Chapter 57
“Little miss, I think I have something that would suit you perfectly. Would you like to take a look?”
And so, Hilvenzia ended up wearing a pure white dress. The unique thing about it was the skirt — it was narrow from the waist all the way down to the ankles, but it was slit from the knees to allow for easier movement.
“It looks absolutely wonderful on you, Lady Hilvenzia.”
Even Jaina had to admit—it truly did suit her. Hilvenzia’s silver hair matched the white fabric beautifully.
She had always been stunning, but with her distinct aura added to it, she now seemed to shine even more brightly.
“My goodness, it’s perfect on you!”
The shop attendant exclaimed in genuine admiration. Her eyes sparkled as though she wanted to try dressing Hilvenzia in even more outfits.
Sensing this instantly, Jaina stepped in front of her and blocked the way.
“One dress is enough. It’ll be hard to carry them all, anyway.”
“Jaina, I’m standing right here. Why are you worrying about carrying things?”
Hilvenzia pouted, pretending to be offended. The attendant simply smiled and brought out another outfit.
“How about this one? It’s a new release for the festival—very popular this season.”
From the pile, she pulled one out and held it toward Jaina.
“I think this would look adorable on our little guest here! What do you think?”
The moment they saw it, Jaina and Hilvenzia looked at each other in speechless disbelief.
“How many outfits does one need for a single festival?”
Jaina’s question was swiftly dismissed by Hilvenzia.
“Why choose? If you can’t decide, buy them all.”
“But we can’t wear all of them today.”
“Then wear them at the Magic Tower.”
As expected, Jaina—who had lived as an ordinary person—and Hilvenzia—the world’s greatest alchemist—had vastly different senses of money.
And so, Jaina ended up receiving several festival costumes from Hilvenzia as gifts.
The two of them first came out dressed like a snow fairy and a snow goddess, then changed into another outfit midway through their outing.
“I think this is the one we really have to wear.”
The outfit the attendant had recommended to Jaina was part of the animal costume series.
There were rabbits, bears, cats, puppies, squirrels… but the two of them had their eyes on something else entirely.
“Grrraaah!”
A dragon.
Jaina bared her teeth playfully at Hilvenzia, pretending to roar.
“Princess, I shall take you captive!”
The hood she wore had the face and horns of a dragon, and on her back were tiny wings that flapped adorably whenever she moved.
“Raaawr!”
Of course, the fluffy, snow-white Jaina didn’t look threatening in the slightest—if anything, she was irresistibly cute.
But Hilvenzia, matching the spirit of the bizarre festival, pretended to be frightened.
“Oh dear, fearsome dragon! Please, spare my life!”
Hilvenzia’s role was that of the princess captured by the dragon. Normally, she only wore monochrome, but today she was dressed in a soft mint-green dress that swayed prettily with every step.
“It’s been fifty years since I last wore a pastel dress,” she thought.
Of course, the only reason she wore it so willingly was because Jaina had picked it out for her.
But Jaina wasn’t done yet.
“Lady Hilvenzia, something still feels missing. It looks kind of similar to before.”
“Then what do you suggest, Jaina?”
“I think…”
Jaina stepped up behind Hilvenzia.
At that moment, Hilvenzia’s expression cooled instantly.
Turning her back to someone was dangerous. Having faced numerous life-threatening situations, she reacted sharply whenever anyone approached from behind.
But Jaina didn’t know that—she just blinked innocently, dragging her soft dragon tail behind her.
“Lady Hilvenzia, how about braiding your hair?”
“……”
“Your silver hair is so pretty—it would look lovely no matter how it’s styled. If you’ll allow it, I’d like to try.”
When Hilvenzia nodded, a pair of small hands began moving carefully through her silky strands.
Jaina managed to make neat parts even without a comb.
Then, in a slightly excited voice, she said,
“This is actually the first time I’ve ever done someone else’s hair.”
Even without seeing her face, Hilvenzia could sense how focused she was. Slowly, she allowed her sharp instincts to relax and closed her eyes.
“It’s been a very long time since someone touched my hair.”
“Really?”
“Actually… it might be the first time.”
Hilvenzia had always been one of the most sensitive alchemists alive—a trait that helped her in both battle and research.
Even on formal occasions, when she had to ask maids for help, she never let anyone touch her hair.
“Somehow, your touch makes me sleepy.”
“You can’t sleep yet, Lady Hilvenzia.”
But the hands brushing through her hair were so soft—warm and delicate like cotton candy.
“Jaina, do you happen to want something sweet right now?”
