Chapter 11. A Ray of Light

Eating alone always evokes negative emotions and triggers memories from my past life. If only I could erase those memories, I wouldn't feel so disheartened about dining alone. I've longed for some company during meals, and since these people are here doing nothing, it would be nice if they could join me.

...that was my plan.

But I didn't know or even thought that saying those words might have caused a huge uproar and result in such a scenario as to what is happening right now before my eyes.

"The young lady wishes to dine with her personal maid?"

"What came over the young lady? This is quite out of character for her, isn't it?"

"I overheard some maids who handle the young lady's room cleaning mention that she's undergone a change."

"A change? Our young lady? Is that even possible?"

"That's what I've been told."

"I also heard something from a kitchen maid responsible for preparing the young lady's meals. She mentioned that the young lady even praised the head chef for his cookies and cupcakes."

"What? Are you serious?"

"I even approached the head chef myself, and he blushed at the memory of the young lady's compliment."

"My goodness! If the young lady is truly changing, is this a positive sign or the complete opposite?"

"Who can say? The young lady's thought process can be quite unpredictable."

Talaga bang pinagchi-chismisan nila ang topic ng chismis nila sa lugar kung nasaan ang topic nilang iyon? Like hello? Don't they realize that I'm right here, just a few steps away? And surely they know that I can hear them, right?

I can't quite tell if they're doing it on purpose or by accident. Or maybe it's because Cassia has a more heightened sense of hearing than others?

But it doesn't really matter. In fact, I wouldn't mind if they spread the news that Cassia has truly changed. Should I start getting used to calling myself Cassia?

Now that I think about it, if I were reincarnated and took over Cassia Clorance's body... what happened to the original Cassia Clorance?

"My lady..." I snapped back and quickly turned to Mira. "...what do you mean?" she asked, finishing her sentence.

"Just as I said, Mira. If you want me to accept your apology, then join me for dinner," I replied with a smile. Her expression showed that she was completely clueless about what was going on.

I couldn't help but chuckle at her adorable look.

"Oh!" I exclaimed as another idea suddenly came to mind.

I quickly turned my gaze towards the maids and guards stationed inside the dining hall.

"How about everyone joins me in for dinner? It could be a nice idea. You haven't had your dinners yet, have you?"

Silence filled the entire room once again, overwhelming me with a deafening quietness. I swear, malapit na talaga akong mabingi nito. Grr!

"What's wrong?" I asked, curious about their reaction.

"My lady," Mira called out, so I turned to face her.

"What is it, Mira?"

"We are not permitted to dine with our masters or any meal for that matter. Maids and servants are only allowed to stand behind their masters, not sit with them," Mira explained.

I raised an eyebrow. "And so?"

"That's the rule, my lady," one of the maids from the corner chimed in.

I glanced at her and the two other maids beside her in their positions.

Even as I looked at her, I noticed her gulp nervously. She seemed tense and frightened. Do I really look like I'll devour people alive? Sigh.

"What's your name?" I asked.

She, along with the other two maids, flinched at my question.

"M-My name is Linda, my lady," she replied, stuttering at the beginning. It was evident that she was afraid of Cassia. But did Cassia do something to her that made her so tense?

"Linda," I called. She lifted her head and met my gaze. I smiled at her.

"Aren't rules meant to be broken?" I casually remarked, leaving them utterly shocked by my words.

"You see, I just feel a little lonely eating all alone at this long and spacious dining table." I glanced at the tablecloth in front of me and gently touched it.

Then, I turned back to them and offered a weak smile. "I simply wished to have a few people join me."

Damn. It's hard smiling at this kind of moment. Ramdam ko ang slightly na pag-init ng gilid ng aking mata. No! I can't cry right now. Not in front of these people here.

To prevent the situation from escalating further, I forced a laugh and walked back to the chair where I had been sitting.

"Well, those were just my selfish thoughts. Ah, you don't have to take it so seriously. I was just speaking without thinking. Sorry about that. Hehe."

I turned to Mira.

