Chapter 28: Surely, only good things will happen.

“Are there any side effects?”

A dignified voice echoed from a rarely frequented underground tavern. Through the radiant blond hair covered by a hood, red eyes gleamed ominously.

The woman sat elegantly, crossing her legs on the chair. In front of her, a bald man was bowing down low to the ground.

“Yes. The human trials have been passed countless times.”

“Really? If Tina shows even a hint of addiction symptoms, your life won’t be enough to pay for it.”

“Don’t worry. We used only pure ingredients, so there’s nothing harmful to the body.”

The man grovelled as he handed a vial to the woman. She stared at the drug for a moment, then threw a heavy pouch of money to the ground with a satisfied smile. The pouch was filled with shining gold coins. The man immediately knelt down and carefully wrapped the pouch.

“Of course, no one knows about this, right?”

“Don’t worry. I haven’t said a word to anyone.”

“That means no one knows, right?”

At the woman’s question, the man confidently straightened his shoulders and answered loudly.

“Yes! That’s right!”

“Liar.”

“Pardon?”

The bald man blinked in confusion at her words. Her red lips curved into a crescent, and her slender finger pointed at him.

“Here he is. The one who knows.”

“M-Mardian…!”

Realizing the woman’s intent, the man’s eyes began to shake as if hit by an earthquake. He immediately slammed his head to the ground and began to plead desperately. However, the venom in the woman’s eyes showed no sign of fading, despite his earnest pleas.

“Thanks for the medicine. Thanks to you, I can treat Tina’s trauma.”

“T-To tell you the truth, that drug has a fatal side effect! I kept quiet for my safety, but if you take that drug—”

“Foolish. Nice try.”

The man tried to change his story to find a way to survive, but her red eyes only reflected a cold, disdainful sneer.

“Even if there are side effects, it’s fine. Even if Tina becomes disabled, I can raise her with love for the rest of my life.”

“P-Please…”

The woman stood up elegantly, walked past the man, and disappeared without leaving a trace or gesture.

And soon, into the door through which the woman had disappeared, came mysterious people with hoods wrapped around their heads. Their shadows covered the bald man standing there. The bald man, with a vacant look, muttered his last words alone.

“Damn… nobles…”

Squelch—

Despite the unsettling sound, the woman smiled as she looked at the small vial in her hand without the slightest sign of agitation. A subtle glint shone in her eyes.

“Ah. Tina, just wait a little longer.”

My Tina, I never imagined you had such painful scars from childhood. To be be touched by your biological father, if that bastard were still alive, I would have skinned him alive, but it’s a shame he isn’t.

How hard it must have been all this time.

But now, don’t worry. Your sister will give you pleasure like never before. So strong that you will forget all about that damn bastard. When the time comes, we will enjoy every night together.

Then, you will finally become my pet.

The woman’s red eyes, tinged with blood, shone like those of a villainess.

***

On a fresh morning, the sun shone warmly, and a gentle breeze rustled the leaves. In the middle of the wide garden, young ladies gathered around the tea party, chatting and laughing.

Amidst the lively atmosphere of enjoyable conversations, Sharione looked at me with a sullen expression.

“Tina, don’t you have something to say to us?”

“Huh? What do you mean?”

“It’s your birthday next month, isn’t it? Why haven’t you sent us any invitations?”

“Oh, how did you know…?”

“Don’t underestimate the rumors in social circles, Tina.”

In fact, I wasn’t completely unaware of how they knew. I had deliberately let the information about my birthday slip, but I feigned ignorance and mumbled timidly with downcast eyes.

“…Our family isn’t wealthy, so I wasn’t planning on having a party since it would be too modest.”

“What nonsense are you talking about, Tina!”

Sharione exclaimed, her face twisting with what seemed like anger. She stared at me with her sharp blue eyes for a moment, then sighed briefly and hugged me tightly.

“Does the location matter? Tina, you’re our pet, of course, we should celebrate together. You must have the party; this is an order from your owner.”

“But… I can’t invite such distinguished guests like you to such a humble place.”

Some tried to persuade me otherwise, while others nodded in understanding. Among them, Sharione gently patted my head and comforted me.

“It’s okay. You’re lovely.”

Encouraged by her warmth, I carefully looked up at the young ladies around me and spoke, trying not to seem too excited or too timid.

“Then, can I send you invitations…? I also want to spend time with you on my birthday.”

At my words, the young ladies lightly bit their lips, then each hugged me tightly as if they couldn’t help it.

“Of course! Even if it’s just for that, we’ll definitely come!”

“Haha, there’s a dress I’ve been wanting to gift you, Tina. Will you wear it?”

“You don’t have to prepare the refreshments. Since you’re poor, we’ll take care of it from our pastry shop!”

Among the young ladies who showered me with affection and moon-shaped smiles, not a single negative word was spoken. While I couldn’t be sure if the others would come, it seemed that everyone here would attend.

Then there was nothing difficult. After the tea party, I returned home and, just as the young ladies suggested, wrote invitations to each one of them personally.

I wrote that it was my birthday in the upcoming month and that although the party would be modest due to the estate’s poverty, I would be happy if they could come. I sent letters to Versha, Sharione, Mardian, and the other young ladies who were fond of me.

I don’t expect all of them to come. To them, I’m just a pet they find adorable; not many of them would care enough to spare personal time for me.

But it doesn’t matter. Even if only the three mentioned above come, it will be a success. Most of the expensive gifts I’ve received have been from them.

And if they come, other young ladies will surely follow. After all, there’s no one in the social circle with more influence than them.

“Oh, there’s one more person.”

I recalled a delightful piano performance I had heard under the soft moonlight. I briefly wondered if I should also send a letter to Bibiana.

I had stayed at her mansion once, and although our relationship was brief, it left a rather meaningful impression. So, it wouldn’t be strange to invite her to a birthday party.

However, the conclusion is that I will not send an invitation. I felt it clearly before: Viviana is not someone I can handle. If Mardian is a fox, Viviana is a tiger.

Rather than bringing her in and facing unpredictable events, it would be better to go our separate ways, as we are now. Besides, she wouldn’t care about my birthday party anyway. It’s been over three months since I last saw her, so she probably doesn’t even remember my name. Viviana is not someone who forms deep bonds with others.

I sighed as I looked at the pile of invitation cards stacked like a mountain. I had to send these to the residences of each young lady. Since the Blanc family doesn’t have a hired messenger, I’d have to go to a place like the monastery and send the letters myself.

After preparing everything, I gathered the envelopes and stood up from my seat. However, I suddenly felt a sharp, fishy pain and let out a short groan, sitting back down.

I clutched my body to the chair for a long time, groaning until the pain subsided, then muttered with a deep frown.

“Haaa… Menstruation, seriously…”

They say this is an act to expel a dead egg, but since I won’t be getting pregnant anyway, I don’t know why I have to go through this pain. If I could, I’d want to remove the parts that produce eggs, to avoid this monthly suffering.

With a brief lament, I popped a piece of chocolate that my mother gave me into my mouth. As the sweetness, filled with my mother’s love, spread over my tongue, the throbbing pain gradually subsided.

I slapped my cheeks a few times to steel my resolve. There was no time to dawdle. It would take all day just to send the letters. I put on a bright smile and walked out of the room quickly.

As I stepped out of the house with the invitation cards in my arms, the outside air felt cold. Nevertheless, various desires filled my heart.

My approaching birthday.

Surely, only good things will happen.

Well… actually…

I just hope for good fortune with money.

Hehe.