Chapter 40: Meeting of two women
by fnovelpia
The dilapidated mansion of the Blanc family, which had lost its past glory due to gambling, was filled with quiet tension between two women in the reception room.
“Are you saying you wish to take Tina away?”
The owner of the mansion, a beautiful white-haired woman who resembled Tina, asked in a calm voice. Viviana politely nodded as she responded.
“Yes, I plan to have her stay at our Merdellia estate for a month.”
“Is this an announcement?”
At Artasha’s cold voice, Viviana remained silent. Artasha clenched her fists and continued speaking.
“Thanks to the Lady’s help, we were able to save our Tina. I was willing to grant any request in return for that favor.”
“……”
“But to take a child who has been emotionally hurt and hold her at your estate for a month… as a mother, it’s not something I can easily accept.”
Her concern was only natural as a mother. Viviana listened attentively to Artasha’s words, her gaze serious.
“Of course, if the Lady insists on taking her by force, I know I have no way to stop you.”
“I have no intention of doing that.”
Viviana answered firmly. Artasha, caught off guard by the unexpected reply, was left momentarily stunned as Viviana looked at her even more earnestly.
“If the Baroness opposes it, I will not take Tina. Though I have told Tina it is like a kidnapping, in reality, I will respect your opinion.”
Artasha could not help but be surprised. Despite her position as the Lady of the Duke of Merdellia, which allowed her to take Tina anytime she wanted, Viviana was choosing to respect Artasha’s wishes instead. This gave Artasha a slight sense of relief in the situation.
“Why do you wish to take Tina?”
As a mother, she couldn’t help but ask. She was curious why the Duke of Merdellia, who had everything—money, status, and power—would insist on taking Tina.
“Let’s just say it’s to fix some of her bad habits.”
“Bad habits?”
In response to Artasha’s question, Viviana replied with a serious expression. The subtle violet hue in her eyes gave off an undeniable air of authority.
“Baroness, I have a knack for quickly grasping a person’s nature. From observing Lady Tina, I’ve noticed something.”
“And what is that?”
“Lady Tina is inherently lazy.”
Artasha was taken aback, not because Viviana’s statement seemed random but because it was so accurate.
“Lady Tina knows very well how charming and lovely she is.”
“…”
“And she uses that charm to make others do what she doesn’t want to do.”
Artasha was well aware of the fact that her beloved daughter had developed a lazy streak. Ever since Tina’s personality changed a year ago, she hadn’t lifted a finger around the house. She left tidying her room and cleaning up after meals entirely to the maids. Most of all, a child who once diligently read books had completely lost interest in them.
The household staff adored Tina, so they never complained, and Artasha herself, happy just to have her daughter by her side, didn’t nag her. But Tina’s laziness had certainly not gone unnoticed.
“She avoids making efforts herself and enjoys manipulating others with her loveliness.”
“…..”
Artasha silently agreed. As her mother, she knew that, while Tina appeared sweet, she carried sharp thorns within her.
“Using her strengths is fine, but her fundamental laziness is a real problem.”
“And so?”
“I intend to thoroughly correct Lady Tina’s bad habits. If this continues, another incident like the one from the past might happen again.”
“…..”
“Of course, it’s true the other party was at fault, but I also believe Lady Tina should restrain her charm a little more.”
Viviana was suggesting that, if Tina hadn’t so strongly captivated Mardian, she might not have been kidnapped. Though it was uncomfortable for Artasha to hear, she couldn’t completely deny it.
‘But still…’
Viviana understood that she had seen through Tina’s issue. However, Artasha still had one question.
“Why is the lady so concerned about my daughter?”
“…That is because…”
Viviana’s eyes wavered slightly. After a brief moment of contemplation, she looked down at her teacup, then smiled and replied.
“I’ve grown fond of Lady Tina.”
…Fond of her? Surely not.
“Oh, I don’t have any interest in women romantically.”
