Bound By Heartstrings

The New Maid

"You! Leave quickly... I want to sleep a bit more."

As usual, the Pureblood family holds its annual Grand Assembly or traditional festival to commemorate and honor ancestors. Miss Victoria must attend family-only ceremonies or larger social events of the noble society as she is the only daughter of the family and an important figure for this conference.

"Knock!"

"Miss... I'm sorry, but you have to wake up now, the assembly is about to start."

Emily pulled the curtain beside the bed forcefully, causing the dazzling light to shine directly on her mistress's face. Fortunately, it did not anger Miss.

The grand hall of Victoria Manor sparkled with lights, radiating brightly amidst the grandeur of the hall. Miss Victoria stood on the high podium, exuding an aura of nobility and elegance. All eyes were fixed on her, unable to look away.

"Indeed, Miss Victoria of the Victoria family, you truly exude authority." a subtly mocking voice remarked.

"Yes, indeed. Spare us the unnecessary flattery..." Victoria looked down at the noble crowd with a cold gaze. These were the same people who had once conspired to harm her parents to seize power and wealth. They were all hypocrites, full of ambition.

"Thank you all for coming here today," Victoria spoke, her voice echoing throughout the grand hall. "But... today is a day to remember our parents, so please refrain from praising meaningless things."

The Victoria family belonged to the Pureblood nobility in the Lanshire region. Victoria's parents were wealthy and benevolent, always helping the poor and doing good deeds. Due to jealousy, some other noble families had resorted to malicious means to harm her family...

"Miss... We only speak the... truth." a voice interjected.

"Yes, but what is the truth?" Victoria chuckled faintly. "Today, let us remember our parents and the good they have done." She spoke as a second warning because it seemed they paid no heed to her previous words.

Everyone raised their glasses, the clinking of glasses resonating. Victoria took a small sip, her gaze sweeping over the crowd once more before leaving the podium.

Meanwhile, in Victoria's private room, Emily was diligently tidying up. She wiped every corner of the room, rearranging books and Miss's personal belongings carefully.

"Knock!"

Emily accidentally knocked over a jade vase on the table, causing it to shatter into pieces. The jade shards scattered on the floor.

"Oh... it's over! Broken... completely broken." Emily panicked, quickly squatting down to gather the broken pieces before anyone discovered.

The items in the mansion of each noble family were precious and rare. Many were unique to a nation, while others were precious heirlooms passed down through generations... Emily was terrified, sweat rolling down her forehead, unsure of what to do with the broken pieces. If discovered, she would surely be punished...

"Knock... knock... knock!"

The sound of knocking startled Emily out of her fearful thoughts. The butler opened the door and entered, Emily hastily hiding the broken items under the table before getting up to greet him.

"Emily, the grand hall is ready for the next banquet. Miss will need a maid to prepare her attire and serve her. You must quickly finish your work here. Don't disappoint her, your worthless life is not worth a penny."

"Yes, sir," Emily replied with a hurried nod.

...

In the grand hall, the atmosphere was becoming livelier. Guests gathered into small groups, chatting and laughing. Victoria stood in the center, maintaining her dignity and elegance.

Suddenly, the atmosphere in the room seemed to quiet down as a middle-aged man, dignified in appearance, emerged from the dark corner of the room. He approached Victoria, a smile full of mystery on his face.

"Miss Victoria," his voice warm, as if carrying something mysterious. "I have something important to discuss. May I have a moment?"

"Mr. Charles. You've taken the trouble to come here, and we appreciate it." Victoria nodded in greeting, her gaze never leaving the man.

Charles smiled softly, his eyes shining with depth and mystery.

"Indeed, it is an honor. Miss, in our family, we have an ancient legend... about prosperity and abundance. I hope it will benefit the Victoria family."

Victoria sensed that something was amiss, but she didn't want to show her concern in front of the guests.

"Thank you. I'm quite curious about what you're saying, but perhaps... now is not the time." Victoria replied.

Charles moved closer, his voice whispering into Victoria's ear, enough for her to hear but not for others to notice.

"Please remember, be cautious with the appearances of those around you."

Victoria stood in silence, her eyes widening with surprise and suspicion. Charles bowed and retreated, leaving Victoria with a lot to ponder. She knew, in this banquet, there were those who conspired against her own flesh and blood... Could it be that they had some sinister plot hidden behind those friendly smiles...?

"Difficult to guess...!" Victoria muttered uneasily, placing her glass on the table.

The banquet proceeded smoothly, with exquisite dishes and melodious music. Victoria maintained her composure, but in her heart, she always kept Charles's words revolving.

"Alright, hurry up and prepare my attire. You're unusually grumpy."

"Yes. Everything is ready. Perhaps the water has cooled down. Let me prepare it again, Miss."

"... Wait! Stop right there..."

Victoria recognized that her previous maid wasn't like this one. Still in a daze, she immediately widened her eyes suspiciously at her attendant.

"You're not Clara?"

"..."

Emily, a maid assigned to the garden area, was ordered by Butler Oliver Rad to serve Miss closely.

Hearing rumors, Clara had been transferred to another family because the night before she committed a major offense at the estate of Countess Evelyn Victoria.

"Are you deaf?"

"Uh... Um. Sorry, I didn't dare."

Step by step, Victoria draped her silk robe over her alluring naked body, approaching Emily. She gently lifted her chin, her sharp eyes almost devouring.

"Miss..."

"Who allowed you in here? Where's Clara?"

Emily stood still, not daring to move. Before arriving at the estate, she was thoroughly instructed in all aspects, or else she would lose her life...

Though frightened, Emily's throat couldn't stop swallowing at the sight of the beauty before her. Miss's perfect figure, with toned abs, all muscle areas firm like a bodybuilder...

"She's been dismissed by the Countess, Miss." Emily spoke with trembling.

"Knock... knock!"

"Miss Victoria, are you ready yet?"

The butler entered, Emily forgetting her fear to shield her mistress's body without hesitation. Behind her, she didn't know that her height only covered up to her chest, leaving Victoria's sensitive body still partially exposed. Victoria's face began to blush, immediately dismissing the butler.

"Leave!"

"Sorry, I thought you were finished." After speaking, Oliver frowned at Emily before retreating.

As the butler stepped out, Victoria looked down coldly at her maid, tilting her head slightly, her eyebrows furrowing.

"You're shielding me? With this body?"

"Yes..."

Victoria chuckled softly before turning to walk straight into the bathroom. She gracefully stepped into the water, slowly lying down, resting her head on the edge. Emily, meanwhile, followed behind, feeling awkward.

"Let me massage you, Miss."

"Okay."

The aristocrats' bathtub always smelled fresh, with rose petals floating along with the fragrant scent of goat milk emitting a warm steam. Something that many girls longed to soak in, even if it was reused by the mistress. But anything they used had to be disposed of by the servants, anyone who disobeyed would be severely punished...

It was Emily's first time experiencing the luxurious scent in the bathroom of the wealthy. She took advantage of massaging while enjoying it, to the point where her eyes were as intoxicated as a drug addict's.

"What are you doing? Why are you showing that expression?"

Victoria felt the uncertain hands on her skin. She turned her head to see Emily's eyes glazed over like a drug addict.

"Damn it. You... you."

"What's wrong? Want a fate like Clara's?"