Chapter 07
A few days later.
“Merrily! When will the toy I ordered last time arrive?”
While turning the pages of her book, Serina asked Merrily, who was cleaning her room.
“I asked about it earlier, but there are many orders piled up. They said they haven’t even started on yours yet. It might take a few more days.”
“Really…? They’re always fast, so I thought it would arrive soon.”
Ugh, what a shame. My perfect plan is getting delayed.
Serina looked gloomy. Seeing this, Merrily gently spoke while dusting.
“The longer you wait, the more special it becomes. The quality might be better, or there could be something extra.”
“Is that so…? Still, faster is better.”
“You’re good at waiting, Lady Serina. And the princess won’t run away.”
Merrily smiled softly.
‘Huh? Suddenly?’
Ah, does she think I made the hairdresser game to get close to the princess, and that I ordered toys for that reason?
If she misunderstands like that, it works out perfectly for me.
“You’re right, Merrily. The princess won’t run away!”
For now.
I’ll make her leave on her own later.
Even small things become annoying if they’re repeated, and people eventually notice!
Serina smiled innocently.
“Then I’ll let you know as soon as the toys are finished.”
After finishing the cleaning, Merrily gathered her tools and left the room.
As soon as the door closed, Serina shut her book and jumped onto the bed.
“Sigh… it feels like a waste to just sit around doing nothing.”
She wrapped herself in the blanket and rolled around.
After thinking for a long time about what to do, she couldn’t resist the warmth and comfort of the blanket and eventually fell asleep.
A few hours later.
Creeeak— step, step.
Someone entered the room.
Thud— something heavy was placed on the table.
“Mmm…”
What is it? Who is it? I still want to sleep.
Feeling the presence, Serina woke up. Just as she was about to fall asleep again—
“Miss! Lady Serina, if you sleep more, Merrily will scold you!”
Maron urgently shook her awake.
‘Merrily? Merrily?!’
Ah— am I going to get scolded again for sleeping?!
She nags even more than Mom! No! I don’t want to hear it!
“Merrily! I wasn’t sleeping!”
Startled by the imagined flood of nagging, Serina jumped up.
“Is Merrily really that scary?”
Maron laughed loudly, teasing her.
Still half-asleep, Serina looked around and relaxed when she saw only Maron.
“What…? Maron, why did you wake me?”
She rubbed her eyes, her voice slightly irritated.
“Ta-da! The toy you ordered has arrived!”
“Really? They said it would take a few more days!”
“Hehe. It was Merrily’s surprise event. Look over there!”
Maron pointed to the table.
Several wrapped packages were stacked on top.
‘…Huh? Why are there so many? Did I order this many scissors?’
Seeing Serina confused, Maron explained.
“You remember ordering toy scissors because you wanted to play hairdresser, right?”
“Of course! Do you think I’m stupid or something…?”
Serina puffed out her lips and burrowed back under the blanket.
“Hehe, of course not. A hairdresser doesn’t only touch hair, right? So Merrily ordered extra toys too!”
Maron smiled brightly and lifted the blanket.
“Merrily did? Then why didn’t she come?”
Serina asked with wide eyes.
“She went to escort the princess. She said you’d want to use the toys right away as soon as they arrived.”
“Ohhh, I see. Then she’ll be here soon?”
That’s great. It means I don’t have to wait anymore. Merrily really knows me well!
But still— what else did she order?
Excited, Serina jumped off the bed and began opening the boxes one by one.
The first box contained the toy scissors Serina had ordered.
‘Wow. They’re even better than I expected?’
They were clearly made by a famous craftsman—colorful enough for children and shaped just like real scissors.
“From here on, these are the toys Merrily prepared herself. Aren’t you excited?”
“Yes! I hope it’s makeup.”
‘I always thought Mom dressing up looked fun. She becomes even prettier than usual.’
Everyone always stopped her, saying makeup was too harsh for her young skin.
“Wow! It really is!”
Serina cheered as soon as she opened the package.
Just as she hoped, the remaining boxes were filled with makeup—though they were toys.
Seeing Serina so happy made Maron feel proud for no reason.
Serina quickly read the instruction sheet.
It said the makeup was made from non-toxic natural materials and could be washed off easily with water.
‘Oh! I can be mean with this too.’
