Chapter 28

“Are there any side effects?”

In the basement of a quiet tavern, an authoritative voice echoed. From beneath a hood, a pair of crimson eyes glowed ominously through the strands of dazzling golden hair.

The woman sat elegantly on a chair, legs crossed. Before her, a bald man lay prostrate on the ground, bowing deeply.

“Yes. The human trials have passed countless times.”

“Really? If even a hint of toxicity shows in my Tina, your life won’t be enough to pay for it.”

“Don’t worry. Only pure ingredients were used, so there’s no harm to the human body.”

The man groveled as he handed her a vial. The woman examined the drug for a while, then, with a satisfied smile, tossed a heavy pouch of coins onto the ground. It was filled with gleaming gold coins. The man immediately knelt and clutched the pouch.

“Of course, no one knows about this, right?”

“Don’t worry. I haven’t breathed a word to anyone.”

“So, no one knows?”

The man confidently puffed out his chest and answered loudly.

“Yes! That’s right!”

“Liar.”

“Huh?”

The bald man blinked in confusion. The woman’s red lips curved into a crescent moon, and her slender finger pointed at him.

“Here’s someone who knows.”

“M-Mardian-sama…”

The man’s eyes shook like an earthquake had struck. He immediately pressed his head to the ground and began pleading desperately. But no matter how fervently he begged, the venom in the woman’s eyes showed no sign of fading.

“Thanks for the drug. Because of you, I can now heal Tina’s trauma.”

“A-actually, the drug has a fatal side effect! I kept quiet for my own safety, but if you take it-.”

“Pfft. How desperate.”

The man tried to backtrack to save himself, but the woman’s crimson eyes only held a cold, mocking smile.

“Even if there are side effects, it’s fine. Even if Tina becomes disabled, I’ll take care of her with love for the rest of her life.”

“P-please…”

The woman stood gracefully and walked past the man. Without a glance or a trace, she disappeared.

Soon after, mysterious hooded figures entered through the door where the woman had left. Their shadows slowly engulfed the bald man. With hollow eyes, he muttered his last words.

“Damn… nobles…”

*Screech-*

Despite the ominous sound, the woman showed no sign of disturbance as she smiled at the small vial in her hand. A faint glow shimmered in her eyes.

“Ah, Tina, just wait a little longer.”

My Tina, I never imagined you had such a painful wound in your childhood. To think you were sexually assaulted by your own father… If that bastard were still alive, I would have flayed him alive. What a pity.

How hard it must have been for you.

But don’t worry anymore. Big sister will give you pleasures you’ve never known. Pleasures so strong you’ll forget that damn rapist. When that time comes, we’ll enjoy every night together.

That’s when you’ll truly become my pet.

Forever.

“Hehe…”

The woman’s crimson eyes, tinged with bloodlust, shone like those of a true villain.

—

On a fresh morning, the sun shone warmly, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves. In the middle of a grand garden, a tea party was in full swing, with young ladies gathered in small groups, laughing and chatting.

Amid the cheerful atmosphere, Sharrione looked at me with a serious expression.

“Tina. Don’t you have anything to say to us?”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“Your birthday is next month. Why haven’t you sent us any invitations?”

“Ah, how did you know…?”

“Don’t underestimate the gossip of the social circle, Tina.”

I actually knew how they found out. I had intentionally leaked the information about my birthday. But I pretended to be clueless, muttering timidly.

“…Our family isn’t wealthy. Even if we held a party, it would be too modest, so I decided not to.”

“Don’t say such things, Tina!”

Sharrione’s face twisted in anger as she raised her voice. She stared at me with her sparkling blue eyes for a while, then sighed and hugged me tightly.

“Does the venue matter? Tina, you’re our pet. Of course, we should come and celebrate with you. You must hold the party. This is an order from your master.”

“But… I can’t invite noble ladies like you to such a humble place.”

While some tried to persuade me otherwise, others nodded in understanding. Sharrione gently stroked my head and comforted me.

“It’s okay. Because you’re adorable.”

Encouraged by her warmth, I cautiously looked around at the young ladies and spoke. Trying not to seem too excited or too timid.

“Then… may I send you invitations? I’d love to spend my birthday with my masters.”

At my words, the young ladies smirked slightly, then, as if unable to hold back, they all hugged me tightly.

“Of course! We’ll definitely attend!”

“Hehe, I’ve been wanting to dress you in something special. You’ll wear it, right?”

“Don’t worry about the refreshments. Since Tina is poor, we’ll bring them from our favorite patisserie!”

Among the young ladies, who adored me with crescent-moon smiles, not a single negative word was spoken. While I couldn’t be sure about others, at least those present would surely attend.

After that, things were straightforward. After the tea party, I returned home and, as the young ladies suggested, wrote invitations to each of them.

I mentioned my upcoming birthday, the modesty of the party due to our family’s financial situation, and how happy I would be if they attended. I sent letters to Bersha, Sharrione, Mardian, and other young ladies who favored me.

I didn’t expect all of them to come. To them, I’m just a beloved pet, and few would care enough to spare their personal time for me.

But it didn’t matter. Even if just those three came, it would be a success. After all, most of the expensive gifts I’ve received came from them.

And if they came, others would surely follow. In the social circle, no one holds as much influence as they do.

“Ah, there’s one more.”

Under the faint moonlight, I recalled a pleasant piano performance. I had briefly considered sending an invitation to Viviana.

After all, I had stayed at her mansion before, and we shared a meaningful, albeit brief, connection. Inviting her to a birthday party wouldn’t be strange.

But in the end, I decided not to. I had clearly sensed it before. Viviana is not someone I can handle. If Mardian is a fox, Viviana is a tiger.

Rather than involving her and risking unforeseen events, it’s better to keep our paths separate. And she probably wouldn’t care about my birthday party anyway. It’s been over three months since we last met, and she likely doesn’t even remember my name. Viviana doesn’t form deep attachments to others.

I sighed as I looked at the pile of invitations. I had to send them to each of the young ladies’ mansions. Since the Blanchard family didn’t hire a messenger, I had to go to a place like a monastery to send the letters myself.

After finishing all the preparations, I stood up with the envelopes in my arms. But a sudden, sharp pain made me groan and sit back down.

I clung to the chair, groaning for a while, and as the pain subsided, I grimaced and muttered.

“Ugh… my period is really…”

From what I’ve heard, this is the body’s way of expelling dead eggs. Since I won’t be getting pregnant anyway, I don’t understand why I have to suffer this pain every month. If I could, I’d remove the part that produces eggs right now.

With a short sigh, I popped a piece of chocolate my mother had given me into my mouth. The sweetness, filled with my mother’s affection, spread over my tongue, and the throbbing pain gradually subsided.

I slapped my cheeks to steel myself. There was no time to dawdle. It would take all day just to send the letters. With a bright smile on my face, I hurried out of the room.

As I stepped out with the invitations in my arms, the outside air felt chilly. Yet, my heart was filled with various desires.

My upcoming birthday.

Surely, only good things will happen.

Well… actually…

As long as my financial luck is good.

Hehe.