I Became the Absolute Hidden Villainess Princess of the Academy

29. An Eventful Second Night (1)

This morning, Crow had carried me from the hideout to the mansion after I overslept.

So why was she still in my room?

If anyone found out about our relationship, they’d also discover that I was the ‘Saintess’ of the TS Brigade.

Which was why I intended to scold her severely.

…Or at least, I was going to—until I heard her explanation.

"The perception-blocking magic you cast on me wore off too soon, so I couldn’t return. If I tried to leave, I would’ve been caught."

"…Oh."

‘Right. I did rush it, so the duration must’ve been shaky.’

Crow hadn’t ignored my command to leave.

She simply hadn’t heard it because my spell had worn off too soon.

And considering how tight the Academy’s security was, forcing her way out would’ve just caused a scene.

So my frustration faded quickly.

I hadn’t poured enough mana into the spell—that was my mistake.

"Haha. Sorry for getting mad. That was my fau—"

—Pause.

‘Wait a second. But I didn’t cast it that weakly.’

I stopped mid-apology.

Even if I had rushed the spell, I wouldn’t have made such a sloppy mistake.

It should’ve lasted at least ten minutes after arriving at the mansion—maybe even longer.

I frowned.

"Hold on. I told you to rest for a bit before leaving… but exactly how long did you stay?"

"About an hour.♡"

"That’s why it wore off, you idiot!"

The blame ratio instantly flipped from 0-10 to 10-0.

Sure, I’d told her to rest.

But an hour?

What was this lunch break?

I raised my voice in sheer disbelief.

But Crow merely sighed, as if her actions were inevitable.

"After hearing the Saintess’s True Name and stepping into Her Sanctuary… I had to spend at least an hour worshipping it.♡"

"What."

‘Okay. That’s… a bit much.’

She said it so naturally, panting slightly, her face flushed.

…I knew she was one of the more fanatical ones in the TS Brigade, but this?

I decided to drop it.

I should’ve been more specific when telling her to rest.

I knew what she was like.

"…Fine. Let’s just call it 50-50 blame."

"Thank you for your mercy.♡"

With the matter settled, Crow relaxed.

I also let it go and sank into my bed—

"By the way, Esti?"

"Hmm? What is it, Crow?"

"May I ask… why did you enter the room undressed?"

I froze mid-motion.

Right. I was still in a fully unbuttoned shirt and just underwear.

And Crow, who had no idea what had just happened outside, was obviously curious.

If someone else walked in like this, I’d have questions too.

I gave her the simplest explanation.

"A great sacrifice was made."

‘By Louis.’

"……?"

Crow stared at me blankly.

I had no plans to elaborate.

Because that would require explaining why Louis’s very existence made this strategy so effective.

I had to protect my poor, traumatized brother’s dignity.

So I just nodded.

Crow also nodded.

"I see. There are things even I cannot be told. I understand."

‘As expected of Crow. A true right-hand woman.’

"Thanks for understanding. But don’t worry, it’s all resolved now, so you don’t have to—"

"…But are you not going to put on any clothes?"

"Huh?"

Crow interrupted, staring intensely at me.

…Oh, was she worried that being half-dressed would undermine my authority as a mastermind?

Of course. That must be it.

‘Truly, my most loyal subordinate.’

"It’s fine. It’s you and me."

‘And we’re both women.’

It wasn’t a big deal.

A proper mastermind needed a subordinate they could be completely open with.

And for me, that was Crow.

She had supported me in countless ways—so showing her a more relaxed side was no issue.

Crow’s eyes glistened with emotion.

"To think You would allow me to gaze upon every hidden corner of Your divine presence…♡ I am moved beyond words.♡"

‘…Wait. I didn’t say that.’

The way her eyes widened—like she had just been blessed—was a bit unsettling.

But it was fine.

If a man acted like that, I’d immediately hex him to feel like he was stepping on Lego barefoot.

But Crow was a woman.

So it was fine.

I ignored it and went about my business.

—Rustle.

"……!!!!!?"

"Hmm~."

I casually shrugged off my shirt and started rummaging through my wardrobe.

No matter how comfortable this was, my stomach was starting to feel a bit cold.

Time to put on some pajamas.

A small fashion show took place afterward.

