The Soaked Maiden and the Scheming Butler

Afternoon of the fourth day.

Miss Claire Krieg’s social anxiety rehabilitation training was still underway.

“That’s right, Claire. As the mistress, you only need to give commands for whatever you want.”

“Ugh… I’m afraid they’ll dislike me…”

“Hm? You are their master. Even if they dislike you, they can’t do anything to you, can they?”

“Ugh… but… but…”

In the castle’s living room, Claire sat with her legs pressed together, her body swaying slightly. Tears welled in the corners of her eyes as she looked at Seraphina.

Helpless, Seraphina could only demonstrate once more.

“Come, learn from me—’Maid, I need a glass of water. Please get it for me.'”

“Maid, I, I…”

“Oh, just say it casually, it’s fine.” Seraphina waved her hand, ignoring the maids’ disdainful glances. “‘Maid, pour me a glass of water.'”

“Ugh… I really can’t do something like that…”

‘Tsk, this girl…’

‘If I hadn’t personally manipulated her [threads], Seraphina would truly suspect if she was merely feigning this innocence.’

“Seraphina… if possible… could you please get me some water?”

Unable to muster the courage to take that step, Claire pleaded, her gaze turning to Seraphina.

“Sigh…”

‘Although it felt a bit contrived, this intense clinginess to a familiar person, almost like a self-isolated individual, truly resembled someone with severe social anxiety.’

Reluctantly, Seraphina picked up the water jug, poured a glass, and offered it to Claire.

“Here, drink.”

Turning her head, Seraphina avoided looking directly at Claire.

Having once been a shut-in, Seraphina understood the psychology of those with social anxiety. If Claire believed she could rely on her, she would truly cling to Seraphina indefinitely, never venturing beyond her comfort zone.

Claire absolutely had to learn to ‘do it herself.’

****

Yet, strangely, Seraphina held the water glass, but no movement came from Claire for a long time.

‘What’s going on?’

Frowning, Seraphina’s eyes barely opened a slit as she peeked at Claire.

The adorable blonde girl sat on the sofa, leaning forward. Her head was tilted back, her hands resting on her knees, and her eyes were closed in a squint. With her mouth agape, she resembled a fledgling waiting for its mother bird to deliver food, anticipating Seraphina’s feeding.

“If you do that… aren’t you afraid of choking?”

Utterly exasperated, Seraphina aimed the water jug at Claire’s throat.

“It’s fine… if it’s Seraphina, I won’t choke… probably.”

However, despite her words, Claire’s head inexplicably kept shaking, making it difficult for Seraphina to accurately pour the water into her mouth.

‘What’s wrong with this girl? Is she having a muscle weakness attack?’

Seraphina couldn’t bring herself to scold her, yet she also worried about accidentally choking Claire or staining the sofa’s leather cover if she simply poured the water.

‘Doesn’t that leave only one option?’

Steeling her heart, Seraphina reached out and gently supported Claire’s throat.

“Your head keeps shaking; there’s no other way. Pardon my rudeness.”

As gently as possible, Seraphina lightly pressed her fingertips against Claire’s chin, steadying her head, and then slowly tilted the water glass.

“Chirp, chirp.”

As Seraphina poured the water, she overheard the maids gossiping behind her.

“See? I told you the relationship between Seraphina and the Third Miss isn’t ordinary.”

‘Tsk… how dare they say such things? Are they tired of living?’

“I know, I know! About half a month ago, she visited as a guest. I accidentally saw them clinging to each other that time…”

‘Oh, so some people actually remember after all this time. I thought you’d all forgotten.’

“Tsk, don’t spread rumors about the Third Miss so casually!”

‘Whew, thankfully, there are still some righteous people among these maids.’

“What rumors? It’s the truth, alright? Not only that, but I also heard that the Third Miss meets Seraphina every night for a secret rendezvous, right from the back door of the dormitory, going out—”

‘Hey, hey, hey, Claire! Your secret dates have been exposed!’

“Exactly, exactly! I think the Third Miss’s unusual behavior now is probably also part of their scheme…”

‘Oh, right.’

Seraphina re-examined Claire, suddenly noticing a distinct, warm blush beneath her cheeks.

‘Tsk… I know that people with social anxiety almost always blush when touched, but this girl has an extraordinary amount of ulterior motives.’

‘Could it be… this is really just her act?’

Just as Seraphina was thinking this—

“Cough! Cough! Cough!”

Somehow, Claire, who had been steadily drinking water a second ago, suddenly choked.

If it were just choking on water, it wouldn’t be a big deal.

The problem was that as she choked, Claire’s forehead tilted forward and directly hit the water glass in Seraphina’s hand.

Splash~

“Ugh, ugh…”

Unable to hold it steady, the water glass in Seraphina’s hand instantly tipped over.

Splish-splash…

The transparent liquid drenched Claire.

This was bad…

Whether it was her golden hair or the hem of her blue dress, Claire was now thoroughly soaked.

“Seraphina…”

Like a puppy that had made a mistake and was awaiting its master’s scolding, Claire looked up. With her tear-filled, emerald eyes, she pleaded for Seraphina’s forgiveness.

“I’m sorry…”

Seraphina, who had initially harbored doubts about Claire, and had been vexed by the sudden turn of events, now felt a wave of tender affection rise within her upon seeing Claire’s eyes, ‘as if begging for help.’

‘Damn, the blush of a maiden truly conquers all; that saying holds undeniable truth.’

Filled with a gentle warmth, Seraphina naturally dismissed any thoughts of an act.

“It’s alright, it’s alright… Are you still uncomfortable?”

“Cough, cough… Seraphina, could you pat my back?”

“Of course… Uh, Maid, could you help me carry Miss Claire back to her bedroom?”

“Ugh… if it’s alright, Seraphina alone is enough…”

****

Meanwhile, in a corner of the corridor near the living room.

“Sigh… young people truly have quick wits, to come up with such a game.”

Leaning against the wall, Butler Gus stealthily observed the master and servant in the living room.

“Why didn’t I think of such games when I was young…”

“Mr. Gus, they’re coming this way. Are you sure you still want to eavesdrop here?”

“What the f—!”

Gus spun around to see the Head Maid behind him.

“Phew… It’s you. You scared me to death.”

“Mr. Gus, you called me here to meet you a few minutes ago. How could I still scare you?” The Head Maid tilted her head.

“Mm-hmm, yes, yes.” Gus cleared his throat. “I called you over because I have an instruction.”

“According to the plan, I’ll be ‘invisible’ for a few days. During this time, if Seraphina asks about my whereabouts, tell her I’ve gone to report to the family head.”

“Beyond that, tell her directly that if Miss Claire doesn’t return to her normal self, I will use my position to immediately report to the family head. At that point, she will face the full retribution of the entire Krieg family!”