Chapter 16

Lady Goddess! What’s going on now? Why is that old hag coming to bathe at this hour!

Hilda’s sudden appearance left Lisbeth completely stunned. At the same time, her fluffy tail, soaking in the bathwater, shot straight up. She was genuinely nervous now. But in moments like this, Lisbeth knew she absolutely couldn’t panic. While Hilda hesitated to approach directly, Lisbeth’s mind raced.

Calm down, calm down! First, check the surroundings.

Instinctively, Lisbeth scanned the room. This was clearly a private bathroom, so the space wasn’t large. Only one door led out. Fortunately, it was still half-open, not fully shut. She wasn’t truly trapped yet.

So what now? Shrinking here is pointless—this place is too open, and any movement would be spotted. That old hag doesn’t let anyone off easily. The only option left is that one move.

Though the situation was utterly terrible, Lisbeth’s magic made escape possible. Seeing Lisbeth silent behind the rock, Hilda’s voice turned icy.

"Not talking? Person hiding there, I’m giving you one last chance. Come out now, and I might go easy on you. But if I catch you, it’ll be a death sentence."

...

Silence answered Hilda. She slowly raised her right hand and uttered two words.

"Ice Flame."

A pale blue flame flared in her palm. Holding her thin bath towel with one hand and the flame with the other, she stepped slowly toward the rock.

"Huh!?"

Hilda reached behind the rock and peeked around. Only calm bathwater met her eyes—no one was there.

"Could Lisbeth’s antics today have made me paranoid?"

She had heard a noise earlier, but the thick steam hid everything. Tilting her head in confusion, Hilda withdrew the flame.

"Hah… Must’ve imagined it. This is the Personal Maid’s exclusive bathroom anyway. No one could sneak in here."

Hilda slowly returned to her spot. So where had Lisbeth vanished?

"Phew… That scared me…"

Lisbeth slowly exhaled but stayed hidden. She’d evaded Hilda thanks to a life-saving magic—usable only once a day.

"Good thing I learned this ten-minute invisibility spell. Otherwise, I’d be done for."

Yes, Lisbeth was invisible now. But this magic had limits. If touched, it broke instantly. It wasn’t true invisibility—just near-transparency. A sharp stare could still spot her.

Still, she’d escaped—for now. Confirming Hilda’s guard was down, Lisbeth gently climbed out of the bath. Step by slow step, she crept toward the half-open door.

Almost there.

The small bathroom meant she reached the door quickly. Just as she reached to open it wider and flee, the door swung open from outside. A petite figure appeared.

"Hilda, how’s the water today?"

Lord Demon King!! Why are you bathing at this hour too!!!!!!!

Lisbeth wanted to scream to the heavens—but couldn’t make a sound. No wonder the door was half-open; someone else was coming. Christia’s arrival had actually widened the gap.

All Lisbeth needed was for Hilda to fully focus on Christia. Once Christia stepped inside, she’d have time to escape. But the next second shattered her hope…

"Lord Demon King, please close the door properly. It’s a habit you must develop."

"I know~ Hilda, you really are a busybody~"

Hey! You old hag! She’s the Demon King! Why teach her door-closing habits!!!

Thanks to Hilda’s offhand remark, Lisbeth was trapped again in the small bathroom. Seven minutes remained before her invisibility faded.