2-16 - How Could the Villainous Young Master Be a Saintess?

Volume 2, Chapter 16: It's Definitely Not Her Guilty Pleasure Author: Hantang Returns Updated: 2025/4/28 20:30:01 Word Count: 4215 "What's with that expression? Unwilling, perhaps?" Vannesa raised her gaze, looking down at the kneeling golden-haired girl before her, whose face was full of reluctance. Mirexia averted her eyes, but Vannesa gave her no chance to evade the question. Mirexia felt her gaze being forcibly fixed, leaving her no choice but to look directly into those captivating peach-colored eyes. "Remember, my words are commands. If you hesitate again, I'll have to give you a little punishment~" Vannesa pinched Mirexia’s pale chin. From this angle, she could fully appreciate the girl’s graceful swan-like neck. Mirexia gulped. As a princess, she was being forced to kneel before someone else, treated roughly as if she were an object. Had it been anyone other than Vannesa, their hand would have been cut off already. Yet, with Vannesa, Mirexia felt a powerful rush of emotions, making her heart race like a deer scampering about. The unprecedented feeling engulfed her, though she wouldn't admit it—she felt exhilarated. 'Virtue +200.' 'Current Virtue: 11004.' If it weren’t for the increase in virtue points, Vannesa might have doubted if Mirexia truly enjoyed this, given her intensely defiant expression. But then again, what good are defiance and reluctance if one truly disliked something? If she truly didn't want this, she would have flatly refused, wouldn't she? She could only react facially while her body remained obedient. "You look pathetic, Mirexia. Do you resemble a Princess of Carmela or a student council president at all?" Vannesa playfully pinched Mirexia’s delicate, flawless cheek, speaking from above. "Oh, I just remembered something else. Last time in the president's office when you were handing me the documents, they fell at my feet. You took a long time to retrieve them, and I might have accidentally kicked you during that time." "Why did it take you so long to pick them up~? Could you explain that to me? You didn’t drop them on purpose, did you?" Vannesa's lips curled into a graceful yet contemptuous smile, an expression that carried both mockery and elegance—a feat not many could achieve. “I never thought that way,” Mirexia attempted to defend herself. "Who allowed you to give explanations? Who gave you permission?" Vannesa leaned closer to Mirexia’s face, her smile vanishing. “It seems you haven’t figured out your current position, have you, Mirexia?” “You repeatedly disobey and defy my orders. It seems some punishment is indeed necessary~?” Vannesa teased with an amused smile. “Kneel down, but not just on one knee this time. I want both knees on the floor, sideways before me.” Mirexia had no idea what Vannesa intended, but before she could process it, her body reacted instinctively, shifting sideways before Vannesa. “Bow your head, but keep your body arched,” Vannesa instructed further. Mirexia couldn’t fathom why Vannesa required her to be so positioned, offering her head in the direction of the nearby sofa. It was her first time doing so, making her awkward and extremely self-conscious, especially under Vannesa’s gaze. Though shame washed over her, she couldn’t stop herself. Slowly, she bent down, hands supporting her on the ground, adopting a posture of paying respects. “So slow and inefficient. I’ve never seen you this sluggish when working in the office. Clearly, you need some punishment.” Vannesa lifted her long, elegantly shaped leg—clad in white over-knee stockings—and placed it on Mirexia’s back. “?!” “Don’t move. From now on, you are merely a footstool for me, and footstools do not speak, understood?” “So, you like being bullied. Then you shall be nothing but a silent footstool.” Vannesa supported her cheek with her hand, a delighted smile on her face. 'Virtue +300.' 