Chapter 6

At the end of May, I was surprised to hear Dylan say that Arthur would return to the main building.

Before coming here to work, I researched that Arthur would stay at this villa for at least three months. At this time, he had only been here a month and had already left. I had never heard of this case before. I wondered but didn't dare ask.

It didn't stop there; Dylan continued to announce the news that made me freeze. That's why I got promoted. I will become Arthur's maid.

If a servant received this notice, they would be happy to jump up and down because becoming Arthur's servant would mean being promoted to senior servant, equivalent to Peal's rank. I will be able to work in the main building, the work will be lighter, and I will have more time to rest. I even have the right to give orders to servants lower than me.

Before those benefits, I didn't feel excited at all. For me, the most fun thing is being away from Arthur.

"Are not you happy?" Dylan saw me dumbfounded and wondered.

I looked at him, my eyes filled with tears, but I forced a smile and said, "I'm so happy! I'm so happy that I don't know how to react!"

Dylan laughed at my expression. He knew full well that I did not want to be Arthur's maid, and I did not dare to resist orders.

...

I returned to my old place to pack my things before going to the main building. The news of my promotion had spread. The people who used to talk behind me that I was stupid now had a drastically changed attitude. They congratulated me and tried to get close to me.

I don't hate them but don't like them, so I say hello out of politeness.

I saw Clara standing in front of my room, and it seemed she was waiting for me. When she saw me, she happily ran to hug my arm closely.

"Lucinda, you're back. That's so good. I'm apprehensive about you. When I heard you got promoted, I was so happy for you." She said with a cheerful voice.

I smiled, opened the door, and invited Clara into the room.

The room is small and cramped. I haven't lived in it long, so it's dusty.

A look of disgust flashed across Clara's eyes, but she quickly hid it and radiated enthusiasm to help me pack my clothes.

My things aren't much, just a few old clothes I used to wear at the orphanage and a few souvenirs. Almost after coming here, I never touched these items because I had to wear a servant's outfit when I worked.

"Can you tell me about taking care of Mr.Arthur? I'm inquisitive! How did you get back so quickly? How did you get promoted so easily? It took me a year to become a mid-level maid.  Are you did something happen to Mr.Arthur? You tell me; I promise I won't tell anyone." Clara asked excitedly. Her eyes clearly showed anticipation.

Speaking of what happened to Arthur, my heart trembled. I remember that terrible night again. I lowered my head to pack things into the suitcase, not looking at Clara to avoid her eyes. I was afraid she would notice my unusual expression. I couldn't tell her the truth, so I made up a lie, "I just do cleaning work in the villa. I rarely meet Mr.Arthur. Perhaps because I worked diligently and carefully, I was promoted."

"I do not believe! You lie. I have researched very carefully. The people who previously worked at that villa will never return. Not only did you not disappear, but you were also promoted and became Mr. Arthur's servant. Did you seduce him? That's why you get so many benefits."

Clara spoke as if she knew everything. I was so surprised that I exclaimed, "No! How could you think I was that kind of person?"

Thinking about the monster that almost bit me to death, I shuddered; how could I seduce him?

"Everyone is saying so. I didn't know, so I thought it was true!" Clara explained.

Clara saw that I didn't look good, so she held my hand and comforted me, "Don't be angry! I believe you, and I will curse those liars for getting justice for you."

I sighed and said, "No need! I don't care about those people. Even if they say bad things about me, it doesn't affect me. Ignore them!"

In the orphanage, the children are not as united as people think; they must compete for better rights. Therefore, speaking ill of each other is inevitable.

I have habitually not paid attention to people who say bad things about me. Those people all have something in common: they are jealous and cannot surpass me. So, the way they regained their self-esteem was to say bad words to trample me down.

Instead of arguing with them, I focus on doing well what I need to do. Reality has proven me right because I always leave behind those who speak ill of me.

Clara continued talking to me.

"Thanks to me giving you the job, you were promoted like that. You should help me to repay the favor, right? I also want to be promoted to maid for Mr.Arthur. Can you help me? If you beg him to help me, maybe he will agree."

Clara said excitedly, her tone mixed with a bit of command.

