As I raised my hand, the tranquil sound of water echoed throughout the bathroom.
“Hmm, hmm~”
A pleasant tune flowed from me as I soaked in the warm water. I gathered the flower petals floating above the tub and gently lifted them to my nose. The sweet and enchanting fragrance calmed my mind.
Slowly exiting the tub, I wrapped a towel around myself. Water droplets dripped from my still-damp hair as I opened the door with a playful smile.
“Iris, I’m all done washing up!”
Iris, standing at the door, turned her head at my call. Her black eyes widened in surprise before she quickly turned away, a light blush spreading across her face.
“Ugh…!”
For the first time since we met, Iris’s voice escaped her lips. I had felt it then too; her voice was as calm and cool as her appearance.
“Hehe, I just wanted to tease you.”
Iris glared at me with sharp eyes.
Well, I had shown my bare body, but I didn’t particularly feel uncomfortable. Knowing that someone as beautiful as I had a thin, pale body could only be seen as aesthetically captivating.
It was a prank I would never have pulled in front of a pervert like Mardian, but having someone as stoic as Iris in front of me made me want to joke around.
After all, seeing my naked body wouldn’t wear anything down… And if it’s Iris…
“It’s okay… It’s okay if it’s you, Iris.”
“…!”
At my soft voice, Iris’s eyes widened once more. The usually unmovable girl had already shown signs of flustered emotions twice today; it felt like quite a significant day.
“I’m just kidding. Were you thinking something strange?”
Iris remained silent, and I laughed playfully at her.
“Surely, I trust that Iris isn’t that kind of pervert. Since we’re both women, you wouldn’t be getting aroused, right?”
I closed the door, leaving Iris staring at me with a blank expression. I had to stifle my laughter as I dried my hair with a towel.
‘Should I ask to make Iris my exclusive maid when I return to the mansion?’
Since Viviana didn’t become attached to people, I thought it might be worth a shot. If she allowed it, I could bring Iris to the mansion and continue teasing her.
“Heh.”
What kind of boring amusement should I pursue next?
After enjoying my bath, I spent my time reading a book on the bed, and before long, evening arrived.
I rang the bell twice for dinner, and the door opened to reveal a blonde maid.
“Hmm… Tonight’s dinner is by Ciriel, huh?”
Her face twisted at my voice. Feeling her blatant dislike for me, I hesitated for a moment.
I didn’t particularly want to eat a meal prepared by someone who disliked me, to begin with. After all, I had never asked for food on her assigned days. She might even spit in the food!
I wasn’t particularly curious about why Ciriel disliked me, but I could take a guess.
‘Probably jealousy.’
Ciriel wasn’t from a peasant background. Her well-maintained skin and delicate features made her seem more like a lady-in-waiting than a maid.
Given her subtle noble gestures, it was likely she had entered the Duchy as a maid from some family. It was understandable for her to resent serving a Young Lady from a declining Baron family.
Of course, that wasn’t really my concern.
“One must live in their rightful place.”
I smiled at Ciriel and rang the bell again. Another wrinkle formed on Ciriel’s forehead with the sound of the bell.
“Will you prepare dinner for me, Ciriel?”
Don’t take it too personally, Ciriel.
Honestly, wouldn’t your feelings be better off than mine, being dismissed by a mere game character like you?
You’re just an ordinary maid, but I’m a beloved pet of the Princess.
“Make it delicious. I’m looking forward to it, okay?”
Ciriel’s lips trembled. She looked at me with a face flushed with anger and a ferocious glint in her eyes.
“You… little girl that looks like you just crawled out from a brothel…!”
“Uh, you spoke, didn’t you?”
“…!”
Ciriel’s body jolted. Her clear reaction made me smile with satisfaction once again.
“I’m sure the Princess told you not to say anything to me…”
I slowly stood up from the bed and approached Ciriel. With a nasty streak and a short temper, I couldn’t help but think she was a rather unremarkable girl.
