"Ah!" A sharp cry suddenly rang out, followed by a series of "thud, thud" sounds as a wooden bucket fell to the ground.
"Miss Mia, what are you doing?" Tina's loud voice carried a tone of exasperated reproach.
Mia glanced at the bucket, which had finally stopped rolling on the ground, and replied innocently, "I was just carrying the bucket to fetch water to wash my face. It's something everyone does in the morning, nothing to make a fuss about, right?"
Her response only fueled Tina's frustration. "Miss Mia, I've told you countless times—if you need something done, just tell me or Jenny, and we'll take care of it. Why do you keep doing things yourself?"
"It's my own business, so I'll handle it myself. Why should I trouble you? Besides, I'm used to doing these things from before," Mia said matter-of-factly.
"Miss Mia, you're not the same person you were before!" Tina exclaimed, her voice tinged with exasperation. "You're our lady now. A lady doesn't do these rough tasks. You keep doing this, and it puts us in a difficult position—don't you understand?" Tina didn't usually speak to Mia so bluntly, but she had repeated these words at least a hundred times, and yet someone still wasn't listening.
Miss Mia's status was extraordinarily noble. Even before she arrived at Moore Manor, Tina and Jenny had undergone rigorous training to ensure they could serve and care for her properly.
In fact, both Tina and Jenny were seasoned servants of the Moore household, handpicked from the very best. They were carefully selected by the master from the most outstanding candidates, a testament to their dedication and professionalism. This alone spoke volumes about their commitment, not to mention that the person they were serving this time was the master's most cherished individual. Before Miss Mia even arrived at the manor, they had resolved to do their utmost to ensure she lived comfortably and contentedly. But Miss Mia insisted on doing everything herself, taking advantage of moments when Tina and Jenny weren't watching to handle tasks on her own.
From bathing and dressing to getting up and brushing her hair, and now even fetching water to wash her face—she insisted on doing it all herself. Her go-to excuse was always the same: "These are things I can do myself." This… this… this… If you do everything, what are we supposed to do?
"What kind of mistress has no sense of being a mistress? What are we servants supposed to do?" Tina groaned inwardly.
"But I can do these things," Mia replied.
There it was again! Tina rolled her eyes, her face full of helpless frustration.
"Miss Mia!" she said, taking a deep breath. "I've said this so many times—you're a lady now, and we're your servants. If you keep taking over our tasks, what are we supposed to do?" Are we just supposed to stand by and watch you work while we do nothing? Even if we aren't punished, we'd die of shame!
"Well…" Mia scratched her head, at a loss for words. She just wasn't used to letting others do things for her. Back in the day, if she wanted something or needed to do something, she did it herself, no matter how exhausting it was. Now, the idea of doing nothing and waiting for servants to bring her food and drink—just thinking about it made her feel uneasy all over.
"How about this?" Mia suggested eagerly. "You and Jenny can do whatever you want, and don't worry about me. If I need help, I'll call for you."
"Miss Mia…!" Tina felt like crying.
"What's wrong?" At that moment, a pleasant voice came from behind Tina.
Hearing this, Tina immediately straightened up, stepped aside respectfully, and bowed to the approaching figure, addressing him as "Master."
Arthur, dressed in a white robe with his white hair neatly tied back, gave a slight nod, his gaze fixed on Mia from the moment he appeared.
"What's going on?" he asked softly, noticing the joy that lit up Mia's face upon seeing him.
"Arthur, it's you!" Mia's heart swelled with happiness, and she had to suppress the urge to rush over and hug him, mindful of the presence of others and his distinguished status.
Since meeting him yesterday, she had learned that the night before last wasn't a dream and that he was the head of the Moore family, the true master of the Moore estate. But beyond that, he hadn't explained much, including why he treated her so kindly.
He had only smiled and told her that she would understand in time.
If he didn't want to explain, she wouldn't press him. But she knew his kindness toward her was genuine. An inexplicable sense of absolute trust made her quietly accept his care, patiently waiting for the day when everything would become clear.
As if sensing Mia's mood, Arthur smiled and walked over, gently placing his hands on her waist and pulling her into a light embrace. "Did you sleep well last night?"
"Very well!" Mia's good mood was entirely thanks to Arthur. She nodded enthusiastically, her face breaking into a smile.
The bed was so soft—how could she not sleep well? It was softer than anything even the masters of the Ivan family had ever enjoyed. She didn't know what the bed was made of or what material the sheets and covers were, but they were incredibly comfortable and warm! She had slept through the night without waking once—a first for her!
"That's good to hear! I was worried you wouldn't be used to it," Arthur said, clearly pleased, his smile deepening.
"By the way, what were you doing just now? You haven't answered me."
"Um… nothing much, just wanted to wash my face," Mia replied, dodging the main point. She knew that if Arthur found out what she and Tina had been discussing, he'd definitely side with Tina.
But someone wasn't about to let her get away with it.
"Master!" Tina, standing behind them, loudly filled in the details. "Miss Mia wanted to fetch water to wash her face herself!"
Hmph! If Mia wouldn't listen to her, surely someone could make her listen.
"Is that so?" Arthur's smile remained, but his grip on Mia's waist tightened slightly. "Why's that?"
"I'm not used to it," Mia mumbled, lowering her head, sensing that Arthur was a little upset.
"Not used to it?" Arthur looked down at her, studying her for a long moment.
Suddenly— "Whoa!"
Mia let out a startled yelp as Arthur swept her up into a princess carry.
Effortlessly holding her slender frame in his arms, Arthur strode toward the room where Mia had slept the previous night.
Before Mia could fully process what was happening, she found herself seated on a lounge chair in the room, draped with a pure white blanket.