The maids were submerged in the hot tub like bubbling dumplings. Everyone felt something off today.

Arnacia observer all maids one by one. Her eyes fell on Eleanor, who was looking back.

Eleanor's face could easily be described in one word - simple. She had, almost black, deep brown hair. As for her proportions, they were bigger than Arnacia but smaller than Isabelle.

"Did a fight broke out between you and Isabelle?" Eleanor asked.

"No, it's not-" Arnacia stopped when her eyes fell on Isabelle.

The maiden had her eyes closed with a smile on her face.

'She is enjoying the water like this has nothing to do with her!' Arnacia was tongue tied at Isabelle's behavior. Amidst the shock, she thought about an excuse to sabotage the situation.

"Miss Rosalia, my apologies. I sneaked to see the rising sun with Isabelle," Arnacia said, looking at everyone.

Rosalia closed her eyes again. Her skin and figure were nothing like a forty-year-old. Only her voice and demeanor showed signs of age. She excluded a mature presence just by existing.

Arnacia felt relieved when Rosalia didn't say anything. She eased her body and felt the water burn away her thoughts.

However, other maids weren't as submerged in the feeling as Arnacia and Isabelle.

"Isabelle, your towel might fall, let me fix it for you," Elanor said.

'She dares to fix Isabelle's towel in front of me, Arnacia. This is my chance.' Arnacia turned her head towards the bold maid.

"Elanor, stand your hand away from my Isabelle," Arnacia quickly increased her voice. Then she fanged her hand towards the towel.

But all of it was done with precision. Arnacia upper body was just enough submerged in water. She folded the towel and placed it on Isabelle's head.

"T-thank you," Isabelle quietly said with a red face.

Was it the hot tub or a genuine expression?

Arnacia ignored it and closed her eyes. She let out a deep sigh and felt the warm water eloping her body.

'I wish this bath would last forever.' She sighed again.

Suddenly, someone stood up from the tub. Sound of more maids leaving the tub was heard.

Arnacia opened her eyes and saw the maids wrapping towels around their bodies.

Rosalia was at the front, she went around the tub.

'There is a place at the back?' Arnacia also got up. Isabelle got up after Arnacia and they exited the tub together.

Again, it was Isabelle who tired to properly cover herself by hiding behind Arnacia.

They went into a room that was beyond the wall, behind the tub. The room temperature felt warmer here.

All the maids started wearing fresh clothes.

'Where's Rosalia?' Arnacia could see the witch changing.

The clothes were taken out from wooden lockers. Complex marking patterns were made around the locks.

Arnacia did not mind and went towards the second last locker.

'I guess the positions are same.' Arnacia was in between Isabelle and Elanor again. She looked at the maids with the corner of her eyes.

'This outfit is different.' She opened the locker…

'This is too much for medieval times.' Arnacia picked up the white ruffled headband. And looked at the side, the maids were already covered with lingerie - white ruffled underwear, white netted stockings, a white collar that extended down like a shirt. It covered the chest and went around for support.

Arnacia followed their example and dressed up.

A black heavy maid dress was put on top. It extended down, only two inches above from her feet. Next, she pulled the black and white ruffled bands up to her arms.

'An apron and the laces in sleeves at last.'

"Isabelle, my love, let me tie your apron," Arnacia said. She did not waste a second and tied the white apron around Isabelle's waist. Then tightened up the puffed sleeves around the maiden's arms.

"Thank you," Isabelle said in a low voice.

'Now only the shoes, a comb, a headband remain.' Arnacia saw the maids were now sitting and combing their own hair.

'A chance to be the real Arnacia.' Instead of combing her own hair, she pulled the comb from Isabelle's hand and smiled.

"Isabelle, my love, let me comb your hair."

After every maid was done combing their hair, Rosalia came into the room. She was also wearing the same dress and her long hair flowing down. One of the maids got up and offered her seat.

All the maids tied each other's hair before wearing the headband. Arnacia paired with Isabelle and called out the phrase - 'Isabelle, my love', multiple times during the activity.

The maids marched out of the bathhouse and stood outside in a line. Sun was above the small hill now. Arnacia couldn't help but look over.

But the other maids had their eyes straight because Rosalia was inspecting them, one by one.

"As you all know, it is an important day today," Rosalia said after the inspection. "Come to the storage one by one and take your orders."

One maid followed Rosalia into the building. She came out with a straw basket on her back.

Another maid went in and came out with a similar basket that hung like a backpack.

Soon Arnacia and Isabelle also received baskets, a paper slip with item names and some coins.

But among all the maids , only Isabelle received a hand basket.

All the maids crossed the bridge and headed up the hill. Their chatter sounded like chirping of birds.

They followed the path to the market then split up. Only Arnacia and Isabelle stopped and watched all the maids go.

"Isabelle, my love, stay with me. I will guide you through this treacherous town," Arnacia said, loud enough for the closest maid to hear.

Isabelle nodded and heeled Arnacia. Both of them looked around, but with different thoughts.

'I hope we don't get lost.' Arnacia tried to save some shops in her memory.

In the market, small stalls were set up at random distances with some proper shops inside buildings. Few people were present during this time of the day. But the ones in their shops seem to be decorating.

'It must be a preparation for the Evernight festival. Arnacia disappears during this time and on the last festival day, Isabelle's dead body is found on the Redcherry bridge.'

Arnacia felt an invisible pressure dawn on her. A frown emerged on her brows.

'I am in the middle of the plot, will my actions change it?' She pondered about many possibilities while searching for required shop.

"Hey you!" a heavy voice entered Arnacia's ears, followed by metal clunking.

"You dirty peasant girls!" a man dressed in armor was marching towards the girls.

"You are under arrest for sapphism!"