Chapter 94
The next day.
We were spending time in the same dark room.
The snake, the rose, the little prince, and the personal maid.
Though it was originally a scene full of gloom, as they gathered one by one, it became quite a lively scene.
The children conversed while seated in their respective places.
"...I can't believe it."
A voice suddenly muttering.
It was none other than the maid.
An appearance that looked like a middle school student at most.
The young girl brightened her eyes and stared at Elise lying on the bed.
She seemed surprised at her mistress's improved complexion.
'Her name was... Tanya, wasn't it?'
I heard she was personally assigned by Charlotte.
Though younger than other maids, her hands were as capable as veterans, and her personality was bright, so it seemed she was chosen without hesitation.
They said her personality was also obedient, so she was a perfectly fitting talent.
For now, she was practically the only maid in charge of Elise.
"Th-Thank goodness... *sniff*, I was worried because her seizures had been increasing recently."
A reaction of relief.
Though unable to approach closely, she stood on the opposite side wiping her tears.
As I had heard, she gave a mature impression for her age.
Perhaps because she was enduring the rose's terrible personality, in some ways she could be called more amazing than adults.
Her bravely staying by her mistress's side was quite admirable.
"I'm so glad the doctor came."
Tanya smiling as if happy.
Originally, if she were an ordinary maid, she would have been severely scolded from the point of interrupting the conversation of high-ranking people, but the atmosphere seemed to be that all the princesses allowed and overlooked it.
It felt strongly like they treated her as a younger sister.
She really was young, and she was practically the only family member in the detached palace.
It stopped at lightly cautioning her.
"Tanya."
"I-I'm sorry. I just, it's been so long since I've seen Her Highness lying comfortably, so I was happy..."
How could this little angel who only chose pretty words be scolded?
In the end, Charlotte closed her mouth that she had opened.
She wiped the girl's cheek with a handkerchief she had quietly taken out.
"Wipe your tears. Stop crying now."
"Y-Yes... Your Highness Charlotte."
The appearance of unmistakable sisters.
The two stood side by side.
Following my words that stability was needed, they couldn't approach near the bed, and were only looking from afar.
Of course, even so, they were in the same room, so voices were well heard.
It was just others' mana that needed to be wary of, talking to this extent wasn't particularly a problem.
We conversed like that, divided on both sides.
"Y-Your Highness... Are you really alright?"
"Is there any discomfort anywhere?"
Most were questions from Tanya and Charlotte.
Every word was concerning.
The two were already surprised at the rose's improved appearance.
Though she had clearly been on the verge of death just a few days ago, today there was no sign of suffering, the cold sweat that had flowed like rain had dried, and even the periodic seizures were quiet.
They were happy reactions as her condition that had only been worsening was improving.
However,
On the other hand, they seemed worried too.
As she was regaining her strength too suddenly, they doubted if it was really alright.
I decided to let it pass as it was still early.
"Elise."
"What."
"You always said your head was throbbing. How is it today?"
"There's nothing for you to worry about."
A voice brushed by the cold wind.
Not knowing her sister's anxious heart, Elise was only returning deviant answers.
Her sharply raised thorns refused others' approach.
"...Elise."
Charlotte hesitated but eventually retreated.
Though her expression was blunt as always, bitterness seemed to shine through particularly.
I didn't like that.
Of course, I knew her twisted attitude wasn't sincere, but to not be able to say one kind word to such a devoted older sister.
I secretly put my hand into the blanket while sitting beside her.
I intended to tease the bad child.
"My... Your Highness Charlotte must feel hurt hearing that."
"You shut up."
"Huhu."
A hand gently approaching.
The inside was drenched in the girl's body heat.
It burrowed into her neatly worn top and stopped at her abdomen where soft skin was located.
Then it pressed her lower abdomen with its palm without hesitation.
Squeeze-.
"...?!"
Her shoulders twitched momentarily.
Then Elise turned her head and glared this way with eyes as if she couldn't believe it.
Her green pupils shook like foliage blown in the wind.
"You, what are you doing now...?"
"Treatment."
"So why are you doing that here...!"
"Didn't I tell you? That I can do whatever I want anytime."
I whispered blatant words into the ear of the girl who was slightly resisting.
Without waiting for her continued reaction, I pressed her stomach.
Squeeze-.
"W-Wait...!"
The rose couldn't let out a moan.
Because she was being controlled by lies.