“Did I just break the Princess’s command? Wow… I guess if you’re Ciriel from the Duke of Merdellia, you might think it’s okay.”
“…”
“Hehe—back to being mute, huh? That must be frustrating.”
Ciriel clenched her fists and ground her teeth. Just looking at her eyes, it felt like she would slap me at any moment. While I considered getting Viviana to kick her out of the Duke’s mansion if she did hit me, I was surprised to see she didn’t act at all.
Usually, in these clichés, they would hit you, but does being a noble give her too much pride?
While I was wondering this, a familiar voice called from outside. “Tina, I’m coming in.”
Looking at Ciriel in curiosity, the door opened to reveal the uniquely noble Viviana arriving. Ciriel immediately lowered her head, and I dashed over to Viviana with a faint smile.
“Oh… you’ve arrived, Lady Viviana. Thank you for your hard work today…!”
Viviana awkwardly embraced me, lifting me in a Princess carry. Now used to the position, I instinctively wrapped my arms around Viviana’s neck and leaned into her.
“Tina, did something happen?”
Did she sense the tension in the air between Ciriel and me? Viviana looked at us alternately with a puzzled tone.
Ciriel’s eyes trembled slightly. Conversations with me would indicate a breach of Viviana’s command, so she must have been bothered.
A third-rate villain would always have to tuck their tails between their legs, huh? I swallowed a smirk and gently rested my head on Viviana’s shoulder.
“Nothing much happened. I just rang the bell to have dinner, and then you came.”
“You haven’t eaten yet? Must be starving.”
“I was hungry, but… I’m okay now.”
Viviana nodded quietly and signaled Ciriel to retreat. Ciriel deeply bowed to her mistress one last time and hesitantly stepped out of the room.
Before closing the door, Ciriel glanced back at me. I smiled and waved lightly, to which she closed the door with a frustrated expression.
Now, it was just Viviana and me left in the room. An awkward silence hung in the air until Viviana spoke first.
“I missed you, Tina.”
I was slightly taken aback at her straightforward confession. It was rare for Viviana to express her feelings so openly; maybe she had a tiring day at work? Now that I think about it, she did look a bit worn out…
“What happened?”
I asked cautiously.
“Hmm?”
“You look tired. Would you like me to give you a massage?”
There’s no better chance to raise favor when someone is emotionally drained, and maybe I could elevate Viviana’s affection for me today.
‘This could work out well for me.’
If Viviana fell deeper for me, there were many things I wanted to ask of her. For example, making Iris my exclusive attendant and perhaps kicking Ciriel out of the mansion?
“It’s okay, I don’t think I’ll need a massage.”
Viviana took off her thick coat and unbuttoned her shirt. Then she lay back on the bed, pulling me down onto it.
The soft bed cradled me, and Viviana wrapped her arms around me. Caught off guard for a moment, I blinked, feeling like a human pillow.
…Huh?
What’s going on here?
Viviana’s behavior felt different today. There was a more affectionate vibe than usual. Sure, we had hugged before and shared intimate moments, but we had never done this kind of hug. I had expected this from others, but not from Viviana.
As various thoughts crossed my mind, Viviana leaned closer to my ear and whispered.
“Tina.”
“Uh?”
A light breath tickled my ear, sending shivers down my spine. My startled sense turned me to look at Viviana. Her usually calm purple eyes were burning with intent as they locked onto me.
“Tina, can you do me a favor?”
“Uh? Yes… if it’s your request, Lady Viviana…”
Caught off guard by her sudden request, I nodded in agreement. Viviana stared at me for a while, then smiled and leaned closer to my ear again.
“Can I touch your butt?”
“…”
“What?”
Did she just say… butt?
In a moment of disbelief, I questioned if I had misunderstood.
What did she just say?
Can I… touch your butt?
“Butt…?”
“Yep.”
…What on earth?