'Current Virtue: 11304.' The surge of virtue points wouldn’t cease. Initially, Vannesa’s aim was to help Mirexia relieve stress; however, presently... Relieving Mirexia’s mental burdens while gaining virtue was an opportunity she couldn't pass up. Surely, it's all for Mirexia's mental state and her own virtue gains. How could Lady Fasyris take pleasure in such things, right~? The footstool role seemed a bit intense; Vannesa even caught faint but impassioned breaths from Mirexia. In contrast, certain princesses found immense pleasure in this situation. “It’s getting late. Mirexia, do you remember why we came to your house? We can’t waste time.” As she spoke, Vannesa scattered some documents before Mirexia. “You’ll work while being a footstool.” Mirexia, clad in her gauzy attire and stockings, felt the warmth of Vannesa against her back, her blush intensifying. Silently, she pushed the documents toward herself, attempting to work. Though demanding in her current state, leaving her quite embarrassed and uncomfortable, she inexplicably found joy in it. If anyone interrupted with a thoughtless “If working this way is so cumbersome, why not just get up?” she probably would lash out in frustration. Despite the effort and awkwardness, Mirexia remained silent, diligently completing her tasks. Interestingly, her output was double her typical office performance. “Huh? Even in this state, you manage to maintain such efficiency? Even faster, I see? Mirexia, aren’t you embarrassed?” Vannesa quipped playfully, seeing Mirexia’s astonishing productivity. Although this was all just an act, Vannesa still helped with the work—they split it half-and-half. “Does being my footstool really excite you that much?” “D-Definitely not,” Mirexia's slender frame shivered, her voice trembling in protest, her stubbornness her last defense. “Not at all?” Vannesa laughed softly, “Your body’s honest, but your mouth is always so stubborn.” After a while, both displayed extraordinary prowess, doubling their already high efficiency, finishing the stack of files that ordinarily required a late night to complete. “Not bad. Consider yourself praised; here's a little reward.” “I am nothing if not just and fair.” Vannesa chuckled, stacked the completed documents neatly, and put them away. “Alright, resume kneeling before me,” she directed Mirexia to release her previous stance, reverting to one-knee kneeling. Mirexia complied, though her face was still one of reluctant defiance. This was probably the royal Princess’s last struggle. Despite her internal turmoil, she adhered to orders unconditionally. “Mirexia, what sort of reward would you like~?” Vannesa asked with a bright smile. "Forget it, asking is pointless since I won't heed your requests. Accept whatever I decide," Vannesa chuckled softly, lifting her perfectly arched foot clad in white silk and placing it before Mirexia. "Help me remove my slippers." Mirexia stared at the pristine silhouette placed before her, momentarily stunned. "Didn't you hear me? Don't make me repeat myself." Coming back to her senses, Mirexia's pupils constricted as she slowly reached out, gently grasped Vannesa's delicate ankle, and carefully slid off her slipper, placing it lightly on the floor. "Good, very obedient~" Vannesa propped her chin with one hand, her head tilted slightly as she posed an intriguing question. "Mirexia, do you know what a hand-kissing ritual is?" "?" Mirexia was puzzled by the abrupt, unrelated question but answered dutifully. "I know." "Good, that means I don't need to teach you." Vannesa smiled mysteriously, cradling her head with her hand. Soon, Mirexia felt a soft, velvety touch lifting her chin. The warm, jade-like touch brushed gently, leaving Mirexia momentarily dazed and blank. What did Vannesa use to lift her chin?? 'Virtue +500.' 'Current Virtue: 11804.' "Pfft." Seeing the virtue points soar, Vannesa couldn't help but smile knowingly. She felt she had precisely pinpointed Mirexia’s weak spot. In fact, she had noticed something while Mirexia was picking up the documents, though she initially brushed it off as a mere coincidence. Who would have thought~ But this is all part of relieving her charming childhood friend’s stress, addressing her desires was simply necessary. Helping others while gaining virtue in the bargain, isn't that great? It’s definitely not due to any personal guilty pleasure. Meanwhile, Mirexia lingered in a daze, struggling to grasp the reality of her situation. She