Layla was alone in the Duke's castle for the first time.

She went out of her way to prevent this, but unavoidable circumstances could occur at any time.

Layla's only goal was to ensure she was not caught alone in the castle.

Layla had gotten much better at magic and politics than when she first arrived, but she was still lacking compared to the older kids.

Age and experience have been barriers that Layla has not been able to overcome for some time now. And as for hard work? Well, all the kids who were being sponsored were hard-working.

That was the only way these kids could survive in such a harsh place.

"I should feed the dragon egg now. I would need to get more supplies for the egg as well. It is starting to feel restless."

The egg was eating more and more mana stones each day, which likely meant it was about to hatch or something. But that 'soon' could be a few days to even years.

Dragons are so rare that no dated record exists. That is why Layla documented her own experience for the future.

She wrote the egg's height and changes in her record journal before she put it and the egg back into the safety of her system.

Layla was about to head back to work when the door to her room was slammed open, and a familiar grinning face looked at her.

"Kyle, I am not in the mood to play with you. Can you leave me alone?"

Layla asked as soon as her eyes landed on her energetic friend. Layla knew she was about to lose her will to do anything whenever he came around.

"Sorry! But Brother Henry is calling for you specifically. Since you missed all the other bonding-time exercises, he has decided not to take no for an answer this time."

Kyle sounded sorry and excited simultaneously, and Layla knew she needed to give in this time.

Henry was closest to the Duke and on the verge of adoption.

No mention of this person was made in the original work, which likely meant that he died or something else happened to him.

Whatever the reason, Layla knew one thing - that man was annoying her.

'Ugh, Mary is not here, and I do not want to deny Henry this and make him my enemy because of my constant refusal. I guess I better go and meet him now.'

Layla sighed as she finally got up and packed her things. She locked them all up with magic before she walked behind Kyle.

He got Layla's message, and a smile bloomed across his face when he looked at Layla.

"Finally! You decided to make yourself known to the outside world as well! You should come out more often, or you would wither away like a caged flower."

Kyle scolded Layla like an old mom-friend did.

Layla only hummed as she let the other kid speak up all he wanted. She only needed to let Kyle speak to himself when he got like this.

...

"Brother Henry, I am here. And I brought Layla with me as well. So, what are we going to play today?"

Kyle asked as he skipped inside and took his seat. Everyone seemed to know where to sit, and Layla felt the only odd one out.

She did not let it bother her, and she sat down at the only available seat—at the corner of the table.

Kyle shot her a worried look as he looked at her seating arrangement.

'As expected, This seating arrangement has a meaning behind it. I'm sure it has something to do with the order of power of something in here. But frankly, I cannot care less about it.'

Layla was dealing with bigger dangers and issues than home seating arrangements, but this was the least of her worries.

But just because she had no interest in this did not mean other people had no interest in this either.

Other kids immediately giggled as they watched Layla sit in the lowest-ranking seat without knowing anything.

She ignored it all and kept her gaze on Henry sitting before her.

"What do you want from me? I was informed that you asked for me specifically. If it is unimportant, I would like to head back now. I am too busy for these games."

Layla pointed out, and Herny spoke up just as she was about to stand up.

"Sit back down, Layla. You will only be dismissed when I said you could be dismissed. Do not make more enemies than you can handle in this household."

That was a warning to Layla to act in her lane and not to cross it.

Henry did not like his rule being challenged, so Layla decided to humor him this time.

'I will let him say what he wants before I leave. I did earn a small break from the work since I finished most of it.'

Layla sat back down but did not pay attention to what was happening.

That was why she missed when it was her turn to answer something, and her attitude came across as half-hearted. (Not that this analysis was wrong or anything)

"Layla, do you think that this meeting is funny or boring? You can leave it if you don't want to pay attention. You don't have to humiliate the speaker like this."

Henry spoke up suddenly, and his loud voice brought Layla back. She realized that someone had been speaking while she had zoned out.

"Sorry! I was uninterested in what was happening here, and you said I could not leave until I was dismissed. So, can I leave now?"

Layla asked Henry, and the young teen bit his lip.

Out of all the people in this room, Layla was the only one who refused to be intimidated by him, which worried Henry. His anger soon got the best of him, and he hit his table with his fist.

It caused the table to break, and the other kids jumped back with a loud gasp.