The Ruby Tiara
Disgusting. I feel sick.
"Lady Mardian… what is this…?"
"I prepared this just for you, Tina. You always work so hard for my sake."
I stared blankly at the gift Mardian held out to me. The heavy object resting in my hands was a tiara lavishly ornamented in silver. What set it apart from any ordinary tiara, however, was the enormous red gemstone set squarely in its center.
…Is this a real ruby?
The first thought that crossed my mind was whether the jewel was genuine. I had heard there were so many merchants peddling counterfeit gems that I fretted Mardian might have gifted me a fake. Yet no matter how I turned it over, she did not seem the sort to carry around imitation stones.
Which meant this really was a ruby.
Then… just how much was this tiara even worth?
…First, stay calm.
Showing a materialistic side would do me no favors. Though I was momentarily entranced by the brilliantly sparkling gem, I tried to keep the composure I had maintained until now.
"Lady Mardian, I can't accept something like this… I'm sorry, but please take it back…."
Inside I was clutching my own hair and screaming What the hell are you doing?, yet I forced down my instinctive greed and returned the tiara to Mardian.
"Why won't you take it?"
"…It's too much of a burden. It's an extravagant piece that doesn't suit me at all. I already like you so much without you needing to give me something like this—receiving it would only make things strange."
Mardian stared at me blankly for a moment, blinking. Then, for some reason, she bit down hard on her lip with an expression that looked almost angry.
"…Ha. Seriously."
In a rough voice she suddenly seized my wrist. She gripped harder than I expected, and a sharp, stinging pain flared through it.
"Ugh, nngh…."
"It would be better if you acted coquettishly in moderation. Right now I want to drag you out to the garden and thrash you thoroughly."
The memory of the previous day made my body flinch and tremble. Just last night, when I stepped into the bathtub, my bottom had still been stinging—if I were subjected to that again here, there would be nothing left of me.
"But I suppose I should restrain myself this time. Your body is fragile, after all, Tina."
Mardian seemed aware of it as well; thankfully she released my wrist and let out a short sigh. Relieved that I might get through today unscathed, I breathed an inward sigh of relief.
"Accept the tiara. I prepared it for you, after all."
"B-but…."
"Tina, you are my pet. When your master drapes clothes over you, you simply put them on quietly."
In a way it could have been a cruel remark that utterly disregarded my personhood, yet to me it was endlessly welcome. Just live by accepting whatever is given—how could I possibly dislike that?
"…."
With a sorrowful light on my face I hesitated for a long while, my lips working soundlessly. But under the silent pressure Mardian exerted, I looked up at her with downcast eyes.
"…Then, Lady Mardian, could you put it on my head for me? If I think of it as clothes my master Mardian is dressing me in, I believe I can accept it."
"…You cunning little thing."
A dangerous look crossed Mardian's face, yet in the end she obediently set the tiara upon my head just as I had asked. Feeling the heavy weight settle atop my hair, I burrowed into her embrace and hugged her tightly.
"Thank you… truly. I'll treasure it for the rest of my life."
"Hehe. Good. Whenever you look at that gem, think of me."
"I will!"
Think of her, my ass.
I'm going to sell it off in a few years.
After Shari-one, now a gift from Mardian—I couldn't help thinking that the person who had gained the most from this banquet was probably me.
Just the jewels currently stuffed in my wardrobe alone would be worth a considerable sum. Honestly I wanted to sell them right away and help Artasha, but the market for high-value goods was extremely narrow.
There was always the risk of being discovered by others, so I could not act rashly. The wisest course would be to wait until everyone's memories had faded somewhat, then sell them off through the black market.
Hang in there until then, Mother.
In the moment I was nuzzling my face against Mardian's shoulder while hiding my smile, she held out a single finger to me.
"I won't torment you today, so I'd like you to entertain me in another way."
"…Ah."
I was not so innocent as to miss the meaning of the finger Mardian extended. Having already had experience with her, I felt no revulsion, yet I could not move carelessly for fear someone might see.
