Chapter 5

"──So, what will the 'villainous lady' do next?"

"Rose, are you playing around with some strange game again? What are you and Richard up to?"

This is the office of Prince Richard... no, His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince. My brother is here too.

"Brother, I’m not playing around. Please don’t say 'again.'"

I retorted sharply and took a sip of the fragrant tea worthy of the royal palace. The refreshing aroma of the tea filled my nose and moistened my tongue.

──What an elegant... and uncomfortable space.

Let me explain why I, who am (barely) still the fiancée of the Third Prince, am in the Crown Prince's office.

＊

Let's rewind to this morning.

Today is a holiday at the academy, and it's also the day I, (barely) the Third Prince's fiancée, go to the palace for princess education.

If everything had gone smoothly, I was supposed to become Prince Rihito's consort after graduating from the academy, but now everything is heading towards destruction.

All my efforts have been in vain. Everything I've worked hard for since childhood to be of service to Prince Rihito has been reduced to nothing.

Going to the palace from now on is also a waste, and everything I have will turn to dust and return to the earth...

I was lying on the bed, wallowing in despair like a tragic heroine, but the efficient maids had everything ready on time. One of my excuses, that I wasn't prepared, was eliminated.

There's no choice. I thought about pretending to be sick, but before I knew it, I was put in a carriage with my brother, who was heading to the palace, and we arrived at the palace in no time.

This isn't what you call 'coercion,' right? I've read about it in books!

Instead of being led to the usual room for princess education, I was taken to the Crown Prince's office.

＊

His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince, who is supposed to be busy, is excitedly eager to discuss the next moves of the villainous lady. However, after the initial battle, my heart is in shreds. I need time to heal.

I silently returned the beautifully crafted teacup, made by a royal craftsman, to the saucer. I opened my eyes, straightened my posture, and turned to face the Crown Prince.

"──We can talk about that later. I came to the palace today to study."

"For what?"

The handsome Crown Prince is as beautiful as ever today. He has a good face. Looking at his face, I can't help but think of Prince Rihito, which is painful. It's painful to see a handsome prince I love so much.

"W-What for... princess education, of course!"

"Then it's unnecessary."

A prince-type handsome man like Prince Rihito! Unnecessary!! That's a forbidden word right now!!

Tears I thought I had already shed started to flow again.

"Ugh..."

"No, no, I'm sorry. I heard that Rose has already completed her princess education?"

"Wh-What?"

What do you mean? I've completed my princess education...?

No, no, that can't be. There were still things to do, right? I still need to improve my foreign language skills, and there are so many things I need to do and learn!

...Well, I don't really need them, I guess!

Ah, tears again...

"I'm not aiming to be a bureaucrat."

I took the handkerchief from the Crown Prince and turned my face away. There's no choice. For the next three years, seeing a handsome prince-type man will be painful. The only path left for me might be to admire a wild, ruggedly handsome man.

"Right. Rose is aiming to be a villainous lady, the best in history, right?"

The tone of the Crown Prince's voice changed. It had a slight edge to it.

"...Yes."

Sensing the sudden ominous atmosphere, I looked up to see a handsome man smiling darkly, like a demon.

Eek!!

A demon... no, the Crown Prince, smiled in a way that would make a villain run away barefoot and continued.

"──Then from now on, while we discuss the strategy for the 'best villainous lady in history,' can you also help me with my work on holidays?"

"Wh-What!?"

"I want to support Rose in her role as a villainous lady. If you want to do what you want, you have to do what needs to be done. Do you understand?"

"That... I understand...? But...?"

"Then this is a deal. I will help Rose become the best villainous lady in history, and Rose will help me with my work. It's perfect. Flawless."

The Crown Prince's cool voice fell in the office.

My eyes, and those of my brother who had been silently listening, were wide open.

What is he talking about...

"No, no, Your Highness..."

"Richard. You can call me Brother, too."

"Your Highness, well..."

"Richard."

"...Richard. I don't need your help..."

"Didn't it go well yesterday?"

"...It did."

"Could Rose have become such a magnificent villain on her own...? Do you have that much confidence?"

"...But..."

"From what I saw, you were just hiding in the grass and watching..."

"...B-But..."

"If you can do it on your own, that's fine. 'The best villainous lady in history.'"

I couldn't say a word.

Indeed, the villainous lady supervised by Prince Richard the other day was very... cool. I was able to become the dignified villainous lady I had imagined. If Prince Richard helps me, it would be like having a hundred men on my side. I think so, but...

"But, I... I don't think I can assist the Crown Prince in his work..."

Even if Prince Richard, the Crown Prince, helps me, I have nothing to offer him in return. To put it bluntly, I lack confidence. After all, I'm just a woman who will be betrayed by her fiancé and return to the earth...

"──Huh. The best villainous lady in history is surprised. Can't you say, 'If I can't do it, I'll make myself able to do it'?"

Prince Richard's expression became blank, as if he could see through my heart, and he said in a low, cold voice. His voice really sounded disappointed, and it rubbed my wounded heart the wrong way.

"Wh-What...!"

"Is your bravado just talk? How can you call yourself the best in history? Ha! A miserable loser barks a lot."

What...?

What...!?

Just because you're a prince-type handsome man I like!

Just because you were born into the royal family by luck!

Just because you're the Crown Prince!

The heart that had been sulking and shrinking swelled with anger.

My throat burned, my hair stood on end, and my fists clenched.

"──How rude! Don't mock me! I can do what Prince Richard can do! I will become the best! The best villainous lady! I'll show you a pitiful dog!"

I stood up abruptly and declared to the impolite Crown Prince.

My brother's face turned pale, and his mouth opened in surprise, while the impolite Crown Prince opened his eyes slightly and smiled brightly, his beautiful face blooming.

"Haha! Just as expected of Rose. You're so cool, I could fall in love with you. Then, the deal is sealed."

I wonder if I've been tricked by the demon's words.