Part 7

Part 7

That morning, Elise woke up before dawn.

The shadows of the previous night’s events lingered in her mind, but there was no time to dwell on her unease. Swiftly, she began tidying the disheveled house, setting upright the overturned chairs and sweeping up the shards of glass scattered across the floor. Every so often, she glanced toward her father’s room, ensuring no suspicious sounds came from inside.

Elise prepared a simple breakfast: two portions of rice and an omelet. It had to be enough for Lily and her father. As she worked, her thoughts wandered to Eddie’s order from the night before. Approach Reiner? What an absurd idea. Elise shook her head, trying to push the thought away.

When Lily emerged from her room, her hair still messy, Elise gave a small smile.

“Go wash your face quickly. After that, eat before we leave,” Elise said, handing her sister a plate of rice.

“Have you eaten, Sis?” Lily asked innocently, her voice raspy from just waking up.

Elise nodded while busying herself with sweeping a corner of the room that still needed attention. “I already did,” she replied briefly.

Once everything was ready, Elise held Lily’s hand and led her toward the front door. But before they could step outside, Eddie appeared in the living room.

“Elise,” he called firmly. Elise halted, turning with a neutral expression.

“Don’t forget to think carefully about my suggestion last night,” he said, his tone cold but heavy with pressure.

Elise sighed. “I’ll think about what’s best for all of us,” she replied shortly, avoiding direct eye contact with Eddie.

Eddie seemed unsatisfied but didn’t stop her any longer. Quickly, Elise and Lily stepped outside.

On the way to Lily’s school, the atmosphere was quiet. Elise was lost in her thoughts, while Lily occasionally kicked small stones along the path. Finally, the little girl broke the silence with a question that made Elise pause for a moment.

“Sis, why do you always look so tired?”

Elise gave a faint smile and bent slightly to meet her sister’s gaze.

“I’m not tired,” she said gently. “I just… have a lot to do.”

“But you never smile,” Lily added, her face serious. “Don’t you like living at home?”

Elise softly ruffled Lily’s hair, then said, “I like it as long as you’re there. I want you to grow up happy and healthy. That’s all that matters to me.”

Lily fell silent at Elise’s answer but seemed satisfied. Not long after, they arrived at the school gate. Elise knelt down, adjusting her sister’s uniform and ensuring her backpack was secure.

“Be careful inside, okay? Don’t forget to eat your lunch,” Elise reminded her with a smile.

Lily nodded and walked into the school, waving goodbye. Elise watched her sister’s small figure until she disappeared into the crowd of children.

After dropping Lily off, Elise hurried to the Barack family residence. The grand house stood tall amidst the pine forest, its iron gates imposing like the boundary to another world. Taking a deep breath, Elise stepped inside.

Upon arriving, Elise quickly headed to the small room designated for the servants. She opened a wardrobe filled with servant uniforms and picked out one set that had been pre-assigned to her.

The uniform was simple yet carried an air of elegance that was hard to ignore: a black dress with a ruffled hem falling just above the knees, paired with a small white apron tied neatly at the waist. The short sleeves were adorned with tiny bows at the edges. A pair of black flats completed the look.

Standing before the mirror, Elise observed her reflection. Her soft features and petite frame seemed to fit the outfit, though she found it too conspicuous for daily chores.

“I really do look like a doll,” Elise muttered, smiling faintly as she adjusted the plain headband encircling her head.

When Elise stepped into the kitchen, the atmosphere shifted immediately. Several servants who were busy arranging breakfast for the household stopped for a moment, casting glances at her from head to toe. Their gazes were filled with irritation and envy, though they tried to mask it by pretending to be occupied.

One servant, a woman named Clara, whispered to her colleague, Sofia.

“Why does that uniform look so different on her?” Clara asked, half-annoyed.

Sofia glanced at Elise, who was busy picking up a tray, and shrugged. “Maybe it’s because she’s new. Or maybe she just knows how to make herself stand out,” Sofia replied with a hint of sarcasm.

