Chapter 44: There is something I’d like to ask

“Lady, there is something I struggle to understand due to my own inadequacy, so I wish to inquire.”

For nearly 20 years, Alphonse had served the Merdellia Duchy with conviction. Thanks to that loyalty, he was bestowed with the position of head butler, overseeing the estate. For the first time, he revealed dissatisfaction to his master.

“Understand?”

Her violet eyes swept over Alphonse. It felt as though she was asking directly,

‘Do I really need to explain this to you?’

Alphonse instinctively shrank at the frosty and cold tone in Viviana’s voice. However, his decades at the Merdellia Duchy had toughened him enough not to be easily daunted by such things.

“Yes. You mentioned bringing the young lady from the Blanc family here because you wanted a pet, didn’t you?”

“Yes, that’s right. I had a massage from her yesterday, and it was quite refreshing. I didn’t know she had such talent.”

“…I’ll overlook the fact that you’ve imprisoned a noble in the mansion. After all, I understand that if something piques your interest, you must have it.”

Alphonse wasn’t too concerned because he knew how quickly Viviana’s interest would fade. No matter how endearing this so-called ‘pet’ lady was, Viviana’s fascination would likely dissipate in less than three months.

However, there was something he could not accept.

“Why did you assign one of the ‘Fangs’ as her guard?”

The Merdellia Duchy was renowned for its overwhelming swordsmanship. When discussing the Duchy’s military prowess, everyone would inevitably speak of the Moonlight Knights.

The Moonlight Knights were known for their unwavering determination and fierce momentum. Their swords never broke, and their horses never stopped until every enemy was vanquished.

Especially those who followed the Merdellia Lady at the forefront, they were regarded as the strongest, earning a fearsome reputation.

That was the story spread among the public.

However, within the Merdellia Duchy existed monsters that even the Moonlight Knights could not compare to.

The Fangs of Merdellia.

A small, elite group of eight.

Their existence was unknown even to the royal family. They operated solely in the shadows, leaving no trace, and only three people knew of their presence.

The current head of the Merdellia Duchy, who was defending the empire on the frontlines; his daughter, Lady Viviana, whom Alphonse served; and lastly, Alphonse himself, who had dedicated 20 years to the Duchy.

Anyone who had ever encountered the Fangs would know: the Moonlight Knights, revered by many, were nothing more than prey before the Fangs’ teeth.

Of course, the Fangs weren’t loyal to the Duchy merely out of devotion. The only reason such monstrous individuals banded together was due to two things: a master who wielded even greater power and vast wealth that left no room for complaints.

One could only be astounded when witnessing the amount of the Duchy’s wealth that was funneled into the Fangs annually. Alphonse himself had been shocked when he first saw the figures, thinking the Duke might have been embezzling funds. The money paid to each member of the Fangs exceeded ten times the average salary of the Moonlight Knights.

Yet now, his master had assigned one of these Fangs to guard a mere daughter of a declining baron.

“It’s not guarding, it’s surveillance.”

“…Pardon?”

Alphonse blinked in confusion at Viviana’s calm voice.

“I can’t leave her alone, not knowing what she might do. I needed someone to watch her, so I assigned one.”

“But what could that young lady possibly do? If you’re that concerned, why not assign a few soldiers? Why use one of the Fangs?”

Alphonse had heard the rumors about the pet lady. People said she was naturally pure, harmless, and lovable. Her delicate figure aroused a desire to protect, and her bright smile made anyone who met her unconsciously want to pat her head.

But that was all. That should have been the extent of it.

What could possibly be so concerning about her that it warranted assigning one of the Duchy’s greatest assets? And not just any of them, but the most ruthless and unforgiving among the Fangs.

“You don’t need to know. In fact, it’s better if you remain unaware.”

Viviana’s sharp tone was a clear warning for him to stop prying further.

Still, in order to uphold the pride he had built over his 20 years of service to the Merdellia Duchy, Alphonse needed to ensure his master’s safety.

“…Then, allow this insolent servant to ask just one more question.”

“Speak.”

Luckily, Viviana accepted Alphonse’s words. For a long while, Alphonse gazed into Viviana’s violet eyes before speaking in a serious tone.

“Are you sure that the feelings you have for that young lady are merely out of curiosity?”

Viviana let out a small chuckle. Resting her chin on her hand, she shrugged while meeting Alphonse’s gaze.

“Then what else could it be?”

***

“You’re back, Master?”

At my bright voice and beaming smile, Viviana offered no response. She stared at me for a moment from the doorway before letting out a short sigh and approaching me.