If I say I’m doing her makeup and ruin her pretty face, she won’t be able to control her expression, right? I’ll mess with her using this first, before cutting her hair!
Serina eagerly waited for Helia to arrive.
As if responding to her wish, the door creaked open and Merrily entered with Helia.
‘Wow…’
Is she eating something different? No… she eats the same things as me now.
Without realizing it, Serina admired Helia’s beauty.
Ahem— clearing her throat, Serina regained her senses and looked at Merrily.
“Merrily, thank you! I really love the gifts!”
“You’re welcome, my lady. I’ll step out so you can play comfortably. Call me if you need anything.”
Merrily smiled warmly and left with Maron.
“Princess, thank you for coming! I really, really wanted to play hairdresser with you!”
“No, thank you for inviting me, Serina.”
Helia smiled gently.
“May I be the hairdresser? I’ll make you really, really pretty!”
“Of course.”
As soon as Helia agreed, Serina picked up the makeup.
“Then, customer, we’ll start with skin prep. Please look this way.”
She held Helia’s cheeks to position her face. Seeing her dazzling beauty up close, Serina’s mouth fell open.
Realizing she was about to ruin such a perfect face made her hands tremble.
‘B-but I have to do it!’
Serina roughly brushed over Helia’s face.
‘At least I’ll use weird colors!’
Since it washes off easily, this much should be fine!
She carefully colored around Helia’s eyes with black—a color hard to pull off.
But sweat made her lines crooked.
‘I worked hard, and it’s black—she’ll look like a panda, right?!’
Serina checked Helia’s face.
Surprisingly, it matched perfectly with her cat-like eyes and pale skin.
‘…This color suits her?’
How is that possible? This makes no sense.
‘Then what about this?’
Serina added another color.
After enthusiastically “ruining” the face, she wiped her sweat proudly.
“It’s finished, customer!”
She handed Helia a hand mirror and stepped back.
After Helia checked her face and lowered the mirror, Serina examined it closely too.
“The designer here is very skilled. I’m looking forward to how you’ll do my hair.”
Despite the messy work of a child, Helia was still beautiful—and she even praised her with a soft voice!
‘What… what is this?’
Serina was flustered by the unexpected reaction.
What looked like childish scribbles somehow resembled art.
‘I don’t think I’m talented… she’s just insanely beautiful, isn’t she?’
Maybe she’s not human but a demon or something! But she looks like an angel…
Knowing she had no crafting skills, Serina grew confused.
Anything she made usually broke or lost its shape—but Helia’s beauty remained untouched.
Serina started to find Helia’s beauty frightening.
“Th-then… I’ll touch your hair now! Please turn around!”
“Yes. Please take care of me.”
As Helia turned around, Serina picked up the toy scissors.
‘How should I cut it?’
Cutting too much… it’s such beautiful hair, it feels wasteful.
Right! Just a tiny bit! Even if it’s short or long, people get upset when carefully grown hair gets unexpectedly cut!
Serina nodded and gently touched Helia’s hair.
“Then I’ll trim the damaged parts first!”
She pretended to cut while secretly using wind magic to cut just a little.
But the blue gem decorating the scissors flashed, and she lost control.
The gem reacted to Serina’s mana.
The hair she meant to barely trim was cleanly cut into a bob.
‘Huh…?’
This isn’t right.
Panicking at the unexpected result, Serina quickly used water magic to make her eyes look teary.
“What should I do…? Princess, I cut your hair… I thought it wouldn’t cut because it was a toy… I’m sorry…”
The apology mixed fake tears and excuses—but her guilt was real.
Helia looked at herself in the mirror.
‘Now she’ll get angry, right? If you’re going to be mad, hurry up and show it!’
Nervous and excited to see Helia’s true feelings, Serina’s heart pounded.
But once again, the reaction was unexpected.
“Serina, it’s okay. Don’t cry. You seem talented—you cut it so neatly.”
“…R-really? You’re truly okay with it?”
“Of course. Don’t worry.”
Helia comforted her. Her calm expression didn’t seem fake at all.
‘Huh…? This isn’t right…?’
You’re supposed to get angry! Why are you okay with this?!
And short hair suits her too—what is this?!
Serina stared at Helia in shock.
Thinking Serina was still trembling, Helia gently patted her a few more times.
Only after confirming Serina had calmed down did Helia return to her room.
