Chapter 9: Retribution
After the master left, the corridor became bustling with conversations as everyone began working on their received list of tasks.
Mary, the housekeeper with tightly pulled back black hair and wrinkled complexion, smiled at Fei and greeted her. "(Hello, what do you think of the Rochester household so far?)"
"(It's nice.)" Fei said without hesitation.
"(Well, that's good to hear. I have too much to do, so I can't personally teach you. However, I will definitely make sure you get an adequate education on how to become a proper maid, of course, including etiquette lessons. Let's see...Felicia will teach you. I'll get her to come to you after I speak with her. I hope you enjoy your stay here, Fei.)"
After saying so, Mary walked away with her back straight to where Felicia directed some servants by a golden stairway. Her smile had long disappeared, replaced by coldness.
Noticing Mary's appearance, Felicia quickly greeted her. She immediately smoothed out the imaginary wrinkles on her dress and pushed back her nonexistent strands of loose hair.
"Mrs. Mary, I don't understand! Why is the master putting such importance on that woman? To the extent of wanting you to attend to her personally! She doesn't even understand English!" Felicia whispered harshly, after deliberation, seeing how her superior hadn't initiated a conversation.
"Silence." Mary shot a glance at Felicia. "That's none of your business."
Felicia flinched and quickly lowered her head, ready to apologize for her impudence.
However, Mary continued after a pause. "You will be in charge of educating her."
Felicia's eyes lit up, and she lifted her head. "D-Does that mean..."
A man with a neatly trimmed white beard and likewise colored hair caught Mary's attention from the corners of her eyes. She met his gaze for a moment before closing them. "Do not disappoint me."
"Thank you, Mrs. Mary, for this opportunity! I'll make sure to educate her well." Felicia grinned with excitement. This would be a critical mission! She could tell at once from Mrs. Mary's tone and expression. Felicia bowed as Mary left to chat with the butler who stood idle at the side.
....
People all around Fei were whispering; some people wanted to approach her but hesitated. Perhaps they had misunderstood her? Maybe it was because she didn't understand their words that she ignored them. And it seemed like the master placed great importance on her as well.
Some servants grouped together and decided to pick someone from Country C to interrogate the new maid. However, when they saw Felicia begin walking toward her with a strange smile, everyone dropped whatever thoughts they had of reconciling with the maid.
....
Currently, the other masters of the house were busy with school. Carlos and Carol both attended a highly prestigious private school out of state, riding the helicopter to get there and back. As such, the mansion only comprised servants.
The highest authority in the house right now was the butler, but he never cares about what happens unless it affects the masters. He was in the study right now, handling matters in the stead of Mr. Rochester.
"(No good, no good! Do it again. Again!)" Felicia shouted in her broken Language E as her hands fiddled with a stopwatch. Subordinates weren't able to use technology that could distract them, such as electronics, unless directed.
She watched with relish as she saw Fei mopping the entire first floor again and again. However, she was slightly disappointed that Fei did not show any expression, from start to finish.
Felicia had long planned to disregard teaching Fei etiquette.
Nearby servants looked at Fei with pity. They all knew that Felicia was the type to hold grudges and wouldn't stop with her revenge until the person who offended her suffered a punishment a hundred times worse than she did.
Unless Fei showed that she was tired or regretful, they were sure that Felicia would make her continue to mop the floors until nightfall.
After a while, Felicia was bored with directing Fei. How could that maid not feel anything after being humiliated?! This wouldn't appease her anger at all. Nor would it fulfill her mission. Gritting her teeth, Felicia forcefully took the mop away from Fei and tried to strike her.
"(Stupid maid! You repeat so many time but you still no--!)"
Clack!
All the servants, including Felicia, froze.
Felicia had thought if she had struck Fei, there would be some sort of reaction from her, but what actually happened was completely out of her expectations.
When the mop hit Fei, instead of hurting her, it rebounded, knocking back Felicia and flying out of her grip. Felicia was clearly shocked, with a priceless expression.
"pfft..." One of the male servants stumbled out of his stupor and giggled.
Felicia flushed, and with a scowl, silenced the laughing servant. She then glared at Fei with looks that could kill and rushed forward to slap the maid who lacked self-awareness.
However, before her palm could land, Felicia's hand was stopped in mid-air.
"(What are you trying to do?)"
Fei gripped Felicia's hand so hard that she could not free herself no matter how much she struggled.
"Let go!"
"(What?)"
"...(Let go of me!)"
And so Fei let go.
But unprepared at her obedience, Felicia stumbled after freeing herself and fell to her knees. Her neat, coiled bun came undone, scattering her long brown hair over her face. There was also a very obvious red mark on her wrist.
By this time, the giggling servant from before could no longer suppress his laughter.
Felicia bit her lip and left silently, heading towards the basement. She held back her pain, and she hid her expression under her mass of unkempt brown hair. But even trying to hide her increasingly twisted expression could not mask it.
She'll make that servant pay, for sure!
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
_VA_
_VA_ To what extent is Felicia's actions unrealistic and exaggerated? Is that suspicious?
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone