: What Are You Eating? Break
Off a Piece
As the saying goes, the plan of the day lies in the morning, while all plans harden at noon. With nothing much to do, Eve simply brewed a pot of Black Tea in the kitchen, intending to bring it to Vivian.
There was no explicit order. She just wanted so herself, and delivering it along the way was convenient.
Holding the tray steady with one hand, a white cloth neatly spread over it, she was about to push open the heavy double doors when they were pulled open from inside instead.
The person facing her was clearly startled and froze on the spot.
Eve narrowed her eyes slightly. She rembered now—this was the “senior” maid who had picked a fight before. If she recalled correctly, her na was Ellie…?
The latter quickly shut the door behind her, crossed her arms, and lifted her chin, her tone dripping with contempt. “Heh, I wondered who it was. So it’s a certain decorative vase who climbed up by relying on her looks.”
Although her certificate rank was lower, Ellie still looked down on Eve because of her seniority. Recently, the rumors circulating through the manor about the Personal Maid and the Young Miss being unusually close stabbed at her pride like needles.
For a mont, the air was thick with gunpowder, enough to sour even the tea’s aroma. Even with her usual pleasant expression—well, expressionless counted too—Eve glanced sideways at her. “If there is nothing else, please step aside.”
“Hey, hey.” Ellie blocked her path. “The Young Miss is tired from reading and is in a bad mood. There is no need for you to go in right now. You might bring misfortune. I should deliver it instead.”
After speaking, she reached to snatch the tray. Naturally, Eve did not allow it. With a graceful turn of her body, she made the other woman grasp nothing but air.
“As the Young Miss’s Personal Maid, such work is naturally my responsibility. There is no need to trouble you, Senior,” Eve said calmly, with no intention of arguing.
That light, drifting tone sounded like mockery to Ellie—especially that last word, Senior. What was that supposed to an?!
After regaining her footing, Ellie flushed with anger and pointed at Eve. “What do you an? Are you looking down on ?”
She continued to obstruct her, still trying to seize the tray. “I’m telling you, don’t get too smug! I’m the one who understands the Young Miss best. I said she’s in a bad mood—you are not allowed to go in, you are not—”
BOOM!
Before she finished, the double doors behind her suddenly burst open. The dispute was cut short, and Eve withdrew the foot she had just been about to raise.
Had it been any later, she might have walked in on soone being coaxed to sleep.
“What are you arguing about?! Do you not know where this is?!”
At the voice, Ellie trembled and hurriedly turned to bow toward the furious Vivian. “M-my deepest apologies, Miss! She does not understand the rules and insisted on disturbing your peace. I was trying to stop her…”
She rushed to explain, subtly pointing at Eve, trying to shift the bla.
But Vivian did not listen at all. Frowning, she snapped sharply, “Tsk. Didn’t I tell you to get lost? Why are you still here? Do I have to say it again?”
“N-no…”
“Then get lost!”
Ellie’s face turned pale. She dared not say another word and quickly curtsied again before hurrying past Eve with stiff steps.
Yet upon hearing her Young Miss speak again, she could not help turning back to look.
Vivian spoke to Eve impatiently, “Why are you still standing outside? Co in.”
“Yes, Miss.”
Vivian even stepped aside to let Eve enter first. At the mont Eve passed by, she exhaled softly, her tightly drawn brows relaxing slightly.
All of this was clearly seen by Ellie, who had not yet left. Her eyes widened in disbelief.
How could this be?!
Just monts ago the Young Miss had looked furious and unapproachable. When she herself tried to request an audience, she received no kindness at all.
But… the instant she saw Eve, the anger visibly subsided. Though the tone remained sharp, the difference in treatnt was unmistakable…
Ellie refused to accept it.
Even with the truth before her, she would not accept that Eve—the one with nothing but a pretty face—could receive such preferential treatnt from the Young Miss!
Click…
Another soft sound followed as the study doors closed completely, isolating the inside from the outside.
The long, luxurious corridor now held only Ellie, standing stiffly in place, her hands clenched tightly at her sides.
Her nails dug into her palms, yet the pain was nothing compared to the resentnt boiling in her heart.
Eve’s calm, rippleless face and the Young Miss’s softened expression replayed alternately in her mind—the sharpest mockery imaginable.
She stood there for a long ti until the footsteps of other maids echoed from the other end of the corridor and she finally snapped back to reality.
Right… there is still a chance… there must be!
She believed the Young Miss would not forget their many years of acquaintance… she could not give up so easily!
She loosened her fists, straightened her skirt and expression, lifted her posture, and walked away in the opposite direction of the study.
…
Inside the study was another scene entirely.
Sunlight filtered through the glass window, falling across the heavy carpet and wooden bookshelves. The air carried the drifting fragrance of freshly arrived Black Tea.
Vivian had already returned to the high-backed armchair, one hand supporting her forehead while the other flipped through a thick family chronicle.
After a long while, her gaze left the text and fell upon the steaming cup of tea at her side. She glanced at the quiet maid beside her—
The latter promptly produced a tomato.
Where did this person even pull that out from???
Vivian raised an eyebrow but did not bother asking. She picked up the cup, blew gently across the surface, then took a sip. “How did you know I wanted Black Tea?”
Eve replied softly, “A coincidence, Miss.”
“Tsk. Could you not say sothing nicer to make
happy?”
The temperature was perfect and the tea rich. Finding nothing to criticize, Vivian’s restless mood eased slightly as she watched Eve blink innocently and take another small bite of the tomato.
Isn’t that just an ordinary vegetable? Why does she look like she is enjoying it so much?
“Is it really that good? Give it to . I will try.”
Eve paused, looking at the outstretched hand. “I have already eaten it.”
“So what? I do not mind you, and you mind ? Give it here!”
She had seen people protect their food, but never soone who snatched it instead. Thinking that, Eve handed over the half-eaten tomato.
Vivian bit into it imdiately.
She did not avoid the existing bite marks—in fact she deliberately chose the places Eve had bitten, ignoring the untouched parts. In any case, the taste was just ordinary…
“Tsk, it is nothing special. Here, take it back.”
Eve: ……
It was only a tomato. What else could it possibly be?
When it returned to her hand, it was completely disfigured, covered in chaotic bite marks. My apologies for not preserving your innocence (tragic).
Fortunately, at least so remained.
While Vivian had felt nothing when eating it, the mont she saw Eve take it back and continue eating, the tips of her ears suddenly felt a little hot.
This fool… does she really not know what an indirect kiss is…?
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