Chapter 15

“Huh, look at that?”

Viviana’s purple eyes rippled with shock. Her gaze was fixed on a beautiful girl with snow-white hair, sitting on the floor and shedding pitiful tears.

A hollow laugh lingered on her lips. Others might have missed it, but Viviana, who had been watching the girl since entering the banquet hall, barely managed to catch the fleeting change in her expression.

Even with her senses honed sharp as a sword through countless trials, she could only just notice the subtle shift. An ordinary person would have missed it entirely.

“She was clearly enjoying herself just now.”

“Where are you looking, Princess Viviana?”

A sweet, melodious voice redirected her gaze. A radiant figure with dazzling white hair and golden eyes, as noble as the sun, looked at her with curiosity.

“My apologies, Your Highness. There seemed to be a bit of a commotion, so my attention was drawn.”

“Hoho, such disturbances are common in social circles.”

The Third Princess, Astella. She glanced at the commotion in the hall and smiled nonchalantly at Viviana.

“By the way, I didn’t expect you to attend the second day as well. I’m touched.”

“For someone who will share our future endeavors, this much sincerity is nothing.”

“Oh my, hoho…”

Though she said this, her real reason for being here wasn’t the princess. Ever since the previous banquet, she couldn’t stop thinking about that smooth, rice cake-like bottom she had seen. For some inexplicable reason, it had lingered in her mind since the first day of the banquet.

It had even interfered with her usual duties, swirling in her thoughts until she finally decided to attend again. She had never attended the same banquet twice before, but she couldn’t shake the confusion without seeing that bottom again.

So, she came here…

“Never expected to see such a sight.”

It seems our dear pet isn’t as innocent as the rumors suggest.

But ironically, that only piqued her interest.

“Hmm…”

I think I need to talk to her a bit more.

*

Meanwhile, Rose von Berdalin, with a bruised cheek, ran out of the banquet in tears, while I was currently being showered with love and comfort by numerous young ladies.

“Tina… are you okay? You must have been so shocked.”

“Sniff, ah, no… I must have accidentally upset Lady Rose…”

“Nonsense! Tina was just trying to be kind. Lady Berdalin must have lost her mind.”

“Exactly. I always thought Lady Berdalin was rude, but I never expected it to be this bad. It’s truly shocking.”

Several young ladies wiped my tears. Hugging Bersha’s waist and burying my face in her stomach, Bersha gently stroked my head and spoke softly.

“Tina, don’t worry. I’ll make sure that woman never lays a hand on you again.”

“No… I’m really fine, Lady Bersha. I’ll just be more careful next time…”

“…Sigh, what am I going to do with you, Tina, being so kind-hearted.”

Judging by the atmosphere, it was clear that Rose wouldn’t be showing her face in social circles for a while. With her family weakened and Bersha now against her, she wouldn’t be able to strut around as proudly as before.

“If only Lady Mardian had been here, I would have loved to slap that woman’s face properly.”

What a terrifying thing to say.

Mardian wouldn’t have acted like that. If Mardian had stepped in, it would have been a moment to remind everyone why she’s called the villainess in the game. It wouldn’t have ended with just venting my emotions.

“Have you calmed down a bit, Tina?”

“Yes… I’m still a bit sad, but seeing Lady Bersha’s face made me feel better right away.”

“Oh my, really?”

“But I also wanted to act a bit down to get some affection from you… I’m sorry, did I bother you?”

Bersha’s eyes widened, and her cheeks flushed. She hugged me tightly and started spinning me around.

“You could never be a bother, Tina! You can be as spoiled as you want.”

Though I was running out of breath, I kept a smile on my face. The brief commotion was quickly forgotten, and the banquet night grew deeper.

The young ladies exchanged their usual trivial conversations, and I leaned on Bersha’s shoulder, chiming in occasionally.

“By the way, Tina, you should visit Lady Mardian.”

“Huh?”

Instinctively, my body flinched. The memory of being spanked by Mardian multiple times made me reluctant to face her.

“I heard she prepared a gift for you. Something quite expensive.”

But hey!

Given the bond I share with Mardian, it wouldn’t hurt to visit her. Upon reflection, I don’t particularly dislike her, and there’s no reason not to go.

It’s definitely not because of the gift.

“The gift sounds nice…”

“Hoho, it’s only polite to the person who prepared it.”

“Umm… okay, I’ll go.”

With a reluctant expression, I bowed my head. Bersha covered her mouth, giggling, and patted my head as she sent me off.

As I walked through the grand hall of the banquet, a subtle excitement filled my chest. If Mardian, known as the queen of social circles, prepared a gift, it certainly wouldn’t be something trivial.

Holding my faintly pounding heart, I suppressed a creeping smile.

How should I describe it? It felt like being summoned by a wealthy chairman who always doted on me, heading straight to his office.

‘What could it be?’

It could be a necklace with blue gems like Sharrione’s, or perhaps a diamond-encrusted ring like the one Bersha gave me before. Whatever Mardian gives, I’m sure it will be of great value to me and my mother.

As I excitedly crossed the hall, someone grabbed my shoulder.

“Ah, we meet again, young lady.”

“…Huh?”

My heart sank at the unexpected face.

Sharp, distinct features with glowing purple eyes, radiant white skin contrasting with jet-black hair, a bold yet elegantly curved figure.

If I had been born a man, I would have been instantly captivated.

“Me, Merdelia Princess, why are you here…?”

Viviana Merdelia.

She looked at me with a sly smile.

“It’s the princess’s banquet, of course I should attend.”

No way.

Viviana never attends the same banquet twice. That’s a direct setting in the game, meant to show how much she dislikes social gatherings.

Even if it’s a royal summons, someone of Viviana’s stature could just show up on the first day and leave without anyone batting an eye. Why is she here?

Though curious, I decided not to dig deeper. Right now, the gift Mardian prepared was hundreds of times more important and exciting to me.

Whatever her reason for being here, it’s none of my business. I smiled politely and bowed respectfully to Viviana.

“Ah… I see. It’s truly an honor to see you again, Your Highness.”

“Hmm… is that so?”

Viviana raised an eyebrow and smiled faintly. She seemed pleased, but it’s all an act. Viviana isn’t the type to be swayed by flattery, as we all know.

“Yes. Then, I’ll take my leave now.”

At my brief words, Viviana’s purple eyes flickered slightly. Still holding my shoulder, she smiled and asked again.

“Oh? Is something the matter, young lady?”

“Yes, I have an urgent appointment… I must excuse myself. May you remain at peace.”

With a polite bow, I tried to leave, but Viviana still didn’t let go of my shoulder. In this awkward situation, I looked at her with a puzzled expression.

“….”

“Um, it was an honor to meet you, Princess.”

After a while of her not letting go, I carefully stepped back and removed her hand from my shoulder. Leaving a dazed Viviana behind, I bowed one last time and retreated.

‘…No need to worry about it.’

By the way, what could the gift be?

I hope it’s something expensive.

*

“…Huh?”

I stared blankly at the white-haired young lady scurrying away like a rabbit.

‘Just a simple greeting?’

Though we’ve only met once, I did apply medicine to her when she was struggling to walk. Shouldn’t she be a bit more grateful?

Of course, I had also decided not to pay much attention to her until yesterday. I thought I’d just exchange a few greetings if we met. I didn’t want to get too involved.

I’m not idle enough to spend time on a young lady from a precarious family.

But still, even so.

Shouldn’t she be a bit more welcoming?

“…This is annoying.”