A few days later.

“Merrily! When will the toy I ordered last time arrive?”

While turning the pages of a book, Serina asked Merrily, who was cleaning her room.

“I actually checked earlier, and they said orders are backed up right now. They haven’t even started making yours yet. It’ll probably take a few more days.”

“Really…? They’re usually so fast, so I thought I’d get it quickly.”

Ugh, what a shame. My perfect plan is getting delayed.

Serina looked disappointed.

Then Merrily, who was dusting nearby, spoke gently.

“Things become more special the longer you wait. Maybe the quality will be even better, or perhaps there’ll be something extra included.”

“Is that so…? Still, faster is better.”

“Miss Serina is someone who knows how to wait. And Princess Helia isn’t going to run away.”

Merrily smiled softly.

“Huh? Suddenly?”

Ah, she probably thinks I’m making toy scissors because I want to become friends with Princess Helia through hairdresser play.

If she wants to misunderstand like that, then I’m grateful.

“You’re right, Merrily. Princess Helia isn’t going to run away!”

At least for now.

Because I’m going to make her leave on her own.

Even small annoyances become irritating when repeated over and over, and eventually people notice them!

Serina smiled innocently.

“Then I’ll bring it to you as soon as the toy is finished.”

After finishing the cleaning, Merrily gathered her tools and left the room.

As soon as the door closed, Serina shut the book she had been reading and jumped onto the bed.

“Sigh. It feels like a waste to spend time doing nothing like this…”

Serina wrapped herself in the blanket and rolled around.

After thinking for a long time about what to do, she eventually lost against the warm and cozy temptation of the blanket and fell asleep.

A few hours later.

Creeeak— tap tap.

Someone entered the room.

Thunk.

Something heavy was placed on the table.

“Mmm…”

What is it? Who is it? I still want to sleep more.

Feeling someone’s presence, Serina woke up.

But the moment she was about to fall asleep again because her eyelids felt too heavy—

“Miss! Miss Serina, if you sleep more, Merrily will scold you!”

Maron hurriedly shook Serina awake.

“Merrily? Merrily?!”

Ah, don’t tell me I’m getting scolded again for only sleeping?

Her nagging is worse than Mother’s! No way! I don’t want to hear it!

“Merrily! I wasn’t sleeping!”

Thinking of the endless flood of scolding, Serina immediately jumped up in shock.

“Wow, are you really that scared of Merrily?”

Maron burst into loud laughter as if teasing her.

Still half asleep, Serina looked around and relaxed after realizing only Maron was there.

“What… Maron, why did you wake me up?”

Serina rubbed her eyes while speaking in a slightly annoyed voice.

“Ta-da! The toy you ordered has finally arrived!”

“Really? They said it would take several more days!”

“Hehe. It was Merrily’s surprise event. Ta-da, look over there!”

Maron pointed toward the table.

Several wrapped gifts sat on top of it.

“…Huh? Why are there so many? Did I order this many toy scissors?”

As Serina looked confused, Maron explained.

“You remember asking for toy scissors because you wanted to play hairdresser, right?”

“Of course I remember! Did you think I was stupid or something…?”

Serina puffed out her lips.

Then she completely buried herself back into the blanket.

“Hehehe. Of course not. But hairdressers don’t only touch hair, right? So Merrily ordered extra toys too!”

Maron smiled brightly while lifting Serina’s blanket.

“Merrily did? Then why didn’t she come herself?”

Serina asked with wide rabbit-like eyes.

“Merrily went to escort Princess Helia. She said that if it was you, you’d definitely want to use the toys immediately on the day they arrived.”

“Ooh, I see. Then she’ll be here soon?”

Perfect. That means I don’t have to wait anymore, right? As expected, Merrily understands me well!

But what exactly did she order?

Filled with excitement, Serina jumped down from the bed.

Then she placed the boxes from the table onto the floor one by one and started opening them.

The first box contained the toy scissors Serina had ordered.

“Wow. They’re even better made than I expected.”

As expected from a famous craftsman, the toy was colorful enough for children to love while still looking exactly like real scissors.

“Everything from here onward was specially prepared by Merrily. Aren’t you excited?”

“Yeah! I hope it’s makeup.”

Watching Aura decorate herself had always looked fun.

And she became even prettier afterward.

Whenever Serina tried touching cosmetics herself, everyone strongly opposed it, saying her young skin was too sensitive for them.

“Wow! It really is!”

The moment she opened the package, Serina shouted happily.

Just as she hoped, the remaining boxes contained cosmetics.

Of course, they were toy cosmetics.

Seeing Serina so happy made Maron feel strangely proud.

Serina quickly began reading the instruction manual for the toys.

It explained that the makeup toys were made with harmless natural ingredients and could be washed off easily with just water.

“Oh! I could bully someone with this too, couldn’t I?”

If I pretend to do her makeup but ruin her pretty face instead, she probably won’t be able to hide her expression, right? I’ll try this before cutting her hair!

Serina eagerly waited for Helia to arrive.

Perhaps her desperate wish reached them because—

Creeeak.

