Chapter 10: A name I could never forget.

As usual, I was having a meal with my mother, and today’s meal was significantly more abundant compared to a year ago.

“Ta-da! It’s a gift, Mother.”

I smiled as I showed my mother the blue gem I received from Lady Sharione. It looked expensive at a glance, and I thought it would surely help with our family’s debt.

So I thought my mother would be pleased, but contrary to my expectations, her expression remained endlessly dark.

“…Tina, people are calling you a pet lady these days.”

“Yes. The nobility sees me as pretty.”

Thanks to that, I could enjoy various jewels and dresses I would never have experienced in my life. Although I couldn’t sell them right now, in about three years, I could sell them all and reduce the family’s debt.

“…You are my world and everything to me, so it hurts my heart to see others treat you that way.”

Her sorrowful blue eyes clearly reflected her emotions. It was natural for her to worry. While some people saw me as pretty, others viewed me as a person without pride. Mother probably didn’t like those perspectives.

“Tina. I will do my best to repay the family’s debt, so I hope you grow up righteously.”

A faint smile appeared on my lips at my mother’s stubbornness. How could someone who nosebled every day from work put in more effort? Truly, Artasha was a very kind mother.

I gently stood up and approached the opposite side where Artasha was sitting. Sitting on her warm lap and hugging her, her watermelon-sized chest warmly embraced me.

“T-Tina, it’s meal time now, so please restrain yourself…”

“Don’t worry, Mother. I don’t care what others say.”

I was already painfully used to being despised. I had no pride to be hurt in the first place, and even if I felt bad, thinking about the jewels I received could make me smile.

“And those who speak ill of me can’t say a word in front of me. You saw what happened to the young master of the Crown family last time, right?”

It was one day at a ball. The young master of the Crown family suddenly approached and confessed that he had fallen in love at first sight. Although I politely declined, he was offended by being rejected and called me a slut no different from a prostitute.

To cut to the chase…that man will probably never appear in society again. I ran to Mardian with forced tears, and the furious Mardian and other ladies punished him on my behalf.

Since then, no one dared to openly insult me in front of me. Of course, there were many who sneered, but I didn’t care about their gazes at all.

“Mother, I understand you are worried because you want me to grow up happily, right?”

“…Yes.”

“But Mother, I want to grow up happily with you.”

I wrapped my arms around my mother’s neck and hugged her closer. Looking up with bright eyes, her eyes began to tremble greatly with agitation.

“…Even so, Tina…”

“Oh, dear.”

Peak.

I left a small kiss on my mother’s white cheek. She was at a loss for words and froze briefly. I chuckled at her dramatic reaction.

It’s always like this.

Despite having kissed her on the cheek several times, my mother still gets very flustered whenever I show affection.

“T-Tina.”

Peak, Peak, Peak.

I left light lip prints on her forehead, neck, shoulders, and ears, avoiding only her lips. It seemed effective, as my mother didn’t say anything more.

“Just bear with it a little longer. I want to repay the debt and live happily and prosperously with you, Mother.”

“…Sigh, alright.”

Success.

Mother, who was looking at me with a complex expression, reluctantly sighed and nodded. Honestly, as a man, I wondered if it was okay to act so coy, but since it was with my mother, I thought it wouldn’t count. After all, I never kissed anyone other than my mother.

With elegant movements, she twirled pasta around a fork and brought it to my mouth. As I opened my tightly closed mouth, she gently put the pasta into it.

“There’s a banquet next week to celebrate the third princess’s wedding. You’ve also been invited, so it would be better to attend as it’s the palace’s will.”

“Yes, I should go then.”

If I fall out of favor with the palace, no matter how favored I am, I would be finished, so it’s better to go if possible. And who knows, I might receive another jewel this time.

“Since the necklace is a gift, it would be better to wear it to the next banquet.”

Mother left a brief kiss on my cheek and put the accessory she was holding around my neck. Looking briefly at the blue gem shining on my neck, I smiled brightly at her.

“As expected, Mother, you’re a genius.”

“…My dear daughter.”

***

I know why those proud ladies cherish Tina so much.

It’s simple.

They feel happy and joyful just by having Tina by their side. Even someone as reserved as me can’t stop smiling when I’m with Tina, and my quiet heart fills with happiness when she shows me affection.

