This is gonna be the last note I'm leaving for these uploads today haha but the next chapter is where the anime starts
Chapter 5
Sebastian set each of the servants their own tasks, before going to make his Masters tea. Although he had a fair mix of reservation and faith in the new housekeepers ability, the idea of Mey-Rin showing anyone how to perform tasks she was hardly capable of accomplishing successfully herself was worrying.
It had been two hours, and it was quite. Too quiet.
Once he was sure his Master was satisfied and seen to, Sebastian made his way through the manor. He walked towards the drawing room, where he had told Mey-Rin and Lily to clean. He closed his eyes, preparing for the possible scene he was about to enter could be. He sighed, opening the doors, his eyes widened. It was clean, practically pristine. Every surface was shined, table surfaces polished to such a degree, Sebastian could see his reflection in it. The shelves had all been dusted, yet the ornaments seemed untouched, though cleaned themselves. He checked every inch of the room, looking around for traces of the pair. Nothing.
He left the room, going to check his Masters bedchambers, Lilys first solo task he had set her. He opened the door, greeted by a similar scene. The linens were fresh, clean and pressed. He walked over, a slight sweet scent coming from the bedsheets. He sniffed slightly.
"Lilies," he said softly, smiling to himself, "of course…"
He made the same inspection he had in the drawing room. Everything was practically immaculate. He thought of what else he had set the new girl to do, smirking as he swiftly made his way to the kitchens. After seeing how well she got on with Baldroy, it had amused him to get her to clean after the cook. He opened the door, looking around. No sign of Baldroy, Mey-Rin or Finny. "Never a good sign…" He thought, scanning round the room, his eyes landing on the bent form of the new housekeeper. Her whole torso was nearly in the oven, her body shaking slightly, an echo of humming coming from inside. He slowly made his way over to her, clearing his throat.
"Hey Seb," she greeted, scooting back out, dirt of the tip of her nose, with cinders on her cheeks. She was wiping her hands on a cloth, looking up at him from her kneeling position.
"Miss Lilith…" He greeted, looking around in an attempt not to show amusement at her state. "Where is Baldroy, he was meant to prepare dinner…"
"With respect, Seb, I kind of chased him out." She said, rising to her feet as she went to wash her hands and face. "He was making an awful mess… No wonder the young masters so slim with him as his cook, I'd go on hunger strike if I had to eat what I saw him doin to the meat…"
"Where is the…"
"I have it soaking in a mix of wine and suitable spices, something my grandma taught me, if I may show you?" She asked, surprising him slightly. Her tone and confidence caught him off guard, he nodded none the less as he followed her to the large pot, which was sitting on a low heated stove. She wrapped a cloth around the handle, lifting it up. Sebastian leaned forwards, closing his eyes.
"Your verdict Seb?" She asked, tilting her head to the side slightly.
"It smells… Delightful. What about the sides?"
"Prepared and waiting to be added to when needed."
"I see… I see this is not your first time preparing a fine meal?"
"Someone has to be able to cook in camp, grandma wasn't up to it as much as she once was." He nodded.
"I shall leave this in your capable hands then, Miss Lilith. Though I must ask where the other three are?"
"I sent them looking for the perfect peacock and peahen. Said I'd spotted one as we came in…"
"But there aren…" He smirked at her, "very clever, Miss Lilith."
"As I said, Seb, I do try."