Chapter 12

Amidst the gathered young ladies, countless stories were exchanged. Though there were several instances of gossip about a disliked lady or boasts about one’s fiancé, the conversation always circled back to Sharrione.

“What do you think, Lady Sharrione?”

“Hoho, I think it’s fine.”

“Oh, I agree with Lady Sharrione too.”

The other young ladies responded with endless affirmations to Sharrione’s words. Watching their reactions, Sharrione felt inwardly satisfied. In this group, she was the queen and ruler. She grew even more confident seeing how a single word from her could change the atmosphere and a single expression could alter the ladies’ complexions.

Even among counts, reputations vary greatly. And Sharrione’s family had been loyal founding contributors since the Empire’s inception. Thanks to her lineage, Sharrione naturally enjoyed all privileges in the social circle.

But this was only true within her kingdom.

“Hello, Lady Sharrione.”

A sweet voice reached her ears.

Curious, she turned her head.

A woman was smiling at her.

The presence of a woman with beautifully shining amethyst eyes made Sharrione’s complexion pale. Before her, even Sharrione was no different from any other young lady.

“L-Lady Viviana.”

Sharrione responded with utmost politeness without a moment’s hesitation. Viviana gracefully returned the greeting, a thin smile on her lips, and looked at Sharrione with curious eyes.

“Sorry to interrupt. I wanted to ask something.”

“O-Of course.”

“Is there someone here called the Pet Lady?”

Sharrione’s eyes twitched. She thought Viviana only cared about the sword, never imagining that even Lady Viviana would take an interest in Tina.

“Hoho… You mean ‘our’ Tina. Tina isn’t here right now.”

“Oh, is that so?”

A cold, chilling voice sent shivers down Sharrione’s spine. She had put up her defenses, but immediately regretted it. This was not someone to show pride before.

“L-Lady Viviana, if you’re looking for her, shall I call her? I think she went towards the garden…”

“No, that’s not necessary. I’m not that interested, just a passing curiosity.”

“What kind of curiosity…?”

“It’s fascinating. How does the word ‘pet’ come before ‘lady’? Pfft.”

“Ah, ahaha…”

As Viviana laughed, Sharrione immediately followed suit. Her laughter wasn’t genuine. Just as other ladies forced laughter at Sharrione’s words, her laughter was merely bowing to the stronger presence before her.

Before Viviana, even the renowned Sharrione was no different from an ordinary lady.

“Thank you. I’ll glance around the garden and leave if she’s not there. Well then.”

Viviana gave a brief farewell and turned her back. For another noble, this might have been rude, but Viviana’s actions only highlighted her presence more vividly.

Watching Viviana’s retreating figure, Sharrione fervently wished.

‘Tina… Please don’t catch Lady Viviana’s eye.’

If the princess takes an interest in you, Tina, you will no longer be ours.

—

**Thwack-!**

“Ugh…!”

A sharp pain rose from my buttocks. The burning pain was almost unbearable. But as if unaware of my feelings, Mardian raised her hand high again.

**Thwack-!**

“Ah! Lady Mardian…! It hurts!”

“Tina, you should call me sister.”

**Thwack-!**

“Ugh! S-sister, please go a little slower…”

“Ha, you’re such a brat.”

Such words were unbecoming of a noble. If Mardian’s crude language were known to the world, it would greatly damage her reputation. But Mardian knew better than anyone that no one would spread such rumors.

“Damn, thinking about it again makes me angry. You’ve been flirting with other girls with that annoying voice. You should know your limits, Tina.”

“L-Lady Mardian, I…”

“Call me sister!”

**Thwack-!**

“Ahhh!!! It hurts!!”

The excruciating pain beyond my endurance made my vision blur. Mardian’s merciless hands finally made my tear ducts burst.

“Ugh, I hate this, it hurts too much, please stop…”

Uncontrollable tears streamed down my cheeks. But my tears only stimulated Mardian’s sadistic tendencies.

“Tina, your crying is more melodious than any instrument. So cry for me as much as you want.”

“Ugh, sob… Please, stop…”

Damn villainess…!

Damn sadist…!

Damn perverted woman…!

If only I had been born into the royal family, I could have crushed a villainess like you! I could have beaten you until you begged for forgiveness a thousand times!

Swallowing my curses, I cried out. Anger boiled inside me, but all I could do was beg for her to go a little easier on me.

As a man with macho pride, I don’t want to whine like this.

But what can I do?

Tina’s body is just too fragile.

Even a slight brush leaves a red mark, and a light friction brings stinging pain. If it were my previous life, I would have whistled through whatever Marianne did, but it’s all because Tina’s body is so damn fragile!

“Tina… My Tina.”

Mardian’s blurred eyes looked at me as she put her thumb in my mouth. Her slender thumb explored my tongue, and when it touched my throat, I almost gagged.

“S-sister, I really can’t take anymore… Please forgive me…”

I begged, looking up at Mardian with tear-filled eyes. My earnest plea seemed to work, as she sighed and swept her hair back.

“Hoo, alright. Since Tina is begging like this, I’ll stop.”

“T-thank you, sister…”

“Hoho… Meeting Tina might be the greatest fortune of my life.”