The door opened, and Merrily entered with Helia.

“Wow…”

Does she secretly eat different food or something? No, she eats the same things as me now though.

Without realizing it, Serina once again admired Helia’s beauty.

Ahem.

After clearing her throat and regaining her senses, Serina looked at Merrily and spoke.

“Merrily, thank you! I really love the gifts!”

“You’re very welcome, Miss. Then I’ll leave so you can play comfortably. Please call if you need anything.”

Merrily smiled warmly.

Then she left the room together with Maron.

“Princess Helia, thank you for coming! I really, really wanted to play hairdresser with you!”

“I should be the one thanking you for inviting me, Serina.”

Helia smiled gently.

“Can I be the hairdresser? I’ll make you really, really pretty!”

“Of course.”

The moment Helia gave permission, Serina picked up the makeup toys.

“Then, dear customer. We’ll begin with skin preparation first. Please look this way.”

Serina held Helia’s cheeks and adjusted her position.

Then, after seeing Helia’s dazzling beauty up close, her mouth slowly fell open.

The thought that she was about to ruin such a perfect face made Serina nervous, and her hands began trembling.

“B-But I still have to do it!”

Serina quickly brushed makeup across Helia’s face carelessly.

“At least I’ll use weird colors!”

Since it washes off easily anyway, this much should be okay!

Serina worked hard drawing around Helia’s eyes with black makeup that normally wouldn’t suit someone easily.

But because her hands were sweaty, some parts accidentally became crooked.

“Even though I tried hard, she’ll definitely look like a panda since it’s black, right?!”

Serina checked Helia’s face.

Unexpectedly, it matched perfectly with her cat-like eyes and pale skin.

“…That color actually suits her?”

How was this possible? That made no sense.

“Then… would this color suit her too?”

Serina grabbed another color and continued adding more makeup.

After carefully ruining(?) Helia’s face with various decorations and highlights, Serina proudly pretended to wipe sweat from her forehead.

“Finished, dear customer!”

Serina handed over a small mirror and stepped back.

After Helia checked her face and lowered the mirror, Serina carefully examined the makeup she had done.

“The designer here is very talented. I’m looking forward to seeing what you’ll do with my hair too.”

Even though the makeup looked messy like childish scribbles, Helia still looked beautiful.

And on top of that, she calmly complimented Serina in her soft voice.

“…Wait, what is this?”

Serina became flustered at the completely unexpected reaction.

Even though the makeup skills were clumsy like a child’s doodles, somehow it still looked like artwork.

“I don’t think I’m talented though… Her face is just unbelievable.”

Maybe she’s actually a demon! Though visually she looks more like an angel…

Serina, who fully understood how terrible her crafting skills normally were, became completely confused.

Anything she made with her hands usually broke apart or turned into something unrecognizable.

But Helia’s beauty remained completely unharmed.

At this point, Serina was starting to fear Helia’s beauty itself.

“Thennn… I’ll do your hair now! Please turn around!”

“Yes. I’ll leave it in your care.”

As soon as Helia turned around, Serina grabbed the toy scissors.

“How should I cut it?”

Cutting it so badly that it couldn’t be fixed anymore would be… such a waste because her hair is too pretty.

Right! I’ll just cut a tiny bit! If carefully grown hair suddenly becomes shorter unexpectedly, anyone would still get upset no matter how little it was cut!

Nodding to herself, Serina gently touched Helia’s hair.

“Then I’ll start by trimming the damaged ends!”

Serina pretended to cut with the scissors while secretly using wind magic to cut only a little.

But the blue jewel attached to the scissors as decoration suddenly sparkled, causing her to lose control.

The jewel had reacted to Serina’s magic power.

The hair she only intended to trim slightly was suddenly cut into a clear short bob.

“Huh…?”

This wasn’t supposed to happen.

Startled by the unexpected situation, Serina quickly used water magic to create teary eyes and continued the act.

“What should I do…? Princess Helia, I cut your hair… They said these were toys, so I thought they wouldn’t actually cut anything… I’m sorry…”

The apology mixed fake tears with excuses, but the guilt she felt was genuine.

In response, Helia picked up the mirror she was holding and checked her appearance.

“Now she’ll finally get angry, right? If you’re going to get angry, hurry and do it!”

Filled with nervous excitement at finally seeing Helia’s true feelings, Serina’s heart pounded wildly.

But once again, the response she received was completely unexpected.

“Serina, it’s alright. Please don’t cry. I think you have talent. You cut it very neatly.”

“W-What…? You’re really okay with it?”

“Of course. Don’t worry.”

Helia comforted Serina.

And Helia’s calm expression truly didn’t look fake at all.

“Huh…? This isn’t right…”

You’re supposed to get angry! Why are you okay with this?!

No, and short hair suits her too! What is this?!

Serina stared at Helia with a completely flustered expression.

Meanwhile, Helia misunderstood and thought Serina was still trembling from shock, so she gently patted her a few more times.

Only after confirming Serina had calmed down did Helia finally return to her room.