I'm A Doll, But The Tyrant Is Obsessed With Me

────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────

Chapter 36

“There is the Holy Pope in our kingdom. The Holy Pope promises to always stand by the Empire’s side…”

“What kind of power would a Pope without divine powers exercise?”

“There are still many believers and followers on the continent. This is no small thing.”

The continent follows a god called Rohim. However, the priests’ divine power had decreased over time, and currently, they had disappeared altogether.

The denomination was powerless, and the number of its members decreased daily.

The only country that maintained the faith was the Ielro Kingdom.

Probably because it was where the Great Hall of the Pope was located.

“I’m slowly getting tired of this.”

Andre’s face suddenly darkened.

He had been gleaming with anticipation, but now he was suddenly trembling with anxiety.

The Duke sitting next to Andre also looked impatient.

Mason just sighed and seemed to ponder how to deal with the situation.

“Your Majesty, are you going to keep doing that?”

In the end, I came out because I couldn’t stand to see it.

“What did I do?”

Declan turned his head towards me and spoke bluntly.

‘I can’t beat this.’

Andre and Duke Heather were relieved a little when they saw his regard shift to the doll.

“It looks like you’re trying to provoke a war by arguing, am I wrong?”

Declan averted his gaze and smirked.

You’ve already made a decision, and you’re probably doing this not to belittle the Ielro Kingdom.

Even if you don’t have to, you’re already lying blatantly.

“Why are people so twisted?”

“Are you blaming me now? It wouldn’t be any good.”

Declan raised one corner of his mouth sternly.

“… If you keep coming here, I’ll leave the palace!”

As I turned my head to the other side, I heard a sigh from the back of my head.

“Can’t you just watch over me? You said you can understand what I mean.”

I turned my head slightly at the slurred tone, and saw Declan with his mouth shut.

He looked like a sulking child, and I smiled before I could stop myself.

‘Hey, who else would comfort this tyrant if it weren’t for me.”

The high ground is right before me, but I can’t give up.

“Your Majesty, if you finish this agreement well, I’ll go inside the doll and dance. Or do you want me to sing a song?”

“I’ve seen the dance before, and I listen to the song every day.”

“Then what do you want?”

“Will you do what I want?”

His green eyes began to sparkle in a different way.

“Let’s, let’s hear it first.”

He thought for a moment with a dissatisfied expression, then raised the corners of his mouth.

That smile was quite sinister.

“Tightrope walk. It seems like it’ll be cute and fun.”

I crossed my arms and glared at him.

“Writing your name with your butt? That would be cute too!”

Declan smiled more widely as he imagined it. On the other hand, my expression was rotten.

“Ah, it’s okay to stand on the palm of your hand.”

Seeing my increasingly harsh expression, he lowered his eyes.

“If you keep playing around, you won’t have any more chances!”

“Then, there will be nothing but war!”

A loud gasp sounded from the front.

Probably by now Andre’s face was pale.

“I won’t even do lullabies in the future!”

“…that’s a bit difficult.”

Declan rubbed his chin and examined me seriously.

“Okay. I’ll be generous. With two dances!”

Declan smiled as he spread his two fingers. I took a deep breath and nodded my head.

Andre and the Duke blinked, wondering what the hell was going on.

“I’ll give Ielro a deadline of three months. In return for a peace treaty, prepare something that can convince me.”

He’s going to make a deal anyway, but he’s attaching conditions again.

“Don’t you like it?”

“Ah, no. That’s alright. I’m just impressed by the grace His Majesty has bestowed on us!”

Andre rushed out and bowed his head.

“Well then, I look forward to it.”

“Thank you.”

Blood returned to Andre’s pale face, and his stiff shoulders relaxed.

“I hope the journey back to Ielro goes smoothly.”

Declan’s final words were said as he walked out of the audience room with the doll.

He immediately went into the dressing room with Noah to change into comfortable clothes upon reaching his room.

“Excuse me, Miss Erica.”

When I turned my head toward the voice calling, Mason was directing his attention to the doll on the sofa.

I drew closer to see what he was about to say.

“Thank you. I know that it was all thanks to Miss Erica that His Majesty reserved the war.”

Although his expression was not bright, I did not see the confusion exhibited when he first encountered my existence.

“In fact, I still can’t quite believe that dolls have souls.”

I nodded my head to fully understand his feelings.

“But I don’t take the existence of Miss Erica negatively.”

Compared to Noah, he had a negative reaction, so I was worried inside, but I’m glad.

“Please continue to guide His Majesty on the right path!”

Mason bowed his head politely toward the doll.

