Chapter 50

“Fine, I’ll let you touch it, whatever.”

It’s not like I can’t let you touch that butt. It’s not like it’s going to wear out from being touched, and compared to other parts, the butt isn’t really a place that gives off much of a repulsive feeling.

In fact, when it comes to discipline between mother and daughter, or even playful antics between same genders, there are times when the butt gets slapped, right?

Thinking about it, even in my past life, I saw plenty of scenes where male students would kick each other’s butts, saying, “That’s so satisfying!”

Plus, I’m pretty, aren’t I? Naturally, my butt would be just as plump and firm. It’s not that strange to feel the urge to touch it.

I’ll do you a favor, Viviana.

You’ll definitely love it.

Seeing her, who is usually calm and composed, get flustered is quite enjoyable. Remembering how she once looked at me with such intense desire, she’ll surely be thrilled and flustered this time too.

With a slightly excited heart, I rang the bell four times. Once for the bathroom, twice for meals, three times for a bath, and four times when I wanted to see Viviana.

Luna came in response to the bell. I smiled at her and rang the bell four times.

“I have something to discuss with Lady Viviana.”

Luna looked a bit flustered, then briefly bowed her head and stepped out. She probably went to report to Viviana.

Soon, Luna returned and bowed to me again, gesturing outside the door. I smiled lightly, got up from the bed, and followed Luna. Guided by her, I walked through the expansive mansion’s hallway, and the numerous paintings on the walls caught my eye.

Each one seemed to be of an incredibly high value. There must be dozens of them. Maybe I could ask for a few when I completely charm Viviana.

While indulging in such greedy thoughts, I suddenly found myself in front of Viviana’s office. Luna stepped back and pointed to the door with her fingertips.

“Thank you.”

I thanked Luna for guiding me and knocked on the door. Soon, a familiar voice came from the luxurious wooden door.

[Come in.]

With Viviana’s permission, I awkwardly smiled and opened the door. The door opened, revealing a luxurious interior with a faint scent of ink.

Viviana was sitting at her desk, handling some work. However, what was puzzling was that another familiar woman was sitting right next to her.

‘…Why are Viviana and Iris sitting together?’

I wondered.

Viviana is a princess, and Iris is, at best, a maid. There should be a clear difference in status, so seeing them sitting side by side like this was hard to understand. Did they have some business to discuss?

And what bothered me the most.

‘…Aren’t they a bit too close?’

Their chairs were unnecessarily close. If it was just about work, there was no need to sit that close.

Weren’t they just in a simple master-servant relationship?

Why?

My heart started beating fast for no reason.

“What is it, Tina?”

Viviana’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. She was still sitting at her desk, looking at me curiously.

“…I came to talk to you, Princess.”

“Talk?”

While answering, Viviana was still sitting close to Iris. For some reason, my heart felt uneasy about the situation.

“I’ll take my leave. You two can talk.”

Iris glanced at me and started to get up. But just as she was about to leave, Viviana grabbed her hand and sat her back down.

“Stay and wait, it’ll be over soon.”

“Princess…”

…What’s this?

A tender atmosphere flowed between them.

Viviana’s eyes were affectionate as she held Iris. Watching that, I felt an inexplicable suffocation.

What is this?

You want to finish talking to me quickly but want to stay with Iris longer? What’s going on?

Why?

Viviana should be head over heels for me… Why is she being so affectionate with Iris?

What’s there to care about with such a stoic woman?

Sure, her face is pretty, but you like me way more, Viviana.

Thump-thump-

My heart, which had been beating fast, started to pound with frustration. I don’t know what expression I’m making right now. I wanted to run away immediately, but I forced a smile and kept my mask from slipping.

“What is it, Tina? If it’s not important, you can tell me later at dinner.”

Viviana gave me a smiling glance. At first glance, it seemed kind, but I know Viviana’s face.

Those eyes were definitely faking affection. It was the expression Viviana used when dealing with someone annoying in social circles.

Just a means to maintain the minimum noble etiquette with someone bothersome, that’s the fake look Viviana was giving me.

“…No… I thought about it, and it’s not important… I’ll talk to you later.”

I forced a calm smile, spoke, and slowly left the office, closing the door behind me.

Without Luna’s guidance, I ran back to my room without looking back.

“…Annoying.”

I should just sleep.

