Chapter 19: The last night of the banquet

A faint swirl of smoke rises in the quiet office air. Viviana, leaning back in her chair, took another drag from her cigarette, seeming displeased.

[Well, you’re the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen. You might even steal my heart just by sitting at the piano.]

“…Phew.”

She had been caught off guard. She intended to use what she had seen of her at the banquet to threaten and elicit a flustered response, but it was she herself who ended up feeling flustered.

When had it started? When had she begun to be swayed by her clever words? Yes, it must have been from the moment the piano was mentioned.

Viviana looked at her open palm intently. As Miss Blanc had said, her fingers were delicate and long—ideal for playing the piano. Indeed, the only comfort in her life was the piano.

In her life, where she had to bathe her blade in the blood of enemy soldiers, the only time she could breathe easily was when she sat in front of the piano.

But no one knew that playing the piano was her hobby. So how did that young lady bring it up? Did she notice with her keen eyes, or did she have some source of information that Viviana was unaware of?

‘It doesn’t matter.’

Viviana took one last deep drag of her cigarette and stood up slowly. She had been surprised by the unexpected mention of the piano, but that would never happen again when they met next.

There was no reason for her to be outdone. Even though Miss Blanc was loved in society, it meant nothing in front of a princess.

“Interesting, Miss Blanc.”

How long had it been since she felt outmatched in a conversation? The unexpected situation had sparked her competitive spirit. The next time they met, she would see that cunning young lady flustered and unsettled.

‘I have no choice.’

She had to attend the last night of the banquet. It was unavoidable, even if only to exact revenge for what had happened.

‘Your Highness, it’s Alphonse.’

As Viviana was lost in silent contemplation, the old man’s hesitant voice seeped into the office from outside the door.

“…Come in.”

With Viviana’s permission, the elderly man, despite his weak white hair, carried an air of elegance and nobility.

“I have something to deliver.”

“To deliver?”

The old man nodded and quietly placed a blue envelope on Viviana’s desk. Seeing that there was no seal, it seemed unimportant.

“I found it in Your Highness’s coat pocket. It appears to be unopened, so I thought I should give it to you.”

“It was in my coat?”

Viviana, having no recollection of receiving a letter, was puzzled. But as she thought about it, she had a vague idea of when it might have slipped into her coat.

‘…Was it then?’

At the end of the banquet, Miss Blanc had rushed to greet her. Could it have been then?

Viviana opened the envelope with a curious mind. Her eyes slowly followed the words from the top of the letter.

“Hah.”

As her eyes reached the end of the letter, a bewildered smile spread across her lips. She drummed her fingers thoughtfully on the desk, then stood up and handed the letter to the old man.

“Prepare for my bath. Tell the attendants to prepare scented candles as well.”

“Scented candles?”

“Yes, with a scent a woman would like.”

It was rare for Viviana to use scented candles in her bath, so Alphonse was taken aback. However, he thought there was no need to dwell on it. No matter how strong a warrior she was, she was still a woman. Sometimes, she might want to enjoy a bath with scented candles.

“Understood. I’ll dispose of the letter.”

“What?”

For a moment, Viviana’s gaze turned cold. Unsure of what had displeased her, Alphonse blinked in confusion.

“Don’t throw it away. Keep it separately.”

“Yes?”

For a moment, she couldn’t understand what she had heard. Having served the Merdellia duchy for decades, the words coming from Viviana’s mouth were so unfamiliar that she couldn’t believe it.

‘Lady Viviana is keeping a letter?’

…this insignificant letter?

***

Though there were no luxurious decorations like those at a banquet hosted by the imperial palace, in the most peaceful dining room in the world, I handed my mother a tiara adorned with rubies and smiled brightly.

“Ta-da! This time, it’s rubies.”

I handed over the tiara with a clear smile, but my mother fiddled with it with a complicated look in her eyes. Could she still be worried about me?

I got up from the dining table and walked quickly to my mother. When I sat sideways on her lap, her warm thighs wrapped around me.

“It’s okay. It’s just a gesture of pure goodwill, so you don’t have to worry too much.”

When I spread my arms with a grin, my mother sighed lightly and hugged me. Leaning into my mother’s gentle embrace, I felt the stress I had been holding onto melt away.

