Chapter 24

In the quiet night where faint moonlight seeped through the window, I gently stroked Viviana’s back as she lay quietly in my arms.

“You played really well, Princess. It’s going to be an unforgettable memory.”

“….”

Viviana simply stared at me with an unreadable gaze, saying nothing. I smiled faintly, gently released her from my embrace, and slowly rose from the piano chair.

“Well, I should get going. I hope to see you again.”

At my farewell, Viviana seemed momentarily flustered but soon broke her silence with a calm voice.

“Where are you going?”

“I should head back to my mansion. I can’t impose on you here too late into the night.”

“Young Lady, it’s very late. Do you really intend to return alone as a woman in the dark?”

Hearing her words, I glanced out the window. The sky, illuminated by the bright moonlight, was shrouded in deep darkness. As Viviana said, who knows what might happen if I left at this hour.

So tell me, Viviana.

Tell me not to go home.

“It’s fine, this is the Empire after all. What could possibly happen?”

“Huh?… Are you really this naive when it comes to such things?”

“And you must be busy, Princess… I don’t want to take up any more of your time.”

I spoke in a slightly somber tone. Viviana looked at me with a bewildered expression, then sighed softly and brushed her bangs back.

“Stop talking nonsense and stay the night. I’ve prepared dinner, so let’s eat together.”

At Viviana’s quiet request.

I hid the smile that threatened to break out.

—

Sleepover.

This term, originating from America, refers to spending the night at a friend’s house. Of course, I never had close friends in my past life to experience it, but according to my childhood friend, there’s something girls always do when they sleep over at each other’s houses.

The so-called “girls’ talk.”

Shedding pretenses and facades, it’s a warm time to share hidden thoughts. Thanks to this girls’ talk, friendships among women deepen. Even those who aren’t particularly close naturally end up sharing serious conversations when lying in bed together.

And as I found out, just as my childhood friend said, girls really do spill their secrets easily. In short, they’re loose-lipped.

I’ve been invited to spend the night at numerous noble ladies’ mansions. There, I heard all sorts of stories. Some confessed their families were struggling financially, while others admitted their fiancés were unfaithful but they couldn’t bring themselves to break it off. All stories that held their fatal weaknesses.

As if lying in bed together deepened friendships, they shared their vulnerabilities without hesitation. Perhaps they felt comfortable telling me because they saw me as nothing more than a pet.

After all, it’s common sense that pets don’t bite their owners.

—

“I’ll sleep here.”

At my cheerful voice, Viviana raised an eyebrow in confusion.

“On the sofa?”

“Yes! It looks cozy and comfortable.”

Indeed, the sofa I was sitting on was spacious enough to stretch out fully. It might not be as good as a bed, but it seemed comfortable enough for a good night’s sleep.

“But the bed is big enough, why bother?”

Viviana frowned, clearly not understanding. True to her words, the bed in the center of the room was massive, easily fitting five people.

And it wasn’t just the bed.

I glanced around. Truly befitting a ducal family, the room was extravagantly luxurious. The windows were adorned with intricate lace curtains, the walls covered in gold-leafed wallpaper, and the ceiling hung with priceless crystal chandeliers.

Even the nightgown Viviana lent me was embroidered with delicate patterns, clearly too fine for someone like me.

“No, how could I possibly share a bed with the Princess? Honestly, even this sofa is too much for me.”

“Hmph.”

Perhaps my words didn’t sit well with her, Viviana crossed her arms and glared at me, clearly annoyed.

“That’s quite rude. Did you think our ducal family would make a guest sleep on a sofa?”

“N-no, it’s not that. I just didn’t want to upset you, Viviana…”

Viviana sighed softly and approached me. She slipped her hands under my back and legs, lifting me effortlessly, and then tossed me onto the bed.

“Eek!”

The momentary sensation of floating was brief, and soon I sank into the soft bed. Viviana blew out the candles in the room and quietly climbed onto the bed.

“Sleep well and go back tomorrow.”