I didn’t want to do anything.

*

As the lively girl, who brought a smile just by looking at her, disappeared, the office was filled with cold air again. The two women, who had been pretending to be affectionate, covered their mouths and gagged.

“Ugh.”

Their eyes, which had seemed affectionate, were now completely devoid of any warmth. Viviana kicked the chair Iris was sitting on and spoke shortly.

“Get away.”

“…I thought I was going to throw up, my lord.”

Iris quickly moved away from Viviana, disgusted. The distance of about five steps from Viviana’s desk was just the right comfortable distance for the two of them, master and servant.

“My lord, I wish you would refrain from such requests…”

“Do you think I do this because I want to?”

Viviana rested her chin on her hand. Her icy expression quickly melted, and a pitiful smile appeared on her lips as she muttered to herself.

“By the way, I think her true self showed a bit just now… She’s ridiculously cute… I could die from how adorable she is… Maybe I’ll secretly bite her later…”

“…Ugh.”

Iris felt nauseous. This woman, who was reminiscing with affectionate eyes and a tender voice, was definitely not the master she knew.

Seeing her so different from what she knew, Iris couldn’t help but ask.

“Why are you acting like this?”

“Hmm… My pet keeps trying to play with me, so I need to thoroughly educate her.”

“Then why not just break her once and make her completely obedient?”

There are plenty of ways to train someone into a loyal slave. You can imprint fear through endless violence, or you can take their most precious treasure hostage to gain loyalty.

And if it were the Viviana I know, she would have done just that. She has always done so, and that’s the Merdelia way. In fact, I was trained that way too.

“I promised her mother not to hurt Tina.”

“Her mother?”

Are you talking about the Duke? But he has been on the front lines for years, preparing for retirement. As far as I know, the two of you weren’t on such good terms to make promises.

And the title is different too. Not ‘mother,’ but ‘her mother.’ That’s usually how you refer to someone else’s mother, isn’t it?

“…Are you talking about the Blanchard Young Lady’s mother?”

“Who else?”

“Why do you call her ‘her mother’?”

Viviana’s eyes shook slightly, but she quickly returned to her icy expression and looked at Iris.

“None of your business. Why are you so talkative today?”

A heavy pressure, as if weighing down with a thousand pounds, emanated from Viviana. The unique aura of the Merdelia family seeped out. Iris took a step back and bowed, maintaining her position.

“…I’m sorry.”

Viviana sighed briefly and tapped the desk a few times with her fingers. After a moment of thought, she looked at Iris and spoke shortly.

“Stay close to Tina like before. Report immediately if anything happens.”

“Understood.”

“Be careful not to fall for Tina. Others can be replaced, but you’re too useful to lose.”

“…I’ll keep that in mind.”

The somewhat delayed response made Viviana narrow her eyes and look at Iris.

“…Let me ask, you haven’t fallen for her yet, have you?”

“Not yet.”

“…Not yet?”

“…You don’t need to worry, my lord.”

“…”

A strange atmosphere flowed between them. Under Viviana’s intense gaze, Iris broke into a cold sweat and thought to herself.

Honestly, it was dangerous. Especially when that pet lady showed me her naked body and played around, for a moment, I felt a violent urge.

If I hadn’t heard from my master about the cunning side of the Blanchard family’s young lady, I might have hit her white belly right then.

[She’s a woman who naturally seduces people, so be careful.]

Indeed, it was true. After secretly guarding her for nearly two weeks, I understood why she was called the Pet Lady.

Outwardly, she blooms like a gorgeous flower, but inside, there’s poison instead of honey. A deadly poison that once tasted, you can’t return.

She’s a lady skilled in seducing people with words. Behind her bright smile and tender voice, there’s a cunning whisper hidden like a snake’s tongue.

“…She’s a dangerous woman, my lord. It would be wise to be careful.”

“…”

Only silence returned. Viviana was deep in thought. Iris called her again with narrowed eyes.

“…My lord?”

Viviana’s purple eyes turned to Iris. She chuckled and shrugged, speaking as if it were nothing.

“You’re saying that too. It’s not like that. She’s a woman, so there’s no way I’d like her. I just want her as a pet.”

“…”

…I didn’t say that.

Though she’s reliable despite being self-centered, for some reason, this time, I couldn’t easily believe Viviana.