The Final Night of the Banquet
A faint swirl of smoke rose through the still air of the study. Viviana, who had been leaning back in her chair, looked thoroughly displeased as she set another cigarette between her lips.
"...Hah."
She'd been played.
She had meant to use the false face she'd glimpsed at the banquet as leverage, to fluster the girl and force an awkward reaction — yet the one left flustered in the end had been herself.
When had it started? When had she first begun to be led around by that girl's clever tongue? Right — it was the moment the piano came up.
Viviana spread her palm and studied it carefully. Just as the Bland young lady had said, her fingers were slender and long. Hands suited for the piano, she'd claimed. And indeed, the piano was the sole comfort of Viviana's life.
In a life spent slaughtering enemy troops and staining her blade with endless blood, the only moments she could breathe easy were those spent seated at the piano.
But no one was supposed to know that the piano was her hobby — so how had that young lady brought it up? Had those sharp eyes of hers simply noticed, or did she have some informant Viviana didn't know about?
No. It doesn't matter.
Drawing one last deep pull of smoke, Viviana rose slowly from her seat. She had been caught off guard by the unexpected talk of the piano, true — but next time they met, that would never happen again.
There was no reason for her to lose to that girl in the first place. She was the one holding the leverage, and no matter how beloved the girl was in high society, before a ducal princess, all of it meant nothing.
"Interesting, Young Lady Bland."
How long had it been since she'd been outmaneuvered in a conversation? The unexpected situation stirred her competitive spirit. Next time they met, she would make certain to see that cunning young lady flustered and squirming.
No choice, then.
She would have to attend the final night of the banquet.
If only for the sake of getting her revenge for being played.
Your Grace, it is Alphonse.
While Viviana was lost in quiet contemplation, an elderly man's faltering voice seeped in from beyond the door.
"...Come in."
The old man who entered at her leave had thin white hair, yet it only made his bearing seem all the more refined and noble.
"I have something to deliver to you, Your Grace."
"Something to deliver?"
The old man nodded and quietly set a blue letter envelope on Viviana's desk. With no seal affixed, it appeared to be nothing of importance.
"I found it in the pocket of Your Grace's coat. It didn't seem to have been opened, so I thought to bring it to you."
"You found it in my coat?"
Having no memory of receiving any letter, Viviana couldn't help but be startled. But thinking carefully, she had a rough idea of when it might have slipped into her coat.
...Then, was it?
At the end of the banquet, the young lady of House Bland had run up to greet her — had she slipped it in then?
With a puzzled mind, Viviana opened the envelope. Her eyes began to slowly follow the writing from the top of the letter down.
"Hah."
The moment her gaze reached the end of the letter, an incredulous smile bloomed at the corner of her mouth. Fingers drumming thoughtfully on the desk, she ended the brief silence, rose from her seat, and handed the letter to the old man.
"I'm going to bathe. Have the attendants prepare it. Tell them to prepare scented candles as well."
"Scented candles?"
"Yes. Prepare fragrances a woman would like."
The days Viviana floated scented candles in her bath could be counted on one hand, so Alphonse couldn't help but be surprised. Still, he decided it wasn't something worth fretting over. No matter how much she was called a fierce warrior, she was a woman. There would be times she felt like enjoying a bath with floating candles, depending on her mood.
"Yes. I shall dispose of the letter as I see fit."
"What?"
In an instant, Viviana's gaze sank cold. Unable to tell what had ruffled her, Alphonse blinked in bewilderment.
"Don't throw it away. Keep it separately."
"Pardon?"
For a moment he couldn't comprehend what he'd heard. Having devoted decades of his life to the Merdelia Ducal House, it was a phrase so foreign he could scarcely believe it had come from Viviana's lips.
Lady Viviana is keeping a letter?
...This worthless scrap of correspondence?
Though it lacked the lavish decorations of a banquet hosted by the Imperial Palace, in the most peaceful dining room in the world I held out a ruby-studded tiara to Mother and beamed.
"Ta-da! This time it's a ruby."
"..."
I offered the tiara with a clear smile, but Mother only fretted over the ruby-studded piece with a complicated look in her eyes. Was she still fretting over me?
I rose from the table and trotted over to her. Sitting sideways on her lap, her soft, warm thighs wrapped around me.
"It's all right. I received it out of pure goodwill, so you don't need to worry so much."
