Chapter 27: Just Friends

【First Indirect Kiss, Maid Profession Experience +20】

【Current Experience: 92/100】

Mm, Lilian nodded, quite satisfied with her gain.

Could she finally make a start in the Maid profession? It wasn’t easy at all.

In just a couple of days, her Maid profession would level up.

She wondered what special changes the upgrade would bring.

But an indirect kiss…

When she fed Elenora, she hadn’t given it much thought, only curious about how much experience she would gain from feeding her again.

Lilian glanced at Elenora, who was bowing her head, nibbling her pudding little by little.

Other than frequently shaking the pudding off the spoon, there didn’t seem to be anything unusual.

Good, it seemed Elenora wasn’t very bothered by this kind of thing.

If she were, she probably would have said something outright.

As for Lilian?

She wouldn’t mind at all.

She didn’t dislike Elenora in the slightest.

While Lilian was lost in thought, Elenora kept stealing glances at Lilian’s lips.

Every time Lilian’s eyes swept over, Elenora, like a frightened little animal, quickly withdrew her gaze.

Again and again.

knock knock knock.

Elenora could almost hear her own heartbeat.

She couldn’t help but look at Lilian’s lips once more.

Lilian’s lips were really beautiful, like petals…

The dessert wasn’t much, and the two finished quickly.

Lilian soon realized she didn’t know what she should do next.

Previously, Elenora would leave first, and after finishing her meal, Lilian would return to her room.

Thankfully, Elenora cleared her throat twice.

“I’m a bit tired. You all can leave first.”

“Miss, shouldn’t we tidy up a bit?” The Head Maid quietly approached Elenora to ask.

“No need. After I leave, you can clean up then.”

“Understood.” The Head Maid replied, leading the other maids out.

Lilian stayed seated, unmoving.

“What are you still doing here?” Elenora gave Lilian a sharp look, then realized her tone was unintentionally harsh and felt some regret.

Oh no, what was she saying?

She turned her head aside, avoiding Lilian’s eyes. “Y-You’re tired today, right? Go rest early.”

Wow, such a proper way to say it.

Lilian wanted to laugh a little but held it in.

“Yes.” She nodded and left the small dining room.

Creak—

As she opened the door, the maids outside seemed to be doing something—some straightening their clothes, some clearing their throats, others pretending to look out at the night sky through the corridor windows.

Lilian was a bit puzzled.

“Aren’t you leaving?”

The Head Maid lowered the hand from her mouth. “After the Miss came out, we still need to go in and clean. Lilian, you should rest first.”

“Don’t you need my help?”

“Oh no, no need for help. You better head back.”

Eileen suddenly rushed out, pushing Lilian toward the end of the corridor as if in a hurry.

“Get some good rest, Lilian.”

“Uh, oh?” Lilian felt the maids acting strangely, almost like they wanted to send her away.

Back in her room, she opened the cabinet—only three Restorative Potions left.

Looks like she’d have to find time to go home for a bit in the next few days.

Lilian collapsed onto the bed.

Today had been so rewarding—another wonderful day…

Lilian happily drifted off to sleep.

Seeing the small dining room empty, Elenora stood up like a thief, grabbed the spoon Lilian had used, and slipped it into her pocket.

She hurried out, where the maids were already waiting.

“Ahem, go in and clean up.” Elenora instructed.

“Yes.” The maids filed in one after another.

Elenora dashed back to her Bedroom.

Bang.

She slammed the bedroom door, slid down to lean against it.

Covering her cheek with her hand, she felt a wave of heat.

No one else was around; only the Moonlight streamed through the window, scattering a patch of pale light on the floor.

The Bedroom was extremely quiet—quiet enough that Elenora could hear her pounding heartbeat.

That was… an indirect kiss, wasn’t it?

Thinking of that moment, Elenora seemed to return there.

Lilian, smiling, handed over the spoonful of pudding.

“Master~ ah—”

“Eeeh—”

Elenora squeezed out a mournful sound.

What on earth was she thinking?

And she even…

Even brought the spoon back with her!

Taking the spoon Lilian had used out of her pocket, Elenora couldn’t help but stare at its bowl.

Lilian had used it to scoop up the soft, tender, wobbly pudding, slurping it into her mouth.

Then, because of the pudding’s sweetness, she showed a satisfied smile.

Then, as if remembering something, she scooped up more soft, tender, wobbly pudding.

Soft, tender, wobbly…

Lilian’s soft lips kept growing larger and larger in Elenora’s mind.

Soft and tender…

Heh, hehe…

Smack!

No, what was she thinking!

Elena slapped her face with both hands, forcibly twisting her thoughts back.

In her previous life, she and Lilian had just been friends.

How could she think such things?

Right, she couldn’t care about it—it was just friendship.

Besides, Lilian didn’t seem to mind at all.

Maybe this wasn’t even her first time.

She was just casually feeding her.

To her, it was nothing important.

Only she was the silly one, foolishly worrying about such things.

Thinking this way, Elenora couldn’t help but feel a little down.

If only this had been Lilian’s first time too.

No!

Elenora suddenly threw her head back, hitting the door with a dull thud.

Just friends, just friends, just friends.

She must make Lilian dislike her, dislike her, dislike her.

She hurried to the Dressing Table and placed the spoon on the small stand.

After changing her clothes, Elenora flopped onto the bed and quickly burrowed under the Velvet Blanket.

Time to sleep!

Good night!

The Moon climbed higher and higher.

With eyes closed, Elenora turned over, kicking the Velvet Blanket to the foot of the bed, burying her head in the pillow.

She couldn’t fall asleep.

As soon as she closed her eyes, it was Lilian.

Happy Lilian, determined Lilian, gentle Lilian.

Lilian brushing her hair, Lilian hugging her, Lilian feeding her pudding.

Always believing in her, never giving up on her—Lilian.

The Bedroom was perfectly comfortable in temperature, but Elenora felt somewhat restless.

She couldn’t help but get up, hugging her knees, gazing sideways at the Moon outside the window.

“What would her lips feel like?” That thought popped up uncontrollably again.

Elenora buried her head deep into her knees.

She thought she was such an idiot, a big idiot, always thinking about these things.

She lay back on the bed, curling up on her side.

Unconsciously, Elenora touched her own lips.

A sweet, warm current flooded her entire body.

She really was so happy after all.

Elenora wanted more.

Whether it was hugs or feeding, she wanted more, more joyful moments…

But…

If she felt this way, Lilian wouldn’t end up hating her, would she?

What should she do?