Chapter 9: "The Shades of Hypocrisy"
Dia exits her room, feeling refreshed and confident.
After accepting my fate, I did not waste a second and hastily gave myself a little makeover.
I put on a bit of make-up using the make-up products I found inside the drawer. A bit of powder and lip color made me look more alive. I'm glad it didn't end up looking like a clown's make-up.
My make-up skills were fairly decent because I had a sister who liked make-up ever since she was a kid. When we were younger, she would beg me to be her practice doll and I must admit, she had a talent for make-up. I bet she would go crazy if she saw Dia, the perfect practice doll.
After brushing my hair, I tied it into pigtails. I even added magenta ribbons that matched the color of my eyes.
I adjusted my uniform to make it look more kept, wiped my shoes, and prepared to head out.
…
Only did I realize it was already time for lunch when I passed through the kitchen and noticed it was crowded. Everyone was busy eating and doing their own things.
I stepped inside and saw them crowding around a large pot filled with tawny soup.
I assume I have to get a plate and serve myself. I searched for the table where the plates were kept and when I found it, turns out it was too high for me to reach.
Tsk.
"Excuse me…" I tried to call for help, but they didn't even spare me a glance. I tried to tug their clothes and speak louder, but still, I was ignored. At this rate, I'm pretty sure they heard me but is just feigning ignorance.
What the hell?
I decided to take matters into my own hands and found a short stool across the room. I squeezed myself in through the crowd and grabbed the stool. It was only a little heavy, so I was able to carry it.
I took a plate and got myself some tawny soup. My uniform got some soup too apparently. This small, weak body of mine was pushed around. I barely dragged myself to a table without falling face-first on the floor.
Dia lets out a deep exhausted sigh.
It hasn't even been that long yet since I put myself in a good mood, I can't let it go to waste just because of some little inconvenience.
I was about to dig in and enjoy my meal when my eyes caught sight of two kids standing in the corner, looking helpless with their empty hands. Their eyes wander downwards and fingers fidgeting.
No. Too much trouble. I barely managed to help myself, how can I help anyone else?
Let's ignore th--
'Sub Event: The Wicked Maid'
"..."
Neon words suddenly appeared right next to my tawny soup. What is this?
'The wicked maid'? So this situation is a sub-event. Meaning, I can't ignore it, can I now?
Sigh.
I guess the title is emphasizing that I should avoid being a wicked maid.
I take another glance at the two and realize one of them is Rome. Using every strand of my willpower to live, I stood up and approached the two. Once they notice me, the little girl next to Rome hides behind him. Rome on the other hand, stiffens.
I put on the best smile I could give and greeted him. "Hello Rome ~" I then shoved my face to the little girl behind him, "and little girl~"
The two flinched and took a step backward before bowing reluctantly, "Good noon, Ms. Dia."
"Oh my, oh my, no need to call me miss ~" -- I am not that old.
Be kind. Be kind. Be kind.
"Yes, M-- Dia…"
I gave a satisfied smile. Now, let's talk about the matter at hand.
"I noticed you two were just standing here, do you need help?" I asked. They look at each other as if communicating in telepathy. Without wasting a second, I add, "Let this big sister help you."
Rome then looks at me, "We were going to wait until only a few people are left in the kitchen" he looks down, "and sneak out a soup to take back to our room."
What in the devildom? The smile I had earlier drops to a frown. This made the two step back once again.
"'Wait'? But aren't you hungry? How long have you been waiting here?"
"O-only a few minutes or so…" Rome says but which the little girl denies, "One hour…!"
One hour?!
"You'll starve here at this rate…!"
The crowd isn't that overwhelming since only several maids and servants are present, but for these small kids, it might be. I looked around and decided.
"Stay here."
After a few minutes of silent suffering, I return with two more plates of soup and more stains in my uniform. I placed it on the table where I put my meal and guided the two to take a seat.
