Chapter 17

In the game, Mardian embodies the typical image of a villainess. She is a beauty with golden hair, red eyes, and fierce eyes.

However, Mardian appears as a villainess only when the protagonist is chosen as the saintly Lillian. Mardian disliked Lillian, who was no different from a commoner, trying to enter the social circle and used every means to torment her.

But if the protagonist is chosen as Viviana, Mardian becomes just an extra NPC like Tina. They rarely face each other, and even if they do, there is no interaction.

If a count’s young lady were to bully a princess, it would be nothing but a setting error. In other words, Viviana and Mardian hardly ever cross paths.

At least, the scene where they exchange sharp glances like now was something I had never seen in multiple playthroughs.

“I didn’t expect to see Princess Viviana in such a humble place.”

[Is the princess so free that she would come to such a secluded place?]

Thanks to her long experience in the social circle, I could immediately grasp the hidden meaning behind Mardian’s polite words. Despite Mardian’s sharp tone, Viviana simply smiled gracefully and remained composed.

“I didn’t know Lady Mardian had such hobbies. I’m surprised.”

Mardian’s red eyes twitched. She probably never expected the princess to appear in such a place. Now that she’s been caught red-handed, there’s no room for excuses.

“…Do you have a reason for being here?”

Eventually, Mardian retracted the sharp thorns she had directed at Viviana. Viviana turned her cold, glowing purple eyes toward me.

“I have a small matter with Lady Blanchard. If Lady Mardian doesn’t mind, may I have a word with her?”

“…Of course. As you wish, Princess.”

“Hehe. Thank you. Then, Lady Blanchard?”

Viviana held a faint smile and reached out her hand to me. I looked at Mardian in confusion. Mardian nodded in permission, but her eyes remained cold.

“Lady Mardian…?”

“Go ahead, Tina. Oh, your tiara is crooked.”

Mardian smiled and adjusted the tiara on my head. I wasn’t sure if it was okay to leave, but under Viviana’s persistent gaze, I had no choice but to take her hand.

Holding the princess’s hand, I left the banquet hall and walked for a while.

The place we arrived at was deep within the garden where I first met Viviana, far from the banquet hall.

“Princess Viviana, what is this place…?”

I was flustered. More shocking than Mardian trying to kiss me was the fact that I had encountered Viviana three times in such a short span.

And all three times, Viviana had sought me out first. The first time, she found me deep in the garden, the second time, and now as well.

The Viviana I knew wasn’t the type to take such an interest in others. One of the things she hated most was wasting time. She was a cold-hearted person who would cut off any unnecessary relationships without hesitation.

It was even said that collecting all the bad endings was easier than getting a love ending with Viviana. Viviana was not someone who easily opened her heart to others.

“I didn’t know Lady Tina had such tastes.”

Viviana led me silently and suddenly stopped. She looked back at me with a smile devoid of warmth. Instinctively, my body shivered at her cold aura. But I didn’t show it and instead smiled back.

“Tastes? What do you mean?”

“You were serving so diligently. Did you put honey on Lady Mardian’s fingers?”

“….”

Most people would beat around the bush, but Viviana was direct and honest. I guess that’s just like her.

But it was fine. She might have intended to insult me, but hearing such words while being called a whore wasn’t embarrassing.

“As you said, Princess, I am a pet lady. If Lady Mardian likes it, then I am happy.”

I approached Viviana with a bright smile. With a faint smile at the corners of my eyes, I looked up at her and spoke in a weary voice.

“If you wish, Princess, I can do the same for you.”

For a brief moment, Viviana’s always composed eyes trembled. But it was fleeting, and she soon returned to her cold gaze, letting out a soft chuckle.

“…Hmm.”

‘Her smile is just like in the game and illustrations.’

In one word, Viviana was a perfectionist with sociopathic tendencies.

She would pour support without hesitation to those who benefited her, but was merciless to those who didn’t. She never wasted her time or resources and would stop at nothing for her own gain.

Her excellence wasn’t limited to just managerial aspects.

