I Became the Mastermind Who Betrays the Heroines

[Translator - Peptobismol]

[Proofreader - Demon God]

Chapter 89 – The Rose (1)

Two days after my visit to headquarters, I made my way to Charlotte.

It was time to fulfill the promise I had made to her.

To avoid unnecessary attention, we agreed to meet in an uninhabited corner of the slums.

A discreet rendezvous.

“You’re here.”

“I keep my promises.”

“Mm. This way.”

A carriage was waiting in a nearby alley.

Without another word, we climbed aboard and set off toward our destination.

The scenery outside the window blurred past as the carriage moved.

I felt the vehicle sway and turned my attention to the princess seated across from me.

The reason for this summons was simple enough.

—“I’ll gladly help you, if that’s your wish.”

—“You need only trust me.”

Words I had spoken in the cathedral.

Words that had stirred something desperate in the princess.

I recalled the pleading voice and the sorrow in her gaze, all while reflecting on the original story.

The Little Prince’s wish was clear and singular:

–“I need your help.”

–“Please… save Elise.”

The Second Imperial Princess of the Empire, stricken with an incurable illness.

Her condition was terminal, her days numbered.

Charlotte prayed for a miracle, clinging to the hope that her younger sister might be saved.

It was the heartfelt wish of a sister.

Over the years, countless attempts had been made to cure Elise’s illness.

But no herb, no medicine, no miracle worker could breathe life back into the Rose.

Even the Empire’s most renowned physicians had shaken their heads in resignation.

Despite the endless failures, Charlotte refused to give up.

She cast her net far and wide, desperately searching for a cure.

Even pursuing dark magicians stemmed from this singular reason.

–“Maybe there’s a way.”

While her official purpose was eradicating cultists, she also hoped to glean clues from their confiscated research.

She had been driven to consider even forbidden knowledge.

‘The Rose has roughly one year left to live.’

It was not much time.

And with each passing day, as the end drew closer without any breakthroughs, Charlotte’s anxiety only grew.

Amid her desperation, she encountered me.

–“I don’t know what you are, but you don’t seem like a bad person.”

–“I’m just… curious about you.”

The peculiar nature of my power had piqued her interest.

Perhaps she thought I might hold the key to what she was seeking.

At first, she merely observed me, but everything changed when she saw me purify the phantom.

That moment—a miracle beyond comprehension—seemed to solidify her belief in my abilities.

‘How could she not be tempted?’

I had planned for this.

By flaunting my power more theatrically than usual, I had made an impression too strong to ignore.

For Charlotte, I must have seemed like the final beacon of hope.

‘How could she resist such bait?’

I allowed myself a small smile at the thought.

"Hehe."

As I did, Charlotte’s blue eyes, filled with rare hesitation, turned toward me.

“…Can she really be cured?”

The question hung faintly in the air.

Charlotte’s expression was unusually complex.

Her typical stoicism cracked under the weight of her worry for her sister.

I responded with a calm, reassuring smile.

“I won’t know for certain until I’ve seen her condition myself. My abilities aren’t omnipotent, after all.”

“I see.”

“Please be patient until I’ve conducted an examination.”

“Sorry. I was being hasty.”

Charlotte nodded, seemingly appeased.

I met her gaze and spoke in a gentle tone, coaxing her further.

“Rest assured, I’ll do everything I can. There’s no need for concern.”

“…Alright. I’ll trust you.”

I suppressed the smirk threatening to curl my lips, forcing a more earnest expression.

‘Trust me, dear princess. Let me lead you.’

We rode on in silence after that.

The carriage rumbled along the road for several more hours before finally arriving at our destination.

***

Meanwhile, as the Snake and the Little Prince reached the palace, the Rose lay in her room, hearing the news.

Her pale eyes turned toward the maid standing by her bedside.

“Charlotte’s coming…?”

“Yes, Your Highness. She’s heading straight to the annex without notifying His Majesty.” @@novelbin@@

“When will she get here?”

“She should arrive shortly.”

