Chapter 48

As I raised my hand, the sound of still water spread throughout the bathroom.

“Hmm~”

A hum naturally flowed out in the warm water. Gently lifting the flower petals floating on the bathtub with both hands, I took in their scent. The sweet and enchanting aroma calmed my heart.

Slowly stepping out of the bathtub, I wrapped a towel around myself. Water droplets dripped from my still-damp hair, but I opened the door with a mischievous smile.

“Iris, I’m done washing.”

Iris, standing in front of the door, turned her head at my call. Her black pupils widened in surprise, and she quickly turned her head away. A faint blush spread across her face.

“Eek…!”

A voice I hadn’t heard since our first meeting escaped her lips. Even then, I noticed that Iris’s voice was as calm and cold as her appearance.

“Hehe, I just wanted to tease you.”

Iris glared at me with sharp eyes.

Well, even though I showed my naked body, I didn’t feel particularly uncomfortable. I knew that someone as beautiful as me, with a slender and pale body, would inevitably look fascinating from an aesthetic perspective.

It was a prank I would never have pulled in front of someone like Mardian, but with someone as stoic as Iris, I couldn’t help but feel like teasing her.

It’s not like showing my naked body would wear it out… and if it’s Iris…

“It’s fine… if it’s Iris, it’s fine.”

“…!”

At my soft voice, Iris’s pupils widened once again. The usually motionless girl had already shown signs of agitation twice today, making it quite a meaningful day.

“Just kidding. Did you have any strange thoughts?”

Iris remained silent, and I laughed mischievously at her.

“Surely, Iris isn’t that kind of pervert. We’re both girls, so you wouldn’t get excited, right?”

Leaving the dazed Iris behind, I closed the door. Hiding an uncontrollable laugh, I dried my hair with the towel.

‘Should I ask Viviana to make Iris my personal maid when we return to the mansion?’

Since Viviana doesn’t get attached to people, it might be worth trying to persuade her. If she agrees, I’ll take Iris to the mansion and keep teasing her.

“Giggle-.”

What kind of mischief should I try next?

After enjoying my bath, I spent time reading a book on the bed, and before I knew it, evening approached.

Ringing the bell twice for dinner, the door opened, and a blonde maid entered.

“Hmm… Siriel is on dinner duty today?”

At my voice, her face twisted. Her attitude of openly showing her dislike for me made me ponder for a moment.

I didn’t want to eat the dinner prepared by Siriel, who disliked me. I had never requested meals on her duty days in the first place. Who knows if she might spit in my food?

I wasn’t particularly curious about why Siriel disliked me, but I could roughly guess.

‘It must be jealousy.’

Siriel wasn’t of common birth. Her well-maintained skin and delicate complexion made her more of a lady-in-waiting than a hardworking maid.

Judging by her subtle aristocratic gestures, she probably came from some family to serve as a maid in the ducal household. It was understandable that she would resent having to serve the daughter of a declining baronial family.

Of course, it was none of my business.

“People should live in positions that suit them.”

I smiled at Siriel and rang the bell again. As the bell rang, another wrinkle formed on Siriel’s forehead.

“Could you prepare dinner for me, Siriel?”

Don’t feel too wronged, Siriel.

Honestly, your feelings are probably better than mine, being ignored by a game character as pitiful as you.

You’re just a common maid, but I’m the pet cherished by the princess.

“Please make it delicious. I’m looking forward to it.”

Siriel’s lips trembled. She looked at me with a face red with anger and burning eyes, then opened her mouth.

“You… you who crawled out of a brothel…!”

“Oh, you spoke?”

“…!”

Siriel’s body flinched. At her clear reaction, I smiled with satisfaction once again.

“I’m sure the princess told you not to say anything to me…”

I slowly got up from the bed and approached Siriel. With a bad temper and a quick temper, she really is a hopeless girl.

“Did you just disobey the princess’s order? Wow… I guess that’s possible for a maid of the Merdelia Ducal Family.”

“…”

“Giggle- you’re mute again. How frustrating.”

Siriel clenched her fists and gritted her teeth. Her eyes looked like she was about to slap me right then and there. If she had slapped me, I had thought of persuading Viviana to kick her out of the ducal mansion, but surprisingly, she showed no reaction.

Usually, in these clichés, they slap, but I guess she has some pride as a noble?

[Tina, I’m coming in.]

While I was looking at Siriel in puzzlement, a familiar voice came from outside the door. Looking at the clock, it was already time for Viviana to return from her duties.

What a shame. I wanted to provoke Siriel a little more.

Soon, the door opened, and Viviana, exuding an extraordinary nobility, appeared. Siriel immediately bowed her head, and I ran to Viviana with a faint smile.

“Oh… you’re back, Lady Viviana. You must have had a hard day today…!”

Viviana hugged me as I clumsily ran to her and lifted me in a princess carry. Now accustomed to this position, I naturally wrapped my arms around Viviana’s neck and entrusted my body to her.

“Tina, did something happen?”

Perhaps sensing the tension between me and Siriel, Viviana looked back and forth between us and asked in a puzzled voice.

Siriel’s eyes twitched slightly. Talking to me meant disobeying Viviana’s orders, so it must have been on her mind.

As expected, third-rate villains always end up like this. Swallowing a sneer, I gently leaned my head on Viviana’s shoulder.

“Nothing happened. I just rang the bell for dinner, and then you came.”

“You haven’t eaten yet? You must be hungry.”

“I was hungry… but now I’m fine.”

Viviana nodded quietly and signaled Siriel to leave. Siriel bowed deeply to her master one last time and left the room with hesitant steps.

Before closing the door, Siriel turned to look at me once. I smiled and waved lightly, and she closed the door with a resentful expression.

Now only Viviana and I remained in the room. In the awkward silence, Viviana was the first to speak.

“I missed you, Tina.”

Her straightforward confession made me a little flustered. It was rare for Viviana to express her feelings so openly. Was she tired from today’s work? Come to think of it, she did look a bit worn out…

“Did something happen?”

I asked cautiously.

“Hmm?”

“You look tired. Should I give you a massage?”

There’s no better opportunity to increase favorability than when the other person is emotionally exhausted. Maybe today I can raise Viviana’s affection level even more.

‘This is good for me.’

If Viviana falls deeper for me, there are many things I want to ask of her. For example, making Iris my personal maid and kicking Siriel out of the mansion might be possible.

“It’s okay, I don’t think I need a massage.”

Viviana took off her thick coat and unbuttoned her shirt. Then she lay down on the bed and pulled me onto it.

The soft bed supported me, and Viviana pulled me into her embrace. As if giving a back hug, I was momentarily bewildered in her arms.

I blinked in confusion, feeling like I had become a pet.

…Huh?

What is this?

Viviana’s behavior today was somehow strange. More affectionate than usual. Of course, we had hugged before and had many intimate moments, but we had never back-hugged like this. I had received back hugs from others, but I never thought Viviana would do such a thing.

As various thoughts crossed my mind, Viviana whispered in my ear.

“Tina.”

“Gasp?”

Her faint breath tickled my ear, making my whole body reflexively tremble. Flustered, I turned to look at Viviana. Her usually calm purple eyes were burning as they stared at me.

“Tina, can I ask you for one favor?”

“Huh? Yes… if it’s Lady Viviana’s request…”

Though startled by the sudden request, I nodded in agreement. Viviana stared at me for a while, then smiled and whispered in my ear again.

“Can I touch your butt?”

“…”

…

…

…

“Huh?”

My… butt?

For a moment, I doubted if I had heard correctly.

What did she just say?

Can she… touch my butt?

“My… butt?”

“Yes.”

…What the hell?