Chapter 51: You can touch me

How long has it been since I lay down on the bed?

A profound sense of lethargy envelops my body. The overly spacious bed only serves to heighten my loneliness. I wanted to fall asleep, but even with my eyes closed, my consciousness merely drifts on the surface of sleep.

“…Annoying.”

You said you were attracted to me, so why are you paying attention to someone else right in front of me? What’s so special about a woman as aloof as Iris that you would leave me alone?

Liar.

I never thought you’d be so frivolous, Viviana.

I’m disappointed.

If you were this kind of person from the beginning…

“…You shouldn’t have been nice to me in the first place.”

That’s all.

A weak voice escaped my lips. Lacking the strength to move, I buried my face in the pillow, suppressing the throbbing of my heart.

The loneliness grew, almost bringing me to tears, but I forced a bright smile and jumped out of bed.

“…No? Actually, this might be for the best.”

I quickly approached the mirror. A pretty girl was reflected there. As I reached out, the girl in the mirror did the same. When my pale hands touched the thin surface of the mirror, it felt a little less like I was alone, which brought some comfort.

“After all, Viviana was just a source of money, wasn’t she?”

And a huge pushover, too.

Who would promise to support someone for life in the name of the family just because they agreed to play the role of a pet?

Fool. Absolute fool.

Come to think of it, getting closer to such an idiot who can’t even calculate her gains and losses was a loss for me, wasn’t it?

There was no need to be so depressed about this in the first place. I only ever saw Viviana as a patron, nothing more, nothing less. Why am I acting so miserably?

If Viviana doesn’t care about me, then I don’t need to care about her either.

I’ll just endure the remaining time in this mansion and try to please her as best as I can for the next three years left on the contract.

“…Does that mean I have to stay alone all that time?”

…But I hate being lonely.

For a moment, the girl’s eyes in the mirror wavered greatly. I quickly shook my head and forced a smile onto my lips.

The confinement is only for about three more weeks now. Of course, I still have to play the role of Viviana’s pet for another three years… but at least I can go back home after those three weeks.

Then, I can receive plenty of love from Mother. She will love me no matter what.

Although that love isn’t truly directed at me… it’s still love…

I should be able to feel enough affection. At least it will be a hundred, a thousand times happier than being here with someone like Viviana.

And if I feel lonely, I can always return to social life. Then I’ll be surrounded by pretty young ladies again, showered with love and gifts.

So, I don’t need Viviana after all.

Knock, knock—

“I’m here, Tina.”

Speak of the devil, and she appears. Viviana opened the door and entered. As her violet eyes met mine, my heart sank coldly.

“Tina?”

At Viviana’s call, I gave her a bright smile.

“You’ve come, Lady?”

“…Yes.”

Viviana stared at me with a strange look in her eyes and slowly took off her coat, hanging it on the hanger. Yesterday, she didn’t even bother to take off her coat and immediately returned to her room, so what’s with this whim today?

“Oh? Are you planning to stay here?”

“Yes. Why?”

“Nothing, I just thought you’d leave after a few words like usual. I expected you to do the same today.”

When I spoke with a cheerful smile, Viviana looked briefly confused.

“Tina, is something bothering you?”

“Me? No, nothing at all.”

“Yes.”

Is she really asking because she doesn’t know?

The audacity to ask so blatantly, her face is unbelievably thick. But it doesn’t matter. I’ve decided not to pay any attention to Viviana anymore.

“No, nothing like that.”

Until this morning, I was considering letting her touch my butt once, but now, even if I die and come back to life, that won’t happen. Too bad, Viviana.

“Really? Then excuse me for a moment.”

With those words, Viviana strode over to me.

“What? Wait—Why are you coming… Ack?!”

In an instant, Viviana lifted me in a princess carry. She walked straight to the bed, laid me down on it, and then lay down beside me.

Her hands wrapped around my waist, and we ended up in a strange position with her giving me a back hug as we lay side by side. While I was blinking in surprise at the unexpected situation, Viviana buried her face in my shoulder and took a deep breath.

“Pets really are great. They give you quite a bit of energy.”

“But, did you put on some perfume? You smell really nice.”

“…No, I didn’t.”

“Really? Then, is this your natural scent?”

