An Ally or Enemy

The girl pointed the rock in Fred's direction. Took a glance at Layla, and a mischievous smile played on her lips.

No, she shouldn't not.

Layla began to run as the girl tilted her hand back to gather speed for her throw. That maid wasn't playing; she actually intended to throw that rock.

Layla caught her wrist before she could throw it at Fred. Layla's eyes were wide, she couldn't believe this maid would go this far just to get her attention. And here she thought this girl had given up on her.

Layla shook her head in disapproval. And pulled the girl away, away from Fred.

Fred, on the other hand, didn't even turn around or appear to notice their presence.

After Layla was far away from him she jerked the maid forward. "What in the world were you going to do? Are you crazy, you were about to attack Fred!"

Layla was furious. Was it all a result of Layla refusing the girl's offer to help her? How could someone go so far simply because they were ignored? Going so far as to put themselves at risk just to get Layla's attention.

"Do you even know what he is capable of? The fact that I once saved you does not guarantee that I can do it again. And if you bring trouble like this then I can't help you anymore in the future"

Layla scolded the white-headed girl, who surprisingly had a poker face but her eyes were glistening.

Layla sighed and tried to calm herself down. Her loud voice might catch someone's attention and if someone catches her not doing her duties, it might have more serious consequences.

Even after all of her scolding, the maids merely stared at Layla with those admiring eyes, which irritated her even more. Layla ran her finger through her black locks, irritation still lingering on her face. "What do you want?" Layla spoke in a frustrated voice.

All she had ever wanted was to quickly finish her chores for today and meet up with Jane and Henni. With all the work she wasn't able to check up on Henni, not even once. And now she was stuck with this new maid.

She glared angrily at the white-haired girl in front of her.

The girl moved her hand from left to right, then pointed her finger towards her own self.

What does she mean by that? Is she unable to speak?

The girl continued to do that motion a few more times until Layla got what she was trying to say. "You want to help me with my work?" Layla said with a raised eyebrow.

The girl's face lit up as she smiled in relief. And then nodded her head happily.

Layla pinched the bridge of her nose, "I have told you before. It's not".

"Listen if you help me I might get in deep trouble. That's why move along" Layla turned and was ready to turn away when the maid grabbed her hand. At this point, the maid's eyes were pleading with her.

The girl didn't seem like she was going to budge. Layla looked at the sky, it was getting late. "Fine. But you have to be careful to not get caught" Layla said defeated. If something went wrong, she could put the blame on Fred. Moreover, she can't clean the place alone, and that's a fact.

"We have to finish all this before sunset," Layla said while walking towards the stable's entrance, with the new maid following her behind. The girl enthusiastically nodded her head. Who in the world is content after receiving so much work? Layla thought to herself as she observed the girl's happy grin.

Well, whatever, as long as the work gets done.

"I'll do the outer sides, and you take care of the inner sides.". Quickly grabbing another broom, the girl set to work. Layla too got back to her own share of work.

The stable's inside was completely hidden from view from the outside. So even if someone does come in suddenly they wouldn't be able to detect the newbie easily, unless the maid calls out to them.

Moreover, the stink was worse in the interior places, so she picked the outside not only to reduce the work but also to keep an eye out for the people outside. Layla glanced at the newbie but was very surprised by how fast she was. Within the span of a few minutes, the girl had cleaned most of the place. She was rather fast and efficient.

She scanned the maid from head to toe. Although a little smaller than Layal, this girl appeared to be the same age as her. He was wearing the same loose shirt and loose pants. Her white-haired now tied up in a ponytail. Her eyes looked super focused on her work.

However, why was she helping Layla? Yes, she helped her once, but that doesn't count as helping Layla clean the entire home.

"So what's your name?"

The maid paused, wiped the sweat from her forehead with her sleeve, and turned to face Layla. She then walked up to Layla and scribbled some words on the ground.

S-E-B-I

"Sebi?" After reading those letters, Layla questioned. The maid smiled and nodded. "Oh, that's an odd name. It reminds me of one of the deities from the church. Did your parents name you that name?" Layla said, looking at Sebi.

Her beaming expression disappeared. She bit her lip and averted her eyes from Layla. Layla could see Sebi's slender hand trembling a little. Pain expression can be seen on the girl's face. Layla may have stepped on something sensitive.

"Do you like working here, Sebi?" Layla said, trying to change the subject.

The maid once again turned to her normal happy self, nodding her head. Her cheeks reddened, as her smile became bigger.

"If someone were to see you they would say you love working here. You really are a weird one". Layla looked down at the ground, "Anyway, how long have you been working here?"

The maid tapped her finger on her cheeks trying to calculate how many days had been since she came here. Once her mental calculation was done she once again took the twig and wrote it down on the ground.

'3 days'

That's why she wasn't aware of any affairs going on in this house. And as a result, she was harassed and bullied. Did she not make any friends?