Prologue

Pet.

The dictionary definition is to keep something close with love, to handle it, or to enjoy looking at it.

When the word ‘pet’ is followed by ‘animal,’ it conjures images of a lovingly raised dog or cat. If ‘insect’ is added, it can mean a small creature like a rhinoceros beetle or a praying mantis.

What else could it be?

There are often cases where people keep birds, fish, or even animals several times larger than humans as pets.

One can have a variety of species as pets, but their purpose is always the same.

To be a source of comfort for their owner.

To give joy to their owner. In the bleak and cold reality, to become a small being that can be a comfortable support for a weary owner.

That’s what I think a pet is.

“Tina. Can you come over here?”

“Lady Sharione!”

I ran to the voice calling me without hesitation. I threw myself into the arms of the woman calling me, wearing a harmless smile on my face.

“Oh, Tina.”

The woman called Sharione blushed lightly and gently lifted me to sit on the sofa. I lay comfortably on the sofa as if it were my home, resting my head on the lap of the woman named Sharione.

“Lady Sharione, your skin is so beautiful today too! I wish I were even a fraction as beautiful as you are….”

“Don’t say that. Tina, you are the most lovely and beautiful pet I’ve ever seen.”

“I’m so glad you think so, Lady Sharione.”

As I smiled harmlessly, Sharione lightly blushed and stroked my head.

She wasn’t the only one.

“Tina, haven’t you gained a bit of weight?”

“Really?”

“A chubby Tina would still be adorable, but your charm lies in your beauty. Try to lose some weight.”

“Hehe, yes Lady Versha.”

…I guess I’ll have to starve for a while.

“It’s okay, Tina. I can love you even if you gain weight.”

“Really?! Thank you, Lady Mardian.”

At Mardian’s words, Versha frowned with one eyebrow raised, showing her discomfort.

“…Lady Mardian, are you trying to monopolize Tina’s affection?”

“Well…who knows?”

Mardian, Versha, Sharione, and the other women surrounding me were all daughters of noble families with power.

They all treated me gently with kind hands.

They stroked my belly.

They petted my head.

They tickled my chin.

They treated me not as a person, but as a pet. With their soft touches, I closed my eyes and smiled bashfully.

“Really…Tina is so adorable.”

“That’s right. In fact, a few days ago, I tried raising a puppy, but it barked so viciously that I had to abandon it on the street.”

“Oh my, Tina is enough as a pet. Tina never bites.”

The women’s pleasant laughter echoed around. I looked around, using their laughter as background music.

Men discussing politics. Women covering their mouths with fans, exchanging sharp words. All of them dressed in luxurious outfits.

A splendid chandelier, luxurious interiors, sweet music, and delicious-looking food.

This was a social gathering.

A small battlefield where a word can become a sharp knife, and a glance can become a keen arrow. The strong survive, and the weak are weeded out.

In such a fierce battlefield, I am called the harmless pet lady.

Calling a person a pet feels a bit strange, but so what. Just playing along like this brings me money.

Isn’t a dog’s life considered the best?

That’s certainly what I thought.

Until the protagonist of this world tried to imprison me.