As if sensing my worry, Mardian smiled seductively and squeezed my bottom.
"Nngh.."
"Don't worry. I've already instructed the servants not to let anyone near this area."
"…Yes."
Should I call it villainess-like? She was thorough even in matters like this. Thanks to that, I could think of no retort.
No choice, then.
It was a shameful act I was not particularly eager for, yet thinking of the tiara Mardian had given me soon improved my mood.
"Tina, my patience is not that long."
"Yeees…."
My body flinched at Mardian's sharp voice. Gently tucking my disheveled hair behind my ear, I carefully knelt before her.
After glancing up at Mardian, who sat still watching me, I slowly stuck out my tongue and licked her finger.
With the tip of my tongue I carefully coated Mardian's index finger in saliva. Slowly lowering my head, I took her finger all the way into my mouth.
Schlick—
As the finger was painted with saliva it made sticky sounds. It was so humiliating my ear tips burned, yet I was familiar enough with it that I could keep from showing it. Slowly raising my head to look at Mardian, I found her gazing down at me with ecstatic eyes, a faint flush on her cheeks.
Disgusting. I feel sick.
Isn't it normal to be averse to other people's spit? Who knows what kind of germs might be in it. I really could not understand why she liked something like this.
Sexual fetishes should be kept in moderation—how much of a pervert do you have to be to take pleasure in something like this?
…I'll put up with it for the ruby.
"Mmmph, haah…."
I slowly moved my head, diligently servicing Mardian's finger. Then, midway, her finger curled like a fishhook and caught the tip of my tongue.
"Ugh?!"
The sudden action brought a wave of nausea. I looked at Mardian with startled eyes. She lifted the lips she had caught with her finger, then pulled them straight toward her own face.
…Huh?
Mardian's face drawing closer and closer. The destination my mouth was gradually heading toward was her lips.
Huh?
If this continues, our lips will touch…?
Then isn't that a kiss?
"M-Mardia, n…?"
"Shh."
Mardian smiled seductively, then closed her eyes and pulled me in. As the situation grew clearer, my mind grew more chaotic.
It can't be, right?
She's not actually trying to kiss me, is she?
Ah, no….
There was no setting that Mardian was a homosexual.
From the young ladies' perspective I was just a lovable pet. What kind of crazy woman would try to kiss a pet she carefully raises?
Surely not, right?
It can't be.
But Mardian's lips, drawing ever closer, began to part as if preparing to receive me. I could not hide my shock as I watched her bright red lips open.
W-what do I do?
Should I push her away? Should I make a stern face and say this isn't right? But there is nothing good about angering Mardian.
I could not understand it.
I had only acted according to the techniques I had secretly learned by observing my childhood friend—why had it turned out like this? Nothing like this had ever happened with my childhood friend. Maybe I had learned something wrong.
As the distance closed until our noses nearly brushed, my eyes began to tremble as if in an earthquake. Just one more handspan closer and our lips would touch.
I don't want to.
I don't want to kiss anyone.
Why do something that gross.
Especially not with a perverted villainess—absolutely not.
Isn't there anyone?
Anyone at all, just make a sound.
I can just avoid their gazes saying it's embarrassing.
Anyone, please.
Someone, anyone, please stop this pervert—
"Lady Mardian seems to enjoy fishing. To go so far as to play fishing games with her pet young lady."
At the sudden beautiful voice, Mardian's hand that had been pulling me stopped. When her closed eyes opened, her blood-red pupils, blazing fiercely, revealed themselves once more.
But that murderous intent turned into deep bewilderment the moment she faced the person before her.
"…You are?"
I turned my head toward where Mardian's trembling voice was directed. Looking at the owner of the beautiful voice, even I could not help falling into confusion.
Jet-black hair contrasting against snow-white skin.
Within it, purple eyes that glowed softly.
Viviana looked at me with a smile that held no warmth in her eyes.
"We meet again, Pet Young Lady."