“I’m not crazy, you know? I’ll turn you into a human. The newly appointed Pope will come to the village himself to participate in the festival and give blessings to people. And I found out that the Grand Temple security will be loose because they have to escort the Pope. We just need to sneak down to the underground and drink the holy water during that time.”

“That sounds even crazier. I have no desire to become human.”

“Why? Are you going to live forever as a nutcracker doll that no one pays attention to?”

“I don’t mind. I like being a doll. I have someone else I need to protect.”

Jayden answered firmly, saying there was nothing more to discuss.

Seemingly shocked that he would refuse so immediately, Leo’s eyes grew wide as he processed the answer. He even jumped up, raising dust.

“What? Don’t tell me you found a doll you like?”

“Yes.”

“Congratulations! I thought you’d live alone forever since you never showed interest in anyone. Who is it? Introduce me next time.”

Leo made a big fuss, clearly pleased as Jayden immediately confirmed it.

“What introduction? It’ll be lucky if she doesn’t faint at seeing you as a human.”

Knowing that she had been terrified of humans since that incident he saved her from two years ago, Jayden waved his hand dismissively.

“But that’s all the more reason you should become human, right? You could be sold at any time if you stay in the store. Instead of that, wouldn’t it be better to become human and live together? If you want, I’ll bring that woman along too.”

“No.”

Jayden absolutely could not involve Larien in such dangerous matters, not only the process of becoming human but also having to fight in a war afterward.

Finding a way to go to the Land of the Dolls would be much safer.

“Don’t be like that, think about it some more. And even if you don’t become human, should I first take you and your girlfriend to my house? Then you won’t have to be separated.”

“That kind of offer is always welcome. However, so far the owner has been telling customers that Larien is not for sale.”

Of course, it would be nice to go to Leo’s house together with Larien now, but Jayden believed that even when leaving, it was right to pay the proper price.

“Larien? Your girlfriend’s name is Larien? That’s a pretty name. Not as pretty as our Clara, but still.”

Jayden, who had been displeased hearing his lover’s name from another man’s lips, finally relaxed his stiff expression upon hearing the latter comment showing Leo still only had eyes for Clara.

“I’m going to the countryside with Clara for a week starting tomorrow until the day before the festival. Her grandmother is unwell. I’ll come find you on the festival day, so discuss it between yourselves until then. I’ll try to persuade the owner that day. If you agree, I’ll take you both to my house right then. How about it?”

Jayden thought that if, for whatever reason, they wouldn’t sell Larien, he would have no choice but to borrow money from Leo to leave the store. Apart from becoming human, his friend’s house would surely be safer than the store. Clara was also kind-natured and would surely cherish Larien.

“Alright, let’s do that.”

“What does she look like? Describe her.”

As soon as he agreed, Leo asked with shining eyes.

“She’s a ballerina doll. She’s in the center of the display case. You’ll recognize her right away — she has silver hair brighter than moonlight and eyes many times more beautiful than amethyst. If you do take her, please put her in the same box as me. And don’t touch her directly.”

Jayden listed the precautions with a stern face.

“Hahaha. You’re no different after all.”

Leo burst out laughing, seeing his friend who was clearly in love. The laughter spread through the previously quiet surroundings.

“Then I’ll see you that day, Jayden. I hope you’ll think positively about becoming human too.”

“Don’t get your hopes up too much.”

Leo waved and walked away.

Jayden jumped down from his box and spoke toward a tiny branch that would be difficult to see from a human’s perspective.

“Stop hiding and come out, Larien.”

Rustle.

Along with the sound of leaves being stepped on, a trembling Larien revealed herself.

Seeing her wearing only a ballet costume with just one blanket draped over her shoulders, Jayden quickly jumped over and put his jacket around her.

“Why did you come out in the cold? And you’re scared of dark places, aren’t you okay?”

“I’m fine. But how did you know I was here? I hid pretty well.”

