This novel is ruined

Chapter 3 - it's Raya, not Lyla

It was ten in the morning. After making a miraculous recovery from a three-day-long fever, a certain young lady had been confined to the inside of her bedroom in order to fully recuperate her strength.

With the arrival of spring came warmer weather. The temperature was a perfect balance of hot and cold.

"Mmm mmm ♪..." From the resident garden, a child's soft humming could be heard accompanying the cool morning breeze. It came from the open window of a secluded room on the second floor of the baron's manor.

Inside, stood a young girl atop a footstool leaning against the window's sill. She took a deep inhale and began to hum to herself. Smells just like soil and morning dew.

As she gently nodded her head to the melody, she thought to herself, I know just the perfect playlist to go with this atmosphere. If only I had access to my phone right now. Too bad. She sighed.

*knock knock*

"Miss Lyla, it's Rhonda. I've brought you your breakfast."

Lyla? But I'm Raya. Where have I heard that name before?

"..."

"Miss?" Rhonda's worried voice snapped Raya out her thoughts.

"Huh? Oh, yes! Let me get the door for you."

Lyla, or rather Raya, hopped off the footstool and opened the door for Rhonda, who placed the tray on the desk without removing its contents.

Raya quickly seated herself but before she could dig into her meal, she was interrupted by a reluctant Rhonda.

"Pardon me Miss Lyla, but there's a pressing matter that I forgot to inform you of yesterday."

Raya paused, fork midair right before her agape mouth. "Huh? Yes, go on."

In summary, because the Baron had guests arriving next week, preparations were underway which required the aid of servants who didn't even work in the main building due to the short handed staff.

"It is because of that, I won't be able to attend to your needs even when the guests have settled in."

Raya pondered, Back in my world it was around the time of an upcoming holiday and break, perhaps they have something similar here too. Alright, this is my chance!

Raya smiled compliantly and yawned. "I understand, I have no issue with that."

Rhonda's expression softened. Touched by the young miss' understanding, she reassured her. "Of course, I'll come by and make sure you receive a proper lunch and dinner and to collect the laundry."

"Thank you, Rhonda."

"No, thank you Miss Lyla!" And with that, Rhonda hurried out of the room, her heart filled with a mixture of sympathy and admiration for the considerate young lady.

In no time at all, Raya polished off the last crumbs of her meal and with a satisfied expression she happily rubbed her tummy. The plate appeared as if it never had any food to begin with.

"Mmm mmm! Delicious!" I'm stuffed! Wow, I think I just set myself a new personal record!

Her gaze sharpening, she stared at the door through which Rhonda brought her meals every day.

Now then! Since it looks like Rhonda won't be coming back anytime soon, I should take the opportunity to explore beyond Lyla's room!

She slid off the chair and slowly approached the door. With one hand balancing the tray, she used the other to turn the door knob.

It's open! Huh, I didn't notice until now, but it's weird how the key hole is on the inside rather than the outside. Anyways, I'm finally able to step outside Lyla's room! And much sooner than I had expected!

The air was thick with the smell of beeswax and lavender. It was strange and unfamiliar to Raya, but not at all unpleasant.

I prefer this over the stench of the vinegar used to wipe the chalkboard at school any day!

Cautiously, she poked her head out to take a peak. "Look to the left, then to the right. All clear!" She whispered. Tippy-toeing into the hallway, she quietly shut the door behind her.

Since the heading left leads to a clear dead end, right it is!

As her steps became more confident, the wider her smile grew. She began to hum the same tune from before and her head once again nodded to the rhythm of the song.

Thankfully the layout of this manor isn't too confusing. All of the rooms in this hall excluding Lyla's room look like they haven't been touched in a decade at least.

As she passed by a window, she extended a finger to lightly brush the window sill. Without stopping she pulled up her finger and her face creased in disgust as she blew the black dust away.

How filthy. Aside from Lyla's room which must have been maintained by Rhonda's efforts, when was the last time someone came to clean this annex? How could anyone allow a young child to live here?

Aside from Rhonda I haven't seen or heard any servants aside step foot in this part building at all. It's almost as if Lyla's presence was intentionally concealed...

"Hmm?" As she descended the last of the steps of the stairs her eyes landed on a large portrait that preoccupied the majority of wall space where it hung.

The elaborately sculpted frame encased a meticulously rendered depiction of the wealthy but deeply fractured family who resided within these gilded walls.

Raya's face softened. Aww, a small Lyla. So cute! This must have been painted quite some time ago probably, even before Lyla's little brother was born.

As her eyes turned to two figures that sat beside the smaller Lyla, her expression turned cold. Those two must be her parents, the Baron and the Baroness.

Despite their eldest child being sick, not once has either one of her parents shown up. Such terrible parents! I'm so glad Lyla didn't inherit their personality and looks!

"Harrumph!" Raya turned away from the portrait with a flick of her brown locks.

After a few more turns, Raya finally encountered another maid who was currently polishing a window. Finally! About time!

"Um, excuse me miss."

"Oh! Goodness, you startled me!" The maid jumped. After turning around Raya was finally able to get a better look of the maid's physical features.

Her messy strawberry blonde hair was pulled back into a messy bun and her eyes shone a vibrant green. An abundance of freckles dotted her squinting face.

She looked at Raya, starting from her small head, to her plain clothing, to her tiny feet. "I haven't seen you around before. Are you new here?"

"Yes that's right, I'm Raya. I just started last week. I live with my parents. Could you please point me towards the kitchen? I was told to drop this off." Raya smiled, holding up the tray.

"Oh sure, just continue down this hallway then take a right and... Got that?"

"Yep! I remembered everything! Thank you so much uhh..."

"Courtney! Call me Courtney!"

"Thank you so much Miss Courtney!" Raya nodded before she went on her way.

Courtney smiled and resumed her previous train of work. Such a polite child. I feel like I've seen her face before. Hmm, never mind. It's probably just my imagination. 

—

If I don't know what I'm doing then I don't do the doing. I don't think I even phrased that properly. Whatever~ Anyway, by now anyone reading this should realize that this story has an updates frequency slower than my brain lag and internet multiplied. I plan to let this story write itself :)