“Lady Mardian… what is this?”
“I’ve prepared this for you, Tina. You always work hard for me.”
I stared blankly at the gift Lady Mardian handed me. The heavy object in my hands was a tiara lavishly adorned with silver. However, unlike ordinary tiaras, it had a massive red gemstone set in the center.
‘…Is this really a ruby?’
The first thought that crossed my mind was whether this gemstone was genuine. I’ve heard that there are many merchants selling counterfeit gemstones, and I worried that Lady Mardian might have gifted me a fake. But the more I thought about it, the less likely it seemed that she would carry around fake jewels.
So, it must really be a ruby.
Then… how much is this tiara worth?
‘…First, let’s stay calm.’
Showing off my materialistic side won’t do any good. I was momentarily captivated by the dazzling jewel, but I tried to maintain my composure, just as I had so far.
“Lady Mardian, I can’t accept something like this… I’m sorry, but please take it back…”
Inside, I was screaming, ‘What on earth is this?!’ while desperately trying to suppress my instinctual desire and returning the tiara to Lady Mardian.
“Why won’t you accept it?”
“…It’s too much for me. It’s an extravagant item that doesn’t suit me at all. I genuinely like you, Lady Mardian, and if I accept this, it’ll just feel weird.”
Lady Mardian looked at me blankly for a moment and blinked her eyes. Then, for some reason, she bit her lip in what seemed like frustration.
“…Ha, seriously.”
Lady Mardian spoke in a harsh tone and suddenly grabbed my wrist. She held it tighter than I expected, causing a sharp pain to shoot through my wrist.
“Ugh, ouch….”
“It would be wise to act a bit more alluring. I want to take you to the garden right now and have my way with you.”
The memory of the previous night made me shudder. Just last night, I had been in the bathtub and my bottom had stung, and if I experienced something like that again, I wouldn’t have a body left intact.
“But this time, I must hold back. Your body is fragile, Tina.”
Did Lady Mardian know this? Fortunately, she released my wrist and let out a short sigh. I internally breathed a sigh of relief, thinking today I would get through unscathed.
“Please accept the tiara. I prepared it just for you, after all.”
“But….”
“Tina, you are my pet. When your owner dresses you up, you should wear it obediently.”
In a way, it could be seen as a degrading remark that utterly disregarded my personhood, but to me, it sounded like music to my ears. It was a suggestion to accept things as they are; how could I dislike that?
“….”
With a sad look on my face, I hesitated, fumbling over my words for quite some time. However, under the unspoken pressure from Lady Mardian, I subtly looked up at her with droopy eyes.
“…Then, could you place it on my head, Lady Mardian? If I think of it as clothing put on by you, I think I could accept it.”
“…A mischievous girl.”
A dark cloud passed over Lady Mardian’s face, but in the end, she willingly placed the tiara on my head as I had suggested. With the heavy weight resting on my head, I burrowed into Lady Mardian’s embrace and wrapped my arms around her tightly.
“Thank you so much. I’ll cherish it for the rest of my life.”
“Hehe, yes. Whenever you see that jewel, think of me.”
“I will!”
Think of her, my foot.
I’ll sell it in a few years.
With a gift from both Sharione and now Lady Mardian, I couldn’t help but think I was probably the one gaining the most from this banquet.
Even the jewelry currently tucked away in my closet must be worth a considerable amount. To be honest, I wanted to sell it right away and help Artasha, but the marketplace for high-priced items is quite limited.
I couldn’t act rashly due to the risk of being caught by others. The smartest option would probably be to wait until everyone’s memory of the event has faded and sell it through a discreet transaction.
‘I have to hold out until then, Mother.’
As I hid my smile while rubbing my face against Lady Mardian’s shoulder, she extended a single finger towards me.
“Today, I won’t trouble you, so I hope you’ll find another way to amuse me.”
“…Ah.”
I wasn’t naive enough to not understand the meaning behind Lady Mardian’s outstretched finger. Having already had experiences with her, I felt no aversion, but I couldn’t move carelessly for fear of being seen by someone.
As if sensing my worries, Lady Mardian flashed a seductive smile and grabbed my rear.
