Volume 5, Chapter 28 – Pepe’s Dream (Part 2)

The feeling of weakness receded like a tidal wave. Like a lottery winner, an irrepressible joy welled up in her heart. This excitement even showed on her face. Edith simply threw herself onto Yisi’s bed, wrapped herself in the thin blanket, and, keeping her face buried in the pillow, took deep breaths to enjoy the sense of security while rolling back and forth.

This scent, which made every cell in her body groan and her spirit completely relaxed, was simply the best tranquilizer in the world.

“Ufufu…” She couldn’t help but let out a muffled giggle.

And then.

“Pepe? What are you doing?”

Yisi’s voice appeared right beside Edith’s ear.

Like a child caught stealing snacks, Edith, who had been rolling around, suddenly froze.

“If I remember correctly, this is my room, right…?”

Yisi looked with an exceptionally complex gaze at what was presumably Edith—because her face was buried in the pillow and her body was wrapped in the thin blanket, she looked like a caterpillar. If it weren’t for the white hair sticking out and Refina standing by the bed, Yisi would have even suspected that a monster had paid a visit to her room.

Continuing to stay frozen was not an option. She had to act as if nothing had happened. Be calm. Yes, calm… Just like that time she was drunk, as long as she put on a serious expression now, it wouldn’t matter how many times she slapped herself later.

Slowly, and with great seriousness, Edith removed the pillow covering her face. Then, with a calm expression, she threw off the thin blanket wrapped around her body and stood before Yisi.

“This isn’t my room?”

“Hey, hey… my name is written on the door.”

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Tch, I forgot about that unnecessary thing I did back then. At the time, in order to prevent Mary and Tiffany from sneaking into Yisi’s room, she had specially ordered the servants to hang everyone’s name on their doors as a warning that this was someone else’s room and could not be entered casually.

But to look away now would be to admit defeat. Edith continued to stare at Yisi without a change in expression.

“This is the Pescia family’s mansion. All the rooms are mine. And you are my fian—…” The dream from a moment ago suddenly flashed through her mind. Edith changed her wording. “And I will definitely make you mine. Your room is my room.”

That was complete and utter nonsense, delivered with a straight face! If one thought about the logic, they would have burst out laughing. What on earth was she rambling about?

However, Yisi seemed not to have noticed. She waved her hand helplessly.

“Yes, yes. I don’t mind you sleeping in my bed, but don’t do any strange things with Refina in it. Well, but since both you and Refina are cute, beautiful girls, I guess I should be happy you’re sleeping in my bed—hmm? You changed into a white dress today? It suits you. Like a princess.”

“I’ve grown tired of such flattery.” But hearing it from you isn’t so bad.

Edith snorted indifferently. “Where were you during the day?”

“I should have been back at dawn, but I had to take some troublemakers to the patrol, so I wasted a bit of time. Do you want to get some breakfast? I brought something good for you.”

Yisi took out a paper bag from her storage. A sweet scent of dessert wafted from it. Just from the smell, one could tell it was an exceptionally expensive and hard-to-get pastry.

Edith looked up into Yisi’s azure eyes. Their appearances were very similar, but Yisi’s face was softer than her own perpetually cold expression.

“Did you bring this especially for me?”

“And for Camilla.”

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To think she’s still thinking of others. Edith pouted. “Do you think I’m a child, to like this kind of dessert?”

“Even if you’re not a child, you can still try it. Do you think I’m a child, Pepe? I like desserts too.”

“Hmph.” With a dissatisfied snort, Edith walked straight toward the door, leaving her back to Yisi. “Bring it to the dining room. I will partake.”

“Well, as long as you like it, my efforts weren’t wasted.”

Closing the door and leaving Yisi in the room, Edith walked a short distance with Refina before stopping in a corner of the hallway.

Slap.

With a crisp sound, Edith slapped both of her own cheeks with her hands. The force quickly left two red handprints on her face.

At her side, Refina’s mouth fell slightly open. She looked as though she wanted to say something comforting, but didn’t know if she should.

“M-Master…”

A hug so tight it was almost suffocating was Refina’s reply.

“Damn it! How could I have shown such a side of myself?! Why didn’t you stop me, Refina?! You should have at least stood guard at the door! Ahhhhhhhhh!”

“This…” Although it wasn’t the first time she had seen it, it felt new every time. Her adored master had reverted to the state a girl of her age should be in. She felt that something was being lost, yet she was also happy for Edith’s change.

Although her ribs were aching from Edith’s grip, Refina still spoke in a voice that didn’t sound too strained. “Um… Master, I don’t think Miss Yisi noticed anything wrong with you. And you should get rid of the marks on your face quickly. If Miss Yisi sees them, she will definitely ask, ‘Did someone hit you?’ again… You don’t want her to find out, right?”

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The force of the hug gradually lessened. Realizing she had lost her composure again, Edith gradually calmed down.

“You… you’re right. Let’s go find Tiffany. Her ability to transfer injuries is perfect for this.”

“Very well. But Master, if you need to hit something next time, you can just take it out on me…”

“That won’t be necessary.”

Unexpectedly, Edith rejected Refina’s proposal. In the past, Edith would never have minded venting her anger on a servant.

As if she had seen Refina’s surprise, the now-calm Edith raised the corners of her mouth slightly.

“The Fallen Mark is gone. The Refina of the past is no more, and I am no longer the me of the past. This morning, when you were shy, do you know why I didn’t mix any hallucinogenic magic into my saliva, Refina?”

“Eh?” Did that happen? What shyness?

Not paying mind to Refina’s reaction, Edith continued. “From that moment on, I was thinking, perhaps I should grant you a status that is, if not equal, at least not so far apart.”

“What do you mean, Master?”

“My heart has already been given to Yisi—no, the position of main wife will only be for Yisi. Therefore, I cannot give that position to you.”

“Eh? Master, do you mean—”

Before Refina could finish, Edith placed her index finger on her lips. Because Refina was a head taller than her, Edith had to look up into her eyes.

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“There’s no need to use pet-like titles anymore. I permit you to call me Viel in private. I told you long ago, you are no longer a pet.”

A moment of silence.

Uncontrollably, a stinging sensation welled up in her nose. She was so happy, yet tears flowed from her eyes uncontrollably. A tremor entered Refina’s voice.

“I-Is this really okay?”

“Who knows? At least for now, it seems fine.” Reaching out to wipe away Refina’s tears, Edith smiled. “However, I have to tell Yisi about this. She has the right to know. So, in order not to be rejected by Yisi, you have to work hard to get her approval, Refina.”

“I… I understand.”

“Alright, it’s not good for the servants to see you crying. Let’s go to the dining room for now.”

Leaving a dashing figure behind her, Edith walked straight toward the dining room.

Refina, left behind, quickly wiped away her tears. “But the handprints on Viel’s face—”

Very obviously, Edith froze for an instant.

“…I know. You don’t need to remind me.”

And so, before going to the dining room, the two of them first made a trip to Tiffany’s room.