Chapter 31

Chapter 31: Master Will Give You A Little Reward

It seemed the effect was overwhelming.  

Fujiwara Yuki couldn’t handle the full force of a former idol’s performance.  

Brilliant! This is what professionalism looks like!  

Remembering Head Maid Saito’s impeccable demeanor, Sakuya mimicked her posture—hands folded in front of her waist, a slight bow, her tone returning to its usual calm:  

“Then, if you’ll excuse me, Master.”  

The contrast was stark. One could say she had mastered Yuki’s ability to switch expressions in an instant.  

For a moment, she felt a flicker of pride but quickly masked it.  

By the time Sakuya took her seat across the table, Yuki had already regained her composure.  

Though they were two meters apart, Sakuya could still clearly observe her every move.  

Despite her earlier fluster, Yuki now exuded the elegance and poise ingrained in her bones.  

Holding chopsticks in one hand, she picked up a slice of sashimi while tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear with the other. Her lips parted slightly as she began to chew slowly.  

No words were exchanged—only the crisp clinks of cutlery echoed through the spacious room.  

Sakuya had been mulling over a question for some time. Seizing this rare moment of tranquility, she spoke up.  

“Miss Saito mentioned that the Master doesn’t have a dressing maid. Is that true?”  

Yuki’s chopsticks froze mid-air. She looked up, puzzled, and waited until she had finished chewing before replying coolly.

“What are you trying to ask?”  

“Miss Saito explained the duties of a personal maid, but she isn’t your personal maid.”  

Sakuya set down her chopsticks and propped her chin on her hand, gazing directly at Yuki.  

“So, are there any unique tasks that only the Master’s personal maid must do?”  

“Why are you going this far?” Yuki’s eyes sharpened instantly, her voice growing increasingly aggressive, her aura as piercing as it had been at noon.  

“Is it just to get me to join the Light Music Club? So your father can climb the social ladder? Did he send you to get close to me? Or is this your own scheme to latch onto power?”  

The atmosphere froze over like a sheet of ice.  

But this time, Sakuya didn’t feel the same paralyzing fear that had once bound her limbs.  

Just as I thought…  

Through gradual probing, she had realized—it wasn’t that she couldn’t resist Yuki. Something else was at play.  

But what?  

She admitted that, at first, she had been overwhelmed by memories of the past and Yuki’s domineering presence, causing her mind to short-circuit.  

Her system had shut down, leaving her defenseless—forcing her to tread carefully.  

But after spending time with Yuki calmly, she had begun to piece things together.  

This version of Yuki wasn’t the inscrutable, fully matured woman from the future. Instead, she was still defined by two traits, her mischievous streak and her hopelessly romantic, naive side.  

Perhaps the shackles of this mansion hadn’t yet tightened enough to push her into the extremes of despair.  

After all, in the previous timeline—before her descent into darkness and her confession to Saori—she had been adorably pure-hearted too.  

Just a little sadistic, with a hint of harmless possessiveness.  

Though her thoughts raced, Sakuya’s expression remained unreadable—almost indifferent.  

She smiled faintly and countered:  

“But wasn’t it the Master who asked me to be a maid? This opportunity to get close to you was your idea.”  

Her voice was light.  

“In other words, the Master must have wanted to join the Light Music Club from the very beginning.”  

Yuki’s face darkened, a storm brewing beneath her calm facade, like a dormant volcano ready to erupt.  

“As for whether I want to climb the social ladder…” Sakuya pressed on, undeterred.  

“I think the Master already knows what kind of person Saori would befriend, doesn’t she?”  

“I admit it.”  

To Sakuya’s surprise, Yuki’s anger dissipated as quickly as it had flared. Her gaze was clear, her tone measured.  

“I do plan to join the Light Music Club with Saori.”  

She set down her chopsticks, done with the meal, and leveled Sakuya with a frank stare.  

“But human hearts are unpredictable. Who can guarantee they won’t bend to self-interest?”  

She exhaled softly.  

“That’s why I made you my maid—to teach you a lesson about hardship.”  

A faint smirk tugged at her lips.  

“You should be grateful you’re Saori’s childhood friend. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been so generous in sparing your dignity.”  

Her voice turned icy.  

“With your family’s standing, if you really meddle in this prime ministerial election, failure would mean this—”  

She gestured vaguely at Sakuya’s maid outfit.  

“—a life of being ordered around, never again tasting the comforts of a young lady.”  

Sakuya chuckled. “My goal isn’t wealth or status.”  

The air between them had cleared somewhat. Though Yuki wasn’t fully convinced, her hostility had softened.  

Yuki stood and walked to the window, where the crescent moon was rising against the darkening sky.  

“But my goal remains unchanged. I won’t go easy on you. From now on, I’ll make sure you understand what true ruin feels like.”  

Then, abruptly, her tone shifted.  

She turned back to Sakuya, her eyes gleaming with something unreadable yet impossible to ignore.  

“However…”  

A sly smile curled her lips.  

“Master admires your courage. So now, you’ll receive a little reward.”  

She plucked a plump, violet grape from the golden fruit tray, peeled it with delicate fingers, and strode over to Sakuya.  

Her command was firm.

“Open your mouth.”  

Sakuya, still seated, looked up at her from a subordinate’s position.  

Yuki’s eyes sparkled with amusement—and just a hint of anticipation.  

What is she thinking? Knowing Yuki, it was probably another prank.  

But before Sakuya could ponder further, Yuki’s other hand pressed against her lips.  

Her touch was featherlight, tracing the curve of Sakuya’s mouth with deliberate slowness—from the corners to the peaks, over and over.  

“What’s wrong?” Yuki murmured, her voice low.  

“Does the Master need to pry your lips open herself?”  

The lips were one of the most sensitive areas of the human body, capable of evoking endless imagination with the slightest contact.  

Anyone who had watched a few dramas would recognize the implication behind such a gesture.  

And yet, this was the same person who had been so flustered just this afternoon.  

Sakuya didn’t understand, but she obediently parted her lips.  

“Good girl.”  

The sweet flesh of the grape slipped into her mouth—along with Yuki’s cool fingertips.  

Unavoidably, her tongue brushed against the intruding digits.  

Yuki’s eyes narrowed like a snake eyeing its prey, clearly relishing the sensation.  

The air between them was intoxicating—and dangerous.  

In the adult world, this might have led to a breath-stealing, suffocating kiss the next second.  

But Yuki merely stroked Sakuya’s brow and whispered:  

“At 8:30, I’ll be taking a bath. Remember to test the water temperature beforehand.”  

Her smile deepened.  

“A personal maid’s unique duty is to attend to the Master during her bath.”