Stains on The Heel

Eyrie panted as she struggled to keep up with Fei's speed. As a result of being sheltered, she had never run for such a long distance nor for such a long time either.

Ever since she was young, Eyrie has had frail health, and rarely ventured out of the Rochester estate. Out of concern for her health, the mistress of the household, Eyre Rochester, assigned for her to be homeschooled.

In the end, Eyrie only ever left the estate for more than a week when she went to university when she was 15. Since she was a heaven-defying genius, she had skipped grades. But even then, it was only after pleading with her mother for weeks before she was finally allowed to live in the dorms.

However, when her mother died, she was instructed to return home once again; and she never left.

Coming back from her reminiscence, Eyrie stopped in place and looked around in confusion.

Where… is this? By this time, she had long lost sight of Fei.

In an instant, Eyrie panicked. What could she do? She had never been to the basement, both in her past life and her present one. All around her were unfamiliar walls and halls. There were also a few young maids that were walking with leisure towards the opposite end of the halls, chattering and giggling together.

Eyrie wanted to go up to them and ask for directions… but would she be able to do it? She rarely interacted with others. Even with her own family members. She was slightly scared, even though these girls were mere servants and probably won't dare deny her request.

This characteristic was developed in this lifetime when she received a traumatic experience at her university. Being a student that was four years younger than everyone else, she was often isolated.

People never took her seriously either.

And it wasn't as if she was the only one that had a background. Almost everyone who attended that prestigious school was from wealthy families or families had a lot of political power. So when she returned home, Eyrie had actually felt relief from escaping that oppressive place.

At her own house, she didn't need to talk to anyone besides her father, who seldom called for her for anything except business, and her most loyal subordinates. Perhaps Fei was the only 'outsider' that Eyrie spoke to for almost six years.

Eyrie bit her lip, looking at the unfamiliar backs that faced her. Plucking up her courage, she walked forward, with her heels clicking against the icy floors.

Hearing her steps, the maids immediately stopped their conversation and looked behind them in bewilderment. Those were the sounds of high heels, and as far as they knew, no servant wore such shoes.

When they realized that the person who was walking towards them was the eldest miss of the Rochester family, all of their figures froze for a second.

"Miss Eyrie! I-Is there anything you need?" A tall girl with auburn hair broke the silence.

Eyrie hesitated. "Yes, I would like to know the directions to the kitchen, please."

The kitchen? The maids looked at each other in astonishment.

Why would the esteemed eldest miss want to go THERE? It was so dirty and full of rats, unfit for her presence.

Could it be that she was here to check on the procedures of the basement?

This… the young women shook. Coincidentally, they were scullery maids, staff that were responsible for the more physically demanding tasks of the kitchen, such as washing plates or carrying ingredients.

Despite their internal worries, they still showed bright smiles and offered to lead Miss Eyrie to the kitchen. Although they had other work to do, none of it was as important as serving a Rochester.

Eyrie was a little relieved. At least they recognized her face.

As her dilemma was solved, she began to get annoyed at Fei. She was terribly disrespectful to Eyrie, even though Eyrie herself had shown the bodyguard much more respect than a servant deserved.

Was lunch so much more important to Fei than her master's sister?

In her previous life, Fei thought of the Rochesters as her masters, so she unreservedly did everything for them. But in this life, she seemed to only recognize Carlos and Mr. Rochester.

Why?

Eyrie shook her head to get the ominous thoughts out of her head. She looked around her, bewildered.

The surroundings seemed to slowly transform as they ventured deeper into the basement. The walls went from white to become dirtied by oils and unknown substances. There was a strange stench in the air. Once in a while, there would be the bold squeaking of mice.

It seemed like the part they were passing through was where the servants resided, and Eyrie saw many doors creak open and pairs of eyes peering out at her.

This… Eyrie frowned indiscernibly.

Noticing her displeasure, the young maids that were leading her to the kitchen coaxed her to leave the basement. "This place is so dirty and shabby, eldest miss Eyrie, why don't you return upstairs?"

It wasn't just that this place was dirty and shabby.

This place reminded Eyrie of some unpleasant memories.

The view of her father, her father that was a general, doing laundry like a housemaid flashed through her mind. In every winter that passed in those years, her hands had been ridden with frostbite. Perhaps the only person who lived 'well' was Carlos, since his father gave all of the warmest blankets and all of his love to him.

As for the rest of us, we lived lower than the worst of maids that once served in this house.

Eyrie looked at her new white shoes that had a few black stains on the heel, and for a second, she wanted to take up their offer. But those same memories that haunted her also gave her strength.

She hesitated and told herself with determination: for the sake of my family, I will do this. I NEED to do this.

"It is fine, please continue."

With her mind set, Eyrie urged the maids to go on, much to their surprise.