“You waited quietly today too. I thought you’d have a bit of a complaint.”

With a smirk on her face, Viviana untied my arms that had been bound to the bed. After moving my freed arms for a bit, I immediately stretched them out to grab Viviana by the collar.

I had meant it as a playful gesture to startle her, but Viviana only looked at me with calm eyes, showing no significant reaction. It seemed that, as someone who had rolled through the battlefield, such actions didn’t faze her.

“What are you doing, Tina?”

At Viviana’s quiet voice, I slowly released my grip.

“I was going to help you change clothes, Master.”

With a bashful smile, I gently removed Viviana’s coat. At my faint touch, the thick coat slowly fell to the bed. As I carefully undid a few buttons of her shirt, I whispered softly in a gentle voice.

“You worked hard today. If it’s alright with you, shall I give you a massage?”

Her usual silence. But, being quick-witted, I had already figured out her true thoughts. She definitely wanted a massage but couldn’t bring herself to say it out loud.

Yesterday, Viviana was clearly satisfied with my massage. For someone as stingy with compliments as Viviana to say it was fairly decent meant a lot.

She probably wants a massage right now, doesn’t she?

But surely, because of that towering pride of hers, she can’t bring herself to ask for one. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that Viviana had quite a cute side to her.

Well, there’s no helping it. At times like this, the mature one has to take the lead.

“You don’t need to be embarrassed, Master. If you lie down here, I’ll give you a massage. I’m sure you also—”

-cct!

“Ouch?!”

A sudden flick to the forehead sent a sharp pain through my head. Surprised by the unexpected sting, I instinctively clutched my forehead.

“Ouch…”

As I looked ahead through the tears that welled up, I saw Viviana’s cold gaze fixed on me. Her eyes, which I thought would have wavered, were icy as she stared at me.

“You’ve been getting a little too cheeky since yesterday.”

“Vi-Viviana ?”

This wasn’t the reaction I had expected. I was sure she would begrudgingly accept my suggestion and allow me to give her a massage, and then, while she was satisfied, I was planning to slip in a personal request…

“I believe you said you wouldn’t act hypocritically towards me?”

But what came back was Viviana’s cold voice. Her words struck me right in the heart, and I was left speechless for a moment.

“Th-that’s…”

Just as Viviana had said, I had promised not to put on a façade in front of her. But here I was, doing my best to fawn over her in order to earn her favor.

But I had my grievances too.

‘How am I supposed to fawn without being hypocritical…’

Insincerity is a kind of magic for me.

For someone as incapable and vile as me, someone with such a wretched nature, it’s the only magic that allows me to draw out a radiant smile capable of captivating everyone’s attention.

If you take even this mask away from me, what will I have left? I would be nothing but a wretched body, worse off than dead.

To try and act coy with such a hideous and grotesque appearance, it would be better to show kindness to a demon.

“Tina.”

Before I knew it, Viviana had approached me, her violet eyes gleaming ominously as she looked down at me. Unable to smile, I couldn’t bring myself to meet her gaze, so I lowered my head.

“I’ve seen more than enough people hiding their sinister intentions behind a smile. Are you going to give me that same smile?”

“….”

“Answer me.”

“Oh… I will…”

“Really?”

Viviana knelt down, lowering herself to my eye level. With her eyes so close, I could no longer avoid her gaze.

“I’ll… I’ll try…”

In the end, I shyly responded, turning my eyes away. My voice was drained of life, weak and lifeless. However, Viviana seemed satisfied, stroking my head with a pleased smile.

“Good. Tell me what you want.”

“…Pardon?”

“That was a satisfactory answer. Since you’ve pleased your master, I’ll grant you one request.”

“Really?”

“Yes, but nothing too unreasonable.”

Not that I would ask for much. I hadn’t expected to be rewarded so suddenly anyway. It just so happened that I did have one thing I wanted to ask Viviana.

“Well… actually, there is something I’d like to ask.”

“Go on.”

Viviana waited quietly for my response. Suppressing the awkwardly rising corners of my lips, I spoke up timidly.

“I want to write a letter….”

“A letter?”

Viviana raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised by my request. She probably expected me to ask for something material, like money or jewels.

“A letter? Fine. You’re going to write to your mother, right?”

“Ah… no.”

“What?”

Of course, I wanted to write to my mother, but there were others who needed to hear from me first.

“Well… I want to write to Lady Sharione… and Lady Versha… and Lady Mardian….”

“…What?”

Viviana’s violet eyes suddenly turned cold.