I looked at her, my emotions sinking. Before, she cried and begged me to replace her in the dangerous job. I almost lost my life there. Now, she seems to have done me a favor, so I have a good job and have to repay her. How could she think like that?

I frowned, feeling uncomfortable, but thinking that Clara was my only acquaintance, I didn't want to blame her. I tactfully refused, "No! I'm just a maid. He won't heed my request. It's rigorous here; if I anger Mr.Arthur, I might disappear forever."

Clara didn't think I would refuse, so she was slightly surprised. She was stunned momentarily, then regained her composure and spoke harshly, "If you don't try, how do you know he won't agree? You're afraid I'll do better than you, afraid he'll pay attention to me, so you don't help me, right? How can you be so selfish? I believed you wrongly! Damned! I should haven't given you a better opportunity. It should have been me who was promoted right now. You are so ungrateful!"

I looked at Clara with eyes like looking at a stranger. I didn't expect that a kind and gentle person could become the way he is now. I tried to give in to her to maintain a good relationship with her, but she shamelessly scolded me. I'm not someone who will endure resentment, so I speak frankly.

"Am I selfish? So when you begged me to replace you, were you being selfish? You and I understand clearly how dangerous that job is. Because of my feelings for you at the orphanage, I helped you. Is it because of your grace that I am lucky not to die?"

I exposed Clara, so she didn't know how to refute it. She angrily pointed at my face, tried to force out a curse, and ran away, "Damn it! If you rely on your face and body in exchange for benefits, what right do you have to criticize me? What you can do, I can do too. Wait there, you dirty slut!"

I looked at the door, slamming shut and feeling colder inside. Ultimately, Clara was like everyone else, thinking I used my beauty to seduce Arthur.

...

Let's talk about the division of servant levels here. Low-level servants are like me from before, doing heavy work and staying far away from the main building.

Mid-level servants, like Clara, are employed in the main house, specializing in cleaning work. A separate building for mid-level servants is about fifteen minutes from the main building.

A high-ranking servant is someone who is assigned to serve a specific master. A typical example is the current me, Arthur's servant. The high-ranking servant will stay in the main house to conveniently care for the master. When the master calls, I will be present immediately.

I quickly arrived at the main building. It was a large building with seven floors, each with many rooms.

My room is on the fifth floor, next to Arthur's room. When I entered the room, I understood why people wanted to become high-class servants.

The room is luxuriously designed with full amenities. I found it even more beautiful and better than the five-star hotel rooms I had seen on TV.

A while later, the housekeeper came knocking on my door. She came to give me ten new maid outfits with identical designs.

As far as I know, above high-ranking servants is the butler position. Currently, there are two butlers in this palace; one is Silas, who is fifty-five years old and often works with Mr.Darian. The other person standing before me, Jade, is Silas's wife, the same age as him. In contrast to her husband, she is meticulous and very demanding. She is Ms. Melissa's mighty arm.

After Jade gave me the things, she said, "Ms.Melissa wants to see you. Follow me!"

I asked if I should change before going to see Ms.Melissa. Jade shook her head and urged me to hurry up. I believed she was a difficult person.

I wondered why Melissa was looking for me, but I didn't ask Jade. I understand that in this place, silence is best. I don't feel uneasy in my heart, so maybe I won't be in danger.

…

Jade led me to the tea room on the sixth floor. This is where Ms.Melissa relaxes and enjoys afternoon tea.

Entering the room, I saw a beautiful woman leisurely drinking tea. She exudes the elegance and sophistication of a noble lady, making everyone admire her. Behind her were two young maids; they had identical faces.

I went before her and bowed in the standard manner of a servant.

Suddenly, a cup of tea flew to my feet; the sound of the cup breaking echoed in the room, and the tea splashed on my legs and clothes. Startled, I stood up straight and looked towards Melissa. I received a look of disdain from her.

"Kneel!" She spoke softly but with a hint of disgust.

I don't know what I did wrong, and everything was so sudden that I didn't have time to react.

Jade was behind me; she kicked my legs and pushed my shoulders down. I didn't have time to prepare, so I knelt and closed the broken cup. Soon, I saw blood on my knee.