A knock echoed through the room, and the bedroom door creaked open to reveal a youthful, cherubic maid who dared to intrude without the owner's consent.
"Young miss, dinner is ready," she announced.
Serena, upon seeing her maid Layla, beamed like a child who had just received her favorite toy.
'I didn't set a trap, but the bunny is already hopping in,' she thought to herself.
"Layla, assist me with changing my clothes," Serena requested.
Layla sighed, her demeanor akin to one dealing with a troublesome child, and approached Serena.
"My lady, you're neither a child nor incapacitated. Why do you require assistance for such tasks?" Layla queried, her lips forming an endearing pout.
Serena turned her gaze towards the maid who had the audacity to question her. Despite being an illegitimate daughter, she was still of noble birth. The fact that even the servants could address her in such a manner was not entirely the fault of the Duck house.
Her naive belief that if she was kind to everyone, even those who mistreated her, they would eventually reciprocate her kindness, was a testament to her innocence. She believed that this was the behavior of a good child and that God would reward such children.
The mere recollection of her past self and the embarrassing lengths she had gone to in order to gain attention and affection from others made Serena cringe. She wished she could bury those memories deep in the ground.
Serena felt a strong urge to reprimand her former self, her ears turning a light shade of red from embarrassment.
"My lady, we're all set. Let's proceed," Layla announced.
Serena, with Layla leading the way, made her way to the dining room. As she observed Layla, she began to mentally note down points in a metaphorical black book.
Layla was a slave who had been rescued from the slums by the former Duchess and appointed as her maid. Serena, who was starved of familial love and care, treated Layla more like a sister than a maid. She shared all her privileges with Layla, shielded her from the bullying of other servants, and even taught her how to read and write, a rare skill in their world. Who else could boast of treating their maid with such kindness? Only the naive Serena.
And the reward for her kindness was betrayal.
When the empire accused Serena of witchcraft and decreed her execution by burning, it was Layla who courageously stepped forward. She provided the evidence that confirmed Serena's guilt and made a heartfelt plea on her behalf.
'Even though she has committed evil deeds, please grant her a painless death,' Layla implored.
Bound to a stake and awaiting her execution, Serena looked at the brave yet merciful Layla in disbelief.
The spectators perceived Layla as a compassionate soul who sought mercy for her former employer. Her actions not only spared her from criticism but also earned her praise for her sense of justice and forgiving nature.
'Hehehe, I will make you wish for a swift end, my dear Layla,' Serena thought, a sinister smile playing on her lips.