A Crisis

'Not you'

Layla internally spoke as she eyed the figure standing in the doorway.

There was a woman in the doorway who had her arms crossed and appeared annoyed to be in their presence. A freckled face with annoyance written on them. Her sides' hair was neatly braided, each having a black bow tied at the end, giving her a perfect and pure image.

The unwanted guest tapped her finger against her arm.

"Are you waking up now? What are you some privileged brat huh?" She spoke with a sarcastic tone in her voice.

Who else would be this childish and talk to the lady of the house in such a mocking manner, none other than her stepmother's right-hand maid?

Beth.

"Tsk, you need to watch your manners, young lady. Just because the lord gave you freedom doesn't mean you can misuse it."

"W-why are you here Beth?" Jane questioned the uninvited guest.

"Why else?" Beth spoke with wide eyes as if not knowing the answer was sin in itself.

"You think I have time to loiter around and even come to this filthy place because of free time?" Beth said while rolling her eyes. She continued "Madam is calling you right now".

"Madam?..." Jane spoke in a low horrified voice. The older woman's face paled as she tried to think of reasons for Layla's summoning. Unable to think anymore, she looked at Beth and asked with the same horrified tone, "But why?..."

"What do you mean why? Why would I tell someone like you about my Madam's business? Just get your Lady ready quickly I don't have all day"

"Granny" Layla gently placed her hand on Jane's shoulder which was slightly shivering. Jane's shaky eyes met with Layla's comforting blue ones.

The girl flashed an assuring smile. "It's alright Granny. I will be fine"

Layla's assuring words seemed to have worked as Jane calmed down, but her worries were still evident in her eyes.

"There must be a reason why Mother wants to talk to me," Layla asked calmly.

"Huh? Did you not hear me?" Beth said with furrowed eyebrows, "Or are you trying to insult your mother by slandering her name?". Beth gave Layla an accusing look.

Layla had no idea how asking a straightforward relates to insulting someone. Layla sighed in defeat.

"I am not asking it to slander anyone's name. I just asked it to know whether my dress that I am wearing right now was enough or must I change into something more fitting for outerwear" Layla continued, trying to calm the aggravated female in the doorway.

Beth raised an eyebrow finally understanding their intent "Oh. No, the present dress would suffice. Follow me, since madam doesn't like to wait". Beth turned around and motioned for Layla to follow.

Beth's nonchalant face was not giving Layla any hint as to what this sudden meeting was about. One thing she knew was being excited about today's events but the next thing she was being called by one of her biggest enemies.

Life must be like playing with her emotions. She was in such a happy mood after walking up and now it's all ruined.

One thing she hated the most was being kept in the dark about something. She tried to get information out from Jane and she nearly succeeded before being interrupted by Beth.

And with things going as it was, it was certain things didn't go according to her plan. Now she just has to come out of this unscathed.

The question right now was how much of her plan got deviated. Since her stepmother was now involved, it must mean that the situation had escalated quite a bit.

Hopefully, she could survive this one out, fingers crossed.

As Layla was about to walk to Beth, her hands were pulled back.

She looked back, Jane had grabbed her hands tightly. Her face was full of worry and her eyes held so much concern for the girl in front. Jane's grip tightens on Layla, telling her to not go.

But she didn't have a chance. It's an order from her stepmother and the powerless girl can't ignore it.

Layla gently squeezed Jane's hand by placing her free hand on top of it.

"It will be fine," Layla said in a gentle tone. "I will be fine. Don't worry"

"Layla", Jane's voice was reluctant. Not buying Layla's assuring words. She knew the new madam and the new madam's hatred towards the previous wife of the Lord. Unfortunately, the hate didn't just go away with Celby's death. And now the wrath was falling on the little girl.

Jane knew what the new madam was capable of. And the fact that Jane couldn't do anything despite knowing what was to come was killing the old woman from the inside.

"I don't have the whole day you know" Beth's irritated voice spoke out.

Layla gave her another light squeeze, and Jane reluctantly released the girl's hand.

"Be careful, Layla"

"Yea, don't worry" Layla replied with a reassuring smile, trying her best to not make the old woman worry.

Jane watched as both individuals walked out of the door frame.

The hallway too was surprisingly quiet. Only the clicking of their shoes against the polished floor could be heard.

Her stepmother lived in the main building that was far away from her room. It would be a long walk. Maybe then she would see more servants on the way.

"It's quiet today," Layla asked hoping to start a conversation but she was greeted by silence in return.

"So why did Mother call me?" Layla asked once again without beating around the bush. Simple greetings were ultimately ineffective.

But despite it all, she recovered no response from Beth.

Beth, unlike her, was calm, and mostly nonchalant. Kind of behavior one would expect from a high-class and obedient servant.

But the problem was that Beth was none of that. So the possible reason must be that Beth wasn't involved in the incident in any way and hence was her detached nature. To engage Beth in conversation, Layla must bring up a subject that concerns Beth. But what?

Just then something caught Layla's eyes- Beth's small dangling earrings. They seemed pricey. Those had to be gifts from her stepmother.

Should Layla try this topic?

"I heard Mother's business was working well. You must be lucky to always accompany her and learn new things" Layla said with fake enthusiasm.

A smirk came from Beth, "Of course. Madam is the smartest woman in this whole world"

Bingo. Layla internally smiled.