Viviana Merdellia.
She was one of the protagonists of the “Princess Growth Simulation,” a munchkin character who could breeze through the game with an overwhelming advantage right from the start.
Monster-like stats.
Dazzling swordsmanship skills.
A massive background as part of the Duchy.
However, there was one painful flaw, but purely based on her specs, she could be seen as a colossal hexagonal character.
I felt an unjust sense of resentment. If I had just one of Viviana’s benefits, I could have enjoyed a much more comfortable life as a bum.
‘…By the way, she’s incredibly pretty in real life.’
No wonder she’s the protagonist.
I thought she was beautiful when I played the game, but seeing her right in front of me made me realize just how much the in-game illustrations had undersold her. It practically made my jaw drop.
Her face was lovely, but what about her height? Is she some kind of model?
And why does she have such a beautiful shape?
“….”
I tore my gaze away from Viviana and looked at my own chest. I thought I didn’t care about breast size, but for some reason, a feeling of frustration crept in.
It wasn’t just her looks. She was the only daughter of the renowned Merdellia Duchy. Nobles with a higher status than mine were clustering around her, desperately trying to catch her attention.
“Tch.”
When they first saw me, they all ignored me with disdainful looks, yet they bowed down in front of Viviana. Even in a world where status is everything, I couldn’t help but think everyone was a bit too snobbish.
‘…I really shouldn’t be calling people snobbish, should I?’
The most pretentious person here is probably me. Upon reflection, it felt like I was spitting on my own face. I let out a short sigh, released the pent-up frustration, and put on a smile again.
Well, a protagonist is a protagonist, and I am just me.
It wouldn’t be strange for Viviana to show up. This banquet had been directly invited by the palace. No matter how much she is Viviana, it wouldn’t be easy to refuse an invitation from the palace.
I hadn’t expected to run into one of the protagonists here, but that didn’t change anything. The protagonist would film their munchkin drama, and I would just behave according to my place.
“Sharione!”
“Oh my, Tina.”
I rushed toward the woman who smiled brightly at me. Sharione embraced me warmly and looked at the blue necklace around my neck with an emotional expression.
“You’re wearing the necklace I gave you? How wonderful.”
“Well, since it’s a gift from you, of course I’m wearing it. I’ll cherish it for life.”
“Hehe… You’re so precious. I’ll get you another one next time, so you don’t have to wear it if you don’t want to.”
Having exchanged brief greetings with Sharione, I naturally joined the group she was conversing with. Amidst the exchange of various stories, I suddenly noticed that other young ladies were looking at me with curiosity.
“I’ve heard the rumors, but you really are adorable… Your hair is so white, it looks like a fluffball. I’d love to touch it.”
At the young lady’s words, Sharione smiled contentedly and patted my head.
“Hehe… You can touch it as much as you want. Right, Tina?”
“Of course! I don’t mind at all.”
“Oh my…”
With that, the young ladies’ hands were suddenly all over me. Some patted my head, while others tugged at my cheeks. I didn’t resist their petting like they were treating me like a pet, smiling comfortably instead.
“…I wish someone like Tina was in my mansion. I could pet her every day.”
One young lady looked at me with a dreamy gaze, but immediately, Sharione raised her hand with a stern expression.
“Not allowed, Lady Margaret. Tina is our public property.”
“S-sorry, Sharione.”
With Sharione’s words, a chilling atmosphere swept around momentarily, but soon, it shifted back to a delightful, laughter-filled mood as if nothing had happened.
Seeing this, the high society really is something to fear.
And so the banquet proceeded.
I stifled a short yawn and glanced at the clock hanging on the wall. The time I had promised Mardian was approaching. Leaving the ladies engrossed in conversation, I got up, and Sharione looked at me with a puzzled expression.
“Oh my, where are you going?”
“I wanted to greet Mardian. I’m just going for a moment.”
“Hehe… Tina, you’re so kind. Go ahead.”
