The Doll Has a Name Chapter 4 - The Wild Doll

 

“I hate going to crowded places. Ballrooms, cafés, salons, theaters… Listening to all that meaningless chatter makes my ears feel like they’re rotting. I might blurt out something rude without even realizing it.”

“Sounds like the perfect training ground to build patience.”

“They never have normal conversations! It’s always things like, ‘Let’s exclude whoever’s fallen out of fashion from the next gathering,’ or ‘So-and-so from somewhere just completed their new feather hat collection!’“

“That’s just their style. You’ll have to get used to it, Herc.”

“Can’t we at least have constructive discussions? Like the life story of a hero who saved the world, or the adventures of a knight who defeated the Demon King?”

“What an admirably naive wish.”

 

Still spouting delusions and asking beginner-level questions like that?

She’s got a long, long way to go. How am I supposed to marry her off like this? Instead of succumbing to despair, Kise chose an intellectual escape.

 

“There’s a book on top of the dresser in my dressing room—about fifty pages long. I suggest you read it while I’m out.”

“What is it?”

“Court Etiquette for Beginners in High Society.”

 

Agh, good grief. Are you serious? I got past that stuff ages ago!

 

With a gentle push, Kise closed Herciana’s gaping jaw, then gracefully stepped onto the carriage footboard. 

 

Leaning lightly on the arm of the impeccably dressed Sir Moens, she fluttered her hand in a teasing wave.

 

“Wait, Kise!”

“Review is the mother of learning.”

“Hey!”

“The best study method for self-improvement.”

“You’re unbelievable!”

 

🫧

 

At 4 PM, having set off with plenty of time to spare, there was no chance of being late. 

 

The carriage-accessible area of the royal palace extended only as far as this clock tower.

 

Guided by the attendant who opened the carriage door, elegantly dressed guests were stepping out one after another. 

 

Slipping her arm lightly into Sir Moens’, Kise deftly joined the crowd.

 

The line of people, linked like a chain, headed toward the Mist Palace by the lake. Until the opera began at 6, they could freely converse and mingle with anyone in the central hall. 

 

A grand social gathering was about to unfold before her very eyes.

 

Kise lowered her eyelids, glancing over herself. Even to her own eyes, she looked every bit the noble. Clothes make the man—or in this case, the woman. Just by changing her outfit, she felt as though her status had skyrocketed.

 

That’s right. Today’s the day to act refined.

 

Turning her gaze to the side, she thanked Sir Moens for his trouble. He was always such a dependable man. So pliable for occasions like this.

 

“Thank you. It must be bothersome, yet I always end up indebted to you.”

 

A noble couldn’t attend such an event alone—without a partner, without a chaperone.

 

Doing so would be like reserving a front-row seat for public humiliation, fodder for gossip for at least three years. No one in their right mind would dare.

 

“Not at all. It’s mutually beneficial for both you and me. But…”

 

“Yes? Please go on.”

 

“Don’t you think your stride is a bit… aggressive right now?”

 

“…”

 

Kise gradually came to a halt. Blinking rapidly, she stood frozen in mild embarrassment for about three seconds before resuming her steps as if nothing had happened.

 

“I must’ve unconsciously mimicked someone’s aggressive walk after following them for so long… My mistake. I’ll correct it.”

 

“Are you feeling alright?”

 

“Delightful.”

 

“…”

 

“What a beautiful night.”

In many ways, she was truly remarkable. 

 

A fleeting hint of that energy crossed Sir Moens’ eyes. The beautiful noble lady and her courteous knight escort stepped onto the carpet and gracefully flowed into the hall.

 

As they entered, the booming voice of a servant announced the daughter of some marquis’ family, followed by a fanfare of trumpets that flooded the eardrums.

 

“Ugh, her blush is the same shade as mine!”

“Black hair? Why isn’t she wearing a blonde wig? Too expensive, perhaps?”

“Her waist is slim, but the proportions seem a bit off.”

“That dress really doesn’t suit her skin tone.”

 

And so, it began the moment they stepped in.

Welcome, congratulations! This was high society’s way of greeting—a cascade of highly personal, private judgments from head to toe. 

 

Kise responded with a smiling glance of gratitude. Beside her, Sir Moens muttered something like, ‘My lady, I’m terrified,’ but Kise simply withdrew her arm from his with a, “See you when we leave.”

 

“You must crave some freedom, too. Do enjoy colorful conversations with the lovely ladies here.”

For a moment, he seemed concerned about leaving her alone, but then he quietly slipped away. 

 

Probably planning to hide in the garden or balcony, or someplace like that. Even though she was being left alone, Kise didn’t stop him. She believed suffering was best done solo. 

 

And generally, such frugality was a virtue.

 

With the natural air of someone searching for a drink, Kise first headed toward a cluster of women gathered nearby. She maintained a bright posture and expression. 

 

With no allies around, she had no choice but to act on her own. 

 

It couldn’t be helped.

 

As she approached, the conversation they were having became clearly audible.

 

“I’m careful about what I drink, too. My body gains weight so easily—even from just water. Especially right below my arms here.”

