episode_0094

The next day.

We were spending time in the same dark room.

The Snake, Rose, the Little Prince, and even the exclusive maid.

Although it was originally a scene filled only with melancholy, as they gathered one by one, it became quite lively.

The children sat in their respective spots and chatted.

“……I can’t believe it.”

A voice suddenly murmured.

It was none other than the maid.

Her appearance suggested she was only around middle school age.

The young girl’s eyes sparkled brightly, and she gazed at Elize, who was lying in bed.

It seemed she was surprised by her master’s improved complexion.

‘Her name was… Tanya, wasn’t it?’

I heard Charlotte herself assigned her as the exclusive maid.

Though younger than the other maids, she was as skilled as a veteran and had a bright personality, so it felt like she was chosen without hesitation.

They also said her personality was obedient, making her the perfect talent.

For now, she was practically the only maid in charge of Elize.

“It-it’s a relief… sniffle, I was worried because her seizures have been frequent lately.”

It was a reaction of relief.

She couldn’t bring herself to approach, but stood on the opposite side, wiping away tears.

Just as I’d heard, she seemed mature for her age.

Enduring Rose’s temper, in a way, one might say she was more amazing than the adults.

Her brave protection of her master was quite admirable.

“It’s such a relief that Doctor-nim came.”

Tanya smiled as if pleased.

Normally, if she were a typical maid, she would have been severely scolded for interrupting the conversation of high-ranking individuals, but it seemed all the princesses tolerated and overlooked it.

It’s like they treated her like a younger sibling.

She was truly young, and practically the only family member in the detached palace.

They merely gave her a light warning.

“Tanya.”

“So-sorry. I just, Your, Your Royal Highness, it’s been so long since I’ve seen you lying comfortably, so I was happy……”

She only chose such pretty words; how could anyone scold this little angel?

In the end, Charlotte closed the mouth she had opened.

She subtly took out a handkerchief and wiped her cheek.

“Wipe your tears. Stop crying now.”

“Yes, yes… Your Royal Highness Charlotte.”

A picture of undeniable sisters.

The two stood side by side.

Following my words that she needed rest, she couldn’t approach the bed, but merely gazed from a distance.

Of course, since it was the same room, their voices were clearly heard.

They had to be wary of others’ mana, but merely talking was fine.

So we conversed, divided into two sides.

“Your, Your Royal Highness… are you really alright?”

“Is there any part that’s uncomfortable?”

Most of the questions came from Tanya and Charlotte.

Every word was full of concern.

The two were already surprised by Rose’s improved condition.

Just a few days ago, she was clearly on the brink of death, but today, there was no sign of distress, the cold sweat that flowed like rain had dried, and even the periodic seizures were quiet.

It was a happy reaction to her condition improving after only deteriorating.

However.

On the other hand, there seemed to be some worry.

She was recovering her strength so suddenly that they wondered if she was truly alright.

Since it was still the beginning, I decided to let it be.

“Elize.”

“What.”

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

“It’s nothing to worry about.”

A voice that brushed like a cold wind.

As if unaware of her older sister’s anxious heart, Elize only gave uncooperative answers.

The sharply raised thorns rejected others’ approach.

“……Elize.”

Charlotte hesitated but eventually stepped back.

Her expression was as blunt as ever, but a unique bitterness seemed to show through it.

I didn’t like that.

Of course, I knew her twisted attitude wasn’t genuine, but she couldn’t even say one kind word to such a devoted sister.

I, who was sitting next to her, secretly put my hand under the blanket.

I intended to tease the naughty child.

“Oh dear… Your Royal Highness Charlotte might be upset to hear that.”

“You shut up.”

“Hehe.”

A gently approaching hand.

Inside, it was saturated with the girl’s body heat.

It burrowed under her neat top, stopping at her abdomen where soft skin resided.

Then, without hesitation, I pressed her dantian with my palm.

Press.

“……?!”

Her shoulders flinched momentarily.

Elize, who turned her head next, glared at me with an incredulous look.

Her green pupils wavered like grass swaying in the wind.

“You, now, what are you…?”

“It’s treatment.”

“So, why are you doing that here…!”

“Didn’t I tell you? That I could do it whenever I wanted.”

I whispered explicit words into the ear of the subtly resisting girl.

Without waiting for a continuous reaction, I pressed her abdomen.

Press.

“Wai-wait…!”

Rose couldn’t bring herself to utter a groan.

Because she was being controlled by a lie.

If this situation were exposed, it would be difficult in many ways.

