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Chapter 8
“Hup!”
I quickly clamped my lips shut and shrugged awkwardly.
“Ah, sorry. I’m just… so tired.”
My whole body ached—from my shoulders down to my legs. I must’ve pushed myself too hard yesterday.
After all, running for thirty minutes straight in Airel’s fragile body would take its toll.
‘Ugh… I’m so sleepy I could die.’
Groaning, I slapped my cheeks lightly—chop, chop—trying to keep myself awake.
Then came the duke’s dry voice again.
“And what sort of new ritual is that supposed to be?”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
The duke tilted his chin up, looking down at me as I tapped my own face.
“It’s unsightly. Refrain from it. Don’t strike your face. Keep your yawns small. And stop making strange noises.”
‘Why are there so many rules?’
For a moment, irritation bubbled up—but I quickly smiled brightly and nodded.
“Got it. I’ll be careful.”
After all, I was the one who needed him right now.
If he said jump, I’d ask how high. There was no choice. Sob.
Rishid could leave at any time. So, I had to win him over while I still could.
“Then, Your Grace, I was going to prepare to go out—do you need anything?”
I clasped my hands like a diligent servant.
“Go out?”
“Yes. I was thinking of visiting that doll shop I mentioned yesterday. There’s one nearby, apparently.”
He seemed to consider it for a moment, then gave a short nod.
“When do the maids clean this room?”
“Um… once at noon, and again in the evening.”
“That maid from yesterday—does she come in too?”
“Janice? Maybe. I asked her for a favor yesterday, so she might drop by.”
I blinked, realizing the risk.
“Oh, that won’t do. I’ll make sure no one comes in!”
“That’s unnecessary. More importantly—could the duke or duchess come by?”
“That, I… wouldn’t know.”
His questions were oddly sharp.
As I tried to figure out why, Rishid’s lips curved faintly.
“You said yesterday that if I disappeared for even a moment, you’d feel anxious.”
“I… did?”
“That you’d feel sad, depressed, and utterly lifeless.”
“…What?”
‘What’s with him now?’
Wasn’t he the one who told me to leave him alone yesterday?
I tilted my head in confusion. Then, with a smirk, Rishid said—
“Then I suppose I’ll accompany you.”
“…What?”
I nearly shouted. The duke frowned at my volume.
“What’s with that reaction? Don’t tell me you dislike the idea.”
“N-No! I’m thrilled!”
I waved my hands frantically and forced a smile, though my heart thumped wildly.
‘Why is he coming along all of a sudden? He never mentioned this before…’
Something about it felt wrong.
I wanted to keep him hidden in my room!
If he suddenly escaped—or worse, if someone discovered the tiny, doll-sized duke—it would be a disaster.
I had to stop him.
“Well, it’s just… I’m worried, that’s all. If I drop you by accident—”
“I am not made of glass.”
“Still! You might get hurt. You’re so small now—what if a cat or a crow tried to snatch you away?”
“Do I look so helpless that I couldn’t handle a mere beast?”
‘Well… size-wise, yes…’
As I squinted, Rishid sighed deeply.
“Hah.”
His crimson eyes swept across the room.
“You’ve lived too comfortably in this peaceful capital, it seems. You should know—the smallest monster I slew on my last expedition was about the size of this entire chamber.”
“…Oh.”
Right. This was the man who singlehandedly destroyed a western monster horde with only the Eppenterion knights.
I’d forgotten how terrifyingly strong he was.
“B-but still! I can’t just… carry you in my arms all day, can I?”
“Then use that.”
“Huh?”
He pointed with his sword toward the little pouch bag from yesterday—the one I’d used to kidnap him.
“Wait, you mean that bag? You want me to put you in there again?”
“You didn’t ask permission when you stuffed me in before. Having done it once, I see no reason you can’t do it again.”
‘Oh, come on!’
I shook my head desperately—but just then—
Knock, knock.
“Airel Blandiche.”
The duchess’s elegant voice floated from beyond the door.
“Mother? What brings you here?”
The door creaked open after a long pause.
Standing there, the Duchess of Blandiche—Briana—frowned immediately.
“Step aside. Don’t just stand there blocking the way.”
She pushed Airel’s shoulder aside and strode into the room uninvited.
Her gaze swept across the chamber—where unfamiliar ornaments and bright trinkets now glittered.
‘What scheme is she plotting this time?’
Briana’s eyes narrowed.
Rumors had spread among the maids lately—whispers that “the young lady has changed.”
Briana had dismissed it as nonsense. No one changed overnight without reason.
But then, yesterday—
Even Edwin, who had escorted the new Saintess to the temple, reported something strange.
“I met the High Priest, and Lady Airel personally apologized to him—begging forgiveness.”
Airel Blandiche and apology?
Those words simply didn’t belong in the same sentence.
Briana studied her stepdaughter suspiciously.
“Strange… I could’ve sworn someone else was in here.”
Airel blinked innocently.
“Someone else? What do you mean?”
“I thought I heard another voice just now.”
“Oh—”
Realizing the misunderstanding, Airel smiled faintly and walked to her desk.
“Actually, I was reciting poetry.”
“At this hour? You?”
Briana’s brows drew tight.
“The Blandiche girl reading poetry—now that’s something to make the maids laugh.”
“I’ve taken an interest lately. I didn’t realize there were such fine collections in my room.”
Her violet eyes sparkled softly as she smiled—a gentle, luminous smile utterly unlike the arrogant smirk she once wore.
And that, more than anything, unsettled Briana.
‘So the rumors were true—the wicked girl has changed.’
She clicked her tongue inwardly.
‘Or perhaps she’s only pretending in front of me. Knowing her temper, she’ll cause trouble again soon enough. I’ll keep watch.’
With a gracious smile, she said aloud—
“It’s lovely to see you interested in books, my dear.”
She took the book from Airel’s hands—then paused.
“But, darling… the book’s upside down.”
Airel froze.
Smiling smugly, Briana turned to leave.
“That will be all. The designer will arrive this afternoon—be ready.”
“Designer? For what?”
“For your new gown, of course. You’ll need it for the imperial ball.”
She stopped at the door, glancing back with a sweet, cutting smile.
“Surely you haven’t forgotten, Airel? It’s the welcome celebration for that Duke Eppenterion you so foolishly dream of marrying.”
Crack.
Something shattered somewhere in the room.
