangent, obediently lying beneath the covers, hugging the pillow with her chin resting on the soft fabric.
“At least since you work at Morninglight Manor, do not say that I, as your master, treat you poorly... If you need anything...”
Her voice grew quieter. “I an, as the one you serve, I ensure your... hmph... it is reasonable...”
“Thank you, Young Miss, but I am well,” Eve interrupted again.
Vivian was not skilled at expressing concern. Her pride and stubbornness manifested instead as a kind of special attention, almost like charity, granting preferential treatnt.
Unfortunately, such gestures alone could not pierce that calm shell. Perhaps she should attempt sothing more direct?
After being interrupted, Vivian did not flare up. She poked half her head out of the covers and looked at the white-haired maid sitting nearby as previously instructed during sleep.
Quietly, she observed the cold and beautiful profile. The blood-colored eyes had long since hidden behind her eyelids in rest, and strands of white hair occasionally brushed the lashes at the corners.
She is beautiful... truly beautiful...
Vivian gradually beca absorbed. Her opinion of that beauty never changed. Even if the personality was not likable, the urge to alter this “painting” grew stronger and stronger.
No one knew how long her secret watching lasted. When Eve heard breathing grow steady and opened her eyes to glance sideways, the beauty on the bed had already fallen asleep, still facing her.
......
Knock knock knock... knock knock knock...
“Sister Eve~ Sister Eve~ Are you asleep?”
Ail knocked several tis, then tilted her head and called softly. She pressed her ear to the door and listened carefully, yet received no response from inside.
Standing in the silent dormitory corridor, her thin nightdress swayed in the cold breeze, making her shiver from ti to ti, though it did not affect her determination.
Before her was Eve’s single room. As for why Ail had co for a late-night visit—unknown. She only knew she had brought her pillow.
“Sister Eve...” Ail tried calling again, only to discover the door was not locked.
“Eh?”
By sheer coincidence, a gentle push opened a crack revealing a corner of darkness within. Only a line of moonlight fell inside. Ail froze at once.
Enter or not enter.
She chose the middle option. Her little head turned left and right, then she pushed the door open a little more and cautiously slipped half her body through the gap.
“Sister Eve?” she called again softly.
The room was too dark. With only a line of moonlight, visibility was poor. The bed showed only the outline of piled blankets, no details visible.
Ail guessed Eve was probably already asleep and hesitated at the doorway.
I cannot sleep... I want to sleep with Sister Eve...
Finally she made up her mind and was just about to push the door open—
“Ail?”
A gentle voice suddenly ca from behind.
Ail trembled all over, instinctively shutting the door quickly and spinning around, clutching her pillow tightly to her chest.
It was Head Maid Sylvia—almost like a concept deity at this point, appearing silently at crucial monts.
She held a lantern, clearly conducting a nightti patrol, and her eyes now looked gently at the little one who refused to sleep.
“H-Head Maid Sister...”
Sylvia bent slightly to et her gaze. “Ail, what are you doing here in the middle of the night instead of sleeping?”
That only made Ail more nervous.
“I... I...” Ail stamred, burying her face in the pillow, leaving only a pair of sparkling eyes visible—adorably so.
Sylvia waited patiently without urging her, then glanced at Ail’s thin nightdress and frowned slightly.
“No lying, all right? Ail is a good child, is she not?”
A hand rested atop Ail’s head, gently stroking. Ail raised her head to et Sylvia’s eyes and finally confessed softly, “Ail cannot sleep... wanted... wanted to find Sister Eve...”
Sylvia froze briefly, then looked at the tightly closed door. “But disturbing others’ rest is not right. Eve works hard and should rest well, do you agree?”
Ail lowered her head. She knew the Head Maid was right, yet disappointnt still made her pout.
Her adorable expression drew a soft laugh from Sylvia. After thinking a mont, she suggested, “If Ail cannot sleep, how about sleeping with
tonight? I can tell you a story.”
“Sleep... with Head Maid Sister?”
“Yes.”
Ail fell into inner conflict. On one hand, she had co to find Sister Eve; on the other, the Head Maid’s invitation sounded tempting.
After a long while, she nodded. “O-Okay!”
She shuffled a small step forward, moving closer beside the Head Maid.
Sylvia’s smile grew even more doting. She gently wrapped an arm around her shoulders and drew her closer.
Though Ail was technically of recognized adult age, Sylvia always treated her like a child—nearly coaxing her into infancy.
“Then let us go,” Sylvia adjusted the lantern angle so more light shone on the path ahead of Ail. “You can find Eve tomorrow, all right?”
“Mm!”
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