Larien wrinkled her nose, which was red from the cold, and pouted her lips. Jayden lifted her up and carried her into the store while whispering in her ear.

“Your scent, your presence, even your tiny footsteps — how could I not know when they’re all engraved in my mind?”

At his embarrassingly honest answer, Larien buried her flushed face in his chest.

Back in the attic, Jayden held her tightly and wrapped her in blankets to warm her up. Though she hadn’t been out long since she came when the conversation was wrapping up, Larien’s body had become cold in that short time.

When he placed her cold hands on his chest, Larien looked up at him intently. Seeing her gaze that seemed to hold many words, he let out an ‘ugh’ unable to hide his discomfort.

How much of his conversation with Leo had she heard?

“Jayden, do you like me?”

“Of course.”

Thankfully the first question was easy to answer, and he nodded with relief. But he couldn’t do the same for the question that followed.

“Then why didn’t you tell me? That friend came to the store earlier today and asked to meet separately, right? Do you know how anxious I was thinking someone might buy you, and that I wouldn’t know about that?”

Her small lips pushed out in a pout.

“I’m sorry. I couldn’t bring you along since I didn’t know what kind of conversation it would be.”

“Still, you could have told me beforehand. Instead of sneaking out.”

“I’m really sorry. I was short-sighted.”

Jayden lowered his head and apologized sincerely.

“Then I’ll forgive you, so let’s become human now.”

Larien spoke as if she had finished contemplating during that short time.

“What do you mean?”

In contrast, Jayden wore a dumbfounded expression. He didn’t understand Larien’s ready agreement to become human and blinked his eyes.

“I heard everything you two were saying. We can become human too, right?”

“Larien, that doesn’t seem like a very good idea.”

He immediately shook his head.

“Why not? We can’t keep living in anxiety forever. I don’t want to spend each day enduring while worrying about who might be sold first and when.”

“Still, that’s too dangerous. It would be much better to live as dolls at my friend’s house as we are.”

“How long do you plan to rely on others? What if something suddenly happens to that friend? He’s talking about revolution or whatever too, right? I don’t want to live watching an hourglass that gets emptier every day.”

Larien’s words weren’t wrong.

But still, taking her to the Grand Temple? Who knows what dangers there might be.

Hah…

Jayden rubbed his face repeatedly with a tired expression before parting his lips to try persuading his lover.

“Larien, listen well. It’s not that I haven’t looked for ways for us to be together. I’m looking into ways to go to the doll country too. Even if not that, I’ll eventually find a safe place where we can live.”

He would find a way to be with Larien no matter what. There must be a way without doing dangerous things.

Right now, finding the mouse king who had gone into hiding and having a final duel if needed — Larien’s safety was most important.

“No. Just becoming human is the fastest way. And a good opportunity has come up, right? The Grand Temple security will be loose and everything. If not now, it might be impossible forever.”

“Larien.”

“Do as I say, Jayden.”

“I can’t…”

“Then I’ll go alone. I’ve decided, so don’t look for me until you change your mind.”

Cutting off Jayden’s words, Larien went down from the attic so quickly he couldn’t catch her. Though he urgently followed, given the tumultuous atmosphere, Jayden couldn’t grab her right away even though she was within reach.

That night, for the first time in a year, Larien went to sleep in her original place instead of their nest. He spent all night pacing in front of it waiting for her.

“Larien, did you fight with Jayden?”

Just before sunrise, when she walked toward the display case ignoring Jayden standing guard at the door, Anne carefully asked.

“No.”

“Yeah right. Right now rumors are spreading all through the store. People are saying you two broke up.”

“What?”

How could such rumors start when it had only been a few hours since she separated from him? Larien wore an incredulous expression.

No wonder the surroundings seemed restless.

“The porcelain dolls were happiest seeing Jayden alone. Be careful, Larien. There are still many dolls targeting him.”

Anne pointed to the pale dolls placed on the opposite display shelf.