Liliya was about to head out.
She was leaving the castle where she had stayed ever since waking up, stepping into an unknown world.
What was the human realm really like?
Liliya had no idea.
Right now, her feelings were in turmoil.
On one hand, she didn’t want to leave this place at all; both of her bouts of amnesia had happened after she’d left the castle on her own, venturing alone to the human world.
She didn’t know if she would experience the same things as before, if she’d once again be on the brink of death, lose her memories, and wake up ignorant and lost in Lady Rosalia’s room.
On the other hand, she also longed to visit the human world, to recall her past memories there—so she could connect with Rosalia even more.
Liliya already saw Rosalia as the most important person in her life.
After so many days together, the sense of security Rosalia had given her made it almost impossible for her to leave Rosalia’s side, and she wanted to do more for her.
She no longer resisted Rosalia.
These conflicting thoughts left her struggling within herself, but just as they were about to leave, Liliya finally set aside those tangled feelings for the time being.
She was Lady Rosalia’s little pet. She liked being Rosalia’s little pet, and she liked being held in Rosalia’s arms, so she didn’t want to make things difficult for her.
Liliya did not refuse Rosalia’s words, nor did she notice that Rosalia had never actually given her a choice to refuse. She had simply stated, as if it were fact, that she was taking Liliya out.
“Liliya, we need to get ready to leave.”
Rosalia woke up even earlier than usual. The numbers on the clock on the wall showed that it was only five o’clock in the morning.
For them, it was far too early; even if Rosalia had important matters to deal with, she would usually wake around seven.
Most of the time, if Liliya woke up first, she would pretend to still be asleep, staying curled up in Rosalia’s embrace.
That’s how it had been these past days.
Woken by Rosalia like this, Liliya could only open her eyes and slowly emerge from under the covers they shared.
In truth, she hadn’t slept at all that night. Each time she drifted off, the nightmare of being devoured by something would surface, jolting her awake over and over, until she couldn’t sleep anymore.
“Where are we going?”
As a little pet, she couldn’t go against her master’s wishes. This was the first lesson she had learned since regaining consciousness.
“We’re going to Rone Town, a very prosperous little town. To get there, we have to pass through the Dark Forest, then follow the main road straight on.”
Rosalia had already gotten up, helping Liliya out of her nightgown and dressing her in one of those elaborate long dresses that restricted Liliya’s movement.
Luxurious and cute, but clearly made for a canary.
Rosalia was in high spirits. Yesterday, she had gotten the answer she had expected, which made her abandon the idea of using some other means to lock Liliya tightly at her side.
If Liliya hadn’t said those words then…
Rosalia might have gone against her original intention and put a collar around Liliya’s neck, keeping her close at all times.
But clearly, that was unnecessary now.
She only needed to maintain their distance in this way—so long as Liliya didn’t do anything she didn’t wish to see.
At least for now, Rosalia trusted Liliya.
Upon hearing the word “prosperous,” Liliya’s heart gave a sudden pang. She didn’t know what might happen if she went there—what misfortune might befall her.
“It’s all right, as long as you stay by my side, Liliya.”
Rosalia curled her lips into a smile, very satisfied with Liliya’s reaction.
There was no need for physical shackles; binding Liliya to her through this kind of mental fear was even more effective than she’d imagined.
“We’ll be entering Rone Town as humans. You must remember your new name: Liliya Vaughn. Understood?” “Liliya Vaughn…”
Liliya repeated the name, then suddenly asked Rosalia, “What about you, Lady Rosalia?”
***
After entering the human world, what sort of relationship would she have with Lady Rosalia?
“Me?”
Rosalia thought of the identity she had prepared and suddenly smiled.
“My name will be Rosalia Wood, and I am your…”
“Lover.”
These unexpected words made Liliya’s eyes go wide in disbelief.
From a little pet, she was suddenly elevated to Lady Rosalia’s lover?
This abrupt change left Liliya feeling as if it were unreal.
Mostly, though, she felt anxious and uneasy.
She didn’t dare hope for such things.
It was enough just to stay by Lady Rosalia’s side, as long as she wasn’t abandoned, as long as she didn’t have to experience the things she’d seen in the crystal ball ever again—she was already content.
To hope for more, to become lovers… She really didn’t dare think about it.
She was afraid it was just a prelude to Rosalia abandoning her.
“Yes. Even though the human world still has slavery, and those repulsive nobles like to treat some humans as pets for their own amusement, to let you attend that banquet, it’s better for you to have a noble status. And also…”
Rosalia did not want anyone else touching Liliya. If Liliya’s identity was that of a pet or a maid, some foolish noble might try to lay hands on her.
If that happened, it would be far too difficult to quietly recover the fragments of Liliya’s soul.
If it came to that, she would bathe the entire banquet in blood.
So, it was best to make Liliya her lover.
Thinking this, she finished dressing Liliya in the intricate gown, tied her hair up into a lovely princess style, and let all of Liliya’s charm blossom forth.
So adorable. She would be even cuter if she were locked inside a cage.
Hopefully, that kind of scene would never appear again.
“Does Liliya not want to?” Rosalia asked.
Liliya pursed her lips, then finally shook her head.
As a pet, she had no right to refuse her master’s arrangements.
What’s more, she didn’t actually dislike this arrangement.
As a lover… She wondered if that, or being a pet, would let her stay at Lady Rosalia’s side more securely.
As long as she could stay with Rosalia, it was enough.
“I’ll follow all of Lady Rosalia’s arrangements.”
“Very good.”
Rosalia’s lips curled up.
She liked Liliya just like this.