Kaiden slowly walks behind Loden and Brokenfang, his gaze occasionally wandering out toward the courtyard. Every so often, he would take a moment to appreciate the open space, imagining laying down and soaking up the sun for a change.

  Brokenfang moved with a newfound sense of purpose, his wolf ears twitching and turning in every direction as he attuned himself to the surrounding sounds. He had more confidence now, his path clear in his mind, knowing exactly where he was leading them.

  The group continued on their way in silence, with Loden occasionally snickering to himself, laughing at his own jokes or amusing thoughts. Kaiden couldn't help but shake his head in mild exasperation, used to his friend's antics but still finding them endearing but also annoying.

  Kaiden, choosing to disregard Loden's playful behavior, remained detached from the situation. He decided to pay no mind to Loden's snickering and instead focused on the path ahead, not wanting to get caught up in whatever mischief his friend was trying to stir up.

  Brokenfang leads them down the corridor, with Loden and Kaiden trailing close behind him. They journey onward until they reach a set of double doors. Brokenfang comes to a halt and gestures toward the door, signaling that they've arrived at their destination.

  Kaiden furrows his brows in confusion, expecting to see some signage or indication that they had arrived at the bathhouse of the palace. The doors, while grand and ornate, were noticeably smaller than the doors to the throne room and the banquet hall. Nevertheless, Kaiden couldn't help but appreciate their impressive appearance.

  Kaiden examines the detailed design more closely from where he stands. The doors are a work of art like the throne room and banquet hall, beautifully carved to depict a rugged mountain range, a shimmering river, and a vibrant forest teeming with wildlife. Loden senses Kaiden’s hesitation not realizing that it is admiration of the craftsmanship, Loden moves closer to the double doors blocking Kaiden’s view and stepping around Brokenfang. Loden knocks on the door, the sound of his knuckles rapping against the wood echoing down the hallway.

  Kaiden listens intently but hears nothing within. However, Brokenfang's enhanced wolf senses have picked up on something, his ears twitching and moving to better perceive whatever is happening. Loden instinctively steps back as the doors slowly begin to creak open, revealing what lies beyond.

  A man and woman appear from the interior of the room as the doors swing open, both dressed in simple servant attire. Kaiden quickly notices that the male and female servant have the same striking similarities in their hair color, hairstyle, and even their height. From his vantage point, they appeared almost identical, as though they were twins. Their heads bowed in respect, they greet the guests. "Welcome to the palace bathhouse," they say in unison.

  The male servant speaks up once more, his voice lacking any trace of emotion. "Please let us know what you require, and which type of bath you would prefer," he says respectfully, keeping his head lowered.

  The female servant chimes in next, her voice cheerful and filled with enthusiasm. "How many are in your party today, and will you be opting for a group bath or individual baths?" she inquires, head still lowered in a bow.

  Kaiden finds himself at a loss for words, taken aback by the questions posed. His mouth opens, but no sound emerges. Fortunately, Loden steps in, filling the momentary silence, speaking for the group.

  Loden responds confidently for the group, stating, "There are three of us, so a group bath will suffice." He then adds, "We don't need anything extravagant, just something for a good wash to rid ourselves of the dirt on our bodies."

  “Certainly Sir, Did you bring a change of..”

  The female servant gradually raises her head, her words momentarily halted as her gaze falls on the small group. A series of emotions flicker across her face, ranging from surprise to realization, until eventually settling into a blank expression.

  The male servant's head also lifts, but as his gaze lands on the group, his expression mirrors that of his female counterpart. Starting with a puzzled frown, it swiftly morphs into a neutral stoicism.

  Loden breaks the lingering silence, waving his hand to get the servants' attention. "Is there something wrong?" he asks, his voice calm yet carrying a hint of curiosity. The servants exchange a brief glance with one another before the female servant speaks up cautiously.

  The female servant clasped her hands together nervously, her fingers fidgeting and twisting around one another as she chose her words carefully. With a hint of hesitation, she finally spoke, "Unfortunately, we are unable to permit your group to use the bathhouse, given your companion." As she spoke, she pointed directly at Brokenfang, her gesture clear and unambiguous.

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  The male servant gently pushes his female counterpart's hand down, his expression betraying a moment of embarrassment before returning to his usual neutral demeanor. "Please understand," he explains with a hint of diplomacy, "it's not that you two are unwelcome, you both are still welcome to use the baths, but unfortunately, we cannot permit a Beastel into the bathhouse." He pauses, searching for the right word to explain the situation. "There are numerous reasons for this decision, I assure you."

  Kaiden feels a surge of frustration as he absorbs the male servant's words. Kaiden's thoughts drift, his frustration mounting as he ponders the widespread prejudice against Beastels in this world. Focusing his gaze, he scrutinizes the faces of the two servants, taking note of their expressions and features more closely.