was unfamiliar with being treated in such a manner by someone else, but despite this unfamiliarity, the pink-haired girl seemed to understand her even more than she understood herself, maneuvering within her comfort zone with finesse. Her overwhelmed, excited mind had yet to catch up, but her instincts were already reacting. "Do you like it~?" Vannesa used a toe to lift Mirexia's chin, compelling her to gaze upward. "...Not at all." Mirexia bit her lip, her alabaster throat quivering, her flushed face expressing defiance, her tone full of rejection. "Who would enjoy having their chin lifted by someone’s foot?" "Really? Mirexia could easily pull back a bit to escape, so why not do it if you don’t like it?" Vannesa teased. "It's because you ordered me to." Mirexia wanted to avert her gaze and avoid looking into Vannesa’s eyes, but Vannesa wouldn't allow it, holding her chin up, preventing her from avoiding eye contact. The toe, as creamy as mutton fat jade, played teasingly and enticingly against her silky smooth chin like sweet, enticing honey. "Then why must Mirexia obey my orders? I’m not a succubus, nor do my words carry enchantments. You’re perfectly capable of not listening to me." Mirexia’s stubbornly flushed face remained silent, refusing to answer. "If you enjoy it so much, why not show me?" "?" "Mirexia, playing dumb at this point won’t do any good, you know?" Vannesa tilted her head, observing Mirexia’s confused expression with amusement. "Remember what I mentioned about the [hand-kissing ritual] earlier?" "Show it to me, Mirexia." "?!" But how could she demonstrate it?? Mirexia had heard of a hand-kissing ritual, but had never heard about… Embarrassed, Mirexia’s face flushed even deeper. “Oh? Not willing?” Vannesa raised an eyebrow. “Fine, considering it’s not punishment, let’s forget it; certainly, that would be too much for Mirexia.” However, just as Vannesa began to withdraw her toe, Mirexia suddenly clasped her ankle. “Oh my?~ Reluctant, are we?” Vannesa teased. Embarrassed by the teasing, Mirexia felt utterly mortified, her body utterly disobedient to her mind, preventing her from vocally denying the situation any further. The girl before her, with pink hair, had completely grasped her nature. "Since you're reluctant, Mirexia, why wait?~ Making a lady wait is not a good habit, you know?" Mirexia gazed at the close proximity of the white silk-clad delicacy, her face displaying resistance, yet she couldn’t help but swallow her saliva discreetly. While her mouth remained defiant, her body was honest, carefully cradling the delicate foot in both hands, inching her face closer… 'Virtue +600.' 'Current Virtue: 12404.' "Not bad, very obedient, like a sweet golden retriever," Vannesa remarked, though unsure if she was genuinely praising or merely mocking. Mirexia, overwhelmed with embarrassment, turned her gaze aside, her delicate face flushed. She pursed her lips, savoring the lingering sensation. Fragrant and soft, reminiscent of the floral cakes she had as a child. She never thought she would actually… Recalling the entire series of events, Mirexia still found it hard to believe. "How do you feel now? Any relief from the pressure?" Prompted by Vannesa’s inquiry, Mirexia belatedly realized that the tension she constantly carried had somehow dissipated. Despite the ordeal, she felt remarkably refreshed, as though the heavy chains weighing upon her all along had finally been released. This unprecedented relief left Mirexia bewildered, as if the pent-up mental stress had dissipated tremendously, clearing away all agitation and negativity, leaving behind nothing but a serene satisfaction. Is this how it feels to have one's desires fulfilled?? "Alright, that's the end." Vannesa slipped her slippers back on. “I apologize, Princess Mirexia, the image portrayed earlier was merely a means to alleviate your stress, please pardon any offensive words~?” "Also, how was my performance? Quite convincing, right?" “...Is it over?” Mirexia blinked, still somewhat taken aback. “Yes, it's over. Could it be, Princess Mirexia, that you’re not quite done?” Vannesa watched Mirexia with a playful smile, noting her somewhat dazed expression.