I Became the Mastermind Who Betrays the Heroines

[Translator - Peptobismol]

[Proofreader - Demon God]

Chapter 94 – The Rose (6)

The next day.

We found ourselves once again spending time in the dimly lit room.

The Snake, the Rose, the Little Prince, and the devoted maid.

What was usually a scene steeped in gloom had become livelier with the addition of more people.

The children sat in their respective places, engaging in conversation.

“...I can’t believe it.”

The murmur came suddenly—from none other than the maid.

A young girl who looked no older than a middle school student.

Her eyes sparkled brightly as she gazed at Elise, who lay on the bed.

She seemed astonished by her lady’s improved condition.

‘Her name… Tanya, wasn’t it?’

I had heard that Charlotte personally selected her as Elise’s exclusive maid.

Though younger than most of the other maids, Tanya’s skill and diligence rivaled those of a seasoned veteran.

Her personality, described as both cheerful and obedient, made her a natural choice.

Now, she was effectively the only maid serving Elise.

“I’m so, so relieved... sniff... You’ve been having attacks more and more lately, and I was so worried...”

Tanya spoke through tears, clearly overwhelmed with relief.

Though she hesitated to approach the bed, she stood across the room, dabbing at her eyes.

For someone so young, she carried herself with remarkable maturity.

Enduring the bristly temperament of someone like Elise was no small feat—perhaps she was even more impressive than many adults.

Her steadfast loyalty to her lady was nothing short of admirable.

“It’s such a blessing that the doctor arrived.”

She said with a bright smile.

Had Tanya been a typical maid, interrupting the conversation of high-ranking nobles would have warranted a scolding.

Yet neither of the princesses seemed to mind.

It was as if they saw her as a younger sister rather than a servant.

Given her youth and the fact that she was essentially the sole companion in the secluded annex, her interruptions were tolerated with only mild reprimands.

“Tanya.”

“I-I’m sorry! It’s just... I was so happy to see Her Highness lying there so peacefully after so long...”

Her words were so full of genuine sweetness that scolding her felt impossible.

Charlotte ultimately closed her mouth, letting out a soft sigh.

Instead, she reached for a handkerchief and gently wiped Tanya’s cheek.

“Dry your tears. No more crying.”

“Y-yes, Princess Charlotte.”

It was a scene of sisterly affection.

The two stood close together, their bond palpable.

Following my suggestion that Elise needed rest, they refrained from approaching the bed, keeping their distance.

But since we were all in the same room, their voices carried easily across the space.

While they couldn’t approach too closely due to the sensitivity of Elise’s mana, light conversation posed no issue.

Thus, they carried on their dialogue from either side of the room.

“Your Highness... Are you really feeling better?”

“Is there any part of you that still feels uncomfortable?”

Most of the conversation consisted of questions from Tanya and Charlotte.

Each word they spoke was laced with concern.

The two had already been astonished by Elise’s recovery.

Just days ago, she had been teetering on the brink of death.

Yet now, the signs of her suffering were gone.

The cold sweat that had once poured off her like rain had dried up.

The periodic attacks had ceased.

Her complexion had even regained some color.

The miraculous improvement filled them with joy.

And yet...

There was a shadow of doubt in their minds.

Her sudden recovery was so rapid that it seemed almost too good to be true.

It was only natural for them to question whether she was truly well.

I decided to let such worries pass for now—after all, this was just the beginning.

“Elise.”

“What?”

“You always said your head hurt. How is it today?”

“Not like it’s your business.”

Her voice was sharp, like the chill of winter air.

Whether out of ignorance or defiance, Elise gave a curt reply, brushing off her sister’s concern.

The thorns she had so carefully raised barred anyone from coming too close.

“...Elise.”

Charlotte hesitated but eventually relented.

Her expression remained stoic, as always, yet there was a faint glimmer of sadness beneath her composed exterior.

The sight irritated me.

I knew Elise’s stubbornness wasn’t born of true malice.

But to see her refuse even a kind word for her devoted sister—one who had sacrificed so much—was maddening.

Seated beside her, I quietly slipped my hand beneath the covers.

I intended to teach this troublesome Rose a lesson.

“Such words might hurt Princess Charlotte’s feelings.”

“Shut up.”

“Hehe.”

My hand crept under her tidy gown, seeking the warmth of her skin.

Stopping at her soft abdomen, I pressed down firmly without hesitation.

Squish.

“...?!”

Elise’s shoulders jerked instinctively.

Turning her head sharply, she fixed me with a disbelieving glare.

Her green eyes wavered like leaves caught in a storm.

“What... what are you...?”

“Treatment.”

“Why here... and now?!”

“I told you, didn’t I? I can do this whenever I please.”

Ignoring her weak protests, I leaned in and whispered brazenly into her ear.

Before she could react further, I pressed down on her abdomen again.

Squish.

“W-wait...!”

The Rose could not even voice her indignation.

She was under strict control, silenced by my lies.

