Chapter 59: The villainess’ strategy

“We just met today, and this sudden pro, proposal… Even so, we need some time to get to know each other…”

The princess mumbled something, and it seemed she had misunderstood the situation.

I didn’t mean it that way.

Just as I was about to correct that meaning, the angel and the devil appeared.

The angel, with a bright smile, was presenting the right path to me.

‘Wouldn’t it be better to be honest first and then take her?’

And the devil, also made a similar suggestion to me.

‘We didn’t lie, and she misunderstood on her own. Why bother correcting it? Just take her!’

After hearing the opinions of the angel and the devil, I realized.

‘She misunderstood in my favor, so there’s no need to correct it?’

Judging by her reaction, she didn’t seem to dislike it. If I handle this well…?

I got up from my seat and moved to sit next to the princess, and she blushed, looking flustered. Was she inviting me to eat her?

“Would you believe me if I said I fell in love at first sight?”

“W-with me..? Ah, no, why…”

“Why? Shouldn’t you fall in love at first sight?”

“Th, that’s not it…”

Maybe she’s been living in the Imperial Palace because her body is weak. She still showed a weak side in the real battle.

‘If we had met a few years later, today wouldn’t have been this easy.’

I touched the princess’s soft hand, and she was surprised and tried to pull her hand away, so I quickly grabbed it.

“Love, you know, has no warning signs. They say a brush of fingertips is a connection, right? It develops from there into lovers and then into a couple.”

I will imprint it to this extent today.

I read the princess’s eyes, who was blushing and flustered.

Even in this situation, she was calculating profit and loss.

If she befriends me, the princess can get the full support of the Theres Duchy family.

Ah, this is why politics are scary. I’m just a pure-hearted person who just wants to take her.

After promising the next meeting, I left the Dia Palace, and Eve was waiting outside.

She approached me and sniffed, what’s the meaning?

“It’s not, isn’t it…?”

“No.”

She looked at me with suspicious eyes, but it wasn’t real this time.

I only flirted, so it’s a save, right?

“I’ll take you by carriage.”

I took Eve and followed the maid’s guidance to the place where the carriage was, and my older sister and younger sister had already arrived and were waiting for me.

“I’m here!”

“Our youngest is here?”

“Let’s go back.”

“Young lady, a letter arrived from the academy.”

“From the academy?”

I tore open the letter and confirmed that I was to carry out the field practice in the 2nd semester of the 2nd year in the 1st semester alone, and the location was written as the Imperial Palace.

No matter how I look at it, the Emperor seems to have used his power?

He’s wielding his power to make friends for his daughter. Is this really the Emperor of the Empire?

…From now on, I will call him Father with respect.

Of course, only in my mind.

Just then, information also arrived from the information guild, so shall we start the operation in earnest?

The operation to conquer the princess!

I told Eve to bring me a snack and sent her out, then approached the window and opened it. A dove flew from the sky.

A letter was tied to its ankle, and as soon as I retrieved it, it flew back to the sky. I opened the note and used magic, and the writing appeared.

‘Hmm, so the princess’s rank is 3rd.’

Unless I remove the Crown Prince in 1st place and the 2nd Prince in 2nd place, I can’t become the Emperor.

More than that, I discovered something that I don’t like about the Crown Prince.

‘You were the one targeting Ruby-senpai…?’

The Emperor I had met had no reason to target Ruby-senpai, and the princess couldn’t step out because she was quietly building her strength.

The 2nd Prince was said to be staying in the countryside for convalescence because of his poor health.

Then the culprit is only one person.

The Crown Prince.

And, I found decisive evidence. Did he dare ask for Ruby-senpai’s information from the information guild I operate…?

I will not leave anyone alone who touches my woman.

I burned the letter and soon after, Eve, who had gone to get a snack, returned.

“After having a snack, I’ll go to the Imperial Palace.”

“I’ll prepare the carriage.”