When I smiled and spread my arms, Mother let out a short sigh and gathered me into a hug. Leaning into her tender embrace and acting spoiled again today, I felt the stress I'd been bottling up melt away all at once.
Hehe...
Mother's chest is so big. I love it.
"Tina. There's no such thing as free in this world."
While I was burying my face in the two breasts that always held me so warmly, seeking my rest, Mother's subdued voice reached me.
I opened my eyes in puzzlement and looked up at her. Mother tidied my bangs with a complicated look in her eyes.
"Even if the young ladies find you adorable and give you gifts out of pure goodwill, there's no knowing when those feelings might change. Remember that the world is not so easygoing."
"Are you worrying about me?"
"How could I not? You are my everything."
Mother's eyes, filled with an indescribable emotion, looked down at me. The heart that had gone cold and still at the banquet began, however faintly, to beat again within the overflow of her love.
"Tina, I only want you to grow up bright and unharmed."
Mother pressed a brief kiss to my forehead. Last year she never would have done something like this during a meal — she seemed to have opened her heart to me that much more in the meantime. I returned the gesture with a bright smile, kissing her cheek in reply.
"Mother. I really love you."
"I love you too... And Tina."
As if wanting to say something more, Mother's eyes wouldn't stay still and her lips worked. I watched her with curiosity for a moment, until she opened her slightly subdued mouth.
"You seem very busy these days. A year ago we still went on picnics together... but lately those times seem fewer and fewer, and I find myself a little sad."
"..."
At the unexpected words, I blinked blankly. I'd thought she was about to say something heavy, but a pout like this? So unlike Mother that my lips started to twitch.
"Pfft...! Ahaha!"
The laughter finally burst out as I hugged her tight. In high society I always had to hold back my laughter, but here there was no need.
What do I do.
I might really end up loving Mother.
I don't want to be abandoned by someone again, but I might end up having no choice but to rely on her.
"Let's go this week. On a picnic."
It was an evening meal more satisfying than anything.
After chatting about this and that with Mother, I loosened my body in a bathroom full of scented candles, and drifted off to sleep with thoughts of tomorrow nestled in my mind.
And so time flew by, and another dark night arrived.
The final day of the banquet had come.
Purple carpets and décor announcing the end of the banquet adorned the hall. The number of guests had dwindled considerably compared to the first day, yet the banquet hall was still filled with refined conversation and laughter.
Wearing a clear smile, I greeted various people as I looked around. I'd worried she might not attend because it was the last day, but fortunately I spotted that cascading golden hair almost at once.
"Lady Mardian!"
I ran to her without hesitation.
The first person I sought out was Mardian. Last night, when I'd followed Viviana outside, Mardian's expression had looked off, and it had been weighing on me.
But Mardian's expression now wasn't bad at all. If anything, she looked brighter than usual. I supposed I should be glad.
"Tina."
"I was so disappointed we had to part so suddenly yesterday — I'm truly glad I get to see you again so soon."
"Hehe... Of course I'd come when my little pet is here. Did you have a good talk with the Princess last night?"
"We didn't talk about much! Actually, even while I was with the Princess, I was thinking of you, Lady Mardian."
"...Is that so."
Mardian stroked my hair, then wore a damp, humid smile as she leaned in to whisper by my ear.
"Go greet everyone, then come find me again. I've reserved a private reception room for today, so we won't be disturbed."
"Y-you reserved a room?"
"Yes. We need to pick up where we left off yesterday, don't we?"
Mardian's voice, sticky as could be, slid along my ear. Before she'd tried to kiss me — now she was even reserving a room. What was she planning?
"...Lady Mardian, I—"
"Don't even think of wriggling out of it. I'm sure you'll enjoy it too, Tina."
"..."
There's no such thing as free in this world.
Artasha's words floated up in my mind. Mother's wisdom never missed the mark — I found myself freshly admiring it.
But it's all right, Mother.
I'm not that naive a person, you know.
"I'm curious what it is I'm supposed to enjoy as well."
A figure of graceful presence and lovely voice elegantly appeared between me and Mardian. At the sudden arrival of the woman, Mardian's brow furrowed deeply, if only for a brief moment.
"...Princess Viviana?"
At Mardian's flustered voice, Viviana wore a thin smile.
As that black hair, dark as the night sky, cascaded around her, a sweet and alluring fragrance gently tickled the tip of my nose. Caught off guard by Viviana's unexpected scent, I blinked blankly for a moment.
Did Viviana always wear perfume...?
...It smells good.