Idol AU or High School AU for my next special chapter? Vote in the comments! (Reminder: the special chapter will be coming on May 26/27!!)
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Beckoning Katrina to sit down, I diligently worked my way through the knots in her straw-blonde hair with a tortoiseshell comb.
"You needn't bother, my lady," Duchess Menshikova sighed, taking the hairbrush herself. "Katrina, tell Her Grace, Lady Columbina, how grateful you are to her."
She hesitated, then tilted her head to look at me.
"T-thank you, Your Grace," she said softly.
Tucking a loose strand behind her ear, I smiled considerately. "I've always had sympathy for those such as yourself. The more I learn of this world, the more I see monstrous men who look down on us women."
"I couldn't agree more. You are still young, Lady Columbina, but you are very wise."
"In these sorts of matters, I suppose so," I responded. "I was once a famed courtesan in Liyue, you see, and as I am sure you know, the hierarchy of the pleasure district is complex. To make it to the very top as a courtesan is not a task for the light-hearted."
Duchess Menshikova nodded solemnly. "I'll be taking my leave then, and once again. You have my utmost gratitude. Until we meet again, Lady Columbina. Consider me your devoted follower."
As they exited the ballroom, I felt a sudden tap on my shoulder.
"I must admit, I was certainly not expecting a move like this from you, Columbina," Dottore complimented.
Pleased, Signora flipped out a hand fan, yawning. "Back when you were just my subordinate, you always made sure every single cadet got their rations, even if it meant all you could have was the salt at the bottom of the pot. I see your generosity hasn't changed."
"I wouldn't expect any less from my Columbina!" Childe exclaimed. "You can't help but be cute, can you?"
Scaramouche stepped forward, yanking Childe away from me, and flicked my forehead.
"Not bad, Rin."
Smiling, I curtsied.
"Thank you, Scaramouche!"
Mission success.
"Lady Columbina, I've returned," Nadezhda reported, appearing behind me in a blink of an eye.
"Good work. That half-brother of yours is really something, trying to get away with such heinous crimes as a member of the peerage."
"He always despised me because I'm not Father's legitimate child, Your Grace," she explained nonchalantly. "In truth, his mana is a disgrace to the Vitsky Clan. You couldn't manufacture half of a Delusion with all the energy in his veins."
"Somehow, I'm not surprised," I chuckled, wiping away a bloodstain on her boots. "You've proven yourself worthy of my trust. I've already asked for Lord Childe's permission, and progress on the construction of my residence has been excellent. In a few days time, you'll be living with me as my lady's companion."
She got down on one knee, adjusting her gloves. "I will serve you to the best of my ability, Your Grace."
"Now, now, there's no need to be so formal. You are my companion, not my maid, and we're at a party, not an initiation ceremony. Or is the atmosphere of the ball making you uncomfortable?" I suggested.
"It is," she replied bluntly. "My sister would be at ease here."
"It would have been delightful to meet your sister," I admitted, taking a seat. "What kind of flowers did your sister like?"
YOU ARE READING
𝙗𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜'𝙨 𝙜𝙡𝙤𝙬 // scaramouche x oc
Fanfiction--DISCONTINUED-- As the former heiress of the Yashiro Commission, Rin's past in Inazuma is . . . complex, to say the least. She was the true Shirasagi Himegimi, before her sister, Ayaka, took over that role in her stead. But when she left the nation...
