Chapter 3: Expression of affection for mother

“It’s an expression of affection.”

“…An expression of affection?”

Ranihel’s brown eyes shimmered with certainty. Despite her usual self-assurance, there was a strange persuasiveness in her words that would normally seem far-fetched.

“Express affection? To my mother?”

“Yes. Surely she would appreciate it? How about trying a bit of charm?”

With an air of arrogance, she stuck out her tongue. It felt absurd for an adult like me to act cute towards my parents. I seriously doubted if Astasha would even like such a thing.

“Anything else? Like a gift or something.”

“Well… Miss cannot possibly give money to the Baroness, can you? Or do you happen to have something that could be helpful to the Baroness?”

“…I don’t.”

What could a daughter of a house that could fall into ruin at any moment possibly possess? There was nothing I could offer Astasha in terms of financial favor, as Ranihel had rightly pointed out.

“From what I’ve seen, even a small gesture would be enough.”

Ranihel smiled maturely and spoke without hesitation.

“How can you be so sure?”

“Oh, dear, I’ve worked here since you were in diapers. I know a thing or two about such matters.”

I couldn’t deny that.

Moreover, I had only been in this body for barely three months. Ranihel undoubtedly knew more about what Astasha liked than I did.

“But… wouldn’t it be too cringy for my age?”

“Age doesn’t matter. You’ll always look like a baby in the Baroness’s eyes, after all.”

That was true. Upon reflection, Ranihel did have a point. Personally, I felt repulsed, but I had seen many mother-daughter pairs share affectionate gestures on TV and social media.

If it were a son and father, it would be quite awkward, but between women, there seemed to be a wide range of acceptable affectionate expressions. Of course, I wasn’t sure where the limit was.

You’d have to have lived as a woman to know.

And really, if it meant improving her favor, there was nothing I wouldn’t do. In fact, if I could gain Astasha’s favor with just expressions of affection, it would be quite a bargain.

“Well, I’ll consider it. Thanks, Ranihel.”

“But why suddenly ask about that?”

Ranihel looked at me with a puzzled expression. Considering Tina’s personality, it might have sounded quite a confusing question.

“Because Mother seems troubled, and I want to help her, even a little.”

“Oh, I see.”

Ranihel covered her mouth with both hands, looking moved. Whatever was touching her, she seemed quite emotional, almost on the verge of tears, suggesting she had a rather sentimental nature.

“I’ve been very worried since our lord passed away… But I guess there’s no need for that anymore. You’ve grown up, Miss.”

“……Really?”

If she said I’d grown up, I must have. After all, I was a grown man in a 15-year-old girl’s body.

“If there’s anything I can do to help, just let me know, Miss.”

Ranihel clasped my hands warmly with an affectionate smile. It was quite overwhelming, but I managed to smile back and reply.

“I’ll keep that in mind, Ranihel.”

“Hehe… Yes.”

***

Hmm.

An expression of affection…

What would be appropriate?

Quietly opening the door, I entered, greeted by the calm air and the smell of paper.

Back again in the lord’s study, not even a day had passed. Artasha remained seated at her desk, unchanged in posture, deeply engrossed in her papers. Even sitting at the desk for an hour made my back ache, so she truly seemed remarkable in many ways.

“What’s wrong? I didn’t call for you specifically.”

Artasha glanced at me briefly before shifting her gaze nonchalantly towards the documents. One could say it was a cold dismissal. Tina would certainly have thought so.

“Of course not me, though.”

How could I dislike it? I was grateful, if anything, that she struggled so hard to earn the wealth that allowed me to live comfortably. It was far more burdensome and undesirable for someone to show interest in me and give affection.

“I am busy now, you can leave if you have nothing to say.”

“Oh, I brought tea because I thought Mother might be tired.”

“What?”

Artasha’s eyes trembled, more vigorously this time, as if she didn’t understand what she heard. Tina, who had been holed up in her room reading books all the time, would be quite taken aback by this filial piety.

But it was clear she didn’t dislike it.

