“…I greet Princess Merdellia.”

Mardian’s expression was coldly subdued, but she forced a smile and politely greeted Viviana.

“It’s nice to see you again, Young Lady.”

“Are you here to see Tina again?”

At Mardian’s question, Viviana nodded with a captivating smile. In response to her positive reaction, Mardian looked at me with an even darker gaze.

“So, you must have had quite a pleasant conversation yesterday, Tina.”

“Ah, well….”

Mardian shot me a fierce glare, but Viviana naturally stood in front of me to block the pressure. Perhaps dissatisfied with Viviana’s action, Mardian furrowed one eyebrow and expressed her discontent.

“…Even if she’s a princess, isn’t this a bit rude?”

“Please forgive my rudeness. However, your gaze is so menacing that I worry the Young Lady of the Blanc family might get frightened.”

“…Huh?”

Mardian burst into laughter at Viviana’s blunt remark. It was practically an open insult, so her reaction was somewhat expected.

“Princess, you may not have known Tina for long, but Tina and I have been quite close for over a year. So please don’t make assumptions about my relationship with Tina.”

“Yes. Thank you for letting me know.”

Viviana briefly bowed her head and reached out her hand to me. As I looked at her extended hand with a puzzled expression, she whispered in my ear with a light smile.

“Did you know? You’re the first person to make such a bold request of me.”

“Hyah?!”

As soon as she said that, Viviana slipped her arms under my back and legs, lifting me in a princess carry. My body was suddenly lifted off the ground without warning. Startled by the unexpected situation, I let out a high-pitched voice.

“Wha-what?!”

In surprise, I instinctively wrapped my arms around the back of Viviana’s neck to maintain my balance. Seriously, is it normal to just pick someone up like this? I looked at Viviana with a flustered expression, but she only smiled as if enjoying my reaction.

“Princess! Did you not properly hear what I just said?!”

Perhaps feeling uncomfortable with the strange atmosphere between Viviana and me, Mardian grimaced and shouted. At her sharp outburst, Viviana raised an eyebrow, wearing a smile that resembled a smirk.

“…Sigh.”

“Where are you trying to take Tina again?!”

“Lady Abreldine.”

In that moment, Viviana’s voice dropped to a chilling calm, causing Mardian—and even me—to feel frozen all over. It might have just been my imagination, but the temperature around us seemed to drop even further.

‘…Cold.’

I was astonished at how such an aura could emanate from a person. It felt similar to what people often refer to as ‘deadly aura’, something I thought only existed in novels or manga, making it seem impossible in reality.

“I hope you remember that it’s best to be on my good side when I’m smiling.”

“Huh.”

Viviana smiled sweetly at the shivering Mardian, then walked outside while still holding me. I turned my head for a moment to glance at the retreating Mardian. Her red eyes were filled with deep terror.

‘…I need to be careful.’

I realized again what kind of person Viviana was. She had been a familiar and versatile playable character in the game, but here, I couldn’t even meet her eyes in reality.

“We’re certainly attracting attention, Young Lady Blanc.”

“Eh…?”

I blinked blankly at Viviana’s words. As I looked around slowly, I noticed that we were now in the center of the banquet, not in a tucked-away corner.

‘…Now that I think about it, I’m in a princess carry right now, right?’

Countless nobles stared wide-eyed at both Viviana and me. Their overwhelming gazes sent heat rushing to my face, creating a sense of reality.

“…Could you put me down, Princess? I can walk by myself.”

“No. I’ll carry you like this, so just relax, Young Lady.”

“But everyone is looking at us!”

Even though people called me a pet, I didn’t want to be humiliated like this in front of everyone.

However, Viviana seemed either unaware or indifferent to my feelings, simply beaming with a smile. Eventually, I was brought to the guest room, receiving all eyes along the way.

Viviana gently closed the door to the guest room behind us and softly sat me down on the sofa. I shot her a glare with my deflated mood, but she merely brushed off my gaze and smiled.

“I think this is the first time I’ve attended the same banquet three times, and it’s all because of you, Young Lady. Did you know that?”

She pulled out a piece of stationery from her pocket and waved it at me. It was the letter I had secretly slipped into her coat the day before.

“Can you explain the letter?”

“Oh, that?”

It seemed I had succeeded in piquing her curiosity.

The content of the letter was nothing special. One part was a request from Mardian to protect me, and the second was a promise to return a favor in kind.

With Mardian’s behavior becoming increasingly rough, I needed my own insurance. Seeing her twisted personality, capable of even kissing a pet, made me wonder what kind of things she might do to me one day.

I could endure things like a smack on the rear or a choke, but I could never accept the disgusting skinship of a kiss or worse.

The very reason I approached and flattered only the Young Ladies was because of that. While I might develop affection for women, at least I wouldn’t feel any lust.

But I hadn’t anticipated Mardian’s grotesque tendencies. I couldn’t resist her alone, but if I could win Viviana to my side, things would be different.

That was why I gave the letter to Viviana.

I asked for her help in exchange for a reward.

I would prefer if Viviana acted for me as naturally as the other Young Ladies, yet it would still be inadequate to move her solely with pure affection since we had not known each other long.

Regardless, I had sent a sort of warning to Mardian through Viviana. There are others I can rely on now, so it’s time for you to stop treating me roughly.

Of course, I still had thoughts of remaining her pet given that I had received plenty of favors from her. However, if she continued to look at me with lustful eyes…

“So, what is the reward you mentioned, Young Lady?”

Viviana’s curious voice pulled me back to reality. Smiling, she shook the letter in one hand and spoke to me.

“I couldn’t sleep last night because I was too excited about the reward you mentioned. I hope you can meet my expectations.”

Feigning innocence…

“You’re not that type, I know it. But if that’s how it’s going to be, I won’t back down either.”

I approached Viviana’s side and took her hand. As I entwined my fingers, her calm purple eyes fluttered slightly.

Now that I think about it, Viviana had said something like that before. With a playful smile on my lips, I looked up at her.

“You told me to act sweet like you did with Mardian, right?”

“…And?”

I raised one finger from where I held Viviana’s hand. Her slender, white finger looked perfect. I gently brought my lips to its tip.

[Smooch-]

As my lips touched her finger, a rather embarrassing sound echoed. Experiencing her touch, I could taste a sweet cherry flavor. Unlike Mardian’s fingers, which were just salty, Viviana’s were nothing but sweet.

I then lowered my hand and nestled into Viviana’s embrace, pulling her close.

“Thank you for your help, Viviana… That won’t count as my reward, right?”

“You…”

Viviana’s voice trembled slightly, and I started. I had acted on instinct without realizing it, but considering how little time had passed since we had met, now was not the appropriate time for this.

I quickly straightened up and smiled at Viviana.

“I’m just joking. Actually, I have a different reward to give you.”

I have various pieces of information. Information about the past and foreknowledge of future events. While they were useless to someone weak like me, they could be incredibly valuable to someone like Viviana, who holds power.

If I used that information, I would surely be able to sway Viviana for a while.

“Viviana, did you know? Actually—”

“…Interesting, do it again.”

Viviana’s voice, devoid of particular emotions, interrupted my words. Her usual calm purple eyes seemed to have dulled a bit for some reason.

“What?”

“Try acting sweet one more time. I don’t know if that would count as a reward.”

With her hand outstretched, Viviana wore a relaxed smile, but I could sense the higher tone in her voice than usual.

I looked up and caught sight of her ear.

Though not quite as much as I, the earlobe of Viviana, with its fair complexion, had gained a tinge of red.