Chapter 5: A Maid’s Dilemma

The next day, Eileen awoke, intending to prepare Faltis’s breakfast. However, she found herself utterly unable to move.

The reason was simple enough. Faltis had Eileen’s tail held firmly in her embrace; its temperature was slightly cooler than other dragons, making it incredibly comfortable to cuddle.

However, as this was a common occurrence, Eileen already had a method to deal with it.

Her silver tail slowly began to shrink. Eventually, it vanished completely, leaving her form indistinguishable from a human’s.

Dragons typically retracted their wings, horns, and tails while sleeping.

Yet, Eileen retained her tail even in sleep, purely for Faltis’s sake.

Faltis’s room did not have a kitchen. Thus, Eileen made her way to the main kitchen.

“Miss Setia.” She spotted Setia bustling about in the kitchen.

“Eileen?” Setia looked up at Eileen, though it was uncertain if her eyes, hidden behind her bangs, could truly see.

Eileen stepped forward. “Is there anything I can help with?”

“No, no, it’s fine!” Setia shook her head.

Setia’s position was somewhat awkward, useful yet not entirely necessary.

Originally, preparing Faltis’s breakfast and cleaning the Dragon Palace had been her responsibilities. However, ever since Eileen arrived, these duties had been transferred to her.

Setia’s sole task had become teaching Eileen how to be a maid. Clearly, Eileen had already mastered the role, even surpassing her in many aspects, leaving Setia feeling increasingly marginalized.

“Would you like to have breakfast together?” Setia asked.

“Not just yet. I need to prepare breakfast for Lady Faltis first,” Eileen replied, politely declining Setia’s kind offer.

“Oh, is that so?” Though Setia’s expression was obscured, her tone clearly conveyed a hint of disappointment.

“However, I do have a few things I’d like to ask you about later. Would you mind waiting for me in the back garden?” Eileen said.

“Yes! Of course!” Setia agreed without a moment’s hesitation.

What was the main food for dragons? Meat, of course.

Meat was indispensable for all three meals of the day. Therefore, preparing meat dishes that were delicious, suited Faltis’s palate, and wouldn’t become tiresome with daily consumption was a matter requiring great skill.

When Eileen entered Faltis’s room, carrying pan-fried steak and roasted meat, Faltis was already seated at her desk.

During Eileen’s month-long absence, a considerable pile of matters had accumulated, awaiting Faltis’s attention.

“Lady Faltis, perhaps a short break?” Eileen approached Faltis from behind, gently massaging her shoulders.

“Once you have your own ideas, you can lend me a hand,” Faltis stretched languidly before moving to the dining table.

The aroma of roasted meat wafted enticingly, and the steak was perfectly seared. Garnished with various fruits and vegetables, the meal looked incredibly appetizing.

Eileen thoughtfully sliced the steak and roasted meat for Faltis, then moved the plate closer to her.

The steak was succulent; with each bite, the juices burst forth in her mouth. The roasted meat melted upon a gentle press of the tongue.

With the accompanying fruits and vegetables on the plate, the meal never became overly rich.

At the opportune moment, Eileen offered a napkin.

Faltis delicately dabbed the corners of her mouth and took a sip of the iced drink Eileen had prepared. Made from premium strawberries, it was sweet, though still a touch less so than Eileen herself.

Eileen began clearing the dishes from the table.

“What information does Lady Faltis require?” Eileen asked. She would soon need to interrogate the nun in the dungeon, but she knew little about the Human Empire.

Ever since she could remember, she had remained within the Golden Dragon Temple, never having ventured into human territories.

“The methods of interrogation, the questions to ask—you will decide everything yourself. If necessary, you may also bring her out,” Faltis stated. “You only need to report the results you obtain to me; I am not concerned with the process.”

This posed a slight challenge for Eileen.

If Faltis had simply given a command, Eileen would have easily fulfilled it. But to conduct the interrogation herself…

“I understand.” Nevertheless, since it was Faltis’s request, Eileen would endeavor to complete it to the best of her abilities.

“Go.”

“Mm.” Eileen took the tableware and left the room.

She arrived at the back garden, where Setia sat waiting for her under the pavilion.

Eileen sat opposite her. On the table were some pastries Setia had prepared. “Try them. How do they taste?”

Eileen scooped a spoonful of pudding and brought it to her mouth. A faint milky fragrance lingered in her palate. “They’re very good.”

“That’s a relief,” Setia sighed softly.

“Be more confident, Miss Setia. Everything I’ve learned, you taught me,” Eileen said.

However, Setia was clearly not very interested in this topic. She was well aware of the vast difference between herself and Eileen. “Let’s not talk about that, Eileen. Didn’t you have something you wanted to ask me? What is it?”

Eileen’s expression turned troubled. “Yesterday, didn’t dragon slayers invade our territory? I defeated them and imprisoned some of the survivors in the dungeon.”

“Lady Faltis wants me to interrogate those survivors about the Empire. So, I wanted to ask if you have any experience in this area? How should I interrogate them? What questions should I ask?” Eileen inquired.

‘Wait, what?’ Setia herself was a little bewildered. She looked at Eileen somewhat awkwardly. “Eileen… you know I’m just a maid, right?”

“Yes, why?” How could Eileen not know that?

“Then why are you asking me this question?!”

“Eh?” Eileen’s expression turned to one of confusion.

“Wait, wait, wait! Eileen!” Setia seemed to realize something was amiss. “What do you think a maid’s duties entail?”

“Let me think…” Eileen pondered for a moment.

“Preparing food for the master, organizing documents, keeping the room clean, tending to the potted plants, and… helping the master bathe, warming the master’s bed as a body pillow, sleeping beside them, refining potions and essential oils… Oh, and now interrogation has been added.”

Aside from preparing food and cleaning, Setia had never done any of those other things.

She placed her hands on Eileen’s shoulders. “Many of the things you’re doing are not what a maid should do!”

“But isn’t a maid’s duty simply to obey the master’s commands?”