“Of course not.”
After a brief silence, Finihiya’s voice resumed, soft and gentle. “Darlian-sama hardly restricts any of my freedom. If I were to remove this sole Magic Collar, don’t you really think I might suddenly disappear…”
“I trust you.”
“Uh!”
“That might sound strange. We’ve only known each other for a short time, and haven’t fully understood one another, yet I just feel that Miss Saintess is someone I can trust and feel at ease with.”
Her words faltered slightly, then she confirmed softly in a low voice.
“Miss Saintess is so beautiful. You wouldn’t betray my trust, right?”
Finihiya turned her face away silently without responding.
Darlian didn’t mind—after all, the words were meant teasingly, partly to playfully provoke Finihiya.
Alright!
Of the three Binding Spells within the Magic Collar, two had already been broken. Only one remained before she could finally remove this heavy collar.
Just as she prepared to hasten the final removal, a faint, pleasant fragrance wafted into her nostrils, one that brought a deep sense of comfort.
The scent, reminiscent of lavender, was not unfamiliar—it was emanating from the Saintess right before her.
“Darlian…”
At that moment, Finihiya, who had been quietly looking downward, suddenly lifted her face.
Their eyes met at close range, and Darlian clearly felt the sweet breath escaping from Finihiya’s cherry-red lips.
The unexpectedness of this moment left both of them stunned for a brief instant.
Finihiya then silently turned her face away, her delicate profile as fair and smooth as freshly poured milk now faintly flushed with a shy blush.
Watching Finihiya’s embarrassed and awkward expression, Darlian found herself inexplicably affected and couldn’t help but show a trace of her own bashfulness.
Come to think of it, what exactly had Miss Saintess applied to herself? How could she smell so incredibly good?
Lost in these wandering thoughts, Darlian effortlessly broke the last protective barrier of the Binding Spell within the collar.
Crack!
With a sound like stone splitting, the iron collar broke into two halves, falling onto the grass below under the pull of gravity.
Perhaps sensing the discomfort around her neck was gone, Finihiya turned her head back again.
Her slender, pale fingers gently caressed the spot, as if confirming the sensation.
A strong sea breeze rose, carrying Finihiya’s hair—seemingly sweet-scented—fluttering in the wind.
“Thank you…”
Perhaps the unique atmosphere created by the soft moonlight lent sweetness to Finihiya’s words.
Lowering her gaze to those tender cherry lips, Darlian stepped forward slightly, shortening the distance between them.
She inclined her head and gently pressed her forehead against Finihiya’s.
In the midst of Finihiya’s surprised and puzzled gaze, Darlian’s exquisitely shaped lips curled into a playful, intriguing smile.
“I trust Miss Saintess so much… I wonder if you have any kind of reward for me.”
The face that had been beaming with a smile stiffened instantly at her words.
Finihiya’s expression turned wary and subtly uneasy.
“…I knew the Demon Lord wasn’t that kind-hearted.”
At the Saintess’s accusation, the smile deepened without a word of denial, and she smoothly continued.
“Can I ask for a small favor?”
“Miss Saintess, if it’s too difficult for you, you can refuse.”
Finihiya bit her lips two or three times, hesitating, but finally spoke in a soft voice.
“What favor?”
Seeing Miss Saintess relax, Darlian’s smile broadened and she spoke gently, as if coaxing a child.
“If possible, I’d like you to call me by my name.”
“…My name?”
“Without any honorifics like ‘-sama’.”
“Is that really Darlian-sama’s request?”
“Mm.”
Finihiya pursed her lips, seemingly thinking it over, then responded timidly, “Calling you just by your name… I think that’s too forward…”
“Too forward?”
Darlian raised an eyebrow, surprised by this answer, then countered.
“What’s so forward about it? In terms of status, Miss Saintess is not my servant, nor am I your subordinate. And in terms of rank, you are the Saintess of St. Margaret.”
“Our statuses are equal; there’s no such thing as being too forward.”
“But…”
Seeing Miss Saintess still hesitant, Darlian’s smile softened with a gentle warmth.
“I’ve told you before—I don’t have many friends. Let’s just get along well, Finihiya.”
She knew Finihiya was easily swayed.
So, despite Finihiya still biting her lip and wearing a troubled expression for a long moment, in the end, she couldn’t resist Darlian’s words and nodded quietly in agreement.
“Sis… Darlian.”
That shy, intimate way of addressing her was something Darlian had never heard before. The sweetness of it made her shiver involuntarily.
Immediately, her smile grew even gentler because of that sweet voice.
Her hands slipped around Finihiya’s slender, soft waist, and she embraced her lightly.
“Then we’re friends now.”
As she held Finihiya, Darlian suddenly noticed the pure, flawless skin of her neck, delicate as a freshly bloomed lily, tinged with a faint blush.
“Why is your face so red?”
Feeling as if she’d been caught in a tender spot, Finihiya lifted her head, her long eyes meeting Darlian’s directly.
“That’s because Darlian-sama…”
“Hm?”
“That’s because you suddenly hugged me like that.”
“Eh—” Darlian’s expression shifted subtly, dragging the last syllable, “It’s your face that’s too sensitive.”
With those words, Darlian tightened her embrace slightly, pulling Finihiya closer until their bodies almost fully touched.
“Isn’t this kind of hug normal between girls? It’s a sign of a close relationship.”
Seeing Finihiya lower her head in silence without replying, Darlian quietly gazed at the petite, adorable figure before her, a faint smile returning to her lips.
“…Could you stop hugging me like this? It feels hot.”
After a while, Finihiya, still with her head lowered, seemed unable to endure the closeness any longer and softly spoke to remind her.
“But I feel cool and comfortable.”
“That’s because you’re transferring all your heat to me. Your body is very warm.”
Slightly scolded in such a small voice, Darlian could only helplessly loosen her arms.
The summer night swayed gently.
The moonlit sea, glowing with a pale silver light, sent foamy waves washing ashore, then receding quietly with a soft “shh” sound.