“Ugh… the sunlight is so annoying. Why does it have to be sunny every single day? Why can’t you come find me at night? *Yawn*, I’m so sleepy…”
Hailey let out a lazy yawn, not even realizing what she was saying.
As the saying goes, people can sometimes be so amused by their own sleep talk that they laugh out loud.
She seemed to still be immersed in the mysterious dream from last night.
Beside her, Idledra was clutching Hailey’s palm, giggling foolishly.
It was impossible to know what kind of sweet dream she was having, but she pulled Hailey’s arm a little tighter.
‘This girl, she mocks my messy sleeping face every day. Just you wait, I’ll draw how you look this time. But what exactly happened last night…?’
She only remembered finding a weak and slumped-over Idledra the night before.
In a fit of kindness, she had carried the girl, who had run away from home without permission, back on her back.
And then… there didn’t seem to be an “and then.”
Had she just fallen asleep because she was too tired?
But this silly girl next to her, wearing nothing but thin underwear —
“Why are you wearing so little?! Get in, get in!”
Idledra was only wearing a thin chemise, her snow-white skin exposed without any cover.
Hailey’s face turned bright red as she covered her eyes and stuffed Idledra under the covers.
‘Honestly, I’ve never shared a bed with a girl before, let alone one dressed so thinly. Isn’t she afraid of catching a cold? And she’s such a cute girl…’
‘Wait, I’m a girl now too, so why am I the one blushing? The way she pins me to the bed every night… she’s the real devil here, isn’t she?’
Seeing Idledra’s cute sleeping face, Hailey’s eyes inadvertently caught a glimpse of that pale skin again.
She hurriedly tried to wrap her up in the quilt.
But… why was she holding on so tight?
Idledra held Hailey’s arms firmly, refusing to let go.
When Hailey tried to push away, she ended up falling right into the girl’s embrace.
Feeling the soft and warm touch, Hailey was caught off guard as Idledra gently pulled her into her chest.
At that moment, the girl, whose eyes were still closed, let a faint smile slip across her lips.
“You — you’re not asleep at all! You’re lying to me!”
‘Oh dear, Hailey found out again. What a shame. I always end up laughing when I’m teasing her. It’s a pity, I had such good lines planned out…’
Idledra had intended to keep tricking the Hailey beside her, but she hadn’t expected to be exposed so quickly.
However, the plan had already reached its goal.
Her Hailey would not be able to escape now.
“Wait, it’s daytime… and today isn’t a day off. I have to go to — “
“Sorry, Hailey, but my eyes… I can’t see a single thing right now…”
At a time like this, Idledra began to play dumb.
Although she hadn’t absorbed any Mana and couldn’t control Hailey, she still acted domineering as she held her.
“D-don’t be so quick to start…”
Predicting the “inhumane” “methods” she was about to suffer, Hailey gave up struggling and closed her eyes.
‘A philosopher once said, “If you encounter something bad, just close your eyes and slowly accept it…” But why does my face feel itchy? Did she stop?’
‘It doesn’t seem as “rough” today? And I was already prepared… Wait, why was I preparing for such a shameful thing?!’
Hailey cautiously opened her eyes, only to see Idledra leaning her cheek on one hand, watching her panicked state with a playful, doting smile.
“What is Hailey thinking? Did you think I was going to eat you all up right now? Well, if I must…”
‘Although I can’t thoroughly savor this delicate and timid little rabbit bun of mine yet, it shouldn’t hurt to just have a little taste, right? Hehe…’
*Mwah.*
While Hailey was still sulking from the teasing, she suddenly felt a soft, moist sensation against her lips.
Her entire body jolted.
Taking advantage of her distraction, Idledra took a sudden, deep bite of her lips.
The fragrance of flower petals melted into Hailey’s mouth, and her face instantly turned a deep shade of crimson.
“Idledra!”
“Hehe, thanks for the treat.”
Licking her lips as if wanting more, Idledra sat obediently by the edge of the bed.
She handed her Eye Patch to Hailey, whose ears were now completely red.
‘She’s really pushing it! She tricked me so badly just now, and after kissing me and licking her lips, she puts on that innocent face to trick me again!’
Unable to do anything else, Hailey ultimately failed to “strike the killing blow.”
With a reluctant expression, she carefully tied the Eye Patch for Idledra.
Idledra obediently opened her arms toward her.
“Hailey, hold me. I want to go with you.”
“D-don’t move! I’ll carry you myself…”
It was a routine gesture, as natural as when Hailey usually carried her back to her room, but this time, even Idledra’s face flushed slightly.
‘Am I… actually blushing because of this? Whatever, Hailey is what matters most.’
Looking at the open embrace, Hailey felt hesitant.
She was already flustered from the tricks played on her this morning, and now this sudden…
“I’m going to the Church to pray. Aren’t you afraid of being discovered if you follow me?”
The two of them looked as if they had been cast from the same mold.
Aside from minor differences, it was likely that almost no one could tell them apart if they wore the same clothes.
Even if they dressed differently like yesterday and intentionally disguised themselves, people with sharp eyes would probably still notice something was off.
“Then if we are discovered, will Hailey protect me?”
“No. I’ll just hand you over directly.”
‘Anyway, all people want is a Saintess mascot to pray for them. It doesn’t matter who it is.’
‘The Holy See isn’t stupid. Who would like this weak, cute, yet sometimes wicked girl…?’
‘If everyone knew I was the true Saintess, then a certain someone would be dragged away in disgrace.’
‘Fine, I admit it. If she really isn’t by my side, I’ll feel a bit out of place. And besides…’
‘Forget it, let’s not talk about it. It doesn’t matter if it happens sooner or later.’
“Mhm, I knew Hailey was the best to me!”
“What nonsense are you talking about…? I keep saying I won’t protect you.”
As if her mind had been read, Hailey refused to admit anything.
She placed the satisfied Idledra into the wheelchair and hurriedly pushed her out the door, nearly failing to watch where she was going.
‘Even though Hailey’s mouth is still so stubborn, I can hear your reluctant little thoughts.
Someone keeps wanting to replace me, yet she can’t bring herself to kill me.’
‘I really want to see the cute look on Hailey’s face when she’s about to deal the killing blow but ends up crying because of me…’