“Princess, I have a question that might be difficult to understand due to my shortcomings.”
After twenty long years of serving the Duke of Merdellia, earning the position of head butler in the process, Alphonse finally voiced his discontent to his master.
“Understand?”
Her violet eyes swept over Alphonse, as if silently questioning, ‘Do I really have to explain this to you?’
A chill swept through Alphonse as he caught a hint of frost in Viviana’s voice, but with the weight of his years spent in service, he couldn’t bow to such trivial intimidation.
“Yes. You mentioned bringing the Blanc family’s young lady as a pet.”
“Yeah, that’s right. I got a massage yesterday, and it felt pretty nice. I didn’t know she had such a talent.”
“…I’ll overlook the part about locking a noble in the mansion. I know that it’s just the Princess’s nature to capture whatever piques her interest.”
And knowing how quickly that interest would wane, Alphonse didn’t concern himself too much. No matter how adorable the rumored pet noble was, Viviana’s interest would surely fade within three months.
However, there was one thing he absolutely could not accept.
“Why did you assign ‘Fangs’ as her guard?”
The Duke of Merdellia is famed for its overwhelming swordsmanship. When discussing the might of such a house, everyone refers to the Moonlight Knights.
With unwavering will and ferocious energy, the Moonlight Knights are renowned for their indomitable swords and their refusal to halt until every foe is vanquished.
Especially the Moonlight Knights, led by the Merdellia Princess, boast a reputation that puts them at the very peak of strength.
That was the rumor circulating in society.
However, within the Duke of Merdellia’s walls, there exist monsters that even the Moonlight Knights cannot dare compare to.
The Fangs of Merdellia.
A group of eight elite warriors.
Their existence is unknown even to the Imperial family. Operating solely in the shadows, there are only three who know of their presence.
The current master of the Duke of Merdellia, who stands guard at the frontlines of the Empire. His daughter, the very Viviana he currently serves. And finally, himself, who has devoted twenty years to the house.
Anyone who has faced the Fangs at least once will understand—those who are praised and revered as the Moonlight Knights are merely prey against their fangs.
Of course, they aren’t simply devoted out of loyalty. The reason these monstrous beings band together lies in one thing alone.
An overwhelmingly powerful master and a vast fortune that cannot be questioned.
One cannot help but become astonished at the wealth drained from the Ducal residence to the Fangs each year. When he first saw that amount, he thought the Duke must be embezzling funds. The sum paid to just one of the Fangs eclipses ten times the average salary of a Moonlight Knight.
And yet, his master had assigned one of the Fangs to the daughter of a declining baron family.
“It’s not a guard; it’s surveillance.”
“…What?”
At Viviana’s calm voice, Alphonse blinked in confusion.
“If I leave her alone, I can’t predict what she might do. So, I needed someone to keep an eye on her.”
“But what could that young lady possibly do… If you’re that worried, you could just have soldiers accompany her. Why assign a Fang?”
He had heard the rumors about the pet noble. She was said to be pure-hearted and harmless; her delicate figure stirred a protective instinct, and encountering her bright smile could lead one to unconsciously pat her head.
But that was it. That was barely everything, wasn’t it?
What on earth could be so concerning that one of the Duke’s strongest guardians would be assigned to her? Especially the one known for being the harshest and most ruthless.
“You don’t need to know. No, it’s better for you not to know.”
Viviana’s sharp voice warned him not to pry into her affairs any further.
Still, for the pride he held after two decades of service to the Duke of Merdellia, Alphonse felt it essential to comprehend his master’s safety.
“Then, bold servant, I just have one more question.”
“Speak.”
Fortunately, Viviana consented to Alphonse’s query. He gazed into her violet eyes for a moment before speaking in a serious tone.
“Are you certain your feelings for that young lady are just mere curiosity?”
Viviana let out a soft laugh. Propping her chin on her hand, she shrugged.
“Then what more could there be?”
“Did you arrive, my master?”
“….”
Viviana offered no response to my suddenly cheerful voice and bright smile. After a moment of watching me from the doorway, she let out a short sigh and approached.
“You waited quite patiently today. I thought you’d have a few complaints.”