“Ugh..”
“Don’t worry. I instructed the servants not to let anyone in here.”
“…Yes.”
Should I say that’s villainous? She was thorough even in such matters. Thanks to that, I couldn’t come up with any rebuttal.
It couldn’t be helped.
I didn’t feel particularly eager about such shameful actions, but thinking of the tiara Lady Mardian had given me made me feel good again.
“Tina, my patience isn’t very long.”
“Y-Yes….”
At the sound of Lady Mardian’s sharp voice, my body shuddered. I gently tucked my messy hair behind my ear and carefully knelt before her.
I glanced at Lady Mardian as she silently regarded me, then slowly extended my tongue to lick her finger.
I thoughtfully moistened Lady Mardian’s finger with my saliva. Gradually lowering my head, I took her finger fully into my mouth.
*Chu~*
As her finger became coated with saliva, a sticky sound arose. My ears felt hot with embarrassment, but having grown accustomed to it, I managed not to show it. Slowly raising my head to look at Lady Mardian, I saw her gazing at me with a dreamy look in her eyes, blushing faintly.
‘Disgusting. Gross.’
Isn’t it normal to recoil from someone else’s saliva?
I had no idea what kinds of germs could be lurking in it.
I truly couldn’t understand why she would enjoy something like this.
There has to be a limit to sexual fetishes; feeling pleasure from something like this must mean you’re either a huge pervert or—
‘…I’ll allow it because of the ruby.’
“Aah, um….”
I moved my head slowly as I dutifully served Lady Mardian’s finger. During that moment, her finger curved like a fishhook and snagged the tip of my tongue.
“Wugh?!”
A wave of nausea suddenly threatened to overwhelm me. I looked at Lady Mardian with a bewildered expression. She pulled my lips, which were attached to her finger, upwards and drew me toward her face.
‘…Hmm?’
Lady Mardian’s face was drawing increasingly closer. My lips were heading toward hers.
Oh no?
If this continues, our lips will touch…?
Doesn’t that mean a kiss?
“Ma, Lady Mardian?”
“Shh.”
Lady Mardian smiled seductively, closed her eyes, and pulled me closer. As the situation clarified, my mind became chaotic.
It can’t be happening, right?
She can’t possibly want to kiss me, right?
Oh, no….
But didn’t we establish that Lady Mardian is not a lesbian?
From the perspective of young ladies, I would be just a lovable pet. What kind of crazy girl wants to kiss the pet she’s taking care of so lovingly?
No way, right?
It can’t be.
But as Lady Mardian’s lips drew closer, it seemed they were starting to part, preparing to welcome me. I was taken aback by the sight of her vivid red lips parting.
‘What should I do?’
Should I push her away? Should I scold her seriously that this isn’t right? But wouldn’t upsetting Lady Mardian lead to nothing good?
I didn’t understand.
I was merely acting out techniques I had secretly learned from observing childhood friends; why did it come to this? Such things had never happened with childhood friends! Did I perhaps misunderstand something?
As our faces grew closer, so close that our noses almost brushed against one another, my eyes began to tremble as if an earthquake had struck. Just a little closer, and our lips would touch.
No way.
I didn’t want to kiss anyone.
Why would I do something so gross?
Especially not with a perverted villainess.
Isn’t there anyone?
Anyone at all, just give a voice.
I could hide from the embarrassment of others’ gazes.
Anyone, please.
Anyone. Please get this pervert away—
“Lady Mardian seems to enjoy fishing. Even playing fishing games with her pet.”
The sudden soft voice interrupted, and Lady Mardian’s hand that had been pulling me stopped. As her closed eyes opened, her piercing crimson gaze re-emerged.
However, that murderous intent turned into profound bewilderment the moment she faced the source of the voice.
“…Who are you?”
As Lady Mardian’s trembling voice directed my gaze, I found myself looking at its owner, slipping into confusion myself.
With skin as white as snow and contrasting black hair.
Within that, a gentle glow emanated from her purple eyes.
Viviana stared at me with a cold, emotionless smile.
“We meet again, pet lady.”
