Chapter 36

“Hmph, hmm~.”

In the quiet hallway of the temple, a lively girl’s humming echoed. The sound was so refreshing that small birds surrounded her, chirping along to her tune.

“Lillian!”

A woman in priestly robes approached the girl. Lillian, the girl with sky-blue eyes that sparkled like the sea, looked at her curiously.

“What’s the matter, senior?”

“What are you doing here?!”

“Huh? There’s a bit of dust in the hallway, so I was cleaning…”

“This isn’t the time for cleaning! The Pope has summoned you!”

At the unexpected words, Lillian covered her mouth in shock. She looked at the woman with bewildered eyes and asked.

“Th-the Pope?”

“Yes! He’s urgently looking for you, so hurry along. I’ll take over the cleaning. Go!”

The woman snatched the rag from Lillian’s hand. As the woman pushed her from behind, Lillian reluctantly began to walk.

“Then I’ll be back soon to help! Let’s clean together.”

The woman blinked in surprise at Lillian’s bright smile. Lillian turned her back and walked away, the sunny rays making her pink hair shine even more beautifully.

Her humming once again filled the surroundings with energy. Lillian paused for a moment, stretching gracefully as she slowly extended her arms and legs. As her body loosened and a refreshing energy flowed through her, Lillian smiled brightly once more.

“By the way… I can’t believe it.”

Of all people, the Pope himself? Why would someone like him be looking for me? Along with worry, a subtle excitement about a new change began to bloom.

‘Surely something good will happen.’

After walking for a while, the girl looked up at the sky with a flower-like smile.

“Right, Goddess?”

As if answering her beautiful smile, the sky bestowed a radiant sunlight as bright as her smile.

*

“V-Viviana…”

*Gulp-*

I swallowed dryly under the sharp gaze of those violet eyes. The owner of those eyes held my wrist tightly with a stern expression.

“V-Viviana? Could you let go of this…?”

“Why? Are you planning to go flatter some other young ladies again?”

The pressure in Viviana’s voice left me speechless. I quickly racked my brain, trying to understand her mood.

How did it come to this?

Just an hour ago, I was mingling with Sharrione and her group. Sharrione had comforted me, who was feeling down due to the incident with Mardian, and the other young ladies had patted my head, sharing their affection.

It was my usual way of surviving in the social circle, receiving the love of the young ladies from powerful families. But while I was being petted by the young ladies, something unexpected happened.

“…You seem to be living quite comfortably, Lady Tina.”

Suddenly, Viviana appeared, grabbed my arm, and dragged me into the reception room of the banquet. Her sudden appearance left me confused, and I blinked in a daze.

‘Was this banquet hosted by the imperial family…?’

No, it wasn’t. It was just a regular, unremarkable banquet held periodically. Why Viviana, who usually only shows her face at imperial palace banquets, would appear at such a modest event was a mystery.

Now, I was sitting alone with Viviana on the sofa in the reception room. Her violet eyes kept piercing through me, and I couldn’t help but feel awkward.

“Why is Viviana at such a banquet…?”

“Am I not allowed to attend such banquets? I don’t recall being banned from entering.”

“N-no, that’s not what I meant…”

Why, though?

Viviana’s expression seemed quite annoyed. She looked a bit angry, or perhaps frustrated. I couldn’t quite grasp her mood.

“Viviana, are you upset…?”

“No? Why would I be upset?”

Even when I asked, she denied it.

I don’t know what she wants me to do.

As I hesitated, unable to find the right words, Viviana finally let out a deep sigh and released my hand.

“Forget it. I came here for a different reason.”

“Y-you came here for me?”

“Yes, why else would I attend such a banquet?”

The thought that Viviana had come to this banquet just to see me left me feeling both puzzled and strangely pleased. I couldn’t quite pinpoint the emotion, but it didn’t feel bad.

“I heard the news. You received a small compensation from the Count Aubreldein family, right?”

“…Yes, that’s correct.”

I wondered what she was talking about, but it was related to Mardian. Perhaps because the memories of that time resurfaced, I didn’t want to bring up the topic.

“Do you want my help?”

“Huh?”

A faint smile appeared on Viviana’s lips. Her sharp features softened with the charming smile, creating a cool atmosphere.

“Don’t you dislike Mardian? I can’t promise anything, but I can help bring her down.”

“You, Princess? Why?”

“I don’t like her either. She had the audacity to challenge me, and her eyes were quite unpleasant.”

