Chapter 20: Act coy once more

“…It’s a pleasure to see you, Lady Merdellia.”

Mardian’s expression was cold, but she forced a smile and greeted Viviana politely.

“It’s nice to see you again, Lady.”

“Are you here to see Tina again?”

At Mardian’s question, Viviana nodded with an enchanting smile. Mardian then looked at me with an even darker gaze.

“It seems you had quite an enjoyable conversation yesterday, Tina.”

“Ah, well…”

Although Mardian shot a menacing glare, Viviana naturally stepped in front of me, shielding me from her pressure. Mardian, seemingly displeased with Viviana’s actions, furrowed one eyebrow in disapproval.

“…No matter how much of a noblewoman you are, isn’t this a bit rude?”

“Please forgive my rudeness. But I thought the look in your eyes was too harsh and might frighten the young lady of the House of Blanc.”

“…What?”

Mardian burst into laughter, dumbfounded by Viviana’s blunt remark. It was practically an insult, so her reaction was somewhat understandable.

“You may not know since you’ve only known Tina for a short time, but she and I have been very close for over a year. So please, do not make hasty assumptions about our relationship.”

“Yes. Thank you for letting me know.”

Viviana briefly nodded and then extended her hand to me. As I looked at the outstretched hand in confusion, she gave a light smile and whispered softly into my ear.

“You know, you’re the first person to make such a bold request to me.”

“Eek?!”

As soon as she said that, Viviana slipped her arms under my back and legs, lifting me up into a princess carry. My body was suddenly in the air, and I let out a high-pitched scream in surprise at the unexpected situation.

‘W-What the…?’

Startled, I instinctively wrapped my arms around Viviana’s neck to keep my balance. How could she just lift someone up like this so suddenly? I looked at Viviana with a flustered expression, but she only smiled as if enjoying my reaction.

“Lady! Did you not hear what I just said?!”

Perhaps displeased by the strange atmosphere between me and Viviana, Mardian shouted with a deeply furrowed brow. At her sharp outburst, Viviana raised one eyebrow and wore a sarcastic smile on her lips.

“…Sigh.”

“Are you taking Tina away from me again?!”

“No Young Lady.”

At the sudden chill in Viviana’s voice, not only Mardian but even I felt my entire body freeze. It might have been my imagination, but the surrounding temperature seemed to drop significantly.

‘…Cold.’

It was shocking how such an aura could emanate from a person. It felt similar to the ‘killing intent’ often mentioned in novels or comics, something I’d always thought impossible in reality.

“I hope you remember that it’s better when I speak with a smile.”

“Huh.”

As Mardian shivered with a chill, Viviana gave a sweet smile and walked out of the hall with me in her arms. I glanced back at Mardian, who was now far away. Her red eyes, trembling with fear, were filled with deep dread.

‘…I need to be careful.’

I was reminded of who Viviana truly was. In the game, she was a familiar and versatile playable character, but here, it was a reality where I couldn’t even make eye contact with her.

“We seem to be attracting quite a bit of attention, Miss Blanc.”

“Uh…?”

Viviana’s inexplicable words left me blinking in confusion. Looking around slowly, I realized we were no longer in a secluded balcony but in the middle of the banquet.

‘…Come to think of it, I’m being carried like a princess right now, aren’t I?’

Countless nobles were staring at me and Viviana with wide eyes. The overwhelming attention made me blush with the sudden rush of reality.

“…Could you please put me down, Lady Viviana? I can walk on my own.”

“No. I’ll take you there like this, so relax, Miss.”

“But everyone is staring at us.”

Even though people called me a pet, I didn’t want to suffer the humiliation of being carried like this in front of everyone.

However, whether she understood my feelings or not, Viviana simply smiled. In the end, I had to endure the stares of everyone as she carried me all the way to the reception room.

Viviana quietly closed the door of the reception room and gently set me down on the sofa. I glared at her with a sinking heart, but she merely smiled, brushing off my gaze.

“This must be the first time I’ve attended the same banquet three times. Do you know it’s all because of you, Miss?”

She took out a letter from her bosom and waved it at me. It was the letter I had secretly slipped into her coat yesterday.

“Would you care to explain the letter?”

“Oh, that?”

It seemed I had successfully piqued her curiosity.

The contents of the letter weren’t anything special. One was a request to protect me from Mardian, and the second was a promise to repay her for it.

As Mardian’s actions grew increasingly rough, I needed insurance of my own. Seeing how twisted her personality was, even to the point of kissing a pet, I couldn’t predict what she might do to me someday.

I could endure things like spanking or choking if I bore the pain, but I could never tolerate a kiss or any other disgusting physical contact.

That’s precisely why I only approached and flattered young ladies. At least with women, they might feel affection but wouldn’t feel sexual desire.

But I hadn’t anticipated Mardian’s repulsive proclivities. I couldn’t resist her alone, but if I could get Viviana on my side, things would change.

So I gave Viviana the letter.

Offering compensation, I asked her for help.

It would be nice if Viviana could act naturally for my sake like the other young ladies, but since we haven’t known each other for long, pure affection alone won’t be enough to move her.

In any case, I’ve sent a kind of warning to Mardian through Viviana. I’m telling her that I now have other people to rely on, so she should stop treating me harshly.

Of course, I still think of staying as her pet, given the kindness I’ve received from her. But if she continues to look at me with a sexual gaze…

“So, what is the reward the lady spoke of?”

Viviana’s curious voice pulled me out of my thoughts. She smiled at me while waving a letter in one hand.

“I was so excited about the reward that I couldn’t sleep. I hope it meets my expectations.”

Hypocrisy…

I know that’s not your real personality. But if that’s how you’re playing it, I can play along.

I approached her and held her hand. As I slowly interlocked our fingers, Viviana’s calm purple eyes flickered faintly.

Come to think of it, Viviana once said something similar. With a playful smile, I looked up at her.

“You told me to act coy like I did with Mardian, didn’t you?”

“…And?”

I raised one of Viviana’s fingers. Her slender, pale fingers. I gently brought my lips to the tip.

Smooch

The sound of my lips touching her finger was embarrassingly loud. When I lightly licked the tip of Viviana’s finger, I tasted a fresh cherry flavor. Mardian’s fingers were just salty, but Viviana’s were sweet.

I then released her hand and hugged her tightly.

“Thank you for your help, Viviana… But this isn’t enough as a reward, is it?”

“You…”

Viviana’s voice was unusually clumsy, and it made me shudder. I instinctively acted according to my habits, but since I hadn’t known Viviana for long, this probably wasn’t the right approach.

I quickly stood up and smiled at her.

“I’m joking. Actually, I have a different reward for you.”

I know many things—both past events and future happenings. For someone as powerless as me, this knowledge is useless, but for someone powerful like Viviana, it could be invaluable.

Surely, I can use this to influence Viviana for a while.

“Viviana, do you know? Actually—”

“…Interesting, do it again.”

Viviana’s even voice interrupted me. Her usually calm purple eyes seemed slightly faded for some reason.

“What?”

“Act coy once more. I’m not sure if that can count as a reward.”

Viviana extended her hand to me with a relaxed smile, but I could detect the slight increase in her pitch.

I looked up and stared at her ear.

Although not as white as mine, the tips of Viviana’s earlobes were tinged with a faint red.