Chapter 50: Aren’t they a bit too close?

“I’ll let you touch it if you want.”

There’s really no reason not to let someone touch a butt. It won’t wear out from being touched, and compared to other body parts, the butt isn’t exactly a place that makes you feel particularly uncomfortable.

In fact, don’t mothers sometimes spank their children, or friends joke around by smacking each other’s butts?

Come to think of it, in my past life, I often saw boys kicking each other’s butts, exclaiming, “It’s firm!”

Besides, I’m pretty, aren’t I? So naturally, my butt must be just as plump. It wouldn’t be strange for someone to have the urge to touch it.

I’ll do you a favor, Viviana.

She’ll probably love it.

Watching her, who is usually so calm and composed, get flustered is always quite entertaining. Remembering the way she once looked at me with intense desire, I’m sure she’ll be equally thrilled this time.

With a slightly excited heart, I rang the bell four times. Once for the bathroom, twice for a meal, three times for a bath, and four times when I wanted to see Viviana.

The one who entered at the sound of the bell was Luna. I gave her a light smile as I rang the bell four times again.

“I have some business with Lady Viviana.”

Luna looked a bit flustered but gave a short bow and left the room. It seemed she went to report to Viviana.

Soon, Luna returned and bowed to me again, pointing outside the door. With a light smile, I got up from the bed and followed her. As she guided me through the vast hallways of the mansion, the countless paintings on the walls were a feast for the eyes.

Each one looked like it could fetch an incredible price. There seemed to be dozens, and I thought it wouldn’t hurt to ask Viviana for a few once I had completely won her over.

While I was entertaining such greedy thoughts, we soon arrived in front of Viviana’s office. Luna stepped back and gestured towards the door.

“Thank you.”

I thanked Luna for guiding me and knocked on the door. Before long, a familiar voice came through the luxurious wooden door.

[Come in.]

At Viviana’s permission, I put on an awkward smile and opened the door. As the door opened, the scent of faint ink mixed with the luxurious interior came into view.

Viviana was sitting at her desk, working. However, what caught my eye was another familiar woman sitting right next to her.

‘…Why are Viviana and Iris together?’

I was puzzled.

Viviana was a noblewoman, and Iris was, at most, a lady-in-waiting. The difference in their statuses should have been clear, so it was strange to see them sitting side by side like that. Was it because Iris had something to report to her?

And more than anything else, what bothered me was…

‘Aren’t they a bit too close?’

Their chairs were unnecessarily close together. If they were simply discussing work, there would be no need for them to be that close.

Weren’t they just in a typical superior and subordinate relationship?

Why was this?

My heart began to race without reason.

“What’s the matter, Tina?”

Viviana’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. She was still seated at her desk, looking at me curiously.

“…I came to talk to you, Lady Viviana.”

“To talk?”

Even as she spoke, Viviana remained pressed close to Iris. For some reason, the situation didn’t sit well with me, and my heart throbbed with discomfort.

“I shall take my leave. You two can have your conversation.”

Iris glanced at me before starting to rise from her seat. But just as she was about to leave, Viviana grabbed her hand and sat her back down.

“Stay seated and wait. This won’t take long.”

“Lady Viviana…”

“…What is this?”

A tender atmosphere flowed between the two.

Viviana’s eyes were gentle as she held Iris back. Watching them, an inexplicable frustration gripped me, making it hard to breathe.

Right?

What is this?

Are you trying to end your conversation with me quickly so you can spend more time with Iris, or what?

Why on earth?

Viviana should be deeply infatuated with me… So why is she being so gentle with Iris?

What is there to care about such a cold woman?

Sure, she has a pretty face, but Viviana clearly likes me much more.

Thump-thump—

My heart, which had been racing, began to pound so hard it felt like it was throbbing. I have no idea what kind of expression I’m making right now. Part of me wanted to flee from the spot immediately, but I forced myself to smile and keep the mask from slipping off.

“What’s the matter, Tina? If it’s not something important, tell me about it later this evening.”

Viviana gave me a sweet smile. At a glance, it might seem kind, but I know that look on her face.

Those eyes were definitely acting out tenderness. It was the expression Viviana made when dealing with bothersome people in social circles, giving them only the bare minimum of noble courtesy.

With those false eyes meant only to maintain minimal decorum with a bothersome person, Viviana was looking at me.

“…No, it’s nothing… Now that I think about it, it’s really not a big deal… I’ll talk to you later then.”

I forced a calm smile as I spoke, then slowly left the office and closed the door behind me.

Without waiting for Luna’s guidance, I ran straight to my room without looking back.

“…This is annoying.”

I should have just gone to sleep.

I didn’t want to do anything.

***

As the cheerful girl, who would always make me smile just by being around, disappeared, the office once again turned cold.