I can’t believe the heir of the only three Duchys of the Empire bowed his head to a doll.

It meant that he cared for and worried for Declan.

“Please take good care of him. Please help His Majesty and me not to die!”

I went inside the doll and bowed to Mason to greet him.

Mason flinched for a moment as he saw the doll move, but then reacted calmly.

Meanwhile, returning to a simple outfit, Declan waved his music box at me.

“You haven’t forgotten your promise, have you?”

I stared at the music box as if to burn it.

“I do not change words like Your Majesty.”

I opened my eyes sharply with dissatisfaction.

“It’s not the same dance as last time, is it?”

Declan ran his long finger across the music box.

“I gave up on the war, show some sincerity!”

You want so many things.

I suppressed my irritation in fear that he would rescind his words.

“Then. Give me another piece of music.”

“I happened to come with a different song. Now, practice because Noah will play it for you.”

Declan turned away from me and beckoned to Noah.

“Put Erica in the bedroom and turn on the music box. Then come right back.”

“Isn’t it dangerous for her to be alone?”

Noah looked at Declan’s eyes and spoke up with courage.

“……I’m curious too.”

“What?”

“The way the Miss’ dances.”

As Noah looked into Declan’s eyes and spoke, his eyebrows rose upward.

“I think she’ll be so cute. Oh, aren’t you curious about it, Chief Attendant?”

“I’m fine.”

Seeing Mason shaking his head right away, Noah felt disappointed.

“Noah, will you go to the training hall together after a while? You have to improve your skills to follow the battlefield.”

Declan’s eyes gleamed fiercely as he smiled brightly.

As soon as Noah heard the word “skills,” he was astonished.

“Tsk, how long will you tremble like a sword?”

“You’re really too much!”

As he cried, Declan clicked his tongue.

“Hurry up and get Erica!”

Noah, who grew pale, bowed his head and took the music box.

“Lady, I’ll bring you.”

I laughed at the figure holding the doll because he was like a puppy with its ears down.

For a moment, I felt a stinging gaze on the back of my head, and when I turned around, Declan’s forehead was narrowed.

And why did he want me to go there? I just pretended not to know and headed to the bedroom.

“Is this something Miss Erica shouldn’t hear?”

Mason, recognizing Declan’s intentions, lowered his voice.

“Yes. I have a question for you.”

Mason waited nervously for his next words.

“How did you go about finding the puppet master? I think it’s taking too long.”

“I was going to report it anyway. I found him, but it will take some time since he is in a foreign country.”

“Do whatever it takes to get him here as quickly as possible!”

“Understood.”

“And.”

Declan paused for a moment without speaking.

“Find a way for the soul to become a person.”

“Yes?”

Mason had a puzzled expression on his face.

“I’ll ask the puppet master, but I have to prepare the next best thing.”

At those words, Mason stuttered his words unbelievably.

“Your Majesty. Excuse me, but are you in your complete mind now?”

As Declan made a displeased expression with his eyebrows furrowed, he hurriedly added.

“Because you’re saying nonsense… Is it because of Miss Erika?”

Mason tried to keep his voice as low as possible.

His face already had a look of surprise, though.

“I’m worried because I don’t know when Erica will disappear. She can leave me at any time.”

“She can’t completely leave the doll, can she?”

“I’m still worried.”

“…if Miss Erica becomes a person, wouldn’t she be more anxious?”

Declan seemed to ponder for a moment, then opened his mouth.

“At least I can hold onto her. Otherwise, I can lock her up.”

“Your Majesty!”

Mason raised his voice with an astonished look.

“Haa, I don’t know either.”

Declan let out a long breath as he buried his face in his hands.

“Your Majesty.”

Mason sadly called him.

“I know, I know. How absurd I am right now!”

“…..”

“What if Erica leaves?”

Mason’s face distorted painfully at the helpless question.

He was sure he wouldn’t be able to go back again.

The doll that doesn’t respond at all…

“I lost Chloe, too. If the girl whom Chloe loved disappears…”

“Did you need Miss Erica because of Chloe?”

At that question, Declan slowly raised his head to face Mason.

“The reason I couldn’t throw the doll away was because of Chloe.”

He muttered a little.

“… Declan, I’m talking about this as a close friend. If you continue with the same mindset as you show now, Miss Erica will eventually leave you.”

The green eyes trembled slightly at the mention of Erica leaving.

“So, take a good look at your heart. If you still feel the same as you expressed just now… I think it will be better the way it is.”

Mason left the room quietly, looking at him with the face of a lost child.

────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────