I Became the Absolute Hidden Villainess Princess of the Academy

A Slightly Dangerous Combination (2)

A palace-like mansion standing tall within the Imperial Academy.

Rumors about this estate had already spread far and wide.

Some said it was built because the Emperor adored his youngest daughter too much to let her stay in a dormitory.

Others whispered that the Third Princess suffered from some fragile mental state and couldn't handle communal living, so the Academy had provided it for her.

And then there were those who claimed that Esti had cutely whined about wanting to live with Louis, the heir of House Blézer, until she got her way.

Freshmen, upperclassmen, even professors—everyone had gossiped about the mansion at least once.

And today—

Schefor’s belongings were being moved from the dormitory to that very mansion.

Someone jokingly remarked:

At this rate, the mansion would house a commoner, a noble, and a princess.

Along with one rather infamous male from House Blézer.

—Three women and one man? Sounds like a harem.

Of course, no one dared to say such things openly, and it remained nothing more than a whispered joke among the more mischievous students.

But if Louis had heard it, he would have thought something like this:

‘Even if I’m not the protagonist of this harem, the situation is still close enough.’

Because this mansion—

Was Esti’s paradise, where she surrounded herself with her women.

‘Of course, the three of them doing anything together would be a bit much… But still, Esti must have been really starved for love to go this far. As her friend, I should support her.’

…A complete misunderstanding on Louis’s part, but regardless.

While the three women headed off for their so-called bonding bath, Louis was busy with another matter.

Ensuring the servants kept their mouths shut.

"Hmm? Lord Louis? Is something the matter—"

"You there. The maids attending Esti’s bath. You’re all loyal to Esti, right?"

"Yes. Everyone stationed in this estate is devoted to the Imperial Family—"

‘Tch. As expected.’

The reason Louis was bringing up loyalty was simple.

If Esti’s preferences were ever exposed…

The Empire wouldn’t tolerate love between women, and she would be ridiculed.

And her fragile happiness would be crushed before it could even bloom.

Especially today—when she had gone into the bath not with one woman, but two.

If rumors spread, it would be a catastrophe.

A princess, bathing with two women at once?

She wouldn’t just be labeled a deviant—she’d be slandered as a libertine.

Surely, Esti had taken precautions herself…

But it wouldn’t hurt to reinforce them under the name of House Blézer.

Which was why Louis acted as soon as the three disappeared into the bath.

"Forget the Imperial Family. Be loyal to Esti herself."

"…Excuse me?"

"Not treason. Just… make sure Esti is happy. That’s all."

"I don’t understand."

"You don’t need to do anything drastic. Just stop reporting every little thing. Whether she ate a few extra cookies today or took a bath with someone… Does she really need that sort of scrutiny?"

A firm smile graced Louis’s lips.

"Let her have peace here. Let her be happy. As the heir of Blézer, I ask this of you."

"Ah…? Heh. Understood, Lord Louis."

‘The little lord is working so hard for the Princess’s sake? Adorable.’

‘Does he really think we report on who she bathes with? How innocent.’

…Of course, all this talk of preferences was entirely Louis’s own misunderstanding.

Objectively, he was just being an overprotective fool.

But Louis remained blissfully unaware of that.

***

Meanwhile, inside the mansion’s bathhouse.

The three women, whom Louis worried about so much…

Were simply enjoying a peaceful bath.

"Hwaa~ How is it, Schefor? Isn’t this bath amazing?"

"…Yes, Esti."

With attendants assisting them, Esti relaxed as usual, eyes closed in her pamper me mode.

Seeing this, Schefor looked more solemn than she had all day.

She had an expression almost as pained as Louis’s when he grumbled about Esti being “not yet ripe.”

It was understandable.

‘She keeps her eyes tightly shut… She must hate seeing herself so much… She looks like she’s about to cry…!!’

To Schefor, Esti wasn’t just closing her eyes—she was a tragic girl who couldn’t bear to look at herself.

It was worse than she had thought.

She had known Esti disliked wearing skirts, but to the point of being unable to face her own reflection?

She was fighting back tears just thinking about it.

Anyone who had seen Esti today wouldn’t be able to huff and gasp over her cuteness now.

Even Vernone’s deep-rooted instincts for adoring small things were powerless before such overwhelming melancholy.

Irene, on the other hand, merely observed the situation.

—Stare.

‘Huh. I thought she might be that way…’

Given how flustered Schefor had been earlier, Irene had hoped she might have certain inclinations.

