Getting up, getting dressed, washing up, and having breakfast with Irene.
This had become Lillian’s standard morning routine.
Today was a little different—unusually, Irene didn’t come looking for Lillian.
Arriving at the small cafeteria, Lillian spotted Irene not far away, chatting with the Head Maid.
The Head Maid looked a bit exasperated, but still dotingly patted Irene’s head, then handed her a small pouch.
Irene took the pouch, her face lighting up with a bright smile, and she raised both hands diagonally above her head in a “Yay!” pose.
She looked genuinely happy.
Noticing that Lillian had already arrived at the cafeteria, Irene turned around to bid farewell to the Head Maid, quickly grabbed her food, and sat down beside Lillian.
She nudged Lillian with her elbow.
“Lillian, Lillian. Where are we going to have fun tomorrow?”
Lillian raised an eyebrow, “What fun?”
“Heh heh~” Irene let out a couple of smug chuckles, “Last month’s wages came in, I want to go out and have fun!
“I want to spend money!”
“I want to buy something delicious.”
Her tone rose, making her look quite expectant.
Coins again, always thinking about food.
Lillian couldn’t help but complain inwardly.
She’d realized that Irene had a particular obsession with food.
Unfortunately, she was going to have to let Irene down.
“That might not work. Tomorrow I have to study magic with the Young Miss.”
“Eh?” Irene looked puzzled; that wasn’t what she’d heard.
She asked anxiously, “Isn’t it every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday? Today’s Wednesday.”
“I took today off. I have to go talk with Leah.”
“Ah…………” All the excitement drained from Irene at once, and she slumped over the table, listlessly poking at the fried egg on her plate with her fork, “Why is it like this………………”
“I was so looking forward to it.”
“And, the Young Miss actually trusts you to go see Her Highness Ophelia……………
Irene was highly suspicious; maybe Lillian was going to see Her Highness Ophelia to have a baby.
Young Miss, what are you doing?
Is all my hard work really useless……………
Lillian couldn’t help but chuckle. She ruffled Irene’s hair.
“Why not just wait for me to find some time to go out with you? Then we can buy some ingredients, and I’ll make you something tasty.”
“Really?” Irene’s eyes sparkled as she gazed at Lillian.
“Really. Why would I lie to you?”
“That’s great, hehe.” Irene took a big bite out of her bread.
It was as if Lillian had already placed delicious food in front of her; she ate with extra appetite.
Irene puffed up her cheeks like a hamster and swallowed with great effort.
“Lillian.” She leaned in and lowered her voice.
“Hm?”
“What happened between you and the Young Miss yesterday?”
It was Irene’s favorite gossip time!
Because of the Young Miss’s request, during dinner, except for serving the food, the maids would stand some distance away. Irene was no exception.
This meant the maids couldn’t actually hear the conversation between the two very clearly.
Yesterday, Irene noticed that the Head Maid seemed to know something, so she tried asking her.
But the Head Maid just gave a mysterious smile and told her to ask Lillian herself.
Sigh, luckily she was close to Lillian, otherwise there was no guarantee her curiosity could be satisfied so quickly.
Hoho.
Whenever Irene thought about sharing tidbits about Lillian and the Young Miss with the other maids and seeing their eyes light up, she felt a burst of pride.
The Young Miss and Lillian are the real deal!
Her Highness Ophelia is in the wrong!
Hearing Irene’s question, Lillian couldn’t help but recall what happened yesterday.
Eleanora had pressed her cheek into Lillian’s palm and said with attachment: “I…”
“I trust you.”
Even thinking about it now, Lillian could feel her heart beat a little faster. Only the heavens knew how much of an impact Eleanora’s actions had on her.
Too cute.
Moreover, Eleanora’s words carried weight, pressing down on Lillian’s heart.
But it also made her feel more grounded.
The original reason Eleanora approached her was no longer important.
What mattered was that she trusted her.
That feeling gave Lillian immense satisfaction.
She felt an endless urge to protect well up inside her.
No matter what happened.
She—
Would protect Eleanora no matter what!
“Lillian.”
“Hm?”
“You look so gross when you smile.”
Lillian’s smile froze; she gave Irene a bop on the head.
“Wah, why are you hitting me? I won’t give you candy anymore!” Irene held her head, pretending to be angry.
“Heh—” Lillian let out a cold laugh, “Then don’t you want to know what happened yesterday?”
Irene clutched her head, but her eyes darted to Lillian.
“, ……”
Lillian spread her hand in front of Irene.
“?” Irene was a little confused.
She tilted her head, thought for a moment, then made a fist and placed it in Lillian’s palm.
“Huh?” Lillian was puzzled, giving Irene a questioning look.
It seemed Irene realized something; her cheeks reddened.
“Th-then, …meow?”
Lillian couldn’t help but laugh.
Hakilin, you rascal.
“Isn’t that right?” Irene frowned, making up her mind.
“………..?”
Finally, Lillian couldn’t hold back, and patted Irene on the head; Irene squinted her eyes in enjoyment.
How is this silly little Irene so clueless, could she really trick her into having a whole litter…
“So, where’s your candy?” Retracting her hand, Lillian stretched it out to Irene again.
“W-what! No way!” Irene refused Lillian’s demand.
Because the maids had to work, unless it was absolutely necessary, they wouldn’t return to the dormitory.
That’s why Irene always carried a few candies with her to satisfy her cravings during work.
Lillian’s request was practically her life!
“Hmm?” Lillian sounded utterly confident.
“Don’t want to know?” she coaxed in a low, tempting voice.
“…………” Irene finally couldn’t resist the temptation and took out a piece of candy.
“Hehe.” Lillian smiled smugly and beckoned Irene over.
Obediently, Irene leaned closer, and Lillian moved in, whispering by her ear:
“I’m not telling you.”
“LILLIAN!” Irene was outraged, staring at Lillian in disbelief. She’d never met someone so wicked.
“You’re such a bad egg! You’re rotten to the core!
“Goose goose goose.” Evil Lillian covered her mouth with a mischievous grin.
“Hmph.” Irene snorted and buried her head in her food.
She decided for the rest of the day—no, half a day—no, an hour… no matter what…
…she wouldn’t talk to Lillian during breakfast!
She was angry!
Irene pouted and sulked in her mind.
Then, she felt someone poking her cheek.
It was Bad Egg Lillian.
She turned her head, and without warning, a piece of candy was stuffed into her mouth.
Sweet and sugary.
Irene couldn’t help but squint her eyes, leaning sideways onto Lillian’s shoulder.
Lillian might be bad, but at least she fed her candy.
Hmph~ I, Irene, am not the type to hold grudges.
I’ll let her off this time.
Lillian gave her a pampering smile.
“All right, finish eating and hurry up. Time to go wake the Young Miss.”
“…………” Irene sat up straight and quietly finished her meal.
As usual, the two of them finished breakfast and slipped into Eleanora’s bedroom.
Irene was in charge of dressing Eleanora, while Lillian handled the rest, finishing up by brushing Eleanora’s hair.
“Oh, oh.” Irene nodded at Eleanora’s words, then looked troubled, “Me, me?”
Lillian drew back the curtains and walked over to the two of them.
“Lillian.” Eleanora spoke up; she seemed to be quite awake today.
“Yes.”
“I plan to have Irene accompany you to see Ophelia.”
“Oh, oh.” Lillian answered absently, then realized what she’d just heard.
Irene, going with her, to see Ophelia?
“Huh?”