Bowing politely to Sharione, I exited the banquet hall. Walking through the long corridor, I finally set my eyes on a stunning garden illuminated by the soft moonlight.
“You’re here, Tina.”
A woman with bright blonde hair placed her hand on my shoulder. The wine glass she held made her look even more refined.
“Hehe… I missed you, Mardian.”
“I couldn’t calm down thinking about you, Tina.”
Mardian offered me her wine glass. Confused by her intentions, I tilted my head, and Mardian smiled seductively as she spoke.
“Tonight, we’re going to get a bit wild, so drink up.”
“W-what? No, it’s fine.”
Crazy villainess.
What the heck are you suggesting to a 16-year-old girl?
I tried refusing with a cheerful smile, but it seemed Mardian took my answer the wrong way.
“Right, you mean it’s better to stay sober? You sly little fox.”
“Ugh…!”
Mardian suddenly grabbed my wrist tightly. A sharp pain shot up my arm from her stronger grip. I let out a slight whimper, but Mardian didn’t stop and dragged me deeper into the garden.
As we moved inward, the crowd thinned, and the noises from the banquet faded into silence. We finally arrived at a dim, secluded spot surrounded by thick grass where even the cheerful sounds of the banquet music could not be heard.
“Haah… Tina, take off your skirt right now.”
A feeling of bewilderment arose from Mardian’s face, which was now flushed redder than usual. Did something bad happen?
“M-Mardian…? Is something wrong?”
“It’s… well, if you say it’s work, it will be work.”
Her usually sharp gaze seemed unnaturally fixed on me. Without a moment’s notice, Mardian suddenly grabbed my neck with both hands.
“Ugh!”
“Why is it? Seeing you smile sweetly at those other girls lately really makes me mad.”
“Gasp, b-breath… M-Mardian.”
“Of course, I said I would help you expand your relationships, but what should I do about a pet who flirts with everyone but her owner?”
As my breath began to shallow, my thoughts narrowed, and all I could feel was confusion. When she had told me to make friends with others, this was not what I thought she meant!
Yet, standing before Mardian, I couldn’t express a shred of complaint. I had no idea why Mardian was acting this way, but there’s nothing I could offer her besides an apology.
“I-I’m sorry.”
“….”
“Cough, sob, I’m sorry, M-Mardian, sis…”
The word “sis” made Mardian’s red eyes blink. After biting her lip a few times, she released my neck. While I sat on the ground, gasping for fresh air, Mardian let out a short sigh and embraced me.
“Sorry, Tina. I got a bit too carried away… I don’t know why I’ve become so sensitive lately.”
“N-no, it’s okay. If I could help ease Mardian’s mood, I’d be happy.”
“…Really, Tina.”
Mardian’s red eyes glimmered brightly. After a moment of chewing her lips, she smiled and pointed to a statue standing in the garden.
“Now, put your hands on that and stick out your butt.”
“W-wait, what…?”
“Hurry up.”
I couldn’t refuse.
Thanks to her, I was able to live this charmed life, and my leash lay firmly in Mardian’s hands.
So, ultimately, I obeyed her, placing my hands on the statue and pushing my butt back. Mardian confidently approached me, gripping my skirt and lifting it up.
“Hold it.”
“…Okay.”
Without resistance, I held the hem of the skirt in my mouth. Mardian chuckled and patted my head before she began to caress my thigh with that same hand.
A creeping sensation of dread engulfed me. I had no idea why she enjoyed such antics. I could brush off bruising my pride countless times, but enduring this humiliation was becoming unbearable.
Perhaps it was the feeling of my inner masculinity being trampled.
I tried to act indifferent on the outside, but deep down, I was really a strong man at heart.
‘That damned villainess.’
If I had power… or had been born as royalty… I would—
*SLAP!*
“Ah?!”
A sharp smack suddenly struck my backside.
A much more intense pain than usual hit like a lightning bolt.
Without realizing it, I let out a high-pitched yelp.
