Rose (6)
The next day.
We were spending time in the same dark room.
The Snake, the Rose, the Little Prince, and even the personal maid.
Originally a scene filled with only gloom, it became quite lively as everyone gathered.
The children conversed, each seated in their respective places.
"...I can't believe it."
A voice suddenly murmured.
It was none other than the maid.
She looked to be about middle school age.
The young girl's eyes shone brightly as she gazed at Elise lying in bed.
She seemed surprised by her mistress's improved complexion.
'Her name was... Tanya, wasn't it?'
I heard Charlotte had personally assigned her as Elise's maid.
She was younger than the other maids, but her hands were as deft as a veteran's, and her personality was bright, so it seemed like an easy choice.
Her obedient nature made her the perfect fit.
Currently, she was practically Elise's only maid.
"I-It's a relief... Sniffle, I was so worried because her seizures have been more frequent lately."
She reacted with relief.
While she couldn't bring herself to approach, she stood on the opposite side, wiping away her tears.
As I'd heard, she seemed mature for her age.
Enduring the Rose's difficult personality, she was, in a way, more impressive than the adults.
Her steadfast devotion to her mistress was quite admirable.
"I'm so glad the doctor came."
Tanya smiled happily.
Normally, a common maid would have been severely scolded for interrupting a conversation between nobles, but the princesses seemed to tolerate it.
It felt more like they treated her as a younger sister.
She was truly young, and practically the only family member in the detached palace.
They simply gave her a light warning.
"Tanya."
"I-I'm sorry. I just, I, I was so happy to see Your Highness lying comfortably, it's been so long..."
She spoke so sweetly; how could anyone scold this little angel?
In the end, Charlotte closed her mouth.
She discreetly took out a handkerchief and wiped Tanya's cheeks.
"Dry your tears. Stop crying now."
"Y-Yes... Princess Charlotte."
They looked just like sisters.
The two stood side by side.
Following my advice about the need for stability, they didn't approach the bed, merely observing from a distance.
Of course, being in the same room, their voices were easily heard.
While Elise needed to be wary of others' mana, simply conversing was fine.
So, we talked, divided on opposite sides of the room.
"Y-Your Highness... Are you really alright?"
"Is there anything uncomfortable?"
Most of the questions came from Tanya and Charlotte.
Every word was laced with concern.
They were both still surprised by Rose's improved condition.
Just a few days ago, she had been on the verge of death, but today, there were no signs of suffering, the drenching cold sweats had dried, and even the periodic seizures had subsided.
They were delighted that her deteriorating condition was improving.
However, they also seemed worried.
Her sudden recovery made them wonder if she was truly alright.
It was still early stages, so I decided to let it slide.
"Elise."
"What."
"You always said you had a splitting headache. How is it today?"
"None of your business."
A cold voice brushed past.
Unaware of her sister's anxious heart, Elise only gave curt replies.
Her sharply raised thorns rejected any approach.
"...Elise."
Charlotte hesitated but eventually backed down.
Her expression was as impassive as ever, but a tinge of bitterness seemed to flicker beneath the surface.
I didn't like that.
Of course, I knew her prickly attitude wasn't her true self, but she couldn't even offer a kind word to her devoted sister.
Sitting beside her, I stealthily slipped my hand under the covers.
I planned to tease the bad child.
"My, my... That must have been hurtful for Princess Charlotte to hear."
"You stay out of this."
"Hee hee."
My hand approached softly.
The inside was awash with the girl's body heat.
Slipping past her neatly arranged top, it stopped at her abdomen, where her soft skin lay.
Then, without hesitation, I pressed my palm against her dantian.
Press
"...?!"
Her shoulders flinched momentarily.
Elise turned her head and glared at me with an incredulous look.
Her green pupils wavered like grass in the wind.
"What, are you, doing...?"
"Treatment."
"So, why are you doing that here...!"
"Didn't I tell you? I can do as I please, whenever I please."
I whispered provocative words into the ear of the slightly resisting girl. Without waiting for her reaction, I pressed on her abdomen.
Press
"W-Wait...!"
Rose couldn't let out a moan.
She was being controlled by a geas.