 

The topic was quite intriguing. If she really gained weight from just water, perhaps this young lady was an astonishing psychic. 

 

Or more likely, she didn’t just drink water—she drank water too.

 

“You gain weight from just water? Pfft, don’t be ridiculous, Lady Lucia. Water has zero calories!”

 

Oh, so they weren’t as friendly as they seemed. This is why you shouldn’t judge people by appearances. 

 

Sensing the beginnings of internal conflict, Kise quickened her pace.

 

“No, who says that?”

 

“Who says that? Famous people, that’s who!”

 

“So, which famous people, exactly?”

 

“It was in some journal! An academic one!”

 

Pressed to name the journal, the young lady who claimed water had zero calories was immediately put on the defensive.

 

The crowd focused on her lips—some with skepticism, Kise with anticipation.

 

“I mean, how am I supposed to remember every little detail like that?”

 

Tsk, how disappointing. 

 

So it was just half-baked knowledge. Her expectations crumbled like a sandcastle.Though she couldn’t hide her disappointment, Kise also felt a pang of sympathy for the girl’s futile effort.

 

But one person’s crisis is another’s opportunity. 

 

Seamlessly, she slipped into the lull in conversation caused by the mistake.

 

“It’s Nutrition Journal. The August issue featured research on water. It was such a big topic that they even ran a special feature.”

 

Doesn’t anyone remember? Kise smiled brightly as she glanced around the room.

 

“Pleased to meet you. I’m Herciana Darein.”

 

Darein. 

 

The moment she appeared, certain glances swiftly darted around, and they began exchanging furtive looks among themselves.

‘What’s that reclusive socialite doing here?’—that’s what they must be thinking. As if it isn’t obvious. I can see right through you people.

And that’s not all. 

 

Every person within a five-meter radius of this group immediately pricked up their ears in our direction.

What a perfectly surveilled society. 

 

Kise almost felt like applauding. The kingdom thrives on mutual accusations and spying among nobles, advancing relentlessly day by day.

 

“That’s right! Nutrition! That’s what I was going to say!”

After a brief awkwardness—no, something even more cringe-worthy than that—the introductions and exchange of names passed, and the conversation about water resumed.

 

“See, I was right, wasn’t I, Lady Luchiar?”

‘You claim you gained weight just from drinking water? That’s a lie.’ 

 

The young lady of House Lucia, now on the defensive, widened her eyes. The argument showed signs of quietly spiraling into mudslinging.

 

Frankly, Kise quite enjoyed watching these kinds of tense, petty fights. But since she was now part of this circle herself, she suppressed her amusement and stepped in with an elegant mediation.

 

“Perhaps Lady Lucia simply mistook tea for water. But tea and water are fundamentally different, you see. Drinking tea can actually cause bloating. You must be quite the tea enthusiast, my lady?”

Go on, say yes, you fool. I’m throwing you a lifeline here.

With a gaze both gentle and stern, she directed her words toward Lady Lucia. No noble would ignore a helping hand when it’s right in front of them—and the effect was immediate.

 

“Oh my, how did you know? I live on rosemary tea. They say it’s good for women.”

“I thought as much.”

 

That’s right. It’s all useless and meaningless. 

 

They did help, but no matter how I look at it, it’s disgusting. And I just remembered—this is the same girl who earlier insulted me, saying my waist-to-ratio was trash.

In the narrow confines of her mind, a mischievous impulse flares up instantly. She tries to soothe herself, thinking, ‘Just let it go,’ but the devil is already whispering in her ear, ‘Hey, hey. Come on, wouldn’t it be a waste to just let it go? You’ll probably regret this moment for the rest of your life!’

Wow, what a delightful dilemma. What should I do? 

 

After a perfunctory moment of feigned distress, Kise gently takes the young lady Lucia’s hand with a sweet smile.

“You say your body feels heavy just from drinking tea—you must have been under a lot of stress, my lady. But I can’t help worrying that perhaps it’s not the rosemary tea, but something else, causing it.”

“That could be true.”

“Yes, so how about from today onward, you try drinking only tea?”

“…What?”

“Stop consuming all other food and just drink tea. Oh, this isn’t a bad thing. Using your own body as an experiment is something even scholars do from time to time. Let’s observe the changes in your body while you drink only tea. I’m very curious about the results myself.”

Humans are highly civilized beings.

“If you drink only tea and still gain weight, if your body truly swells—then, my lady, you must rush to the academic district without hesitation. You’d be born with an astonishing physiological ability. A perfect research subject. I’m truly excited.”

Humans are capable of spitting venom with a smiling face. And they are also highly socialized.

“Hoho, hohoho…! Thank… you… Lady Darein.”

Even though she knows full well it’s sarcasm, she must still smile like this.

“Don’t mention it.”

Could she maintain her smile after yet another elegant jab? Kise concluded with a challenging smirk.

The moment she brought the glass of clear wine to her lips, a faint ‘gulp’ sound was heard. 

 

Mistaking it for the sound of a savory snack, Kise elegantly took a sip.

“Refreshing.”

Getting revenge for the slight wasn’t all that difficult.