“For your outstanding service, I believe that it is only fair that you receive a reward. They say that being given opportunities to shine will help you further progress and I think that I have the perfect opportunity for you,” the lady said with a smile that did not quite reach her eyes.
It sounded like she was ready to hand down my punishnt and that was probably what it really was.
“Thank you, My Lady,” I repeated again.
“A long ti ago, a certain noble family discovered a natural spring within the grounds of the palace. They then built a large and luxurious bathhouse for mbers of the royal family and other nobles to enjoy the healing properties of the water. I don’t think you have seen it, but the luxurious bathhouse still exists today, and it is still highly regarded as one of the best recreational facilities in the palace,” Lady Regina started to explain.
I already sort of figured where this was going so all I could do was nod my head slightly.
“Since its construction was completed, multiple statues were installed there. These statues are now precious things. I would like to request for you to scrub and clean every single statue,” the lady concluded.
Another cleaning duty. I guess this isn’t the worst possible punishnt that I could imagine. Since I’m hired here as a maid, cleaning is to be expected.
“I will gladly fulfill your request, My Lady. I will start right away tomorrow,” I replied.
“Is there sothing that you need to do right now?” she asked as if taken aback by my words.
“Umm...no...” I mumbled.
“Great then. You can start right away. If you dedicate yourself to this task, I am sure that you’ll be done before the break of dawn...” she said with clear excitent as if her idea was one of the best in the world.
“But...the sun is already setting...” I murmured.
I was sure that Lady Regina knew well that all maids were supposed to return to their room before it got dark. If I started working now, no matter how fast I could clean, there was absolutely no way that I could scrub all the statues in the bathhouse before sundown. It would be dark in no ti at all, and I would miss my curfew for sure.
“This is an order from . I am sure that your curfew can be lifted. Hopefully, you don’t have any other reasons to delay my important request,” the lady said with a tight smile.
Not knowing what else I could say to change her mind, I just nodded my head to accept my fate. It would be nightti, but it wasn’t like I was going to be working outside. If I worked inside the bathhouse, perhaps everything will be fine.
“Umm...can you please let Mada Cassandra know that I will be late in returning. I don’t want her to be worried...” I requested softly.
“Of course. I will make sure of that myself...” Lady Regina said before she laughed joyfully.
After that she called Sophie in and instructed her to lead to the bathhouse that she so desperately wanted to clean.
“Co this way, quickly...” Sophie told as she led the way again.
It was quite a walk away from the palace to the bathhouse. At first, I thought that the facility would be connected sohow to Lady Regina’s palace; however, I soon found out that I was wrong. Sophie led on a path through a garden where we erged in what seed to be another part of the palace. She then led even further away from Lady Regina’s palace. After a short while of walking, we arrived at a large building that was elaborately decorated in what I assud was the roman style. Even outside, I could see the various roman-the sculptures that decorated the place. Sothing similar must be present inside in terms of decoration.
By the ti that we got there, the sun had almost completely dipped below the skyline, and it was already starting to get dark. I had very mixed feelings about breaking the rule of returning to my room before sunset. However, there wasn’t much that I could do about that right now. I had no idea which one had the worst punishnt, breaking curfew or not following My Lady’s commands.
“This is the place. Get inside,” Sophie said as she opened one of the large double doors and urged with a wave of her hand for to quickly get inside.
Once I stepped into the building that was supposed to be a bathhouse, Sophie imdiately closed the door behind . People here had a thing for closing the door and then automatically locking it from the outside. I let out a depressed sigh before turning around to take a couple of steps further into the bathhouse. The silence made the whole place seem isolated, yet it also made the place seem serene and peaceful in its own charismatic way.
“Wow...” I murmured softly to myself.
The last rays of the setting sun shining in from the glass panes of the windows high up towards the ceiling and the ceiling itself made the place look magical. The bath resembled more of a swimming pool than an actual bath because it was so large. Just like the outside, the place had a roman vibe and there were more than ten large roman statues in various poses that were acting like they were pouring water into the bath. I almost scoffed at the ridiculousness of cleaning all those large statues in the span of one night.
My eyes glanced around the place to admire its beauty for a mont before I walked further in towards the bath. I wondered how many people were supposed to bathe here all at once to fill up the place. Although the place was very clean and clearly well-maintained, I couldn’t help but wonder if it was still in use today.
The sound of splashing water surprised and made jump in surprise. What was that?
--To be continued...
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