Chapter 7: Just Do as You’re Told

Hearing Chloe’s words, “Larvia” turned, tilted her head, and glanced around with a puzzled look.

“?”

Chloe was confused by her behavior.

On closer inspection, this girl seemed slightly different from the Larvia she knew.

First, the clothes and hairstyle. Larvia usually wore a black gothic dress with minimal white accents, her hair neatly draped over her shoulders, no accessories.

But this girl wore a white-dominated Lolita dress, a small lily hairpiece pinned in her hair, styled in lively twin tails.

Beyond that, her face felt… off, compared to the Larvia Chloe had recently seen.

Still, the main features matched perfectly. Chloe couldn’t spot any clear differences.

Except for that ahoge.

‘But I saw Sheffield escort her back to her room after work.’

Chloe was puzzled but quickly brushed it off.

‘I’m just here to do my job. Whatever she says, I’ll do. If something goes wrong, it’s not on me.’

“Ahem… Chloe.”

“Here! I’m here!”

The words slipped out before Chloe realized there was no one else around. No need to play along. Yet she’d responded so quickly.

‘One day, and I’m already this obedient?’

“Chloe, I have a secret mission for you.”

“Larvia” grinned mischievously, pulling a small bottle from her pocket and handing it to Chloe.

“Go to the kitchen, pour this into the coffee meant for—uh, my bedroom later, then deliver it.”

With that, she hurried off.

“No clue what’s going on.”

Chloe tilted her head, staring at “Larvia’s” retreating figure, curious about the bottle’s contents.

She popped the cork and sniffed. A sharp, pungent smell hit her nose.

Garlic! Garlic juice!

Chloe quickly resealed the bottle, coughing as the stench lingered.

‘Why the h*ll would she put this in coffee?’

Chloe grumbled.

Vampires needed blood to survive, but it wasn’t their sole energy source. Blood was more like fine wine in the human world—a necessity, but not enough alone.

Like other races, vampires required additional food.

Tastes varied, but garlic was universally despised by vampires.

It didn’t cause real harm, but the smell triggered visceral disgust.

So Chloe couldn’t fathom Larvia’s reasoning.

‘Does she think coffee’s not stimulating enough and needs garlic? Without stinking up the room?’

Chloe shook her head, deciding not to dwell on it.

She tucked the garlic juice away and headed to the kitchen.

During the day, the kitchen bustled with maids, but at night, only a few on duty remained.

As Chloe entered, a maid was grinding coffee beans.

“Hey, Chloe, what brings you here this late?”

She paused her work to greet her.

“Uh, L—Her Majesty asked me to do something.”

“What’s that?”

“N-Nothing special. Just… Her Majesty told me to handle something and bring the coffee over.”

The maid nodded.

“Perfect timing. Learn how to make coffee. Her Majesty has one every night at this hour. You’ll need to do this when you’re on night shift.”

The maid’s friendly attitude cheered Chloe up.

‘Guess I did alright today.’

As a probationary maid, she was far from permanent status. Building good relations now could help when it came time for evaluations.

“First, fill the pot with water, set the filter, add coffee grounds, level them, then screw it tight and put it on the heat…”

The maid explained how to use a moka pot while demonstrating.

Chloe listened attentively, occasionally asking questions.

She already knew how to use a moka pot.

Back when she slacked off in the Church Knights, she’d often made coffee for herself.

“Once it starts brewing, turn off the heat immediately.”

The maid removed the pot, waiting for it to finish, then poured the coffee into a porcelain cup.

“By the way, what did Her Majesty ask you to do?” she asked curiously.

“She told me to add something.”

Chloe pulled out the garlic juice bottle and, without hesitation, poured it into the coffee in front of the maid.

Halfway through, the garlic’s smell wafted out.

The maid’s smile froze as she realized what it was.

“C-Chloe, what’s that…?”

“Garlic juice.”

“…”

The maid’s silence made Chloe uneasy.

She knew exactly what she’d added.

But she had orders! Larvia told her to do it—what did it have to do with her?

“It’s hard to believe, but Her Majesty really told me to add it,” Chloe said calmly.

“Um… Little Chloe,” the maid said slowly. “The palace doesn’t stock garlic juice. Regular maids like us, who can’t leave freely, couldn’t possibly get it.”

“And I’ve been here years. Her Majesty’s never asked for this. I want to believe you, but…”

The maid pinched her nose and bolted out.

“Sorry, I need to confirm with Her Majesty. For now, stay in the reflection room—”

“…Huh?”

Chloe was dumbfounded.

Before she could react, guards escorted her away.

At the same place, though not the same time, Larvia met Chloe in the same reflection room cell.

This time, Larvia had the guards leave, leaving just the two of them.

“You told me to do it! I hate you! You’re messing with me again, aren’t you? Telling me to do that, then letting me get caught!”

Chloe gripped the bars, nearly in tears, yelling at Larvia.

She’d been shouting for a while.

Before, her attacks on Larvia were even fiercer. Anyone else would’ve been kicked out of the maid corps by now.

Yet Larvia listened quietly, saying nothing.

“I think I know what happened. Come with me.”