“Hey, are you really not afraid of being recognized? Dressing up like this…”
There was a significant distance between the Church and the mansion where they lived, but the energetic Idledra was being quite ostentatious.
To facilitate the Saintess’s daily travels, the Church was equipped with civilian clothes suitable for her size — including, of course, frilly dresses.
Before Hailey could refuse, Idledra had dragged her to change into two similar light green dresses and even prepared specific hair accessories, and ribbons.
But with such a simple outfit, wasn’t she still undisguised? What was the difference?
As the two walked down the street, others would still recognize their identities at a glance.
Well, Hailey had to admit, Idledra really did have an idea…
“How about it? Does my new look look good?”
“It’s… decent, I guess…”
Hailey looked at the black-haired girl in front of her who was seeking praise.
The original silver-white hair had turned black and glossy with just a touch of her fingers, as if it had been stained with ink.
Idledra gently curled her jet-black hair and smiled faintly at Hailey.
The pink in her eyes had lost its typical lustful tint, appearing instead a bit cute.
Hailey turned her head away.
She refused to admit that the sight just now had actually stunned her.
What she should be considering was the issue of changing only the hair color.
While Idledra might look like just a “black-haired girl who looks like the Saintess” from a distance, if the two of them stayed glued together…
Looking at their identical faces, it was hard not to draw connections.
The news of “Twin Saintesses” might spread throughout the entire Imperial Capital.
“Oh, is Hailey shy? If it looks good, you can look a bit more. It’s truly rare to see me with black hair.”
“Who… who’s shy? I’m thinking about what to do if we’re discovered!”
If it really turned out that way, it might be fine; she could just live her life as a mascot.
But if those old fogies at the Holy See wouldn’t let her go and took the chance to move against her, her life as a Body Double Puppet would be snuffed out just like that.
“What’s there to fear? Right now, I’m Hailey’s older sister. Naturally, I want everyone to know.”
“What sister? You obviously… you took advantage of me. I’m only temporarily compromising.”
It was all Idledra’s fault.
Hailey had only called her “Sister” a few times… and look how the girl was practically floating with joy.
‘No matter what, even if she uses threats or bribes, I will absolutely never call her “Sister” again…’
“It’s the Lady Saintess! And… look, Sister, there are two Lady Saintesses!”
The chattering voices of children interrupted Hailey’s silent vow.
Suddenly, her hand was tightly grasped in Idledra’s palm.
“Wait, look! This Saintess has black hair. The one on the left with white hair is the real Saintess! She’s the Saintess Sister!”
Curiously turning around, they found themselves surrounded by excited children.
Their guardian, Luna, was watching them with great interest.
Most residents of the Residential District worked in the Imperial Capital during the day, so the playful children were sometimes entrusted to the gentle Miss Luna.
Since the bakery kneaded and baked fresh bread in the morning and mostly hosted customers in the afternoon, Luna would leave the shop to her young assistant during quiet times.
“Oh my, it really is the Lady Saintess. But you two are…”
Whatever you fear most is what happens.
The first person they met was an acquaintance.
Hailey needed to hide, fast!
Hailey hid behind Idledra in a panic.
Idledra gently pressed her palm, signaling her to relax, and calmly looked directly at Luna.
Luna curiously and dubiously studied the two young ladies.
The one with silver-white hair who was acting shy was definitely the Lady Saintess she knew.
The other one was more composed and looked very familiar…
Luna only wondered for a moment before meeting Idledra’s gaze again.
That was it — this was the “Lady Saintess” she had met before.
“Good afternoon, Lady Saintess. And this dear… Miss Secret? I didn’t get the name wrong, did I?”
Indeed, this lady was almost frighteningly sharp.
Luckily she was just an ordinary bakery owner; Hailey had worried the Holy See had sent someone else…
Idledra nodded in response to the woman’s guess.
Like picking up a kitten, she plucked Hailey out from behind her, despite the girl’s reluctance.
“Let go, I can come out on my own…”
There were so many children here; at least let her keep some dignity… In the children’s eyes, she was supposed to be a gentle and holy angel.
Now, being picked up like this, she looked like a helpless kitten at someone’s mercy.
Seeing the unique relationship between the two, the children stared curiously at Idledra, wanting to see who could manage to subdue even the Lady Saintess.
“Wow, who are you to the Lady Saintess? You actually defeated her! You must be someone incredible!”
The children knew nothing of the truth.
They only saw that the Lady Saintess, who was usually their leader, was being handled so easily by this older girl.
Hailey tried to slip away, but Idledra pulled her into a light embrace.
She nuzzled against Hailey’s shoulder, looking at the blushing girl with a coquettish gaze.
“That’s right… who am I to the Lady Saintess? Why don’t you try to guess?”
‘Let go… there are children here! You’re the Lady Saintess in name, too; you need to set a good and kind image for them!’
Hailey stuttered, unable to say anything.
She really couldn’t explain the relationship between her and Idledra.
Roommates?
Contract partners? Or a Body Double Puppet?
Or perhaps something more ambiguous and suggestive…
‘What in the world am I thinking?!’
“Is Hailey thinking about those little secrets between us?Because I can feel someone’s little heart thumping and racing.”
If Idledra hadn’t been so close to Hailey, she wouldn’t have been able to feel that intense heartbeat.
Hailey would surely deny it to the death otherwise…
But it didn’t matter.
Since Hailey was unwilling to speak, Idledra would just solve her worries for her.
“I’ll tell you a secret: the Lady Saintess just said the answer in her heart.”
Idledra spoke mysteriously.
The children’s curiosity grew even stronger, huddling close and begging Idledra to tell them the answer.
Hailey, who was held and unable to escape, was even more dazed.
‘When did I talk in my heart? And how did she know?’
However, she still underestimated Idledra’s mischievousness…
Edhailey suddenly gave her a *mwah* on the cheek without warning — and right in front of all the children!
“The Lady Saintess said that I am her most, most, most important person.”