Chapter 2: Mother’s Love

“You’re here.”

In the office filled with calm air, a mature and beautiful voice resounded. I bowed my head and greeted the woman sitting at the wide desk with proper etiquette.

The woman’s name was Artasha Blanc. With white hair resembling Tina’s and slightly darker blue eyes, she was the head of the Blanc Baron family and Tina’s mother.

To describe Artasha in one word… she was an extraordinary woman.

The original head of the Blanc Baron family, Bonnie Blanc, was obsessed with gambling. Despite not being financially stable, he continued to gamble, even going into debt.

His end was predictably tragic. After squandering all the family’s wealth, he spent his days drowning in alcohol. One night, he got into a fight with some thugs and was severely beaten.

He was stripped of his remaining clothes and jewelry, tripped over his own feet, and suffered a concussion. It was a fittingly miserable end for a gambler.

According to Renihel, the Blanc Baron family should have collapsed with Bonnie’s death. There was no family fortune left, and no one wanted to take over the headship due to the massive debts Bonnie had accrued.

The person who managed to keep the family afloat was Artasha. To save the family, she stayed up late studying management and used her excellent business acumen and unique accounting methods to continue the family line.

Although the Blanc Baron family still had significant debts, the fact that this mansion still stood strong was all thanks to Artasha.

If Artasha had been the head of the Blanc Baron family from the beginning, it might have become quite a prestigious household.

‘When I think about it, Tina is really selfish.’

In the original game, Tina was a timid character obsessed with reading. She was always holed up in the library, like a spirit. There was even a backstory that she escaped to the library to avoid the pressure at home.

While her mother was staying up all night trying to pay off the family debt, Tina, the only child, was spending her time reading books instead of helping. What greater act of unfilial behavior could there be?

I suddenly felt sorry for Artasha. She loved her family so much, yet her husband was drowning in debt from gambling, and her daughter was ignoring her while she struggled to keep things together.

“Wait here for a moment.”

Artasha said briefly and returned her attention to the documents. I quietly followed her instructions and sat on the sofa, maintaining silence. Before long, Artasha let out a short sigh and sat across from me.

“Tina. You know you’re fifteen now, right?”

I had felt it before, but Artasha’s voice towards her daughter was quite cold. It was clear enough to understand that the relationship between Tina and Artasha was not good.

“Yes. I know.”

“Really? Does someone who knows that spend all day holed up in their room reading books? What on earth are you thinking?”

The sharp, cold voice filled with clear criticism flowed into my ears. The chilly atmosphere made me shrink back unconsciously. She definitely had an imposing presence, worthy of being the head of the family.

Tina must have meant this kind of ‘pressure’ when she mentioned it in her lines.

Tina would have taken this as nagging, but to me, it sounded like a mother’s burning concern. If Artasha truly hated her daughter, she would have left her alone to read or cause trouble.

“I’m going to debut you into society by the end of this month, so be aware of that. I won’t watch you waste away like a freeloader anymore.”

Her tone was coercive.

Tina must have run to the library because she hated this. I could understand that. Tina was only fifteen at this time, an age equivalent to a middle school student in Korea, going through the turbulent adolescent phase.

It’s a time when you perceive anything your parents say as nagging. Furthermore, if Tina’s only rebellion was to lock herself in her room and read books, it couldn’t be considered seriously wayward.

If I were really 15, I might have taken Artasha’s words unpleasantly. But that was true if I was 15.

Puberty had already passed a long time ago.

I might not know much about familial love due to spending half my previous life as an orphan, but I’m not dull enough to miss my mother’s genuine concern.

I smiled gently while looking at Artasha… no, my mother, who had eyes as cold as ice.

“I will follow your words.”

At my words, Artasha’s face twisted harshly without a moment’s hesitation.

“I knew you would answer like that. But this time, your opinion doesn’t matter at all. Immediately next—”

Artasha, who was speaking in a raised voice, abruptly stopped as if struck by lightning. She blinked vacantly for a while and then looked at me with wide eyes.

“What did you just say?”

“I said I would follow your words.”

At my repeated answer, Artasha showed considerable confusion. Could she not have anticipated my response to this extent? It was quite unusual to see her, always so dignified, looking so bewildered.

“Ah, ahem. Yes. It’s a relief that you’re following willingly. I will notify you of the schedule later, so wait.”

“Yes, Mother.”

“…What?”

Artasha’s body shook so much that the chair she was sitting on creaked. She looked quite surprised, with her eyes wide open.

“W-What did you just call me?”

Artasha asked, looking at me with trembling eyes. I cleared my throat calmly and spoke again, fearing she hadn’t heard correctly.

“I said I understood.”

“Not that. What did you call me?”

“…Mother?”

Artasha’s eyes shook violently again. Seeing the usually emotionless woman show such confusion made me feel equally bewildered.

Could it be because I called her Mother?

No, that can’t be.

What is so surprising about calling your mother ‘Mother’?

“…Yes, go in and rest.”

“Yes.”

I politely greeted Artasha and slowly left the office. Closing the door carefully, I leaned my head against the wall and let out a deep sigh. As the tension suddenly released, I felt a bit drowsy. It was my first proper encounter with Artasha, so I must have been quite nervous without realizing it.

‘…Still, this should be a pretty good start, right?’

In Artasha’s last gaze that looked at me, there was no hostility. Rather, there was a faint sense of goodwill. It seemed that I might be able to win Artasha over to my side more easily than I thought. Since her help is crucial for my comfortable and wealthy slacker plan, today’s event could be considered quite successful.

Well, there was another reason as well.

I felt sorry for Artasha. In the game, she was portrayed as a bad mother who caused pressure and stress for Tina, but now, having been possessed in Tina’s body for three months, I knew clearly.

Artasha was a strong mother who sacrificed her own health to support her family. And she was a kind mother who truly loved her daughter, Tina.

Tina couldn’t accept Artasha’s love and ultimately rejected it, but I wanted to help her in some small way. Even though I wasn’t her real daughter, I wanted to be a little comfort to the poor woman who was carrying a heavy burden alone.

Isn’t it too harsh that the reality where she stays up all night trying so hard, yet her own daughter cannot be a comfort to her?

“So, the first goal is to get closer to mother.”

But there was one problem.

I am not Tina.

Of course, since I wasn’t Tina herself, I didn’t know much about Artasha. I didn’t know what kind of food she liked or what hobbies she had. Even if I wanted to gain her favor, I couldn’t think of any brilliant ideas right away.

“Hmm… what does mother like…”

I pondered, tapping my chin with my finger.

She seemed happy when I obediently followed her words, but that alone wouldn’t be enough to fundamentally get closer.

Though no methods came to mind, I wasn’t too worried. In such times, it’s best to seek help from others. Fortunately, there were a few servants who had worked at the Blanc Baroness’ mansion for a long time. Asking them for advice would surely be a big help.

Should I ask Renihel?

She’s been working here for 15 years.

She should know what Artasha likes.