Unfortunately, the cotton candy stand hadn’t opened yet.
So, in the meantime, Hilvenzia decided they would explore the other stalls first.
“Lady Hilvenzia, wait a moment! I want to buy something.”
Jaina ran off and came back with a flower crown.
She said that since Hilvenzia didn’t have a royal crown, a floral one would do for now.
“The princess look isn’t complete without a flower crown.”
Compared to Hilvenzia’s wealth, Jaina’s savings were practically nothing.
Hilvenzia wanted to stop her from spending money, but she couldn’t—because she knew exactly why Jaina wanted to buy it.
‘She’s so thoughtful… it’s adorable.’
Watching Jaina carefully count out her coins before handing them over made Hilvenzia’s heart soften.
Afterward, the two enjoyed shaved ice with syrup and fruit, followed by bite-sized steak pieces.
“It’s delicious!”
Of course, Jaina’s small stomach wasn’t satisfied with such light snacks.
So they went to another stall and bought spicy red chicken skewers.
Even as she fanned her tongue from the heat, Jaina happily devoured them one after another—then washed them down with fruit juice from the next stand.
“Five more, please.”
A moment later:
“Five more, please.”
And soon after—
“Actually, make it ten.”
The stall owner gaped in shock.
“Are you… really human?”
Hilvenzia had expected such a reaction.
But this was Jaina—who could eat to her heart’s content at the Magic Tower. There was no reason for her to hold back here.
“Well, that’s just part of Jaina’s charm,” Hilvenzia said sweetly—completely smitten.
To make sure the shopkeeper didn’t say anything foolish, Hilvenzia quietly released a killing aura.
—If you value your life, keep your mouth shut.
The terrified vendor stammered, “R-right! Such… an adorably inhuman customer you are, miss!”
When the man resumed cooking, Hilvenzia turned back toward Jaina, who was chewing happily.
Chomp, chomp.
Her round, soft cheeks puffed up as she ate, and Hilvenzia couldn’t help but think—
“She looks just like a baby hamster.”
At this point, Jaina had collected a zoo’s worth of nicknames: squirrel, calf, tadpole, chick, and now hamster.
“It makes me happy to see you eat so well.”
“…This is a secret, but…”
Jaina rarely broke her rhythm while eating, but this time she leaned forward seriously, as if she had something important to confess.
Hilvenzia tilted her head closer, and Jaina whispered softly into her ear:
“Still, Lady Hilvenzia’s cooking is the best.”
Her face was as expressionless as usual, but a faint blush bloomed on her pale cheeks.
“Of course, the taste is great—but more than that, I can feel how much you care about me.”
“Is that so?”
“Really! Even your omelets are always made with the ingredients I like best—mmph!”
Hilvenzia chuckled softly, finding her irresistibly cute. Then she gently pulled Jaina into her arms.
“Lady Hilvenzia? You’re squishing me!”
The warm weight, the round little head, the small, toasty body—it all felt precious.
“Thank you, Jaina. Hearing that makes all the effort worth it.”
Smiling warmly, Hilvenzia took Jaina’s hand and began walking again, slowing her stride to match the girl’s shorter steps.
Pat-pat-pat.
Following beside her, Jaina puffed her cheeks slightly.
“Lady Hilvenzia, why don’t I grow taller?”
Hilvenzia squeezed her hand gently.
“Then I’ll make you even tastier, more nutritious meals so you can grow.”
Jaina waved her plush dragon tail playfully in thanks.
“Should I give you one of my tail pieces as a present?”
“If you’re going to give me something, why not give me all of you?”
Hilvenzia’s eyes curved slyly, and she pinched Jaina’s soft cheeks.
“Our Jaina’s so cute—I could just eat you up.”
“Eep! Bite the wrong dragon and you’ll need dentures!”
Laughing, Hilvenzia poked one of her cheeks again.
“At my age, dentures wouldn’t be strange. That might not be a bad idea.”
After wandering for a while, Hilvenzia suggested they change into another outfit.
“Jaina—or perhaps I shouldn’t call you that right now.”
When she saw the new outfit, Hilvenzia couldn’t help but gasp.
“Miss Tomato, how does it feel to be among humans today?”
This time, Jaina was dressed like a tomato—wearing a red dress shaped like the fruit, with a green-stem beret perched on her head.
Her short, twin-tied hair stuck out adorably to the sides, and the round red skirt puffed up like an actual tomato.
Every time she walked, it bobbed up and down—
Boing, boing.
—and Hilvenzia thought, once again, that there might be nothing in this world cuter than Jaina.