“What’s so great about her? She looks average to me,” Greta interjected as she joined them. “The uniform’s the same as ours,” she added.

Elise, sensing their sharp stares on her back, chose to focus on her task. She carried a tray of drinks to the dining room without saying a word.

But from the corner of the room, a young man observed the scene with a neutral expression. Reiner, who had just come down the stairs, silently watched Elise’s movements. His lips didn’t curve into a smile, nor did he greet her. Instead, his sharp eyes followed her every step.

“She’s… different,” Reiner thought, leaning casually against the wall, unaware he had spent several minutes simply watching her.

---

Elise carried her tray toward Mr. Abraham’s room. Her steps were cautious as she ensured the glasses and plates didn’t wobble too much. When she reached the grand door carved with colonial-style woodwork, her hand paused mid-air, about to knock. Heavy footsteps echoed behind her.

“How intriguing...”

The voice was low and cold, sending a chill down Elise’s spine.

“M-Mr. Reiner?” Elise stammered, trying to steady her surprise. Her eyes met his sharp gaze, filled with evaluation and a touch of… disdain.

Reiner stood nonchalantly, his broad shoulders slightly tilted as he smirked knowingly.

“Pity you’re just a servant,” he muttered under his breath, almost as if to himself.

“E-excuse me?” Elise froze. Though spoken softly, his words rang clearly in her ears.

Reiner didn’t respond. He simply turned away, walking off with confident strides, leaving Elise with flushed cheeks and a pounding chest.

Her fingers tightened around the edge of the tray, trembling between anger and restraint. Just a servant? Her jaw clenched, but she knew responding would only lead to trouble. With a long exhale, she refocused on her task.

“Good morning, Mr. Abraham,” Elise finally said as she stepped into her employer’s room.

The room enveloped her with the aroma of mahogany and the aged leather of luxurious chairs neatly arranged. The walls were lined with towering bookshelves filled with antique, expensive-looking collections. A large desk in the center of the room was adorned with a brass desk lamp. Elise swallowed her awe, trying not to look too impressed.

“I’ve brought your breakfast, sir,” she said softly.

“Just leave it on the table,” Abraham replied without turning around. The older man sat in a rocking chair, leaning back leisurely with an open newspaper on his lap.

Elise complied, carefully placing the tray on the table. But before she could leave, Abraham’s voice stopped her.

“Have you had breakfast, Elise?” he asked, his tone more personal this time.

Elise gave a shy smile. “Yes, sir. I had breakfast at home with my sister.”

“Good. Come here.”

Abraham folded his newspaper and placed his glasses on the small side table. His sharp but wise gaze made Elise feel uneasy.

“Is something wrong, sir? Do you need anything else?” she asked politely, approaching while nervously wringing the edge of her apron.

“I hired you here to serve me,” Abraham said slowly, his tone authoritative.

Elise nodded, listening intently to each word.

“I also want you to assist Reiner.”

Elise’s heart seemed to skip a beat. “W-what do you mean, sir? I’m sorry... I don’t quite understand,” she asked, her voice almost trembling.

Abraham sighed as if feeling no need to explain further. “Reiner has many needs he might not voice to me. I need someone to ensure everything runs smoothly. You’ll be tasked with looking after him. Will can give you further instructions.”

Elise swallowed hard, her emotions a mix of confusion and apprehension. “Understood, sir,” she replied briefly, though her mind was flooded with questions.

“Good.” Abraham gave a small smile, but his eyes remained serious.

Elise bowed respectfully before leaving the room, her steps slightly heavier. Outside, the air felt colder, or perhaps it was just her imagination. Thoughts of Reiner and his earlier words still lingered in her mind.

“Why do I have to take care of that man? Didn’t he already have a servant before?” she muttered softly. But one thing was clear: refusing Mr. Abraham’s orders was not an option.