Chapter 49: Pressure… on a Maid?
“Or else what?”
Vivian let out a mocking snort, as though laughing at herself as well. “I do not need anyone’s pity, nor do I expect anyone to understand —whether my circumstances or my thods.”
“You saw what happened just now, did you not? Well? Do you still think I was joking with you before?”
After saying this, she deliberately glared fiercely at the white-haired maid. Yet self-made expectations often led only to disappointnt—neither spoke for a mont.
This left Vivian feeling awkward. Her words felt like fallen leaves carried away by the wind, brushing past the ears without any chance of remaining.
After a long pause, Vivian could not help twitching her lips. “Were you even listening to ?”
“I was.”
Just two words were enough to make the small girl grind her teeth. “You… even if you have no reaction, can you at least pay attention when I am speaking?!”
“Mm. Young Miss is very impressive?”
Vivian was suddenly speechless, her head oddly itchy. After another two and a half seconds of silence, she spoke again, this ti with a hint of expectation.
“That is all? Do you not have any thoughts?”
“And why does your tone sound like a question when you praise ?!”
Dialogue option triggered:
[Chat]
[Elbow Strike]
[Strong Alkali]
[Kill]
Player Vivian chose Chat, but her maid rely blinked. The words carried no power and did not hurt at all. Please try harder.
“Tch!”
Smack…
The sound ca from Vivian covering her face. She thought to herself—forget it, that was enough. She had never truly expected to intimidate this person anyway.
What exactly had she been hoping for?
“Young Miss seems troubled?”
“Yes… troubled. How can you be this annoying?”
Eve was puzzled. Just as she was about to say sothing, Vivian anticipated it and raised a hand to interrupt her casting.
She took several deep breaths in succession, trying to steady her heartbeat as the redness faded from her face. “Do not speak yet. I am afraid I will not be able to resist hitting you.”
Eve looked at her serious expression. It did not seem like a joke. In any case, she could not beat her. Still, she had a feeling that if she said one more word, Vivian might explode on the spot.
Then she silently took out an exquisite and luxurious invitation envelope from the pocket beneath her skirt. Looking closely, it even had a special seal.
She did not recognize it.
She then gently poked Vivian, who was still covering her face and calming herself, with the invitation.
“Do not bother .”
Poke…
“I said do not bother ! Can you not under—”
Her voice stopped abruptly. Vivian was just about to flare up when her attention was drawn to the item being handed over. She did not accept it imdiately, instead narrowing her eyes cautiously. “What is that?”
“Replying to Young Miss: an invitation. The Family Head has a ssage. You are to prepare properly and attend a gathering in a few days.”
Only then did Vivian reluctantly take it. In three swift motions she perford surgery on the envelope, leaving only the card inside.
Aside from decorative script, a carefully attached red rose specin was affixed to it—though slightly crushed and shedding fragnts.
“The Perry Family? Do not tell
it is that boy’s idea again. How troubleso…” Vivian muttered suspiciously. After a few seconds without hearing the person beside her speak, she looked up. “Do you not want to ask?”
“Replying to Young Miss, I do not.”
Stare—
“......”
Stare———
“Let us assu I asked,” Eve said helplessly. The problem was she did not know what to ask.
“Hmph!” Vivian withdrew her resentful gaze and explained casually, “It is the one ntioned at Victoria Charm last ti—the one who keeps sending roses to disgust . This must be that boy’s idea again.”
“Heh, my dear old father… while I still have value, he truly cannot wait to marry
off.”
The term political marriage might be unfamiliar to ordinary people, but among nobles it was commonplace.
Children of great families were cultivated for years, polished until perfect, so they could attract butterflies like flowers.
Or beco the most valuable tool—the key instrunt to revitalize the family. Under pressure, most were forced to accept such a philosophy.
But Vivian was not among most.
Understanding this herself, she casually tossed the invitation onto the grass. More fragnts fell from the rose specin as the sole of her shoe stepped down upon it.
She ground it firmly several tis.
“Then I shall prepare,” her tone suddenly turned light, tinged with faint mockery. “After all, it is my dear father’s kindness. How could I disappoint him?”
There was still ti. The gathering would be in two days. Before that, she had one matter to handle—one concerning Eve.
However, the latter had not realized anything. With half-lowered eyes, she was idly watching a butterfly that continued provoking her.
……
Night fell. Not long after dinner ended, all the maids received a notice—they were to gather in the Study. The Young Miss had an announcent.
Fortunately, the Study was large enough for dozens of them standing in rows. Though varying in height, they shared one similarity: their appearances were generally pleasant.
Apparently appearance had been a hiring requirent.
“Hey, why did the Young Miss suddenly summon us?”
“No idea… I just want to know who made dinner tonight. My stomach hurts…”
“I say she is definitely raising our wages!”
“That would be wonderful! I have been eyeing a new Purple Mood for a while, but it is too expensive.”
The maids whispered endlessly among themselves.
“Silence. The Young Miss has arrived,” Head Maid Sylvia’s authoritative voice cut off all conversation.
Standing before the double doors, she slightly tilted her head, hearing footsteps approaching along the corridor outside.
All the maids imdiately straightened, hands folded before their lower abdon, heads slightly lowered.
So secretly adjusted crooked hair accessories, while the maid who had complained about stomach pain bit her lip and pressed her legs together to endure the discomfort.
Tap… tap… tap…
The footsteps stopped outside.
The Head Maid opened the door. Vivian appeared at the entrance.
Her expression was proud and cold, chin slightly raised, eyes sweeping across the Study without warmth.
Half a step behind her, Eve followed silently. Her face was expressionless, crimson eyes half-lowered, indifferent to everything before her.
They walked into the Study one after the other.
The maids kept their heads lowered, hardly daring to breathe, their gazes fixed on the floor before their feet as they listened to the only remaining sounds in the room—the two sets of footsteps.
Vivian walked straight to the high-backed chair behind the desk. After sitting, she rested her hands on the armrests and leaned back lazily, while Eve moved soundlessly behind the chair, hands folded before her.
The silence lasted a full two and a half minutes before Vivian finally spoke.
“I summoned you because there are several matters to announce. All of you listen carefully. I do not wish to hear anyone say, [I did not hear clearly at the ti].”
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