And this feeling is probably the same for other ladies too. Tina’s appearance is beautiful, and her personality is lovely, which is an objective fact that everyone unanimously agrees on.

But she is too beautiful.

That worried me as a mother.

If it were any other time, I wouldn’t have worried about such things.

But around a year ago,

Tina’s personality changed completely at some point. The child, who had originally been quiet and reticent, had now become so alluring and lovely that even her family, including myself, would sometimes feel overwhelmed.

According to Tina, she matured after reading a book about a mother’s love, but I wondered what kind of book could change a person to be so mischievous.

So, I was afraid.

Now, while other young ladies looked at Tina as if she were just a pretty and pitiable animal, there was no knowing when that affection might turn into lust.

Even I sometimes forgot that Tina was my daughter, bewitched by her charm, so how much worse must it be for the young ladies?

And when that time comes, will Tina really be safe from the hands of those high-ranking individuals?

“…I must try harder.”

I clenched my fists and steeled my resolve.

Paying off this mountain of debt as quickly as possible was the only way to ensure happiness for both Tina and myself.

***

“Wow… amazing….”

I murmured softly as I stared blankly at the banquet hall. It was overwhelmingly larger than any ball I had ever attended.

The entire place was filled with shining gold. Various musicians displayed their talents in different spots, and famous nobles danced in time to the music.

The interior was so lavish that it felt brilliant rather than merely splendid, and the ceiling sparkled with countless golden star shapes that resembled stars.

At the center of the banquet was a magnificent chandelier boasting its splendor, with the candles on it brightly illuminating the space even in the night.

‘…So this is really the celebration for the imperial princess’s wedding.’

Nobility indeed seemed to be in a class of its own. How many places in the empire could host a banquet of this scale?

I wondered if I would have been happy if I had been reincarnated as Nobel. But thinking it over, that would mean I wouldn’t have met Artasha, so it was a no.

“Tina.”

A familiar voice reached my ears. I immediately put a smile on my face and turned my head. Bright red eyes gleamed at me. The woman had sharp eyes, which only enhanced her allure as a villainess.

“Mardian!”

“Hehe.”

Without hesitation, I ran into her arms. Mardian accepted me with a shallow smile, hugging me with both arms. As she gently patted my head, she brought her lips close to my ear and whispered softly.

“Come to the garden later.”

“…Yes.”

Her sticky voice made me shiver instinctively. Mardian flashed a seductive smile at my agreement, then discreetly squeezed my butt before walking away.

“Ugh….”

Such a sadistic villainess.

She was probably planning to do ‘that’ again.

Not that I’m a pervert or anything.

It’s so annoying.

If I had been reincarnated as a high-ranking nobel, it would have been Mardian crying under me. But that wasn’t the reality.

And I couldn’t even complain. The only reason I had survived in this social circle was due to Mardian’s active support.

So, I had to endure it a little longer.

Physical pain is fleeting anyway. All the acts Mardian had done so far were harsh but not unbearable.

This time would be no different.

I took a short breath and opened my eyes brightly. Rather than standing still, it would be better to greet the young ladies I knew.

As I was exchanging hugs with the young ladies who welcomed me,

I began to sense that the atmosphere around me was becoming unusual.

Looking around, I saw that everyone, regardless of age or gender, was looking at the entrance of the hall and whispering.

Following their gazes, I looked at the entrance. The massive, gold-plated door of the hall opened, and the knight guarding the entrance loudly declared as he placed his sword down in a formal stance.

“Lady Merdellia is entering!”

At his words, a woman appeared at the entrance. She was draped in a dress as dark as the night sky, her hair was jet black, and her eyes shone with an amethyst hue.

The woman who suddenly appeared in the banquet hall captured everyone’s attention instantly. Even though she was merely walking, an undeniable elegance and an aura of unapproachability emanated from her.

Tension, respect, vigilance, jealousy.

While the nobles looked at the woman with various expressions, I blinked absentmindedly and repeated her name to myself.

“…Merdellia?”

It was a name I was very familiar with.

A name I could never forget.

Viviana Merdellia.

The sole heir of the ducal family who reached the pinnacle of swordsmanship.

A monster who swept away enemies with overwhelming force.

One who would become a hero of the empire in the future.

Or a figure who would bring the empire to ruin with her own hands.

And.

One of the two main characters of the game [Princess Raising Simulation].