In the thick darkness, a serene night with faint moonlight seeping through. As I gazed at the round moon in the sky, Mother approached and gently stroked my head.
“Time to sleep now.”
“Yes, Mother.”
Mother was wearing an elegant white lace nightgown. The slightly low-cut design of the nightgown subtly revealed her ample chest.
“If you need to go to the bathroom during the night, you can wake me anytime, okay?”
“Yes…”
Originally, I was supposed to spend the night in my own room, but the desire to be with Mother a little longer led me here.
Hugging a fluffy pillow tightly, I went to Mother’s bedroom. As always, Mother kindly indulged my clinginess.
Even though I knew I was past the age to sleep with my parents, the thought of being closer to Mother made me feel strangely happy.
“Tomorrow, you’re visiting the Saintess’s Mansion, right?”
Mother asked as we lay side by side on the bed.
“Yes, I’ve arranged to visit during lunchtime.”
“Don’t worry about what happened in the carriage, okay?”
A playful smile appeared on Mother’s lips. She was clearly referring to the incident where Viviana had choked me.
“Ah, that, that was…”
There was no room for excuses. That scene was undeniably real, and it was as if I had provoked Viviana.
“I-I’ll be careful…”
“I didn’t know my daughter had such tastes.”
Mother’s blue eyes still sparkled with mischief, but there was also a faint trace of concern.
My face flushed hot.
Of course, I don’t have such tastes. Who in the world would enjoy being choked?
I’m not that kind of pervert.
What I did was simply an act of service for Viviana.
Just living without showing it outwardly. Everyone harbors violence within them.
I believe that even the kindest people have fundamental desires they can’t help but possess.
So, I wanted to help release the violence hidden within Viviana.
But even if I explained it, no one would believe me. In the end, it was easiest to just pass it off as my preference.
“A-Am I really weird…?”
“Tina, I’ve told you before, no matter what kind of person you are, Mother will always love you.”
Mother’s answer came without hesitation. With unwavering eyes, she gently brushed my hair.
“No matter what preferences you have, Mother loves you. I’m just worried that you might get hurt.”
“Don’t worry about that. I have this.”
I showed Mother the collar around my neck. A gift from Lillian that heals any wound instantly.
Thanks to it, the large bruise I got from Viviana earlier in the day was now completely gone.
“Still, I don’t want to see you in pain. What if the other person has dangerous intentions?”
“……”
“Of course, if it’s my daughter’s preference, there’s nothing I can do.”
Mother smiled, her long, beautiful eyelashes fluttering slightly. Her teasing smile was truly beautiful.
“Promise me you won’t do such things with anyone other than the Princess and the Saintess, okay?”
Mother extended her pinky finger. I hooked my finger with hers and pressed our thumbs together.
“Are those two really okay…?”
“At least, Tina, I know they truly love you. That’s why I’m letting the Princess off this time.”
“Can’t I do it with anyone else?”
“Not until I know what kind of person you are.”
Mother’s voice was firm. I hesitated, then slightly opened my mouth.
“What about you, Mother…?”
As if not understanding my question, Mother tilted her head with a puzzled expression.
“Huh?”
“Can’t I do it with you either…? Choking me…”
“Huh?”
Mother’s eyes widened in shock.
“I like you the most, Mother…”
In the blanket wrapped around us, I gently intertwined my fingers with hers.
“Huh? Me, you mean…?”
Seeing Mother’s flustered expression, my heart sank for a moment. I was afraid she might start disliking me after hearing this.
But I couldn’t stop. I wanted to release the desires buried deep within Mother’s heart.
Though I liked Viviana and Lillian, the person I truly loved the most was Mother.
I had seen it briefly on TV.
The violence inherent in human nature.
In society, it’s natural to hide it, but it’s said that releasing it moderately is beneficial for health.
In modern society, there are various means to suppress that violence.
The most representative ones are games and sports. Maybe just watching others do it could help too.
But in this world, there weren’t many such amusements.
Hobbies like hunting wild animals or watching knights spar were about it.
Mother, being so busy every day, wouldn’t have time for such hobbies.
Everyone harbors violent desires within them. If I could help release Mother’s suppressed emotions, wouldn’t she feel more at ease?
“I-I heal quickly… And, if it’s you, Mother, it’s definitely okay.”
I gently pulled Mother’s hand toward my neck.
I spread her palm and made her grip my neck.
“You’re always so busy with work. I’m afraid you might collapse from overwork.”
Mother’s hand, gripping my neck, began to tremble slightly.
“If it’s you, Mother… You can use my body to relieve your fatigue.”
“Ti-Tina… What are you saying…”
Was she really disliking it?
“Do you… dislike it…?”
A trembling voice escaped my lips.
“I-It’s not that I dislike it, no matter what, Mother will always love you.”
After a moment of contemplation, Mother continued with a serious expression.
“But Tina, I can’t bear to see you suffer because of me. Any mother in the world would feel the same.”
This meant that such actions weren’t normal in a mother-daughter relationship. Perhaps it was the most tactful way of refusal.
In the end, could I not be of any help to Mother?
With my only redeeming feature being my looks, could I not even assist Mother?
“So, Tina, I…”
Feeling a bit hurt by Mother’s tactful refusal, was I being selfish?
For the first time, a rebellious feeling rose within me.
Always making me into a spoiled child, always making me rely on her.
Always giving me everything without holding back, yet never letting me repay her kindness.
Not understanding the feelings of the one who only receives.
“…I understand.”
With a heavy heart, my voice was lower and more subdued than usual.
“Tomorrow, I’ll ask Lillian to treat me roughly.”
Turning my head away from Mother, I muttered loud enough for her to hear.
“Huh?”
Mother’s eyes wavered greatly.
“Tina, what are you saying?”
“If I can’t be of help to you, Mother, then I’ll at least be of help to Lillian.”
“Tina.”
“You allowed Lillian, didn’t you?”
I started to feel a bit resentful toward Mother.
Mother, who doesn’t understand my feelings, who always gives to me.
I also want to be of some help to Mother, but she won’t allow it.
I started to feel a bit resentful.
“Treating you roughly, Tina.”
Mother grabbed my hand.
Ignoring Mother’s subdued words, I pulled her hand again and made her grip my neck.
From her hand gripping my neck, I held onto her thickest thumb.
Mother was flustered but didn’t stop me.
Slowly, I pulled her two thumbs.
The small protrusion on my neck. I pressed Mother’s thumb against my Adam’s apple.
“Until your anger subsides, press here as much as you like. Lillian would surely enjoy this.”
Holding Mother’s thumb, I rolled my Adam’s apple around.
Like a toy.
“Ti-Tina.”
Mother was looking at me, her eyes trembling. Without any context, just trembling.
This time, I looked up at Mother with a playful smile.
“You wouldn’t do such things to me, would you? I’m just your daughter who always receives your care.”
“……”
“So, I’ll have to ask Lillian and Viviana. To press here as much as they like.”
Did my sorrowful voice touch something? Mother’s thumb began to slowly apply pressure as it caressed my Adam’s apple.
I looked up at Mother.
With slightly moist eyes.
With a slightly affectionate gaze.
Tapping her palm lightly, I said in a coquettish voice.
“Really… won’t you press…?”
That was the moment.
Mother’s hand twitched greatly.
Whether by accident or on purpose, Mother leaned forward unconsciously. As a result, her full weight pressed down on my neck.
Specifically, her thumb pressing against my Adam’s apple.
Squish—
Slowly, Mother’s thumb.
Pressed into my Adam’s apple, sinking deeper.
“Ghk…!”
Ah.
Mother pressed down.
