Start Of Rumors

'Does she not have any friends?'

Layla thought as she looked at the cheerful female in front of her. Maybe it was her appearance, which was stopping anyone from approaching her, or was there any other reason, that Layla doesn't know of?

The girl's happy attitude was making Layla feel weird. But then again this maid's strange behavior was not everyone's cup of tea. Layla's attention was drawn to the girl's clothing. They were the same as the other day.

"Um. Do you not have a uniform yet? Or did they not give you one yet". Layla enquired to learn more about the cheerful woman in front of her. They were supposed to have their uniform provided to them before they joined the household. So why wasn't she wearing her uniform?

The maid gave a disapproving head shake.

Ah, Layla was right. They didn't give her a uniform yet.

Servants of nobility dress according to their ranks. Those who were close to the Lord or Lady of the House wore dresses made of cotton and silk. Mostly those are paid by their masters. And since the personal servants accompany their masters to gatherings or meetings they need to be dressed nicely to show off their master's wealth.

Those who were not directly connected to the housemaster or mistress wears normal cotton clothing. And the fabric of their dress decreases as their position goes down. That was why their clothing was important, especially in determining their position. And because this white-haired maid was not wearing a uniform, it was difficult to tell what rank she belonged to or for whom she worked.

Moreover, the head maid was in charge of maintaining the household. Knowing her stepmother who wanted everything to be perfect, a maid working in the home without a suitable dress may bring chaos. Wasn't the head maid scared of her stepmother?

"So, you said you have been working for 3 days, but I haven't seen you much inside the house. What are your works?" Layla asked, trying to be discreet about her interrogation.

The girl wrote, "Laundry and tending the horse."

"Oh, those are jobs outside of the mansion. No wonder I have never seen you before". That means she was not working under anyone's order.

Layla was hit by one thought. "Was that the reason you came here, in this stable?"

The girl's eyes widened before she quickly turned away. She nodded her head.

She didn't enter the stable to follow Layla; rather, she was there to do her job of tending to the horses. Maybe it was only Fred who followed Layla, who knows?

Layla then saw the girl pick up the twig once more to scribble something on the ground.

"Are we friends?" And then looked up at Layla with a hopeful gaze. The maid's hand was fidgeting as she waited for a response.

'Friends?' That was something that caught Layla off guard. Oh well, what's the point of being rude and rejecting her offer? She could just play along.

And it's not like they are going to meet again, since this girl works outside the mansion.

"Yes," Layla replied with a loving smile. Layla's acting seemed to have been too convincing because the girl yelped out in joy. She was smiling brightly.

The innocent act of the maid made Layla chuckle. Since she arrived the whole atmosphere had been so hostile. All she had to focus on was her survival but looking at her, Layla was reminded of her innocence. The innocence of an eleven-year-old that she lost.

Layla chuckled as she turned to face the girl who had stopped moving to stare at her.

"You look my age but act like a little child". Layla gave a sweet smile. She had no idea that a simple "yes" could provide so much joy to another person.

"Do you know my name?" Layla didn't recall ever saying her name before, so Layla was surprised when the maid nodded her head.

The girl carefully wrote the name while a faint smile dancing across her lips. Once her work was done she looked up at Layla.

"Y-Yea, My name is Layla". Layla wondered how the girl knew her name; perhaps Layla had told it to her somewhere or perhaps she had heard it before from someone.

"So, Sebi, Since we are friends, can I ask you for a favor?" Layla looked straight at the golden eyes. The maid nodded enthusiastically.

Layla smirked.

By the time they were done, it was dusk. The sun had already hidden behind the clouds and the silhouette of the moon was seen in the distant sky.

"And we are done" Layla looked at their collective work effort. The place was tidy and clean. Sebi was the one who did almost all of the work after Layla had to take several breaks after feeling sick. Later Sebi overtook even her work and guided Layla to rest. Layla wanted to object, but with her conditions, she couldn't. So the only thing she did was to be on the lookout for any people near the stable. And to her luck, no one came to check up on her.

Layla turned to face Sebi. "It's all thanks to you that I was able to finish it. Thank you so much for your help" She genuinely meant it. Now she can visit Henni. Sebi's pale cheeks gained color, as she averted her eyes with a slight nod.

"Since you helped me so much I should grant you a wish. So do you have any wishes?" Layla asked. Sebi shook her head. Layla smiled, "It's alright, take your time. You can tell me later on". She then turned to exit the stable at that point.

"Oh, and please remember our promise," Layla asked, turning around for the last time to remind the girl of their promise. Sebi nodded her head firmly. "See you later, '' Layla uttered. The white hair girl nodded and waved Layla goodbye.

Layla went to her room and changed her clothes. Fortunately, she wasn't seen by Mei or the head maid. She then carefully went to her father's office. She knocked on those huge doors.

She heard someone's agitated voice from inside. Then after a few seconds, the butler came out of there.

"Lady? What are you doing here?" The butler spoke.

"I want to meet my father"

"Lady, this isn't a place for anyone to come and go as they, please. Please return to your room"

"No. I need to meet him, it's urgent. And I promise it will not take long" Layla said adamantly.

Layla wasn't going away without meeting with him. And maybe the butler could sense her determination as well. He sighed. "Fine. but not for long. He is tired today"

"Yes sure," Layla said with a beaming face. The butler escorted Layla inside.

He bowed and said, "Sir, little Lady is here to visit you."

Her father was indeed looking tired and irritable. He had a frown on his face, looking down at his paper. His frown deepened when Butler announced Layla wanted to meet him.

"What? Why? Send her away. I don't have time" he barked before going into his paper.

"I have something important to discuss with Father, and then I will return".

She added, "Like how people are spreading bad rumors.

He halted. Layla internally smirked.

"What rumors?" he inquired.