The First Wall I

It has been a week since Laura had entered the estate and, as usual, the maids in the estate had gossiped about her black hair. They were all first scared of her as she didn't look like someone of this world.

However, they came, realized that she was only human and slowly accepted her. Some still didn't like Laura as they preferred Tine more and they think that Laura will steal the count away from her.

It is true that Laura wasn't part of the Alvarado family by blood, but she had very much resembled the deceased wife of Count Harrison. Her cool beauty and kindness had spread amongst the other nobles.

Despite that, there was a bad rumor flying around. The rumors involve many terrible things about Laura and some say that she had sold her body to the count. Despite the fictitious rumors, Laura had not cared about them since she had already expected it.

She was not even slightly bothered about it because they were just rumors. Not all rumors are meant to believe in, and that was what she had believed. As of the moment, Laura has been focusing on her studies and trying her best to learn new things as much as possible.

However, she really didn't like the tutor that has been teaching her. Edith Alcof, a wife of a baron and a well-known teacher in society. She has been teaching Tine since she was young and has been treating her like her own grandchild.

Edith was already in her fifties and was biased with how she had taught Laura. Laura who had already met Edith in the past had a plan in mind on how she'll destroy her reputation.

In the past, Edith would often whip Laura on the back, and not only that, but she would also hit Laura on the back of her legs until it bleeds.

Laura didn't know why Edith didn't like her, but she knew at one point it was all because of Tine. Indeed, she was that evil.

"Focus Laura. Oh my, you are not on the same level as Tine and yet you're still spacing out."

"I'm sorry madam Edith."

"Come here and stand up. How can you space out of my lesson?"

Laura had followed Edith and stood up and raised her skirt for her legs to be seen. Edith got her small-sized whip and started slashing the back of Laura's legs. Laura bit her lips and held in her voice as she felt her legs forming bruises.

"Now sit down and focus."

"Yes, madame Edith."

'Humph, just because you're well known amongst the other nobles doesn't mean you can just do whatever you like.'

Laura couldn't wait to tell the count about this. She already had proof for getting a better tutor. After all, in the beginning, she had always wanted Viscountess Andrea Marshall to teach her.

Viscountess Andrea Marshall, one of the most influential leading women amongst the women in the empire. She was one of the smartest people in the empire, and she had shared her knowledge with the royal family.

However, it was not until recently when she had stopped accepting students as she wanted to spend more time with her children. Andrea was once a baroness who had fallen in love deeply with Piers Marshall, who is now her husband.

Piers Marshall has been serving the royal family since he was young, as the Marshall family had always been knights. Not only that, but he also holds great power in the army as he is the commander of the third troupe.

But no one knew about the burden Andrea Marshall had held. The problem Laura was facing now was how she could convince Viscountess Andrea to teach her. If she's unable to convince her, then she'll be stuck with Edith.

After lessons, Laura rushed back into her room and called Mary to get an ointment. Mary wondered why she had asked for it and went to the kitchen to get it. Laura sat on the chair and lifted her skirt and looked at her wounded legs.

The red mark had turned purple and some parts of her skin had peeled off. Lester knocked into the door before entering and saw Laura's bare legs. He immediately looked away and slightly blushed.

Lester then realized the wounds on her legs and walked towards her. He sighed out loud and observed Laura's legs, which were covered with wounds. He examined the wounds on her legs and understood why she had asked Mary to get an ointment.

"Did madam Edith do this?"

Laura did not answer and sadly looked at her wounds. She was reminded of how she used to be covered in wounds, and now it had started again.

"Even if it was to punish you, she shouldn't be doing this. I'm reporting this to master."

"Lester...don't."

"Miss but she didn't have to punish you till you bleed."

"Lester, please?"

Lester felt conflicted. He didn't know whether to tell Count Harrison about it or just letting go of the situation. Laura recently saw how Lester had slowly started opening up to her and she sometimes felt annoyed towards him because there are some points where he wouldn't keep quiet.

"I understand."

"Thank you."

Mary had entered the room and had brought the ointment and was shocked when she had seen the wounds on Laura's legs. She immediately got a clean cloth and cleaned her wound before putting the ointment on.

"She's too much. I don't like her and never will."

Mary's eyes burned with fire as she gathered the cloths she had used to clean Laura's legs.

"Miss you're too kind."

"Is that so?"

"I can't just sit and do anything. I'm telling this to my friends."

"You really don't have to Mary."

"No, it's my choice and so I'll do it."

Laura enjoyed the tea made by Mary and didn't have a slight care about what had happened earlier. Everything is going according to her plans. She had wanted Mary to spread this to the other maids and this will eventually get into Edith.

She couldn't stop herself from smiling as everything was going according to plan. She had always wondered what kind of face Edith would make after hearing this rumor.

=====

Later that night Laura entered the dining hall and saw Count Harrison and Tine waiting for her. She had excused herself from being late as she had forgotten the time while being immersed in a book.

They all started eating, and Tine observed the way Laura was eating. She was impressed that Laura was cutting the beef right and eating them in small pieces. Tine couldn't help but feel annoyed about it.

Laura had caught Tine looking at her and got flustered. Tine realizing that she got caught staring, quickly got her cup and drank the water, and continued eating her food. Laura didn't mind that but couldn't notice that Count Harrison looking troubled.

"Is there a problem?"

"Ah...well, not really."

"It's okay to share it with us."

"Well, I recently noticed other people overbuying our silk and I think it's a problem because only three thousand stocks of silk come each year. I've been thinking about raising the price, but I don't know if it'll be a good idea or not."

Laura went silent and thought about it. She knew that Tine would say something first, and so she waited for her turn.

"Father I think I have a proposal. What if you would only sell them to the nobles?"

"I don't think that is right. Tine please remember that business is not only limited to us nobles. No matter what your status is, each individual in the empire has the right to be able to buy."

"I agree with Laura. Sure business is all about earning money however we should consider each one of the people."

"I understand, sister."

Tine was flustered once more, humiliated in front of the other maids who was standing inside the dining hall. She never expected to be wrong and still, she didn't understand why they had to consider the 'other people'.

"I have a suggestion. From what I know, three thousand silks are delivered here every year. It would be all right to sell them in bulks but at a higher price. This would not only limit yourself from selling to the nobles but to others as well."

"Why have I never thought about that? Thank you, Laura, I'll analyze that further later."

"No, it was nothing. I remember reading it in a book, and so it wasn't really my own idea." "No, I should have thought about it earlier."

A maid entered the room and handed the count a nice-looking envelope that had the royal family emblem. Count Harris read the letter and then called Percival to reply that they would be attending.

"Girls I have some news. Three days from now there would be a party in the castle and so please make sure to prepare yourselves. Now, I'll be now going back to my office and you two should get some rest, goodnight."

"Goodnight father, please don't overwork yourself."

"I won't Tine."

As the count had left the dining room, what's left is just the both of them and the air between them had stiffened. The maids who were present felt uncomfortable and wanted to go out. Laura gave Tine a smile before excusing herself.

In the dining room, it was just the both of them and the air between them had stiffened. The maids who were present felt uncomfortable and wanted to go out. But before Laura excused herself out she gave Tine a smile.

After everyone except Helga and Tine left the dining, Tine started going rampage. She felt humiliated after seeing Laura giving her a sly smile. She couldn't believe how a commoner girl like Laura could be smarter than her.

She gritted her teeth and clenched her fist tightly. She was burning with fury.

'How could a commoner like her treat me like that?'

"Just you wait, Laura."