The Meeting of Two Women
In the dilapidated mansion of the Bland family — a house that had gambled away its former glory — a quiet tension hung between two women in the reception room.
"You mean to take Tina with you?"
The mistress of the house, a beautiful white-haired woman who looked exactly like Tina, asked in a calm voice. Viviana inclined her head with perfect courtesy and answered.
"Yes. I intend for her to stay at the Merdelia estate for one month."
"Is this a notification?"
At Artasha's cold tone, Viviana held her silence. Artasha clenched her fist and continued.
"Thanks to your help, Lady Viviana, we were able to save our Tina. I was prepared to grant any request in repayment of that debt."
"…"
"But to lock a child with a wounded heart away in your mansion for an entire month — as her mother, I cannot simply accept that."
Her concern was only natural for a mother. Viviana regarded Artasha with a grave expression and listened carefully to every word.
"Of course, if Your Ladyship insisted on taking her by force, I would have no means of stopping you."
"I have absolutely no such intention."
Viviana's reply was firm. As Artasha faltered at the unexpected answer, Viviana fixed her with an even more serious gaze.
"If the Baroness opposes it, I will not take Tina. I told Tina I would be kidnapping her — but in truth, I will abide by your decision."
Artasha could not help but be surprised. As the young lady of the Merdelia Ducal House, Viviana could have taken Tina whenever she pleased. Instead, she was choosing to respect Artasha's will. At those words, Artasha felt the faintest measure of relief.
"Why do you want to take Tina?"
As a mother, she had to ask. Money, status, military power — the Merdelia Ducal House already possessed everything. Why go out of their way for Tina?
"To correct Young Lady Tina's more unfortunate habits."
"Habits?"
At Artasha's questioning look, Viviana answered with a solemn expression. Her faintly violet eyes carried an atmosphere that was not easily dismissed.
"Baroness, I am rather quick at reading a person's true nature. And in observing Young Lady Tina, I have come to a certain conclusion."
"Which is?"
"Young Lady Tina's nature is lazy."
Artasha was stunned — not because the remark was unexpected, but because it was so precisely true.
"Young Lady Tina is well aware of how lovely and charming she is."
"…"
"And so she uses that charm to foist the things she does not wish to do onto other people."
Artasha already knew her beloved daughter had a lazy streak. Ever since Tina's personality had changed a year ago, she had not lifted a finger around the house. Room-tidying and post-meal cleanup were all left to the maids. Worse still, a child who had once diligently read her books no longer showed the slightest interest in writing or study.
The household servants all adored Tina, so none of them said a word — and Artasha herself, simply happy to have her daughter near, had never scolded her. But she had felt Tina's laziness clearly enough.
"She shies away from any effort of her own, and she delights in using her loveliness to manipulate others."
"…"
Artasha agreed inwardly. As her mother, she knew that for all Tina's outward sweetness, there were sharp thorns hidden within.
How could a mother not know?
"Making use of one's strengths is fine. But that fundamental laziness is a genuine problem."
"And so?"
"I intend to thoroughly correct Young Lady Tina's habits. If things continue as they are, an incident like the last one may well happen again."
"…"
"Of course the other party was at fault — but I believe Young Lady Tina also needs to rein in her charm a little."
The implication was clear: if Tina had not so thoroughly bewitched Mardian, she might never have been kidnapped. It was an uncomfortable thing for Artasha to hear, yet she could not entirely deny it.
But still…
She understood that Viviana had seen straight through Tina's problems. One question, however, still lingered.
"Why does Your Ladyship care so much about my daughter?"
"…That."
Viviana's eyes wavered ever so slightly. She glanced down at her teacup, considered for a brief moment, then smiled as she answered.
"Because I have come to like Young Lady Tina."
"…Like her? Surely you don't mean—"
"Ah. I have no interest in women that way."
Just as Artasha's thoughts were about to veer in a strange direction, Viviana waved a firm hand. Her unwavering violet eyes conveyed nothing but sincerity.
"I mean that I have come to like her as a person. Lazy though she is, I received a great deal of comfort simply from being with her."
"…Is that so."
Artasha, too, had found peace of mind through Tina. In her presence, every pain had vanished, and she had at last obtained the happiness she had longed for over so many years.
Sensing Artasha's hesitation, Viviana took her hand firmly and spoke again.
"Please trust me, Baroness. I truly care for Young Lady Tina as well."
"…"
"In return, the Merdelia Ducal House will settle the Bland family's debts. Furthermore, we will provide support for every matter concerning the Bland family going forward."
Artasha was startled by the unexpected offer. Not only would the debts she had carried for so long be paid off — they would even support future ventures. For a moment she was speechless.
But the surprise lasted only a moment. Almost at once, Artasha's eyes grew colder still.
"I decline. It feels as though I am selling my daughter for money."
Viviana showed a flicker of fluster. A look of genuine discomfiture crossed the face of a woman who was always so composed.
"I apologize. That was not my meaning."
"…I know."
Viviana's firm resolve lightened Artasha's heart a little — and yet something still felt incomplete. Those earnest eyes were hard to doubt, but the prospect of entrusting her daughter remained unsettling.
Even so, Artasha found herself thinking that the woman before her was someone she could trust.
"I cannot grant that request — but may I make a different one of you?"
This time it was Artasha who took Viviana's hand. In those blue eyes, so very like Tina's, there was a gravity that made even Viviana tense.
"Speak."
"Promise me that you will act only for my daughter's happiness."
"…Pardon?"
"I mean for you to swear it on the name of your house."
At the mention of her house's name, Viviana's face went cold. Both women in that room understood the weight of swearing upon a family's name.
Ordinarily, Viviana would have found the demand insolent. For a mere baroness to demand that the Merdelia Ducal House stake its reputation — that was an offense punishable as an insult to the house. And the Viviana of ordinary days would certainly have treated it as such.
There was no need to humor the head of a crumbling barony over a single young lady.
And yet…
Viviana could not refuse the woman before her. In every respect Artasha was her inferior — but before the noble maternal love she displayed, even the proud Viviana was forced to humble herself.
"…I swear it."
Viviana rose slowly and approached Artasha. All ease had left her. Only the purest, most solemn courtesy flowed from her bearing now.
She dropped to one knee before Artasha. Looking up with a grave expression, she spoke in a voice that did not waver.
"As the young lady of the Merdelia Ducal House, and as a knight — I hereby swear that every action I take shall be for Young Lady Tina's happiness."
"…Thank you, Lady Viviana."
Only upon hearing that firm oath could Artasha finally smile in relief. She soothed the trembling fear of losing her daughter once more and swallowed a bitter smile within.
Tina… as long as you are happy, that is all Mother needs.
Tina was precious and beloved. But Artasha herself was far too weak to protect her.
The woman before her, though — she would be different.
…And for one month, learn a little self-restraint as well, Tina.
Even as she tasted the bitter reality that she could not protect her daughter by her own strength, Artasha felt an inexplicable sense of ease toward the young lady who was showing her such strangely perfect courtesy.
Leaving Artasha lost in thought, Viviana clenched one fist tightly.
…I did it.
She had shown some uncharacteristic tension under that inexplicable pressure — but in the end, Baroness Artasha had entrusted Tina to her. And for some reason, that fact filled her with the most profound satisfaction.
"My mother would never allow it, you know? You'll just be wasting your time, Lady Viviana."
All that remained now was to deliver the news to that insolent little pet. Viviana suppressed the smile rising within her, eager for even one second sooner to see that sharp little face crumble.