On the battlefield against the enemy kingdom, Viviana was a warrior armed with the exceptional talent inherited from her sword-wielding family. Her ability to cut down enemy soldiers was like a demon, making her a symbol of terror on the battlefield.

In the social circle, she maintained a noble beauty and a gentle smile, not arousing much suspicion. But those who knew her true nature dared not raise their heads in her presence, aware of the cold-hearted essence hidden behind her smile.

That’s the kind of person Viviana is.

‘What I wonder is why such a Viviana is interested in me.’

For now, since I can’t grasp the true meaning of this situation, it would be wise to play along with her tune for the time being. I smiled brightly and looked up at Viviana.

“I didn’t get to properly thank you last time. I’m really glad to see you again, Princess.”

“I wish you’d stop pretending, Lady Blanchard.”

But what came back to my flattery was an unexpectedly cold voice.

“Huh? What do you mean…?”

“I saw it all. You ended Lady Berdalin’s social life and were enjoying it.”

“…What?”

What?

I blinked in confusion at the unexpected words. Did she see what happened with Rose? No, that’s not the issue, but she said she saw me enjoying it?

That can’t be.

Even when I laughed briefly, I thoroughly hid my smile. At most, my eyes slightly curved, but that alone wouldn’t be enough to notice I was enjoying it. Even Lady Sharrione and the other young ladies didn’t notice, so there’s no way she could have caught such a subtle change.

“Princess Viviana. I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

“Lady. My senses are several times sharper than an average person’s. I can detect even the slightest emotional changes.”

“….”

I was shaken by Viviana’s unwavering voice. I knew she had keen instincts honed through extreme training. But I thought it was limited to combat situations, not that it would be so sharp in everyday life.

‘…What should I do?’

Her claim that she saw me enjoying myself felt true. I wanted to test Viviana, but I knew well that such attempts would be meaningless. Viviana knows that I am different from the pure image the world sees of me. So, if she says so, there’s no need to pretend.

“You can relax, Lady.”

“What do you want from me?”

I decided to follow her lead. Abandoning the intention to speak in a lively voice, my words came out cold and icy. But Viviana seemed satisfied with my tone.

“Well…what could I want from you, Lady?”

“I have nothing to offer you, Princess. My family has no money or power.”

Knowing her nature of coldly ignoring those who didn’t benefit her, I aimed at that point, but her eyes still held deep interest in me.

Why on earth? Why is Viviana interested in me? Without knowing that, I can’t escape her grasp.

But it was Viviana who answered my deep contemplation.

“Well, how about flattering me like you do with the other ladies?”

“…Huh?”

Viviana wore a mischievous smile and lifted my chin with her finger.

“Why don’t you try what you did with Lady Mardian on me? Then I might keep your sly intentions to myself.”

“….”

It was an unexpected request, but it gave me a clue to this confusing situation.

The situation was gradually becoming clearer.

The puzzle pieces were slowly coming together.

I finally found the answer to why Viviana showed such deep interest in me.

Ah, I see.

Why didn’t I realize something so obvious?

The primal instinct of humans cannot deny the attraction to cuteness. Even those with cold hearts melt at the bright and pure affection of a puppy, the witty charm of a cat, or the adorable cry of a baby.

Moreover, if that cuteness shows favor to them, they are helpless against its charm.

A truth that has never been denied in history. Cuteness always wins people’s favor.

“Pfft!”

I covered my mouth to stop the overflowing laughter. Viviana, not expecting my reaction, furrowed one eyebrow and looked down at me.

“Hmm…? Laughing suggests you don’t understand the situation, Lady Blanchard.”

“Ah, sorry, pfft…it’s just, I suddenly thought of something funny.”

I see.

Viviana.

You’re no different from the other ladies after all. Well, you’re just the same human, after all. Maybe I was trapped in the frame of thinking of myself as the protagonist and made unnecessary assumptions.

I covered my laughter with my hand and met Viviana’s eyes. Her cold purple eyes, which once frightened me, no longer seemed so scary.

“Princess. If it’s not too presumptuous, may I call you Viviana?”

Viviana.

You want to love me too.