5 Villainess

/Splash!

I awoke abruptly as a sudden deluge of icy water cascaded over me. Alfred loomed beside my bed, his gaze frosty. "You're already late," he declared sternly.

I peered outside; the world was cloaked in darkness. "What time is it?" I asked, narrowing my eyes.

"It's already five in the morning. Now, get up. We're commencing the butler training."

"In the morning?" I exclaimed, my irritation surfacing.

What was the purpose of subjecting me to such rigorous training just to serve as a waiter?

"Stand up," he commanded.

"Go away—what?!" My protest was cut short as Alfred unceremoniously tossed me out of the window. Despite residing on the ground floor with the other staff, the impact against the hard ground left me groaning in pain.

The frigid morning air stung my senses as I lay on the ground, disoriented from Alfred's unexpected act. He loomed over me, his expression serious.

"Training begins now," he declared, his tone brooking no argument. I grumbled but staggered to my feet, brushing off dirt from my clothes.

Alfred wasted no time and led me to a designated training area, a meticulous space outfitted with a variety of objects and scenarios designed to sharpen the skills of a butler. The room exuded an air of formality, with polished surfaces and an array of utensils neatly arranged. 

'Did he prepare such a room for my training?'

The first task involved mastering the art of setting a formal dining table. Alfred's meticulous guidance, paired with my clumsy attempts, resulted in a few overturned glasses and misplaced utensils. Nevertheless, he remained patient, correcting my errors with a stern but constructive tone.

"Attention to detail is very important," he emphasized, rearranging the silverware with precision. "A butler's duty extends beyond serving meals; it encompasses creating an atmosphere of sophistication and order."

I wanted to say I don't care and was on the verge of erupting each time he struck my head but I held back thinking about how well I had slept even in that comfy bed even though I hadn't slept a lot. I had a room for myself and I might be earning money too.

'Let's do it.'

As the hours went, the training became more intense. I found myself studying the finer points of good etiquette, from how to approach visitors to the delicate skill of pouring wine without dropping a drop. Alfred was a relentless taskmaster, his sharp eyes noticing every blunder and punishing me with a rod for each one.

Let's assume I was used to getting hit, so I disregarded them for a time.

We moved on to the complexities of personal service, such as helping visitors with their coats, anticipating their requirements without interrupting, and being inconspicuous. Alfred exhibited smooth execution of each duty, and I fought to match his grace.

"Anticipate their desires before they express them," he said, his words carrying the weight of experience. "A butler should be a step ahead, ensuring the comfort and satisfaction of the guests. Observe their facial expression and try to guess every of their possible thoughts."

Physical training followed suit, emphasizing agility, strength, and discipline. I found myself engaged in a series of exercises designed to enhance my endurance. From morning jogs to weightlifting sessions, each activity contributed to the cultivation of a butler's overall fitness.

"You never know when you'll need to traverse the estate in haste," Alfred explained, his own fitness evident in the ease with which he navigated the rigorous routine.

Even though he said that, I knew that he was meaning that I needed to have a strong body to protect her from danger in the worst case. 

"Flexibility is key," Alfred emphasized. "A butler must navigate the unpredictable with poise, ensuring that any disruption remains imperceptible to the guests."

"Right, right," I nodded my head annoyed.

Alfred looked at me with a cold gaze before turning his attention to the ascending sun. "You should hasten your preparations; the young lady will soon awaken."

An involuntary annoyance formed on my face as thoughts of that little harpy filled my mind. "I wish to continue my training, Alfred."

His expression contorted slightly at my request, and he left without uttering a word.

Returning to my quarters, a brisk bath and a swift donning of the butler outfit, with my hair neatly tied back, preceded a moment of reflection as I scrutinized myself in the mirror.

'Do I appear more feminine than masculine?' I pondered, pinching my cheeks to shake off the unsettling thought. While inherently male, my features possessed a delicate quality that might sharpen with age thankfully.

Climbing the floors, disapproving gazes from men and perplexed expressions from women accompanied my ascent. The social disapproval seemed to intensify upon reaching Celastrina's apartment.

I knocked on the door. "It's... Night," I announced, using the name mistakenly given to me.

After a moment, the door swung open, revealing a maid of my age. Celastrina sat in a chair, engrossed in a reflection in the mirror, while another teenage maid attended to her lustrous magenta hair.

"You're late, commoner," Celastrina spoke, her tone cold, not bothering to look at me.

"I was training with Alfred," I replied, dismissing her derogatory address.

"Hmpf. I can't believe you passed Julia's test."

"Neither can I, my lady," I retorted, my sarcasm evident, deeming the test too facile.

"Don't get cocky, commoner," she snapped, her irritation apparent as her gaze met mine. However, her eyes widened, and she momentarily froze.

In return, I glared back at her, feeling my patience wane. 

'Are all nobles this irritating?'

I hadn't met a good one in my ten years of life.

With no hope of encountering a redeemable noble, I grumbled inwardly.

"Hmpf. A commoner shouldn't speak so much," Celastrina declared, standing and approaching me. "Kneel."

I resisted the urge to refuse outright but Nathan's persona echoed in my mind, urging me to endure her childish behavior. A few years older than Celastrina, Nathan seemed to harbor a sense of elderness toward her, considering her still a child.

I acquiesced, kneeling on one knee with my hand over my chest and head slightly bowed. Suddenly, Celastrina placed her small, bare feet on my knelt knee.

"Maid, provide him with my shoes and socks. The commoner will put them on," she commanded.

Blood surged to my head at an alarming pace. 

'She is just a child.'

I released the tension in my clenched fist over my chest and reluctantly accepted the socks. However, as I moved to put them on, Celastrina shot me another disdainful glare. "Don't you dare touch me with your filthy hands, commoner."

'She is just a child.'

I reminded myself, chanting it like a mantra, even though I, too, was a child. Without Nathan's influence, I might have already lost my composure.

Retrieving my gloves from my pockets, I adorned my hands with them before carefully placing her sock and shoe on her left foot, repeating the process on her right.

"Now, follow me. I have a class with my personal teacher!" she declared, a smirk playing on her lips as she swayed her hair back.

'I don't think I can endure her for long.'