Maid’s Night - Chapter 22

 

“The master is not here, but we must work as usual. Disorganized by the absence of a hostess is similar to the hands and feet that act differently just because the eyes are not looking. Do you understand?”

 

Charlotte, who had gathered all the maids, as if to announce an extremely important fact, said in a grim voice. Then, she assigned each of them what they had to do, and also instructed them to do additional work.

 

Evely shivered in horror as she remembered that moment.

 

After the princess left to recuperate, Charlotte had somehow gained more power. Evely was given the task of cleaning the princess’s room in addition to her basic duties, and Charlotte’s plausible logic was that Evely, who served the master, should clean the master’s room alone.

 

“Well, it’s my job anyway.”

 

Evely shrugged her shoulders insignificantly, and opened the door to the princess’s room. She placed the lit candle on the table and brought in a bucket full of water that she had set down in the hallway. Then she began to wipe the surface of the closet carefully with a damp cloth.

 

‘…….Just because the eyes are not looking.’ There was a mischievousness in her voice that mimicked Charlotte’s, who was giving the speech earlier.‘It’s similar to the hands and feet that act differently. Do you understand?’

 

Evely, who reenacted Charlotte’s condescending expression and tone, pouted her lips. Anyway, it didn’t suit her.

 

 

‘But the Princess was comfortable with me, why didn’t she take  me with her?’ Evely wondered.

 

Wouldn’t it be better to follow the Princess to the summer house than staying here to be bullied by Charlotte? As soon as she mumbled to myself with mixed feelings, a deep sinking voice suddenly interrupted.

 

“Are you uncomfortable with me?”

 

“Ahhh!”

 

Evely was horrified as if she had seen a monster. Turning her head to follow the voice she heard, she saw a man sitting on the bed.

 

“M…Master…”

 

‘Why is he in the princess’s room?’

 

‘Is he missing the Princess?’

 

‘Did you see me imitating Charlotte?’

 

 A series of questions raised in her head. Evely’s lips parted while looking at Alec.

 

“Did you see everything?”

 

“What?”

 

“No, no. I didn’t see….but if you’re talking about the clown-like imitation, then I heard it.”

 

Evely’s face darkened by the clear falling voice.

 

“I just did a little talking to myself…….”

 

“You seem to have a lot of complaints. You don’t seem to like the fact that you couldn’t leave with the Princess.”

 

“No!”

 

“Or are you saying that I’m an inconvenience?”

 

She didn’t know why the conversation went this direction, but Evely denied it.

 

She waved her hands busily and shook her head.

 

“No! How can that be! It’s convenient!”

 

“That means you’re comfortable?”

 

For a moment, Evely’s eyes wavered.

 

The sound of his voice in reply to her answer was not accusatory, but it stuck with her like soup boiled over a high flame. It was as if asking if she was easy.

 

“No, I’m not….”

 

In a word, her Master had a talent for making people suffer, even in the most conventional of tones.

 

‘No, it’s never easy. But you’re my master, how dare I…’

 

 

Evely began to mumble, deliberately ignoring the ominous feeling that something was wrong.

 

“So you’re saying you’re uncomfortable?”

 

Alec asked again in a chilling voice. Evely couldn’t help but be confused by his words, not knowing whether he was teasing her or not. It was as if she was facing a difficult riddle, but also as if she was a mouse who saw a cat creeping up on her at a dead end.

 

Evely stared into his eyes, not knowing what to answer. Then, after a moment of silence, she parted her lips sullenly.

 

“What’s important is not how I feel about master, but how master feels about me.”

 

Alec’s expression changed subtly at her words. He stared at Evely with his eyes slightly downcast. The look in his eyes was arrogant. It was also sharp, as if he was guessing her.

 

Evely continued to speak pleasantly, as if he did not feel such a gaze.

 

“Whatever my heart is, I hope my master will find me as easy as the house he stays in and the sword  he handles. For I am to be used for the good of my master.”

 

She gave him an answer in a quiet, low voice. Alec’s gaze was still on Evely. His eyes were shaking finely at that moment. But it was only for a moment, and he quickly returned to his usual, cold eyes as if to deny it.

 

“You’re good at changing the subject.”

 

He was still staring at her as if he didn’t like it, but the conversation continued.

 

“I am afraid, however, that I don’t take it easy with my sword.”

 

The words were a little more cynical than sorrowful.

 

“Not only do I have enemies, but they can also stab me, so I must never let my guard down, and I’ve never taken it easy at home, where I just sleep.”

 

Evely looked a little dubious at those words.

 

It’s understandable for being on guard with the enemies, but how could he not feel comfortable at his own home?

 

If such a large and luxurious castle is not restful, what is comfortable then?

 

The bed is big, the bedding is changed frequently, and the dust is swept off every day to keep it smooth and clean.

 

For Evely, home was the only resting place.

 

Although she was poor, her mother loved her and took care of her, fed her with the best food, just as a parent bird would to a little bird.

 

She would be lying if she said she didn’t suffer, but she was happy.

 

No, maybe that’s why she was happy.

 

While she was thinking, Alec’s voice landed on her ears.

 

“The other day, the Princess went to recuperate, so there are fewer maids to work.”

 

Evely blinked, wondering why he was talking about the obvious.

 

“Some of the maids who used to take care of me have left, making things a little inconvenient. So tomorrow you will have to take care of me. Or should I say, from today.”

 

His voice sounded arrogant and carefree.

 

“You’ll wait for me at night from now on.”

 

Evely dropped the cloth she was holding. Then Alec continued as if he read her mind.

 

“I wasn’t planning to hold you today, but I’ve changed my mind.”

