Chapter 171: I’m glad you’re happy

Mardian returned to the mansion.

Her stay was for a week.

All the lovers, except for me, had vacated their places to welcome her. Thanks to that, I was the only one left in this spacious annex.

By now… she’s probably enjoying herself, right?

From what I’ve heard, Mardian’s time with her lovers is quite chaotic.

Although she doesn’t engage in direct physical relations, I’ve heard that highly provocative acts are carried out in her bedroom.

All of that must be for the sake of satisfying Mardian’s sadistic desires.

Suddenly, the past came to mind.

There was a time when I alone had to bear all of her desires.

Back then, I must have received hundreds of spankings from her, even just from one of those punishments.

“It really hurt…”

Thinking back to that pain, maybe it’s better to be excluded like this now. After all, I’ve never been interested in Mardian’s wealth.

I stood up from my seat, still wearing a calm smile.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t just relax. I had promised to prepare a dessert for the seniors.

I headed to the kitchen and started gathering the ingredients for the treat.

Apples, bread, and various seasonings.

I peeled the skin off the chosen apples.

Then, I sliced them into small pieces and sprinkled honey and a hint of cinnamon powder over them.

I placed them on a pan over the oven and slowly cooked the apples. Afterward, I carefully inserted the mixture between crispy bread pieces.

Lastly, I lightly topped it with cream, and it was done.

It was a skill I had learned only briefly at Grandma Miranda’s shop, but Viviana and Lillian had once smiled brightly and told me it was the most delicious dessert in the world.

‘…I miss them.’

I smiled as I thought of them.

If I could be forgiven by Mardian, perhaps, after that, I could live happily with them.

‘I hope they enjoy it.’

Before I knew it, the treat was ready, so I carefully packed it in a box and headed out of the annex with the accompanying drinks.

I made my way to the garden. Shirley was waiting for me there.

“Is this the dessert?”

“Yes. It’s a dessert made with bread and apples. I thought it would be better to balance the sweetness, so I made the drink with lemon.”

Shirley took the box of treats from me with sparkling eyes.

“Thank you. I’ll make sure to deliver it.”

“If it can be of small help to the seniors, I’m happy too.”

Suddenly, as though remembering something, Shirley looked at me and asked an unexpected question.

“…I heard you’re a fan of the Black Rose?”

I froze for a moment at her unexpected words.

“Excuse me? Ah, yes. That’s right.”

“Hmm… well…”

Shirley seemed to ponder something for a while, then, as if she had made up her mind, her eyes shone brightly as she declared.

“I’ll do you a special favor! I’ll let you see her in person.”

“Excuse me?”

“The Black Rose. You should see how beautiful she really is.”

“…Is that okay?”

“Only if it’s a secret from the seniors, though! And you have to watch her secretly.”

“Okay. I’ll do that.”

Shirley carefully led me to the main building.

The knights were firmly guarding the front gates, but once they saw Shirley’s face, they allowed us to enter.

The interior of the main building was so grand it was incomparable to the annex.

The traces of extravagant amounts of money poured into every corner, and the brilliant decorations shone brightly from their places.

“Now, follow me quietly.”

At Shirley’s low warning, I silenced my footsteps and followed her closely.

We climbed what seemed like an endless staircase for quite some time.

Then, faint moans from a woman reached my ears, making me stop in my tracks.

As we continued up the stairs, I realized that it wasn’t the voice of one person, but of many.

Finally, when I reached the door of the bedroom, rough, almost embarrassing moans brushed against my ears.

“Just look at her face and go.”

Shirley whispered softly, then quietly opened the door and stepped inside.

I cautiously peered through the crack of the door into the bedroom.

And there, I could immediately spot her.

‘…Mardian.’

Her platinum hair flowed softly. Beneath it, her crimson eyes flickered with a cold, eerie light.

Her sharp features and intense aura only added to the sinister atmosphere she exuded.

Her beauty hadn’t withered at all compared to the past. On the contrary, the thinner lashes seemed to add to her decadent allure.

Unlike the seniors who had revealed their bodies in half dresses, Mardian was clothed in a lavish gown.

A sense of guilt slowly settled in my chest.

I wanted to approach her right now, to beg for forgiveness for the sins of the past. But did I really have the right to do so?

For now, I silently watched the scene unfold inside the bedroom.

“Ugh, mm…”

The sight before me was truly provocative.

Strange, pained moans escaped her lips.

Some of the seniors, though evidently in pain, tried their best to accommodate her moods.

After all, there wouldn’t be anyone who would willingly accept Mardian’s violent desires.

How many perverts would enjoy such a thing, after all?

“Black Rose!”

Shirley approached, holding a dessert. She offered the tea and snacks I had carefully prepared to Mardian.

