At this moment, Lilian and Eileen were on their way to the reception room.
“By the way, who’s the guest? Why all the secrecy?” Lilian couldn’t help but ask.
“No idea. It’s probably a noble lady from some family. I didn’t pay attention just now. The head maid asked me to come notify you and the young mistress, so I hurried over.”
“I also heard from the head maid that before the guest’s visit, no formal invitation mentioned her identity. She simply said she was coming for a casual visit and specifically requested not to make a fuss.”
Specifically requested?
Usually, visits between nobles were very formal affairs.
Depending on the visitor’s status, preparations would be made to receive them properly.
If it was a noble with good relations, a simple heads-up was enough so the host family could arrange their time accordingly.
They didn’t pay too much attention to formal receptions then.
Judging from this guest’s situation, it seemed she rarely interacted with the Earl’s household and didn’t want to attract much attention.
Who could it be?
Elenora had already arrived at the reception room ahead of them.
Once the maids finished preparations, the guest would come from the guest chambers to the reception room.
Lilian’s service skills weren’t great.
Her task was just to find a spot in the reception room to stand and keep up appearances.
Her eyes glazed over as she stood there reviewing the magical principles behind the Flame Sigil’s power flow.
“Tap, tap.”
Light footsteps approached.
“Pleased to meet you, Miss Elenora.” The voice was elegant.
Elenora looked slightly surprised but quickly composed herself.
The voice sounded familiar, and Lilian couldn’t help but look toward the guest.
Purple hair, blue eyes—noble and elegant.
Quack!
It’s her!?
The visitor was none other than Ophelia, now exchanging pleasantries with Elenora.
Noticing Lilian’s gaze, Ophelia gave a meaningful smile and nodded slightly.
Ophelia’s visit was definitely not just a casual noble call.
As a Princess, she had no reason to hide her visit to the Earl’s mansion like this.
So this is the “surprise” you mentioned, Ophelia.
Lilian felt overwhelmed and a bit of a headache coming on.
What if Ophelia pulled something big on her later?
But she was just a maid and couldn’t leave her post without permission.
She focused on her breathing and tried to act as if Ophelia didn’t exist.
Elenora and Ophelia chatted happily, finishing their greetings and then discussing some paperwork matters…
The head maid poured two cups of Red Tea.
Elenora gently lifted her teacup, took a sip, and asked, “Your Highness, we can communicate about these matters in writing. Is there something else you specifically came to discuss?”
Ophelia narrowed her eyes.
“Yes, Miss Elenora. There is one more thing.” She paused. “Lilian—is she a maid in your household?”
Not far away, Lilian’s body froze at Ophelia’s words.
Quack!
What are you trying to do!?
“Lilian?”
“Yes. Lilian Elvard, as you should know.”
Creak—
The ceramic teacup in Elenora’s hand let out a sharp cry.
Unaware, Ophelia set down her cup and looked at Lilian, continuing, “She’s right there, Miss Elenora. Call her over.”
Ophelia smiled and waved at Lilian.
“Tap!”
Elenora put her teacup down on the table with a crisp sound.
“Lilian.” Her voice was calm and flat.
“Yes.” Lilian responded and steeled herself to walk over.
Ophelia smiled with keen interest, ready to see how Lilian would perform.
Elenora scooted over to the edge of the sofa and gently patted the spot beside her, seemingly inviting Lilian to sit.
Lilian froze for a moment.
What? She was supposed to sit beside her?
That was her maid instinct speaking.
But Elenora sat on a single-seater sofa.
Even though both were petite, sitting together would still be a bit cramped.
“Come sit here, Lilian.”
Elenora’s tone was light and not commanding.
“Yes, mistress.”
Though it felt a bit inappropriate to do this in front of guests, since it was Elenora’s request, as a maid, Lilian knew she couldn’t embarrass her mistress publicly.
Besides, they had hugged before—sitting a little closer wouldn’t be a big deal.
Lilian took small steps and awkwardly sat down beside Elenora.
[Order completed, experience +2]
The byd System didn’t speak, so no comment.
The sofa was indeed cramped.
Probably to make it more comfortable, Elenora wrapped her arm around Lilian’s waist.
Lilian’s arm brushed against the soft curve of Elenora’s chest.
Unexpectedly, something happened.
When they had hugged before, Lilian had deliberately avoided touching sensitive areas.
That would be taking advantage of Elenora.
Lilian felt she still had some boundaries and wouldn’t just touch indiscriminately just because she was a girl.
But now, under these circumstances, she had no choice but to accept it.
She had to admit—it was quite comfortable, soft…
Especially with Elenora leaning forward, turning her head to look at Lilian, the subtle movement felt strangely intoxicating.
Lilian’s heart began to race.
No, what was she thinking?
This was way too inappropriate.
She and Elenora were mistress and maid—or at least friends.
Elenora considered her family, like a big sister.
Lilian couldn’t be thinking like this!
She forced herself to calm her restless heart with reason.
“Lilian, how did you come to know Her Highness?” Elenora asked with genuine curiosity.
Her tone was plain, as if it was a simple question.
“W-well, I was training in the small courtyard, and that day the Princess happened to be inspecting. That’s how we met.”
“Oh— I see. Your Highness, you and Lilian really do have a special bond.”
Elenora turned and covered her mouth with her hand, her eyes crescent-shaped as she smiled warmly.
For some reason, she emphasized the words “Your Highness.”
Ophelia had long been stunned.
She just quietly watched the interaction between Elenora and Lilian.
When Elenora asked Lilian to sit beside her, Ophelia’s hand holding the teacup froze mid-air.
There was no resistance, no reluctance—only a faint sense of embarrassment.
Ophelia clearly saw Lilian glance at her with some difficulty, as if the source of that embarrassment was herself.
And Lilian…
Lilian actually called Elenora “mistress”!?
It seemed like just a simple formality, without a hint of reluctance!
Ophelia remembered clearly that the other maids only called Elenora “Miss Elenora.”
And when Lilian said “Lili,” Ophelia carefully observed her reaction.
Surprise, unease, resistance.
A completely different emotion than when facing Elenora…
They had agreed she wouldn’t resist that name…
Ophelia stared at Lilian, her left hand tightly gripping her right.
No, this can’t be happening.
That’s my Lilian!
Lilian was a gift from heaven, mine alone, and she could only belong to me!