Chapter 26: I don’t need any help

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[Dear Lady Merdellia,]

Hello, Lady Viviana. I am grateful for the hospitality extended to me by the House of Merdellia. Not only did I enjoy the honor of experiencing the grandeur of your esteemed house, but the enchanting performance you shared was a privilege far beyond what someone like me deserves. I will never forget the warmth and kindness of that day.

I write this letter because I do not wish to impose further on the House of Merdellia, which has already been more than generous.

Considering the great value of your time and the unexpected solution I have found, I wish to withdraw the proposal I previously made. Please understand that this decision comes after careful consideration of various circumstances.

The time I spent with you will always be a cherished memory, far beyond what I deserve. I wish you blessings on your path ahead and bid you farewell.

Should we meet again by chance, I hope it will be with a smile.

Wishing you peace, continued prosperity, and happiness.

With respect,

Tina Bland.

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Crack-!

The beautifully decorated letter paper crumpled helplessly.

“…Ha.”

A growling voice escaped from between her delicate lips. Her violet eyes, which had been shining softly, were now swirling with an unknown emotion.

“…I definitely told her to wait for my response soon.”

She was the only heir of the Merdellia Duchy, known for its powerful reputation among the noble houses. Her cooperation was not something to be easily swayed by a mere verbal proposal.

If she gave the word, nobles would line up to pledge alliances, kneeling at once. Such was the unyielding power of the Merdellia Duchy, comparable to the imperial authority.

Yet, this young lady couldn’t wait even a week for her cooperation?

She had said she would provide beneficial information to the Merdellia Duchy and asked to be protected from any harm. She had been considering her proposal positively and intended to respond soon, in less than a week.

But now, not even five days had passed. The first to send a letter was not her, but the young lady from the House of Blanc, notifying her that the previous proposal was now void.

It was clear that she was the one in need of help…

Why did she feel so uncomfortable?

“What game are you playing, young lady?”

***

“Tina.”

“Lord Mardian!”

A bright smile bloomed as she ran into Mardian’s arms. Mardian wrapped her in his arms, gently stroking her back as he spoke.

“I didn’t expect you to come looking for me like this.”

“I missed you since I couldn’t see you properly last time… I came to see you. I hope I’m not a bother?”

Mardian opened her eyes wide and bit his lip tightly. But after a moment, she smiled warmly and gently patted her head.

“Of course not. You’re my beloved pet.”

Thank goodness.

It seems she isn’t as angry as I thought.

The last time she saw Mardian was on the third night of a banquet at the Imperial Palace. When Viviana suddenly took her away, Mardian’s expression wasn’t good.

While she was friendly to her, Mardian was known as a villainess notorious in the game. Concerned about the consequences, she had come directly to her mansion, but seeing her calm expression, it seemed she wasn’t as angry as she had feared.

“So, did you have a good talk with Lady Merdellia?”

Still, perhaps she was concerned. Mardian immediately asked about Viviana. She shook her head gently with an innocent smile and rested her head on Mardian’s shoulder.

Originally, I intended to use Viviana to curb the increasingly aggressive Mardian, but I changed my mind.

“No, actually, I was a bit dissatisfied. I missed out on the time I could have spent with you, Mardian.”

Mardian raised an eyebrow in surprise, as if she hadn’t expected my words.

“You seemed to get along well with her. Was I mistaken?”

“…The lady does treat me kindly… but actually…”

I hesitated, chewing my words for a moment, then glanced at her and spoke cautiously.

“She makes me uncomfortable, and a little scared too…”

“…Pfft.”

Mardian’s lips curled up slightly, seeming to enjoy my words. After a moment of smiling contentedly, she pinched my cheek gently and gave me a kind smile.

“Well, she is a bit fierce. I thought she didn’t fit in with us because she spends all her time on the battlefield. It seems you and Tina feel the same way?”

“Yes, and I much prefer being with you, Mardian.”

Unlike Viviana, whose expressions were hard to read, Mardian’s face showed clear reactions. Seeing her expression change in real-time based on my words made me realize my mistake.

Why did I approach Viviana? Mardian is much easier to handle.

“Our sweet Tina… so lovely and precious.”

Mardian tucked my hair behind my ear with a gentle touch. As her gaze grew increasingly intense, I could sense her dirty desires resurfacing. Before she could speak, I opened my mouth first.

“Mardian, I actually have something I want to tell you.”

“What is it?”

“When I was younger, something bad happened to me…”

Mardian stopped stroking my hair and looked at me with a puzzled eyebrow raise.

“Something bad?”

“It’s something I don’t really want to talk about, but I feel like I should…”

Mardian gently took my hand. Her red eyes no longer held lust but were filled with curiosity.

“Tell me.”

“I really like you, Mardian… I really do, but…”

I looked up at Mardian with drooping eyes. She waited silently for me to speak, and after a moment of hesitation, I continued.

“I have a trauma.”

“Trauma?”

“Well, when I was young… my father touched me…”

“What?”

Mardian blinked in disbelief, then grabbed my shoulder with trembling hands and asked again.

“He touched you? Am I understanding this correctly?”

“My mother saved me, but if she hadn’t…”

Mardian’s face turned pale with a mix of shock and anger. Hearing that a father had sexually abused his daughter would horrify anyone, even someone known as a villainess.

Of course, this isn’t true.

I’ve never seen Tina’s father, nor do I care about his character. But seeing how Artasha stays up every night dealing with his debts makes my blood boil.

You shouldn’t speak ill of the dead, but if they’re not human, isn’t it fair game?

“…Tina.”

A faint sense of guilt seeped into Mardian’s eyes. It seemed that the things she had done to me were coming to mind one by one. I suppressed the smile rising within me and let my eyes droop even more sadly.

“…Tina, I…”

“Mardian, I really like you… but every time I’m scared of you, I remember those times…”

Before I could finish, Mardian hugged me tightly, almost suffocating me, with a hint of guilt in her eyes.

“…I’m sorry. I didn’t know the former head of the Blanc family was such trash.”

Bonnie Blanc, the former head who tarnished the family’s reputation with gambling and affairs. I thought of him as nothing more than a pest, but it seems he’s useful in this way.

“Why didn’t you tell me? If I had known, I would have been more careful.”

As I buried my face in her embrace, I secretly smiled.

But… Mardian seems happy. It gives her some comfort, even a little.

A myriad of emotions flickered in Mardian’s red eyes. She bit her lip with a complicated expression for a long time, then hugged me tightly, burying her face in my shoulder.

“…Tina.”

It’s not that I don’t want to. I can endure the spanking because it’s you, but the lips… it’s too…

“…Hard for me.”

I was certain from Mardian’s clearly troubled expression. I knew the answer I wanted would soon come from her.

“…Alright. Tina, let me know when you’re okay.”

That day will never come, Mardian. I’m not a perverted sadistic villainess like you.

“Yes… thank you, Mardian.”

I nodded weakly, hiding my sinister thoughts.

I could be sure once again.

Yes, I don’t need Viviana’s help.

After all, it was something I could handle on my own.