Chapter 35

It’s been a week since Mardian assaulted me.

Mother absolutely couldn’t let this go and filed a lawsuit against the Count Aubreldein Family in the Empire’s court. Although the court was initially cold, thanks to Viviana, who stepped forward to help us, the investigation clearly progressed.

In the end, Mardian wasn’t punished.

Our family received some financial compensation, and the trial was concluded in secret. It was proven that Mardian had kidnapped me in a carriage, but the attempt to assault me couldn’t be proven.

There were many lengthy explanations, but the real reason was clear. The Count Aubreldein Family was a founding contributor to the Empire, while our family was just a declining baron family. Moreover, the Count Aubreldein Family must have bribed the court.

In the end, Mardian only had to pay some damages and gained a scandal for kidnapping me. Mother put in a lot of effort after that, but she ultimately had to face the cold wall of reality.

One night when Mother’s face looked increasingly worse, I secretly went to her room. Mother, who was always composed, was soothing herself with alcohol late at night. I quietly sat beside her and poured her a drink. She bowed her head with sad eyes.

“I’m sorry for being such an incompetent mother, Tina…”

“Don’t say that.”

I comforted her. Mother was far from incompetent. She was more capable and versatile than anyone. I hugged her tightly from behind and whispered comforting words into her ear.

“I love you, Mother. I love you, the one who cares for me the most in this world. I have never stopped loving you, so please don’t say such heartbreaking things.”

“…What have I done for you?”

“Tsk, that’s a bad thing to say, Mother.”

I climbed into her lap and kissed her cheek and forehead, comforting her self-reproach.

“I can’t even imagine what would have happened to our family without you. The fact that I can live happily here is all thanks to you.”

“…Yes, thank you.”

Though she still looked sad, Mother’s face seemed to brighten a little. She looked at me with softened eyes, her lips pursed.

“Tina.”

“Yes?”

“Do you remember when our lips touched last time?”

Mother seemed to be referring to the time I accidentally kissed her on the lips while trying to kiss her cheek. I was worried she might dislike me, but thankfully, she let it pass.

“Yes. Why?”

“Well… if you’re okay with it… I don’t think it’s bad.”

“Huh?”

I tilted my head in confusion, not understanding her words. Mother looked at me for a moment, then shook her head vigorously and stroked my hair with a gentle smile.

“No, never mind. I must be really drunk. You should go to bed now.”

Though I had questions, the night passed with Mother’s words. It seemed her anger toward Mardian hadn’t subsided, but she returned to her usual self and began handling the family affairs.

After that, there was no more mention of Mardian. Mother seemed to avoid directly mentioning her for my sake.

And nothing changed in the social circle either.

“Tina…”

“Sharrione.”

Sharrione looked at me with complex emotions. I weakly stepped into her embrace. She patted my back and sat me on her lap on the sofa.

“I heard the rumors. That something unpleasant happened with Lady Mardian.”

Sharrione stroked my head slowly as she spoke. The other young ladies around us cautiously comforted me.

“You must have been so shocked, Tina.”

“Lady Mardian… she can be so impulsive at times.”

“She must have been overwhelmed by how adorable Tina is. Sometimes I feel the same way when I see her.”

…I wish they wouldn’t say such things. Mardian’s lustful gaze was more than enough for me.

“Everything will be fine, Tina. Don’t resent Lady Mardian too much.”

Everyone was worried about me. But no one strongly condemned Mardian. They all knew how powerful the Count Aubreldein Family’s influence was.

It couldn’t be helped.

The Count Aubreldein Family was deeply rooted in both the light and dark sides of the Empire. Such a family wouldn’t fall just for touching a declining baron family’s daughter.

The young ladies here knew that too, which is why they couldn’t openly criticize Mardian’s clear wrongdoing. No matter how much they cared for me, it was only from the perspective of seeing me as a cute pet.