"Oh, and Mira," I smiled at her. "You don't need to worry either. I was just joking earlier. I have already accepted your apology. It wasn't such a big deal to make it an issue, anyway."

As I sat back down in front of the long table, I mustered a forced smile.

"Well then, I'll proceed to enjoy my dinner. Thank you for the meal," I said as I picked up the fork and knife and began to slowly slice the meat on my plate.

Forcing a smile... I never expected to have to do that again in this life. It's not like it's my first time concealing my true emotions. Back in middle school, I was known for being emotionally detached.

Pretending to be fine when I'm really not. It became second nature to me. However, thanks to the precious people I've come to cherish in my life, I was able to embrace my true emotions once more.

Ah... I couldn't help but close my eyes and release a deep sigh.

As I was about to take a bite of the steak I had sliced, I heard a sound coming from the chair beside me. I quickly opened my eyes and was taken aback by what I saw.

"M... Mira?" I called her name, perplexed by the situation happening.

But it didn't end with that. Minute later, sounds of the other chairs that were being moved caught my attention and there I saw the other maids and servants sat as well.

"Ha... We might get into trouble because of this, but whatever."

As I observed each of them taking their seats, I found myself at a loss for words. I didn't know how to react to the situation unfolding before me.

"Everyone..." I struggled to find the right words. I was overwhelmed by a mix of emotions in that moment.

"My lady, please promise to keep today's events a secret from the head maid, alright? She'll scold us mercilessly if she finds out. You know how she can be..."

Wilma, one of the maids who had introduced herself earlier, attempted to lighten the mood with a joke, only to receive a pinch on the arm from her sister, Wendy.

"Ouch! Wendy, that hurts," Wilma complained, rubbing her arm where Wendy had pinched her.

"Stop being so casual with the lady," Wendy scolded her sister. Then, she turned towards me, bowing her head. "I apologize for my sister's behavior, my lady."

"Hey! I'm the older one here."

"And yet you act as if you're the younger one. Grow up, 'older sister'."

"You little... Why are you being so sarcastic right now?"

"I'm not being sarcastic. You're just imagining things, 'older sister'."

Hindi ko napigilan na mahinang matawa sa pagbabangayan ng dalawang magkapatid. This kinda makes me remember the twins who was the neighbors of my grandma.

Lost in my thoughts about the two sisters, I suddenly noticed Mira making a move to stand up. I quickly reached out and held her hand, causing her to pause and look at me.

"My lady," she said, her voice filled with concern.

I smiled reassuringly at her. "Don't worry, Mira. It's alright."

"If that's what my lady wishes..." she replied, returning the smile.

I turned to face everyone, capturing their attention.

"I'm genuinely happy that everyone feels comfortable around me now. I know I've done many terrible things in the past, but I'm reflecting on my actions, and I truly want to change."

"I... I want to be friends with all of you in this mansion. After all, we all live together in this same place. It would be nice if we could get along, don't you think?"

"My lady..." they all said in unison, their expressions filled with warmth.

I was momentarily taken aback by their response. And I couldn't help but feel something different... as if my heart was being touched. It wasn't a negative feeling... It was actually warm, and I... like it.

This time... it's different. I'm not alone.

What's this nice feeling I'm having? And I can't help myself smile. And ah... my eyes kinda feels warm. Eh? My vision is beginning to blurry.

"Eh! M-M-My L-Lady!"

"W-What's w-wrong?"

"Are you h-hurt?"

"W-Why are you c-c-rying?!"

I noticed them all panicked as they crowded themselves near me. I wiped my tears and smiled at them.

"I'm fine, everyone. I'm just happy."

That's right. I am happy... I wish this happiness would stay forever.

❛ ━━･❪ 🌹 ❫ ･━━ ❜

Cassia's list on how to survive as a reader who reincarnated inside my favorite novel and became the main villainess who's destined to die.

#2 - Earn the trust of the manor's people
Status: 75%

❛ ━━･❪ 🌹 ❫ ･━━ ❜

To be Continued...