The river, which the trainee maids followed, split into two perfect semi-circular arcs, leaving a large plot of land in between. It was almost two-thirds of a soccer field, fairly big one might say. The maids walked alongside the curved river and soon saw a bridge that connected this shore to the empty tournament ground.

"Ester is sad. Half of the journey is complete." Ester said when they crossed the bridge.

"Emma will enjoy Isabelle's company more duly for the next half."

Arnacia scouted the tournament space. It was like a mini island between the river. She followed the group as they crossed the second bridge, which was directly opposite to the first.

'Seems like the Garden of Scullery is further North.' The journey continued along the riverbank. The group left the tournament grounds far behind and reached the Garden of Scullery just at sunrise.

Emma and Ester finally stopped their idle chatter. They left Isabelle's hand and walked in a straight line towards the front side of the Garden of Scullery.

'All maid training grounds must have the same layout.' The sleeping quarters looked exactly the same. There were also two wooden buildings at the back. The only difference was a big open lawn with wooden fences, instead of a rivulet and a bridge.

Three groups of maids were already standing at different spots on the lawn. Rosalia led her group to one end.

Many eyes turned towards the newcomers, and the chatter increased. Almost all the maids from all four gardens were present here.

"Put down your baskets and stand here. Don't cause any trouble. This is your last tournament. Make sure to not get disqualified," Rosalia said and left with Victoria to the sleeping quarters.

"Ester is sacred, everyone is looking this way."

"They must be looking at Isabelle," Eleanor said.

The six maids - Arnacia, Isabelle, Eleanor, Cecelia, Emma and Ester were standing together. For some time the group braced the attention. But then Ester and Emma led the charge of idle chatter and pointed out maids from other groups.

"Ester found Iris!"

"She is stealing glances at Isabelle," Eleanor said.

"Emma will not vote for her. Isabelle always has my vote."

"Where is she?" Arnacia asked. Even knowing the name of one more maid could help her a lot, that's what she thought and attentively followed the chatter.

"At the end," Eleanor pointed out.

"Ester also found the cutlery maid. Her nose is sharp as ever."

"Will she win the cooking contest again?" Elanor said.

Arnacia and Isabelle carefully listened and tried to find maids as described by the group. Their knowledge regarding other maids rapidly increased.

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A maid came out of the sleeping quarters and ordered her group. One by one the maids carried their baskets inside. Soon they were out with different objects. A maid carried broom while other had big boxes in hand. They started setting up camps at the side.

The next group was called, and so on. At the end, it was Arnacia's group's turn.

"Put up the screen before setting up tents," Victoria said.

"Ester wants to set up the tent first."

Emma also protested, and so did Cecelia. If they put up the screen first, then the chance to talk to maids setting up tents in the proximity would be wasted.

So the tents were set up first. Six tents in three lines were put up. Another set of six tents was already at the side.

"I think they are from the Garden of Green," Eleanor said, looking at the nearby group.

"Emma will ask for their help."

Ester also followed. They naturally knew a few maids. And so three long wooden poles were put up in between to separate the tents of the two camps. Finally, a private space for the maids was set up.

'Six tents…' Arnacia calculated in her mind. The maids from other camp also put up six tents. But there were seven trainee maids in each camp.

'One maid acts like a representative from each camp. Where will they she sleep?' She was not sure if she had to sleep with Isabelle again.

"Isabelle, my love. It will be cozy with you inside this little tent," Arnacia said loudly.

"Emma will not let you sleep together."

"Every one gets their own tent, just use that." Cecelia said.

'So Victoria will get a room?' Arnacia looked at the sleeping quarters. She wanted to take a look inside and see if there was a room with two beds. There were doubts in her mind. Were Isabelle and her the only maids who shared a room? Or was this a custom in every camp?

'Probably we know the same amount of information about the tournament and maids of other camps now.' Arnacia met Isabelle's gaze. The situation churned anticipation in her stomach. She tried to suppress it and said.

"Isabelle, my love. You can do it. The tournament will be easy." Arnacia hugged Isabelle. A sense of calm washed over her body. It was like she was calming herself. No wonder why the hug lasted more than the last time.

"Ester also wanted to say it. You can do it, Isabelle. The tournament is easy for you."

"Emma will join you in this easy tournament. You can do it Isabelle."

"You can do it," Eleanor also said.

The three maids hugged Isabelle one by one. Emma prevented Ester from enjoying a long hug. And thus, Ester returned the favor, and they started quarreling. Eleanor jumped at the chance and got to hug Isabelle at last.

Even Cecelia awkwardly stood in front of Isabelle. This time, Isabelle took the initiative to hug.

All the maids were full of smiles and light laughter.

Among the noises of idle chatter, a figure was walking towards the last group of tents. Everyone that accidentally looked in the direction had their eyes glued.

If Isabelle was a gullible grace, this person was a sly enchanter. Her hair was untied and styled differently than other maids, the light pink nails on fingers matcher the color of her lips. She stopped to see the maids who were hugging each other.

Arnacia saw the green-haired maid approach.

'The open hair maid from before, she was the runner-up of the beauty competition.' Arnacia knew about her, courtesy of Emma and Ester.

'Her name is Naomi.'

Everyone noticed the approaching maid. Ester and Emma stood in front of Isabelle and glared at the newcomer.

"Hmph! I don't care about the flower maiden," Naomi said, looking at Isabelle. But then she suddenly jerked her head towards the side.

"Ester saw that look. It should be Isabelle who can't bear to see your face."

"Emma will see you lose again." Emma was equally annoyed as Ester.

"Shut up! I don't have time for you." Naomi tried to calm her frustrated face. A smile lit up her face on seeing the person standing at the back. "I am here to meet my Arnacia."