Ranking System

After cleaning the room, I went out to scavenge for food. Edna was in the kitchen with Bella, one of the other maids in the house.

"Young Master. Would you like anything to eat?"

Despite hiring everyone in this house, I wasn't close to half the people. I had been mostly away from the house, or I was to focus on the girls.

"I don't have much of a preference, but how about anything related to Italian?"

Instead of making Edna think too hard, I gave her something to work with. I haven't eaten much Italian food and have been craving it recently.

"Very well."

Edna started to work in the kitchen. I didn't want to distract her, so I went to the dining room to wait for my food.

Bella followed me to the dining room. From the looks of it, she wanted to say something but couldn't voice it out.

"Is there something wrong? You seem like you're scared to voice out your opinion. I don't mind what you have to say."

"Rose isn't hurt, is she?"

Bella's face was red when she asked. She knew what had happened earlier today. It was natural for her to be concerned for her friend. They've been together for weeks.

"She's fine, sleeping. I didn't expect her to be so bold."

"Are you... Going to get me to join in as well..."

Her face was red when she asked. I can't tell if she wants me to or not.

"No. I'm not going to eat you. Unless you want me to."

I can't force her, but if she wanted to, I wouldn't mind having her as well. Bella looked at me and nodded. There was a sigh of relief when she heard what I said.

Was she relieved that I wasn't going to force her, or was it because she could join? Interacting with people that have expressions that are hard to read is exhausting. At least it made it easier for her to talk to me.

"Master, may I ask you an unrelated question?"

"Go ahead. I have time to waste."

I'm waiting for my food, so anything entertaining right now is always welcome. The usual Bella, who was always uncertain, was now gloomy.

"What do you think of the ranking system?"

I wasn't expecting Bella to ask me this. I had mixed feelings about this. I hated and loved the system.

"I love it and hate it."

Bella had her eyes widened, surprised by my answer.

"May I ask why?"

"Did you know what my life was before I had my system?"

Just thinking about my past brought a disgusting taste to my mouth. People say you shouldn't dwell on the past, and they're right.

"I would assume that everything was the same."

I shook my head and laughed bitterly. I wished that was the case, but not everything in life was sunshine and bright.

"It was the opposite. My father was an abusive gambler, and my mother was a neglectful person that only cared about her pleasure."

"I'm surprised how decent of a person I turned out to be. My parents are people at the bottom of the barrel. I hate the system because of how my life has become because of it."

"But I'm also here because of the system. I have an excellent talent, and because of it, I have everything I want."

Before Bella could speak, Rose had come into the room. She had woken up a few minutes ago and eavesdropped on our conversation. She waited for the right moment to wake up.

"Good afternoon Rose. How are you?"

"It wasn't something that I was expecting. Bella, do you mind if I talk to him alone."

"I don't mind..."

Bella being considerate of Rose, let her have her time alone with me. Now that the both of us were alone, the room became awkward.

How should I treat her? I doubt treating it as a one-night stand would do this any good. Rose then took a deep breath and gathered her courage to speak.

"About last night..."

Rose stopped at those words. Before Rose could say anymore, Bella had returned. This time she was carrying the food that Edna had cooked up.

"Sorry... But the food is done."

Bella put the food on my table and left immediately. Since she wasn't going to say anything, it was up to me to do so.

But before I did so, I took a bite of my meal. Spaghetti hits the spot if the sauce itself is used correctly.

"Let's eat. We can talk while we eat."

Rose should also be hungry. She had expended a lot of energy last night. Edna had made extra just in case anyone in the house was awake.

"Rose, could I ask you one thing?"

She was stunned that I had asked a question instead of talking about what we did last night. There was something that I wanted to ask.

"Why did you decide to work in a place like this?"

Like the first time I had thought, with how she looked, I doubted someone like her would want to work as a maid. And now that we're here, this was the perfect time to ask. Rose was stumped when I asked. It took her time to answer.

"Would you hate me if I said I only wanted to seduce you?"

"Did you have bad intentions in doing so?"

"No."

Seducing someone talented is a valid strategery. If I were in her situation, I would've done the same, and it was clear she wasn't planning anything horrible.

"Then I don't mind. It's natural for someone to aim for the top."

There was a sigh of relief coming out of Rose. Her worries were gone, but she still wanted to know about our relationship. I would like to continue, but Edna's spaghetti sauce is fantastic.

Bella, for the third time, rushed over. This time from the looks of it, it was something serious.