“Are you going to sleep right away?”

“Yes, you should sleep too, Young Lady.”

With that, Viviana turned her back to me and lay down. I glanced at her sensual figure visible through her nightgown, then pulled the blanket up to hide my smile.

‘Liar.’

I’ve seen enough bedrooms in this ducal family. If she really just wanted me to sleep, she would’ve put me in a guest room. But Viviana brought me to her own room. Despite her cold words, it was clear she had some affection for me.

No matter how cold Viviana seemed, she was still just a woman. She must have something she unconsciously desired—the essential girls’ talk.

And most importantly, Viviana suffers from mild insomnia. This is a clear fact in the game. If someone who’s slain countless enemies on the battlefield could sleep soundly, they’d be a psychopath.

I suppressed my rising smile and turned toward Viviana, speaking softly.

“Princess, are you asleep?”

“….”

No response. But I continued on my own.

“I was wondering… can I ask you something?”

Again, no answer. But as I waited quietly, Viviana eventually sighed deeply and turned toward me.

Facing Viviana, I instinctively shivered at her cold, violet eyes staring at me in the dark. Truly, unlike the other young ladies, the feeling was different.

“Speak.”

At her reluctant voice, I smiled brightly. Wriggling under the blanket, I moved a bit closer to her.

“You mix formal and informal speech with me… is there a reason?”

“Ah, I’m not used to formal speech.”

Usually, it’s the opposite. Truly fitting for our high-and-mighty Princess.

“If it’s okay with you, could you drop the formalities with me? I like it when you treat me comfortably.”

“…Well, I was planning to anyway. Fine, Blanchard Young Lady.”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Viviana immediately switched to informal speech. I inched closer to her and asked another question.

“Princess Viviana, do you have any worries?”

“Worries?”

“Yes, since we’re sleeping together, if there’s anything you’d like to share, I’d love to listen. Maybe I can help a little?”

Like with the other young ladies, I wore a harmless smile and gently took Viviana’s hand. Even if it wasn’t a deep story, I thought she’d share some trivial worries.

But contrary to my expectations, Viviana’s response was a cold stare.

“Tina Blanchard.”

The atmosphere shifted instantly.

The warm mood from earlier vanished, replaced by her icy voice that left me speechless. As I stared at her with trembling eyes, she continued, gazing at me intently.

“I’ll admit, you’re a lovely young lady. No wonder the social circle adores you.”

“….”

“But don’t overstep. I really dislike people who take me lightly.”

I couldn’t respond. It wasn’t just her overwhelming presence. Viviana’s words had struck a nerve, leaving me unable to speak.

“Maybe you’ve charmed other young ladies with that mischievous smile of yours. But don’t even think about manipulating me.”

…Where did I go wrong?

Just moments ago in the piano room, I could see she had some affection for me when I hugged her. Why has it changed so much now?

Right.

She’s absolutely right. I was sure Viviana had opened up to me by now. And if she became my ally, I planned to use her to curb Mardian’s bold actions.

In the end, as Viviana said.

I had taken her lightly.

“So, Young Lady, you can drop the act now. I know it’s not sincere anyway.”

“….”

“Sleep well. I’ll think about your earlier proposal and decide for myself.”

Viviana looked at me for a while, then chuckled softly and turned her back to me again.

I blinked blankly for a long time. A whirlwind of unknown emotions churned inside me. Slowly, I turned my head to look at my reflection in the moonlit window.

A pale face with blue eyes. But the bright, sparkling eyes that the young ladies loved were no longer there.

“….”

I touched my face.

I placed my hand over the eyes reflected in the window.

Eyes I’d seen countless times in my past life.

Lifeless, dead eyes.

Eyes worn down by poverty.

The eyes of a miserable orphan, a loser.

Eyes abandoned even by the only friend I trusted.

But it was only for a moment. I shook my head a few times and forced a smile. As if nothing had happened, the dull eyes vanished, replaced by clear, bright ones again.

‘Hmm….’

It’s not easy being the protagonist.