“Hello there, I’m Idledra. In a sense, you are my Doll… Why aren’t you saying anything?”
The gentle girl leaned down kindly, looking at the Body Double Puppet who didn’t seem to understand the current situation yet.
The Doll only stared at the lovely girl before her with a face full of doubt and vigilance.
At this moment, she didn’t seem to realize the fact that she had turned into a girl; she only knew that the moment she traveled to this Otherworld, the beautiful girl she met was either a quest-giver or someone here for the Twilight Trial.
“Are you… a Goddess? Or… huh?!”
She covered her mouth in disbelief, confirming once more that the voice had come from her own throat.
It was the voice of a girl, so ethereal and crisp, like wind chimes hanging under the eaves in summer.
Seeing the girl’s confusion, Idledra let out a soft laugh.
She gently reached out her hands to cup the face of the dazed Doll.
A fitting name suddenly came to her mind, just like naming a small flower.
“Idhaeli Senele. Idhaeli, how about I call you Idhaeli from now on? Just like me. Hailey will be mine from now on. Since I gave you your name, you belong to me.”
At that moment, Idhaeli, whose face was being held as she stared speechlessly, had no idea what her future would hold.
She simply thought she was having another dream about becoming a girl…
—
Inside the Banquet Hall, Hailey, appearing as the Saintess, undoubtedly became the focus of the entire room.
Idledra, who followed her movements with gentle grace, also became a subject of discussion.
Who could possibly earn the Saintess’s favor? What was the identity of this black-haired girl who could dance with the Saintess?
To the Nobles who knew the inside story, this was certainly not unfamiliar.
The Imperial Family and the Holy See had always been in a state of open and secret struggle.
Even if they put on an act of friendly cooperation and building a beautiful Empire together in front of the citizens, they remained as incompatible as fire and water in private.
Most people were likely more concerned about the Emperor’s attitude.
Was this treatment a sign that the Emperor was trying to win over the Saintess, or did he want her to establish her prestige within noble circles?
Regardless of what others thought, Hailey’s current demeanor was faintly marked by exhaustion and pressure.
Being stared at by so many people felt unsettling.
‘Why does this person not seem tired at all?’ she wondered. ‘In fact, she looks even more excited?’
Idledra’s eyes never left Hailey’s face, capable of catching even the slightest hint of a blush.
As for the scrutinizing and curious gazes around them?
She merely treated them as meaningless dust.
“Hailey, don’t worry about the others’ gazes. You’re only allowed to look at me right now.”
Their steps were light.
Although Hailey’s movements were still a bit clumsy, Idledra’s coordination made up for it perfectly.
Even the most inconspicuous flaw was skillfully smoothed over by her.
The guests didn’t mind such a small interlude; instead, they marveled at how beautiful and elegant the Saintess’s dancing was.
As the music progressed, it soon reached the climax of the piece.
Everyone began the next set of movements with their dance partners, and as they focused on the dance, they gradually forgot the people and things around them.
Idledra also gently held Hailey’s hand, slowly guiding her actions.
“Hailey, sometimes I wonder… what would it have been like if I hadn’t met you?”
If Hailey hadn’t entered this soul-less Doll Body by some fluke, then Idledra would only be facing a string-puppet that moved according to her will.
As for Hailey…
“I don’t know. Maybe I would have become a Hero, gone on some grand adventure, or been some bystander running a weapon shop… defeated an Evil Dragon and married a Princess…”
Idledra’s expression soured as she pouted.
‘What does she mean, married a Princess?’ she thought.
‘Does Hailey actually want to like someone else?’
She figured she should consider whether there were any other women in the Imperial Family…
Fortunately, Tracy was still too young, otherwise Idledra might suspect Hailey would be stolen away by a little brat.
Hailey looked helplessly at the jealous expression on the other girl’s face.
Taking advantage of a close move in the dance, she leaned in and gave her cheek a light bite before licking her lips.
‘It’s my turn to counterattack, right?’ she thought.
‘I’m always being led astray by Idledra, let’s see what you do now.’
Idledra clearly hadn’t expected Hailey to “ambush” her at a time like this.
She dazed for a moment, but soon looked back at the smirking Hailey with a provocative and peculiar glint in her eyes.
“Wait a second, we’re supposed to be dancing. You definitely won’t do anything too excessive to me, right… You won’t do that, right?”
Idledra pulled Hailey into her arms and bit her lip hard.
The warm, moist sensation collided between them, leaving the caught-off-guard Hailey with a face full of crimson.
She wanted to reach out and push her away, but it was useless.
“Mmph~”
It wasn’t until Idledra finally let go, looking unsatisfied, that Hailey caught her breath.
She glared with a face full of humiliation at the provocative girl who was still savoring the moment.
The words she wanted to use to scold her were already at the tip of her tongue.
But unfortunately, before Hailey could speak, the song reached its end.
Seeing Idledra’s smug little expression, Hailey could only grit her teeth and snatch away all the cake brought by the waiter.
“Hailey, I was wrong… give me back that piece of nut cake.”
“No way. As long as I’m here today, don’t even think about touching a single bite of sweets. You can just stay hungry for them.”
While Hailey was still complaining, she noted internally that the Imperial Family’s special desserts were indeed extraordinary.
At some point, Idledra brought over two bright, juice-like glasses of liquid.
Hailey, who always felt the other girl was up to no good, first questioned her scheme.
Only after Idledra insisted it was just ordinary fruit wine did she feel safe enough to take a small sip.
“Wait, why is my head spinning…”
“No, it really wasn’t me this time. It’s just that fruit wine can make you drunk too.”
Idledra gently cupped Hailey’s face and nuzzled her tenderly.
She felt that she could take this opportunity to speak some truths to the Doll girl who was so deeply bound to her…
“Hailey, who am I?”
“You’re… you’re Idledra… the annoying bully… always picking on me, ugh.”
Beside Idledra, Hailey’s face was flushed with a light red from the alcohol as she leaned against her dizzily.
“Then, Hailey, will you stay by my side forever? In the next life, and the life after that, you’ll be mine, okay?”
“Okay.”
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