"Eat." I tried to sound as calm as possible. One plate for me was already exhausting, getting another two in one try required a lot more willpower than I thought.
The two listened well and obediently ate their meals.
I blurt out a question as I watched them munch on meat, "Why didn't you two ask for help?"
Or did they ignore you too?
Rome tilts his head. He then swallows before answering, "I don't think we are allowed to?" he says this as if it's something everyone is aware of.
"Why would you not be allowed to?"
"We are the youngest here, we cannot order anyone older than us." He shakes his head.
"In any circumstances?" I ask confounded.
"Yes. But Dia is kind, she offered to help us." He smiles brightly before shifting his attention back to his meal.
Who in the world taught this kid to partake in such a belief of a hierarchy?
Was it Dia? What kind of person was Dia before she became Eldina's best friend?
Damn it.
Despite the lack of appetite, I forced myself to eat for the sake of this feeble body.
- - -
I finished my meal and drank the glass of water I got earlier. I looked at the kids who were staring back at me. Their cups and plates are empty, not a speck of anything was spared. Somehow, I didn't have the heart to leave them alone.
"Little girl, may I ask for your name? This big sister of yours is quite forgetful, you see." I smiled at her, hoping she would tell me. Earlier and even now, I didn't get the chance to look at her name tag, because it kept getting blocked by something or someone…!!
"Lillia…" she answers in a quiet tone.
What a fancy name. Is it just me, but her name sounds familiar?
"So, what were your assigned tasks for today?"
I asked. While Rome was listing the tasks, I noticed from the corner of my eyes, a boy about the same age as me, stumble at the kitchen entrance. He was panting and soaked in sweat.
He scans the room and pauses when he spots the kids. I notice him let out a sigh of relief, but then sucked that sigh back in when he saw me from across the table.
He looks like the fuming boy from earlier.
"Rome! Lillia!" He calls them while walking hurriedly to our table. I am certain he is glaring at me, not even trying to hide it. The two turn their head to him and their faces brighten.
Hair as dark as ebony and stern gray eyes. Other than how he looks like the fuming boy earlier, he seems familiar. As if he is supposed to be someone important?
Lillia stands up and runs to hug him which makes him stumble. "Karter!"
Karter? Karter…
Kar…
Karter?!
Wait, I can't be certain yet, maybe it's just someone with the same name.
Rome stands up and tries to detach Lillia off of Karter. "Come on, Lillia. He's covered in sweat."
Karter stands up and pulls Rome behind him. "Dia." he once again glares at me.
Damn. I feel like an evil mother who was caught red-handed trying to steal away the children she had with the husband she divorced.
At the very least, his glare doesn't have the intent to kill me or of pure hatred. I'm quite relieved this maid's (Dia) reputation hasn't reached that point yet.
Sigh.
"Hello, Karter." I smile, "No need to glare at me. Did you have lunch yet?"
"...I'm not glaring at you."
Say whatever you want. I cannot hate you, since you're not a foe of mine.
He looks down at me before turning to Rome and Lillia. "Did that witch order you to do something again?"
Hah. 'Witch'?
Rome shakes his head and immediately fixes the misunderstanding. "Dia helped us with our lunch today! Since you were busy…"
Karter's eyes widen, "this witch… helped you?" He turns to me and scans me head to toe. "Who are you?"
This damn wizard.
"I'm Dia, who else?"
He narrows his eyes. Despite his suspicion, he bows. "Thank you."
A warm, pleasant feeling wraps over my head and neon words appear in front of me.
'Sub Event: The Wicked Maid - COMPLETE'
You are very welcome. I went through a lot of trouble.
But he should be thanking the 'sub-event', not me.
"I did what I had to." I stood up as the neon words vanished.
I gathered the empty plates and prepared to carry them to the sink. To my surprise, Karter takes it from my arms and walks towards the sink. I followed from behind and thanked him.
"Thank you for helping this witch, Karter."
"You…are not Dia," he mumbles in a confused tone.
=====================================================================