Chapter 53: I am Bored

Tina is lazy.

She doesn’t budge from bed until the morning sunlight fills the room, and even a simple task like tidying up the blanket is a great challenge for her.

Her character isn’t exactly commendable either. The memory of her casually destroying a young lady’s social life with a serene smile at a previous banquet remains vivid.

She might be the worst kind of person one could imagine, but Tina possesses a quality that more than makes up for all her flaws.

Lovability.

An irresistible allure that Tina knows better than anyone else is her greatest asset.

So, it’s no surprise she flirts with one woman after another, wagging her tail like a fox. She was literally born to seduce.

There was a time when I wondered.

If her goal was simply wealth, then targeting men would be more efficient, but Tina has never approached a man first. On the contrary, whenever a man approaches her, she recoils and quickly leaves.

The reason why isn’t hard to guess.

A charming girl who is impossible not to fall for. The way people look at her is bound to be different between men and women.

Women who appreciate beauty would gaze at her with a desire to take her home immediately, full of affection and possessiveness, but men would inevitably view her through a different, more rational lens.

And the inherent instincts between men and women will inevitably make them look at Tina with a sexual gaze.

Such looks could potentially lead to irreversible situations. That’s why Tina only seduces women. She knows it’s the safest and least problematic path for her.

At least, the same sex won’t view Tina in a sexual manner.

…Probably.

Clever and shrewd.

Tina is naturally intelligent but too lazy to use that intelligence earnestly. As promised to her mother, I am determined to correct Tina’s inherent laziness.

However, Tina is not the type to be persuaded with words. On the surface, she might seem willing to swallow her pride in front of others, but inside, she appears to have an unyielding belief of her own.

To change Tina, she must realize for herself how harsh this world is and how impossible it is to obtain what she wants without effort.

“…Have you touched it enough?”

Thinking of Tina’s soft yet firm, luscious bottom, which brings sheer ecstasy just by touching it.

Viviana repeatedly clenched and unclenched her hand in the air.

***

She carefully examined the numerous paintings displayed in the hallway, pondering which one might hold the most value.

“Hm, hmm.”

A cheerful hum escaped her lips involuntarily. Just thinking of the painting sent by Viviana filled her with joy.

By now, her mother must have received the painting. She could almost see her mother’s wide blue eyes filled with surprise. It was a pity she couldn’t witness that astonished expression herself.

Being able to earn money while living the life of a freeloader — there couldn’t be a better situation. Being confined here seemed almost meaningless, as this place was practically the perfect environment.

‘If it’s like this, I wouldn’t mind being confined a hundred times.’

She even regretted having only ten days left to spend here. If she could stay for just a year, she might be able to take all the paintings in the hallway.

“What do you think, Iris? Which painting do you think is the prettiest?”

She turned her head with a wide smile. There, still standing expressionlessly in place, was Iris.

‘Contrary to my bright smile, her heart was filled with wariness. Before, I had wanted to get closer to her, but after seeing her getting along well with Viviana, I found her displeasing.’

Of course, Viviana insisted that she didn’t feel that way, but the atmosphere between the two in the office certainly felt affectionate.

At the very least, it seemed one side harbored feelings beyond those of a servant and master.

And if Iris was targeting Viviana, she would become someone I had to keep an eye on.

To be honest, if Iris wasn’t pretty, there wouldn’t be much need to worry. However, even as a mere attendant, she had the cold beauty that naturally drew attention.

“Should I just ask her?”

Unable to suppress the curiosity that bubbled in my mind, I approached Iris. Looking straight into her ever-serene eyes, I whispered softly.

“Iris, do you like Lady Viviana?”

There was no immediate answer to the sudden question, but a clear reaction came instead. Iris’s always calm face twisted into a deep frown, and she glared at me with eyes filled with hostility.

Seeing this clear reaction, I was certain.

“So that’s how it is.”

