"You mean the late Miss?" The maid inquired, giving a small shake of her head. "I'm not sure of the exact reason, but Novarion is a prestigious academy reserved for elite youths. Admission is highly competitive there, so it's common for those who attend to brag about it. Most of the students come from noble families, political figures, connections or immense wealth. Miss Lila is from a wealthy family, and she's super intelligent, kind, honest, with a heart of gold. She loved making friends and associating with others."
"I see," Rhea murmured, glancing across the table with a thoughtful expression. She casually filled her plate before looking back at the maid. "What's your name?"
"Linda."
"Well then, Linda, would it be possible for me to get a pair of red-shaded glasses?" Rhea asked with a sweet smile.
—-
Rhea never really liked when people questioned her about her eyes.
Her mind was a shattered mirror– most of it untrustworthy— but there was one truth she clung to, and that was the fact that she had no interest in remembering what had been done to her in the lab. Whatever they had injected into her veins had burned away the old girl with normal eyes, though she couldn't even recall what color they'd originally been. It didn't matter either.
That version of her was already dead.
When they were ready to leave, Linda handed her the glasses she requested, and Rhea slipped them on. Watching her, Linda couldn't help but wonder why she wouldn't simply remove her contact lenses instead of layering glasses over them. To Linda, it seemed absurd to endure discomfort for the sake of fashion.
Unbeknownst to her, those were Rhea's real eyes, and the glasses shade were her way of hiding them.
"Do they suit me?" Rhea asked as they stepped outside.
The soft morning light was already spilling over the grand stone villa, highlighting the pale walls and the ivy that clung stubbornly to the arched windows. The cobbled courtyard still glistened with dew, and a faint breeze stirred the tall trees lining the estate, carrying the fresh scent of earth and blooming flowers.
Linda stopped at the stone stairs to study her for a moment. She had to admit, the new Miss looked stunning, and in some way, she even reminded Linda of their boss. Maybe that was why her boss had decided to adopt her?
Still, Linda couldn't shake off her growing unease. She was struggling to understand how the boss could so easily replace his daughter because she was dead, especially after everything she had endured. He isn't even doing anything about the fact that she was bullied, he didn't even report the school and instead, went to bring someone new into their world.
The new Miss was kind. That was something Linda grasped during their little conversation, but she couldn't ignore the bitterness in her heart. One thing was certain, she would serve the new Miss well, as long as she doesn't try to replace the former Miss and take her place.
"I can recognize disappointment when I see it," Rhea uttered, her voice snapping Linda back to the present.
Linda looked up just in time to catch her smiling again. For a moment, she wondered if her own expression had betrayed her feelings— and if the new Miss would take offense. But instead, Rhea simply let out a soft chuckle.
"Normal people are cute," she uttered as though she was studying a new species. "You must have been super fond of Lila Ashbourne when she was alive, huh? Don't worry, I'm not here to replace her," Rhea clarified lightly. "And your boss still loves his precious daughter. I'm only staying here to complete an important task big Daddy gave me. Once that is done, I'll be gone. It won't even be like I was here. But in the meantime, you can only tolerate my presence and not try to get in my way, or can't you do something as minimal as that?"
Linda blinked, unsure of how to respond. That smile on her face— it was lovely, almost dazzling, but there was something hollow behind it, and it was frightening. Worried that her face might betray her unease, she lowered her gaze.
"You are the new Miss," she said quietly. "It is my duty to serve you— and I will."
Rhea's face brightened at her words. "See, I just knew you'd understand. I have a feeling we're going to be great friends."
"Friends?" Linda echoed, clearly baffled by that remark. She really couldn't understand what the girl was saying, and she wondered which orphanage the boss had gone to pluck her from.
As they descended the stone steps leading to the driveway, a sleek black car waited at the foot of the steps, its surface gleaming under the light. The driver stood by the rear door, and he straightened as they approached.
"You'll have to guide me through the mall," Rhea said, shooting Linda a sly, knowing glance before softening it with an innocent smile. "I'm hopeless with directions."
Linda managed a small nod, her stomach tightening with nerves as she followed Rhea into the car, already bracing herself for whatever strange twist the day might hold.