Mardian smiled faintly, gently patting Shirley’s head.

The seniors seemed unable to hide their joy at her smile.

‘…She looks happy.’

However, there was something about that smile that felt empty, somehow.

It was probably just my feelings.

Perhaps, my ugly inner self wished for it to be so.

If Mardian wasn’t happy, maybe it would have been easier to approach her.

I really am a selfish person.

I was, after all, the same as I had always been.

Looking at it, there was no reason Mardian shouldn’t be happy.

She had gained the highest reputation in the city with her innate talent.

She had immense wealth, and there was no shortage of people to satisfy her dark desires.

Moreover, being from the open-minded Merhen, no one openly criticized her hobbies.

From any perspective, Mardian was leading a far more prosperous life than she had in the Empire.

‘Yeah… she looks happy.’

A bitter smile spread across my face.

What had been a vague feeling slowly turned into certainty.

My apology would mean nothing to Mardian, nor would it help her.

Asking for forgiveness was just my selfishness.

‘…Maybe it was pointless from the start.’

Perhaps I could never be forgiven by her.

I don’t feel wronged.

This sin is something I must carry for the rest of my life.

“I’m glad you’re happy… truly, Mardian.”

I muttered softly with a sorrowful smile.

Swallowing the bitterness at the tip of my tongue, I turned my back and left the mansion.

“So, who made these refreshments?”

Mardian’s sharp eyes gleamed as she scanned the women.

Among them, Erina naturally wrapped her arm around Mardian’s, wearing a graceful smile.

“I made them, my lady. I thought you might be hungry.”

“Hmm…”

Her blood-red eyes narrowed coldly.

“Even lies should be sweet enough to sound believable.”

As her lowered voice brushed through the room, the atmosphere instantly grew heavy.

Mardian being in a bad mood was never good news for anyone in the room.

“Why do you say that, my lady?”

Erina, still smiling without a hint of disturbance, looked up at her.

“If you had known I was preparing refreshments, you would have offered them to me sooner. After all, winning my favor would be to your advantage.”

Mardian’s gaze slowly swept through the women.

In the face of her hollow and chilling eyes, every woman froze, and the faint sound of swallowed breaths echoed through the silent room.

“M-my lady. I never meant to upset you. It’s just…”

Erina regretted her words before she could even finish her sentence.

Her attempt to please Mardian had only soured her mood.

“Then don’t lie, Erina.”

Mardian’s calm voice made Erina shut her mouth tightly. She knew that offering excuses would only further upset her.

Rushel quickly stepped forward.

“…Apologies, my lady. Actually, those refreshments were made by the new girl.”

Only then did Mardian’s gaze leave Erina.

“Is that so?”

She took out a piece of bread from the box and took a bite. The crisp texture and sweetness of the flavor danced on her tongue.

“Delicious.”

It wasn’t just a compliment.

The soft bread, the crunchy apple inside, and the sweetness of honey and cream combined made for a surprisingly delightful taste.

“Please, try this too.”

Shelly carefully approached, offering a drink.

“Did the new girl make this too?”

“…Yes, she did.”

Mardian raised the cup, took a quick sip, and then silently set it back on the table.

“It’s fine. Tomorrow, bring that new girl to my chambers.”

This was quite a new experience for her.

The women here were all about thick makeup or showing off skin, but she hadn’t expected any of them to have such a cute talent.

Because of that, Mardian found the new girl more interesting.

“My lady, but the girl hasn’t been properly trained yet…”

Rushel cautiously spoke up, but all she received was a cold glare.

“If you don’t like it, I’ll just throw her out. Bring her anyway.”

No matter how intriguing the new girl was, Mardian knew she would soon grow bored after a few times.

“…Yes.”

“It’s getting dull now. Everyone, leave.”

With Mardian’s firm voice, the women reluctantly left the room.

The slump in their shoulders reflected the disappointment of not receiving any gifts or rewards from her.

“You’ve made a mess, Erina. Is it that hard to just stay quiet?”

Rushel’s voice was full of mocking sarcasm.

Erina glared at her, furrowing her brows.

“You agreed to offer the refreshments too.”

“Is offering the problem? The problem is you lied to the Black Rose with your greedy ways.”

Sharp glares passed between the two.

The other women hurriedly stepped in to stop the argument.

“If the Black Rose doesn’t give anything this time, know that it’s your fault.”

“Shut up, you filthy fox. How long do you think you’ll keep being favored by the Black Rose?”

“…At least I won’t lose her to someone as vulgar as you, so don’t worry.”

“What?!”

Once again, as the voice was raised, the other women inwardly sighed.

In the end, Russell and Erina did not stop their psychological battle until the moment they entered their respective rooms.

The one who always had the most trouble with it was the youngest among the women around her, Sully.