The sun was far in the west, hiding behind the sleeping quarters. Rosalia stood in the shadow like a demon starting straight ahead. Her sharp eyes, despite being focused on the two, seemed as if they saw right through the maids.

“Miss Rosalia, it was a long-”

“Where were you?” Rosalia authoritatively cut off Arnacia in between. “The other maids said they did not see you two in the market.”

“Miss Rosalia, we got-”

“You better have a good reason, otherwise no dinner!” The tone was strict. It demanded no casual explanation.

Arnacia narrated the incident as if her life depended on it. Right at that spot, she spoke with great emotions. The basket on her back, that didn’t feel heavy until now, suddenly seemed to get heavier. She was sure the incident would spark a reaction to Rosalia’s face. But the witch’s stern expression did not change.

Rosalia simply turned back to enter the building, but her eyes, the movement of her hand, no. It was as if her entire being emitted an aura that said she wanted the maids to follow her.

The three stopped in front of the first room. A table was placed, like a shopping counter, blocking the entrance. The maids put down their baskets, one of which was stuffed bizarrely. A rope was used to tie its opening to keep the items from spilling.

“How much did the rope cost?” Rosalia nonchalantly questioned.

“It I got it for free,” Arnacia replied. At the marketplace, she had asked a shopkeeper to give her a spare rope. But, of course, a new one was handed over since she bought too many items. While tying the goods with the basket, she was filled with discontent. The witch was really a slave driver!

But coupled with the fact that the basket didn’t feel heavy and Rosalia said nothing about the Women’s Court incident, Arnaica decided to suck it up. She handed over the shopping list with the coins left.

The witch’s eye hovered on the coin, then swiftly scanned Arnacia and Isabelle. Then dismissed them with a wave of her hand.

***

Next destination of was the changing room inside the bathhouse. The room seemed bigger than earlier today. However, it was the same with wooden lockers. Complex markings on the locks were still a sight to see.

Arnacia found it difficult to believe that it was her first day in this world. She picked up her nightdress. It was in the same spot where she left it in the morning. She hummed as she changed her clothes.

“Isabelle!” Arnacia almost forgot! She looked towards the girl, who clumsily folded her clothes.

‘How can a maid not know how to fold clothes? I have to teach her…’

“Isabelle, my…” But before she could finish, Isabelle stood up and moved out of the room.

‘It will take time for her to accept this world. I should talk to her before bed’ Arnacia sighed and picked up Isabelle’s roughly folded clothes.

***

“As a punishment, wash all dishes after dinner.”

Arnacia heard just as she entered the living quarters. She looked around to figure out the source of the voice. Of course, it was Rosalia who sat comfortably on a chair inside the storage room.

‘I had the perfect reason! This witch doesn’t care about anything!’ Arnacia thought. But her body deeply bowed towards the first door to acknowledge the command.

Opposite to the first room was the kitchen. It was double the size of other rooms, which were all the same size. Three lamps lit up the hall with the dining table at one end.

Arnacia quickly went to check what dishes were made today. Bread, cheese, boiled lettuce and peas. She sighed and looked around for Isabelle. But it was very clear that the maiden was not here. She collected the plates and served herself, little. The twenty first century mental reject this medieval food, very boldly.

Maybe it was the long day. Probably it was the heavy basket. Arnacia couldn’t point out a reason, but the food wasn’t bad at all. She ate her fill and collected the plates.

‘I can do this much.’ Arnacia saw the pile of dished but didn’t let the quantity sink in. In the original world, or maybe it was better to call it her last life, she had only washed dishes as a kid. A sense of nostalgia hit her, mixed with an ache, but she quickly suppressed it with a curious thought.

‘How does this tap work?’ This reminded her of the hot water bath. The system was very refined for this medieval period. Another gimmick? She undamped her hands with the apron around her waist.

***

Arnacia turned off the hallway lamp and walked inside her dark room. She thought back about the events that transpired today - kissed a girl, walked naked under the stare of other maids, arrested, slapped by a knight, witnessed the brave Knight Rose and ultimately Queen Afeefa’s splendor!

Emotions surged like crazy, but Arnacia focused on the present.

“Isabelle my love! You didn’t eat much today.”

Arnacia called out a bunch of times, but Isabelle didn’t respond. So she crept onto her side of the bed. The bed’s warmth washed all her tiredness. She tried to feel the blanket and pull it towards herself, but a powerful force denied her. She didn’t mind it much and soon fell asleep.

In the morning, a light knock on the door sounded. Arnacia eyes opened, and she quickly stood up straight in the bed. Light from the window lit up the room in deep blue.

‘It’s not a dream!’ She smiled and looked towards her companion, who showed no signs of movement. Swiftly, Arnacia left the bed and went towards Isabelle’s side.

‘This won’t be as awful as yesterday.’ She took a deep breath, then moved like lightning! Her hand lifted the blanked and squeezed Isabelle’s cheeks so the teeth would show up. Then hurriedly forced her lips onto hers.

“Mhm-mm-”

Arnacia was suddenly pushed back!

Isabelle was looking back at her with racing breaths. Her face looked like a scared kitten.

“What- why did you do it?”

“Isabelle, my love… I have every reason to kiss you,” Arnacia quickly made it up.

“No… you don’t,” Isabelle spoke slowly.

“Remember, I am your lover.”

“No, you are not!” Isabelle raised her voice a little.

Arnacia only saw Isabelle’s face for a few moments before the latter pulled up the blanket. But she noticed few signs on the pale face. How could she be mistaken? For the last two months in her previous life, she had seen the same signs on her own face every day.

‘She didn’t sleep last night…’