The setting sun cast its rays westward, and the rolling heat began to subside as the summer cicadas, which had been chirping all day, gradually quieted down. However, the castle still felt somewhat stuffy compared to Sleeping Island, surrounded by the sea on all sides.

Evelyn, drenched in sweat, walked up to the second floor and pushed open the bedroom door, a wave of coolness immediately enveloping her.

"The testing today was hard on you," a woman with her black hair tied back, looking mature and capable, said with a smile, "How did it go? Was it smooth?"

Her name was Juan, the oldest witch in the Association and a very kind senior. In just one day, she had already felt the other's care and concern.

"I... I don't know," Evelyn replied somewhat dejectedly, "Everyone else demonstrated their abilities, but when it was my turn, His Highness only asked me a few questions and then told me to go. Is it... does he think I'm useless?"

Juan handed her a glass of ice water, "There is no useless ability, only an ability that has not yet been developed. His Highness Roland often says this to us, so you don't need to worry about it."

"But..." She took the glass, hesitant to speak.

"Worried about being neglected because you can't be of use?" Juan couldn't help but laugh, "That might have been possible in the previous Association, but in Border Town, His Highness has never treated any witch differently. Hummingbird can testify to that."

The girl, who was burying her head in the closet looking for clothes, looked up, "That's pretty much right. Like me, Mystery Moon, Lily, and even Nana Waxiaojie, we haven't had much to do lately. His Highness even encourages us to play Gwent to relieve boredom."

"Relieve boredom?" Evelyn's eyes widened.

"Yeah, unbelievable, right? Work hard when there's work to be done, play happily when there's nothing to do. That's what he says," Hummingbird paused, "But I think His Highness still has a little bit of favoritism. He's clearly better to Anna."

"She's the first witch he met, so naturally the emotional connection is much deeper," Juan knocked her on the head, "Hurry up and get your clothes ready. There won't be much tap water left later." Then she looked at Evelyn, "You come with us too."

"Where to?" The latter was stunned.

"To shower," Juan smiled, "In midsummer, there's nothing more pleasant than standing under the showerhead and bathing."

When Evelyn followed the two into the bathroom, she couldn't help but exclaim in surprise. It was as if she had walked into a vast grassland, with a sea of clouds and mountains in front of her. The setting sun shone in through the window, reflecting on the walls, dyeing the clouds a golden hue.

"This is—"

"Soroya's masterpiece," Juan smiled, "This isn't a traditional decorative painting. You'll understand when you take off your shoes."

Evelyn carefully placed her wooden sandals in the shoe cabinet at the door and stepped barefoot onto the "grassland", immediately understanding what the other meant. The fine texture under her feet was like lush green grass, and the tips of the grass contained plump water droplets, as if it had just rained heavily.

Juan took off her clothes, released her ponytail, and her long black hair cascaded down. She walked to the wall and turned a handle. Suddenly, dozens of water lines sprayed out from the rose showerhead above her head, enveloping her.

"How is it, very convenient, right?" Hummingbird handed her a round object, "This is a bathing product invented by His Highness. It feels amazing when used with the shower. Come on, I'll teach you how to use it."

...

When Evelyn returned to her room again, she felt lighter all over.

She had never experienced such a comfortable bath. When she rubbed the soap on her body to create foam and then washed it away with clear water, the sticky feeling all over her body was instantly swept away, replaced by a refreshing and smooth sensation. After changing into clean clothes, the stuffy air seemed to become cooler. When she raised her arm, she could still smell the lingering rose fragrance on her skin.

Is this the daily life of the witches in the Association?

Evelyn still found it a bit hard to believe. She was born in the outer city of the capital. Her family ran a tavern. Although most of the customers were peasants, the topics they talked about always revolved around the nobles in the inner city and their extravagant lifestyles. She had heard a lot while serving wine to the customers. For example, bathtubs inlaid with gold filled with wine, and milk bathtubs sprinkled with rose petals... but even in their amazed rumors, none of them could compare to her personal experience today—at least Evelyn didn't think that bathing with wine and milk could be that comfortable.

