My First Kiss Was with Mother
"Ugh…."
Morning sunlight filtered gently into the room. I pushed myself up from the bed with a grimace, and the moment my eyes opened, a wave of nausea rose from deep in my stomach. My abdomen ached with a heavy, stone-like weight.
I let out a short sigh at the thing that arrived, without fail, every month.
…Has my cycle already come around again?
My period. Even after transmigrating into a woman's body, this particular function of female life—menstruation—was something I still could not get used to, no matter how many times it returned.
I tried to get out of bed, but my legs refused to hold me properly. Still, I had no choice. There were countless young ladies waiting to call on me, and even more banquets and social gatherings I was expected to attend. Forcing myself upright, I made my way to the bathroom. The instant my bare feet touched the cold marble floor, my mind cleared just a little.
I washed myself thoroughly with warm water, carefully scrubbing my body with the scented soaps and oils that were currently popular among the young ladies of high society. Carrying the faint cherry fragrance that now clung to my hair, I headed for the living room. There, as always, stood the middle-aged woman who devoted herself entirely to House Bland.
"Morning, Lanihel…."
"Oh, my lady. Did you not sleep well? You don't look quite yourself."
"It's that time of the month."
Lanihel's eyes widened for a moment. Then, with a gentle smile, she turned and headed for the kitchen.
"I'll bring you a cup of warm tea. And if you need any pain medicine, just say the word."
"Mm, thanks. Where's Mother?"
"The head of the house is in her study."
Working from early morning, then. She really was a diligent person. If Mother had been the one leading House Bland from the very beginning, so many things might have turned out differently.
"Could you make a cup for Mother as well? I'd like to bring it to her myself."
"Hehe. Of course. I'm sure she'll be delighted."
Lanihel cheerfully prepared tea for both of us—a sweet black tea for me, just the way I liked it, and a slightly earthy, mellow brew for Mother.
Cradling the cups carefully on the tray she handed me, I climbed the mansion stairs. I walked the familiar corridor until I reached Mother's study, then opened the door and stepped inside.
Her blue eyes, fixed as always on her work from the same seat, turned toward me. A kind smile soon spread across her lips.
"Good morning."
"Good morning, Mother. I brought some tea. Would you like a cup?"
"…Thank you."
I set the cup before her and settled onto the sofa. As the warm black tea slid down my throat, the discomfort in my stomach eased a little. Mother set down her pen, picked something up, and came to sit across from me.
"I bought some chocolate this morning. Take it to your room later."
"Huh? Chocolate, all of a sudden?"
"Your cycle should be coming around about now, shouldn't it? Something sweet might make you feel a little better."
Mother said it so matter-of-factly, but my eyes stung with emotion. I had received countless chocolates from lofty young ladies, yet none of them had ever made me this happy.
"You went and bought it yourself, Mother…?"
"I just stopped by while I was out for my morning walk. Don't make a fuss over it."
At the casual tone of her voice, I pursed my lips and scooted over to sit beside her. The moment I wrapped both arms around her slender white neck, Mother naturally lifted me by the hips with both hands and settled me onto her lap.
I buried my face against her shoulder and nuzzled into her. Mother smiled faintly and patted my head. Still clinging to her neck, I lifted my face. Her warm smile filled my vision; her eyes sparkled as they looked at me. For a moment I simply gazed into those blue irises—then slowly pressed my lips to the side of her neck.
Chup—
Lips met skin with a soft little sound.
"I love you, Mother."
Mother smiled quietly and held me even tighter. I buried my face in her soft hair and kissed her again. Her scent wrapped around me. I kept leaving small kisses all over her face. In that moment, it felt as though the two of us were the only people in the world.
Mother's embrace was soft and warm. Wanting to pour out endless affection, I kept kissing her—forehead, nose, chin, then her cheek again. Like a baby bird fussing over its mother, I left little lip marks across her pale face.
And then, just as I leaned in for one last kiss on her cheek, Mother turned her head—and my lips landed somewhere they shouldn't have.
Chup—
"Eh?"
An unexpected soft sensation met my lips. I had meant to kiss her cheek, but by accident I had kissed Mother on the mouth.
I froze, eyes wide, staring at her. She was looking back at me with the same startled expression. Watching her blink blankly, my face flushed crimson in an instant.
What if Mother found me disgusting? Even if women tended to be more tolerant of same-sex affection, pressing lips together was something she might well find unpleasant.
"Um—Mother, I'm so sorry…."
I stammered, not knowing what to do with myself. Mother stared at me for a moment, still looking surprised—then broke into a laugh and stroked my hair.
"I love you too, my daughter."
"…."
Thank goodness….
I had fretted that she might be repulsed, but it seemed my worry had been completely overblown.
I was still embarrassed, yet her generous reaction left me a little relieved. Feeling once more how warm Artasha's arms were, I nestled tightly against her again. This time more carefully, I kissed her cheek once more. She stroked me gently, accepting my apology.
"…Hehe."
Still, though. That had been my first kiss.
But it was Mother, so it doesn't count… right?
Hup.
I popped one of the chocolates Mother had given me into my mouth. The moment it touched my lips, a soft, smooth texture melted against them, and a sweet yet slightly bitter flavor spread across my tongue.
"Sweet."
I wiped the chocolate from my lips and lifted my head. Looking at my reflection in the mirror, I painted the same pleasant smile on my face that I wore every morning.
Today is Lady Shari-one's tea party, isn't it.
Three months had passed, and my daily life remained unchanged.
I still monopolized the affection of the young ladies who held real sway in high society, and I lived comfortably on the strength of their backing. The expensive treasures they gifted me from time to time were carefully stored away beneath my wardrobe.
Even Mardian, that perverted villainess who had spent so long eyeing my lips, had stopped trying to claim them ever since I told her my own father had sexually harassed me. She still occasionally spanked my rear or choked me a little, but those things I could endure, so it was fine.
I was sixteen now. Considering Mother's abilities, I figured that by the time I turned twenty, House Bland would finally be free of every last debt that had been crushing it.
And after that, I would sell off every jewel my precious mistresses had given me and finally live the carefree life of leisure I had always wanted.
And then there was Viviana.
I had not seen Viviana even once since sending her that farewell letter. Whether she had lost interest in me or not, she never even replied—and after that, she vanished from high society altogether.
That was only natural. Viviana never showed herself in social circles to begin with. The fact that she had attended banquets three days in a row before had been the real absurdity.
She would walk the path of a proper protagonist, and I would simply live according to my own abilities. That was all.
"Today is Lady Shari-one… tomorrow Lady Versha, and the day after that a new acquaintance invited me."
Busy. Just this week alone, there were five tea parties I had to attend. Mother had said I ought to rest a little during my period, but I had a reason for pushing my body this hard and showing up so consistently.
November was coming soon—and with it, my birthday.
Last year I had only just transmigrated, with barely any connections and a family reputation that left much to be desired, so Mother and I had spent a quiet birthday alone together. This year, though, I was certain things would be different.
That was why I was forcing myself to attend every party like this. I knew it was materialistic, but I couldn't help looking forward to it. The same young ladies who casually handed me expensive jewels on ordinary days—what would they give me for my birthday?
Sincere affection?
Passionate attention?
I didn't need any of that.
I just hope they give me something expensive.
And preferably something easy to resell.