Chapter 17: Someone in bed

“Creak—”

Lilian pushed open the bedroom door.

Under the moonlight, the entire room was dimly lit.

Sitting on the soft bed, Lilian stretched lazily.

What happened today was a bit absurd; Lilian felt like none of it was quite real.

She got up and took out the recovery potions she planned to take today from the cabinet.

“One, two… four.”

The recovery potions were running low; she’d have to find time to go home and get more materials.

Yawning, Lilian just flopped back onto the bed.

Thump.

She landed headfirst on a large lump—soft and cushiony.

“Ah!”

Startled, Lilian jumped up from the bed and quickly ran to the door to turn on the light.

A figure in a black-and-white maid outfit was sitting up on the bed.

It was the little maid, Eileen.

She yawned sleepily, looking exhausted as she said, “Ah, Lilian, you’re finally back…”

What’s going on?

Why was Eileen lying on her bed?

“Why are you sleeping on my bed?”

“Haah—I waited for you for so long, and you never came back. I got too tired and accidentally fell asleep…”

Rubbing her drowsy eyes, Eileen sat still without reacting, then took a few deep breaths before continuing, “Where did you go, Lilian…? You usually come back this early, right?”

Go where?

Does nearly being invited for tea by the Second Princess of the Dawn Empire count?

Of course, Lilian wouldn’t answer that out loud.

She walked closer to the bed and sat down beside Eileen.

“Nothing much. I got held up with training today, so I came back late.”

“Oh, by the way, why did you come looking for me?”

Eileen blinked hard, but couldn’t fully open her eyes.

Seeing her dazed look, Lilian thought for a moment and asked, “Do you want me to take you back to the dorm?”

Eileen, still with eyes closed, flopped back onto the bed and shook her head.

“I… want… to sleep…”

Soon, her breathing became steady and even.

Huh?

You sleep here, but where am I supposed to sleep?

Lilian felt a headache coming on.

She couldn’t very well go sleep in the maid dormitory.

Besides, she didn’t even know where that was, or which bed Eileen slept in.

It was better not to disturb the other maids—they worked hard enough as it was.

But just sleeping like this…

Lilian looked at the little maid sleeping on the bed with a conflicted expression.

Even though in this Second Life she was a girl, most of Li Lian’s memories still dominated her mind, so deep down she still thought of herself as, well, male?

So sleeping in the same bed with Eileen didn’t feel quite right.

But she had nowhere else to go…

Besides, she really was a girl now.

Looking at the little maid’s face, Lilian closed her eyes.

Whatever, just pretend it’s sleeping next to a little sister.

She turned off the light and got into bed in one smooth motion!

Lilian still didn’t have the courage to take off her clothes.

She didn’t usually sleep in clothes, but since Eileen was here tonight, she decided to keep them on.

A night of good dreams—

Outside the window, birds chirped, and some morning sunlight spilled through the gaps in the curtains.

Little maid Eileen stretched happily.

She had slept so well last night.

Ever since leaving her hometown, she hadn’t had such a comfortable sleep.

She just didn’t know why today’s bed felt extra soft.

Kind of like the bed in the spare bedroom.

When tidying the room, she sometimes sneaked in to lie on it for a break.

Supporting herself up, she turned her head and found a familiar sleeping figure beside her.

She was curled up on her side, like a baby.

It was Lilian.

Eh?

Although the brain is clearest in the morning, Eileen felt hers was a bit stuck.

Did she… actually sleep with Lilian, the Second Miss’s beloved?

Eileen’s body felt stiff.

If the Second Miss found out, she’d probably lose her job, right?

It was about the time Lilian usually got up, so Eileen just watched as she climbed out of bed.

Lilian rubbed her eyes and instantly woke up.

Since starting her training, she felt more energetic each day.

Then Lilian noticed the stiff little maid, Eileen.

“Eileen, you’re awake too. What happened last night? Why did you come looking for me so late…”

“Lilian, please don’t tell the Second Miss!”

Eileen immediately flopped on the bed, hugging Lilian.

What was this silly girl freaking out about?

“So, what’s going on exactly?”

Lilian took a small bite of bread, then sipped her soup as she asked Eileen.

“It’s about the Second Miss.”

The little maid’s mood shifted quickly, and now she was back to her usual self.

“The Second Miss? What happened to her?”

Wah, she used to call her “Master,” but the Second Miss’s words were true after all.

Hearing Lilian call Eleanora by name, Eileen felt the Second Miss was right.

Lilian was definitely angry with the Second Miss.

After Lilian left yesterday, Eileen went into the Second Miss’s bedroom and found her in a bad mood.

Eileen thought Lilian had bullied her.

But then the Second Miss said, “I think I hurt Lilian,”

And apologized to Lilian with tears in her eyes.

Once the Second Miss calmed down, she asked Eileen to find out what Lilian was thinking.

But Lilian came back late, and Eileen couldn’t help but fall asleep…

Eileen didn’t dare tell the whole truth; she only said the Second Miss wanted her to ask Lilian how training was going.

“I see.” Lilian nodded indifferently.

“Didn’t I tell you? The training was pretty easy. It’s almost over. Why didn’t you just tell the Second Miss?”

Oh, such a casual tone, such a carefree attitude.

Eileen thought Lilian was probably mad at the Second Miss.

“Are you going to braid the Second Miss’s hair today?”

“Of course.” Lilian looked puzzled by the question.

If you have experience braiding, you might as well take advantage of it.

Today she’d observe Eleanora again.

From yesterday’s situation, she didn’t seem to react to being called “Master” anymore.

That wouldn’t do; before, just saying “Master” would guarantee 2 experience points.

Lilian was a bit troubled.

She really couldn’t think of any closer form of address.

Should she call Eleanora “darling”?

Lilian’s hairs stood on end.

Ugh—

Too pretentious.

At that moment, Eileen got up.

She had just eaten a few bites and considered it breakfast.

“Lilian, I’m leaving first. Remember to come, okay?” she reminded, then hurried off.

Why the rush? No one was chasing her.

Lilian ignored her, took another bite of bread, and continued eating peacefully.

Eileen panted as she ran to the door of Eleanora’s bedroom.

She stared at the door, hesitant to push it open.

What to do?

Second Miss, Lilian really seems mad?

Is that what she means?

The Second Miss would cry, right?

She definitely would cry…