Chapter 36: Not to be hypocritical

“Hmph, hmm~.”

A cheerful girl’s humming echoed through the silent corridor of the temple. Her tune was so refreshing that little birds gathered around her, chirping along with the melody.

“Lillian!”

A woman dressed in a priestess’s robe approached the girl. Lillian, the girl, looked up at her with sky-blue eyes that sparkled like the ocean, full of curiosity.

“What’s the matter, Senior?”

“What are you doing here?!”

“Huh? I thought the corridor looked a bit dusty, so I was cleaning it…”

“This is no time for cleaning! The Pope has summoned you!”

Startled by the unexpected words, Lillian covered her mouth with her hand in surprise. She looked at the woman with bewildered eyes and asked,

“T-The Pope?”

“Yes! He’s urgently looking for you, so hurry! I’ll take over the cleaning. Go on!”

The woman took the rag from Lillian’s hand. As she gently pushed her forward, Lillian had no choice but to start moving.

“Then, I’ll come back soon to help! Let’s clean together.”

The woman blinked, somewhat dazed by Lillian’s shy smile. Leaving her behind, Lillian turned and walked away. The bright sunlight made her pink hair shimmer even more radiantly.

Her humming once again filled the surroundings with lively energy. Lillian paused for a moment, gracefully stretching her arms and legs. As her body relaxed and a refreshing feeling washed over her, Lillian smiled brightly once more.

“But… I can’t believe it.”

Not just anyone, but the Pope himself. Why would someone like him want to see me? Amid her worries, a subtle excitement about this new change began to stir within her.

‘Something good is sure to happen.’

After walking for a while, the girl looked up at the sky with a smile as bright as a blooming flower.

“Isn’t that right, Goddess?”

As if in response to her beautiful smile, the sky bestowed a radiant sunlight just as bright as her smile.

***

“V-Viviana…”

Gulp—

I swallowed nervously, facing the sharp violet eyes staring down at me. Viviana, with a sullen expression, was firmly gripping my wrist.

“V-Viviana? Could you please let go of me…?”

“Why? Are you planning to flirt with the other ladies again?”

Viviana’s voice carried a peculiar pressure that left me speechless. I quickly tried to think through her incomprehensible mood.

How did things end up like this?

Just an hour ago, I was mingling with Sharione and the other ladies. Sharione had comforted me when I was feeling down about the incident with Mardian, and the other ladies showed their affection by patting my head.

It was my usual way of surviving in the social circle, receiving the love of ladies from influential families. But just when I was being pampered by the ladies…

“…You seem to be enjoying yourself, Lady Tina.”

Viviana had suddenly appeared and snatched my arm, dragging me into the reception room of the banquet. I was dazed and confused by her sudden appearance.

It didn’t make sense. This was just a regular, unremarkable banquet that was held periodically. It was puzzling why Viviana, who usually only showed her face briefly at imperial banquets, would show up at such a modest gathering.

Now, I was sitting alone with Viviana on the sofa in the reception room. Her sharp violet eyes continued to stare at me, making me feel increasingly flustered.

“Why would Lady Viviana attend a banquet like this…?”

“Am I not supposed to attend a banquet like this? I had no idea. I don’t recall ever being banned.”

“Oh, no, that’s not what I meant…”

Why was that?

Viviana’s expression looked quite annoyed. She seemed slightly angry, or maybe just upset. I couldn’t figure out her mood at all.

“Viviana, are you upset by any chance…?”

“No? Why would I be upset?”

Even when I asked, she just said she wasn’t.

I don’t know what she wants from me.

While I hesitated for a long time, unable to find words, Viviana eventually sighed deeply and let go of my hand.

“Forget it. I have a different reason for coming to see you.”

“You… came to see me?”

“Yes, why else would I come to this banquet?”

The fact that Viviana had come to this kind of banquet just to see me left me with a curious and strange feeling. I wasn’t sure exactly what kind of emotion it was, but… it didn’t feel bad.

“I heard the news. You settled with the Count of Abreldine for just a few coins?”

“…Yes, that’s right.”

It seemed she was talking about something related to Mardian. Maybe because it brought back memories, I didn’t really want to talk about it.

“Shall I help you?”

“Sorry?”

A faint smile appeared on Viviana’s lips. Her sharp features were softened by a lovely smile, creating a cool aura.

“Don’t you hate that woman, Mardian? I can’t give you a definite answer, but I can help bring her down.”

“Why would you, Lady Viviana?”

“Because I don’t like her either. I didn’t care for the way she looked like she was trying to challenge me.”

I was stunned. Mardian was a villain when playing the game as Lillian, but in the original storyline, Mardian and Viviana were not related at all. There was never a scenario where Viviana directly opposed Mardian.