Viviana had no interest in Iris at all, but Iris seemed to harbor feelings for Viviana.

Well, for someone like Viviana, it wouldn’t be strange to be popular.

The daughter of one of only four ducal families in the empire, a prodigy in swordsmanship who rose to the rank of Evernight at the youngest age of 15.

As if that wasn’t enough, her appearance was so unfairly beautiful that it seemed almost unreal. Not only was she stunning, but even most handsome men couldn’t compare to her looks. Surely, there would be women who liked Viviana, transcending the barrier of being the same gender.

Iris must be one of those cases.

But keep dreaming.

She’s my patron.

“Well… still, you’d respect boundaries, right, Iris?”

It was a sort of warning to know her place as a servant. However, Iris’s response was completely different from what I had expected.

She looked at me for a long moment with her calm, jet-black eyes, then smirked and shrugged.

At that moment, I had no idea what that mocking smile from Iris meant.

I just thought it was a useless display of pride.

***

The air in the bedroom was thick with a heavy yet sweet tension.

“Ugh…”

Once again today, Viviana lay beside me, touching my hips. Each time her now-familiar hands made contact, my body reacted instinctively.

It had been three days since she started touching my hips. Viviana’s hands had become much more skilled.

Her fingertips slid along my flesh as if gliding, sometimes gripping my hips tightly.

“Lady Viviana…”

“Yes, Tina.”

Sometimes, she would press lightly with the tip of her finger, only to release gently, tickling me. Each time, my body trembled slightly, as if yielding to her intentions.

It was around the time when a strange, hot sensation began to sweep over my body from Viviana’s increasingly frantic touch.

Suddenly, Viviana’s hand stopped. A quiet silence lingered in the air, and then Viviana slowly lifted her hand from my buttocks.

Curious about what was going on, I turned my head slightly, only to be caught off guard by Viviana’s unexpected expression.

Her violet eyes seemed disinterested. The passionate affection that was usually there had disappeared, leaving only boredom in her gaze.

“Tina, I’m bored of your butt now.”

Thud—

“Huh…?”

My heart, which had been gently beating just a moment ago, suddenly sank to the bottom at Viviana’s words.

“B-bored…?”

“Yeah.”

For a moment, I thought I had misheard. But even when I asked again, the answer was the same.

It was like her words had turned into a thorn, piercing my heart like a dagger. My mind went blank, and all strength left my body.

Bored…?

I’ve only been touched for three days…?

“Do you mean you’re… bored of touching me…?”

“Yes, it doesn’t feel the same as it did at first.”

My heart, which had sunk, now started pounding like crazy.

Bored…?

Why? Already?

Did I accept her terms too easily? Or did I unknowingly show a side of me that made Viviana lose interest?

No, this can’t happen.

Bored of me?

Is she just bored of my butt? Or has she gradually become tired of my ugly, true self?

Bored…?

So she’s bored? Viviana is bored of me? No, that can’t be. She clearly said she liked it just yesterday. Bored of me? No… If it’s Viviana— Bored of me? Why bored? Why bored? Bored? Bored? Bored—

“Tina?”

Her calm voice pulled my consciousness back to the surface. For a moment, tears almost welled up in my eyes at Viviana’s gaze, looking at me intently, but I forced my facial muscles to form a smile.

I will never cry.

Showing her an ugly, pathetic crying face would only cool Viviana’s affection even more.

A childhood friend once told me,

In times like these, you should always smile at the other person.

Never show your ugly, dirty true self.

“Ah, aha… Th-there must be a reason… why you’re bored, right…? Did I do something wrong…?”

“No, it’s not that… um…”

Though I struggled to get the words out, I barely managed to speak. The fading affection in Viviana’s eyes continued to stab painfully into my chest.

But Viviana, as if waiting for my reaction, continued in a low voice.

“Tina, if you’re okay with it, can I try touching your chest instead of your butt?”

“…What?”