Iris stepped out of a fancy white carriage. Her creamy attire shimmered with the soft morning light, though not too much that it blinded the passersby. She adjusted her summer hat and untangled her silky hair before turning around. Ludmint, in her dark-shaded clothes, came out of the carriage and took her hand.

Five days had passed since they returned from the cottage.

While Ludmint almost got crushed by her overwhelming work, the result of her owing favours and skipping work to spy on her beloved, Iris peacefully went about with her plan. She spent her time drafting new research papers, sewing the tattered Cloak of Destiny Obscurity, and experimenting with her powers. And in her free time, she stayed beside Ludmint, helping with the experiments.

Only today did they go out together once more.

“Porcelain Doll Museum,” Iris said. “I wouldn’t have known about it if you hadn’t told me. Despite its majestic appearance, it unfortunately suffers a fate of obscurity.”

“Few people like porcelain dolls, especially when they have little commercial value and are less pleasant than their fluffy wool counterparts.” Ludmint shook her head. “Only the collectors and the enthusiasts will come to this place. Though it’s a pity, it also makes this place comforting.”

“Have you ever run here to escape your work?”

“If only I could stay here forever.” Ludmint coyly tilted her head. “But you, Iris, you can stay by my side forever.”

“An artisan can make a lifelike doll. You can have that version of me.” Iris smiled and then frowned. “Nevermind. I forbid any making of my likeness into a doll.”

“Please don’t tell me you’re jealous.”

“What you’ll do unto the doll concerns me.” Iris took a step away from Ludmint, but she didn’t go too far, for her hands still clasped Ludmint’s. “We should hurry. I want to see the masterpiece of the ancient past.”

Iris and Ludmint paid the entrance fee and entered the museum. They passed through the tall marble gate, admiring the carving on the walls and foundational pillars. The reflective floor, made of slate tiles, gave off a mystique aura that highlighted the airiness of the museum, the time capsule in which antique articles resided.

A few guides led their curious tourist groups toward the first exhibit, which revealed many basic porcelain wares. Although they were ancient and broken, the glimmer representing the mastery of the craftsmen lingered on their impeccable shells, echoing the pride of those lost through time.

Iris also observed the exhibit, with Ludmint mostly watching Iris and Iris mostly examining the dolls. The guides’ concise narration of the history of porcelain dolls soothed the two, who already knew the detail due to their profession and hobby.

“Is this different from your field of study?” Ludmint said. “Were you an adventurer or a researcher?”

“I merely read a few more books than others. But technically, I can be qualified as a historian. I did explore multiple ruins.”

“But now you are both. A respectable researcher and professional explorer. I’m proud to be yours.” Ludmint poked Iris’s face. “Your body is like these dolls, national heritage. I wonder how you craft yourself.”

“I looked at a Goddess and moulded myself after her.” Iris grabbed Ludmint’s finger. “This is a museum for porcelain dolls, not me. We’re going to be late for the meeting if you don’t hurry.”

“We can afford a few minutes of relaxation, especially with your dressing so sweet.”

“I cannot afford to be late for my first meeting. And if I am, I’ll tell them whose fault it is.” Iris let go of Ludmint’s finger and slanted her head, smirking. “It’ll be my honour to witness their disciplining you.”

Ludmint’s eyebrows twitched. “My power and status within The Court are comparable to theirs now. They can’t just bully me whenever they want!”

“Your hands are shaking, Dear.”

“I’m excited to meet them. That’s all.”

Giggling, Iris walked out of the first exhibit. She dragged Ludmint, despite who tried her hardest to waste time, deeper into the museum, where more and more complete dolls were stored. They gracefully posed with the natural air enveloping them, displaying their profound emotions.

If not for their rigid gestures and unnatural colours, they would have resembled living beings.

Following the signs, Iris arrived at an arch entrance screened by a golden-rimmed red curtain. Above it hung a polished sign titled “The Doll Theatre.” Iris took out her pocket watch and nodded at herself. She wasn’t late.

“Why are you so insistent?” Iris turned to Ludmint.

“They usually come late, and they normally don’t do anything.” Ludmint shook her head. “But they always bully me, even though I’m not the weakest nor the youngest. You must comfort me a lot, Iris, and don’t ever agree to their requests!”

“What requests?”

“Any kind of abstract favours. Once you owe them, they’ll work you until you lose your strength and collapse into their arms. Even the Demons aren’t as cunning as them!”

“Your words alone aren’t enough for me to make an accurate judgement.” Iris tightened her grasp on Ludmint’s left hand. “I’ll walk you through your trauma, so please don’t behave too erratically. If you can’t do it for your sake, do it for mine.”

Ludmint gasped. “You . . . you’ll have to reward me handsomely, lovingly, once we get back.”

“Then, a small deposit first.” Iris leaned toward Ludmint and kissed her cheek. She flashed a smile and, before Ludmint could savour the taste, walked through the curtain, pulling the dazed Ludmint with her.

Most seats within the Doll Theatre remained empty. On the stage, multiple porcelain dolls dressed in various attires, each radiating their unique temperament, posed with confidence, shyness, anger, and surprise. They slowly, gracefully moved their limbs with the help of the translucent strings attaching their bodies to the darkness above.

Not to distract the focused viewers, Iris leaned on Ludmint. “Where is the meeting? Please don’t tell me we’ll meet up on the stage.”

