The silence stretched.
Lin Xueya's rabbit ears twitched as if mocking her, drooping slightly under their own weight. She reached up again, tugging at them, half hoping they would vanish like a hallucination.
They didn't.
Her reflection in the polished floor stared back: pale cheeks, pink eyes too large for her liking, soft hair falling around her face. And, of course, those ears.
"…I look like a rejected mascot," she muttered.
The door banged open.
"Up! All of you lazy rabbits, cats, and dogs!"
A sharp voice cracked through the dormitory. A tall young woman strode in, fox ears flicking with pride, eyes like polished amber. Her crisp maid's attire clung perfectly, her every step radiating authority.
Lin Xueya froze.
So this is the head maid…
Bai Ronghua's gaze swept the room like a whip. "Morning tasks await. The master's hall must shine before he rises, the young mistress requires her tea, and Madam Xu will have heads rolling if her lilies are not watered precisely on time."
Her eyes narrowed on Xueya.
"And you."
Xueya stiffened. "M–me?"
"You're new." Ronghua thrust a broom into her hands. "East Hall. Spotless. If I see a single speck of dust, I'll see you scrubbing chamber pots for a week."
The broom was heavier than it looked. Xueya bowed meekly. "Y–yes, Head Maid."
Great. First day and already chamber pot threats.
She shuffled out with the broom, the other maids snickering behind her. A dog-eared girl offered her a sympathetic glance before hurrying along with the others.
The East Hall stretched grand and vast, sunlight slanting across the polished wood. Dust gathered faintly in corners, though to Xueya it seemed immaculate already.
She sighed. "From office worker to… janitor. Again."
As she dragged the broom across the floor, something flickered before her eyes.
> [Task Generated: Sweep the East Hall with diligence.]
[Reward: +1 Grace, +1 Obedience.]
Xueya's heart lurched.
The system…!
She gripped the broom tighter, forcing her face neutral in case anyone was watching.
One sweep.
A faint warmth pulsed through her chest.
> [+1 Grace.]
Her breath caught.
Another sweep.
> [+1 Obedience.]
The corners of her lips twitched. She bit the inside of her cheek to smother the grin rising in her chest.
It works. The god wasn't lying. I can actually get stronger from… sweeping.
She almost laughed aloud. But then her ears twitched, catching voices at the edge of the hall.
Two maids whispered, their cat tails swishing lazily.
"Look at her, smiling while sweeping."
"Simpleton rabbit. Won't last a week."
Xueya lowered her gaze, adopting the meekest expression she could manage. She even let her ears droop pathetically for effect.
But inside, her thoughts burned sharp.
Call me simple. Call me weak. I'll play the fool if that's what it takes.
Her broom swished again.
> [+1 Grace.]
She clenched her hand tighter around the handle, suppressing the rush of satisfaction.
Because every bow, every sweep, every humble act… is one step closer to the top.
A shadow fell across her.
Xueya froze. Slowly, she looked up.
Old Steward Zhang stood there, hands behind his back, eyes sharp as hawks.
He studied her quietly, gaze lingering on her uncharacteristically focused sweeping.
"Work diligently," he said at last. His voice was calm, but the weight in his tone made her ears twitch.
Xueya bowed quickly. "Y–yes, Steward."
As he walked away, she exhaled. Her heart hammered against her ribs.
That was close…
She glanced at the glowing text that only she could see, then forced it away.
No one could know. Not a single soul.
Because in this mansion, even a hint of strangeness could be the end of her.
And yet, as her broom moved again, she couldn't suppress the faintest smile curling her lips.