The Eldest Miss

"Miss Eyrie?"

In front of Fei stood a pretty young woman with sparkling gray eyes. She wore a long satin dress and accompanying white heels.

Fei felt a little puzzled. Why would she suddenly come down to the courtyard without prior notice? Fei hadn't caught a glimpse of her ever since Carlos' birthday.

Eyrie nodded. "Fei," she coughed, "Feixin, may I have the pleasure of accompanying you for lunch? We can dine in the courtyard, if you'd like."

Old habits die hard, she inwardly lampooned. In her previous life, after they had gotten more familiar with each other, Eyrie had started to address Fei the same way Carlos did, 'Fei' instead of her actual name.

Eyrie was anticipating the answer to her question. She had specifically chosen a time when Fei had just finished her combat studies in the courtyard to approach her.

But the answer Fei gave made her speechless.

"I'm very apologetic, Miss Eyrie. However, I cannot accept your offer. I am required by my schedule to have meals in the kitchen. Please excuse me, I need to arrive at the kitchen in less than three minutes." Fei proceeded to walk past the stunned eldest miss of the Rochester household.

Both the instructor that had yet to leave and Eyrie's lady's maid gaped at the audacity of the girl. Especially the instructor; he could not imagine the consequences of offending such an important person.

But what came next was what truly shocked the pair.

"I-I'll come with you! Please wait!" Eyrie quickly caught up with Fei and clutched her shoulder.

In her rush, she tripped on her new, pearly white heels. To prevent herself from falling, she grabbed onto Fei for support.

"Kyaa! I'm so sorry!" Eyrie yelped with embarrassment and fear. She immediately removed her shaking hands from Fei and jumped back to balance herself.

Eyrie bit her lip, knowing that although she told herself that she wasn't afraid of Fei and wanted to become friends with her again, this was simply untrue.

In fact, she was extremely afraid. Her heart thundering in her chest and her hands that were still trembling from the brief contact were definitive proof.

Calm down, Eyrie! You can do this! Taking a deep breath and suppressing her lurching emotions, Eyrie spoke in an even voice, "I am very sorry for that horrid display. I hope to dine with you in the kitchen. Please lead the way."

What? Fei's mind swam in question marks, wondering if she had heard wrongly. Why would an esteemed lady like her want to dine with a servant? A bodyguard, in the end, is still a mere servant.

But after a second of thought, Fei decided not to question too much. This was Miss Eyrie, her master's older sister; based on the various etiquette books Fei found, she knew that she should show some respect to her decisions.

"Alright, if you so wish." Fei nodded at the Miss and walked away; slower this time. It wasn't as if she really cared if someone else dined with her; as long as the said person didn't disturb her in the completion of missions.

Delighted, Eyrie scurried behind her.

"Wait! M-Miss Eyrie! You-" The lady's maid had awoken from her stupor. After seeing what was happening, she became even more terrified. How could her lady ever step foot into the servants' quarters? And to follow behind that bodyguard like an obedient puppy!

Reminded of the maid's presence, Eyrie shot her a glare. "You are dismissed."

"B-But-"

"I said you are dismissed, Masera. Did you not hear me?" Her gaze turned into a coldness beyond ice.

When she turned and saw Fei had walked further away, not stopping when she was talking to the maid, she whined, "I told you to wait for me!"

Masera slowly lowered her head as her figure trembled. Just what had become of her lady? She was behaving like an unreasonable child!

How was she supposed to report this matter to General Rochester? He would definitely be furious! Masera bit her lip in worry for her uncertain future.

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Fei could no longer afford to be polite as she rushed through the basement halls. Previously, out of consideration for Eyrie, she had deliberately slowed down her speed. But now, there was less than a minute left before she would be considered late!

She didn't care about Eyrie's fate anymore. All Fei thought of was how she was going to be late!

Finally, she saw the kitchen that was in her sights.

25 seconds left.

She slipped through the entrance.

I'm not late, Fei thought, relieved. She perked up her ears, trying to hear if Miss Eyrie was still following her.

She was around 15 meters behind.

After pondering for a minute, Fei decided to first get some food first. It should take less time than for Miss Eyrie to walk here.

She wasn't worried about if Miss Eyrie would get lost, after all, the halls were very easy to navigate.

Fei walked to food display and took a bowl of rice and a smaller side dish that was prepared for her. Without caring about the curious/ disdainful/ fearful/ envious glances that the other servants shot her, she walked to the nearest table and took a seat.

The other people who sat there subconsciously moved away, making space for the new arrival.

A bodyguard's status was much higher than that of the normal servants. She got better treatment and better food. No one dared to offend her, for fear of ending up fired, just like Felicia and the servants that had followed behind her did.

Rumors had gotten out that the young master, Carlos, really liked this bodyguard, and he immediately fired those who had a history of harassing her.

Meanwhile, Fei quietly ate her meal, wondering why Miss Eyrie had not arrived yet.