Chapter 126: Walking Into the Trap

Covered in blood, going out like this would definitely arouse suspicion.

So after fastening the collar, Josuna took Peretti to bathe.

Even though it was a basement, the place was practically perfect—kitchen, bookshelves, bathroom… every facility imaginable. There was nothing Peretti could think of that Josuna hadn’t already prepared.

At this scale, it was obvious—she intended to keep Peretti here like a pet.

“Wait, I can wash myself,” Peretti quickly said, feeling the effect of the inert factors weakening slightly. She could finally bend her arms again.

“Oh? Big sister, are you joking with me? That’s really funny. Want to say it again?”
Josuna smiled without warmth, locking eyes with her as she tugged hard on the chain in her hand.

“N-no… nothing… you must’ve heard wrong…”
Peretti immediately backed down, kneeling obediently like a puppy that had done something wrong, letting Josuna touch her however she pleased.

“Big sister’s skin is really nice… it feels just like pudding.”

“Why are you so shy? Worried I’ll take advantage of you? Hehe, no need to worry—I already am.”

“So big… it must feel really soft when kneaded.”

All Peretti could do was clamp her chest tightly, preventing Feiye from revealing even the slightest trace.

Fortunately, Feiye had curled into a tiny ball. Even during the front-facing wash, nothing unusual was discovered.

As for Peretti’s unnatural behavior of pressing her chest, Josuna simply assumed she hadn’t yet adapted to having a girl’s body.

As for that… Josuna would make sure Peretti understood her “identity” soon enough.

Peretti had no way to resist.

Whatever poison Ming Tong’s group had used was too vicious—her magic felt completely frozen, unresponsive no matter how hard she tried to activate it.

After the bath, Josuna dressed her in a shamefully revealing princess dress that perfectly exposed the collar around her neck.

Standing before the mirror, Peretti could still feel the soft texture of the fabric brushing against her arms.

The hem of the skirt shimmered with tiny pearls, reflecting gentle light. Snow-white stockings clung tightly to her slender legs, making their lines appear even more straight and elegant. Paired with white shoes adorned with bows, every step carried a light, girlish grace.

The pink-white lace collar around her neck was the finishing touch. The delicate lace fit snugly against her skin, and a small pearl pendant rested at her collarbone, adding a touch of refined charm.

She looked exactly like a doll raised in captivity.

Which… wasn’t far from the truth.

“Going out like this… with a collar… is that really okay…?”

Peretti couldn’t help but think of herself as a princess captured by a dragon, forced to wear a collar without any ability to resist.

“You don’t like it?” Josuna asked.

“I like it, of course I like it! Look at this pink-and-white collar—it matches my outfit perfectly!”
Peretti had already lost count of how many insincere things she had said.

And somehow… this situation felt strangely familiar.

As if she had once imagined something like this before.

“Then let’s go.”

Before leaving, Ming Tong ran over with a small shovel and whispered something into Josuna’s ear.

Peretti had no idea what was said, but judging from Josuna’s slightly displeased expression—

For Josuna, it might not have mattered much.

But for Peretti… it was probably as bad as the end of the world.

People.

So many people.

Why were there so many people on this street?!

And why were they all looking at her?!

The skirt was too short.

The one Peretti had bought in Falisa at least reached her knees—but this one barely covered anything. A slight breeze made it feel chillingly exposed.

The neckline was cut low, revealing a faint line of cleavage. The collar around her neck was completely exposed, with the other end of the chain firmly held in Josuna’s hand.

They’re looking. They’re all looking!

Her nerves were on edge—every casual glance from others felt like they were staring at her humiliation.

“What’s wrong, dear Lele? Feeling unwell? Why are you walking so awkwardly? A lady shouldn’t walk like that~”

Josuna stopped and tilted her head, her eyes filled with teasing amusement.

Peretti’s complexion had improved compared to before—apparently that madwoman had been right. Sunlight really did help her recover.

“You made me wear this outside! How am I supposed to walk normally?!”

For the first time, she truly felt how cruel Josuna could be—dragging her outside like a dog on display.

Yet strangely, the passing civilians didn’t stare at her out of curiosity.

Instead, they avoided her like the plague—just one glance was enough to make them hurriedly leave.

From their reactions, it was clear:
A beautiful girl being paraded in a collar was not unusual in Brest.

In fact, it was something everyone here was used to.

Josuna didn’t look annoyed at all. Instead, she smiled.

“Looks like Lele’s training still isn’t enough~”

“Tell me—what kind of confidence do you have to think you can kill Feiye?” Peretti asked coldly.

She had seen Feiye’s strength firsthand.

Once someone was dragged into her domain, even if they were only slightly weaker, they would be suppressed to death—without any chance to resist.

That applied even to strong opponents.

Let alone someone like Josuna, who hadn’t even reached the Haoyue tier.

Josuna raised the chain high, as if proudly showing it to everyone around them.

“Of course~ As long as I get that thing, killing Feiye will be easy. She’ll just be a brainless idiot.”

“Heh. Instead of figuring out how to deal with Feiye, you came all the way here to catch me. You’ve got way too much free time.”

“Nope~ Before, I was chasing you. But this time… Lele walked right into the trap herself. I had nothing to do with it.”

“What?”

“That’s right~ Ming Tong told me the information. I rented that drink shop temporarily. The basement belongs to Ming Tong’s family. And you? You walked right in on your own~”

Josuna smiled sweetly, almost blissfully.

“Everything happened because Lele threw herself into the net and came looking for me~”

She leaned closer, her voice soft and filled with obsession:

“Ah… big sister really loves me, doesn’t she? Even knowing I’d treat you like this, you still came straight into my arms… Josuna is so touched.”