She Finds... Something

Ingrid kept pulling baskets out, inspecting their contents, and putting them back. Her anxiety increasing with each empty basket she found. Would she really have to go all the way back to her room like this? She supposed that she could always wait until someone else showed up at the bath house and ask them for help... but who knew how long that could take? Just about everyone bathed in fairly late into the evening, usually sometime after dinner. Would she have to spend the whole day sitting in there to protect her modesty? She didn't even want to think of about what Sylvain would think if he saw her like this. She shook the thought out of her head, pulling out another basket, fully expecting it to be empty like all the others. It wasn't.

In the basket sat what looked like a short, silky white night gown and an envelope with her name on it. Hesitantly, she grabbed it and opened it, checking her surroundings once more before she started reading.

Hello Ingrid, I hope you enjoyed your nap. You looked so cute and peaceful sleeping there,
I just couldn't bring myself to wake you. I did take the liberty of grabbing your clothes,
however. I thought this gown better suited a lady of your situation.

A lady of my situation? Ingrid thought. Could they be referring to my family's money trouble? Ingrid's eyebrows furrowed, her eyes glancing to the gown and then back to the note.

I'm sure you've worked up quite the appetite, training as hard as you do to make everyone
else look bad. Put on your new outfit, go to the dining hall and order the Super-Spicy Fish Dango.
It wasn't on the menu for today, but don't worry I already convinced them to make an extra-special
serving just for you. When you get your food, they are going to give you another envelope with your
next instructions. Take a seat and enjoy your meal while you read them.

Yeah right, she thought. There was no way she was going to do that just because some note told her to.

Oh, and don't try going back to your room or telling anyone else about this either. Your
clothes in the bath house weren't the only ones I grabbed. So, if you disobey any of my
instructions, all your clothes and the dignity of House Galatea will disappear. Also,
if anyone comments on your new outfit, be sure to let them know how much you love it.
It is your favorite piece of clothing you have ever owned. Do a little twirl for them, give them
a good look, okay?

Ingrid stared at the paper, bewildered. There's no way this is real... is there? She didn't know. At the very least, whoever left the letter had taken the clothes she brought with her that much was true. How could she know what they said was true about the rest of her attire? She glanced at the letter again. She gathered her antagonizer wouldn't be sporting enough to let her verify this claim for herself before making her decision. She bit her lip, eyes drifting to the gown. At least the gown would be better than a wet towel, right?