Chapter 16

“Lady Mardian… what is this…?”

“I prepared this for you, Tina. You always work so hard for me.”

I stared blankly at the gift Mardian handed me. The heavy object in my hand was a tiara, lavishly decorated with silver. However, what set it apart from a typical tiara was the massive red gemstone embedded in its center.

‘…Is this a real ruby?’

The first thought that came to mind was whether this gemstone was genuine. I had heard there were many merchants selling fake gems, so I worried Mardian might have gifted me a counterfeit. But no matter how I thought about it, it didn’t seem like she would carry around a fake gem.

So, this really is a ruby.

Then… how much is this tiara worth?

‘…First, stay calm.’

There’s no point in showing my materialistic side. Though I was momentarily mesmerized by the dazzling gem, I tried to maintain my composure as I always had.

“Lady Mardian, I can’t accept this… I’m sorry, but please take it back…”

Inside, I was screaming, ‘What is this madness?’, but I suppressed my instinctive desire and handed the tiara back to Mardian.

“Why won’t you accept it?”

“…It’s too much. It’s an extravagant item that doesn’t suit me. You don’t need to give me something like this. I already really like you, Lady Mardian. Receiving this would just make things awkward.”

Mardian blinked at me for a moment, then bit her lip, seemingly annoyed.

“…Tch, seriously.”

With a harsh tone, she suddenly grabbed my wrist. The grip was stronger than I expected, sending a sharp pain through my wrist.

“Ugh, ouch…”

“You’d better stop being so cheeky. I feel like dragging you to the garden and giving you a good beating right now.”

A shiver ran through my body as memories of the previous day resurfaced. Just last night, my bottom was still sore from the bath. If I had to endure that again, I didn’t think my body would hold up.

“But I’ll hold back this time. Your body is too fragile, Tina.”

Mardian seemed to realize this too, as she let go of my wrist and let out a short sigh. I breathed a sigh of relief, thinking I might get through today unscathed.

“Take the tiara. It was prepared for you, after all.”

“B-but…”

“Tina, you’re my pet. When your master gives you clothes, you just wear them obediently.”

In a way, it was a statement that utterly disregarded my dignity, but to me, it was oddly comforting. It was just a matter of accepting what was given. How could I dislike that?

“…”

With a sorrowful expression, I hesitated for a while, fumbling with my words. But under Mardian’s silent pressure, I looked up at her with downcast eyes.

“…Then, could you put it on my head, Lady Mardian? If I think of it as clothes you’re dressing me in, I think I can accept it.”

“…You’re such a brat.”

A shadow passed over Mardian’s face, but she eventually complied, placing the tiara on my head as I had asked. Feeling the heavy weight on my head, I buried myself in Mardian’s embrace and hugged her tightly.

“Thank you… I’ll treasure it forever.”

“Haha, good. Remember me every time you see that gemstone.”

“I will!”

Remember you? More like I’ll sell it off in a few years.

After Sharrione, now Mardian’s gift—I might just be the biggest winner at this banquet.

The gems stashed in my closet alone must be worth a fortune. Honestly, I wanted to sell them immediately to help Artasha, but the market for high-value items is quite narrow.

There’s a risk of being caught by others, so I couldn’t act rashly. The wisest course would be to sell them through the black market once everyone’s memory of them fades.

‘Hang in there until then, Mother.’

Hiding my smile, I nuzzled my face against Mardian’s shoulder. At that moment, she extended a finger toward me.

“I won’t torment you today, so I’d like you to entertain me in another way.”

“…Ah.”

I wasn’t naive enough to not understand the meaning behind Mardian’s gesture. Having had experience with her before, I didn’t feel repulsed, but I hesitated, fearing someone might see.

As if sensing my worry, Mardian smiled seductively and grabbed my butt.

“Ugh…”

“Don’t worry. I’ve instructed the servants not to let anyone come this way.”

“…Okay.”

Typical of a villainess, she was thorough even in this aspect. I couldn’t think of anything to retort.

What else could I do?

Though I felt ashamed and reluctant, thinking of the tiara Mardian had given me soon lifted my spirits.

“Tina, my patience isn’t that long.”

“Y-yes…”

At Mardian’s sharp tone, my body trembled. I gently tucked my disheveled hair behind my ear and carefully knelt before Mardian.

Glancing at Mardian, who sat quietly watching me, I slowly stuck out my tongue and licked her finger.

I carefully moistened Mardian’s index finger with my saliva. Slowly lowering my head, I took her finger into my mouth.

*Schlurp-*

The sound of saliva coating her finger was sticky and embarrassing, heating up my ears, but I managed not to show it, being used to this. Slowly lifting my head to look at Mardian, I saw her gazing down at me with a hazy, flushed expression.

‘Disgusting. I feel sick.’

Isn’t it normal to be repulsed by someone else’s saliva?

Who knows what bacteria might be in there?

I really couldn’t understand why anyone would enjoy this.

Sexual fetishes should have limits. How perverted do you have to be to find joy in this?

‘…I’ll endure it for the ruby.’

“Ah, hah…”

Moving my head slowly, I diligently served Mardian’s finger. Then, her finger curved like a fishhook, catching the tip of my tongue.

“Ugh?!”

A sudden wave of nausea hit me. I looked at Mardian in confusion. She lifted my lip with her finger and pulled it toward her face.

‘…Huh?’

Mardian’s face was getting closer. The destination of my mouth was clearly her lips.

Wait?

If this continues, our lips will touch…?

Does that mean a kiss?

“M-Mardian, ma’am?”

“Shh.”

Mardian smiled seductively, closed her eyes, and pulled me closer. The situation was becoming clearer, and my mind was in chaos.

No way?

She’s not planning to kiss me, right?

Ah, no…

There was no setting that Mardian was a lesbian.

From the young ladies’ perspective, I’m just a lovable pet. What kind of lunatic would kiss their pet?

Surely not, right?

No way.

But as Mardian’s lips drew closer, they began to part, ready to accept me. I was horrified watching Mardian’s bright red lips open.

‘Wh-what do I do?’

Should I push her away? Should I sternly say this isn’t right? But there’s no good in angering Mardian.

I didn’t understand.

I just acted based on what I secretly learned from observing my childhood friend. Why did it come to this? This never happened with my childhood friend. Did I misunderstand something?

As the distance closed to the point where our noses almost touched, my eyes began to tremble like there was an earthquake. Just a bit closer, and our lips would meet.

I don’t want this.

I don’t want to kiss anyone.

Why would anyone do something so gross?

Especially with a perverted villainess.

Isn’t anyone here?

Anyone, please, just make a sound.

I’ll just avoid the gaze if it’s embarrassing.

Someone, anyone, please stop this pervert-

“Lady Mardian seems to enjoy fishing. To the extent of playing fishing games with her pet.”

At the sudden, melodious voice, Mardian’s hand, which had been pulling me, stopped. Her closed eyes opened, revealing her blood-red, menacing gaze.

But that menace quickly turned into deep confusion as she faced the newcomer.

“…And you are?”

I turned my head toward the direction of Mardian’s trembling voice. Looking at the owner of the melodious voice, even I was struck with confusion.

Pale skin contrasted with black hair.

Within it, faintly glowing purple eyes.

Viviana looked at me with a cold smile.

“Long time no see, pet.”