“Your beauty is only for us senior members, not for any outsider.” Ludmint lifted her head. Her eyes locked onto a particular balcony suite. “The meeting will be held in the VIP lounge. Let me guide you.”

Ludmint led Iris through rows of seats and a side door and ascended a spiralling staircase. With the red carpets softening the steps, the lanterns illuminating the way, and the cold winds regulating the temperature, the lounge’s atmosphere resembled a luxurious corridor worthy of the wealthy and the powerful.

Iris followed Ludmint past unoccupied rooms before stopping in front of the room whose blurred glass door glowed orange, painted by lantern radiance. A muffled conversation, composed of two feminine voices, seeped from the gap between the door and the floor.

Upon hearing their carefree and merry tone, Ludmint tensed up.

“Inside are those you’re eager to meet.” Ludmint swallowed the air. “Don’t forget my warning, and please don’t take their sides.”

“I’m your fiancée.”

“Oh, Wifey. I love you!”

Iris reached forward and pushed the door. Her Corruption Power seeped into its crystal surface, and the door swung open. The conversation, whose content evaded all outsiders, cut off. Chill air gushed out, mixed with the silence of the hallway, and caressed Iris as if they were pairs of experienced hands.

“Greeting, everyone,” she said. “I’m Iris Goodwill, the youngest senior member of the Court of Indulgence, appointed by the Court Founder herself. It’s my honour to meet all of you!”

Iris bowed while Ludmint stayed behind Iris, squeezing her taller figure to hide behind her beloved. “Ludmint is here too.”

“So you are Iris,” a cold, distorted voice resounded. “For the Court Founder to appoint you, you must be of the highest quality. How is she, Ludmint?”

Ludmint shivered. “She’s the loveliest, and she’s my fiancée. Please keep that in mind.”

“Oh, our little Ludmint is rebellious today.” The voice crackled. “Come in, Iris, Ludmint. You’re earlier than a few of us.”

Iris raised her head. Her eyes took in the candlelight and made out a thin, transparent membrane separating the inside and the outside, weaving illusions for those without magical mastery or Corruption Power. Although Iris couldn’t see through the formation, she could guess the identity of its creator: The Court Founder.

“Please forgive my rudeness.” Iris held Ludmint’s shaky hands and entered the room. Her vision twisted, and the suite revealed its true form.

Unlike the luxurious red hallway, the suite, lit by candles on chandeliers, was ancient and dreary. Its walls enclosed the living space like all-consuming darkness, separated from light only by the beautifully dressed porcelain dolls.

These lifeless puppets sat beside each other, stood with one another, and leaned onto their friends, their dull eyes unblinking, their stiff bodies unmoving. Their pale, otherworldly appearances brightened when light landed on them, giving off a ghostly aura, as if their slumbering souls were awakening.

In the middle of the lounge, there was a long meeting table, with exquisitely restful seats arranged for all senior members. Except for the seven empty seats, the rest had porcelain dolls sitting on them. The two talking senior members were the two dolls who turned their delicate heads to Iris and Ludmint.

“Are you . . . dolls?” Iris glanced at Ludmint.

Ludmint blushed. “I . . . forgot about that. The dolls house their projections. Those who can’t leave their areas will attend the meeting this way.”

“Are the porcelain dolls that mystical?” Iris observed the two dolls before she realised her tactlessness. “My apology, Madams. I didn’t mean to stare.”

“These bodies are merely dolls of our tastes made manifested. You can stare at us. And we don’t mind being stared at.” One of the dolls, a short little girl in a black-and-white gothic Lolita dress, said. “You’ll get your own soon. But you might not get to use them if you decide to stay in Donhalgen with our sweet Ludmint.”

“Will the doll be of my likeness?”

“Do you think I look like this?” The Lolita touched her face and smiled. “You can request any changes so long as it’s reasonable. Parmin wouldn’t mind, and if she did, you could always pay her in pleasure.”

Iris lowered her head. “May I know your name, Madam?”

“Did Ludmint not tell you? It seems she’s been forgetful. Do you need me to discipline her?”

“I didn’t forget!” Ludmint perked up. “It’s better for Iris to learn about you all in person. I don’t want to ruin her first impression with my bias.”

“That’s our cute Ludmint, always bursting out with strength.” The doll laughed. “Allow me to introduce myself: I am Mecalia Klocea, a Clockwork Lady, a Condensation Phase Monster Girl, and Ludmint’s former mentor.”

“It’s my pleasure to meet you, Lady Mecalia.” Iris curtseyed.

“Call me Mecalia. I assume Ludmint omitted her relationship with me too.” Mecalia chuckled. “When she first came to The Court, she was merely a Metamorphic One. We of the older generation took great care of her.

“Under my teaching, she overcame her limit and became a powerful Condensed One. And now, she’s reached our height and gotten herself an endearing bride.”

Iris gasped and looked at Ludmint, who reluctantly nodded. “She was indeed my master. If not for her mastery over time, I might not be able to cross the barrier of the Condensation Phase. For that, I’m forever grateful.”

“Shouldn’t you repay my gratitude with love and affection?”

“I’ve done enough, and it’s because your intention is impure.” Ludmint turned away. “You took me in because you want to experiment with the time magic, and . . . and because you want to toy with me!”

“You’ve learned from me well, little Ludmint.” Mecalia waved at Iris. “She also took you in, didn’t she? Is it for your safety? How lovely.”

Ludmint wanted to retort, but her excuses failed to convince herself. Her master had taught her well indeed.