Shame surged over Liliya like a tide. To step outside in clothes like this— for someone who once lived on Earth and held those values— was truly shameless beyond measure.
She never had an exhibitionist streak, nor did she like too much attention. In her previous life, she was just an ordinary high school student, fretting over her studies, and clueless about all this messy nonsense.
In this life, having arrived in this other world, her mind had been sealed by the Church from early on.
Even though she’d once been the pinnacle of human combat power, she’d never tasted the decadence of the upper classes.
She was simply a loyal servant, completing all the tasks assigned by the Church without a single complaint.
And so, when she felt her body move beyond her will, following Rosalia step by step out of the study and toward the corridor, she struggled with all her might to resist— but it was like throwing a cup of water at a burning cart; it was useless.
The tips of her tender feet crossed the threshold of the study. There was no carpet in the corridor, and she could distinctly feel the chill of the autumn-winter floor beneath her.
She couldn’t freely move her head, her vision fixed in one direction. The only thing in her line of sight was Rosalia; aside from that, there was little else she could see.
Where people were, and what they thought of her— she saw none of it.
When she was still in a male body, she’d had excellent hearing and perception.
But ever since she’d become like this, those abilities seemed to have been sealed by Rosalia as well, leaving her no different from an ordinary person.
She didn’t want to keep walking forward; she wanted to retreat to the study. But the sweetness in her body controlled her, pushing her closer to Rosalia, exposing herself fully in the corridor.
Tap.
The last, faint footstep.
Liliya stood straight in front of Rosalia, like a well-trained maid— every movement graceful and submissive.
“How are you feeling, Liliya? The weather’s so nice today. Isn’t it a good day to take a walk?”
Rosalia smiled softly, gently stroking Liliya’s hair at her temple.
Her cool fingers were warmer than the floor, and as they brushed her cheek, Liliya could feel their delicacy.
Yesterday, such a touch would have made her heart flutter. But now, after regaining most of her memories, it only made her skin crawl.
Monster.
That was the only word Liliya could use for Rosalia’s actions.
If not a monster, why else would she so perversely turn her into a girl, or make her wear such seductive attire?
She trembled. Her body started shaking again, and she wanted to draw the Holy Sword and fight Rosalia to the death— to end her life with some dignity. But…
She no longer had her weapon. She couldn’t even control her own body, forced to follow behind Rosalia in such humiliation, like a broken toy.
She couldn’t even imagine— if this were the same corridor as in her memory yesterday, just how many maids would be passing by right now?
If everyone saw her like this, she’d rather just die.
Liliya wanted to close her eyes, to stop facing this wretched reality, but she found even that was impossible. Other than necessary blinks, her gaze stayed fixed on Rosalia.
“Such a pity.”
Rosalia finally let go of Liliya’s hair and turned to walk on. Her high heels tapped crisply against the stone floor: “click, clack.”
“It’s such a shame all the maids are at work now. Otherwise, I’d really like them to see how obedient you look right now.”
Liliya couldn’t see Rosalia’s face, but judging by her teasing tone, her expression must be quite wicked at this moment.
She trailed behind Rosalia, just as she’d said— not a single maid in sight through the entire corridor.
It seemed everyone had been dismissed by Rosalia, leaving her current seductive outfit for Rosalia’s eyes alone.
That unbearable shame lessened a little once she realized this.
They went from the fourth floor down to the first, and just as Liliya was about to step outside the castle, Rosalia called to her.
“Liliya, stop.”
Liliya felt the sweetness controlling her movement halt immediately. She stood before the door, still facing the Vampire Progenitor.
What was she up to now? Was it possible Rosalia was only toying with her, never intending for anyone else to see her like this?
A sliver of hope flickered in Liliya’s heart, an expectation she shouldn’t have.
She watched as Rosalia— dressed in a magnificent Gothic Dress— slowly crouched down, picked up the shoes left aside earlier, and gently held Liliya’s foot with one hand, using her sleeve to wipe away the little dust from the sole. Bit by bit, she helped Liliya put on socks and shoes.
Round-toed, adorable shoes, a perfect fit with not a single unnecessary gap.
A strange feeling welled up in Liliya.
She didn’t know how to describe it.
Most of the time, Rosalia treated her like a randomly caught pet— not cherishing her at all, delighting in tormenting her with various magical tricks.
But then, in all sorts of little details— especially when dressing her— she would show this odd tenderness, such carefulness that it made Liliya’s scalp tingle with intimacy.
At these moments, Rosalia seemed less like that demon who loved tormenting others, and more like a girl in love, dressing up the one she adored.
Two completely contradictory feelings coexisted in Rosalia at this moment, the dissonance so strong that for a second, Liliya even forgot about the seductive clothes she wore.
If only…
This wouldn’t last long. Once both feet were properly shod, Rosalia stood up, casually brushed the dust from her sleeve, and looked at Liliya with a mocking gaze.
Everything she’d just felt seemed nothing more than hysteria from being tormented.
Why was it like this?
As if— just like Rosalia said, if she simply obeyed and played the role of a little pet, she could enjoy gentle treatment like just now.
As soon as the thought surfaced, Liliya was struck by a wave of fear.
Stockholm Syndrome.
She absolutely must not think like that. Otherwise…
Maybe she really would become Rosalia’s pet.
“Next, it’s time for our stroll. Are you ready, Liliya?”
Rosalia took Liliya’s hand, her cool palm wrapping firmly around Liliya’s small fingers, leading her out of the castle.
“! ”
Liliya snapped out of her thoughts again, helplessly watching herself step out of the castle and into a garden sprinkled with starlit glimmers.
She had come to an even broader space, becoming a display piece on the stage.