Eavesdrop

The mansion's main parts where the whole family resides were also relatively peaceful, although, in contrast to Layla's corridor, servants were moving along the corridor. As she walked, she saw two maids cleaning the vases on the side table. One had auburn hair that was tied in two braids and the other one with black hair tied up in a bun. Compared to her other co-worker, the maid with ebony hair appeared more mature.

The maids there were probably the first ones she encountered after leaving her stepmother's room. They were chatting in a voice so low it sounded like a faint whisper but she could still hear some parts of conversations. The usual gossip, Layla thought to herself. She was about to walk past them by ignoring them but a part of their conversation caught her attention.

The girl with auburn hair said, "Yes, that was frightening, the way Lord was yelling."

Lord, they must be talking about her father. What were they talking about him?

Now interested in their gossip Layla quietly and sneakily hid behind a wall, trying to eavesdrop on their conversation.

"It was all after some rumors. So many of them were demoted and some even lost their jobs. The head maid also appeared mad as well. Even the Lord appeared mad". "I had never witnessed the Lord being that enraged. Fortunately, our new mistress arrived just in time to save the unfortunate Fred," the auburn-haired maid continued.

"But still it was hard to control the master, even with the new mistress. Do you think they had a fight? As the master was still not settling down. Additionally, after seeing the new mistress' face, he appeared to be even more irritated," the black-haired one said while wiping the vase.

"Oh really? I never saw that". The orange-haired maid tapped her chin, contemplating her friend's question.

"Yes. Though the mistress calmed him down, he got more agitated after seeing her"

"I thought they had a good relationship". Then the girl with orange hair crossed her arms and said, "You probably saw wrong, there's no way they got into a fight. Master loves the new mistress"

"I also believed that their relationship was positive. But I can't ignore what happened today, Viola. Hopefully, it's just me thinking too much"

"Yeah, I hope so". The auburn-haired maid then sighed in relief, "That was a scary experience. Honestly I was so scared for Fred, I thought he was done for today". Her face turned into a worried one "Do you think he would be alright?" she asked genuinely worried about his well-being.

"Hm. Let's hope so" The ebony-haired maid continued to wipe the vase for a third time as she checked for dirt on the spotless surface. "Mistress did save him from getting killed," she remarked.

On her friend's reply the auburn maid hung her head down, "But he lost his job, that too without any recommendations".

"I think losing his job is way better than losing his life" the maid then turned to her disheartened friend, "And you better finish your work instead of chatting. I am not finishing your share of work today"

"Ugh, Angela, I am having some serious talk here. Stop interrupting me" the maid said angrily after being interrupted by her friend.

"I don't see how it's important. Why are you so upset about something that has nothing to do with you? It wasn't you who was punished. Complete the things that are related to you- like your work for today"

Upon getting scolded the maid once again hung her head low, and all her anger disappeared. "You know I talked to Fred. His family needs money. I heard his father was sick. So now at a time this getting jobless is a bad thing", the orange-haired maid said while tightly clutching her dress. "How would they survive?" the maid continued. The auburn-haired maid's eyebrows crinkle slightly. "He is just like me. How would my mom survive without my help?". The maid's lips were slightly quivering, and her voice was shaky as well.

But before it could escalate further the black-haired maid smacked her friend's head hard. So hard that the smacking sound could be heard in the silent hallway.

Tears were starting to gather in the corners of the orange-haired maid's eyes as she gazed at her friend as caressed her sore spot. Her friend on the other hand was emotionless.

"Angela! What was that for!"

"Idiot. If you have so much energy as to cry for someone that was not even related to you then please spend that energy on your work. If lucky you might get promoted then your mother will truly be happy" the black-haired maid sternly said, her eyes full of rage, looking at her friend.

"Alright sorry," the maid said before picking up her rag and wiping the table, absent-mindedly unlike her friend. After a few seconds of careless moving of her rag she spoke again, "Wasn't Fred scheduled to leave for today? I wonder if he already packed his bags".

No reply came from her friend but she continued, "How would he go back? Will the mistress send him back in a carriage? Or did he have to pay for one himself? Even so, does he have any money to spend? Oh, poor guy-. Where are you going?" the orange-haired maid asked as she saw her friend pick her rag and bucket and walk away.

"To do my next work. I would like to complete my chores since I don't want to miss my lunch"

"Agh, but why? I am not done yet. Wait, I promise to finish within a minute please wait Angela" the orange girl called out to the other maid who was walking away.

The maid with auburn hair quickly got to work cleaning the table because she knew the maid with ebony hair wouldn't stop. After a few seconds or so the girl ran after her friend who had already disappeared.

Fred was fired. Layla smiled. It wasn't the punishment she had expected for him but it was worth it.

Maybe she should pay him a visit.