New Obstacles

"Of course. Madam is the smartest woman in this whole world" Beth proclaimed with her chin held high.

"And a business led by her would be the most successful one of all". Beth continued with praises of her mistress. "She handled a challenging problem on her own. People were so impressed by our madam's excellent problem-solving abilities. And not only that she even gave me expensive gifts"

Beth stopped and looked back at the girl following her with condescending eyes. "Oops, sorry. You wouldn't know how it feels"

Her demeanour had a tone of challenge and sarcasm as if she were challenging Layla's status itself. If it were another noble, her head would be cut off from her body, but in this case, Beth seemed to live.

This only further highlights Layla's position in this household.

Layla clenched her fist, hidden behind the ruffles of her dress. She was powerless to do anything. The fact that a mere maid like Beth can still belittle her means somewhere her plan seemed to have fallen through. And she needs to know where it went wrong.

She internally swallowed her anger and smiled at the woman in the uniform. "Is that earring one of Mother's expensive gifts?" The girl said feigning innocence and curiosity.

When Beth heard the girl, her grin broadened. She tucked one stray hair behind her ear to show off the sparkling jewel.

"Ha, you noticed. Yes, this is a present from my benevolent Madam. She received these unique earrings as a present from a well-known merchant. However, my ma'am offered these to me because she had a big heart. Since she had so many, you know."

Beth resumed her walk. "Madam receives gifts frequently. But she gave me these because things at work recently went well. These were crafted from the most brilliant stones. Commoners had never seen these. Sometimes nobles haven't seems stones these shiny"

Beth spoke in a veiled disrespect to the noble following her behind. But the noble was interested in something else, something that caught her attention.

"Wow, that merchant must be someone wealthy," Layla said with faking curiosity.

Beth spoke indirectly insulting the noble following her behind.

But something else had Layla's interest.

"Wow, that merchant must be someone rich," Layla said with curiosity.

Layla knew most words from Beth were just mere exaggerations, just to boost her inflated ego. But she was more interested in this merchant.

Those stones on Beth did look expensive, matter of fact those were silver diamonds specifically found in the northern parts of the empire.

These were not something that one would find just anywhere in this land. They were specifically found in those northern regions. These gems were different than typical diamonds, the difference was subtle. The size of silver diamonds was normally small and they reflected a paler light than normal white ones.

People frequently mistake them for regular diamonds because of their subtle difference. If Beth hadn't shown it off by tucking her hair, Layla would have done the same. The reflection was different under the light.

Not everyone is aware of this knowledge. She learned it in her previous life when she was gifted those jewels by her lover. Layla remembered being so delighted to have received something like this from her busy lover. But it turned out he had another motive for being busy.

But why would a northern merchant have connections with some fallen noble in the countryside?

"Huh? Naturally, he was. Even his servants were draped in silvers and gold." Beth proudly spoke.

"I haven't seen someone this rich in a while in this place. They must be an outsider" Layla said, trying to poke the fire for some more answers.

"Yes, they must be". Beth then appeared to be lost in thoughts for a second. "They even spoke with a weird accent and that boy even had white hair. Has to be an outsider," Beth mumbled to herself.

Weird accent and white hair. Two descriptions stuck in the girl's head. Both of those were characteristics of the folks from the north.

But what was their relationship with this household, more specifically with her stepmother?

"Um, so does mother meet with them often?" Layla asked, trying to be innocent, in her questioning.

Beth halted again upon hearing the girl's words. She turned around, an eyebrow lifted. "What makes you so curious?"

"As you can see, I haven't left the house in a while. Even worse, I have no friends. So when you said outsider, it got me curious. I wish I could accompany Mother like you and meet new people every day." Layla replied in an innocent tone of a little girl. Hopefully, Beth buys her acting.

Beth sneered, "Huh, of course, it's fun. Meeting new people, receiving gifts. I am a lucky person." Beth boasted with a smug-looking face, then it turned to Layla, "Too bad someone like you never gets to experience it. Haha, on second thought, not everyone's lucky like me" Then Beth laughed.

When her mocking episode finished, she resumed her movement, with Layla close behind.

"How frequently do you and your mother go out, Beth?"

"A lot. Today we were also supposed to go out but didn't"

"Huh? Why?"

"Well, You'll soon find out"

Layla wanted to ask more questions but Beth halted in front of a big door. Only then Layla noticed her surroundings.

Large portraits on the vermilion-tinted walls. Canvas painted with glorious knights winning on the battlefield. Sconces with odd motif designs.

Knock-knock. "We are here Madam," Beth said.

And suddenly all of her previous mockery and conversations seemed to have disappeared as she made a nonchalant face once again.

She then after a few seconds opened the door.

"It took you longer than expected". An irritable voice spoke out from the furthest corner of the room.