The morning sunlight squeezed through the gaps in the floor-to-ceiling window, laying a slender golden line across the floor.
In her half-asleep state, Celia felt the space beside her was empty.
Groggily, she rolled over, instinctively nuzzling towards Onyxia, but only met empty air.
“Awake?”
The familiar voice came from the window.
Celia struggled to lift her eyelids and saw Onyxia standing by the window, her entire figure edged in a soft, golden glow by the dawn light.
Just as Celia was about to say something, the bedroom door was gently knocked.
“Young Mistress, are you awake?”
A gentle woman’s voice came from outside the door.
“Madame asked me to check if you and your guest need anything.”
Onyxia walked over and pulled the door open.
Celia instinctively shrank deeper under the covers.
Her current state really wasn’t suitable for meeting people.
The door opened.
Standing outside was a woman who looked to be in her thirties, wearing a well-tailored gray-silver dress with a simple apron tied at the waist.
Her brown hair was meticulously pinned up at the back of her head.
Her features were proper.
Is she the Head Maid?
The one who left with Madame last night?
“Sister Mina, good morning.”
Onyxia’s tone was affectionate, and she even stepped forward to give her a hug before continuing.
“We just woke up.”
Sister?
Wait, no, I’m not dressed yet.
Celia’s mind instantly cleared, and she hurriedly shrunk further under the covers.
But the Head Maid reacted faster.
Her gaze went straight past Onyxia and landed on the clearly huddled lump under the covers on the bed.
Her eyes fell on the half of Celia’s arm that was exposed outside the blanket.
On it, scattered faint red marks extended from her wrist all the way to places unseen under the covers.
Then she glanced at Celia’s neck.
It was even more exaggerated.
From her collarbone to behind her ears, there was hardly a clean spot, a mess of purples and reds.
Then she looked back at Onyxia.
Although there were scratch marks there too, they were clearly not as numerous.
“What would you like for breakfast?”
Her voice had a slight lift to it, and a clear smile even appeared on her face.
Onyxia blinked.
“Sister can prepare whatever you think is best.”
“Mhm.”
The Head Maid nodded.
“Then I’ll go make the arrangements.”
She turned and walked out, her steps even seeming a bit lighter and faster, then closed the bedroom door.
Celia, who had only her head poking out, stared blankly at the door.
Something felt off, but she couldn’t put her finger on what it was.
“…Did her mood just improve?”
“Did it?”
“I don’t know.”
Celia thought for a moment.
“Just… a feeling.”
Then Celia suddenly remembered something from that scene just now.
She turned her head to look at Onyxia.
“Right, why did you call her ‘sister’? Isn’t she the Head Maid?”
“Sister Mina…”
Onyxia leaned back against the headboard.
“She’s watched me grow up.”
Celia didn’t speak, waiting for her to continue.
“My father passed away early,” Onyxia said, her tone still calm.
“I was only… about this tall back then.”
She gestured a height with her hand.
“Mother was holding up the household alone, taking care of me, and managing the business, busy beyond belief. Sister Mina was already in the manor then. She helped Mother a great deal, not just with household chores, but she also ran around handling business matters.”
Celia listened quietly.
“Our family being as large as it is today, the business reaching its current scale—at least half the credit is hers.”
Her tone was very serious.
“So I’ve always respected her deeply. Calling her ‘sister’ isn’t about any rules; it’s because she truly is family to me.”
Celia was silent for a moment.
“Then why is she still in the role of Head Maid?” she asked.
“Logically speaking…”
“She herself refuses to change it.”
Onyxia smiled slightly.
“We’ve suggested it many times, wanting to give her a different position, but she just won’t agree.”
“Why?”
“She says she’s used to it. She’s worn this for so many years, she can’t change. And also…”
“I think she likes this role.”
Celia was taken aback.
“Likes being a maid?”
“Not likes being a maid.”
Onyxia shook her head.
“Likes… the feeling of wearing these clothes, doing these things, staying by Mother’s side.”
Celia blinked.
She seemed to understand a little, yet also became more confused.
Seeing her expression, Onyxia suddenly laughed, leaning in closer and lowering her voice.
“And, I suspect.”
Her tone became mysterious.
“She probably likes my mother.”
Celia’s eyes widened.
“What?!”
“Shh.”
Onyxia put a finger to her lips, but her eyes were full of laughter.
“Keep your voice down.”
Celia opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but didn’t know what.
“…You mean,” Celia lowered her voice, as if afraid someone might hear, “she has feelings for your mother…”
“Just a suspicion.”
Onyxia blinked.
“But don’t you think? All these years, staying by one person’s side, helping her manage the household flawlessly, dedicating her whole life to it, refusing to change her way of life…”
“It can’t just be professionalism, right?”
Celia fell silent.
The morning light outside grew brighter, spreading a larger patch of warm gold across the floor.
In the distance, the faint sound of the Head Maid giving instructions could be heard, orderly and methodical.
“Then…”
Celia finally spoke.
“Does your mother know?”
Onyxia shrugged.
“She might know, or she might not. I never asked.”
She moved closer to Celia, her tail curling around to rest gently on her leg.
“Grown-up matters should be left for the grown-ups to handle themselves.”
“Let’s get up. We should have breakfast soon.”
—
When the two of them, having finished getting ready, arrived at the dining room, Madame was already seated at the head of the table.
Mina stood at her side, speaking softly about something.
Seeing them enter, she took a slight step back, resuming her proper demeanor.
“Here you are?”
Madame looked up, her gaze resting on the two of them, finally landing on Celia’s face with a gentle smile.
“Have a seat.”
Celia obediently sat down.
Today’s breakfast was simpler than last night’s dinner, but still so lavish that Celia didn’t know where to start.
Perfectly toasted bread, several different flavored jams, fresh fruit cut into neat pieces, and a bowl of steaming hot porridge.
She picked up her spoon, just about to start on the porridge.
“Celia.”
Madame’s voice sounded.
“Eat a little more.”
As she spoke, Madame reached out and pushed the plate of fruit closer to her, then gestured for Mina to move the basket of bread a bit nearer as well.
“You worked hard last night. Eat more to replenish your strength.”
Celia’s spoon clattered into the bowl.
She looked up, her eyes wide as she stared at Madame.
“I, I—”
Worked hard last night?
Last night?
Hard work?
Replenish?
She knew every word, but somehow she couldn’t understand the sentence.
Madame knows?
No, how could Madame know?
Did Mina say something when she went to the room earlier?
Were the marks too obvious?
Or what?
Her mind raced frantically, a complete mess, utterly unsure which direction to think in.
“Mother.”
Onyxia’s voice sounded just in time, carrying a trace of amused helplessness.
“Don’t tease her.”
Madame blinked innocently, an expression identical to Onyxia’s.
“How am I teasing her?”
Her tone was gentle and sincere.
“You traveled all day yesterday, and then at night you… well, you certainly didn’t rest well. Young people need to take care of their health too.”