 

“May I ask why…”

 

There was something curious in her reserved voice.

 

“You can ask, but it’s up to me whether or not I’ll answer.”

 

Evely spoke in a clear tone of voice, having no idea what his intentions were.

 

“I won’t ask then.”

 

Alec asked with a look of interest in his eyes.

 

“Why is that?”

 

“I have a feeling that your answer will not change anything.”

 

Alec smiled amusingly at the unexpected reply.

 

He couldn’t tell if she was smart or stupid. All he knew for sure was that he was ready to embrace her.

 

“Come and kiss me.”

 

Evely moved closer to him at his command. Then she gently lowered her lips over his.

 

She closed her eyes in embarrassment, but her appearance was hardly hesitant, and if someone saw her in this way, she would look like a desperate servant seducing her master.

 

***

 

” …I am, aren’t I?”

 

Evely murmured in a small voice. Her face was as vague as if she were facing an insoluble challenge, and she was becoming more and more curious about how she came to take care of her Master. He was not as fearless and cruel as the stories circulating on the streets, but the meaningful way he looked at her sometimes scared her. She couldn’t figure out exactly what he was thinking or why he was looking at her like that, even though she tried to think seriously. It wasn’t unreasonable to be next to him all day.

 

“Is the bath ready?”

 

“Yes, I’ve heated it up nicely.”

 

Evely followed him, thinking that while he was taking a bath, she could organize the office and prepare his bed. When they got to the bathroom, after checking on the bath attendants, they were preparing to take turns.

 

“You’ll have to take care of the bath as well.”

 

“What?”

 

“Didn’t you say before that I should take it easy on you, like a house?”

 

‘But he said he’s not comfortable even in his own home.’

 

The words flashed through her mind, but Evely just kept silent. Instead, she just opened her eyes wide.

 

“So, as you say, I’m just trying to keep a maid comfortably closer to me. Is it wrong?”

 

“No.”

 

As soon as Evely replied as if she was defeated, Alec began to take off his shirt, and Evely hurried to his side and received with both hands the clothes he was giving her. Since she was taking care of the Princess, getting her owner’s clothes and taking care of her bath were tasks she was used to. It wasn’t the first time she had seen his naked body either. Still, Evely could only look down awkwardly. Perhaps because Alec was undressing and looking at her.

 

The maid, who was originally supposed to take care of his bath, left, and the door closed behind her. Evely’s head raised up reflexively at the sound, and his broad back came into her view. It was as if the painful training days and the moment of war had been portrayed as it was. There were scars, large and small, sticking out like thorns between the muscles that moved so clearly along with his movements. Then she suddenly remembered how she moaned, clawing at that solid back.

 

“Hmm,” Evely fiddled with the scented bottle for no reason as she cleared his throat.

 

The bathroom was warm and relaxing.

 

Soaking in the tub, Alec closed his eyes sluggishly. The droplets of water fell on the tip of his angular chin and disappeared between his sturdy, open chest through his dimpled ribs and hollow collarbone. As Evely stared at the figure as if possessed by something, Alec hurried her with a deep voice.

 

“Are you going to stand there so idly…?”

 

Swallowing once from her dry saliva, Evely approached the tub as if she made up her mind. Then Evely slowly opened the scented bottle, a refreshing yet sweet scent hit her nose. She poured some fragrant oil into the bath, wet a clean cloth with water, and began to rub his shoulders. Was it because of the heat in the bathroom? Or was it the hot water? She felt like her ears and neck were burning.

 

“I’m sure a pet the size of a bean could scratch harder than this.”

 

“….”

 

“If you are uncomfortable….”

 

The temperature coming across the cloth was intuitive and vivid. It reminded Evely of last night, which made her even more nervous and suffocated.

 

“I’ll try harder.”

 

Evely scrubbed with a little more strength in her hands while staring at Alec, who still had his eyes closed. She couldn’t believe how a man’s eyelashes could get that long… The tall nose and plump lips were perfect. Unlike his thick frame, his eyes and nose were as delicate as a carefully crafted sculpture.

 

His handsome appearance had played a role in the cruel and elegant rumors about him, and now Evely understood. How outrageous and beautiful such a man would look wielding a sword in war.

 

“What are you doing?”

 

Startled, Evely dropped the cloth she was holding, as if she had done some bad things and was found out. She answered it was nothing as she leaned closer to the tub to pick up the fallen cloth, but she slipped.

 

Fortunately, he supported me just before I fell, but I was in a hurry all the same. When I opened my closed eyes, I could see his firm chest and feel the hot heat on my arm.

 

“You fall down every time you look.”

 

“Oh, this, this is not a fall…I was just going to get closer!”

 

When Evely unintentionally fell into his arms, she tried hard to clear the misunderstanding.

 

 

“I thought I would clean Master more thoroughly if I got closer.”

 

“That’s a nice attitude.”

 

Instead of being scolded, Alec praised her. However, she felt somewhat awkward.

 

“Do as you wish.”

 

Alec let go of her wrist, and Evely moved her hands to wash him again, though she felt something wrong and her hands stopped moving once again.

 

“Didn’t you say you were going to clean me thoroughly?”

 

Raising her head, Evely looked at Alec hesitantly as he pointed downward with his eyes. Her face flushed red. Perhaps he planned this ahead when he asked her to take care of his bath.

 

Evely closed her eyes tightly and put her hand in the water. His member was already long erected. However, she couldn’t even dare to touch it right away and only wiped around his navel.

 

“Don’t go out after the bath, stay where you are.” Alec said.

 

Evely realized what he meant and meekly bowed her head.

 

“Not just today, but in the future as well.”

 

Eventually, he snatched her wrist.

 

***