Faced with Laura’s nearly deranged declaration, everyone in the kitchen was left speechless, each wearing a different expression.
The moment was broken when the water began to BOIL, steam filling the kitchen, pulling everyone back to their senses as they turned their attention back to the pots, bowls, and pans before them.
Duli’s mouth hung slightly open, as if she’d even forgotten to breathe.
Her face was a tapestry of disbelief mixed with a hint of admiration, her eyes shining with genuine praise.
“My god, oh my god!” she exclaimed, her voice full of awe, “I’d never have the courage to do something like that. Laura, you’re just amazing! To be willing to go that far for Her Highness!”
“Such incredible passion! But, that’s just like you, Laura. No wonder Lady Moria values you so much.” Another maid nodded in approval.
Bohm also tilted her head back slightly, gazing up at Laura standing on the chair, the corners of her mouth unconsciously curving upward, as if imagining herself wielding such unrestrained passion.
Yet, amidst her envy, there was also a faint trace of worry—after all, not everyone could bear such madness.
She knew well she didn’t have that kind of courage, nor could she ever win the Blood Clan’s favor as Laura did.
Laura, after showing off her hand with pride, hopped down from the chair with her round body, patted her apron, and flashed everyone a haughty smile, basking in their praise.
“She’s lost it, really lost it. All that for a bit of empty fame—is it really worth it?”
Yet, amid the NOISY CHATTER, Su Ling heard a voice muttering softly.
She looked around for the source, and to her surprise, it was Amane who had spoken.
Amane’s expression was clearly different from the others.
In her eyes was both confusion and disdain, as if she couldn’t understand why Laura would go so far for something so self-destructive.
But she just muttered her complaint under her breath and, as if nothing had happened, turned back to her work.
And Su Ling, standing in that boisterous corner, looked at the sickly maids, then at Amane pretending not to see anything.
Everything around her felt out of place, as if an invisible pressure was squeezing her from all sides, making her feel suffocated.
I don’t belong here at all. This place is suffocating…
She unconsciously took two steps back, wanting to escape this stifling environment, but failed to notice the uneven floor beneath her feet.
Suddenly, her body tipped backward.
“Ah—”
Just as she was about to lose her balance, time seemed to freeze—a soft hand firmly caught her waist, pulling her back from the brink of falling.
“Clumsy little Su Ling.” It was a familiar voice—Tii.
In the chaos of the kitchen, Tii’s voice was like a gentle stream.
She quickly and gently helped Su Ling up, a warm smile tugging at her lips as she teased, “Oh dear, Su Ling, do you have a special bond with the floor? Why do you always end up falling?”
Su Ling smiled awkwardly, her cheeks tinged pink, and answered softly, “I don’t know, maybe my shoes just don’t fit right today.” As she spoke, she lightly brushed the dust off her skirt, trying to hide her embarrassment.
“Well, it’s fine! I’m already used to clumsy little Su Ling,” Tii said, then suddenly noticed a fleeting expression on Su Ling’s face, not just embarrassment, but something deeper.
“Su Ling, you don’t look too well. Are you feeling sick? Or is something on your mind?” Tii’s gaze was gentle and profound, as if she could see right through her.
Su Ling looked at Tii, opened her mouth, but didn’t know what to say.
She shook her head slightly, forcing a smile. “I’m fine, Tii, I just… feel a little tired, that’s all.”
“Are you really just a little tired?”
Under Tii’s gentle smile, Su Ling felt an unprecedented sense of reassurance.
She anxiously looked up, confirming once again the expression on Tii’s face—that eternally gentle smile, as if it could embrace all things in the world.
Why is Tii able to remain so calm about Laura’s madness? She’s not like the others, neither fanatically admiring nor disdainful like Amane. She seems to stand apart from it all, watching with a detached calm.
Or perhaps… she’s just used to it.
Thinking this, Su Ling couldn’t help but envy Tii’s composure.
She swallowed, trying to steady her emotions.
“It’s nothing, really. I was just a little surprised by what Laura did.” Su Ling deliberately avoided the other maids, whispering to Tii.
“Hmm… Is it because she cut off her own finger?” Tii lowered her voice too, bringing her lips close to Su Ling’s ear. “Do you think that’s too extreme, little Su Ling?”
Su Ling nodded.
“I just don’t understand. As maids, it’s natural for us to serve Her Highness. But… does it really have to go that far?”
That’s not the whole truth. What I really want to know is—why does the Blood Clan twist these servants’ minds so much? Why do they willingly accept being enslaved, even taking pride in it?
It’s like they’ve been brainwashed…
In a flash, she remembered her very first day in Hailusenburg.
The day I crossed into this world, locked in that earth-drake-drawn cage, I cried out to the other Blood Slaves for help—but all those men and women stared blankly, their eyes empty, as if their souls had been stripped away. Not one of them answered my cries. Those boys and girls… were they also…
“Mm-hmm, so that’s what little Su Ling really thinks?”
The girl’s soft voice pulled her from her memories.
Right in front of her, Tii’s emerald eyes were fixed on her face, as if searching for answers.
Is she probing me?
No… If it’s Tii, there’s no need to be so guarded. Maybe she’s just curious, or maybe she thinks the same as I do. Anyway, Tii doesn’t mean any harm.
She quietly relaxed her tense nerves.
“Maybe my thoughts aren’t mature yet, but that’s how I feel,” she whispered to Tii, “Sacrificing yourself for the Blood Clan like that… I just think Laura’s gone too far.”
“Too far?”
“After all, we and the Blood Clan are just master and servant.” Su Ling continued.
“That’s true, isn’t it.”
Tii’s face revealed no emotion, making it hard for Su Ling to read her.
So Su Ling decided to ask, “Then what do you think, Tii?”
Tii didn’t answer right away.
She thought for a moment, her expression growing serious.
Suddenly, she took Su Ling’s arm and led her to the corner behind the kitchen door, near the storage room, carefully glancing back at the bustling maids to make sure no one was watching.
“Tii? What is it?” Su Ling asked, confused, following Tii behind the cupboard.
“Don’t forget…” Tii said.
“Eh?”
“Don’t forget what you just said.”
Tii repeated herself, not looking at Su Ling, but bringing her lips close to Su Ling’s ear, her breath tickling.
“No matter what they say, no matter what others try to make you believe, little Su Ling,” for the first time, Su Ling heard Tii speak in such a serious tone,
“Never, ever lose yourself.”
Before Su Ling could ask more, a male servant’s gaze accidentally swept their way.
“Shh—” Tii immediately stepped back, leaving Su Ling’s side without another word, and melted back into the HUBBUB of the kitchen.
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