Chapter 25: A Maid’s Affection

“What’s wrong, Eileen?” Faltis asked.

“N-nothing!” Eileen quickly composed herself. She absolutely could not give Faltis another opportunity to tease her.

As long as she didn’t say anything, it hadn’t happened!

Faltis opened her mouth, but Eileen swiftly interrupted her. “My Lady Faltis, what do you think of this outfit?”

Faltis closed her mouth, a faint, almost imperceptible curve playing on her lips. She decided to let it go for today; teasing Eileen could wait.

“Whatever you choose will be fine. I trust your judgment.” Faltis’s daily attire was, after all, entirely entrusted to Eileen.

“Understood.”

Eileen’s hand ran through Faltis’s golden hair, finding it incredibly soft and imbued with Faltis’s unique, delicate fragrance.

With practiced ease, she smoothed Faltis’s locks. “What kind of hairstyle would My Lady Faltis prefer?”

“Just like yours will do,” Faltis replied, not particularly concerned with such matters.

“Like mine?” Eileen glanced at her reflection in the mirror. In her haste, she had simply tied her hair into a plain high ponytail.

“I understand.”

Faltis gazed at the twin ponytails in the mirror, a look of unfamiliarity on her face.

“How is it, My Lady Faltis?” Eileen inquired.

How is it? Faltis wasn’t sure how to describe it, but it certainly wasn’t unattractive.

Not unattractive? It was utterly adorable!

Given Faltis’s innate beauty, she could effortlessly pull off any hairstyle.

It was simply unexpected for Eileen to suddenly give her such a style.

Observing Eileen’s expression in the mirror, Faltis could tell she was quite fond of it.

In that case…

“It’s very nice. I like it a lot,” Faltis said, nodding with an indulgent smile.

“Really?” A sweet smile bloomed on Eileen’s face.

Such an easily contented little one.

Faltis rose from her seat, allowing Eileen to help her change clothes.

Eileen skillfully unfastened Faltis’s nightgown.

She often wondered how Faltis could remain so composed, completely unfazed, while Eileen changed her clothes. Although Faltis still wore undergarments, Eileen knew she herself could never be so unblushing.

Faltis’s golden eyes, like shimmering pools, met her own reflection. She was clad in a white gown, its hem adorned with golden patterns that perfectly accentuated her graceful figure. Translucent ruby earrings dangled, complementing her waist-length golden hair that cascaded over her shoulders. A few playful strands escaped to frame her face, and her head bore no ornament save for a delicate light blue ribbon gently tying back a single lock of hair.

This ensemble, while beautiful, replaced her usual casual comfort with an air of authority.

However, because they were still in a private setting, that sense of gravitas lasted only a few seconds.

“Oh? Could it be, Eileen, that you prefer me when I’m working?” Faltis chuckled.

“How could you say that, My Lady Faltis? Whether you are your usual relaxed self or your dignified self at work, I like both.”

Hmph, *just kidding.* Eileen was no longer the Eileen who had just recovered her memories.

*In any case, when in doubt, praise! Praise always works!*

“Do you really like both?” Faltis rose from the chair and moved behind Eileen.

She wrapped her arms around Eileen’s slender waist from behind.

“O-oh, hahahaha!” Eileen felt a pair of soft, boneless hands tickling her waist.

“M-hahaha! My Lady Faltis! Stop that!” Eileen pleaded for mercy.

“Don’t think I don’t know what you’re thinking,” Faltis said, pausing her hands for a moment. “Tell me your true thoughts. Which version of me do you prefer?”

“I truly wasn’t lying to My Lady Faltis.” After five years of living together, Eileen realized she genuinely couldn’t bring herself to dislike Faltis… except for the fact that Faltis had turned her into a dragon maid.

“If I had to choose, I would still prefer… My Lady Faltis in her usual, relaxed state,” Eileen added.

“?” Faltis was clearly surprised by this. “Why?”

“Can I not say?” Eileen’s gaze began to drift elsewhere again.

“No, look at me.” Faltis mercilessly pulled her back.

“Alright,” Eileen said, a touch of helplessness in her voice. She regretted speaking so much.

“Well, because when My Lady Faltis is working, she needs to maintain her dignity. The master-servant relationship is clear, and you don’t get handsy with me, which I quite like.

But, on the other hand, you can’t show any weakness in front of others and always have to look serious. That version of My Lady Faltis must be very tiring, right?

When we’re alone, even though My Lady Faltis often teases me, it also means you’re more relaxed, doesn’t it?”

Faltis froze. She extended a hand towards Eileen’s head.

Eileen instinctively closed her eyes, expecting Faltis to playfully tap her head.

To her surprise, Faltis gently stroked her hair instead.

Just as Eileen anticipated some tender words from Faltis, she heard, “It seems you can’t bear to part with me after all. While you outwardly appear to detest my teasing, in reality, you can’t live without me.”

“I really just…”

“Really just what?”

Eileen cursed Faltis countless times in her mind, yet a cheerful smile remained plastered on her face. “I truly am just as My Lady Faltis says—I can’t live without My Lady Faltis.”

*I must smile. I absolutely must.*

A competent maid must be able to manage her expressions and emotions flawlessly.

“What an adorable tsundere little maid,” Faltis said, ruffling Eileen’s head. “Come on, my obedient little maid, it’s time for some rewards.”

“Where are we going?”

“To the Dragon’s Vault. Go wait for me there. I’ll join you after I’ve handled a few things,” Faltis replied.

The Dragon’s Vault? That was a forbidden place, accessible only to successive Dragon Kings. However, Eileen didn’t dwell on it. “Yes, I understand, My Lady Faltis.” Eileen left Faltis’s room, closing the door behind her.

“She… she didn’t notice, did she? Good thing I wore long sleeves today.” Faltis pulled up her sleeve.

Beneath it lay a faint layer of golden scales.

“Ah… what she said just now was truly… too scandalous…” Faltis gazed at her reflection in the mirror, her pretty face tinged with a blush.

“Perhaps I should go a little easier on Eileen? Tease her a bit less?”

But Faltis quickly shook her head, dismissing the thought.

“No, only by teasing her more frequently will she reveal even better expressions, won’t she? I’m already starting to look forward to it, Eileen.” Faltis licked her lips.