It would be troublesome in many ways if this were discovered. Since the treatment required such blatant contact, it could easily be misunderstood by others.
Therefore, I had placed a restriction preventing her from mentioning it.
Elise was caught between a rock and a hard place.
She could only grit her teeth until the ordeal was over, holding back her heated breath.
I repeated the action as a means of encouraging reflection.
Press
"...Uh, Uhn."
A precarious situation continued.
Because the room was dark and covered by blankets, the other two didn't seem to notice.
The distance between us also helped.
Meanwhile, the questions continued.
"Elise."
"..."
"How is the treatment? Can you feel your body getting better?"
"...Yes. I feel it."
Perhaps realizing she would be pressed every time she ignored them, the girl belatedly answered her sister's question.
Was it because of the unexpectedly compliant answer?
Charlotte blinked blankly.
Her blue eyes soon curved into a faint smile.
It was the Little Prince's smile, one I hadn't seen in a while.
"That's good... Yes. That's really good."
The girl seemed pleased by her sister's single word.
She should have done this from the start. I didn't understand why she hurt the feelings of someone so precious to her.
I supposed it was fine to correct her behavior one step at a time from now on.
I planned to keep her with me for at least another year.
I hoped it would be resolved by then.
Press
"Why this time...!"
Ah.
That was an accident.
"I'll definitely, uhn, kill you..."
Leaving behind the inevitable death threat, I stealthily withdrew my hand.
She would behave and answer properly now.
Feigning ignorance, I continued as if nothing had happened. Elise, her eyes now moist, glared at me.
Charlotte and Tanya, oblivious, only tilted their heads in confusion.
"Her complexion seems to have worsened."
"You're right. Her face is flushed, and her breathing is ragged."
"Elise... Are you really okay?"
"Are you perhaps overexerting yourself because of us?"
"...It's fine, so stop making a fuss."
Rose tried to brush off the outpouring of concern.
I smiled in praise and, continuing to stroke her stomach, whispered so softly that it was almost inaudible, "Good girl."
A few curses came back, but I maintained a nonchalant demeanor.
The conversation continued uninterrupted.
We spent our time like that in the dark room.
***
After the somewhat tumultuous visit, Elise fell asleep early to recover her strength.
Although she was receiving treatment, it was still in its initial stages, and her body remained frail.
Therefore, she was bound to tire more quickly than others, and the children, noticing this, left to allow her to rest.
While Rose was under the glass canopy, the Snake and the Little Prince had a private conversation in the next room.
"I believe you've gained some certainty."
"..."
A voice echoed through the cool air.
Charlotte sat alone.
Across the sofa sat the boy.
His dull blond hair fell behind the girl as he bowed his head and whispered in her ear.
His lips, close to her ear, maintained a dizzyingly intimate distance.
"Allow me to ask, Your Highness."
"..."
"Has there ever been anyone capable of this?"
The Snake asked about the value of the miracle he had performed. A solution to the nightmarish curse that seemed impossible to resolve, that no one had been able to cure.
The girl's younger sister was, for the first time, filled with vitality.
"Do you think there will be anyone in the future?"
His voice melted insidiously.
Lost in thought, Charlotte slowly shook her head.
"...No."
Her pale red lips murmured a denial. At the same time, those words opened her heart, marking the first step towards accepting his worth.
Knowing this, the boy twisted the corners of his lips.
"Remember this."
He continued.
"Only I can help you."
It was a process.
Exploiting her vulnerability, licking her weakest wounds, and dyeing her world with himself.
Until she could no longer live without relying on him.
"You mustn't listen to what others say."
"..."
"Only I can help you, and only I will not betray your hope."
So, rely on me.
If you want to save your sister.
His voice sweetly invaded her ears.
As if bewitched by the stimulating words, the Little Prince nodded her stiff neck.
A single gesture that perhaps pledged her entire 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 and stroked his platinum hair.
The girl accepted the touch without resistance.
His characteristic narrow eyes flashed open for a fleeting moment.
Beyond his slightly raised eyelids were white pupils, shining dangerously.
An ominous feeling flowed across his lips.
"Like this, slowly... entrust everything to me."
It was a single sentence that foreshadowed the future.
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