The air in the quiet office swirls with faint smoke. Viviana, reclining back in her chair, seems in a foul mood as she puts another cigarette to her lips.
[Viviana is the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen. Just sitting at the piano can make anyone fall for her.]
“…Huh.”
I’ve been caught.
I tried to blackmail her using the false persona I saw at the banquet to provoke a flustered reaction, but it turned out that I was the one flustered in that situation.
Where did it all begin? It started when I was swept away by her clever words. Ah yes, it was definitely that moment when the piano conversation began.
Viviana spread her palm and gazed at it intently. Just as Lady Blanc said, her fingers were delicate and elongated. They were perfect for piano playing. In fact, the only solace in her life was the piano.
In her life, where she had to spill countless blood on the battlefield, the only moment she could breathe comfortably was when she sat in front of the piano.
However, nobody knew that playing the piano was her hobby, so how did that lady bring up the piano? Did she catch on with her sharp eyes, or does she have an informant I’m unaware of?
‘No, it doesn’t matter.’
Taking one last deep drag from her cigarette, Viviana slowly stood up. It’s true that the unexpected piano talk surprised her, but when she met her next, she would never let that happen again.
There was no reason for her to be inferior to Viviana. She had the upper hand, and no matter how loved she was in high society, everything became meaningless in front of a princess like her.
“How amusing, Lady Blanc.”
How long had it been since I felt outmaneuvered in a conversation? The unexpected situation ignited her competitive spirit. When they met again, she would definitely see that cunning lady flustered and fidgeting.
‘It can’t be helped.’
She had no choice but to attend the final night of the banquet.
For the sake of taking revenge on her, it was unavoidable.
‘Princess, it’s Alphonse.’
As Viviana sank into quiet contemplation, a bumbling old man’s voice seeped into the office from outside.
“…Come in.”
The old man who entered upon Viviana’s permission had frail white hair, which only made him seem more noble and dignified.
“I have something to convey.”
“Something to convey?”
The old man nodded and quietly placed a blue envelope on Viviana’s desk. It lacked a seal, indicating it was just an unimportant letter.
“I found this in the pocket of your coat. It didn’t seem to have been opened, so I thought I’d deliver it.”
“You found it in my coat?”
Viviana had no recollection of receiving a letter, leaving her bewildered. However, upon thinking it over, she had a rough idea of when it might have slipped inside her coat.
‘…Was it then?’
At the end of the banquet, when Lady Blanc ran up to greet her, was it possible she had slipped it in then?
Curious, Viviana opened the envelope. Her eyes slowly began tracing the words from the top of the letter downwards.
“Hah.”
As soon as her gaze reached the end of the letter, a ridiculous smile spread across Viviana’s face. She had been tapping her fingers thoughtfully on the desk, but after a brief silence, she stood up and handed the letter to the old man.
“Prepare the bath, and tell the servants to get the scented candles ready.”
“Scented candles?”
“Yes, prepare them with a fragrance that women would like.”
Days when Viviana had scented candles floating in her bath were rare indeed, and Alphonse couldn’t help but be flustered. However, he thought it didn’t warrant too much concern. No matter how strong a warrior she might be, she was still a woman. There might come a time when she wanted to enjoy a fragrant bath depending on her mood.
“Yes. I will dispose of the letter accordingly.”
“What?”
In an instant, Viviana’s gaze turned icy. Alphonse blinked in bewilderment, unable to grasp what had upset her.
“Don’t throw it away; put it aside for safekeeping.”
“Yes?”
At that moment, he didn’t comprehend what he had heard. After dedicating decades to the Duke of Merdellia, he could hardly believe such unfamiliar words had come from Viviana’s mouth.
‘Princess Viviana is going to keep a letter?’
…This trivial correspondence?
*
The sumptuous cutlery of the palace’s banquet may not be adorned with the same extravagance, but in the most tranquil dining room in the world, I smiled brightly at my mother while presenting her a tiara embellished with rubies.
“Tada! This time it’s rubies!”
“….”
I handed over the tiara with a clear smile, yet my mother fidgeted with the ruby-topped tiara, her expression complex. Is she still worried about me?
I got up from the dining table and trotted over to my mother. As I sat next to her on her lap, her warm thigh wrapped around me.
“It’s okay. I received it out of pure goodwill, so you don’t have to worry too much.”