After all, if someone were to witness this scene, misunderstandings would surely arise.

The nature of her treatment required close and overtly physical contact, making it easy to misinterpret.

Thus, I had ensured she couldn’t mention anything about it to others.

Caught between anger and humiliation, Elise could do nothing but endure, gritting her teeth as she waited for the ordeal to end.

To emphasize my point, I repeated the motion.

Squish.

“...Nngh.”

The atmosphere grew tense.

The room’s dim lighting and the blanket obscured my actions from the other two, who remained unaware.

The distance between us also worked to my advantage.

Meanwhile, the questions continued.

“Elise.”

“...”

“How does it feel, receiving the treatment? Do you notice any improvement?”

“...Yes. I feel it.”

Perhaps realizing that ignoring her sister would only result in further pressing, Elise finally replied.

Her unexpected, sincere response left Charlotte blinking in surprise.

Her blue eyes softened, curving into a faint, relieved smile.

It was the first time I had seen the Little Prince smile in so long.

“That’s wonderful... I’m so glad to hear that.”

Charlotte seemed overjoyed by even a single word from her sister.

If only Elise had behaved this way from the start, she might have spared her sister so much pain.

Still, it wasn’t too late.

There was plenty of time to mend these broken bonds.

After all, I intended to stay by their side for at least another year.

With enough time and patience, even the most stubborn thorns could be tamed.

Squish.

“Why again…?!”

Ah. That time had been a mistake.

“I’ll kill you... ngh... I swear I’ll kill you...”

Her venomous threat trailed off as I withdrew my hand from beneath the covers.

Surely, she had learned her lesson.

Feigning ignorance, I watched as Elise glared at me, her eyes brimming with unshed tears.

Neither Charlotte nor Tanya noticed the exchange, though they tilted their heads curiously.

“Your complexion doesn’t look good.”

“Yes, your face is red, and your breathing seems unsteady.”

“Elise... are you really alright?”

“You’re not pushing yourself too hard because of us, are you?”

“...There’s nothing wrong, so stop fussing over me.”

Elise waved off their concern with feigned indifference.

I chuckled softly, stroking her abdomen as I whispered under my breath, low enough that only she could hear.

“What a good girl you are.”

Her response came in the form of muffled curses, but I pretended not to notice.

The conversation continued as normal, punctuated by occasional chatter.

And so, we spent the rest of the time together in the dimly lit room.

***

The somewhat chaotic meeting eventually came to an end. @@novelbin@@

Elise, still in the early stages of her recovery, retired to bed early to conserve her strength.

Though her condition was improving, her body was still far from healed, leaving her easily exhausted.

Noticing this, the others left to let her rest.

While the Rose slumbered beneath her glass shell, the Snake and the Little Prince held a private discussion in the adjacent room.

“I trust you’re beginning to feel more confident.”

“...”

His voice carried through the cool air, calm and deliberate.

Charlotte sat in silence, her posture rigid.

From behind the sofa, he stepped closer, his dull golden hair brushing past her as he leaned down.

Bringing his lips close to her ear, he whispered, maintaining just enough distance to tantalize.

“Let me ask you, Your Highness.”

“...”

“Has anyone else been able to accomplish this?”

The snake posed the question gently, letting its weight sink in.

A miracle—a solution to what had been deemed an incurable curse, a nightmare beyond anyone’s ability to resolve.

Her sister, once fading, now slowly regaining life.

“And do you think anyone else will be able to do this in the future?”

Hisvoice dripped with cunning, wrapping itself around her thoughts.

Lost in contemplation, Charlotte eventually shook her head, almost absentmindedly.

“No.”

The faint murmur of denial slipped from her lips, carrying with it the first sign of trust—an unspoken acceptance of my value.

Satisfied, the snake smiled.

“Remember this.”

He continued.

“Only I can save you.”

It was all part of the plan: to exploit her exhaustion, to soothe her deepest wounds, to paint her world in his colors.

To make her incapable of surviving without him.

“You must not listen to anyone else.”

“...”

“Only I can help you, and only I will never betray your trust.”

So rely on me.

If you truly wish to save her.

His voice, dripping with sweetness, teased her resolve.

As if entranced, the Little Prince nodded, her motion tentative yet telling.

Perhaps it was the first step toward giving herself over entirely.

“Yes... I’ll trust you.”

“Only I can help you.”

“Only you... can help me.”

“Good.”

The snake’s smile deepened as he cautiously raised his hand, reaching out to touch Charlotte’s platinum hair.

He brushed it gently, as if testing the boundaries of this new bond.

She made no effort to resist, accepting his touch with ease.

For a fleeting moment, his narrow eyes flickered with a dangerous glint.

The pale orbs reflected a light that was both hypnotic and foreboding.

A sinister air hung about his lips.

“Then slowly... entrust everything to me.”

It was a line heavy with the weight of things to come.

[Translator - Peptobismol]

[Proofreader - Demon God]