Su Ling was startled by Phil’s sudden action.
Flustered, she tried to explain, “I… I wasn’t eavesdropping. I just happened to pass by and overheard some voices…”
But Phil pressed on relentlessly, “Then what did you hear? Were we talking about you?” Su Ling sighed helplessly.
She knew there was no escaping this. Biting her lip, she mustered her courage and said, “Well, I heard it. I know you all have some complaints about me, but… but please believe me, I never intended to take anyone’s position or offend anyone…”
Phil’s expression turned complicated. She seemed surprised that Su Ling would be so honest, but at the same time, a bit annoyed.
She frowned and said, “Su Ling, I’m just stating the facts. You’re a new maid—what makes you think you deserve to be chosen as Her Highness’s personal maid? We’ve worked here for years and never got such a chance.”
“Phil… I know you’ve worked hard here and put in a lot of effort. But I can’t make decisions for Her Highness. All I can do is promise that I’ll do my best and not drag anyone down…”
Phil fell silent for a moment. Her expression grew odd, and she finally let go of Su Ling’s arm.
“Just wait. Her Highness will change her mind. As for being a personal maid… I’m obviously more suitable than you!” Phil threw those words over her shoulder and stormed out.
The other maids followed her, leaving only Tii and Amane behind.
The kitchen fell quiet.
Arms akimbo, Amane stood before Su Ling, seriously studying the young maid whose face still held a trace of childish innocence.
“So, you’re the new maid? The one Her Highness picked to be her personal maid?”
Amane scrutinized her from head to toe, her tone tinged with criticism.
“Not too bad to look at—but I hope you’re not just a pretty face.”
Su Ling paled at her words.
Lowering her head, she said softly, “I’ll do my best, Miss Amane.”
“‘Do your best’?”
Amane gave a cold chuckle.
“Effort is the cheapest thing. Phil says you don’t deserve the position—I guess I’ll have to assess you myself. Now, stand in front of me. Let me see your posture.”
“Y-yes, ma’am.”
Su Ling carefully stepped forward and tried to stand properly according to the etiquette she had learned earlier.
But her movements were still stiff and awkward—it was obvious she hadn’t mastered it yet.
Amane frowned, tapping the table lightly with her fingertips.
“Is your back straight? Shoulders relaxed? Are your feet aligned?”
Su Ling took a deep breath and adjusted her posture again, preparing herself for another round of scrutiny.
But Amane didn’t seem ready to let her off the hook.
She walked up beside Su Ling and examined her closely with sharp eyes.
“What about your gaze? A good maid should have a steady, confident look. But you? You’re all shifty-eyed, like someone who’s never seen the world.”
Su Ling was utterly embarrassed by her critique.
She bit her lip hard, knowing Amane wasn’t wrong—there was still a lot she needed to improve.
“Again.”
Despite Amane’s seriousness, Su Ling’s clumsiness exceeded expectations.
No matter how she was corrected, she couldn’t get it right.
Amane’s frown deepened, her dissatisfaction growing by the second.
At that moment, Tii entered the kitchen, holding a basket of freshly picked fruit.
Seeing how nervous Su Ling was, Tii couldn’t help but feel sorry for her.
She walked over and gently comforted her, “Su Ling, don’t be so tense. Amane is just like that—she’s trying to help you.”
Amane glanced at Tii.
“What are you doing here? Go upstairs and get to work.”
Tii smiled slightly and replied nonchalantly, “Sister Amane, I noticed Su Ling seems to be struggling. Maybe I could help her?”
“You?”
Amane gave Tii a once-over, skeptical.
“You’re just a maid too. Can you really teach her?”
Unbothered, Tii said calmly, “I used to be the princess’s personal maid. I know all the etiquette and routines well. I’m confident that with patience, I can help Su Ling learn.”
Amane studied Tii’s confident demeanor and looked a little less doubtful.
She let out a sigh. “…Alright, give it a try.… the girl’s new, and still so young. If she messes up, it won’t just be about Phil giving her a hard time. If she ends up offending Her Highness, who knows what kind of punishment she might face.”
Tii nodded in understanding.
She walked over to Su Ling and took her hand.
“Don’t worry, little Su Ling. I’ll teach you step by step. Come to my room after work tonight, and we’ll practice.”
“Thank you both,” Su Ling said quietly, a little moved.
“If you’ve got time to say thank you, you’ve got time to get to work,” Amane huffed.
Su Ling gave the two of them a grateful look and nodded.
Just then, the bell from the princess’s room rang, and Tii quickly pulled her away.
—
At last, the long day came to an end.
After her bath, Su Ling made her way to Tii’s room as promised.
Tii’s room was deep within the servants’ quarters—plain to the point of being nearly empty.
There were no decorations, yet it had a unique sense of calm.
The walls were a pale gray, the dark wooden floor creaked underfoot.
In one corner stood a simple wooden bed with pure white sheets and blankets—neat and spotless.
In the center was a wooden table.
Aside from a single withered flower, there was nothing else on it.
The flower had lost its former beauty—its petals shrunken, its colors dull—but Tii didn’t seem to have any intention of throwing it away.
Perhaps that flower held some special meaning for her.
Tii welcomed her in with a smile, clearly in a good mood.
She took a book from the shelf and handed it to Su Ling.
“Here, balance this on your head. Let’s work on posture.”
Su Ling carefully accepted the book and followed Tii’s instruction to place it on her head.
But her movements were still clumsy, and the book kept wobbling.
Tii chuckled softly at the sight.
“It’s okay, everyone’s like this at the start. Relax your body, focus on balance. Try again.”
“Okay…”
Su Ling cautiously placed the book on her head again, doing her best to remain steady.
One second… two seconds… it seemed like she was lasting longer?
But just then, Tii suddenly leaned close and blew gently into her ear.
“Ah—!”
Su Ling’s ears turned hot, and the book immediately tumbled off her head.
She turned around, glaring at Tii with a playful scowl.
“Tii, what are you doing!”