None of them would antagonize Mardian for my sake. No matter how precious a pet dog is, it can’t be more important than their own livelihood. Well, it’s the kind of relationship I wanted from them anyway, so I didn’t have any major complaints.

In this situation, showing hostility toward Mardian wouldn’t do me any good. It was better to use this incident to gain even more favor from the young ladies.

I leaned my cheek against Sharrione’s shoulder and smiled faintly.

“That’s right… Lady Mardian must have made a mistake. I don’t resent her.”

“…Tina.”

“How could I resent her? I admire and like her as much as I do you, Sharrione. I want to clear up any misunderstandings with her as soon as possible.”

Clear up misunderstandings, my foot. Just looking into her red eyes made me feel like throwing up. But thanks to my words, Sharrione’s affection for me deepened.

“You’re so obedient, Tina.”

“How could I harbor ill feelings toward my masters?”

“Hehe, well, I prepared a gift for you in case you were feeling down.”

“Huh? Oh, you didn’t have to…”

Sharrione handed me a small box beside the sofa. Inside was a transparent glass orb.

“It’s a magical tool. If you keep it by your side when you sleep, it will help you sleep peacefully.”

Sharrione tapped the glass orb with her finger, and a soft light emanated from within, accompanied by soothing music. It was indeed a perfect item to keep by your side before bed.

“…Thank you so much, Sharrione.”

In terms of efficiency, it wasn’t a particularly valuable item, but it was still a magical tool, so it must have been expensive. I hugged the glass orb tightly, hiding my sinister thoughts. The weight of the magical tool seemed to reflect its value.

Yes, this was the right way to handle things.

If someone saw me, they might wonder why I was still flattering others despite what happened with Mardian, but it wasn’t a big concern.

Mardian was a special case.

Look at Sharrione or Bersha. They treat me purely as a cute pet. Mardian, who harbored sexual desires for a pet, was the abnormal one.

Originally, she was the villainess in the game who tormented Lillian, one of the protagonists, to the end. Given how she mentally and physically tortured Lillian, she must have had a fundamentally twisted nature.

It was my carelessness not to notice that. But one thing was certain: the other young ladies wouldn’t cross the line like Mardian did. Homosexuality isn’t common in this world, and there couldn’t possibly be another twisted pervert with sexual desires for the same gender.

“Tina, your heart is admirable, but unfortunately, you won’t be able to see Lady Mardian for a while. Count Aubreldein has ordered her to stay at the mansion for a month.”

I swallowed my curses at Sharrione’s words. Attempted rape and only a month of house arrest? Nobles really have it easy. Though I had many complaints, not having to face her for a month was good news.

I resent Mardian to the point of wanting her dead, but I’m not thinking of revenge. I don’t have the strength for such feelings.

If I had protagonist buffs like Lillian or Viviana, it might be different, but as an extra who flatters and clings to the young ladies, opposing Mardian in the social circle would be suicidal.

Honestly, with my knowledge of the original story and the young ladies around me, there might be ways to deal a fatal blow to Mardian, but there was no need to take such a gamble.

She’ll fall anyway.

That’s the biggest reason I’m not seeking revenge against Mardian. Even if I don’t do anything, Mardian’s downfall is already set in stone.

Lillian Eldoria.

Like Viviana, she’s the protagonist of this world and the one who will later expose all the corruption of the Mardian Family and defeat the villainess. She’s probably still a low-ranking priestess, doing chores at the temple.

If my timing is right, Lillian will soon receive the Saintess’s blessing and appear in the social circle. When that happens, Mardian’s attention will turn back to the protagonist. No matter the route, Mardian’s obsession with tormenting Lillian is a fixed setting in the game.

‘Poor Lillian.’

Having to deal with a pervert like Mardian. Especially for our protagonist, who’s so kind-hearted she’s called a pushover, it will be even more of a headache.

But well, it’s none of my business.

Whatever hardships Lillian faces…

As long as it’s not me, it’s fine.