To Be The Empress

The maid

Today the little bit of daylight that seeped through the clouds had a sense of serenity, a peace that invited itself into the soul and made itself at home, however the atmosphere was oddly cold . Anastasia awoke to the gentle breeze caressing her golden locks , it was cold , just like the day she died . she got herself to get up and close the window , she doesn't remember herself opening it last night , but that was least of her worries. all she could think of now is how she would find a way out of the manor , but to do so she needs to bring back Sylvia Adair , the real lady if the Adair household. she was a beauty that unmatched to any anyone.The girl was blond from root to tip, born to bring more golden sunshine into this world. It showed too. It showed in those soulful blue eyes as bright as any glacier yet so very warm. Anastasia was just there to replace her , and who knows what will happen to her when Sylvia comes back . unlike Sylvia , Anastasia wasn't born with a platinum spoon encrusted in precious diamonds and stones from all around the world .

She had to fight for her livelihood . every moment of life was matter of life or death to her ,always worrying about how she'd have to acquire her next meal . although life was a bit easier for her after she entered the manor , she didn't have to think of going to bed hungry , her life of hardship didn't completely come to an end . From the treacherous brothers to the ignorant father ... everything she hoped for in the new life was abruptly taken away from her and she was titled 'the crazy bitch of the Sorella empire' . it wasn't very fitting considering the misunderstanding and what she had to go through just so she can be a perfect substitute for the family's missing daughter , or perhaps Anastasia really did become she crazy bitch and earned the nickname by becoming what people wanted her to become . either way her past could not be ignored ,it shaped her into being what she was in her past life , before Eliana took over .

First and foremost , her reputation and how people perceived Anastasia has to change , this way , she had a chance of surviving in the nobility after she found the real daughter and brought her back to the manor , from then on , she would live out the rest of her days in peace and prosperity . well at least that is what Anastasia hoped for. but the real struggle would be to leave the manor and she desperately needed a trusty assistant to execute her plans , although this wasn't something Anastasia was able to afford to have , so she had to buy it...

Anastasia's trail of thoughts was abruptly interrupted by a sweet bird like voice , sweet as honey , it instantly soothed Anastasia's worries , however when she turned to see who it was , the face didn't match to the voice . Layla , Anastasia personal maid that had been by her side for the longest despite her bad attitude and rumored mistreatment of her servants. she was the perfect victim for Anastasia...

her looks were very distinctive from others , her hair was as red as roses , a pop of color in the grey , it was pulled up neatly and held by a single earthen colored band, Her eyes were the hue of the new spring growth, bright and soft all at once. There were flecks of strength, of the kind of green that comes only as summer advances. Layla also had a light sprinkles of freckles over her nose , they became even more prominent in the sun , as if the sun kissed her pale skin , which was silky as white rose petals . she was definitely beautiful , no doubt .

it was rumored that she was the daughter of a baron who fell into dept , explaining why she had to work for other more wealthy families to support her own . this made her a perfect victim for Anastasia , she could use her as scapegoat by bribing her into executing her plan. there is no way Layla could refuse any type of money , looking at the state of her family ... , it was also said that she has a younger brother who she loved dearly , and she would do practically anything for him to live a life comfortable as possible . she was also young , and cunning as a fox , as she did, prick Anastasia's hand without her noticing for years. it speaks volumes about the type of person Layla is.

'good morning lady Anastasia, i see that you are awake. i will immediately bring breakfast in and then run a bath for the lady so you can wash up ' she quietly muttered , looking down while she spoke , Anastasia didn't respond , so she proceeded to excuse herself. just as she was about to open the door to walk out ,Anastasia ordered her to stop, she immediately turned around and apologized

' you should't leave your masters chambers unless you're ordered to do so , don't you know anything about basic manners? you are supposed to serve me and i'm the master here ! ' Anastasia exclaimed sternly . ' you know that i have the power to banish you from this place , after what you've done , do you even understand the severity of your actions?! , considering the state of your family , they would be doomed without you! do you ever think about your little brother?

at the mention of what her family , her face went pale . her brain stuttered for a moment and her eyes had to take in more light than expected, every part of her goes on pause while her thoughts catch up. she went down on her knees , shaking uncontrollably , panic set in . It's a discomfort in her chest, a feeling in her brain , then it sets in deeper. she feels the urge to run, escape, hide. The panic grows stronger her mental faculties give way to emotions. shaking, terrified. The constricted feelings grow, as if she is strangled by just the air about her . so much responsibility , so much weigh , lied only upon her shoulders . ' no , please lady Anastasia , forgive me , i wont ever do it again , it was a mistake , please don't abandon this slave ...' she managed to whisper as she was gasping for air

looking at her , Anastasia was remind of herself last night . she could see her as easily as herself, standing there in that war. She had nothing. No safety. No right to food or home. No place to go. If I was there I could call out her name and she would turn and see me. But what would she see? Help? Judgement? Pity? Refuge? A chance to survive the hell she'd been catapulted into? .Anastasia slowly walked over to er and embraced the little girl , so much was on her shoulders at such a young age , although her actions couldn't be justified . this was a pitiful sight.

' if you serve me and me only , i promise you that you will not regret it , i will also find a way to make your family prosper , so you don't have to do this kind of job anymore , you wont ever have to stoop down low to anyone ...' she softly whispered into the girls ear

those soft words filled with promises immediately calmed layla down . It's just like when layla would come to her big sister as a child needing her to "kiss" it better with kindness. And she does, every time, endlessly patient.

'What I need will never come and no matter how much I seek I won't find it. I wasn't born for great things, nor to find my place in the sun. I could try every day, work for what I want and need, but there are no paths to success, not from here. People talk as if I dream my way out, simply discover a version of me that only sees the opportunities and ignores the noise, the distractions and the people who only say "no" because they don't believe in themselves, so how can they believe in me? So take away the well meant words, the songs that don't help and the smiles that aren't real... call it despair if you want, but something fake hurts more than anything.' Layla said in desperation

Anastasia reassured her with more sweet words ' you don't know what you're capable of , please believe in yourself and trust me , i don't break my promises ' she released Layla from her warm embrace and excused her

Layla composed herself and left after apologizing for the commotion

BINGO

Anastasia was ecstatic to have Layla by her side , the girl doesn't know of what she is capable of doing , and she was one of the greatest asset in to carry out Anastasia's plan ...