I stared blankly at Viviana’s hands wrapped around my waist. I had no idea why she was suddenly acting like this today after being so indifferent for the past few days.

Could it be that she’s trying to play with me?

“…This is uncomfortable, Viviana.”

My voice came out quite low. At that, Viviana lifted her face from my shoulder and pulled me even closer to her.

“Are you saying the position is uncomfortable?”

“…Yes.”

“Endure it. You’re my pet, aren’t you?”

Her domineering tone irritated me. The same Viviana who pushed me away while giving Iris those honeyed looks was now behaving like this.

Does she just think of me as some kind of energy booster?

She’s truly selfish.

“…Fine, whatever.”

But I had no right to resist. She held the power, and I was just a subordinate. All I could do was answer in a voice laced with annoyance.

It wasn’t long after I suppressed my irritation and stayed in Viviana’s arms that she sighed and broke the awkward silence.

“I’m sorry, Tina. I’ve made you feel lonely lately, haven’t I?”

“What?”

I was surprised and looked up because I never expected her to apologize.

“I’ve had a lot of work. Preparing for winter, arranging supplies to send to the soldiers at the front line.”

“But for the time being, I think I’ll have a bit more room to focus only on you.”

“…Well, from what I see, you seem pretty close to Iris, too. Shouldn’t you be paying attention to her as well?”

As soon as the words left my mouth, a wave of regret washed over me. There was no need to use such a sarcastic tone.

Moreover, showing annoyance in this situation wouldn’t do me any good. It was a slip of the tongue I normally wouldn’t have made. But the words were already spoken, and I couldn’t take them back.

Viviana looked at me for a moment as if she were surprised. It was uncomfortable to look directly into her violet eyes, but I didn’t avert my gaze and forced a smile, suppressing the emotions welling up inside me.

“Please don’t mind what I said.”

“No, Tina… Are you talking about the time I spent with Iris this morning?”

“No, it was just a slip of the tongue. Don’t worry about it.”

Viviana hesitated for a moment, her lips twitching slightly as if she were thinking. Then, with a look of determination, she gently took my hand.

“…Tina, we were actually talking about you.”

“Me?”

Huh?

Talking about me?

I made a puzzled expression, wondering what she meant.

“It’s true that I’ve been busy. I haven’t been able to visit you directly, but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been thinking about you.”

Viviana continued, scratching her head slightly, as if embarrassed.

“I asked Iris about a few things. Whether you’ve been eating well, if you’re sick, or if there’s anything you need.”

“…What?”

“Of course I did. You’re my precious pet, after all. There’s no way I’d just leave you alone.”

Viviana stared at me for a long time. Her purple eyes, which had once seemed cold, were now filled with a warm flame directed toward me.

…Could this really be true?

I thought her affection for me had cooled…

Was it simply my misunderstanding?

But earlier, she told me to just leave.

“Tina, did you think I turned my attention to Iris and left you behind?”

“…….”

“…Wasn’t that the case?”

“…….”

“Tina, that could never happen.”

…So, she was actually concerned about me while talking about me?

Is that why there was a hint of affection in her eyes when she looked at Iris?

Does that mean… her affection for me hasn’t waned?

Did I truly misunderstand?

…Really?

“Heh, hehe.”

My stiff lips slowly moved. Before I knew it, the pain in my chest had disappeared, replaced by a strange pleasure spreading throughout my body.

I see, just as I thought. Viviana, you’ve completely fallen for me, haven’t you?

I almost made a huge mistake.

I’ll have to be more careful in the future.

“Sorry, did I upset you?”

Viviana spoke in a warm voice and gently stroked my head. I felt my heart gradually warming as I raised my head to look at her.

Looking at her again, she really had a beautiful face. Even lying down, she maintained such a perfect appearance. I had thought Iris was pretty, but I realized there’s a reason Viviana is the main character.

Until just now, I had thought of her as someone to use, but now, maybe she’s actually a pretty decent person.

So, I guess I can give her a little special privilege? I nervously wiggled my fingers and turned my body. Lying down facing Viviana, I felt a wave of embarrassment.

“You… you can touch me if you want.”

“Huh?”

Viviana tilted her head with a confused look. I couldn’t meet her eyes, so I turned my back to her and continued to fidget with my fingers.

“My… my butt… you can touch it a little if you want…”