Hehe…

I love my mother’s big chest.

“Tina, there’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world.”

As I buried my face in my mother’s warm chest, enjoying the comfort, her calm voice reached my ears.

I opened my eyes in surprise and looked up at her. She tidied my bangs with a complicated expression in her eyes.

“Even if the ladies give you gifts out of pure affection because they find you charming, you never know when their feelings might change. Remember, the world isn’t that easy.”

“Are you worried about me?”

“How could I not worry? You are my everything.”

My mother looked down at me with eyes filled with indescribable emotions. The heart that had felt cold and sunken at the banquet started to beat faintly again in her overflowing love.

“Tina, I just want you to grow up safe and bright.”

She placed a short kiss on my forehead. She hadn’t done such things during meals last year, but it seemed like she had opened her heart to me even more in the meantime. With a bright smile, I kissed her cheek in return.

“Mother, I really love you.”

“I love you too… And Tina.”

She seemed to want to say something, her eyes restless and her mouth moving slightly. As I watched with curiosity, she finally spoke in a slightly subdued tone.

“I guess you’ve been very busy lately. A year ago, we used to go on picnics together, but it feels like we don’t have time for that anymore. I’m a little disappointed.”

“……”

I blinked blankly at the unexpected comment. I thought she was going to say something serious, but it turned out to be a complaint. It was so unlike her, and it made me feel ticklish around my mouth.

“Pfft…! Haha!”

In the end, I burst out laughing and hugged her tightly. In society, I always had to hold back my laughter, but here, I didn’t need to.

What should I do?

I think I’m really starting to like my mother.

I don’t want to be abandoned by someone again.

I’m becoming more dependent on her.

“Let’s go this week. On a picnic.”

It was a perfectly satisfying dinner.

I chatted with my mother about various things.

I relaxed in a bath filled with scented candles and fell asleep peacefully, thinking about tomorrow.

***

Time flew by, and another awkward night arrived.

The last night of the banquet approached.

The hall was decorated with purple carpets and interiors, signaling the end of the party. The number of people had decreased significantly compared to the first day, but the hall was still filled with elegant conversations and laughter.

I smiled warmly and greeted several people while looking around. I worried that she might not be here since it’s the last day, but luckily, I quickly spotted the shimmering blonde hair.

“Mardian!”

I ran to her without hesitation.

The first person I looked for was Mardian. I was concerned about her expression last night when I went outside following Viviana; she didn’t seem alright.

However, Mardian’s expression now didn’t seem too bad. She even looked brighter than usual. Should I consider that fortunate?

“Tina.”

“I felt sad that we parted so suddenly yesterday, but I’m really glad to see you again so soon.”

“Hehe… Of course, I had to come when my pet was coming. Did you have a good conversation with the Lady yesterday?”

“We didn’t talk much! Actually, even when I was with her, I was thinking about you, Mardian.”

“…I see.”

Mardian patted my head and then leaned in close to my ear with a sinister smile.

“Say hello to everyone and then come back to me. I’ve arranged a reception room for us today, so we won’t be disturbed.”

“You booked a room?”

“Yes, we need to continue where we left off yesterday.”

Mardian’s voice, sticky and sweet, lingered in my ear. She tried to kiss me before, and now she’s reserved a room; I don’t know what she’s planning.

“…Mardian, I…”

“Don’t think about avoiding it. Even Tina will surely enjoy it.”

[There’s no such thing as a free lunch in this world.]

Artasha’s words echoed in my mind. My mother’s wisdom, never wrong, impressed me anew.

But it’s okay, Mother.

I’m not so naive myself.

“I’m also curious about what you mean by ‘enjoy’.”

A graceful figure with a lovely voice appeared between Mardian and me. Mardian’s forehead briefly furrowed at the sudden arrival of the woman.

“…Lady Viviana?”

Viviana smiled faintly at Mardian’s flustered voice.

As her dark hair, as deep as the night sky, fluttered around, a sweet and enchanting fragrance lightly tickled my nose. Surprised by Viviana’s unexpected scent, I blinked blankly for a moment.

‘Did Viviana always wear perfume…?’

…It smells nice.