“U-Um… Miss? Lady? Esteemed Excellence? It seems there’s a bit of a malfunction with the crystal ball today. How about I give you a refund?”
Fran looked at the crystal ball, which had suddenly collapsed and looked ready to explode.
She was already prepared to beg the person across from her for mercy.
Looking at Idledra’s threatening smile and then at the turbid Black Mist swirling on the crystal ball, she knew that simply could not be caused by Holy Magic alone.
She would have preferred it if the crystal ball had suddenly flared with light and then shattered…
An ominous guess formed in Fran’s mind, but the moment she thought of that gaze, she did not dare speak it.
Finally, feeling both heartbroken and protective of her life, she handed over the only silver coin left in her pocket.
‘Ugh… my baby. I hadn’t even warmed you up yet, and I have to give you back already.’
Idledra ignored the other woman’s reluctant expression.
With a flick of her hand, Fran’s coin purse inexplicably appeared in her palm.
“Ah! My money — Lady, could you please… could you please give it back to me…”
On one side was her beloved wealth; on the other was the unfathomable, terrifying lady before her…
In the end, Fran made her choice.
She “bowed and scraped” in protest against Idledra’s overly domineering behavior.
Idledra paid no mind to her weak pleas and entreaties.
She simply fished three copper coins out of the purse and tossed the silver coin back in.
“That’ll be three copper coins, Miss Fran. I hope you haven’t forgotten our deal.”
“Ah, haha… Of course, of course! Please take your time leaving. This lowly one won’t see you out.”
Hailey sat on the other side of the tent, lazily watching the exchange.
She was curious, but Idledra wouldn’t let her come over.
“What did you just do to her? That lady was scared out of her wits.”
Idledra didn’t speak.
She just gently took Hailey’s hand, tenderly pried it open, and placed the three copper coins in her palm.
“The owner’s crystal ball broke, so she was kind enough to give me a refund.”
Hailey looked at Idledra’s sincere face and didn’t believe a word of it.
‘I literally just saw you digging through her coin purse.
If you didn’t have some restraint, I would’ve thought the Saintess was committing street robbery…’
“Then the refund was for you. Why did you shove it into my hand?”
She squeezed her hand, feeling the roundness of the copper coins in her palm.
She could hear the crisp sound of the coins rubbing against one another.
“What’s mine is Hailey’s. Besides, didn’t the Saintess say she would buy things for me?”
‘You talk a big game. If you have so much money, why do I need to pay? I only have that one tiny private stash, and it might not even be enough to cover everything…’
Even though she thought this, Hailey couldn’t refuse the pathetic look in the other woman’s eyes.
It was a mess of her own making.
Earlier, while Hailey was wandering around, she had noticed Idledra looking absentminded.
She thought the woman wanted to buy something that was out of stock.
It was just like in her past life.
When she saw candies or snacks she particularly wanted, she would pretend not to care because she had to be “sensible.”
‘She might be an adult, but maybe I can fulfill those childhood wishes she never got to realize…’
“Hmm? Hailey, what did you just say?”
“Nothing. Let’s go. I’ll take you to buy some things. It’s my treat today…”
If three copper coins weren’t enough, then… then she would use her backup hidden energy.
She glanced at the inconspicuous little cloth bag hidden in the lining of her clothes.
Even though they lived together, it was normal to have a few small secrets, right?
Idledra watched Hailey’s “ready for anything” expression and couldn’t help but cover her mouth to stifle a giggle.
The stubborn Hailey seemed ready to reveal her little secret…
But it didn’t matter.
That bulging little cloth bag was something Idledra had filled in secret herself.
‘If Hailey is willing to part with even that, it means I am the most important thing to her…’
“Hey, what are you spacing out for? Let’s go.”
Hailey tugged at the corner of Idledra’s clothes.
Why did this person always suddenly freeze in place?
Which one of them was the manufactured Doll, anyway?
Hailey quickly let go of the sleeve.
Every time she got close, she felt a strange sense of excitement.
Was it because of the link between the Doll and the original body, or was it something else supernatural?
“You… maybe you should stay a bit further away from me. It’s a bit hot with you so close…”
Idledra smiled at the clumsy lie and reached out to hold Hailey’s hand.
Now, the already uneasy Hailey felt the temperature soar.
She felt as though she were about to be roasted alive.
“Honestly, why are you suddenly pressing close again? It’s hot, I’m telling you!”
“But it’s not summer. Hailey, why do you feel hot the moment you touch me?”
Edhailey simply exhaled a breath of warm air into her ear, making Hailey’s entire face turn beet-red.
‘Does this woman not know how sensitive ears are? I shouldn’t have fallen for her trick!’
“Then… I want that one over there!”
“Slow down — your hair is hitting me in the face…”
While Hailey was still dazed with embarrassment, Idledra grabbed her hand and ran toward the distance.
Hailey tried to pull away but couldn’t.
Just then, the lively street was suddenly interrupted by the sound of rapid hoofbeats.
A squad of knights ignored everyone and shoved through the crowd, forcibly clearing a path to move forward.
Regardless of the Empire’s laws, neither private individuals nor Imperial officials were allowed to gallop or charge through the streets.
Moreover, on a street like this, people of any status could be present.
Such reckless behavior was beyond unreasonable.
“Holy See business! Out of the way! Move quickly, lest you soil our hands!”
The leader wore silver-white armor, and his face was full of disdain and mockery, as if he were looking at inferior creatures…
However, Hailey, who was hiding in the crowd to watch the spectacle, felt the outfit looked familiar.
Weren’t these the people of that old fossil Priest?
“They’re the Temple Knights of the Holy See. They’re likely here to cause trouble for us. After all, Hailey is too eye-catching as the Saintess.”
‘Whose fault is that? Didn’t someone drag me out to go shopping… Fine, I did have a good time. Never mind.’
Idledra carefully sized up the opposition.
What kind of trick had that damn old man come up with now?
Looking at the Temple Knights flaunting their power ahead, Idledra’s first thought was to take Hailey and hide to avoid a direct confrontation.
But it seemed the other party had already spotted them.
They pushed through the crowded people and walked straight toward them.
“Saintess, please return with us.”
It seemed the other party did not view Hailey or the nearby Idledra as high-ranking individuals at all.
They were merely executing their orders with cold indifference.
Having been called out so suddenly, Hailey felt a bit flustered for a moment.
But then, her hand was suddenly gripped tightly, and she felt an inexplicable sense of security…
“Be a good girl, Hailey. Listen to me. Let these blind fools understand the majesty of the Saintess.”
‘The Saintess? Majesty? Me?’