After leaving them with lifelong regrets, they were liquidated at their doorstep

< A >

Chapter 24: The Stand-In Puppet for You

After that bath, the three-day festival came to an end.

The kingdom returned to its usual bustle, the city orderly, as if nothing had changed from before the festivities.
For Althea, days were filled with handling post-festival matters, sneaking time to study the tome’s solution, and listening to bedtime stories from her beloved—a typical routine.

Althea might be swamped, but Tina was bored out of her mind.
Her world was confined to the palace. The initial novelty had worn off, and even the freshest surroundings grew dull over time.

She only saw Althea before bed, spending the rest of the day alone.
Maybe out of curiosity about Althea’s supposed solution, or just to cure her boredom, Tina decided to use her witch’s craft to carve a puppet and send it to Althea’s side.

This puppet could act as her stand-in, relaying everything it saw, heard, and felt directly to Tina.
The downside? It wasn’t like a recording crystal that played back later—it was real-time sensory feedback.

If Althea did anything weird to the puppet, Tina might crash from the overwhelming sensations.
Still, she trusted Althea would handle it carefully. If Althea really wanted to mess around, Tina wouldn’t have the energy for this project anyway.

“Let’s see, how do I do this?”

Following her memories, Tina jotted down the materials and methods, then set off to find Everett.
The Great Sage’s tower had the tools she needed, and she could use an idle helper.

Knock, knock, knock—
This time, a maid opened the door, not a man.

“Huh? You live here now?”

“…” Isha shot her a deeply resentful look.

“Whoops, sorry about last time. Curious how it turned out?”

“I got beat up.”

“Just a beating? That’s not bad.” Tina felt relieved for her.

A beating was fine—other punishments would’ve been worse.
“What were you expecting?”

“Nothing! Take me to Everett. I’ve got business with him.”

Up on the second floor, the Great Sage was still engrossed in potion-making.
“Don’t you think he looks kinda cool when he’s focused?” Tina asked.

“Nope.”

“Ugh, boring.”

No progress at all?

Finishing his task, Everett finally had time for them. “What’s up, miss?”

“I need you to help me brew some potions.” Tina got straight to the point, handing over her notebook.

Everett read it, thoughtful.
“I can make these, but… they’re not for drinking, are they? More like for a puppet.”

“Sharp as expected, Great Sage. I’m making a puppet to give to Althea.” Tina didn’t hide her plan.

“You’re practically a stalker.”

“Hey, watch it! I’m giving her this to make her happy. Besides, whatever we do is our business—just help me out.”

“What’s in it for me?”

“Hm, I’ll put in a good word so Althea renovates your tower?”

“That’ll do.”

Everett got to work. Reward or not, he just wanted her sincerity.
Before a one-way mirror, Tina carved special wood, shaping it after her reflection.

Even for a small puppet, it took time.
For five days, she visited the tower daily, continuing her work.

Althea asked what she was doing during the day, and Tina only said she was preparing a surprise.
Today was the final day. The puppet was nearly done—compared to her face, it was hard to spot differences.

Everett’s potions were ready yesterday. All that remained was coloring the puppet and adding the desired effects.
“Empathy potion, in. Reinforcement potion, in. Potency potion, in…

Huh, what’s this pink one? I don’t remember ordering it. Eh, in it goes.”

Tina dumped all the potions on the table into a vat, then tossed in the magic-dyed puppet.
After an hour of soaking, it had absorbed all the effects.

“Not bad for me.”

Tina held up the puppet, admiring her work in the sunlight.
It lacked some finesse, but for a beginner, nailing the form was impressive.

Sadly, Everett and Isha were out, or she’d have shown it off.
That evening, the tower’s master returned from gathering materials, noticing a missing potion.

“Wasn’t there a pink failed batch? Where’d it go?”

“Huh? I thought it was fine, so I left it on the table,” Isha replied.

“You… oh no. That one had strong side effects. Whatever, she’s used it. Let’s eat.”

Meanwhile—

Tina hid the puppet behind her back, waiting for Althea in their room.
“Hm? You seem really happy today, Tina.”

“Is it that obvious?” She tried to play it cool.

“Of course. You can’t hide that excited look.”

“Hehe, close your eyes, Althea. When I count to three, open them.”

“Alright, I’m curious what you’ve got for me.”

Althea shut her eyes, her quickened breathing betraying her excitement.
Tina watched, ensuring Althea couldn’t see, then carefully revealed the heartfelt gift.

It was hard to imagine a queen so dignified with her subjects being this obedient and gentle—exclusively for Tina, a privilege only she held.
“Three—two—one, ta-da!!!”

Althea opened her eyes.
Before her was a lifelike puppet, almost identical to Tina.

“I spent five days carving this. It’s for you!”

The girl held the smaller puppet, the size contrast amusing.
“When you miss me, look at it. If you’re bored, talk to it—it might respond.”

Althea took it like a treasure, examining it closely.
Tina tested the empathy function, seeing Althea’s face through the puppet’s perspective—a success.

But then—
Althea couldn’t resist pinching the puppet’s thigh.

Tina’s body went limp, hands trembling on the bedframe.
“Huh? You okay?”

“N-nothing…”

Althea kept going, touching the puppet’s waist, neck, arms, and head, clearly enamored.
“Thanks, Tina. I love it.”

“Hah—phew—g-glad you like it…” Tina’s brain was nearly fried from the sensory overload.

Can’t hold on.
“Excuse me, I need the bathroom.”