Considering that the owner of the castle was a real prince, it was normal for him to pay attention to comfort and enjoyment. But the witches were actually living the same kind of life as the royal nobles, which was unimaginable for her. Before going to Sleeping Island, even maintaining an ordinary peaceful life was a luxury.

"Hungry?" Juan dried her hair and re-tied her braid, "It's almost time for dinner. Let's go to the hall."

In the living room on the first floor, the long wooden table was already filled with various dishes. Evelyn roughly counted that there were six bowls of meat alone, as well as egg custard, vegetable soup, and grilled mushrooms, no less than the welcome banquet last night.

When the other witches arrived, everyone started eating. She noticed that some people used chopsticks in addition to knives and forks to pick up food, and His Highness himself did the same. He rarely even picked up knives and forks. The chopsticks in his hand moved up and down, looking very nimble. The food in the plates was also free of large pieces of steak or whole chickens and ducks—unlike the common food in taverns, the steak was cut into small pieces, and the wild boar leg was deboned, so you could just put it directly into your mouth.

When dinner was coming to an end, Prince Roland suddenly clapped his hands, "I've recently researched two new things that I plan to promote as products, but I'm not sure how effective they are. I'd like you to try them first and give me your opinions."

"What is it, something to eat?"

"Okay, I want to try!"

"Me too, goo!"

The witches of the Association immediately cheered. Evelyn looked at Juan blankly, and the latter explained with a smile, "His Highness often invents some novel things, such as the soap you used before, as well as perfume, chopsticks, ice cream... Before he officially puts them into production, he will let us try them out first."

"Ahem," the Prince cleared his throat, "The first thing is Baijiu. Compared to the common ale and fruit wine, its taste is more mellow and it's easier to get drunk, so underage witches are not allowed to participate."

"Your Highness, that's prejudice!" Lightning shouted, "I can drink more than those adult sailors!"

"That won't do either."

"Ugh..." The little girl pouted, but Roland remained unmoved and ordered the attendants to bring up the prepared Baijiu and distribute it to the adult witches.

Evelyn also had three cups placed in front of her—in the crystal clear crystal glasses, the liquor was different. One cup was transparent and colorless, like water, one cup was milky white, and the last cup was a sparkling orange-yellow. Under the flickering candlelight, she could even see some small floating objects, like unfiltered fruit wine.

"They are Baijiu mixed with apple juice, Baijiu mixed with milk, and pure Baijiu," Roland introduced, "Ice cubes can be added according to your own taste. The more you put in, the weaker the taste of the wine." Then he smiled at Evelyn, "You used to work in a tavern in the capital, and your ability is to brew different types of liquor. I hope to hear your evaluation of this new wine."

Evelyn's heart couldn't help but beat faster. She picked up the cup with the orange liquor and took a sip. As His Highness said, the taste of Baijiu was much stronger than ale, even a bit harsh on the throat. Her tongue felt a bit bitter, but the fragrance of the apple diluted the effect, and finally there was the mellow aroma of the wine itself—several flavors echoed in her mouth in turn. It was the first time she had tasted such an excellent wine.

The Baijiu mixed with milk was more gentle. The bitterness almost disappeared. She could taste that it should also contain some honey or sugar in addition to milk. The sweetness and the aroma of the wine mixed together, forming a brand new taste.

When it came to the last cup, Evelyn was already full of anticipation. She took a small sip, and a burning sensation instantly rolled over her tongue and throat—just as she had expected, without the interference of other flavors, only the pure taste of wine remained. First it was spicy, and then the sweetness contained beneath the bitterness.

"The taste of these three cups of wine is... unforgettable," she put down the cup and took a breath, "Your Highness, some people may not be able to accept its strong stimulating taste, but I think people who truly love to drink should not resist having such a mellow aroma."

"Is that so?" Roland smiled, "That's good, but this cup is not the strongest Baijiu. I can further improve its mellowness, and then let you taste it again."

Uh, did he choose her just to test his new wine? Although Evelyn was a little confused, she still replied, "Yes, Your Highness."

After the wine glasses and plates were removed, Prince Roland ordered the attendants to bring a pile of boxes and place them on the long table.

"This is the second new thing, and it's also a small gift I plan to give you," he paused, "A special piece of clothing."