"Suit yourself. If you like wearing it, then keep it on." Liana never had strict rules about attire—she cared more about capability than clothing.
"But I have to say, I didn't expect it to suit you this well. Usually, you're wrapped in all that heavy armor, so I never noticed... you've got quite the figure," Liana remarked as she gave Olivia a once-over.
Olivia's body was well-toned, sculpted from years of training. Her arms weren't as slender or pale as Liana's, but they had a beautiful, defined musculature—strong and refined.
"Being complimented by you is the last thing I want," Olivia muttered, suppressing her disgust as she recalled Liana’s past remarks and manipulations toward Loraviel.
"A proper maid should accept their master’s praise gracefully."
"...Thank you, Princess Liana." Endure it.
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"Princess Liana, what would you have me do?" Olivia asked.
"Change into something more comfortable, then resume training Loraviel. There are six days left until the knight's exam—I don’t want to hear any excuses."
Surprisingly, Liana was allowing her to change. But Olivia decided to keep the uniform on. She had lost the bet, and she wasn't the type to go back on her word. "This is fine. I won’t make excuses. I can train Loraviel just as well in a maid outfit."
"Alright, Lady Olivia... and I'm sorry," Loraviel said softly.
Olivia patted her on the shoulder. "It’s fine."
"I'm hungry." Liana had barely eaten last night—she had stayed out late, and by the time she returned to her room to tinker with cosmetics, she hadn't had the chance to eat properly.
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"I'll prepare breakfast for you, Princess Liana," Loraviel said.
"I'll go with you," Olivia added, remembering that she was technically Liana’s maid for the day.
"Perfect. Let Olivia do it. I've never had the privilege of tasting the Executor's cooking," Liana said with a smirk.
"...I understand, Princess Liana." Endure it.
"We’ll get to it then." Loraviel bowed and turned to leave.
Olivia also gave a bow, but it was a knight’s salute rather than a proper maid’s curtsy.
"That won’t do," Liana wagged a finger. "You’re a maid today, not a knight."
"...Understood." Olivia glanced at Loraviel.
Loraviel, concerned that Olivia hadn't observed properly, demonstrated again.
Olivia placed her right hand over her chest, pinched the hem of her skirt with her left, and curtsied. "Princess Liana, I shall prepare your breakfast."
"Not bad. You’ve got potential."
"Thank you for your praise, Princess Liana..."
"Off you go."
The moment she stepped out of Liana's room, Olivia kicked the wall in frustration.
Then she turned back around, her usual composed expression restored. "Let’s just get this over with."
"Alright..."
Since it was only a simple dessert, it wasn’t difficult for Olivia to prepare.
"Princess Liana has a sweet tooth, so you should add more sugar. If you’re unsure about the right amount, you can prepare a small cup of sugar on the side and let her adjust it herself."
"You really know your way around this."
"If I didn't, I'd get scolded..." And that would be the best-case scenario.
The two of them walked side by side toward Liana’s room.
Suddenly, someone called out to them.
"Hold it, you two maids." A low voice stopped them. Loraviel lifted her head and saw a man she didn’t recognize.
"Are you speaking to me?" she asked, unsure.
Olivia, however, remained silent. It seemed she knew who he was.
"Yes, you." His gaze lingered on them like a predator eyeing its prey, making her feel uneasy.
"Is there something you need, sir?"
"You’re wearing Venus Manor’s maid uniform. Are you one of the manor’s maids? I don’t recall seeing you before." The man was none other than Cain Venus, Countess Ruth’s son, and one of the three heirs of the Venus territory.
Like Eline, he had black hair. Although Eline was adopted, she still carried Venus blood, and it seemed that dark hair was a defining trait of the Venus lineage.
At times, Liana even wondered if her mother’s genes were too dominant—hence her golden locks standing out in the family.
Cain, in the original story, was much like Liana—a convenient stepping stone. The difference was that while Liana played this role within the Venus Manor, he played it at Ibet Magic Academy.
And frankly, he wasn’t very bright. If Countess Ruth had been defeated in the original timeline, much of the credit could be given to this "good son" of hers.
Loraviel thought for a moment, then shook her head. "I’m not a maid of Venus Manor—I am solely Princess Liana’s maid. And this lady—"
"Liana? But Liana’s maid is called Saridore, isn't she?" Cain interrupted, having just returned from Ibet Magic Academy and unaware of Saridore’s situation.
"That was the case before. But due to certain circumstances, I am now Princess Liana’s maid." Loraviel remained polite. Though she didn’t know who he was, his familiarity with Liana’s name made it clear he was a noble.
"Is that so?" Cain narrowed his eyes. He knew Saridore’s role well. But if she had been replaced and his mother hadn’t stopped it, then there was no issue.
Anything regarding Liana wasn’t his problem—his mother would handle that. But dealing with a mere maid was simple.
Her refined features, despite the lack of makeup, were quite striking. Even in a maid outfit, her allure wasn’t hidden. And beneath the skirt, those white stockings were especially enticing.
"What’s your name?" Cain asked.
"Loraviel Calipot."
"A beautiful name."
"Thank you."
"And you?" He turned to Olivia.
"Olivia."
"Olivia?" The name sounded familiar, but in his mind, Olivia was always clad in armor. There was no way this maid was the same person.
It had to be a coincidence.
"Not bad." Cain nodded approvingly.
Loraviel wanted to say something, but Olivia cut her off—she was curious about what Cain was trying to do.
"Let me introduce myself. I am Cain Venus, son of Countess Ruth, and current lord of Venus Manor."
"I see, Lord Cain." Loraviel nodded, committing the name to memory.