Chapter 169: Pretty New Girl

I calmly opened my mouth while meeting the gaze of Rushel, whose eyes were glistening with lust.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t do that.”

“…What?”

Rushel’s eyebrows furrowed deeply. My answer seemed to have upset her, and her expression stiffened instantly.

“Kid, it won’t do you any good to irritate me here.”

Her voice carried a tone of threat, a warning she didn’t even try to hide.

But I maintained my composure, smiling gently. With an innocent expression, I even took a step closer to her.

“I would prefer not to engage in an unhealthy relationship.”

Rushel’s face twisted further. But before she could react, I spoke first.

“I want to get to know you, Rushel, in a healthy way.”

“…Healthy?”

A puzzled look spread across her face.

“I didn’t want to say this because it’s embarrassing, but…”

I blushed and cautiously looked up at her.

“Rushel, you’re truly beautiful. You resemble the princesses I used to see in fairy tales when I was little…”

The emotion that flashed across Rushel’s red eyes shifted from confusion to embarrassment.

“So… even if we were to share our bodies, I would want to do it romantically… when I truly come to like you, I want to offer myself to you.”

“What, are you trying to have a pure, innocent romance or something?”

“R-Rushel… if it’s possible to have such a relationship with you… I think it would be nice.”

“Heh.”

Rushel snorted in disbelief.

But there was a subtle quiver at the corner of her mouth. As if she didn’t find the situation all that bad.

“I… I want to get to know you slowly, Rushel.”

I carefully took her hand. It would have been considered a breach of etiquette in the Empire, but things were different in the free-spirited Märchen.

“You want to get to know me slowly?”

“I want to have slow conversations with you here, gradually look into each other’s eyes… and someday… when I’m in your bedroom…”

I blushed, like a girl who had just fallen in love for the first time, avoiding her gaze.

“…You’re acting cute, aren’t you?”

Rushel narrowed her eyes with a playful smile.

A faint blush spread across her pale, powdered cheeks.

“But tell me… are you trying to use me to get closer to Black Rose?”

She wasn’t entirely naive.

No, it was only natural. A fool wouldn’t be able to earn Mardian’s favor.

“I actually came here because I wanted to meet Black Rose. I’m a big fan of hers.”

“…A fan?”

“I got completely hooked on the works that Black Rose created. So, I really wanted to have a conversation with them… and that’s why I came to find you.”

While still holding her hand, I took a step closer.

The strong scent of perfume was so intense it almost stung my nose.

But I didn’t show any sign of discomfort. Instead, I gave a bright, innocent smile.

“I’m really glad I came. Because I’ve met someone far more wonderful than Black Rose—like a prince from a fairy tale.”

“……”

Complicated emotions flickered in Rushel’s eyes.

But it was clear she still didn’t completely trust me.

“You might think that I came here just to get something out of Black Rose, like some crumbs, right?”

“I know exactly what you’re getting at.”

“Then I’ll prove you wrong—that’s not why I’m here.”

“How?”

Rushel raised an eyebrow slightly.

“Even if Black Rose gives me a gift, I’ll give it all to you, Rushel.”

“……What?”

“I want to give everything I receive here to you.”

From the look in her eyes, it was obvious she was a greedy woman.

With someone like her, a single gold coin would be more effective than a hundred words.

“Is that really true?”

“Yes. If I break my promise, feel free to throw me out of here.”

Only then did the suspicion in Rushel’s eyes slowly fade away, thanks to my firm attitude.

“You might actually be a pretty admirable kid.”

She smiled brightly and gently patted my head.

“You’re also quite lovable.”

Rushel wrapped her arms around my waist and naturally pulled me into her embrace.

As the heavy scent of perfume brushed my nose, she whispered softly.

“Alright. I suppose slowly building a relationship isn’t such a bad idea.”

Her slow, clingy voice tickled my ear.

“I’ll be waiting for the day you step into my bedroom on your own.”

Her gaze was thick with something ominous.

I intentionally blushed and looked away from her eyes.

“Y-Yes… thank you, Rushel…”

“Call me ‘Senpai.’”

I really didn’t want to call her that, though.

“Y-Yes, Senpai.”

“Hehe, good. You’d better keep your promise.”

With that final word of caution, Rushel gently released me from her embrace.

“Alright, then, let me show you around the mansion.”

She turned around, smiling brightly, and I quietly followed her. She still wore that innocent, carefree smile on her face.

I wonder if she knows.

The moment any of the things I received fall into her hands, it would be as if she had a hold over me, a weakness.

No, if I could think that far ahead, she wouldn’t have accepted me so easily in the first place.

Anyway, it looks like I’ve gained a solid helper… or rather, a reliable pawn.

She’s definitely sticking close to Lord Mardián with some kind of ulterior motive, probably eyeing his wealth…

I don’t want to see Lord Mardian taken advantage of.

And once she’s no longer useful…

Maybe I’ll just throw her away.

“Heh-ck.”

My sudden hiccup made Rushel stop in her tracks and turn to look at me.

“What’s wrong, kid?”

I met her puzzled gaze and quickly smiled, waving my hand.

“Oh, no, it’s nothing. Just… a hiccup, that’s all…”

“Hmm. I’ll get you a glass of water once we go inside.”

Luckily, Rushel didn’t seem to suspect anything and continued walking.

I breathed a sigh of relief, though I felt slightly embarrassed and pinched my cheek in mild frustration.

“Ah, not this bad habit again…!”

I almost acted reflexively, as I was used to behaving a certain way in social circles.

Focus, Tina. You’re not that person anymore.

You promised you wouldn’t hurt others, so why are you already thinking about harming someone?

“…This is all Nia’s fault.”

Blaming my innocent childhood friend for everything, I followed Rushel through the garden, wearing a faint smile.