"Hey, Crow. What do you think of these pajamas?"

—Rustle.

"W-Well…"

"What about this one?"

—Rustle.

Holding up different sets of sleepwear, I conveyed an unspoken message:

‘I trust you enough to let you choose my pajamas.’

Crow’s face turned bright red with emotion.

"T-Truthfully, anything would suit you, Esti…♡"

"Don’t be shy! Pick one for me—I’ll wear whatever you choose tonight!"

"………!!!!!?"

…After a lengthy fashion show,

Crow finally chose a pink pajama set.

The same shade as her hair—very her.

***

Despite the brief moment of non-mastermind behavior, I quickly regained my usual sinister grin.

‘That should be enough of a reward.’

"Anyway, I might as well issue some orders."

"——Yes, Saintess. Speak, and I shall obey."

At the word orders, Crow immediately prostrated herself.

A stark contrast to how she had been wagging her metaphorical tail over my pajamas just moments ago.

And so, I resumed issuing commands—just like back in the TS Brigade’s hideout.

"I think I passed out mid-order last night. Where did I leave off?"

"You were discussing the dragon that is set to revive soon. We only need the location."

"Ah, right. It’ll be during the Imperial Academy’s midterm exa—"

Long story short:

A dragon was set to revive in Mont Blanc Mountain during midterms.

The TS Brigade was to eliminate it immediately.

And while they were at it, they’d set up some events for Louis and Irene.

A precaution to prevent the original novel’s relentless descent into tragedy.

And—

"This one’s a personal errand."

"Whatever you command."

"…I’m expelling every single blonde, tanned thug in the Academy."

The countless golden-sun delinquents roaming the school.

The Gold-Tan Gang.

In the original, Esti was suspiciously often their target.

Most of them were small fry I wouldn’t normally care about, but since I had the chance—I might as well purge them all.

"I’ll cast a perception-blocking spell on you. Go fabricate some expellable offenses."

"Not execution, but expulsion? I see. Then framing them will be simple. It shall be done as you wish."

"Mhm. And if you do a good job… I’ll let you sleep here tonight! In the same bed as me!"

"………!!!!!?"

A very effective incentive.

Having just picked out my pajamas, I promised her the ultimate reward—a night beside me.

It worked perfectly.

"Yes♡ I, Crow, shall complete this mission at the cost of my life if necessary!♡"

"Great. The spell lasts about two hours. That's enough?"

"I’ll be back in one!♡"

—BANG!!!

The moment I cast the spell, she immediately launched herself out the window.

So fast that a gust of wind exploded through the room.

Blowing my curtains—and my freshly combed hair—into chaos.

…Seriously. My hair was a mess again.

—Rustle, rustle.

‘Ugh. I’ve gotten used to it, but sometimes I really want to just chop it all off. Like Crow’s bob cut.’

Alone once more, I started fixing my disheveled hair.

Every time this happened, my longing for short hair surged.

But cutting it wasn’t an option.

If I did, my sisters would lock me up for at least three years.

So, I could only quietly brush my hair in front of my mirror.

—Until suddenly—

—Knock, knock.

"……?"

A knock at the door.

…Louis should still be recovering from his unripe trauma.

So who could it be?

Curious, I slowly approached the door.

Still trying to fix my hair along the way.

‘Who—’

—Sting.

"…Tsk."

A speck of dust flew into my eye.

Crow must have kicked up all the dust when she blasted out of here.

Reflexively, my eyes welled up with tears.

‘She needs to watch her landings. Next time, I’ll warn her to stop rushing around like that.’

—Rub, rub.

I tried to clear it out, but it only made my eye sting more.

—Knock, knock, knock, knock.

—"Esti…? Are you okay…?"

—"Princess, are you…?"

‘Oh. Them.’

The knocks were followed by voices.

Schefor and Irene.

…No time to deal with dust now.

I headed for the door.

My hair was a mess, my eyes were red from rubbing—but whatever.

Showing them a natural side of me wasn’t a bad thing.

I opened the door.

—Creak.

"…What’s up?"

And—

Schefor and Irene…

—Immediately turned pale.

"A-Ahh…!!!!!"

"…Holy sh—."

"………?!!!!"

‘Wait. Irene. Did you just swear!?’

The ever-angelic Irene had just cursed out loud.