It would be troublesome in many ways if this state was discovered.
As the treatment required blatant contact from the start, it was easy to be misunderstood when seen by others.
Therefore, I had placed a restriction that she couldn't mention this at all.
Elise couldn't do this or that.
She could only grind her teeth while holding her heated breath until the bee passed.
I repeated as if to mean she should reflect.
Squeeze-.
"...Uu, ugh."
A precariously continuing situation.
Perhaps because the room was dark and covered by the blanket, the other two people didn't seem to notice.
The distance being far also played a part.
Questions continued to come in the meantime.
"Elise."
"......"
"How's receiving treatment? Do you feel your body getting better?"
"...Yes. I feel it."
Perhaps realizing she would be pressed each time she ignored, the girl belatedly added an answer to her sister's question.
Perhaps because of the unexpectedly docile answer.
Charlotte blinked blankly.
Her blue eyes soon drew an arc and smiled faintly.
It was the little prince's smile after a long time.
"I'm glad... Yes. I'm really glad."
A girl who seemed pleased even with one word from her sister.
It would have been good if she had been like this from the start, I don't know why she hurts the heart of her precious person.
From now on, it could be corrected one by one.
I was thinking of keeping her for at least a year anyway.
I hoped it would be resolved during that time.
Squeeze-.
"Why this time...!"
Ah.
This time was by mistake.
"I will definitely, ugh, kill you..."
Leaving behind the unfailing death threat, I quietly removed the hand I had inserted.
Now she should come to her senses and answer well.
As I was pretending nothing had happened, there was Elise glaring this way with eyes that had become moist.
Charlotte and Tanya who knew nothing only tilted their heads.
"Your complexion seems to have worsened."
"That's right. Your face is red, and your breathing has become rough too."
"Elise... Are you really okay?"
"You're not pushing yourself because of us, are you?"
"...There's no problem, so stop making a fuss."
The rose tred to brush off the pouring worry.
I smiled as if to praise, then stroked her stomach and whispered.
So quietly it couldn't be heard.
"Good girl."
A few swear words returned, but I consistently gave a brazen response.
A few words of conversation continuing without stopping.
We spent time like that in the dark room.
***
A somewhat noisy visit.
Elise went to sleep early to recover her strength.
Though she was receiving treatment.
As it was still at the level of taking the first step, her body being a mess remained the same.
Therefore, she couldn't help but tire faster than others, and the children who noticed vacated their seats for her to rest.
While the rose was wearing a glass cover like that.
The snake and the little prince were having a private meeting in the next room.
"I believe you will have gained some confidence."
"......"
A voice ringing out riding the chilly air.
Charlotte sat alone.
Beyond the sofa, the boy was seated.
The dull blonde hair stood behind the girl, then soon lowered his head and whispered in her ear.
His lips close by maintaining a dizzying distance.
"Let me ask you, Your Highness."
"......"
"Has there been anyone capable of this until now?"
The snake asked.
About the value of the miracle he had shown.
A solution to the nightmarish curse that seemed impossible to solve, that actually no one had been able to cure.
The girl's sister was gaining vitality for the first time.
"Do you think there will be others in the future?"
A voice melting craftily.
Charlotte, who had been lost in thought, soon blankly shook her head.
"...No."
Her rose-colored lips muttered denial.
At the same time, that sentence was also the first step in opening her heart and accepting his existence's value.
Knowing this fact, the boy twisted the corners of his mouth.
"Remember."
He continued.
"The fact that only I can help you."
It was a process.
A process of burrowing into tired gaps, licking the weakest wounds, and dyeing the other's world with himself.
So that they cannot live without relying on him from now on.
"You mustn't listen to others' words."
"......"
"Only I can help you, and only I won't betray your hope."
So you can rely on me.
If you want to save Your Highness.
A voice sweetly violated her ear.
As if entranced by the stimulating words, the little prince nodded her stiffened head.
Perhaps a single gesture dedicating her entire future.
"Yes... I'll believe you."
"Only I can help you."
"Only you... can help me."
"Good."
The snake held a satisfied smile.
The girl carefully raised her hand, then stroked the platinum blonde hair just like that.
The girl accepting without any particular resistance.
His characteristic slit eyes flashed for a fleeting moment.
What was visible beyond his slightly opened eyelids was white pupils shining dangerously.
Ominousness flowed along his lips.
"Like that, slowly... you can entrust everything to me."
It was a word implying the future.