Iana looked at Lillian’s uneasy expression, her face slightly flushed.
She turned her head, avoiding direct eye contact.
“Who… who would like this plush? I… I’m not a child anymore.”
Iana’s voice trembled.
This was the first time since coming to this world that she had received a gift from someone of the opposite sex—especially a cute-style plush like this.
It stirred a wave of emotions within her.
“Is… is that so?” Lillian’s smile stiffened slightly, her tone clearly tinged with disappointment, like a kitten abandoned by its owner.
“I… I thought you would like it.”
“Don’t spend money on useless things like this anymore. Our budget is tight right now.”
Iana still avoided looking directly at Lillian.
Although this wasn’t polite, she was even more afraid that Lillian might see through her feelings.
If Lillian found out she actually liked the gift, there was no telling what kind of present she’d buy next time.
The budget was already limited, and now Lillian was spending it on these plush toys—it was pure waste.
Lillian lowered her head, clutching the plush tightly, her voice growing softer: “But… I think… this isn’t… useless. You… you did so much for my birthday party…”
Hearing the catch in Lillian’s voice, Iana’s heart tightened instantly.
Was she being too harsh?
Was she betraying Lillian’s goodwill?
She glanced at the Dragon Plush in Lillian’s hands.
Its dragon eyes were made of Obsidian, reflecting dazzling light under the sun.
The plush was black and red overall, bearing some resemblance to Iana’s own unhidden form without the Senro Breath Pearl.
Only, the plush had been squeezed so much by Lillian it was a bit misshapen.
“Don’t… don’t be sad.” Iana really hated seeing someone upset because of her, especially when she hadn’t done anything wrong.
“…I’ll accept this gift, then. After all, it’s… it’s your heartfelt gift.”
She quickly took the Dragon Plush from Lillian’s hands, as if afraid that if she hesitated, it would disappear right before her eyes.
“Eh.” Lillian hadn’t expected Iana, who had just scolded her gift moments ago, to so casually accept it now.
“Stop standing there foolishly. Go decorate your room first. After all, Ethelrina might come check it out later.” Iana said, blushing and tilting her head.
Though puzzled by Iana’s behavior, Lillian didn’t hesitate to follow the instructions.
She trusted that Iana wouldn’t lead her astray.
“Mm.” After replying, Lillian went back to the bedroom with balloons and ribbons.
Iana looked around to confirm no one else was nearby before finally allowing herself to study the Dragon Plush.
The two white dragon horns on its head looked like they’d been mistreated—small and underdeveloped.
Its red pupils and flesh-colored mouth were wide open, the mouth slightly curved upwards in a faint smile.
The two ears drooped over its head.
It was sitting with both front paws on the ground, looking adorably silly.
“So dumb, not like me at all.” Iana muttered without realizing it.
After staring for a while, she placed the plush on her work desk.
While embedding small diamonds into Lillian’s dress, she often glanced at the plush.
The more she looked, the more she thought this plush was stupid—just like Lillian.
“No wonder Lillian liked this plush so much.” Iana whispered to herself, then sped up the diamond setting.
Only two days left.
After finishing the dress, Iana still had to help prepare desserts and decorate the villa—so many things to do, no time to slack off.
“Consider this plush your payment to me. I can’t just work for free.”
Although Lillian had already paid Ian’s salary, that was for the ‘Iana’—which had nothing to do with her.
So, she took the plush as a rightful reward from Lillian.
Time flew like water, and before long, the sun began to set.
“Iana, Iana, what do you think of how I decorated the bedroom?”
Lillian had spent the whole afternoon decorating her bedroom.
Since the villa had many rooms, her workload was not small.
Stepping out of the bedroom, Lillian immediately noticed the Dragon Plush on Iana’s desk.
She felt confused.
Didn’t Iana say she didn’t like it?
Why was it still there?
“I… Iana, if you don’t like it, you don’t have to keep the gift I gave you just to make me feel better.”
As soon as Lillian spoke, Iana quickly grabbed the plush and hid it where Lillian couldn’t see.
“There’s… there’s no plush here! You must have seen wrong.”
Iana wiped the sweat off her forehead, clearly worried Lillian would catch her placing the plush on the desk.
“All right, all right, you go on in. I’m almost done sewing the dress you’ll wear that day. I’ll come check your decorations later.”
Iana waved her hand, signaling Lillian to go ahead.
She still had work to do.
“But I…” Lillian’s words were cut off.
“No buts. I’ll come find you later.”
“All right.” Lillian lowered her head and went back to the bedroom alone.
“Phew, that was close. Almost got caught. If Lillian knew I liked this plush, liked the gift she gave me…”
Watching Lillian’s retreating figure, Iana exhaled deeply and pulled out the slightly misshapen Dragon Plush from behind her.
The Obsidian eyes reflected sunlight, making Iana think of Lillian’s eyes—always wet but holding back tears.
“Dumb as it is…” Iana gently touched the plush’s dragon horn with her fingertip, “I like it so much.”
Iana remembered the only time Lillian had cried was when she was nearly killed by a Bone Dragon.
“Seems like I’m pretty important to Lillian, after all.”
Iana tilted her head, firmly deciding that even without system penalties, she would help Lillian win over Ethelrina, paving the way for Lillian’s happy life.
After a while, thanks to Iana’s overtime efforts, the dress for Lillian’s birthday party was finally completed.
“Thanks to this Bloodstone,” Iana sighed.
Her bloodline development had now reached 8%.
She expected to break through to 10% tomorrow, when she would finally see her mother.
She was very happy about this.
After all, as an orphan who had lived so long without ever meeting her mother, she longed for and yearned for maternal love.