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Pet.
In the dictionary, it means something to love, to keep close, to handle, or to enjoy.
Here, the word ‘pet’ combines various animal images, evoking images of a carefully cared-for dog or cat, as well as small creatures like a stag beetle or a praying mantis.
What else could there be?
Some people keep birds or fish, while others sometimes have pets that are several times larger than humans. The diversity of species is endless, yet their purpose remains the same.
The reason for keeping animals as pets is that their existence offers comfort to their owners.
These small creatures bring joy to their owners and serve as a comforting support amidst the bleak and cold reality.
What I think of as a pet is precisely a being that fulfills this role.
“Tina. Do you want to come here?”
“Sharione!”
I dashed toward the voice calling me without hesitation. I nestled in the embrace of the woman calling me, sporting an innocent smile.
“Oh, Tina.”
Without hesitation, I ran toward the source of the voice calling me. I clung to her with a pure smile on my face.
The one called Sharione gently blushed and carefully lifted me to sit on the sofa. I lay comfortably on the sofa, resting my head on Sharione’s lap as if I had returned to a long-lost sanctuary.
“Sharione, your skin looks really beautiful today. I wish I could be at least half as beautiful as you….”
“Don’t say that. Tina is the cutest and prettiest pet I’ve ever seen.”
“I’m so glad you think that, Sharione.”
With an innocent smile, Sharione lightly blushed as she patted my head.
It wasn’t just her.
“Tina, haven’t you gained a bit of weight?”
“Really?”
“A chubby Tina would still be lovely, but your charm truly lies in your beauty. You should lose a little weight.”
“Hehe, okay, Versha.”
..Looks like I’ll have to skip meals for a while.
“It’s fine, Tina. I can still love you even if you plump up.”
“Really? Thank you, Mardian.”
At the words of the woman named Mardian, Versha furrowed one eyebrow, showing her discomfort.
“…Lady Mardian. Are you trying to monopolize Tina’s affection?”
“Hehe… Well, maybe?”
Mardian, Versha, and Sharione, along with all the women surrounding me, were daughters of noble families with tremendous power.
They gently stroked me with soft hands.
Patting my belly gently, tenderly running their fingers through my hair, and lovingly tickling my chin.
They treated me not as a person but as if I were a pet. Each delicate touch that passed over my body made me close my eyes quietly and smile bashfully.
“Really.. Tina is so adorable.”
“That’s right. Actually, a few days ago, I tried raising a pet dog, but it barked so aggressively that I had no choice but to abandon it by the roadside.”
“Oh my, a pet is more than enough with Tina around. Tina doesn’t bite.”
The sweet laughter of the women echoed around. I took in their laughter as background music and looked around.
Men discussing politics, women exchanging sharp words while hiding their mouths with fans, all of them adorned in extravagant garments.
A dazzling chandelier decorated the ceiling, luxurious interiors captivated the eyes, and the sweet sound of instruments mingled with the alluring scent of food, for this was the High Society.
Here, a single word could be a sharp blade, and a single glance could become an arrow in a small battlefield. Only the strong survive, while the weak are cast aside in this cruel and harsh world.
In such a fierce battleground, I was known as the “harmless pet young lady.”
It might seem odd to call a person a pet, but I preferred it this way. At such gatherings, merely going along with the flow meant money would come rolling in.
Isn’t it said that a dog’s life is a lucky life?
I certainly thought so.
Until the protagonist of this world sought to imprison me.