The Sweetness of Tea and Turmoil
It was close to noon. I was spending my time alone, sipping black tea. A princess's tea time, complete with an elegant smile. I could feel the admiring gazes of the maids waiting on me.
But what I was actually recalling was the utterly depraved memory of last night.
"She was so cute, last night's Carmel..."
I couldn't forget the adorable look on her face the moment she opened her eyes and realized she was being sexually harassed by me. Of course, everything that followed was thoroughly satisfying as well. Her naked body revealed under the dim light, the way she looked when she came, the sensation inside her mouth... everything was perfect. As an event to wrap up her long confinement, it left absolutely nothing to be desired.
I brought the teacup to my lips, replaying the image of Carmel climaxing over and over in my head.
Well, it wasn't as if I had nothing to reflect upon. Although it was part of my plan, I had let my impulses take over, which resulted in a slight loss. In exchange for that pleasure, I had handed Carmel a sword in the form of a question.
What I feared most was losing Carmel. In this world where I had no connections—no, even including my past life—she was the only existence worth pursuing.
...Thinking back on it, it's actually a bit embarrassing.
I had already told her multiple times that her body was my sole objective. But this felt slightly different in nuance. Almost as if... I had actual feelings of love for her.
Ugh...
I gulped down the still-hot tea. The maid stared at me with startled eyes, but that didn't matter. It was an undeniable fact that I wanted to possess Carmel. I wanted to make her body and mind completely mine, and spend every single moment permitted to us enjoying every inch of her. In a broad sense, perhaps it could be called by that embarrassing word, "love." I had no intention of denying it.
But the reason I felt this inexplicable tightness in my chest wasn't because of some definition of a word.
What was Carmel thinking?
I hadn't noticed last night because I was swept up in extreme excitement, but thinking about it carefully now, Carmel's reaction to those words was rather strange. The reason she asked that question was, of course, to dig up my weakness. Yet, even after hearing an answer that completely defied her intentions, she didn't raise any objections. Why? Could it be—just maybe—that Carmel also interpreted the nuance of my answer as love?
Ah... Ahhh...!
A tingling, trembling sensation spread to the tips of my fingers and toes. It was an indescribable feeling. It was the agony of having accidentally exposed the most vulnerable part of my heart.
To soothe my mind, I picked up and ate two cream puffs in a row. The soft, rich sweetness seemed to calm the agitation in my chest a little.
Whew. Right. Let's calm down a bit. Nothing changes anyway. I will do my absolute best to possess Carmel, and she, as a villainess, will do her absolute best to destroy me and the kingdom. There is no room for change in that relationship. There is certainly no room for a lukewarm word like "love" to make a difference now—especially considering the sheer amount of humiliation I have subjected her to. Carmel must still hate me, and she might even be laughing at my words from yesterday right now.
...Ugh...
The moment that thought crossed my mind, a sharp pain pierced deep into my chest, as if stabbed by an awl. The warm, fuzzy sensation from moments ago vanished, replaced by a cold, aching sting. How strange. I was merely devouring my prey, Carmel, as my desires dictated. I only wanted to play with her incredibly lewd body and arrogant personality like a toy. If so, it shouldn't matter what Carmel thought of me.
"Um, are you feeling unwell? Or is there something wrong with the tea..."
The maid who had been watching me approached with a worried expression. I smiled as if nothing were wrong and replied.
"No, it's nothing. Could I trouble you for another cup?"
"Ah, of course! I'll prepare it right away!"
Watching the maid quickly brew a fresh cup of tea with practiced skill, I let out a very soft sigh.
It was late afternoon when Carmel returned to the room. It was earlier than usual. She didn't say a single word, even while changing her clothes. She simply stared elsewhere with a cold expression. It was as if she had already swept away yesterday's humiliating memories. That made things easier for me to handle as well.
While waiting for Carmel, I had finished sorting out my thoughts. Well, it wasn't anything grand enough to be called "sorting out." I had simply managed my brief confusion and returned to my usual state. It was only natural for Carmel to despise me. It was only natural for her to hate and oppose me. That was the nature of our relationship from the very beginning. There was no reason to interpret that obvious fact any differently now. That was the conclusion I had reached.
Carmel walked over and sat across from me. Her face was still a cold, expressionless mask.
"Tomorrow is my last day here. It might sound impudent coming from someone serving a punishment, but it has been a rather decent stay. There were plenty of entertaining spectacles to watch."
Her words were grating, just like always. I had expected her to snap back sharply as usual. However, Carmel merely averted her gaze from me in silence, her brow twitching slightly, showing no other reaction.
*Throb.* The wedge driven into my chest throbbed again. Displeasure and a strange sense of betrayal welled up inside me. I, too, was aware of my own abnormality. Normally, I would never be this shaken just by being ignored. If she realized that her silence angered me, she would likely use it as an effective weapon against me in the future. Suppressing my agitation as much as possible, I spoke softly and elegantly.
"Mother."
Still no response. Though her eyes flickered toward me for a split second. Even at a time like this, her profile was breathtakingly beautiful.
"Please look at me, Mother. Can you not hear me?"
"...What is it?"
Her voice was cold and irritated. Perhaps unable to ignore me completely, Carmel turned her head toward me. Huh? Something was off. Carmel's gaze was directed at me, but she wasn't looking at my face. Her eyes were lingering around my collarbone and neck. Wait. Could this be...?
"Mother, why won't you look me in the eye? As your child, I am deeply saddened. Come, look at me, please?"
Playfulness naturally crept into my voice. My previously sunken mood soared as if it had never been down in the first place.
"Who said I was avoiding your eyes?"
Carmel glared straight into my eyes, maintaining her cold expression. While looking directly at her, I suddenly grabbed her hand resting on the table.
"Ah..."
An undeniable agitation rippled through her eyes. Unable to pull her hand away immediately or avert her gaze, Carmel's flustered reaction was laid bare for me to observe.
"W-what is this all of a sudden? L-let go of me this instant..."
She tried her best to sound firm and cold, but it wasn't very effective. Her melting, trembling voice sent the exact opposite signal.
"Could it be that you returned early today just to spend time with me? I am deeply moved. Shall the two of us spend a harmonious time together until we go to sleep?"
"W-what are you talking about...! The maids are watching...!"
It was still a time when the maids were busy working. Every single one of them looking our way wore a warm, pleased smile.
"Yes? What is wrong with a mother and daughter getting along? Or perhaps, Mother, were you imagining something inappropriate?"
"You..."
A flush began to creep onto Carmel's face. It seemed she really had been thinking of something inappropriate. Unable to withstand my relentless teasing, Carmel finally yanked her hand away.
"L-let go of that, Sera. I have absolutely no intention of becoming any closer to you than necessary."
Her voice, which was far from icy and closer to lukewarm water, carried very little conviction. She was probably aware of that herself.
"How cruel, Mother. Saying such cold words... Even so, I like you very much."
Liking one's mother. It was only natural for a child. Even if she was a stepmother, it shouldn't have sounded too strange. Though to Carmel, it certainly wouldn't have sounded like a normal daughter's affection.
"Ngh...!"
Letting out a strange squeak, Carmel failed to hide her agitation. Her eyes darted around, unable to find a place to rest. Even so, she desperately tried to force a cold expression onto her face. She seemed completely unaware that doing so now only made her look incredibly cute.
"It is fine even if you cannot accept me yet, Mother. One day, I will surely—"
I was forced to cut myself off. An ominous, chilling presence. Feeling as if cold water had been poured down my spine, I spun around.
In the direction I turned, a terrifying black magic was surging like a geyser from the box containing that small branch.