In the Nest of the Fallen Serpent - Chapter 5

Schedule: Thurs and Sun

Chapter 5

“Wait, what is this…?”

Several hands touched her body at once, spreading oil over her skin. The sensation of strangers’ hands on her was chilling. But she couldn’t bring herself to tell them to stop. The head maid’s demeanor was too cold, too assertive.

‘There must be… some rule of this manor I don’t know.’ Hilde repeated this to herself, trying to steady her nerves. In truth, there was something else she feared more. ‘If I refuse, they might tell me to leave right now.’

Then, with nowhere to go, she would have to spend the night outside. The terror she felt when she first heard stories of women driven to the streets, wandering in the night, resurfaced.

“That’s enough.” While Hilde endured, clinging to the thought that she couldn’t be thrown out, freshly folded maid’s clothes were placed before her. “These are your clothes.” Seeing the uniform, identical to the others, Hilde sighed in relief. She couldn’t pinpoint it, but a vague unease had been creeping into her heart.

“Once you’re dressed, I’ll tell you your duties for today.” She quickly put on the maid’s uniform. Being dressed like everyone else finally brought her a sense of calm.

“Follow me.”

“Yes, Head Maid.” Hilde mimicked the other maids’ responses as she followed the head maid. Stopping before a large door, the head maid handed Hilde a tray. “This is a tea that promotes sleep. Go in and serve it to the person inside.”

“Me?” Having only ever done chores like laundry, cleaning, and washing dishes, she hesitated. “But I’ve never served tea before…”

“It doesn’t matter. Go in. Quickly!” The head maid’s sharp, urging tone left Hilde no choice. She took a deep breath and stepped forward.

‘I can do this.’ All she had to do was hold the teapot’s handle and tilt it over the center of the teacup. Pour just the right amount so it wouldn’t overflow, then stop and set it down. It was a simple task.

“Don’t upset the master.” The head maid whispered in Hilde’s ear as she entered the room. Startled, Hilde glanced back, but the door was already closing.

“You’ve finally arrived.” A raspy voice, thick with phlegm, reached her. Turning towards the sound, Hilde saw a man dressed in a nightgown. He had a mustache and a protruding belly. He sipped from a glass of crimson wine as he looked her over. “Making me wait this long. Such a lowly thing, tsk…”

“I-I’m sorry.” Hilde quickly apologized under his contemptuous gaze. If the head maid was right, this man was the Count, the manor’s owner.

“I’ll… pour you some tea.” Hilde carried the tray towards the table. The bedroom was strangely dim, lit only by a few candles near the bed. She strained her senses to avoid tripping.

She could feel the Count’s eyes following her every move—a creepy, clinging gaze, like a disgusting insect crawling on her. ‘I want to leave.’ Hilde suppressed her anxiety and carefully placed the tray down. Just as she reached for the teapot’s handle…

“Gasp…!” She flinched, nearly screaming. Her body had been suddenly spun around. The Count was standing before her, his wrinkled face close. His cloudy eyes, like those of a dead fish, gleamed with a strange desire. “Beautiful. So fresh and young.” The Count’s lips parted in a smile, revealing yellowed teeth, sending a shiver down Hilde’s spine.

Struggling to contain her fear, she stammered, “Count, there seems to be a misunderstanding… I’m here to serve you a tea that helps with sleep…”

“And you believe that?” Chuckling, the Count clicked his tongue. A thick, hairy hand grabbed the front of her dress. “Such innocence is quite appealing.”

‘No,’ the only thought in her mind was to escape. Hilde pushed the Count with all her might. But she didn’t get far before her hair was grabbed.