  Kaiden observed the uncanny resemblance between the male and female servant. Their eyes, a captivating mossy green, mirrored each other perfectly. Their brown hair was cut neatly, the boy's style contrasting slightly yet complementing the girl's. There was an almost supernatural symmetry to their appearances.

  Loden interjects with an air of arrogance, his tone challenging. "Do you realize who you are addressing?" he asks, a smirk forming on his face. "Perhaps I should take this matter to the emperor himself. A Celestial Warrior being denied entry to a common area is quite a grievance to hear."

  The servants cast a sideways glance at each other, their eyes dropping low and then lifting again. In unison, their voices become hushed but defiant, the words carrying a hint of finality. "The emperor would take the side of tradition and order," the two servants say in unison, their tone firm. "No one would wish to share a bath with that creature or use the same bath afterwards."

  Kaiden takes a step forward, his expression earnest as he places a hand on his chest. His words carry an air of conviction as he speaks, "I would. It truly doesn’t matter. Brokenfang is our friend, and this is discrimination." He holds their gazes, challenging them to dispute his statement.

  Kaiden observes the servants intently, puzzled by the confusion on their faces. He wonders if he's done something wrong or if there's a language barrier he hasn't considered. In his mind, he ponders, 'Why is it that we seem to speak the same language, but the words we say have different meanings from what they hear?’

  Loden looks at Kaiden with a mixture of confusion and amusement, his hand gently resting on Kaiden's shoulder. Turning his attention to the servants, he speaks up with a hint of a smirk, his tone carrying an air of authority. "You should know that this fine young man here is the Priestess of Astryaln, and both of us are Celestial Warriors appointed by Astryaln himself. Astryaln himself would be saddened by the disrespectful behavior shown to his priestess and his own chosen warriors."

  The two servants shift their gaze to Kaiden, closely examining his appearance. As their eyes fixate on his hair, their skepticism transforms to embarrassment. They immediately fold themselves into a bow, their heads bent low.

  The female servant is the first to speak, her voice tinged with regret. "We did not intend to cause offense to the priestess," she declares, her words sincere. The male servant chimes in next, his tone apologetic. "Please accept our sincere apologies. We've made a terrible mistake. We will prepare a special bath to make up for our words."

  Kaiden can't help but feel bewildered by the sudden change in the servants' demeanor. As they apologize profusely and promise to prepare a special bath, he wonders to himself, 'Is my position as the Priestess truly that significant that people will go to these lengths to rectify any misunderstandings?'

  Loden's smirk broadens, and he queries in a somewhat challenging tone, "The special bath you're preparing, it's meant for all three of us, right?" Loden raises an eyebrow, maintaining his assertive demeanor.

  The female servant clenches her fists, nodding her head in acknowledgment. She then lifts her head and speaks up, confirming, "Yes, of course. Since the priestess is of the same gender, it doesn't violate the tradition of mixed bathing for the priestess to share the bath with the warriors."

  Brokenfang had remained largely quiet throughout the conversation, but the wag of his tail betrayed his inner excitement as he caught the gist of the discussion. With a small, appreciative smile, he glances at Loden, silently acknowledging his friend's support.

  Loden, completely oblivious to Brokenfang's reaction, claps his hands together and rubs them eagerly. "Alright, let's start," he says, excitedly ready to proceed.

  The female servant nods in agreement, and the male servant chimes in, "Certainly. We’ll begin by heading to the changing room. It's necessary to rinse off beforehand to ensure proper cleansing. Follow me, please."

  The male servant leads the way down the corridor, and the female servant steps back to let the group pass. Kaiden, Loden, and Brokenfang exchange glances before proceeding to follow the man further into the bathhouse.

  The male servant moves with grace and purpose, guiding the group down the corridor. There are many doors lining the hall, all have the same look. He finally halts in front of the last door in the hallway, pausing momentarily before turning the door handle and pushing the door open.

  The male servant turns to address the group, gesturing toward the room as he speaks. "This is your changing area. Fresh robes and cloths for washing are available further inside. Either me or my sister will return to collect you and lead you to the bath."

  Loden nods in acknowledgment as he proceeds inside, followed closely by Kaiden, who offers a polite “thank you” to the servant. Brokenfang quietly follows last, bringing up the rear and taking his place within the changing room.

  The male servant reiterates his instructions, pointing to both Kaiden and Brokenfang especially. "Please make sure to thoroughly clean yourselves before we return," he emphasizes, gesturing specifically at Kaiden's hair and Brokenfang. "We need all the dirt out of your hair and any dirt in your.. fur washed away before you soak. Thank you." With that, he closes the door, leaving them alone in the changing room.