Isabelle Makes Her Move

A voice interrupted the affairs of Isabelle and her allies. In fact, it asked a question that a few of them had at the back of their minds.

"Where's Arnacia?" It was Victoria who spoke. Her voice had an authoritative tone to it (yet, no one had ever heard her speak differently).

"She probably went back to the camp," Eleanor replied obediently, but she didn't have the exact memory of seeing Arnacia all day.

"It's our turn to use the bathhouse after them," Victoria pointed out to the departing group of maids. "Better hurry or…" She turned without finishing as loud as the rest of the sentence.

"I missed a bath during the tournament once." Eleanor said as her group followed Victoria.

"Ester too, Ester was busy with setting up the stall." And the useless chatter began.

On the way, Cecelia grabbed Eleanor's hand. Ester and Emma saw this as a cue and locked their arms with Isabelle's arms. Thus, their group merrily marched back to the Garden of Scullery.

The trees cast a dark shadow as they hid the sun on their west, but the forest across the river glittered in orange. The group reached the bathhouse and saw a familiar figure waiting, but it wasn't the one they were expecting.

"Emma will wash her eyes first." Emma complained after seeing Victoria.

"Ester did not wish to see her again today."

Isabelle felt relieved that Arnacia was not here, but the same couldn't be said for the other maids. Victoria and Cecelia were obviously not happy, and Naomi's serious expression didn't get any better as she departed.

Unease surrounded Isabelle, and her feelings were a mess. She did not know about the thought process of Arnacia and really felt more of a stranger after Naomi spoke the facts.

Rosalia arrived later than the maids. The bathhouse was a replica of the one in the Garden of Chambers. Except for Arnacia's role and it being night, the procession remained the same. After dinner, Isabelle turned right; she was moving oblivious to her surroundings, but Ester and Emma guided her to the right path.

"Ester doesn't see Arnacia."

"Emma will take her place, then."

"No, it will still work. Isabelle, don't worry and go on with the plan." Eleanore encouraged.

Isabelle nodded and went to unzip the tent. She tried to pull the zipper, but it did not budge. Was this a bad omen? She was quickly dejected, but Ester and Emma jumped to help her.

"Emma will open it in an instant."

"Ester can do it. Step aside." Ester pulled with all her strength and the zipper finally slipped.

"Emma will commend you on opening the zipper that was loosened by Emma."

Isabelle thanked the maids and crouched into the tent. She zipped the tent back and stepped forward to the sleeping space. It was dark inside with minimum light. But the only purpose was sleep, so it was alright. Unexpectedly, Isabelle met a hurdle.

"Who's there?" a voice asked.

"It's me," Isabelle's surprise turned into delight at hearing the voice.

"Isabelle? What are you doing here?" Arnacia asked.

"I am sorr-," Isabelle stopped. A sudden thought clicked in her head, and she decided to recite the lines from the plan instead. "I can't sleep… Let me sleep with you."

'What?!' Arnacia was utterly shocked at hearing it. It was a request the Arnacia couldn't refuse. But along it was also a request the fake Isabelle wouldn't make.

'But she just did!'

Arnacia calmed herself and thought about it more logically.

'There are six tents for seven maids, so we are supposed to sleep together again?' But what Isabelle said made no sense.

"You can sleep here. There is enough-"

'NO! There is not enough space!' Arnacia screamed in her mind. She was going to reject the offer, but heard a chuckle.

'Is someone eavesdropping?' It was completely silent inside the tent, so she heard a few whispers from the outside.

Isabelle had already made her way into the small sleeping space. The two maids were under the same blanket again. It was pretty normal for them, but the space present was not what they were accustomed to.

"Isabelle," Arnacia said in a low voice.

But the voice clicked in Isabelle's ears, and a comforting chill went down her body. She could feel Arnacia's heat on her face even without a touch.

"There is not enough space for the two of us." Arnacia said.

"I can manage…" Isabelle said slowly. She turned around a little, but her hands touched Arnacia.

The space turned silent again. Only the breathing of the two maids could be heard. Was it louder than usual?

Arnacia froze. She tried her best to not move. But her body was urging her to move. If she did not, then falling asleep would be impossible. So she turned to change positions, but her back touched Isabelle and quickly she pulled away to avoid the touch.

"Arnacia," Isabelle called after a long time.

"Yes?"

The tent was silent again. Isabelle called again after five to ten minutes. Arnacia was awake but did not reply this time. And Isabelle's response?

She adjusted her body for maximum comfort. She was touching Arnacia now. After some time, she moved again and then again. Every position was touching, but the last was just too bizarre for the shy maiden. Her puffy upper body was resting on Arnacia's back and legs searched for another pair.

"Isabelle," Arnacia called out.

"I can't sleep..." Isabelle said, and she did not change her stance. "I am sorry for disturbing you."

"It's alright," Arnacia secretly sighed. However, a stupid plan formed in Arnacia's mind. She rubbed her back against Isabelle and tried to feel it. Her eyes were closed and her mind heavily concentrated on feeling the touch. Unexpectedly, it worked!

'I shouldn't have done it,' Arnacia complained about the heat she felt. It was very cozy, but she could only sigh. The whispers outside still rang.

'Is my mind making it up?' She concentrated on hearing the voices. Just as the voices grew clearer, Arnacia heard retreating footsteps. Obviously, the eavesdroppers had overstayed.

'Who were they?' She pondered on it for a while, then decided to sleep.

It was now that she noticed a hand on her. The warmth on her back was pretty annoying, too. So, she turned around and met Isabelle's unreceptive upper body with her own. The position was awkward, but she did not complain about it, at least not until the morning!