"We'll set the meal times as follows: breakfast from 8:00 to 9:00 AM, lunch at 11:30 AM, and dinner after work," Adele announced. "We'll also assign a specific team to manage meals for everyone." She paused, expecting some input, but was met with nothing but wide-eyed disbelief.
Particularly the work hours—they couldn't believe what they'd heard. "Did you say... 9 AM to 5 PM?" one of them stammered. Under vampire rule, humans typically worked the same hours as vampires—night shifts. How could it be any different?
Adele, unaware of their confusion, simply confirmed, "Yes, 9 AM to 5 PM. That's the standard working hours for most staff, though we'll adjust this for specific roles, like the kitchen staff, who need to prepare meals in time."
"And we'll establish a small defense squad, made up of ten male workers, rotating in three shifts. The personnel will change monthly. Although the squad might not be able to fend off stronger creatures, it can serve as a warning system, and someone can be sent to the nearest vampire outpost for help."
Adele finished outlining her plan and waited for any comments or suggestions. The managers, still in shock, could only manage to shake their heads. The idea of working during the day and only for eight hours seemed too good to be true. They wouldn't dare voice any concerns, fearing that one wrong word might incur the wrath of this powerful vampire.
Seeing no response, Adele frowned slightly, causing the managers to flinch. Realizing she wouldn't get any feedback from them, she moved on. "I don't plan to replace any of you for now. You'll continue to manage your respective areas and report directly to me. As you know, I'm a vampire, so while most workers will have day shifts, I'll need you to be available at night. In return, you'll receive better compensation than the others."
Again, there was no reaction beyond nervous affirmations. Adele sighed. These people seemed more like machines than humans, worn down by years of oppressive management. She had finished giving instructions, yet the room was silent.
Shortly after, the butler brought in the rest of the workers. Adele addressed them from a makeshift platform, repeating what she had told the managers. But the workers seemed even more detached, their lifeless eyes fixed on her, as if they couldn't process what she was saying. Despite repeating herself, their response was the same.
Disheartened, Adele instructed them to return to their quarters and rest, with plans to start fresh the next morning under their supervisors' guidance.
After assigning the immediate tasks—cleaning and building new housing—Adele reminded everyone of the consequences of failing to meet expectations: "If you do well, you will be rewarded. If not, you will be punished." The threat was met with silence, but she took it as compliance and led Molly and the others back to the estate.
Once back, Adele called for Bella and the butler to discuss implementing the new work schedule. She wasn't the type to micromanage; if her staff couldn't meet her expectations, she would simply replace them.
After they left, Adele slumped onto the sofa, feeling deflated. Molly brewed her a cup of tea, but Adele didn't even bother to drink it. She was too lost in her thoughts, questioning whether she was cut out for managing the farm. "Did I do a terrible job? They didn't react at all to what I said. Maybe I'm not fit for this."
Molly noticed the untouched tea and decided to drink it herself, startling Adele. Adele's shocked expression was so apparent that Molly paused, wondering if there was something wrong with the tea. But dismissing the thought, she continued sipping it.
Adele, her face reddening, exclaimed, "That's my cup!"
Molly quickly understood what Adele was thinking and calmly explained, "I cleaned it thoroughly, and you hadn't touched it yet."
Adele, still flustered, hesitated before saying, "Even if... even if you like me, you shouldn't drink from my cup. It's... it's..."
Molly's cool gaze seemed to prevent Adele from finishing her thought, but it was clear what she was implying. Adele covered her face, overwhelmed. Molly often wondered where Adele got such romantic notions. After all, she hadn't taught her these things, and Adele wouldn't have learned them from her tutors or at school. There were no romance novels in Adele's room, so where did she get these ideas?
Molly, realizing this line of conversation was going nowhere, deftly changed the subject. "Would you like to tour the estate, Miss? We've been through a lot, and you haven't had a proper look around yet."
Adele's interest was piqued but hesitated, remembering the foul smell that had permeated the estate. Molly reassured her, "Bella and the staff have cleaned thoroughly and placed fresh flowers and perfume everywhere. Perhaps you could inspect their work?"
Relieved, Adele agreed, though she tried to appear indifferent. "In that case, I suppose I should check on their work."
Eager to escape her earlier embarrassment, Adele quickly left the room, with Molly following close behind. They descended from Adele's room, which was situated in a remote corner of the estate, far from the main areas. As they walked, Molly reflected on how Oakham had likely arranged it this way to avoid close scrutiny.
But now that Oakham was gone, it didn't matter where Adele's room was. As they reached the main floor, Adele cautiously sniffed the air. To her surprise, the smell had significantly diminished, masked by the scent of flowers and perfume.
"I thought I'd have to live like Rapunzel, stuck up in that room," Adele remarked, relieved. "There's still a faint smell, but it's bearable now."
Molly took the opportunity to praise Bella and the staff. "They worked very hard today, Miss. Bella led the team and made sure everything was spotless."
Adele, pleased with the effort, nodded. "Such dedication deserves a reward."