Ch 6: The First Meal

'Heh! For someone who talks about wanting a happy and harmonious family, you have a murderous aura around you. It is so intense that I don't want anything to do with you. But still, making enemies so easily would not be a good idea.'

The system had not chimed in for some time, and Layla could not take it to mean that this would not affect the original story anyway.

So, it did not matter if she made friends or enemies with Henry here.

"You should take Lord Henry's suggestion and enjoy your freedom today, Miss. Look, the young lord is trying to make you feel more comfortable by offering his hand to you."

Mary pushed at her back, and Layla's fragile body stepped back because of that. 

Layla looked at her maid questioningly, but Mary's smile remained the same mysterious one Layla had seen up until now.

'Ah, so you have no intention of telling me anything. Is this a test as well? To see how well I perform under pressure? Then, allow me to impress you.'

Layla straightened her back and commanded as much aura and charisma as her small and weak body could channel. Even without backing, there were ways to make one look more intimidating.

And Layla showed such a thing as she walked toward her new 'brother.'

"I am grateful for your offer, my lord. Since you offer me a chance to become your family, I want to take your hand. I am sure we will get along great with each other."

Layla smiled as she took the offered seat.

Henry looked increasingly disturbed by the second as he watched Layla act. But he showed none of it on his face as he sat down.

"I see! If that's the case, I am glad to have your support. Now then, shall we start eating?"

As soon as those words came out of Henry's mouth, the maids quickly walked in with plates filled with food Layla recognized but had never had the time to cook.

The food smelled delicious, but something about it stuck with Layla as odd.

She reached out her spoon to grab the food, but her instincts stopped her.

"What's wrong? Is there something wrong with the food? Are you not going to eat it?"

Herny asked from beside Layla as he watched her reach out to her food and stop suddenly.

His eyes seemed to ask Layla what was wrong with her, but she did not speak up.

"I need to wash my hands before I start eating. It was a custom in the orphanage I grew up in. But I was so excited to come and eat that I forgot. May I go and wash my hands?"

Layla made up an excuse as soon as she saw the suspicion in Henry's eyes rise.

The main reason Layla decided to make a break was because her system window finally popped up.

[Dangerous levels of Hostile Magic detected in air. The host is cautioned to be alert]

Layla had not felt anything other than a mild annoyance coming from Henry, but she noticed how everyone else stiffened when she spoke up.

The tense air seemed to last forever before Mary inserted herself into the scene with a smile.

"Oh my! If that is so, then we better get our hands all cleaned up. Come with me, little miss! I will take you to the bathroom."

Layla quickly chose to be by Mary's side. She could tell no one dared to cross Mary, so it was likely safe by her side…for now.

Henry also calmed down with a nod, but his eyes glared at Layla until she left the room.

"That was rather brave of you to speak up in front of Lord Henry. You might be one of the few who got away with it."

Mary did not outright say that Layla fucked up, but her words implied that much.

"So, I did mess up? I figured. It's just that my hands froze when I tried to reach the food. It was as if my body was telling me that it was not safe to eat that food…."

"Ah, it might be because the food is poisoned. It seems that you have great survival instincts. You might just make it past the first week without any accident."

Mary spoke these words with such enthusiasm that it would have taken anyone aback to hear her speak.

But somehow, Layla did not feel scared or surprised to hear that the food she had been given contained poison in it.

Instead, it felt like she should have expected it.

"Ah, I see! Will I die if I eat this food? No! Wait! That's not right. Will I pass out from pain or get sick if I eat the food here? I assume that not eating is not an option."

Since the other kids were eating the food, the amount of poison in it could not be that fatal. But would Layla's fragile body be able to endure it? 

"Don't worry about the poison. Just get through the breakfast, and I will give you an antidote for the poison. But first, let's get back to food."

The maid took Layla back, and they sat back down. 

As soon as Layla was back, everyone turned toward her as one. No one said anything about what happened, but they were curious about her.

But no one questioned her about anything. It seemed like an unspoken rule around the table to not ask personal questions.

"Welcome back, new sister. Are you done washing your hands? If you are, please take a bite of the food first and let our chef know how you like it."

Henry looked at Layla with an interested expression. She had no choice but to reach out and grab the food.

Sometimes, Layla had to put her instincts aside and do what was necessary. This was one of those times.

She brought the spoon up to her lips and ate the food.

"So, how's the food? Do you like it?"