Chapter 79: Return Of the Hero

“Congratulations, Tina!”

It was a bright afternoon with gentle sunlight enveloping the garden.

On an elegant round table adorned with finely crafted tea cups and plates, a dazzlingly beautiful cake took center stage.

Around the cake, young ladies with graceful smiles gathered, offering light praises.

Like the scent of flowers carried on the breeze, their cheerful smiles were directed gently and brightly.

But this time, only at me.

“Thank you so much, everyone… Someone like me doesn’t deserve…”

A submissive smile still lingered on my face, accompanied by a harmless grin.

Beyond that mask-like expression, I could see the young ladies blushing one by one.

“No, Tina, I thought you were more than capable.”

“Exactly, although Lord Mardian is no easy rival, honestly, no one can deny Tina.”

“Hoho, Lord Mardian, are you perhaps feeling jealous?”

All eyes naturally fell on the woman elegantly sipping tea with her legs crossed.

Behind the golden hair cascading down, her blood-red eyes exuded a cold aura, starkly contrasting her serene smile.

“Of course not.”

Mardian gave a light smile.

“If it were anyone else, I might not be so pleased, but since it’s my dear Tina, I couldn’t be happier.”

With a seductive smile, Mardian tickled my chin. Enjoying her touch, I gently leaned into it.

“Congratulations on becoming the flower of high society, Tina.”

“…Thank you, Lady Mardian.”

Since Lillian’s sudden departure, it’s been three years of sweet-talking and flattering the noble figures.

Now, I’ve gained a certain level of fame to the point where no one in high society would fail to recognize me.

Those who once looked down on me have gradually lost their footing, while those I took notice of found themselves joining prominent factions with ease.

As the balance shifted, the number of young ladies paying attention to me grew.

Amidst the ever-increasing interest and affection, I was finally chosen as ‘the Flower of High Society,’ surpassing even Mardian.

As a reward, I received priority access to the most popular boutique in the empire and a pink diamond, currently trending in high society.

Honestly, the boutique access wasn’t particularly useful, but the pink diamond was a welcome gift with open arms.

It may take years to sell, but once I do, I could surely exchange it for a fortune in gold coins.

This tea party in the expansive garden was held to celebrate my newfound status as the flower of high society.

“How does it feel to be this year’s flower?”

Versha asked with curious eyes.

“To be honest, it still doesn’t feel real… There are so many others more beautiful and graceful than me, so I’m not sure I deserve this honor.”

“What are you talking about? There’s no one more lovable than you in this empire—no, in this world.”

At Sharione’s words, other young ladies nodded in agreement.

“Thank you for seeing me so kindly.”

With my shy voice, laughter from the lively young ladies filled the garden.

“By the way, Tina, isn’t your coming-of-age ceremony soon?”

Mardian asked, elegantly sipping her tea. I tilted my head with a blossoming smile.

“Yes, it’s planned for next month.”

Three years have passed, and I’m now nineteen.

But despite reaching the age of adulthood, my frame remained slender and delicate.

Compared to the mature allure of a beauty like Mardian, I simply had a cute appearance, and the chest that I thought would grow to resemble my mother’s still remained modest.

Though it wasn’t entirely nonexistent.

The height I had once hoped to gain hadn’t changed. Honestly, I thought I’d at least reach 160, but I had no idea I’d barely break 150.

Because of that, I had the inconvenience of having to look up at people whenever we talked, but I didn’t have any major complaints about my body.

In fact, this look seemed to trigger a protective instinct in the noble ladies, and besides, I could only think of how uncomfortable it would be if my chest were any bigger.

I definitely never looked at my mother’s ample chest and thought, ‘Someday, I’ll…’

Honestly.

“If there’s no proper place to hold your coming-of-age ceremony, let me know, and I’ll lend you our family estate.”

At Mardian’s words, Sharione and Versha chimed in.

“Oh my, how unfair, Lady Mardian. Our estate is always open to you as well.”

“Tina, please remember that I’m always an option, too.”

Grateful for their kind-hearted offers, I flashed them a bashful smile.

“Hehe, thanks to you, ladies, I’m sure it’ll be a truly happy coming-of-age ceremony.”

So much had changed, but the ladies before me remained my reliable patrons… or rather, benefactors.

The family’s circumstances had also improved greatly.

Thanks to my mother’s tireless efforts, the Blund Baronial family escaped its financial troubles and regained a stable lifestyle.

Now we could even afford to hire servants, and recently we’d hired gardeners to maintain the estate’s atmosphere.