I was baffled. Mardian was the villainess when playing as Lillian in the game, but originally, Mardian and Viviana were never supposed to cross paths. There was no scenario where Viviana would directly oppose Mardian.

So, this must be because of me, the irregular. I tried to maintain a calm expression as I looked at Viviana.

“I’m fine. I’ll just accept your kind thoughts, Princess.”

Well, whatever the original plot was, it didn’t matter to me. Whether the empire prospered or fell, whether Lillian became a saintess or an empress, I just wanted to live a comfortable life with my mother.

And anyway, Lillian would handle Mardian. There was no need for me to get involved in unnecessary trouble.

“…You’re fine?”

Seemingly not expecting my answer, Viviana tilted her head with a puzzled expression.

“Yes. I want to let this matter go.”

“That’s strange.”

What’s strange? Curious, I asked her, and Viviana smirked, looking at me intently.

“The pet lady I know would have tried to sweet-talk me at this point. With a charming voice, saying things like ‘I’ll only trust you’ or ‘You’re the only one for me.’”

“Huh…?”

“Why pretend not to know? We both know your true nature, so there’s no need to hide it in front of me.”

“…”

“Or do you not feel the need to put on an act for me anymore? Am I no longer necessary?”

Why, though?

At Viviana’s cold words, my mood sank slightly.

But she wasn’t wrong. If it were the old me, I would have used Viviana. With my knowledge of the game, I would have sweet-talked her to gain some benefit without hesitation.

But now… I didn’t want to.

Unlike me, Viviana had a bright future ahead. As long as she played the piano on time to lower her corruption gauge, she would achieve great deeds worthy of being called a hero.

How could I possibly hold onto someone like that?

Of course, the old me wouldn’t have cared and would have used Viviana for my own gain, but now…

“…Idiot.”

In my frustration, I muttered under my breath. But as if she heard me, Viviana furrowed her brow and lifted my chin.

“Idiot? Are you talking to me?”

“…You told me not to be fake.”

“Huh?”

“Since you said that, I’ve been trying to speak from the heart… but all I end up saying are hurtful things…”

“…Huh?”

Viviana’s violet eyes shook violently. I couldn’t bring myself to meet her gaze and hung my head low.

“A-and I don’t want to be fake with you either, Viviana.”

This symptom is acting up again.

The words won’t come out properly.

It’s like I’ve lost my ability to speak.

Even though my head isn’t injured, the words that usually flow so smoothly now feel too embarrassing to utter, one by one.

As I kept silent, waiting, I fidgeted with my fingers and struggled to open my mouth.

“O-of course, I know this side of me is strange… but I want to be genuine with you, Viviana… I just don’t know how… I don’t know how to smile…”

“…”

If I said any more, I felt like my face would burst from shame. I’m not a child, so why is speaking so difficult?

Pathetic.

I can’t even manage simple words. It’s like I’ve regressed to before I learned social skills from my childhood friend. I wanted to escape that timid version of myself, which is why I learned to wear a mask and interact with others…

Even though I said I hated that mask, I suddenly felt annoyed at Viviana for acting so capriciously.

“I don’t know. I’m leaving.”

I stood up with an irritated voice. I tried to leave, but Viviana quickly grabbed my wrist tightly. The grip was stronger than I expected, and a sharp pain shot through my wrist.

Startled, I looked at Viviana. But she avoided my gaze, her head lowered as she muttered softly.

“…Sorry, Lady. Forget what I said earlier. I’d rather you just fake it with me.”

Her words, so hard to understand, made my irritation flare up. I’m trying to be genuine here, so why does she keep treating me like a liar?

“No, I won’t. I’ll only show my true self to you, Viviana. Even if you find it frustrating, there’s nothing I can do about it.”

I shouted at her, my cheeks red. But despite my loud outburst, Viviana remained silent, her head still lowered.

How long did the silence between us last? Viviana let go of my hand without a word. Overwhelmed by shame, I stormed out of the room.

Before leaving, I glanced back at Viviana. She covered her mouth with one hand, her head still bowed, and muttered softly in a voice so low it was almost inaudible.

*“That’s exactly why it’s more dangerous…”*

Unable to understand her words, I slammed the door shut. As I stepped into the hallway, a cool breeze cooled my flushed cheeks.

‘I must have seen wrong…’

I thought I saw Viviana’s ears turn bright red at the end. But after thinking about it a few times, I was sure I must have been mistaken.

After all, it’s Viviana we’re talking about.

There’s no way she’d blush because of someone like me.