Viviana smirked lightly before untieing the binds on my hands that were tied to the bed. I immediately stretched my free hand and grabbed her collar.
I meant it playfully as a surprise, but Viviana just looked at me with a calm gaze, showing no reaction. It seemed such antics were trivial for someone used to battle.
“What are you doing, Tina?”
Viviana’s quiet voice made me loosen my grip.
“I’m here to change your clothes, Master.”
With a beaming smile, I carefully removed Viviana’s coat. My weak hands slowly let the thick fabric fall onto the bed. As I distinctly unbuttoned her shirt, I whispered softly.
“You worked hard today. If it’s alright with you, shall I give you a massage?”
“….”
The familiar silence. Yet, I could tell that Viviana secretly wished to ask for a massage but couldn’t bring herself to voice it.
Yesterday, she had definitely enjoyed my massage. If Viviana, who was usually stingy with her compliments, had said it was quite nice, there was no doubt about it.
She likely wanted a massage right away, didn’t she?
But surely, her pride was keeping her from asking. Thinking about it, Viviana had her adorably cute side.
I couldn’t just leave it like this. In times like these, I, as the adult, had to take the lead.
“You don’t have to be shy, Master. Just lie down and I’ll give you a massage. I’m sure you—”
-Smack!
“Yikes?!”
An unexpected slap brought a sharp pain to my head, making me instinctively clutch my forehead.
“Ow….”
As tears welled up in my eyes, I looked up to find Viviana’s eyes, which I had thought would show concern, were coldly staring at me.
“You’ve been quite cheeky since yesterday.”
“V-Viviana?!”
This wasn’t the response I had expected. I thought she reluctantly agreed to give me that massage and was now going to take the opportunity to ask for something personal….
“Didn’t you say you wouldn’t act insincerely?”
What returned was Viviana’s chilling voice. Stung by her sharp reproach, I fell silent for a moment, at a loss for words.
“Well, um….”
I had promised not to act insincerely in front of her. Yet, here I was, desperately trying to charm her to gain her favor.
But I also felt a bit aggrieved.
‘What am I supposed to do, charm her without acting insincerely…?’
Feigning sincerity was a magic trick for me.
With almost no abilities to speak of, my pathetic self, with a wicked nature, could produce a dazzling smile that commanded people’s attention.
If you take away that mask from me, what am I left with? Just a shabby body that could barely withstand living.
To charm her with such a disgusting and awful appearance would be akin to offering goodwill to a demon.
“Tina.”
Viviana appeared out of nowhere, looking down at me with her eerily shining violet eyes. Unable to muster a smile, I couldn’t bear to meet her gaze and looked down.
“I’ve seen plenty of people disguise sinister intentions behind a smile. Are you going to throw me one of those?”
“….”
“You need to answer me.”
“I won’t… I won’t do that…”
“Really?”
Viviana knelt down to match my eye level. With her eyes close enough that I could no longer evade her gaze.
“I-I’ll do my best…”
In the end, I turned my eyes away and replied timidly. My voice was weak and devoid of any vitality. Yet, Viviana smiled with satisfaction and gently patted my head.
“Good. Now, say what you want.”
“…Huh?”
“That was a satisfactory answer. You satisfied your master, so I’ll grant you one wish.”
“R-Really?”
“Yes, but no unreasonable requests.”
I didn’t expect this at all. I certainly didn’t think I would receive a reward so suddenly. Since I had something I wanted to ask Viviana, it was a fortunate turn of events.
“Well… actually, I do have a favor to ask.”
“Go on.”
Viviana patiently awaited my answer. I fought back an awkward smile as I crafted my words, finding it hard to express.
“I want to write a letter…”
“A letter?”
Surprised by what I said, Viviana raised an eyebrow. Maybe she expected me to ask for something material like money or jewels instead.
“A letter? Well, okay. You’re writing to your mother, right?”
“Ah… no.”
Of course, I wanted to write to my mother, but there were people I needed to contact first.
“Well… I want to write to Sharione, Versha, and Mardian….”
“…What?”
Viviana’s violet eyes turned icy in an instant.