Since the treatment required explicit contact, it was easily misunderstood by others.

Therefore, I had imposed a restriction preventing any mention of it.

Elize was stuck, unable to do anything.

She could only grit her teeth, holding her heated breath, until the punishment passed.

I repeated it as a way to make her reflect.

Press.

“……Ugh, huff.”

A precarious situation continued.

Perhaps because the room was dark and covered by the blanket, the other two didn’t seem to notice.

The distance also played a part.

Meanwhile, questions kept coming.

“Elize.”

“……”

“How’s the treatment? Do you feel your body improving?”

“……Yes. I feel it.”

Perhaps realizing she’d be pressed whenever she ignored it, the girl belatedly added an answer to her older sister’s question.

Was it because of the obedient answer she hadn’t expected at all?

Charlotte blinked blankly.

Her blue eyes soon formed an arc, curving into a faint smile.

It was the Little Prince’s smile, seen after a long time.

“What a relief… Yes. It’s truly a relief.”

The girl seemed pleased by just one word from her younger sister.

It would have been better if she had done this earlier; I don’t know why she hurt the heart of someone so precious.

From now on, we can correct things one by one, right?

I planned to keep her for at least another year.

I hoped it would be resolved by then.

Press.

“Why this time…!”

Ah.

This time, it was by mistake.

“You will definitely, ugh, kill you…”

Leaving behind the usual murder threat, I subtly withdrew the hand I had inserted.

Now she’ll come to her senses and answer well, right?

When I feigned innocence as if nothing had happened, Elize was there, glaring at me with eyes that had somehow become moist.

Charlotte and Tanya, knowing nothing, merely tilted their heads.

“Her complexion seems to have worsened.”

“That’s right. Her face is flushed, and her breathing has become ragged.”

“Elize… are you really okay?”

“You’re not overexerting yourself because of us, are you?”

“……There’s no problem, so stop making such a fuss.”

Rose, trying hard to dismiss the pouring concerns.

I smiled in praise, then stroked her abdomen and whispered.

So softly it couldn’t be heard.

“Such a good girl.”

A few curses came back, but I continued with a sly response.

A few more words of conversation continued without stopping.

We spent time in that dark room.

***

A somewhat noisy visit.

Elize fell asleep early to recover her strength.

Although she was receiving treatment.

As it was only the initial stage, her body remained in a terrible state.

Because of this, she tired faster than others, and the children, noticing this, made way for her to rest.

As Rose lay under the glass cover.

The Snake and the Little Prince were having a private audience in the next room.

“I believe you’ve gained a bit of certainty.”

“……”

A voice reverberated through the cool air.

Charlotte sat idly.

Beyond the sofa, the boy was seated.

His dull blond hair stood behind the girl, then he bowed his head and whispered into her ear.

His close lips maintained a dizzying proximity.

“May I ask, Your Royal Highness.”

“……”

“Has there ever been anyone capable of something like this until now?”

The Snake asked.

About the value of the miracle he had shown.

A solution for a nightmare-like curse that seemed utterly impossible to resolve, one that no one had actually been able to fix.

The girl’s younger sister embraced vitality for the first time.

“Do you think there will be in the future?”

A voice that cunningly melted in.

Charlotte, who had been lost in thought, then shook her head blankly.

“……No.”

Her pale red lips murmured a denial.

At the same time, that sentence was the first step to opening her heart and accepting the value of his existence.

Knowing that fact, the boy twisted his lips.

“Remember this.”

He continued.

“That only I can help you.”

It was a process.

A process of digging into weary gaps, licking the weakest wounds, and dyeing the opponent’s world with oneself.

So that they could no longer live without relying on him.

“You must not listen to others’ words.”

“……”

“Only I can help you, and only I will not betray your hopes.”

“So you can rely on me.”

“If you wish to save Your Royal Highness.”

A voice sweetly ravaging her ears.

As if captivated by the provocative words, the Little Prince nodded her stiff head.

Perhaps a single gesture that entirely devoted her future.

“Yes… I’ll trust you.”

“Only I can help you.”

“Only you… can help me.”

“Good.”

The Snake wore a satisfied smile.

The girl carefully raised her hand, then gently stroked his platinum-blond hair.

The boy accepted it without any particular resistance.

His characteristic narrowed eyes glinted for a fleeting moment.

Beyond his slightly open eyelids, dangerous white pupils gleamed.

An ominousness flowed around his mouth.

“Just like that, slowly… you can entrust everything to me.”

It was a single phrase that implied the future.