Chapter 63: A Pet That Got a New Toy
What finally brought Vivian back to her senses after a long while was the sight of Eve’s slender fingers idly scratching the emblem—like… a cat that had obtained a new toy.
Pfft!
She nearly spat out a mouthful of blood. Fortunately, Vivian held it in and quickly covered her mouth, not daring to look any longer, because her lower abdon had inexplicably grown warm again.
Eve naturally noticed her abnormality. Without lowering her hand, she tilted her head slightly and asked, “Young Miss, what is wrong? Is there another problem?”
“N-no… nothing,” Vivian waved her hand rapidly, while internally screaming.
Endure it! I must endure it! I cannot lose composure over this! She is only a maid at most—just good-looking, well-built, and wearing my [mark]. So what?!
After patting her chest several tis for no clear reason, she slowly turned back. When she looked at Eve, she still could not help swallowing before raising her pale wrist slightly. “You… bend down a little…”
The maid complied. The emblem on the collar swayed gently, and the loose strands of hair brushing past Vivian’s fingers continually teased her nerves.
She then pinched the emblem, narrowed her eyes, and curled her lips into a faint, indifferent smile. “Good. Just like this. I quite like how you look now.”
Yet sothing still felt missing. She had the item marking possession, but she lacked sothing to lead along a well-behaved dog—perhaps a leash…
“Do you like my gift?” Vivian suddenly asked again. “Answer honestly.”
“I think that although it is beautiful, in essence—”
Before she finished, a pulling force ca from her neck. Vivian’s lips lifted into a shallow smile as she tugged the emblem again.
The returning resistance—and the completely unmoving body of the white-haired maid—made her expression freeze.
It would not move. How could this be?
The mockery on Vivian’s face gradually stiffened, replaced instantly by anxiety.
She tried pulling several more tis, but it was useless. The beauty opposite her stood as if magnets were embedded beneath her feet, immovable as a mountain, calm and effortless.
“Tch!” She released it irritably.
Eve straightened up again. Before she could understand what had caused the anger this ti, she heard her Young Miss say coldly:
“Except for my orders, or when you bathe, you are not allowed to take it off. Understood?”
“May I ask why?”
“Why so many questions? Since you are my Personal Maid, is it strange for
to give you sothing to prove your identity?” Vivian snapped back irritably. It was an answer in disguise, though her gaze wandered slightly as she spoke.
The maid looked at her and stroked the collar, thinking that sounded reasonable. Still sowhat confused, she offered thanks. “Thank you, Young Miss… for the reward?”
“Hmph. Good that you like it.”
…
After that ca Eve’s free ti. Vivian neither followed nor ordered her to remain nearby, instead shutting herself inside the Study alone.
Even on a day of rest, aside from studying, she still had to understand and familiarize herself with the family’s businesses and foundations. No matter how much she hated that damned father, she was still a mber of the Hatherin Family.
And a competitor for inheritance. Being a noble was difficult as well.
After wandering around the manor for a while and finding everyone busy with their own tasks, Eve simply felt bored—though she had never thought of herself as idle.
Loafing around was a skill. She went to the kitchen, took a tomato from a maid preparing breakfast, and then headed to the back garden.
Unexpectedly, she found a surprise: beneath the pavilion were the twin young girls still asleep. From afar she could see Ail yawning adorably.
“Good morning.”
“Eh…” Hearing the voice, Ail took over ten seconds to boot up. She rubbed her eyes, and upon seeing who it was, she imdiately looked far more energetic. “Good morning to you too, Sister Eve~” As she spoke, she tugged at Ella’s sleeve beside her.
“Mm… don’t bother … I want to… sleep a bit more… Zzz…”
It seed she would not wake anyti soon. Ail spread her hands helplessly, while Eve gently patted her head.
She bit into the tomato, not spilling a single drop of juice. “Did you not sleep well last night?”
“Yes… Ella grinds her teeth in her sleep—clack clack clack—I do not know what delicious thing she was dreaming about.” She gestured animatedly, adorably enough to lt hearts.
“(Yawn~) So Ail is sleepy now… um… Sister Eve, may I sit beside you?”
Eve nodded lightly and sat down, thinking the little one even ground her teeth while sleeping… which sohow made her think of Vivian again regarding whether she slept properly.
That one was well-behaved too. Personally verified.
Just then, a sensation landed on her legs, interrupting her thoughts. Looking down, she found Ail had placed her head on her lap without permission, rubbing her cheek against it.
Seeing Eve’s calm gaze, she added in a coquettish tone, “May I, Sister Eve~?”
“As you wish.”
“Yay~” Ail clapped happily.
After adjusting to lie sideways, she finally noticed a flash of gold. Her eyes imdiately lit up when she saw the object at the white-haired maid’s neck.
“Sister Eve’s collar is so beautiful!”
“Uh… thank you?”
Ail instantly perked up. Instead of lying down, she quickly sat up and then climbed directly onto Eve’s right leg, leaning in close to stare without blinking at the pale neck ornant. “Was it given by Young Miss?”
“Yes…”
Her soft breath brushed close, her sweet voice by the ear, and her dense eyelashes tickled the skin, causing a strange tingling sensation.
This little one… it is only a collar. No need to co this close…
Eve had no choice but to pat her head to distract herself.
Then, while observing enthusiastically, Ail seed to realize sothing. Her slender finger gently tapped the emblem.
“This is…”
“Hmm? What is it?” Eve sensed the doubt behind her words.
Having spent two years in Morninglight Manor, Ail suddenly felt like a little teacher. Proud yet shy, she was secretly delighted to show off her knowledge.
She rubbed her earlobe and spoke again, comparing it with her mory. “Sister Eve just arrived, so you may not know. For this symbol to appear here… even the Head Maid does not have one.”
“It represents the Hatherin Family and the will of the one who bestowed it. That ans… seeing Sister Eve is the sa as seeing Young Miss?”
Recalling the recent rumors that Young Miss was very interested in Sister Eve, she suddenly exclaid excitedly, “Then Ail understands!”
She imdiately stepped off Eve’s lap, stood properly, and bowed respectfully toward her, leaving Eve utterly confused as she reached out to stop her.
“No need for that. Just treat
normally,” Eve said awkwardly, unused to such a feeling. As for the emblem collar and authority, she had no interest in them.
“But what if Young Miss—”
“Do not worry. I will not tell her.”
Hearing this, a smile appeared on Ail’s face again. With a cheerful grin, she extended her hand. “Sister Eve is the best. Can we pinky swear?”
Eve did not answer verbally. She simply hooked her little finger with the girl’s as requested, thinking the child was taking this very seriously.
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