Daniella turned up the heat on the stove, watching the contents of the soup swirl in the hot water. Once she had a stray thought, she never understood why she was the one to cook, seeing as she couldn't taste. Surely she couldn't guarantee the quality of the meal without an ability so important? It didn't bother her though, as the Master had instilled in her it was one of her duties and he never seemed to particularly dislike her meals, so she had dispelled it quickly. Master Riccardo, on the other hand…he was one to openly complain at the dinner table, often daring to make rude remarks while Daniella stood attentively at her Master's side as he ate. Eventually, the Master had grown weary of his behaviour and had ordered him to eat elsewhere. He had then resorted to hunting the abundance of game in the Chaos Forest, while he had Debilitas plant vegetables and the like in the garden, to which the giant was thrilled to take care of along with his other plants. It hadn't bothered her…she'd never cared much for the man anyway, only serving him as instructed by her Master because of their rather strained relation.
Off to her side, she heard a door slowly creak open, but all she did in response was pick up her ladle, stirring the soup somewhat absently. Her lavender eyes were half-closed in slight thought as she noticed the Miss, dressed in her new clothes, inch into her field of vision, a strange white form close to her leg. Dog. The maid identified, wondering absently how the girl had found the thing. The last she'd seen of it, Riccardo had tied it to a tree in the front garden as punishment for trying to escape him. Daniella remembered it well, for it had been a recent occurrence, Riccardo having somehow acquired the dog to teach it how to hunt. He was a bit young, she had noticed, and though she knew little of other creatures, she could tell he was not meant for the simple task of chasing rabbits.
His quiet growl caught her attention though she didn't turn to glare at him as she usually did. Yes, he had always acted strangely around everyone in the castle, as if sensing they themselves weren't normal…he was intelligent for an animal, she'd give him that. But that didn't make him any less of a nuisance, especially when he managed to get inside and lay on the furniture or growl and bite when one of them got too near. Daniella wasn't surprised the young woman had taken pity on the creature, considering, from what she could see, it seemed affectionate toward her, almost…protective of her. She dismissed the thought, reasoning that, as her Master had said, though it seemed smart, it was only a dog, and the beast was only loyal so long as it wanted to be.
Steam rose in a barely visible cloud from the pot, and she tilted her head slightly, watching out of the corner of her eye as Fiona tentatively moved forward, only to quickly step back again, unsure. The maid assumed she had a question, or perhaps more, but she was not about to be distracted from her current task. Instead, she brought up some of the soup to show the Miss, curious of her reaction. "Hm?" Thin angel-blonde noodles drooped from the ladle, as fine as hair, and Fiona's soft eyes widened. Daniella wasn't bothered at all by it. She assumed she was either like Master Riccardo when it came to her cooking, or that she was not used to eating such things…that is, if she had any idea of the contents.
It was not something they ate too often, as they disliked the possibility of bringing attention to themselves and the castle, which had largely been forgotten, but Riccardo had informed her that Master Lorenzo thought it necessary. Though she doubted he had spoken to him, she also understood the danger of leaving evidence of their existence, as Master Lorenzo had drilled to her time and time again. She was unsure of the details concerning the young woman's arrival, and showed no incentive to ask. As far as she was concerned, it was none of her business unless she was told it was. For now, she was simply ordered to care for the Miss as well as attend to her regular duties, and that was what she would do without question.
Fiona was still standing and staring at her, and Daniella frowned ever so slightly for a split second. There was something about the girl…she had noticed it before, but had been busy cleaning at the time. Though now was not the time to mull over it, she allowed herself a small respite. Strange…it is as if… The Miss left before she could complete her thought, and Daniella turned back, lavender eyes narrowed in suspicion.