Mardian handed me a small paper bag. Inside were elegantly wrapped pastries and a small silver container. Opening it, I found a fragrant yet bitter-smelling ointment.

“It’s the best ointment. Make sure to apply it if there are any scars. And have some pastries to replenish your sugar.”

“…Thank you.”

So this is what they mean by giving poison and then medicine.

Actually experiencing it feels really unpleasant.

“Huhu, I’ll go in first. Apply the ointment and come in slowly.”

Mardian left with a bright smile. Left alone in the deep garden, I wiped my tears while rubbing my sore buttocks.

“Bad woman… Bad…”

How long had it been?

After crying for a while, I sighed and got up to leave.

“Ouch…!”

The sharp pain from my lower body made me collapse again. The pain was worse than expected, making me dizzy. I wanted to check the state of my buttocks, but I was too afraid to move, fearing the pain would worsen.

Just how many times did she hit me?

For a game character, she’s really annoying.

The lingering pain made it hard to muster the courage to return to the banquet hall. I wanted to apply the ointment Mardian gave me, but I couldn’t see the state of my buttocks to know where the wounds were. Moreover, pulling down my skirt would surely bring back the pain, so I didn’t want to invite more suffering.

“…What should I do?”

Should I wait until the pain subsides? But time was passing, and I couldn’t just sit here. Besides, being left alone in this deep garden gave me an eerie feeling.

I swallowed dryly and looked around.

The quiet silence made me tense.

‘It’s not like I’m scared or anything.’

As a macho man, I shouldn’t be scared of such things.

It’s not like ghosts or anything scare me.

It’s just that there’s no sound of people.

What if a bad criminal appears?

I’m just worried about my safety.

**Hoo- hoo-**

The sound of an owl in the quiet night. Normally, it would have been a calm sound, but for some reason, it sent shivers down my spine.

Growing increasingly anxious, I looked around. I swallowed dryly and cautiously called out.

“H-hello, is anyone there?”

“Pet Lady?”

“Eek!?”

The unexpected reply made my whole body shiver. Startled, I instinctively screamed. Quickly raising my head, I met a pair of eyes staring at me from the thick darkness.

“Uh, uh…?”

I stared blankly at the woman before me. It was surprising that someone was here, but what shocked me more was her identity.

Amethyst eyes shining like gemstones were as mesmerizing as if they held magical power. Her snow-white skin contrasted with her jet-black hair, enhancing her noble aura.

Viviana Merdelia.

One of the protagonists of this world.

Why is she here?

Viviana isn’t the type to venture this deep into the garden out of curiosity.

“L-Lady Viviana?”

“The ground is cold, so get up quickly, lady.”

Viviana smiled briefly and reached out her hand to me. In my dazed state, I took her hand. Viviana tried to help me up, but as my folded legs straightened, the forgotten pain surged through my body again.

“Ouch!”

I groaned in pain and collapsed again.

Viviana looked at me with a puzzled expression.

“Lady? Are you hurt somewhere?”

Viviana seemed genuinely concerned, but as someone who has played this game, I know.

It’s all an act.

Do I not know what kind of person Viviana is? Maybe she already knows I’m hurt and is just watching my reaction.

But even knowing, I have to play along. If I, who can’t even stand up to Mardian, get on Viviana’s bad side, I won’t be able to handle the consequences.

So, as always, I looked up at her with weak, trembling eyes and spoke in a feeble voice.

“I accidentally fell into a thorn bush… My buttocks are badly scraped…”

“…Hmm, a thorn bush, huh.”

Viviana smiled an inscrutable smile and looked down at me. An awkward silence fell between us.

Viviana looked down at me with an intrigued gaze, as if observing a rare creature. Her gaze brought up feelings of shame and discomfort, but I steeled myself and didn’t show it.

Well, there’s nothing I can do about it now.

It’s not like I can go back alone in this state. I might as well endure the embarrassment and accept Viviana’s help this once. Viviana isn’t the type to take an interest in others, so she’ll probably lose interest in me soon. Today’s events will be forgotten by tomorrow.

“L-Lady Viviana. May I ask a favor, even if it’s presumptuous?”

“Of course, feel free to ask.”

Viviana smiled brightly and gave a positive response. Thinking that she was enjoying my reaction within that beautiful smile gave me chills.

“C-could you apply some ointment for me? I want to apply it myself, but I can’t see the wound…”

“Ointment?”

“Yes… Just a little on my buttocks…”

Viviana’s eyebrows twitched slightly. The smile on her face disappeared, revealing her amethyst eyes.

“…What did you say?”

“Is it not okay…? I’ll repay you, just a little on my buttocks…”

“…”

No response.

Did I offend her? I felt anxious. On second thought, it was a rash request. How would a princess view a fallen baron’s daughter?

From Viviana’s perspective, she might find it dirty. Realizing this, I hastily reached out to Viviana with a trembling voice.

“Ah, L-Lady Viviana, it must be dirty for you. I-I’m sorry…! If you could just tell me where the wound is, I’ll apply it myself… Or is that not okay? It’s fine if it’s not!”

“…”

“No, no! You can just ignore me and go. It’s a crime for someone like me, who’s of no importance, to take up your time…!”

“…”

…

What’s this?

Why isn’t she saying anything?

You’re scaring me.

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