Just as Artasha’s thoughts were about to head in an unusual direction, Viviana quickly waved her hand in denial. Her unwavering violet eyes conveyed her sincerity.
“I’ve come to like Lady Tina as a person. Though she may be lazy, being with her has brought me much comfort.”
“…I see.”
Artasha, too, had found peace of mind thanks to Tina. Whenever she was with her, all the pain vanished, and she found the happiness she had long yearned for.
Noticing Artasha’s hesitation, Viviana grabbed her hand firmly and spoke again.
“Please trust me, Baroness. I sincerely care for Lady Tina as well.”
“….”
“In return, the Merdellia Duchy will take care of the Blanc family’s debt. Furthermore, we will support all future endeavors of the Blanc family.”
Artasha was shocked by the unexpected offer. It wasn’t just about repaying the long-standing debt she had carried; Viviana was also offering to support her future business. Artasha was momentarily speechless.
But the surprise didn’t last long. Soon, Artasha’s eyes turned even colder.
“I refuse. It feels like I’m selling my daughter for money.”
Viviana’s face momentarily showed signs of distress. The calmness she usually exuded was replaced by a touch of confusion.
“I apologize. That wasn’t my intention.”
“…I know.”
Though Artasha felt somewhat reassured by Viviana’s firm resolve, there was still a lingering feeling of unease. Viviana’s sincere gaze was hard to doubt, but the idea of entrusting her daughter to someone else still made her anxious.
Nevertheless, Artasha found herself believing that she could trust the woman before her.
“Though I cannot grant that request, may I ask you for a favor instead?”
This time, it was Artasha who grasped Viviana’s hand. Her blue eyes, which resembled Tina’s, shone with a seriousness that even made Viviana tense. It was a gaze filled with strength.
“Please, go ahead.”
“Promise me that you will only act for my daughter’s happiness.”
“…What?”
“I mean, swear it upon your family’s name.”
As soon as Artasha mentioned the family name, Viviana’s expression turned cold. Both women present knew the weight behind such words.
Under normal circumstances, Viviana would have considered such a demand insolent. For a mere baroness to ask the Merdellia Duchy to pledge their family name—it was an offense that could be punished as a crime. Viviana, in her usual demeanor, would certainly have reacted that way.
After all, there was no need to bend to the whims of a fallen baroness simply because of one young lady.
But…
Viviana could not refuse the woman standing before her. Though she was inferior to Viviana in every way, even Viviana, with her high pride, could not help but humble herself in the face of the noble love Artasha showed as a mother.
“…I give you my word.”
Viviana slowly rose from her seat and approached Artasha. There was no trace of her usual composure. All that remained was a noble courtesy that emanated from her being.
Viviana knelt on one knee in front of Artasha. With steady eyes and an unwavering voice, she spoke.
“As the daughter of the Merdellia duchy, and as a knight, I swear here and now that every action I take will be for Lady Tina’s happiness.”
“…Thank you, Lady Viviana.”
Only after hearing Viviana’s firm vow did Artasha allow herself a smile of relief. Trembling with the fear of losing her daughter again, she soothed her anxious heart and swallowed a bitter smile.
‘Tina… as long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters to me.’
Tina was precious and beloved. But she felt that she was too lacking to protect her daughter.
However, the woman before her would be different.
‘…And for the next month, learn to restrain yourself a little, Tina.’
Despite the bitter reality that she could not protect her daughter on her own, Artasha felt an inexplicable sense of relief in the presence of the unusually polite noblewoman before her.
Leaving the now deep-in-thought Artasha behind, Viviana clenched her fist tightly.
‘…I did it.’
Though her tension had caused her to waver, Baroness Artasha had ultimately entrusted Tina to her. For some reason, that fact gave Viviana an overwhelming sense of satisfaction.
[My mother would never approve, you know? You’re just wasting your time, Lady Viviana.]
Now, all that was left was to deliver the news to that arrogant pet.
Suppressing the smile that threatened to bloom, Viviana couldn’t wait to see that defiant face crumble.
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