“Heh.”

The Rose let out a hollow laugh.

As she rose slightly, her long red hair spilled across her pillow.

She brushed it aside with a slow, deliberate motion, her tired green eyes fixed on the maid.

“What’s her reason this time?”

“She’s brought a new doctor, Your Highness.”

“Another pointless effort.”

“This time, she said there’s real hope…”

“I wonder how much longer she’ll keep this up. Doesn’t she ever get tired of it?”

“You shouldn’t speak of Her Highness like that…”

“What does it matter—cough!”

She broke into a sudden fit of coughing, pressing a hand to her mouth.

When she pulled it away, crimson spots marred her white sleeve.

The Rose turned her gaze away, as if the sight were too familiar to dwell on.

“Another hemorrhage… Your condition seems to be worsening lately.”

“Guess I’ll die soon.”

“Please don’t say things like that.”

“Why not? If you’re going to nag, you can leave too.”

“Y-yes, Your Highness…”

The maid’s shoulders slumped, her spirits visibly dampened.

But the Rose paid her no mind, dabbing at her bloodstained lips with a cloth.

Her face twisted into a faint grimace of irritation as she muttered under her breath.

“…Just give up already.”

Her lifeless green eyes reflected no light.

Sighing, the Rose sank back into her bed, pulling the blanket over her head.

***

We were crossing the annex grounds.

This was the haven where the Rose resided.

Unlike the grandeur of the main palace, the annex was far more modest, lacking the lavish decorations of other royal residences.

The barren garden, devoid of a single flower, was especially desolate.

“It’s awfully humble for a princess’s quarters.”

“…Yes.”

Charlotte’s tone was quiet as we walked.

To avoid unnecessary encounters, we took a hidden path.

It felt almost as if we were thieves sneaking about, but given the circumstances, there was no other choice.

The annex was not a place that welcomed outsiders.

Tap, tap, tap.

Our footsteps echoed as we traversed the narrow corridors.

Eventually, we arrived at the farthest and most secluded room.

Charlotte’s pace slowed, her lips pressing into a firm line.

“… …”

She bit her lips, her unease palpable.

After taking a deep breath, she raised her hand and knocked on the door.

Knock, knock.

The sound rang clear in the dimly lit hallway.

No response came, but Charlotte, as if used to the silence, opened the door without waiting.

“I’m coming in.”

Creak.

The hinges groaned softly as the door swung open.

The air inside was dim and heavy.

The room was sparse, clean but devoid of anything that could be called beautiful.

It existed purely to function as a room.

I surveyed the surroundings briefly as Charlotte stepped forward.

Finally, she stopped and greeted the figure lying on the bed.

“It’s been a while, Elise.”

Lying atop the blankets was a single Rose.

Long, flowing red hair, and dull green eyes heavy with fatigue.

I recognized her immediately.

‘Elise Rose von Staufen.’

She looked just as the original story had described.

The dark circles under her eyes, the pallor of her complexion—

She exuded a frail beauty that hinted at a flower on the verge of wilting in a storm.

“I greet the Second Star of the Empire.”

I said, kneeling on one knee.

It was a gesture of deference. I bowed deeply.

But—

“… …”

No response came.

Elise sat silently on the bed, her gaze sharp and unwelcoming.

Her eyes flicked between Charlotte and me, dripping with an unmistakable hostility.

Even the maid behind her swallowed nervously.

“Elise.”

“……”

“This is someone who can heal you.”

Charlotte stepped forward, perhaps trying to ease the tension.

She introduced me, her tone careful.

“You can trust him. I’ve watched him for a long time.”

Charlotte must have sensed her sister’s wariness.

And she wasn’t wrong—Elise’s hostility was evident.

However, what Charlotte had overlooked was that Elise’s animosity extended to her as well.

The Rose spoke her first words, her voice cold and sharp.

“Get out.”

Her tone was as icy as her gaze, utterly devoid of warmth for her sister.

[Translator - Peptobismol]

[Proofreader - Demon God]