So, this must have happened because of me, an irregularity in the story. I looked at Viviana, trying to keep my expression calm.

“I’m fine. I’ll just appreciate the thought, Lady Viviana.”

Well, it didn’t matter how the original story went. Whether the empire flourished or fell, whether Lillian became a saint or an empress, as long as I could enjoy a comfortable life with my mother, everything would be okay.

Besides, Lillian would take care of Mardian on her own. There was no need for me to take unnecessary risks and step in.

“…Fine?”

Viviana tilted her head, seemingly surprised by my answer.

“Yes. I’d like to just let this pass.”

“Strange.”

What did she mean by strange? When I asked her with a puzzled look, Viviana smiled a small, almost mocking smile and stared at me intently.

‘I knew that the Viviana I was familiar with would try to coax me with sweet words, seizing the opportunity. I expected her to say something like, ‘Just trust me,’ in that playful voice of hers, or perhaps, ‘There’s no one else like me.’’

“Uh…?”

“Why are you pretending not to know? You and I both already know your true nature, so I’d prefer it if you didn’t bother hiding it in front of me.”

“Or is it that, unlike with the other ladies, you don’t feel the need to put up a hypocrisy with me anymore? Because you don’t need me?”

Why is that?

At Viviana’s cold words,

I felt my mood sink a little.

But there was nothing wrong with what she said. If it were the old me, I would have certainly taken advantage of Viviana. If I could use my in-game knowledge to sway her and gain something in return, I wouldn’t have hesitated.

But now, I didn’t want to.

Unlike me, Viviana had a bright future ahead of her. As long as she played the piano on time to regularly lower her corruption level,

Viviana would eventually accomplish feats worthy of being called a hero.

How could I hold back someone like that?

Of course, in the past, I wouldn’t have cared about such things and would have tried to use Viviana to my advantage, but now…

“…Fool.”

Without realizing it, I muttered softly in my frustration. But whether she heard my whisper or not, Viviana frowned slightly and lifted my chin.

“Fool? Did you just call me that?”

“…Didn’t you tell me not to be hypocritical?”

“Hm?”

“Viviana, you said that, so I’m trying to speak as honestly as possible… but all I can manage to say are hurtful things…”

“…What?”

Viviana’s purple eyes trembled violently. I couldn’t bear to meet her gaze and lowered my head.

“A-and I don’t want to treat you hypocritically, either.”

It’s happening again.

I can’t speak properly.

It’s as if I’ve lost the ability to speak.

I haven’t injured my head, but the words that I normally say so fluently are now so embarrassing to utter, one by one.

With Viviana silently waiting, I fidgeted with my fingers and finally managed to open my mouth with difficulty.

“O-of course, I know I’m being strange… but, well, I want to be sincere with you, Viviana, but I don’t know how… or how to smile…”

“……”

If I said any more, I felt like my face would explode from embarrassment. I’m not a child, so when did speaking become such a difficult task?

Pathetic.

How could I fail to even speak simple words? It feels like I’ve reverted to the time before I received social education from my childhood friend. I wanted to escape from being so timid, which is why I learned how to interact with others while wearing a mask.

Even though she said she hated such masks, I felt a surge of resentment toward Viviana, who suddenly started acting so unpredictably.

“I don’t know. I’m leaving.”

I stood up with irritation in my voice. I tried to walk away, but Viviana quickly grabbed my wrist tightly. The grip was stronger than I expected, and a sharp pain shot through my wrist.

I looked at Viviana in surprise, but she avoided my gaze, keeping her head down. She mumbled softly without meeting my eyes.

“…I’m sorry, Lady. Please forget what I said earlier. I’d wish you treat me with hypocrisy.”

Her words were so incomprehensible that I felt a wave of frustration rise within me. Here I am, trying to approach her sincerely, so why does she keep treating me like a liar?

“No way! I’m only going to show you my honest self, Viviana. Even if you find it frustrating, there’s nothing I can do about it.”

I shouted at her, my cheeks flushed red. But despite my loud outburst, Viviana remained silent, her head still bowed.

How long did that silence stretch between us? Finally, Viviana let go of my hand without a word. Overcome with a surge of shame that felt like it might make me explode, I stormed out of the room.

Just before I left, I glanced back at Viviana. She covered her mouth with one hand, still looking down, and mumbled something quietly in a voice I couldn’t hear.

“No, I mean… that’s even more dangerous….”

I couldn’t understand what she was saying, and with that, I slammed the door shut. As I stepped into the hallway, a cool breeze cooled my burning cheeks.

‘Must have been my imagination…?’

I could have sworn I saw Viviana’s ears turn bright red in that last moment. But the more I thought about it, the more certain I became that I must have been mistaken.

After all, it’s Viviana.

There’s no way she’d blush because of someone like me.