Hearing this, despite the immense reluctance in her heart, Irose could only raise her arms stiffly under the demon’s supervision, as if pulled by invisible threads.
The nightgown was shed from her shoulders, the silk fabric bringing a shiver as it slid over her arms. At this moment, only her thin underwear remained on her upper body, appearing almost translucent in the morning light.
She instinctively wanted to wrap her arms around herself, but as soon as her hands moved, she felt a gaze as heavy as a physical weight. Irose looked up to meet her eyes, only to see Eliana wearing a gentle smile.
In Irose’s eyes, this smile was a warning, as if to say: ‘I dare you to try covering up.’
The girl shuddered, and her arms dropped involuntarily…
At this moment, Eliana’s gaze finally fell upon the girl’s smooth and beautiful back. Even with the maid standing behind her, Irose felt that gaze was like a physical entity, tightly enveloping her and making it nearly impossible to breathe.
The other woman’s fingertips moved slowly down the line of her spine, hovering over the small ribbon tie at the back.
Just when Irose thought she would untie it immediately, Eliana’s hand stopped, and her nimble fingers began to toy with the bow.
“Miss, your heart is beating so fast~”
Eliana’s voice carried a hint of teasing.
“Is it because the person you like is changing your clothes that you’ve become a bit shy?”
“Uh…”
“Or… are you afraid of me?”
Eliana narrowed her eyes, and the fingers playing with the bow came to a halt.
‘Oh no, she’s suspicious of me!’ Irose was startled and reacted quickly.
“N-No, I’m just a little embarrassed…”
As soon as Irose finished speaking, she felt her breath suddenly hitch. The bow was gently pulled, the tie loosened, and Irose instinctively hunched over, trying to cosplay as an ostrich.
Eliana’s fingertips finally landed—extremely light, extremely slow. The movement was as gentle as a feather brushing across the smooth, jade-like back, stopping at the spot directly behind her heart.
Irose took a sharp breath; a short whimper escaped her throat before she bit her lower lip hard to swallow it back down. The girl closed her eyes tightly, trying her best not to imagine Eliana’s expression behind her. Her eyelashes trembled incessantly, and a layer of tiny goosebumps broke out on her skin exposed to the air.
The maid claimed to be helping her change, but Irose heard no rustle of fabric, nor did she feel new clothes being draped over her. There was only that gaze—that tangible gaze, slowly and inch by inch patrolling everything about her.
Time stretched until it nearly solidified; every second was filled with silent scrutiny and oppression.
After an unknown amount of time, cool fingertips touched her shoulders again, this time bringing a soft chemise. The fabric was pulled over her head, gently covering her body, but Irose did not relax in the slightest. Naturally, while being dressed, she could not avoid being handled wantonly by Eliana.
Sure enough, when reaching her waist, the maid’s hands were no longer touching lightly as before. Instead, they pressed firmly against her skin, following the waistline all the way down… as if to fully savor her young lady’s beautiful figure.
Once the clothes were changed, Eliana took a step back, her gaze sweeping from head to toe as if admiring a meticulously decorated work of art. A subtle curve hooked the corner of her lips.
“Miss, perfect.”
‘Is it really perfect?’ Irose bit her lower lip, revealing a look of resentment and humiliation where Eliana could not see.
‘Eliana! I will remember this humiliation. Just you wait!’
As if to relieve the gloom in her heart, Irose walked to the window and opened it. But as soon as she did, she froze for a moment. Why were the people on the distant streets all wearing white robes?
Wait, it seemed today was the Holy Spirit Festival. There should be activities at The Church on such a sacred holiday!
Thinking of this, Irose felt much lighter. She had a way to fix this bastard demon now. Just then, Eliana leaned over, blocking the view outside the window.
“Miss, what are you thinking about?”
The demon’s lips still held that smile, making it impossible for Irose to guess her motives.
“Nothing… Eliana, do you want to accompany me for a walk?” Irose asked, temporarily summoning her courage.
“Of course, Miss. Where do you plan to go?”
“It’s the Holy Spirit Festival. Why don’t we go check out the Church? There are probably activities there.”
As she said this, Irose’s voice trembled slightly. She was terrified that Eliana would discover her ill intentions. There would surely be Exorcism Tools and exorcism professionals in the Church; perhaps she could get rid of Eliana there. Now, she was only afraid that Eliana would refuse to go with her.
Sure enough, the moment she said those words, the air solidified. That suffocating feeling that had only recently vanished seemed to shroud her again, and Irose’s breathing grew slightly rapid. Seeing that Eliana still hadn’t answered, Irose turned her head slightly and asked in an inquiring tone.
“Eliana?”
“Ah, my apologies, Miss. I was miles away. You said you wanted to visit the Church, right? Of course, that’s no problem.”
Eliana responded with a slight smile.
Eliana’s consent was too straightforward, even carrying a hint of excitement. This cast a thin mist of unease over the hope that had just risen in Irose’s heart. Was the demon not afraid of the Church? Or… was she simply fearless because she had nothing to dread?
But the arrow was already on the string. Irose suppressed her doubts and tried to make her voice sound light and natural.
“T-Then let’s head out.”
Stepping out of the manor, the festive atmosphere hit them. The streets were swarming with people, and nearly everyone wore a white pointed soft hat symbolizing the protection of the Holy Spirit, with the brim decorated with a Holy Cross pattern. The air was thick with the warm scent of griddle cakes, spices, and candlelight, while the ethereal hymns of a choir drifted from the distance.
Irose walked in front while Eliana followed half a step behind. This resulted in Irose appearing distracted the entire way; she could feel a gaze on her from start to finish.
The Church was located on the highlands north of the royal city, a magnificent building with soaring spires and stained glass. The closer they got, the more monks and nuns in white robes and solemn-looking clergy they encountered.
Irose’s heart could not help but speed up, and cold sweat seeped from her palms. She stole a glance at Eliana beside her; the latter looked perfectly normal, even eyeing the lifelike Angel statues at the church entrance with great interest, that curve at the corner of her mouth unchanged.
‘Something’s wrong… she’s too calm.’ The unease in Irose’s heart expanded. This was not at all the reaction a demon should have when entering a church!
In front of the Church, a Bishop dressed in luxurious sacrificial robes was presiding over a ceremony. Below the stage, the area was packed with kneeling, devout believers. The sound of low prayers intertwined with the solemn music of the pipe organ, creating a holy and grave atmosphere.
Right beside them sat a Confessional. Irose checked her pace, approaching the Confessional bit by bit while maintaining a normal expression.
‘As long as I tell them Eliana is a demon, they will never let it slide!’