Viktoria had come to love the cold for one specific reason—it made her feel the way she used to. Cold water ran down her perfect form, with no violet veins on her pale skin. Even for herself, Viktoria did not want to see weakness in herself, so illusion was her way. In some way, it was comforting. It was her own strength. Though it always hurt to maintain the illusion, it was strength nonetheless.
After a few minutes, Viktoria stepped out of the bath, the cold still numbing her body. She stood before the mirror, gazing at her reflection—a body growing increasingly hollow and frail in a sickly way. This was not good, at least not for Viktoria. So, once again, she used her illusion to fill in the gaps.
She remained in front of the mirror for a while, admiring her perfect shape—the shape she once had. A smile adorned her expression, but it quickly turned into a sharp frown.
Viktoria leaned closer to the mirror and opened her mouth wide. She was met with yellowed teeth, some streaked with black lines. Even her gums were an unsettling gray, the color spreading into the depths of her mouth where she could no longer see. It was rot.
'So that's why my breath has been bad lately? I thought it was that soup from ugly Yulna.'
Viktoria closed her eyes for a second, then reopened them—to find her teeth white and perfect, her gums red and healthy. Even the scent was lovely, alluring—the fragrance of a woman who had just stepped out of a bath. A playful smile danced on Viktoria's lips, triggered by a memory from long ago.
She shut her eyes and turned away from her reflection, moving purposefully toward the beautiful black dress she had picked out herself. As she began dressing, every movement hurt, but by now, she was used to it. Pain had become a part of her, and soon, they would leave together.
A few minutes later, Viktoria emerged from the bathroom, a radiant smile lighting up her face. The woman now was completely different from the one who had been lying in bed moments ago. It was a strange sight, but Yulna, who had just returned with what her lady had requested, appreciated it.
Her lady had been—and still was—the sun she remembered from twenty years ago. Even in her lowest moments, she still burned with brilliance.
"So… how do I look?" Viktoria asked cheerfully, spinning around to show off her long black dress.
"The lady is as dazzling as ever. It's truly a delightful sight," Yulna answered sincerely. Her lady loved honesty and despised lies, especially from someone so close.
A silly smile found its way to Viktoria's expression. She waved her hand dismissively, ignoring the pain that no longer registered in her mind. "You're flattering me, but I appreciate your honesty. Anyway, give me the names."
Yulna felt a bit of pity for the names her spies had gathered over the past few days—not because she held any positive feelings toward them, but because of what her lady would do to them. This concern, however, was secondary to her worry for her lady. She hesitated for a moment before handing over the list, knowing she had no real choice.
Viktoria gave the list a quick glance before tucking it away. "I'll start with that turtle, Decius. You can leave now. Say hello to little Yven."
Yulna watched as her lady walked out of the room with steady steps. Despite her worries, she had full confidence in her lady.
---
Viktoria made her way to her daughter, Vierenna's room. She could sense her presence distinctly among the many different individuals within the grand estate. Soon, she stood before the closed door. Without a single thought, she opened it and entered, disregarding whatever her daughter might be doing.
"Good morning, my V!" Viktoria greeted before even taking a proper look around the room. And when she did, she found Vierenna—a young girl with white hair that gleamed under the golden sunlight—sitting at the far end of the room, engrossed in a book.
Vierenna didn't seem particularly surprised by her mother's sudden entrance. She had come to expect it, whether she wanted to or not. She rose from her chair, scrutinizing her mother with confusion and caution.
"Mom, what are you doing?" Vierenna's wariness vanished as she stepped closer, concern taking its place. "You should be resting."
Viktoria rolled her eyes dramatically. She said nothing, waiting until Vierenna was right in front of her. Then, in a sudden move, she threw her arms around her in an embrace.
Vierenna tried to dodge, but she wasn't quick enough. She was trapped in her mother's arms, her back pressed against Viktoria's chest, with her mother's hands gripping her neck and stomach.
"Since my baby wants me to rest, I suppose she wouldn't mind being my pillow?" Viktoria said with delight, inhaling the scent of Vierenna's hair, her hands running along her neck and up her stomach. "You've gotten so soft… Even better than I was at your age."
"Mom! Let go!" Vierenna struggled, but how could she possibly overpower her mother? The more she fought, the deeper she sank into her grasp. She could feel the discomfort of the mistreatment she was enduring. Why was her mother doing this to her? She knew Viktoria loved her, but this… this was borderline abuse.
Unaware of her daughter's thoughts, Viktoria began lightly biting Vierenna's cheek. She tasted good. But which one did she prefer—V or D? It didn't matter. Both of her children were delicious in their own ways, and she wanted to savor them as much as she could in the time she had left.
But Viktoria had to stop herself. The memory of her rotting teeth's reflection made her pause. Her heart ached at the thought of stopping, but it hurt even more that she had to let go of her baby.
As soon as Vierenna was free, she bolted away, her expression flushed and frightened. She placed the bed between them and pointed an accusing finger at Viktoria.
"What… What are you doing?..."
Viktoria looked at her with innocent confusion, as if hurt by her words. "What do you mean? It was just the usual inspection."
"We don't do those anymore… I'm not a child." Vierenna shouted, still pointing at her mother with unwavering force, as if trying to pierce her with her gaze.
"Is it because you've become sensitive?" Viktoria tilted her head in exaggerated confusion. "You made some strange noises… You really are at that age..."
"I don't want to hear it! Shut up, shut up, shut up!" Vierenna shook her head repeatedly, hands clamped over her ears, her face red with embarrassment.
Viktoria was never a patient person, but when it came to annoying her children, she was the most patient woman in the world. So she waited until Vierenna stopped shouting and met her gaze again, still furious.
"So… you don't want to hear what I think?" Viktoria spoke slowly and dramatically, watching as Vierenna's anger deepened. "It's a very good evaluation."
Viktoria observed as Vierenna remained silent for a long time. She neither agreed nor refused. Viktoria knew her daughter wanted to know—because she was just a smaller version of herself. Of course, she would be interested. But Viktoria would only give her assessment once she got a reaction.
Which came quickly—Vierenna hesitantly nodded, still looking upset.
'She's not very patient. I wonder where she picked up that bad habit? Probably from that idiot of a father. I'll have a word with him about all his bad habits—he never learns, no matter how many times we talk.'
Viktoria noted it in her mind before returning her attention to her impatient daughter.
"My beloved baby has grown beautifully. Her curves are perfect—better than mine at her age. What I was worried about is no longer a concern. Nothing is too small, nothing too big, just perfect. I love the feel of your chest, it's—"
"I've heard enough." Vierenna interrupted. She had gotten the answer she wanted; she didn't need the unnecessary details. Her mother always made every normal conversation weird.
Vierenna turned her back to hide the small smile she couldn't suppress. If her mother saw it, that would be the end of her.
After composing herself, she turned back—only to find Viktoria had somehow crept up on her.
"Mom, stop!"
Viktoria pouted, shoulders drooping. "Why do you keep running? I just want to play with my baby." She looked pitiful.
Vierenna felt a bit guilty, but she refused to show it. "We can talk, but no unnecessary touching."
Viktoria examined her daughter's determined expression. For now, she agreed.
"We can talk," she said with as much sincerity as she could fake.
For the next thirty minutes, Viktoria and Vierenna talked—on Viktoria's terms, which meant talking her way. Vierina didn't seem to enjoy it much, but that was her problem to deal with. Viktoria teased her relentlessly for a good half-hour before finally leaving the room, leaving her daughter behind, completely drained of all her energy.
Oh, how she loved teasing her.