Ch 7. The Hearsay of Servants

Unfortunately, the person that Fei managed to offend was the head maid, Felicia.

When the head maid was showing Fei around the basement, she had tried to strike up a conversation with Fei.

"Have you ever served before?"

"..."

"Do you know how to do the basic chores?"

"..."

"Where are you from?"

"..."

"Answer me!"

"..."

This was how the conversation went. By the end of the basement tour, Felicia had given up. She deemed the new servant as stupid and arrogant. After all, which servant wouldn't respect the person that would be governing you? Only a stupid one and an arrogant one.

There was no lack of servants seeking to get on the good side of Felicia, and soon, everyone who served the Rochesters knew that the new maid arrogantly disrespected the head maid. Some servants even lashed out at Fei with exaggerated and made-up claims to gain Felicia's approval.

However, not all servants were fond of doing such deeds. Thankfully, the head chef, Alver, was one of them. He pitied Fei, and as she was also a newly arrived servant, Alver gave her a bit more food than others during her first meal at the Rochester mansion.

Unfortunately, this deed with kind motives resulted in even more annoyance towards Fei.

Of course, Fei didn't understand anything. She thought the sneers and ugly looks were normal, perhaps it was her master and the old master that were different.

By now, the servants had finished eating in the kitchen and started to prepare to take quick showers before settling in bed. There were only 10 bathrooms in the basement, and there were a few dozen servants. As everyone started to debate over which people were to shower first, Fei stood up and began walking to her designated bed in the other room.

One servant saw her walking alone and shouted out in alarm, "Hey! Where do you think you're going? You're new, so you have to shower last!"

Fei gave him a nonchalant glance before continuing her walk.

"Hey! Get back here!"

Ignored.

The room that Fei slept in was shared with 4 others, 2 people sharing a wooden bunk bed. There was a table in the middle of the room, and a few pieces of folded clothing was placed on top of it. The bedsheets were white and comfortable, but her's bedsheets were filled with a stinky smell and a moldy feeling. However, Fei didn't notice at all.

When she got in her bed, she quickly fell asleep.

In the dark night, countless pieces of gossip had been exchanged about the new maid. Apparently, she not only upset the head maid but the eldest miss of the house as well. Some others speculated that the maid probably of noble lineage since she was too arrogant and didn't want the shower in the same bathrooms the other servants did. A few servants suggested that perhaps the new maid wasn't actually arrogant and the reason that she ignored everyone was because she didn't understand the language, but that conjecture was immediately rejected; after all... it isn't interesting enough!

----

The next morning, Fei woke up to silence. When she opened her eyes, she realized that the basement was still dark. She looked around and saw the roommate that slept across from her, a young girl with dirty blond hair and average features.

Fei sat up and walked out of the room, not making a sound. As she walked down the empty halls towards the nearest stairway, suddenly--

Ding Dong Ding Dong Ding Dong!

As the bells rang, the hallways lit up and almost immediately became filled with servants bustling in uniform.

Only Fei stuck out like a sore thumb, standing in the middle of the chaos in utter confusion. She frowned and tried to continue going to her destination, but she was held back by a woman in a dark blue suit. It was Felicia.

"What are you doing? Quickly, put on the uniform and follow me!"

Fei tilted her head.

Irked, Felicia shouted at her, "What? Do you want me to dress you? In your dreams. Hurry up!" She pushed Fei into her room before slamming the door in a rage.

Fei looked around the empty room before landing her eyes on the clothes on the table. It was the same clothes that some of the other maids were wearing; a navy, long-sleeved shirt with a white collar, and loose navy pants. Enlightened, Fei changed into the clothes that were prepared for her.

....

In the main corridor of the fourth floor, Fei stood in line with the other maids as they watched the master of the house, Mr. Rochester, prepare to leave for an expedition. At this moment, even Felicia wore a look of respect. Mr. Rochester wore a formal suit and was looking at an invisible projection in front of him. Occasionally, he would swipe in the air, looking a little comical. Beside him stood his valet.

"I won't be home for a few days, make sure to finish with the paperwork placed in the main room, schedule an appointment with Mr. L for next week. Understood?"

"Thank you for your reminder." The housekeeper, Mary, replied with respect. "Any other instructions, sir?"

Mr. Rochester pondered, before resting his gaze on Fei. " Take care of the mutant. Instruct it well. She is from Country C."

"Yes, sir."

"(Fei, listen to Mary.)"

"(Yes.)" Fei looked at Mary, a late-middle-aged woman, who smiled amiably. She nodded in response.

Mr. Rochester walked out to the concrete deck that was at the end of the corridor. After waiting for a few minutes, a sleek black helicopter landed on the deck, with a few men dressed in black that stepped out and politely invited Mr. Rochester in.