Chapter 110

Rumors about Viviana have already spread far and wide.

An unyielding, resilient flower.

Some accuse her of arrogance, but she possesses the skill and dignity to back it up.

A woman who never bows her head.

Even if the other person is the Emperor.

“Forgive me.”

Yet, Viviana’s head bowed without hesitation.

To a woman with less power and authority than her.

“I didn’t expect you to use me like this.”

A thin, delicate voice.

Viviana raised her head and met her gaze.

Hair the same color as the woman she loved.

Two blue gems that mirrored her eyes.

To Viviana, she was the one she most wanted to impress.

“I had no ill intentions, Baroness.”

“I know that.”

Artasha let out a deep sigh.

Viviana fidgeted nervously, watching her expression.

“Well, thanks to you, Princess, I’ve sorted out my feelings.”

It was true that Artasha had been played by the Princess. Yet, deep in her heart, there was gratitude.

How strange.

Just yesterday, Artasha was dying.

An incurable sickness of the heart was slowly eating her away.

But the sickness that drove her to death was miraculously healed after just one meeting with that child.

Indeed, a daughter is a sweet miracle incomparable to anything else in the world.

“So, thank you, Princess.”

“Ah, no, Mother. Please, speak comfortably—”

“Who’s your mother?”

Artasha’s eyes narrowed coldly.

Viviana flinched under that sharp gaze.

‘…I messed up.’

Caught up in the moment, she had acted as if she had been acknowledged by a mother.

“…I misspoke.”

“Misspoke? Rather, it’s you who should drop the formalities, Princess.”

“It’s fine. I’m more comfortable this way.”

Artasha shook her head inwardly.

This was more uncomfortable for her.

The title of Princess is no light matter.

For the Princess to treat her so respectfully, her intentions were obvious.

“…Sigh, do as you please.”

But she couldn’t blame the Princess entirely.

The faint, dizzying scent that wafted from that child sometimes left even her dazed.

“May I ask how you’ve sorted out your feelings?”

Viviana asked cautiously.

Artasha was lost in deep anguish.

But only for a moment.

Her eyes soon shone with determination.

“As I said, that child is not my daughter.”

Viviana’s eyes darkened.

Having failed once, Viviana knew better than anyone.

Neither Lillian nor herself could correct Tina’s wayward path.

Only Artasha could do it.

Only her unyielding affection could break down Tina’s walls.

And conversely, only Tina could heal Artasha’s sickness of the heart.

So Viviana had planned this.

But deep down, she had anticipated this outcome. Even if they met, Artasha’s feelings might not change easily.

After all, no matter the situation, the fact that Tina wasn’t her biological daughter wouldn’t change.

“…I see. But Baroness, Tina is—”

“Until yesterday.”

Viviana blinked in confusion.

Artasha’s voice was too serious to dismiss as a joke.

Her eyes held an indescribable affection.

“I adopted her in my heart yesterday. I even decided on a name, hehe.”

“Huh?”

“You said she’s at the Saintess’s mansion now, right?”

Artasha stood up with a determined expression.

Startled, Viviana quickly followed.

“Yes, but why…?”

“I need to see how my daughter is doing.”

“…Ah.”

Memories Viviana wanted to forget resurfaced. Moments that were both ecstatic and filled with deep guilt.

Tina’s situation was far from good.

A prison where no sunlight reached.

Her hands and feet bound by thick chains.

Meals were passed mouth to mouth.

Even water was no exception.

But something worse was happening.

The time each hour when Tina had to be cared for.

The time to release the frustration building inside her.

If Artasha saw that scene…

Nothing good would come of it.

‘…This is bad.’

Cold sweat dripped down Viviana’s neck.

※

As always, no light enters this place.

The walls are completely sealed, not even a mouse hole allowed.

But now, it doesn’t matter.

No, rather, this place feels more comfortable.

This is where I belong.

A place fitting for a sinner like me.

Being locked in a luxurious room would have been more painful.

The countless emotions weighing me down.

Last night, I poured them all out with my tears.

How much did I cry?

Now, even if I want to cry, no tears come.

Only the dull, burning pain around my eyes tells the tale.

But perhaps because of that, my heart feels lighter.

Have I ever felt this relieved before?

The screams that gnawed at my mind are now silent.

Perhaps this is the most peaceful moment of my life, spanning both past and present.

“Tina, I’m here.”

The tightly sealed prison door slowly opens.

And as always, she appears.

Her bright pink hair flutters lightly,

her eyes brimming with vitality.

Lillian. She smiles brightly at me, as always.

That smile is indescribably beautiful.

Why did I hate it so much before?

It’s so radiant and pure.

“Welcome, Lillian.”

“…Huh?”

I greeted her with a shy smile.

Confusion filled Lillian’s eyes.

Perhaps my words were different from usual.

In the past, I would have resented her.

But now I’ve realized my true feelings.

I respected Lillian.

Even in the dark past, she remained radiant.

The only emotion I should feel toward Lillian is guilt.

Nothing but guilt.

“I…waited for you like this, doing nothing.”

Lillian’s eyes trembled slightly.

She approached with a worried expression.

“Tina? Are you okay?”

Did she think I hit my head?

She placed her hand on my head and quietly sent a holy energy.

I gently removed her hand.

Perhaps holy power is akin to Lillian’s essence. Such a precious power wasted on someone like me.

This was, without a doubt, a luxury.

“I won’t self-harm anymore.”

I am a sinner.

I don’t even have the right to choose death.

At least not until my sins are washed away.

“Huh?”

“So, you don’t need to waste your precious holy power on someone like me.”

“Eh? What? What are you saying, Tina!”

Lillian’s pupils shook.

The trembling was transparent.

I quietly looked at Lillian.

The reason she spends so much time on me.

It must be revenge, right?

“Tina, oh, you’re being so docile today?”

She wants to break me too.

Just like I did to her.

Just as I humiliated her.

Slowly eating away at her surroundings, breaking her down.

Lillian wants to destroy me too.

Making her urinate in front of me.

Making it so I couldn’t even feed myself.

All of it was steps to break me.

“Stamps! Don’t you want stamps?”

Lillian pulled out a stamp sheet.

Like waving candy in front of a child.

She waved the stamp sheet lightly in front of me.

“I don’t need stamps anymore.”

I gently put her stamp sheet down.

Even if I get a hundred stamps, nothing will change.

A dark, lightless space.

This is the home that suits me.

“…Did something happen with the Princess yesterday, Tina?”

Lillian grabbed my hand.

Her eyes sought an explanation.

You don’t have to do this.

You can treat me worse.

Yet, Lillian watches my expression.

Too kind of a person.

You don’t have to.

Someone like you shouldn’t waste your heart on trash like me.

It can’t be helped.

This time, I’ll take a step forward myself.

I gently held her hand.

With fidgeting fingers, I curled Lillian’s fingers inward one by one.

Finally, forming a fist.

“Hit me.”

I brought Lillian’s fist to my cheek.

The cool touch of her hand met my face.

“…Huh?”

“Because you like it, Lillian…”

Lillian’s eyes no longer trembled.

They just stared at me, wide and blank.

“Treat me with violence.”

I’m really sorry, Lillian.

I can’t repay you, but…

I hope you can find happiness through me.

“To the point of death, painfully.”

I’ll be fine.

---