Chapter 94: Orphanage I
A priestess's responsibilities consist of working in the slumps, visiting orphanages, and tending the sick. While during someone's time being a priestess, she did not do any of those. The fake priestess didn't do anything and should be ashamed of herself.
'You reap what you sow.'
Lester entered the room and was followed by another maid with a scar on her cheek. She lowered her head, smacking her lips out of nervousness while her fingers swirled with one another. The first thing Laura notices about the maid was her scar. It looked like a wolf scratched her face. Her expression turned cold, not welcoming the maid in.
Who wouldn't act like that towards the maid who was rude towards her? Unpleasing is what Laura thought. But she had no choice to bring a maid with her on today's trip. It was one of those days where she needed to visit the orphanage.
Not the orphanage she grew up in but another orphanage in town. Most of the kids brought to the orphanage didn't have a nice story to tell. Because they were once slaves from the underground market.
According to the sister in charge, they were all scared of talking to them. They would shiver, stutter, or even hesitate to ask for food. It was as if they were used to living in that place.
"Good morning, Miss Laura. I've brought the maid you requested for," Lester spoke and eyed the maid to do her greetings. She was hesitant to take a step. She didn't want to get bitten by Laura again.
"G-good morning, Miss Laura. My name is F-Fiona," Fiona stuttered and ended her last word softly.
Laura, who is seen sitting on the chair, continued to look at the mirror. She pretended not to hear Fiona speaking since Laura had a bit of a grudge against her. The silence made the air tense and uncomfortable, making Lester scoff to break the built wall separating the two.
"Ah…I'm sorry I didn't hear your name. What was it…Fia?" Laura turned her and slightly tilted her head. The maid swallowed her anger and introduced herself once more, "It's nice to see you. My name is Fiona."
"Fiona…" Laura muttered as her fingers touched her bottom lip, "Such a shame your face has a scar. Does it still hurt?" Laura asked while Fiona answered with a smile, "It doesn't hurt at all."
But deep down, Fiona was scared to death. She wanted to run away from Laura and hide under her blanket. The sight of Laura was fretful enough.
While the two were conversing, someone was watching them from the corner of the room and was holding his laughter in. His body was shaking, but he kept his face straight, but internally he was dying out of laughter. Lester knew Laura had a personality, but the act of Laura reminded him of Viola.
Laura looked Lester with a glare, stopping him from laughing. She knew she wasn't the best when acting like Viola, but she tried and worked anyway. Being mean won't hurt if it's put to good use.
"Lester, did you tell her the agenda today?" Laura asked and looked back at the mirror. She used the mirror to look at Lester, and he shook his head.
"For today's agenda, you will be going to the newly built orphanage as this is one of the jobs Miss Laura needs to fulfill."
Fiona nodded her head and couldn't brush the heaving feeling that weighs her down. She didn't want to go out because she was scared to be judged by the people who see her face. No men would be willing to approach her, let alone try talking to her. They might go that far and call her a prisoner as a member of the underground market. Only released because she was a female.
There were biases during the agreement, but the crowned prince released all female prisoners from the underground market. No one knew why the crowned prince agreed to do such a thing, but people say it was out of pity.
His kindness should be praised, yet the people are bickering about how he is being 'too soft'.
Instead of agreeing, Fiona refused. For her, it was too much. She didn't want to be looked down at. A prisoner from the underground market? She would rather be someone who sells her body rather than being a prisoner. Laura looked at Fiona with a cold look. She stood up from her chair and walked towards Fiona.
"Is it because you're ashamed of your own face?" Laura asked as she lifts Fiona's head with her fingers. Fiona looked away and gulped. That's right. She was ashamed of her own face because of a certain someone who scratched her with a tray, leaving a deep scratch that would never heal.
"Imprudent," Laura sternly said. Her words made Fiona shiver, and she regrets refusing to do so.
"I-I will go," Fiona trembled.
"I think it's about time to stop putting the act, Miss Laura," Lester scoffed, looking at Laura telling her that they were gone.
Laura removed her fingers and sighed after. That was one of the most tiring things to do. If Lester didn't signal Laura that people were listening behind the door, she would act all nicely to the maid. Though she still hasn't fully forgiven Fiona for mistreating her. But it's all in the past. She doesn't have time to further ignite the fire.
The scar on Fiona's cheek did bother Laura. She wanted to remove it, and it was possible. Her mana can heal old scars and wounds. Funny, isn't it? But it was possible. With Laura's mana, it was possible to almost heal anything.
"Let's extinguish the fire that lit up. I don't want to fight. It was all just an act," Laura said and kept her face straight. Fiona was confused and turned to look at Lester, who nodded his head. She didn't want to trust Laura, but with the sudden change of tone, Fiona nodded her head. It's true for those maids who stays by Laura's side; she isn't evil at all.
But what about her relationship with Lester? Was it all a fluke?
The best way to get more people onto her side was to forgive but not lower their guard. This is what Laura decided to do with Fiona. What do you think the other maids would say after a former follower of Tine moved to Laura? Quite surprising, wouldn't it be?
"If you agree to stay by my side, I will heal your face. If not, then you have that scar on your face forever," Laura said while Fiona looked interested and wanted to hear more. But Fiona was hesitant to agree because that means she's moving over to Laura's side.
"I…I will stay by your side," Fiona answered while looking at Laura's eyes. Laura grinned as it was going all according to her plan. There are two types of people. One who is loyal to their one and only master. While the other would do anything to save their own lives.
Clearly, Fiona was the type to do anything to have her face healed. It's nothing unusual. Some women are like that, but it makes them a scumbag.
Laura stood back up and walked towards Fiona. She touched the scar that lingered on Fiona's face, then a golden light shined as the scar slowly disappeared. When Laura retracted her hand off Fiona's face, the first thing she did was run to the mirror. She was thrilled to have her own beautiful face back.
"Thank you very much," Fiona cried and kneeled onto the ground. While Laura looked down at the red-haired girl, crying. Happy as if everything in the world was in her hands. Laura shook her head with a disappointed look and ordered Lester to call for the carriage.
There wasn't hatred stored in Fiona since she knew she was weaker than Laura. There wouldn't be a point taking revenge when someone lowly like her doesn't have the power to do anything. She decided to stay low and follow Laura. Even if the other maids will start talking bad about her.
But it won't be as bad to have another maid since Mary isn't here. No, rather, she won't be working in the Alvarado estate any further.
'Pathetic.'
"Prepare an extra set of clothes," Laura told Fiona was still kneeling on the ground. Fiona raised her head and immediately walked out of Laura's room.
For now, she will have a temporary maid. Laura doesn't have any plans bringing Mary back into the estate since it was still dangerous. Not until she gets revenge, then that is the only time she'll bring her back like how it all used to be.
'Tine must be suffering in her own room. How many days has it been since she locked herself in her own room? Two, three days? Who knows, but it was her fault for using it anyway.'
"Miss Laura, the carriage is by the entrance waiting for you," Lester called by the door.