For the first time since she'd started to work as the warden, Emelia got time to get up and actually get some work done on time.
The sun had not risen outside the window, but Emelia was up and already had the things set up. She had brought out all the materials she would need in order to cook breakfast.
Cooking for four people was not a hard task, and having no one allergic to anything also helped. Emelia was done in an hour before she started on the cleaning part of her job.
Since she had not seen anyone else inside the mansion except herself and the three alphas she was living with, she did not think any external help was going to come and make things easier for her.
That's why Emelia picked up the broom before she looked back at the large house, and with a sigh, she went to work.
"To think that I studied this hard up until now, only to end up cleaning and looking after some brats. I should have spent some time having fun while I had the time."
Emelia complained, but her words had no heat behind them.
Usually, she did not like to complain, but waking up early had made her mood go down. Not to mention, the fact that she had to take care of such a huge place also added to her bad mood.
But most importantly, there was no one around to hear her complain, so Emelia felt a little relieved to speak out loud…
Or, that was what she thought when she worked. But she quickly noticed her instincts warning her about being watched from behind.
Emelia calmed herself down before she grabbed her broom in a tight grip and slowly walked toward the place where she felt the eyes looking at her from.
The broom went up and then down, ready to strike the person creeping on Emelia. But a strong hand caught the broom before it could critically injure anyone.
Emelia blinked as she looked at the person in front of her who had been looking at her and was about to get hurt by her as well.
"Sehyun? What are you doing up? The sun is not even out yet."
Emelia asked as she looked at the dark sky outside. The alpha looked a little awkward and he turned his face away, not answering what Emelia asked him.
For a second, no one said anything and the tension made Emelia's heart flutter.
But just as quickly as Sehyun had grabbed her broom, he let it go as well and took a step back. His eyes bore into Emelia's before he decided to answer her question.
"I woke up because I heard noise outside my room. I was not aware that it was you. Are you cleaning the house? Do you need any help?"
Sehyun asked, quickly rolling up his sleeves. He stepped forward and sniffed the air. The remaining sleep that clouded his eyes vanished as his eyes became sharper.
The next step he took toward Emelia was much more predatory, and it made her breath hitch.
"I… don't think I will need your help. I am not looking to clean the whole mansion today, so I'll likely take it in sections. You don't have to help me. After all, I am just doing my job here."
Emelia assured the alpha, but he did not look as convinced as Emelia hoped he would.
Despite her insistence that she could do it herself, the alpha stepped forward and grabbed the broom from her hand. His grip on the broom was tight, almost as if he was holding himself back from something.
Emelia opened and closed her mouth, not knowing what she should do about the situation. Ultimately, she decided to give up and let Sehyun do as he wanted to.
"Which side should I take? I am strong, so I can help you get to the difficult places you don't usually get to clean."
Sehyun's voice was kind but also had a hint of irritation. He was also sniffing the air again and again, causing Emelia to feel certain that it was not Sehyun simply wanting to breathe better that made him do that.
"It's fine. If you are truly going to help, then use your height and reach the top of the cabinet for me. I will take care of the floor."
Emelia assured, and Sehyun wetted the cloth before he wiped off the cabinet… or, at least he tried to.
But Sehyun's cleaning cloth was too dirty and it needed to be washed again. At this point, he was just making the surface even dirtier.
Emelia did not have the heart (or the patience) to tell Sehyun what he was doing wrong. So she let him help as he wanted to, and they quickly finished the place up.
By the end of the hour, Sehyun looked proud of himself for having helped out and Emelia put the supplies back.
"Was I of any help to you? Should I help you out every day?"
Sehyun asked in a hushed voice. He sounded hopeful, but Emelia was quick to turn his offer down.
"I don't think it's a good idea. Not that I am unhappy that you decided to help me out. But rather, you should be spending this time to get ready for the day."
Emelia had a thousand words to say to Sehyun, but none of them sounded appropriate or even nice. So she resorted to making a statement that wouldn't be too offending and also be rational.
Sehyun made a face that told her he was not happy, but thankfully, he did not contradict himself.
Emelia quickly left to refresh herself before she came down for breakfast. Sehyun was the first one at the table and Liam came second.
As soon as Liam entered, he took one look at Emelia and made an annoyed face. He opened his mouth to speak up, but then closed it and sat down at the table.
Eric did not arrive until the other two had finished, and he looked smug beyond belief when he walked past Emelia and sat at the table.
"You beast… what do you think you are doing?"
Liam asked, his voice not sparing any resentment. But Eric just gave him a nice smile in return.
"You should not have any grounds to complain, Liam. After all, you were the one who started it all."
Eric pointed out, and Liam had nothing else left to say about that.
The silence that followed was thick with tension. Emelia could feel it pressing down on her as she set the food on the table. She didn't want to be caught between whatever rivalry was going on between the two alphas—especially not this early in the morning.
Liam stabbed his fork into his plate with more force than necessary, and Sehyun, seated quietly across from him, narrowed his eyes but said nothing. His sharp gaze lingered on Eric a little too long, as if trying to decode something only he could sense.
Emelia cleared her throat.
"Well, I hope the food is to your liking. I put effort into it."
She said, hoping to change the mood.
"It smells good. Thank you."
Sehyun replied first, his voice softer now.
Eric gave her a lazy smile.
"You're spoiling us already. We might never let you leave."
Emelia forced a small laugh, unsure if he was joking.