“Thank you.”

After eating the snack and riding the carriage to the Imperial Palace.

I had sent a message in advance, so they will be waiting for me.

How far should I advance today?

I was recalling the princess’s face, who was embarrassed yesterday, when the carriage stopped.

I opened the door and got out, and an unexpected person was waiting for me.

The Crown Prince of the Avalon Empire, who is first in line to succeed the throne, looked at me and smiled.

“To meet the young lady of the Theres Duchy family here, I’m very lucky today.”

Did he hear the news in advance?

I should let the princess know about this and clean it up thoroughly.

“This is also a coincidence, how about we have some tea together? By the way, some very good tea arrived.”

If I refuse here, I won’t be left alone.

When I replied that it was an honor, he took me to the palace where the Crown Prince lives.

There was a tea table prepared in advance in the garden right in front of the palace, and the Crown Prince told me to sit comfortably.

As I sat down, I took a sip of the tea brewed by the maid, and it tasted delicious.

“What brings the young lady of the Theres Duchy family to the Imperial Palace?”

“I visited to become the princess’s companion at the request of His Majesty the Emperor.”

“Yes, my father made such a request.”

He tapped the table with his finger and organized his thoughts, then showed me a bright smile.

‘…Ugh, men are a bit…’

“Please take good care of our sister. Her body is weak, and she lacks in her studies, so the young lady of the Theres Duchy family would be a good friend.”

“Understood.”

I got up from my seat at the words that I could leave and bowed my head. As I turned around, I reached a place out of the Crown Prince’s sight, and then I sighed.

‘Why are there only people from the same tribe in the Imperial Palace? Ah, I miss the academy.’

I should finish the conquest quickly and go back to the academy.

To my paradise.

I should also conquer the new students I’ve been eyeing.

As I was making happy imaginations, the maid’s face, who had been waiting at the door, showed a good expression and guided me.

“I’ve heard the story. I will take you right away.”

“Please.”

Following the maid’s guidance, I went into the reception room, unlike last time, and the princess, who had a cold expression, immediately changed her expression and greeted me with a bright smile.

“Welcome. I’ve heard the story. Come on in and sit down.”

Following the princess’s words, I sat right next to her, and she looked at me with a flustered face.

“No, you should sit across from me…?”

“I like it here.”

More than that, it feels like there’s a little distance. Is it just my imagination?

“Your tone is different from yesterday and today. Is it just my imagination?”

“……Let’s be comfortable.”

“That’s better! It’s the princess’s charming part!”

Her face reddens at my every word. I definitely know that she’s immune in this area.

And the conquest is easier than I thought.

“More than that, you should do some cleaning.”

“…Since it’s obvious right away, I’ll take some time and clean it up properly.”

“That’s good.”

I held the princess’s soft hand, and she was surprised but didn’t pull it away this time.

“You really like holding hands.”

“That’s normal between friends, isn’t it?”

“…….”

The princess paused for a moment and stared at me intently.

Then, she hesitated and said to me, “Are we friends…?” I grabbed both her hands tightly, and she was flustered.

“We exchanged names, and we’re on the same boat, so aren’t we friends…? Was it just me who was sincere!?”

“Th, that’s not it! I, I also want a friend like the young lady!”

“Would you call me Aria comfortably?”
“Ah, Aria…”

Her face became red and she was embarrassed. It’s so tempting.

‘…I want to pounce on her.’

I grabbed the thread of reason and brought my nose to the princess’s neck and sniffed, and she was flustered.

“What perfume do you use? It smells very good.”

“Ah, no.. this is…”

“You have a very slender waist, too!?”

“Heuk!”

She was reacting to every touch. Is she trying to seduce me on purpose?

If so, she’s a genius of seduction.

I can see from her expression that it’s not, but is she just naturally gifted?

“No, isn’t it too forward…?”

“That’s normal between friends.”

“Is that so?”