Chapter 79: Cheating!

Ailiya stood frozen, staring at her open palm—paper—in disbelief. She whipped her head toward Sylvie, her only witness, desperation in her eyes. Sylvie shook her head apologetically, her clear gaze conveying a stark truth: she’d detected nothing unusual.

What?! I meant to play rock! Did my body betray me? A chilling thought gripped her. Magic! Some sinister spell controlling my body! But she dismissed it. No magic can manipulate fingers so precisely without chants, mediums, or arrays—it defies magical laws!

Her mind raced, grasping for clues. Medium… wait… Her gaze dropped to the ominous leather collar around her neck, its cold weight pressing against her skin. Realization hit like ice. This collar! It’s the trap’s core!

“You cheated!” Ailiya grabbed the collar, yanking futilely, glaring at Liliane. “You used magic!”

“Magic?” Liliane spread her hands, her smile infuriatingly innocent. “Did you see me cast anything, Ailiya?”

Ailiya faltered, speechless.

“And you, Sylvie?” Liliane turned, smiling. “Did you see anything?”

“N-No…” Sylvie shook her head, voice faint. “No magical fluctuations from Lady Liliane at all.”

“See?” Liliane’s smile widened. “A lady honors her bets.”

Before Ailiya could react, Liliane stepped forward, snapping the silver chain onto the collar’s ring with a crisp click. Its cold weight settled, extinguishing the light in Ailiya’s eyes, leaving only despair and overwhelming shame.

Sylvie gasped, covering her mouth, unable to process the bizarre, intimate act. Ailiya, unable to bear Sylvie’s shocked, pitying look, buried her face in her hands. “Don’t look at me, Sylvie… please…”

Liliane gripped the chain’s end, and for a fleeting moment, a faint black magical glow flickered along it, unnoticed. A surge of dread flooded Ailiya. She dropped her hands, opening her mouth to demand what Liliane had done to the chain, but instead of words, out came—“Woof?”

Ailiya froze, eyes wide as bells, her mind blank. What… did I just say?

“Oh, I forgot to mention,” Liliane said, relishing Ailiya’s reaction, her voice sweet as if sharing a secret. “The collar and chain are a set. Wear them, and you’ll only make… adorable sounds.”

Ailiya, disbelieving, pointed at Liliane, face flushed with panic and fury, trying to speak. “Woof! Woof woof!” Not a single human word escaped.

“Well, Sylvie, we’ll take our leave,” Liliane said, tugging the chain to urge Ailiya along, offering Sylvie a graceful smile. “My Ailiya and I have much to do.”

Under Sylvie’s stunned gaze, Liliane led Ailiya away, leaving behind a tragic, receding figure and a despairing “Woof…” fading in the breeze.

Liliane guided Ailiya down a quiet capital street, her steps purposeful, unlike the earlier public spectacle. Ailiya, drained of resistance, trudged along, eyes dull, limbs limp, like a broken puppet, her soul burned out.

Liliane steered her into a clean alley, deftly tying the chain’s end to a metal lamppost. “Sit here, don’t move,” she said, patting Ailiya’s head like a pet. “I have business to attend to. I’ll be back soon.”

As Liliane left, Ailiya lunged at the chain, tugging desperately. Enchanted, it held firm, unyielding. Defeated, she slumped against the cold post, hugging her knees. The collar’s bell jingled faintly with her movements.

Bored, she traced circles in the dirt, occasionally glancing at the alley’s entrance with a pitiful, helpless pout, both pathetic and oddly endearing.

“Ailiya?” A familiar voice called.

Ailiya’s head snapped up. Sylvie peeked from the alley’s corner, cautious. “I was delivering vegetables to Aunt Lina and her daughter Maya…” She approached, holding an empty basket, shyly. “I was worried, so I came back to check on you.”

Ailiya’s eyes welled with gratitude. She tried to say “Thank you,” but—“Woof!” Sylvie blinked, then mimicked uncertainly, “…Woof?”

Something snapped, and Sylvie’s shoulders shook, her hand clamping over her mouth as stifled giggles escaped. “Woof! Woof woof!” Ailiya barked furiously, mortified. Sylvie, unable to hold back, leaned against the wall, laughing until tears formed. “Okay, okay…” she gasped, wiping her eyes. “Don’t speak, Ailiya.”

She picked up a clean stick, handing it to Ailiya. “Write with this.”

Ailiya grabbed it, and Sylvie’s expression turned serious. “Ailiya, I find this strange too. Lady Liliane wouldn’t do this—she’s noble, revered, not someone who’d collar her maid like this.” She looked at Ailiya earnestly. “Don’t you think it’s odd?”

Ailiya scribbled fiercely: Of course it’s weird!

Her sudden warmth at the training grounds felt off. It’s not her.

I thought maybe her illness weakened her, but no—this isn’t her!

Sylvie gasped softly, reading the words. “You noticed so early?” A hint of envy crept into her voice. “You really know Lady Liliane well.”

Ailiya scratched the ground dismissively, writing: Anyone working with her a few days would know.

That cold, friendless workaholic who only cares about duty, suddenly slacking and smiling at everyone?

She paused, jabbing the stick for emphasis, then drew a mocking smiley face.

Hehe~ Impossible.