I Became a Childhood Friend With the Villainous Saintess

“It looks good on you. White has always suited you well.”

“Really? Then I definitely have to buy this.”

It was when I bought the pure white dress and hat.

As I picked out a couple more clothes that Isha might like, the shopkeeper approached me with a subtle expression, trying to lure me in.

Was she trying to make a sale because it looked like I was going to buy a lot?

If she said anything bothersome, I was ready to refuse immediately.

“Miss, would you like me to brush your hair? Just for a moment, why don’t you sit over there?”

“My hair? That’s not really necessary...”

“I’ll take full responsibility for making you look stunning. So much so that the gentleman with you will be shocked.”

“Razen... shocked?”

“Don’t you want to hear him say you’re beautiful? Let’s make it so he can’t help but say it.”

“Beautiful, you say...”

Before I knew it, I was following the shopkeeper to a chair.

At some point, two clerks had already started brushing my hair.

When I was young, the maids used to brush my hair every morning.

Warm water, towels, and fragrant oils. When the maid styled my hair, I would wander around the castle like a knight fully prepared.

At the cottage, I relied on Hena’s touch. After parting with Hena, I had to manage it myself.

In the forest, I didn’t have the luxury to care. Even after that, brushing my hair on my own was the most I could manage.

I had shown Razen my disheveled hair too many times.

Maybe that’s why?

Other men on the street would develop ulterior motives just by glancing at my face, but Razen had never shown such feelings towards me.

I don’t wish for my treasure to be like other men.

But what if it’s because I’m lacking in charm?

What if I can never appear as a woman in Razen’s eyes?

Just the thought of it was enough to make my heart ache.

The shopkeeper smiled warmly.

“Do you usually wear that style of clothing?”

“Hmm?”

“It seems you prefer calm and modest clothing. The clothes you were wearing when you first arrived were like that too.”

“I’m embarrassed to show too much skin...”

“Then you’ve hardly shown any skin to that gentleman?”

Showing my skin to Razen?

My head instinctively lowered.

It wasn’t that I entirely disliked the idea.

If another man saw my bare skin, I’d feel disgusted and uncomfortable, but if Razen were to see it, it might be different.

But I’m not ready for that yet. Just a little slower. So I can prepare my heart.

Prepare? For what?

Suddenly, my face felt hot. My heart started beating wildly, making me flustered.

I had no idea why I was feeling this way.

This has been the problem for the past four years.

I needed to make Razen fall for me, but whenever I stood in front of him with that intention, my body and heart wouldn’t listen.

No matter how determined I was, it only took a moment. My heart would crumble so easily, creaking like a broken doll.

“Well, that is to say...”

“Your reaction just now was answer enough.”

“Ugh.”

“Isn’t it actually a good thing? Men are weak to a woman’s transformation. I’m sure you’ll make him fall head over heels.”

The shopkeeper subtly signaled to someone.

In response, one of the clerks brought over an entire display rack.

“I picked out some items that I think would suit you. Would you like to try this one on first?”

It was a black evening dress, one that would fully expose my collarbone.

A type of dress I would never choose under normal circumstances.

I had always felt uncomfortable with revealing clothing, and I couldn’t easily wear anything that was difficult to move in.

“Just trust me this once. I’ve seen countless men and women here in Requitas. If there’s anything I understand, it’s a man’s heart.”

I couldn’t resist the witch’s temptation.

“Oh my goodness. You’re the type that looks slender when you put on clothes.”

“Ow, don’t touch!”

“I’m sorry. It’s just been so long since I’ve seen such a beautiful figure. And your skin is so smooth. Do you know this is the first time I’ve seen skin this flawless? There are so many women here in Requitas who make a living off their looks. How do you manage it?”

“Not, not really?”

“They say the world isn’t fair. You should probably avoid saying that anywhere else.”

The feeling of the underwear constricting my chest was slightly overwhelming.

I didn’t dare to look down at my own body.

Had it become a habit? Out of embarrassment, I kept wanting to lower my head, but I knew if I did, something I couldn’t handle would be waiting for me.

Where did it all go wrong?

I only intended to undress briefly to try on the clothes, but the shopkeeper suggested changing my underwear as well.

Since I needed to buy a few for Isha anyway, I made the mistake of agreeing to look at some.

I had completely forgotten that this place turns into a pleasure district at night.