It was a peaceful, tranquil life.

Mardian, too, seemed to have completely reformed her heart and no longer tried to initiate unnecessary physical contact with me.

I had spent a lot of time wondering what to do about Mardian, but with our relationship at this level, I was more than willing to get along.

Sharione, Versha, and even the noble ladies whose names I didn’t know, all looked at me with warm eyes.

In social circles, there was now no one to block my path.

‘I wonder if Viviana’s holding her own well on the battlefield?’

I had promised to forgive her if she returned victorious.

That promise was only half-serious.

I had no intention of missing out on the prime opportunity her guilt presented, not to mention it would still be a long time before the war would end.

In the prologue of ‘Princess Raising Simulation’, it took at least ten years for the war to end, so it would probably be at least another five years before signs of peace appeared.

Until then, Viviana would continue to fight wholeheartedly to protect us.

‘Of course, if she dies in the war, there’s nothing to be done.’

If she did die, I’d at least attend the funeral. She was, after all, once my only master.

“Tina, ahh- open wide.”

Versha, smiling brightly, spoke to me.

When I opened my mouth, a small cherry slipped in. I enjoyed the burst of tartness as I chewed and swallowed.

Well, one way or another, my social life was smooth.

And it would probably continue this way.

Living a peaceful life like this, always-

“Lady Mardian!”

Amid the bright laughter of the noble ladies, a deep male voice rang out.

A knight in silver armor, with urgent eyes, ran toward Mardian. Although she frowned at his discourteous behavior, her displeasure didn’t last long.

The knight covered his mouth with his hand and whispered something softly into Mardian’s ear.

The more she listened, the more her expression changed in real-time.

Seeing her blood-red eyes tremble, it was clear the news was no ordinary matter.

“Excuse me, but I must leave.”

At her words, the surrounding ladies began to look confused one by one.

“Is something wrong?”

Versha asked in a worried voice, but Mardian stared at the ground for a moment without answering.

‘Did she receive news of a death?’

Puzzled, I stabbed a piece of cake with a fork and brought it to my mouth.

Mardian looked at me for a moment, then, with tightly closed lips, finally spoke.

“The war ended this morning.”

Her words were brief and to the point.

“The Empire has won.”

News that swept through my mind in an instant.

I couldn’t help but drop the fork I was holding.

***

“Wow! They’re coming!”

“Hooray! Long live the Solatis Empire!!”

A large crowd had gathered beneath the towering walls of the Empire.

People held each other’s hands, embraced each other, and shed tears of joy.

Fathers called out to their sons, mothers to their daughters, and an elderly grandfather waved his arms as if shaking off years of sorrow, cheering with delight.

“Long live the Saintess! Long live!!”

Rising above the bloodstained past, a proud red flag, symbolizing victory, waved majestically.

Following the enormous flag, countless soldiers marched in formation over the wall.

“May the Goddess’s blessing be with us for life!”

“Long live the Empire!!”

“To the hero!!”

“May blessings abound for the Crown Prince!”

Under the radiant sunlight shining down on the walls, the Crown Prince was the first to cross over.

Before long, two women appeared, riding on horseback.

The sight of these two heroes was so divine and graceful, as if goddesses from legend had descended.

The Saintess, dressed in a white holy robe, let her bright pink hair flutter in the wind, exuding a pure beauty.

With a radiant smile on her face, she greeted the Empire’s citizens with a delicate hand.

Beside her walked the Lady, clad in a splendid uniform, maintaining a noble poise.

It was truly a hero’s return.

The path was filled with cheers and shouts of celebration.

People threw flowers in congratulation. Some sang as they welcomed them.

From commoners to priests, and even a few nobles, everyone was there to celebrate their return.

Amidst the people’s cheers, I twisted my face in bitterness.

“How could they…”

Muttering softly, I clenched my fists.

The more I looked at Viviana and Lilian, the tighter the pressure around my throat felt, suffocating me.

I turned my back on them, leaving them behind.

Almost like fleeing, I hastily left the place.

I didn’t know how far I had run.

“Hah… Hah…”

When I came to my senses, my face was drenched in sweat.

I hadn’t run far, yet my legs trembled powerlessly, as if unable to move any further.

“…No.”

I covered my face with both hands, a bitter smile creeping through the cracks of my fingers.

Why am I running away?

Like a guilty person.

What did I even do?

Ignoring the suffocating weight of anxiety and loneliness pressing on my chest, I forced a distorted smile onto my face.

Yeah.

I did nothing wrong.