As I smiled and opened my arms, my mother sighed lightly and embraced me. Leaning into my mother’s gentle embrace made me feel all the stress I had bottled up dissolve in an instant.
Hehe….
I love how big Mother’s chest is.
“Tina, there’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world.”
While I buried my face between my mother’s warmly enveloping breasts, I heard her subdued voice.
I opened my eyes in confusion and looked up at her. My mother brushed my bangs aside, her gaze filled with complex emotions.
“Even if ladies from noble families genuinely like you and give you gifts out of goodwill, you never know when those feelings might change. Remember, the world isn’t as easy as it seems.”
“Are you worried about me?”
“How can I not be worried? You are my everything.”
With unexplainable feelings in her eyes, my mother looked down at me. The coldness that had settled in my heart at the banquet began to faintly pulse again within the overflow of my mother’s love.
“Tina, I just hope you grow up bright and safe.”
Mom pecked a quick kiss on my forehead. She hadn’t done that during meals last year, but it seemed she had opened her heart to me even more during that time. I responded with a bright smile and a kiss on my mother’s cheek.
“Mom, I really love you.”
“I love you too… and Tina.”
As if wanting to say something more, my mother couldn’t keep her eyes still and her lips fidgeted. I observed curiously for a moment until she slightly parted her lips.
“It seems like you’ve been very busy lately. But it feels like we used to go for picnics together a year ago… these days, it feels like those moments are dwindling, so I’m a little sad.”
“….”
Taken aback by her unexpected words, I blinked blankly. I had expected a heavy conversation, but instead, it turned out to be a surprising complaint. Her behavior was so unlike her that it made my lips twitch.
“Ha! Ahaha!”
I couldn’t help but burst into laughter, and I wrapped my arms tightly around my mother. In high society, I always had to restrain my laughter, but here, there was no need for that.
What to do?
I might really end up liking my mother.
I don’t want to be rejected by someone again, but I might end up relying on my mother.
“Let’s go together this week. For a picnic.”
It was an utterly satisfying dinner.
We talked about all sorts of things.
I soaked in the bath filled with scented candles, and while dreaming of what tomorrow would bring, I peacefully fell asleep.
Time flew by, and once again, a blurry night came.
The last day of the banquet was approaching.
*
The hall was decorated with violet carpets and interiors, signaling the end of the banquet. Compared to the first day, the number of attendees had greatly diminished, yet the hall still brimmed with refined conversations and laughter.
I wore a bright smile on my face, greeting several people while scanning the surroundings. I was worried that she might not show up on the last day, but fortunately, I immediately spotted her shimmering golden hair.
“Mardian!”
Without hesitation, I dashed toward her.
The first person I sought out was Mardian. I couldn’t shake off the concern about her odd expression when we left with Viviana last night.
However, Mardian didn’t look that bad now. In fact, she appeared brighter than usual. Should I be relieved?
“Tina.”
“I was sad when we abruptly parted ways yesterday, so I’m really glad to see you again right away.”
“Hehe… If my pet is coming, of course, I should come too. Did you have a good conversation with the princess yesterday?”
“I didn’t have any special talks! In fact, I thought of you when I was with the princess.”
“…I see.”
Mardian patted my head and, with a devious smirk, whispered in my ear.
“Say hello to everyone and come find me again. I reserved a meeting room for today, so we won’t be interrupted.”
“Y-you booked a room?”
“Yeah, we have to continue the time we missed yesterday.”
Mardian’s sticky voice brushed against my ear. Previously, she wanted to go for a kiss, but now with a room booked, I had no idea what she was planning to do.
“…Mardian, I—”
“Don’t even think about escaping. You’ll definitely enjoy it.”
“….”
[There’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world.]
Artasha’s words came to mind. My mother’s words were spot on; I couldn’t help but marvel at her wisdom once again.
But it’s okay, Mom.
I’m no longer that naive.
“I’m curious about what you find enjoyable too.”
A graceful figure with a beautiful voice appeared elegantly between Mardian and me. At the sudden appearance of a woman, Mardian’s brow furrowed deeply for a brief moment.
“…Princess Viviana?”
With Mardian’s perplexed voice, Viviana wore a faint smile on her lips.
Her thick black hair flowed around her like the night sky, and a sweet, enchanting fragrance gently tickled my nose. Momentarily, I blinked in a daze, overwhelmed by Viviana’s unexpectedly fragrant aura.
‘Did Viviana always wear perfume…?’
…It smells nice.