The two women who had been pretending to be affectionate just moments ago covered their mouths, gagging.

“…”

“Ugh.”

Their eyes, which had seemed so affectionate, now held not a single trace of warmth.

Viviana kicked the chair Iris was sitting on and spoke briefly.

“Move away.”

“…I thought I was going to throw up, My lord.”

Iris moved away from Viviana with a disgusted expression. A distance of about five steps from Viviana’s desk was comfortable for both of them, who stood as superior and subordinate.

“My lord, I’d appreciate it if you refrained from asking such things…”

“Do you think I did it because I wanted to?”

Viviana rested her chin on her hand. Her face, which had been as cold as ice, quickly melted, and she started muttering to herself with a wistful smile on her lips.

“By the way, I think I just saw a glimpse of her true self… She’s ridiculously cute… I could die from how lovely she is… Should I secretly give her a little bite later?”

“…Ugh.”

Iris felt like her insides were churning. Who on earth was this woman speaking in such a loving tone while thinking of someone with such affectionate eyes? At least, it wasn’t the master she knew.

Faced with such a different side of her than what she was familiar with, Iris couldn’t help but ask.

“Why are you putting on this act?”

“Well… the pet keeps trying to play tricks on me, so I’m trying to train her thoroughly.”

“Then wouldn’t it be easier to just break her once and make her completely submissive?”

There are many ways to train a person to become a loyal slave just for oneself. One can rule by instilling endless fear through violence, or by taking hostage of that person’s most precious treasure to gain their loyalty.

And if it were the Viviana she knew, she would have undoubtedly done so. She had always been like that, it was the way of the Merdellia family, and Iris herself had been trained in such a manner.

“I promised Mother, though, that I wouldn’t hurt Tina.”

“Mother?”

Could she be referring to the Duchess? However, the Duchess had been preparing for retirement, staying on the frontlines for years. To her knowledge, the two weren’t close enough to be making promises like that.

And the way she referred to her was different too. Not ‘Mom’ but ‘Mother [honorific],’ which is usually used when referring to someone else’s mother.

“…Are you talking about Lady Blanc’s mother?”

“Who else?”

“Why do you call her Mother?”

Viviana’s eyes wavered slightly but unmistakably. However, she soon looked back at Iris with a face as cold as ice.

“Mind your own business. You, who barely speaks, why are you suddenly talking so much today?”

It was a heavy pressure, as if crushing someone with a thousand pounds. The unique aura of the Merdellia family emanated from Viviana, pressing down. Iris took a step back, lowered her head, and stayed within her bounds.

“…I apologize.”

Viviana let out a short sigh and tapped her fingers on the desk a few times. After a moment of hesitation, she looked at Iris and gave a brief command.

“Stay by Tina’s side as before. Report immediately if anything happens.”

“Understood.”

“And be careful not to be seduced. I can replace the other girls, but you’re particularly useful to Tina.”

“…I will keep that in mind.”

Noticing the somewhat delayed response, Viviana narrowed her eyes and stared at Iris.

“…I’ll ask just in case, but you haven’t been seduced already, have you?”

“Not yet.”

“…Not yet?”

“…You don’t have to worry about that, Master.”

A strange tension passed between them. Under Viviana’s intense, oppressive gaze, Iris broke out in a cold sweat and thought to herself.

To be honest, it had been quite dangerous. Especially when that pet young lady was teasing her while showing off her naked body; for a moment, violent emotions had surged within her.

If she hadn’t heard in advance from her master about the cunning nature of the young lady of the Blanc family, she might have hit her white belly right then and there.

[She’s a woman who naturally seduces people, so be careful.]

Indeed, that was exactly the case. For nearly two weeks, she had secretly guarded her side and came to understand why she had earned the nickname ‘Pet Young Lady.’

Outwardly, she bloomed like a beautiful flower, but inside, there was poison instead of nectar. A deadly poison that, once tasted, seemed impossible to return from.

She was a young lady adept at seducing people with words. Hidden within her bright smile and affectionate voice was a subtle whisper that lured people in, coiled like a snake.

“…She is a dangerous woman, my lord. Personally, it would be wise to be cautious around her.”

There was only silence in response. Viviana was deep in thought, seemingly lost in contemplation. Iris called out to her again, her eyes narrowing.

“…My lord?”

Viviana’s violet eyes turned towards Iris. She gave a small chuckle, shrugged her shoulders, and spoke as if it were no big deal.

“That’s not it. I mean, it’s not like I could like her just because she’s a woman too. I just want to have her as a pet.”

“……”

She didn’t quite say that.

Although Iris was usually a reliable leader, for some reason, this time she couldn’t easily trust Viviana’s whims.