It’s just that simple. As I silently finished my thoughts, I lowered my head sadly.

“…I was short-sighted. Mother probably wouldn’t have liked it.”

“What? Hold on.”

“I’m sorry, Mother. It’s my first time, so naturally, it’s not very good. It’s not up to the standard you’d enjoy.”

Her blue pupils, slightly vacant, shook as if there was an earthquake. I timidly fiddled with the teacup in my hand and weakly turned towards the door.

“I’m sorry to disturb you… I’ll leave.”

“W-wait.”

A desperate voice called me back. As I slowly turned my head to look, Artasha had already stood up and approached me.

Then she took the teacup from my hand, took a sip, and awkwardly smiled.

“I thought you only liked books, but surprisingly, you have a talent for making tea. It’s quite good.”

“Really? Thank you, Mother.”

That’s a lie.

I couldn’t hide my expression at all. It was an innocence that didn’t suit her usual cold and serious demeanor. I don’t know how she manages her social life.

Artasha, who had been staring at the tea for a while, spoke quietly with a complicated look.

“Speak. It probably won’t work out, but… I’ll listen for now.”

“Huh?”

“You’re not doing this because you want something.”

Unexpectedly, I blinked my eyes blankly at her unexpected words. To not even accept such a small act of kindness. I wondered how I would feel if Tina were a disobedient child.

Poor Artasha.

“Mother, actually…”

“Yeah. Speak up.”

Artasha nodded slightly with her faintly sunken eyes. I hesitated for a while, tried to make the most harmless expression possible, and looked up at her.

“I actually just found out now. How much you’ve been suffering.”

“…What?”

Maybe she didn’t expect my words, a dumb voice leaked out from between her red lips.

“Actually, I read a book about mother’s love. After reading that book, I realized how much you’ve been living for me.”

Of course, I used to be disgusted with books. But considering Tina’s bookworm setting, I tried to tell the story in a direction that was as plausible as possible.

“Th-that, you read in a book?”

Looking at Artasha’s trembling expression, it seemed that this was probably the right answer after all.

“Yes, I really acted so immaturely, didn’t I? I’m sorry… I was too clumsy to express myself.”

“I want to support Mother from now on. But I lack the ability… This is all I can do.”

“Oh, no. You really helped me a lot.”

Artasha hastily clapping her hands seemed quite cute. I didn’t know she would be so doting, but at the same time, I felt guilty toward her.

Because I’m not really her daughter.

Maybe I’m even the villain who took away her daughter’s body.

I felt guilty, but decided not to dwell on it too much. After all, they are just characters in a game created by someone’s imagination.

Moreover, it wasn’t all bad for Artasha. Even though she had a fake daughter, she would receive filial piety she wouldn’t have received in her lifetime.

When Tina grew up in the game to become an adult librarian in the Empire and eventually got a job as an imperial bureaucrat at the ending point, Tina would have suddenly changed and filially dutiful to her mother.

Originally, people don’t change easily.

My guess, but Artasha probably didn’t live alone in this Baron family for a long time.

“Is it okay to bring a tea like this?”

“That, that’s right. You’re welcome to bring your tea anytime.”

So this is a deal that meets each other’s needs. I gave Artasha filial piety that she hadn’t received in the game and she provided me with ritual food necessary for my non-job life.

“But… I still want to support you a little more.”

I gently took Artasha’s hand. Her hand was quite cold. The person with a cold hand’s heart seems to be really warm.

Then my hand should be warm.

‘I really don’t know if she’ll like this…’

I hope I can support her a little more.

I looked into Artasha’s surprised eyes and lifted my heel. Because of the considerable difference in height between Artasha and I, I had to lift my feet higher than I thought.

-Peak-

I gently poked my lips on Artasha’s white cheek. A soft skin and soft lips made a familiar sound when touched.

After a while, I put my lips on Artasha ‘s cheeks again and put my feet back down.

I smiled at Artasha, who seemed to be unable to believe what had happened, and said with a bright smile.

“I’m always rooting for you. Cheer up, Mother.”