Chapter 9
“Welcome!”
A clear bell rang as I stepped into the shop, holding the opening of my pocket bag tightly shut with one hand.
The doll shop owner recognized me and hurried over.
“Well, if it isn’t the famous Lady Blandiche! I’ve only heard rumors about you!”
“Ah, haha…”
Those rumors probably aren’t good ones, are they?
I scratched my cheek awkwardly.
The owner clasped his hands politely.
“What brings you here today?”
“I’d like to look at some doll clothes.” For a male doll.”
I pointed toward the outfits displayed on one side.
He led me to the rack.
“How big is the doll? Did you bring it with you?”
“Ah, no. I didn’t.”
But the moment I answered, the pocket wriggled.
Startled, I quickly said,
“I’d like to browse in peace, so please step away!”
“A-Ah, yes! My apologies!”
The shop owner hurried back toward the counter.
As soon as he disappeared, I opened the pocket slightly.
‘Your Grace, are you alright?’
I mouthed the words.
Lishid removed the hand covering his nose and frowned.
‘It smells. Don’t close it.’
He enunciated each word clearly.
I lowered my eyes apologetically.
If I had known, I would’ve washed the pocket bag too.
‘Guess I need to buy a new bag today.’
It’s unbelievable I have so much money but no proper bag.
When I asked Jenis before, she told me nobles shouldn’t carry things themselves—it lowers their status. Apparently, I didn’t need a bag.
Who said that?
Airel Blandiche.
Anyway, I hadn’t planned to bring him along at first. But after the Duchess barged into my room, I had no choice.
If she had searched my room while I was gone, that would’ve been a disaster.
Especially since—
“What was that sound just now? It almost sounded like something breaking…”
When the Duchess turned back at the door, I nearly died of fear.
Before her gaze could drift toward the wardrobe, I quickly stood up.
“I—I’m sorry! My stomach’s been upset this morning…!”
I clutched my stomach and forced an awkward smile.
An icy silence followed.
Thankfully, she left right away, holding her nose.
“Such disgraceful behavior first thing in the morning.”
She looked at me with open contempt.
So in the end, I had to bring the Grand Duke in my pocket.
I slipped my hand inside and took out the floral pajamas he handed me.
‘Let’s see… the size…’
The display rack was full of doll outfits.
I compared the pajamas to the clothes on display, holding them up one by one.
But none of them felt quite right.
‘Well, the Grand Duke’s proportions are too good for an actual doll.’
I glanced at Lishid, who had peeked his head out curiously, and let go of a jacket with sleeves that were too short.
It seemed I had no choice but to call the shop owner.
However—
“I—I’m sorry, but I don’t believe we carry clothes in this size…”
He returned the floral pajamas carefully.
The next store was the same.
And the one after that.
No matter where I went, there were no clothes that fit Lishid.
‘How is that even possible?’
After crossing out the final shop on my list, I let out a sigh and sat on the edge of the plaza fountain.
As I rubbed my tired legs, people who recognized me quietly moved away, leaving the area empty.
‘What am I, a walking bomb?’
I felt a little wronged—but then gave a bitter smile.
“Your Grace… shall we rest for a bit?”
At least I could speak freely now.
Lishid poked his head out of the pocket.
“Already? We haven’t even bought my clothes.”
“I’m sorry. I think I overdid it yesterday. I’m exhausted after walking this much.”
“My lady is truly…”
He shook his head and slipped back into the pocket.
His small voice came from inside.
“How far have we walked for you to tire so quickly? Your tenacity is quite revealing.”
What did he just say?
‘I wouldn’t be this tired if I were in my own body!’
I clenched my fist before slowly lowering it.
He holds my life in his hands.
Smile. Just smile.
“Haha… you’re right…”
When I answered weakly, he seemed to give up and asked,
“How many shops are left?”
“Well… about that…”
I couldn’t bring myself to admit we had visited them all.
There were no more stores to check. And no clothes that fit him.
It was time for the last resort.
“Your Grace.”
“What.”
“That designer is coming later today… would you consider letting them measure you?”
I asked carefully, testing the waters.
The floral pajamas I made were loose, so they couldn’t serve as a proper sample.
He answered immediately.
“No.”
“…”
“Would you want people to see you like this? Who knows what rumors would spread?”
His voice was cold.
I flinched.
Even though it wasn’t really my fault, this curse was still something Airel had commissioned.
“Airel Blandiche. If there truly are no clothes that fit me, you’d better say so honestly. I despise lies the most.”
He emphasized the last words.
“Even more than crying.”
I see…
Your Grace hates lies the most…
I felt cold sweat trickle down my back.
I remembered confidently shouting yesterday that I’d take care of everything.
Why did I boast like that?
Maybe I was too tense this morning. Bringing him out in my pocket didn’t help.
If I had come alone, I would’ve calmly searched, bought materials, and tried making clothes myself.
But being constantly on edge about someone discovering him drained all my energy.
“Haa…”
I let out a long sigh.
The pocket shifted slightly. I looked down and saw his red eyes staring up at me.
“…I’m sorry, Your Grace.”
Feeling guilty, I slowly reached out my hand toward him—fully expecting him to avoid it.
But unexpectedly—
Lishid placed his hand gently on my finger.
“Your Grace…?”
I froze at the warmth on my palm.
He leaned out of the pocket and smiled faintly.
“Then I propose a deal.”
His tone was surprisingly light.
“A—A deal?”
“I will pretend to be a doll and allow the designer to measure me. However, make it clear that no one is to touch my body. You will stand beside me the entire time.”
Wow!
“Really?!”
I nodded eagerly.
“Yes, yes! I promise! Then let’s go eat something first! I heard there’s a good restaurant nearby—”
He cut me off.
“In exchange, you will take me to the imperial banquet.”
“…Excuse me?”
My mouth fell open.
The imperial banquet…
‘He means his own welcoming banquet, doesn’t he?’
Was that in the original story?
I tried to recall.
In the novel, Lishid never attended the banquet.
Edwin escorted Seria, who had just been appointed saintess.
Exhausted from her first banquet, Seria slipped out to the terrace, where she ran into Edwin. Under the moonlight, the two shared a romantic moment.
That banquet episode mainly highlighted Edwin and sparked jealousy in Lishid later.
‘So why does Lishid…?’
Then it hit me.
The original story had already changed.
‘From the moment I kidnapped the male lead!’
Which meant—
‘I can’t rely on the original plot anymore. I can use the information, but the flow itself has shifted.’
I swallowed.
I had expected changes, but facing them this early felt strange.
I had no way of knowing whether this would benefit me or doom me.
Still, I had to choose the best option in front of me.
‘I must not upset him. I have to become his perfect ally.’
The difficulty level of my survival just went up.
I quickly nodded.
“Alright. I’ll do it.”
But this time, he objected.
“However, not in a pocket like today.”
“Huh?”