So, among the underwear the shopkeeper brought, there were some that were so scandalous they made my head spin.

Even the other pieces weren’t exactly modest.

Provocative might be a good word for them—sensual lingerie was laid out in full display before my eyes.

The shopkeeper had even picked out a few she thought would suit me well.

I couldn’t allow this.

This was something I had to stop!

“Even if no one sees them, you should always pay attention to your lingerie. It’s like a woman’s secret weapon.”

“A secret weapon?”

“A face veiled in mystery is more alluring than one that’s openly visible. The same goes for lingerie. It might not be today, but someday, something unexpected might happen, and you’ll end up showing it.”

Her words brought to mind the Sanctuary in the forest. That rainy day in the cave.

My clothes had gotten soaked, and I had to hang them up to dry on one side of the wall.

Back then, I was so young that all I felt was embarrassment.

Looking back, I wanted to punch something—anything—with my fists.

Does Razen remember that day too? He shouldn’t. I’ll make sure he forgets it.

“When that time comes, the attention you paid to your lingerie will steal a man’s soul. It’s a mysterious place they’ve never been allowed to see before. They’ll be utterly captivated by you.”

“A-Are all men like that?”

“Of course. A hundred out of a hundred.”

I suddenly imagined Razen blushing. It wasn’t easy to picture, but the thought inexplicably lifted my spirits.

Once again, when I came to my senses, the lingerie the shopkeeper had chosen was already on me. It was a defeat, and calling it humiliating wouldn’t be far from the truth.

As I tugged down the hem of the black dress, I feared that the white flesh beneath might peek through.

On the way to meet Razen, I adjusted my collar countless times, worried that something might show.

Would I look strange?

Would he laugh at me, thinking I was being ridiculous?

If Razen reacted that way, I felt like I might cry, unable to keep my composure.

“H-how is it? Does it look a bit too revealing? With my shoulders exposed, it feels a bit bare... If you don’t like it, I can change into something else right now.”

What am I even saying? I’m talking too much.

Stop stammering and speak clearly. This isn’t like me.

But when Razen spoke, I couldn’t stop the smile creeping up on my lips.

“No. No, it’s fine. You look beautiful. It really suits you. Yes, it suits you perfectly.”

“Really?”

.

.

.

On the way back after buying the clothes, neither Razen nor I said a word.

But I was the one who reached out first, and as always, Razen took my hand.

That’s why it was so unexpected when Razen suddenly stopped.

We had just passed a plain bench. There had been no signs of what he was about to do.

“Sirien. Could we sit over there for a moment?”

“Huh?”

“It’ll just take a second.”

Razen knelt on one knee before me, pulling out a small red box from his pocket. 

The box was wrapped elegantly, immediately making it clear that whatever was inside was a gift.

No way.

No way.

My heart began to race.

“R-Razen?”

“I realized I’ve never really given you a proper gift before. It’s not anything too expensive, but I thought you might like it.”

From the box, Razen pulled out a beautiful bracelet, silver and red.

He gently took my arm, slipping the bracelet onto my wrist himself.

The sparkling bracelet looked surreal to me, as if it didn’t belong to this world.

Am I dreaming?

The happiness I felt was so overwhelming that it almost didn’t seem real.

Time seemed to slow down around me.

The people walking by, the gentle breeze brushing through the street—everything seemed to move in slow motion, as if to embellish my joy.

The bracelet Razen had given me sparkled in the sunlight. The rubies scattered across it looked like the most precious gems in the world to me.

I’ve never been one to flaunt my treasures. But right now, I wanted to shout from the rooftops, anywhere, everywhere.

Look at this.

The most beautiful bracelet in the world is on my wrist.

I wondered if I even deserved to be this happy.

I was scared that I might suddenly wake up, that this was all just a dream.

Please, if this is a dream, don’t let me wake up. Let this moment repeat forever, just as it is, in reality.

“I’m glad it suits you. Do you like it?”

“Hnn, hnnn… sob…”

Oh no, this was bad. I wasn’t supposed to cry.

My vision was blurring. I needed to capture every detail of this moment in my eyes, but now I was being foolish and crying uncontrollably.

Before I realized it, my body moved on its own.

Since it had come to this, I decided to embrace Razen and fully savor this moment.

The warmth of his body was the only thing grounding me in the reality of this moment.

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