But now, with everyone stark naked—

Irene could tell.

Schefor wasn’t interested in women that way.

‘Guess not. Figures. It’s not that common. And among noblewomen? Even less so.’

She was right.

Vernone’s fascination with small, adorable things was real, but it was purely aesthetic.

Liking cute things and liking cute things were two very different matters.

…Even if their obsession did seem borderline deranged at times.

So Irene behaved herself.

After all, as a commoner, she knew better than to mess with an uninterested noble.

—Stare.

‘A shame. She’s exactly my type.’

…Of course, that didn’t mean she wasn’t thoroughly enjoying the view.

Schefor remained oblivious, too busy feeling sorry for Esti.

—Mutter.

"Esti… you’re so pitiful…"

And Esti?

She was just splashing around.

"Hehe~."

‘How many benefits have I gained just from one bath? Heh. I really am a villainess mastermind!’

And so, despite their dangerous combination, the three finished their bath without incident.

Contrary to Louis’s wild imagination, no one so much as brushed against another.

***

After a refreshing bath, a minor commotion broke out.

The attendants had brought an overwhelming number of outfits.

"Princess, how about this dress? I believe it would suit you perfectly."

"Ugh…"

‘Louis is gonna lose it again.’

Irene held up dress after dress as if I were her personal doll.

Her eyes burned with determination.

She was going to get me into one of these dresses.

…I mean, if Irene really wanted me to, I could wear one.

It was a bit uncomfortable, but it wasn’t impossible.

The real issue?

I was worried Louis would Blézer again.

The progress I made today between him and Irene?

One “She’s not ripe yet” from him and it’d all come crashing down.

So I forced an awkward smile.

An indirect way of declining.

"Hehe… It wouldn’t suit me. Maybe Irene or Schefor, but not me."

"‘Someone like me’… Sniff. Esti… so pitiful…!"

"……?"

‘Why is she reacting like this?’

Schefor covered her mouth, tears welling up.

…Was she sad that I wouldn’t wear it?

Because she was from House Vernone, known for loving cute things?

I stared at her in disbelief before sighing and taking the dress.

‘Well. Sorry, Louis. You’ll be suffering tonight.’

"If I have to wear it—"

—Snatch.

"N-No! You really don’t have to!!!"

"……?"

‘Why is she panicking now?’

Schefor snatched the dress right out of my hands.

I blinked at her in confusion as she exchanged glances with Irene.

She arched her brow, as if questioning Irene’s decision-making.

—Shake, shake.

—Shrug.

‘…What are they doing?’

Schefor shook her head, and Irene merely shrugged in return.

Then, they both looked at me.

"I was too hasty. Wear whatever you’d like, Princess."

"Irene is absolutely right! There’s no need to rush anything, Esti!!!"

"O-Oh… okay."

‘Are they starting to act like my sisters now?’

Their frantic backpedaling reminded me of my older sisters.

Still, they did say to wear whatever I wanted.

So I changed into my usual pants.

Meanwhile—

"Schefor, this outfit might suit you. It’s comfortable."

"Oh, this? It does look comfy… But wouldn’t it be too casual for the Academy?"

"We’re staying in the mansion now. Besides, the only man here is Lord Louis."

"Hmm. In that case, I suppose it’s fine."

The two of them quickly changed into more relaxed clothes.

The same type of dress Irene had worn on the first day, slightly revealing at the neckline.

…For some reason, Irene smirked a little too much.

But I figured it was just excitement over making another noble friend. Probably.

***

Afterward, we regrouped with Louis in the lounge.

Just chatting while waiting for the servants to move Schefor’s belongings.

It didn’t take long.

"Princess, Lady Schefor’s room is ready."

"Thanks. Let’s call it a night, then. It’s getting late."

"Hehe. Yes, Princess."

"My room is right next to Esti’s… Gasp, gasp…!"

With Schefor’s room now set up, we all agreed to retreat for personal time.

The four of us headed upstairs.

‘Ah. I almost forgot.’

"Oh, right. Louis? Come to my room for a sec."

—Freeze.

"……Why?"

Midway up the stairs, they all froze at my words.

Then, all three turned to stare at me at once.

‘Louis is so dense. Looks like it’s time for me to step in as a romance instructor.’

"I’m going to teach you about women!!!"

"………!!!!!!!!?"

Their eyes widened in pure horror.