Another day of backbreaking work in the kitchen began, but this time, our spirits were a little higher. Senior Hana had promised to reassign us soon. While she didn’t say exactly when, that promise gave us just enough hope to keep going.

And so, one week passed.

Contrary to what we had expected, we were still stuck in the kitchen. Alice groaned, sprawling across her bed with dramatic flair.

"Senior Hana, when are we getting reassigned?!" she complained.

"It’s only been a week," Jane said, shrugging. "Besides, I’m starting to get used to kitchen work. It’s still exhausting, but I can manage."

She was telling the truth. While Jane had never been one to complain, she was clearly doing even better now, handling the tasks with ease.

Alice pouted at her. "Yeah, yeah, I get it. I’m getting used to it too, but she said 'soon'! Don’t you agree, Leah?" she turned to me, hoping to rally an ally.

I smiled wryly. "I did think she'd reassign us sooner, but... in hindsight, a week isn’t really that long."

Alice frowned, disappointed I didn’t take her side.

"Stop whining so much. We applied to be maids. We don’t get to pick and choose our tasks," Jane added, finishing as she pulled on her pajamas.

Jokingly, I said, "Why not ask a senior maid to swap tasks with you, Alice?"

"As if they'd agree. We’re still just trainees," Jane scoffed.

But Alice didn’t respond.

"Alice?" I called her name, noticing her intense stare.

Jane gave her a skeptical look. "You’re not seriously thinking of asking them... are you?"

Alice gave us a mischievous grin.

Oh no.

"Thanks for the advice, Leah!" she chirped.

"Alice, I was joking!" I said in a panic, rushing over to shake her, but she just pulled her blanket over her head, pretending to be asleep.

Jane sighed. "Let it go, Leah. She’s set on it."

Reluctantly, I climbed into my bed, sighing in defeat.

Morning came, and once again, we were working in the kitchen before dawn. With Hana absent again, we had to manage everything ourselves. The work was repetitive, but now that we had a routine, it was faster than when we first started.

The only difference today was Alice—she kept glancing toward the dining table where the senior maids ate. During her breaks, she approached several of them, clearly trying to negotiate a task swap.

Jane and I watched from our table during lunch.

"Well, at least she’s got spirit," Jane muttered.

I laughed nervously. "I really shouldn’t have said anything."

"Don’t blame yourself. She’s doing her own thing," Jane reassured me before digging into her food.

With more efficiency in our work, Jane and I used our free time to rest. Meanwhile, Alice continued to barter with the seniors, trying to escape the kitchen.

Eventually, she returned, shoulders slumped in defeat.

"Ugh, no one wants to swap with me..." she groaned.

"Told you," Jane said bluntly.

I giggled at their banter as Alice pouted beside us.

After a while, with only a few maids remaining in the dining area, we overheard a conversation.

"Ugh, I don’t wanna go," one maid, grumbled.

"It was Lady Anavriel's order," another who sat beside her said sympathetically.

"But there’s a ghost there! It’s scary!"

"Are they sure it’s a ghost? Couldn’t it be a spirit?" the third maid who sat across their table, asked.

"No spirit grabs hairs like that!"

The three sat in tense silence.

"I don’t wanna get cursed..." the first maid muttered.

We just quietly sat there when suddenly Alice stood up and approached them. I looked at Jane and Jane just facepalmed as she sighed.

I followed behind Alice, trying to pull her back but before I could grab her, she already moved so fast, she was already sitting on the table of those maids.

"Hey, what did Lady Anavriel ask you to do?" Alice asked casually.

The three looked up in surprise.

"Who are you?" the first maid asked.

"I’m Alice, one of the new hires."

"Oh, right! Hana mentioned you guys. I’m Rayna, this is Sheila, and that’s Lola," the second maid, Rayna said as she introduced everyone.

Alice bowed slightly. "Sorry to eavesdrop, but if you don’t want to do what Lady Anavriel asked, I’ll take your place in exchange for a favor."

"What kind of favor?" Sheila asked.

"Switch tasks with me. I work in the kitchen."

"Deal!" Sheila replied without hesitation.

Alice beamed with excitement.

Her persistence finally paid off.