The Daughter of Evil - Volume 2 - Chapter 3.12

✿CHAPTER 3, SECTION 1, SCENE 2✿
✿ Michaela ~ Elphegort Country’s “Freesis Mansion” ~

After a one/three(?) month(s) probation, I have finally become a low servant in charge of washing clothes.

Originally, Elphegort has a cold climate but as of today, we are in the cold season. We are doing laundry today. The water is so cold you would get frost bite immediately. To prevent freezing, I blow hot air unto my hands. Today is the worst time to get employed as a servant.

As I finished washing the clothes for the third time, Clarith came carrying a basket full of children’s clothes.

“Thank you for the hard work Clarith. The water is too cold, you have to be careful”

Even though I warned her, Clarith still dipped her finger into the water and said: “It is!” Clarith whispered out. The people doing laundry with us laughed.

“Just be careful. We don’t want you to slip and get frozen to death”

I jokingly said. Clarith rubbed her hands on her clothes then she smiled.

Unlike most servants, Clarith has a particular job to do. She had to look after the Freesis couple’s eldest daughter, Yukina Freesis. She just turned nine this year and is too mischievous for servants to handle. She likes to read and write her own stories (I heard from Mrs. Freesis the reason why they buy the Lolam bird feather is for Yukina to use as a pen). She would also sometimes want her servant to write down her feelings. Only a small number of servants are literate. Even if they are literate, in most cases, they would be busy with work to look after her.

With Clarith being a farmer, I never would have thought that she could read. According to her, she was taught by her mother at an early age. Because of her ability to read and her red eyes and white hair, Ms. Yukina has become attached to her.

Therefore, Clarith has been tasked to take care of Ms. Yukina. All of the parent’s energy is used to take care of their second son and reason why Ms. Yukina is feeling lonely. For her, Clarith is a suitable playmate. In the outside, she is working very hard, but in the inside, I can see that she is very happy.

“Michaela and Clarith, can you please come inside?”

While we were drying the clothes, Gerda called us out.

“Mr. Felix wants to see you”

“Us? Why?”

Originally, the butler Bruno is in charge of greeting guests but the day before yesterday, Bruno became an entourage for the Freesis couple for they had to go to Lucifenia’s Kingdom. It was said they had to participate in the birthday party of Lucifenia’s princess.

However, senior servants are supposed to greet guest. Why us?

“The Earl named the two of you. Are you two acquainted with the Earl?”

Gerda looked at us with an expression of disbelief. Of course, we know that Earl Felix is the owner of Yatski Village but we haven’t actually seen him in person. What we didn’t expect that the Earl has awareness of us ordinary people of the village. We attentively studied the etiquette when greeting guest and how to place the tea set on the table.

“Mr. Keel has just arrived and will be attending to him in a moment. You mustn’t make any mistake”

With that being said, after all, this is our first time entertaining our guest. We nervously opened the door to the living room and walked in. In the room, an elegant middle aged man was sitting on a chair while a young man was as if waiting in the side of the room.

“Excuse me. Here are your drinks and snacks. Master will be attending to you in moment.”

I carefully poured tea into the cup. As Clarith was about to place the snacks, she suddenly gave a faint cry.

I asked Clarise what went wrong. When I looked up, I saw the eyes of the young man standing next to the Earl.

“Ein?! Why are you here?”

Mr. Keel entered the room and had important matters to talk about. Clarith and I were sent out of the room.

“I heard from the owner of the inn that you have come here to work. I asked the Earl to take me along. I’m glad that you two are doing well.”

Ein did not change at all. He still had a hearty smile to present.

“Are you OK Ein? What about the Village?”

“My father was arrested. I can’t replace him as the chieftain so somebody else has to do it”

“You haven’t returned to the village?”

“I haven’t yet because the Earl appointed me to join Elphegort’s army”

“The army?”

Quietly hiding behind me was Clarith. She seems to be shocked by the sudden news.

Before leaving the village, Ein’s job was to look after poultry. In order to protect their things, he asked Eugen to teach him how to use a sword.

“My dream is to be a great swords man like LeonHart Avadonia and Gast Venom. If I become strong, I will be able to protect the person most important to me. I would also consider killing my father to avenge Eugen”

“An important… person?”

Ein’s eyes became shy and slender. His line of sight was not on my face but was behind me a bit.

The door to the living room was opened by the butler Bruno. The meeting seems to have finally ended.

“I see. Lucifenia’s financial problems has become difficult to handle”

“I was afraid to show authority. I was shocked when they showed that giant cake”

“And in contrast, the public is struggling from poverty… right?”

“Yes. Lucifenia’s poor harvest had a huge impact on them”

“Well, I’ll listen to your remarks, but more than anything else, everything is okay. Thank you very much, you’re Excellency, Keel Freesis”

As the duo came out of the room, the three of us straightened our posture. At that moment, we saw Ms. Yukina all exhausted from running across the hall.

As Ms. Yukina was running, he bumped into Mr. Keel.

“Ah?!”

“Daddy!! You came back!”

Ms. Yukina bumped into Mr. Keel’s chest. Even so, Mr. Keel just gave off a smile while his glasses slightly slid off. He gently patted his daughter’s head.

“You came back and didn’t come see me first!”

“I’m sorry Yukina. Father has lots of work to be done. How about I read a book for you?”

Seeing Keel being a fatherly figure to his daughter, Earl Felix just squinted his eyes and laughed.

“It seems the great Keel Freesis has an image that he has never shown to the kingdom”

“Even so, I would rather have a child like Yukina than Lucifenia’s Daughter of Evil”

Keel said, the Earl laughed out loud. He then called out to Ein and walked towards the direction of the entrance.

“E-E-Ein!”

Suddenly, from behind me, Clarith jumped out and shouted at Ein:

“Thank you for helping us! Thank you very much!”

Ein did not look back. He just gently waved his hand and left with the Earl.

Although he was far and it was quite unclear, but I think you can faintly see Ein rubbing his eyes, he’s probably crying.