I Became the Absolute Hidden Villainess Princess of the Academy

Chapter 3: The reason for sending the youngest daughter to the academy

The Emperor had granted permission for the 3rd Princess, Esti, to enroll in the academy.

This news, heard from early in the morning, sent the Avrien Imperial Family into an uproar.

Whispers, whispers.

Did you hear? The 3rd Princess is going to the academy.

They’re sending that fragile lady, who still hasn’t recovered from the shock of that day, to the academy?

Apparently, it was the 3rd Princess’ own wish… but still.

Well, she’s always been a bit eccentric, but why would His Majesty permit it?

Even mere servants were left questioning the heavens of the empire.

The intense reaction was largely due to the public’s perception of Esti.

The 3rd Princess, Esti Noir de Avrien.

A pitiable child who, after the incident at her 10th birthday ball, remained in seclusion for a full three years due to shock.

The shock was so severe that she stopped growing and remained in the same form for 10 years, like a fragile child frozen in time.

Despite her emotional scars, she would always walk around cheerfully, bringing happiness to those around her—a praiseworthy child.

…Though this perception diverged greatly from Esti’s own thoughts.

In any case, this was the popular view of her.

But now, they were sending Esti, who should be nurtured and protected by the imperial family, to the academy?

Everyone thought the same thing.

Your Majesty, what in the world are you thinking?

Meanwhile, the Emperor, Everard Blanchefort de la Avrien, the sky of the empire, furrowed his brows deeply in a frown.

“Hahh. I trusted you all, and yet, not one of the four of you managed to persuade Esti.”

“……”

Before the sighing Emperor, four figures knelt—his sons and daughters, Esti’s siblings.

“I figured it would be more effective for you, her peers, to convince her rather than me explaining it myself. And yet, I, your father, am sorely disappointed.”

The reason the Emperor had called his children together was simple.

They should have convinced Esti not to go to the academy. Instead, they had spoiled her and let her have her way.

The only response to his reprimand was the 1st Prince’s cheeky grin as he squinted his eyes.

“How could I possibly refuse when Esti, of all people, called me ‘big brother’ and asked me? She barely even calls me ‘brother’ on a normal day.”

“Oh, she called you that too? Whoa, Esti must have really wanted to go to the academy. That girl never budged no matter how much I tempted her with sweets, but she did that?”

“You two… Haah.”

The two princes were just overjoyed to be called “big brother” by Esti.

Their remarks gave the Emperor an idea of the late-night sequence of events leading to Esti’s “unconscious charm assault,” causing his sigh to deepen.

On top of that, the 1st Princess added fuel to the fire with a haughty expression.

“Besides, even you, Father, couldn’t resist Esti and ended up giving her permission, didn’t you? According to Elena, as soon as she called you ‘Papa,’ you said, ‘Just trust this Papa!’ and gave in.”

“Guh…”

Her words could be summed up as, “You did it too, Father.”

While it was a rather audacious statement to make to the sky of the empire, the Emperor didn’t mind.

He himself had told them to speak freely regarding anything concerning Esti.

Besides, he knew it was true—he was fully aware that he had been too soft.

The Emperor leaned back into his throne.

The throne felt unusually hard today, more so than usual.

His sighs leaked out as his worries consumed him.

“What should I do…”

Esti still can’t wear women’s clothes due to the trauma from back then. According to the head maid, she even shuts her eyes tightly when washing herself. How could I send a child like that outside the imperial palace?

“Don’t worry too much, Father.”

“Elena?”

But not everyone present was an unfilial child who drove a nail into their father’s heart.

The 2nd Princess, Elena, who still respected her father, was there as well.

…Although, in truth, she was feeling lenient because she had hugged Esti to sleep the night before. Regardless, she now sought to comfort her father.

“Things might actually turn out for the better.”

“Explain yourself.”

The 2nd Princess, Elena, who cherished Esti to the point of wanting to embrace her for life, now claimed that Esti’s departure from the imperial palace might actually be a good thing.

Her words drew everyone’s attention, including the Emperor’s.

Elena’s characteristic emotionless voice echoed softly.

“For the past 10 years, we’ve tried all sorts of methods to help heal Esti’s scars. For example…”

Her explanation could be summarized as follows.

Since Esti had stopped wearing dresses or skirts due to the trauma she experienced 10 years ago, the imperial family had tried many things for her.

First, they sought out a fiancé who could embrace and heal her broken heart following her broken engagement.

But for 10 years, Esti had never been assigned a new fiancé.

“I am deeply in love with the 3rd Princess. Her beautiful appearance and—”

“Are you a pedophile?”

“Pfft! No, I mean, her noble character and—”

“Hey, you. Are you saying Esti isn’t pretty?”

“P-Prince, that’s not what I meant—”

“Enough. You’re not even suitable in terms of status, and your height is unnecessarily tall. Not to mention you’re ugly. Esti is far too good for you.”

“W-Wait, are you talking about me?”

“Regardless, you’re disqualified. Go home.”

As the standards gradually rose higher and higher, even the handsome crown prince of a newly emerging kingdom, who had been in the spotlight recently, failed to meet the family’s expectations.

In any case, the imperial family did many other things for Esti.

They tailored the most beautiful dress in the world, something any girl would envy.

That masterpiece, crafted by a master artisan, ended up collecting dust in Esti’s wardrobe.

They summoned the continent’s greatest theater troupe to stage a heart-fluttering romantic play.

Esti peacefully dozed off throughout the entire performance.

They frequently held balls so she could meet boys her age.

Every time, Esti just ate a mountain of sweets and went back home.

All the efforts made to help Esti regain her happiness as a young girl went up in smoke.

“By now, even animals would know. We alone can’t heal Esti’s wounds.”

“…You’re right.”

Recalling their 10 years of wasted effort, the Emperor grew despondent.

In contrast, a smile formed on Elena’s lips.

“But with a new environment like the academy combined with our love…”

“…!!!”

She then slowly revealed her plan.

It was a strategy she had devised while stroking Esti’s hair the previous night, hoping to help her beloved little sister regain her happiness as a girl.

This scheme, concocted by Elena, who would later be called the “Iron-Blooded Crown Princess” in the original story, left the Emperor deeply impressed.

“Hoho. Elena. Splendid work.”

“Wow, Elena, you really used your head this time, huh?”

The other three siblings were equally amazed by how convincing the plan was.

United in agreement, they all nodded as one.

“Let’s send her to the academy with pride.”

“Yes. I shall make the preparations.”

And so, Esti’s entry into the academy was finalized.

The official reason, which no one would understand, was to train in magic as the former apprentice of the court magician, Stella.

But the real reason…

“———Until the day Esti wears a skirt again. Stay strong, everyone.”

…was simply to get Esti, who only ever wore pants, to wear a skirt.

If Esti ever found out, she’d be mortified, exclaiming, “Seriously? THAT’S the reason you’re sending the youngest daughter to the academy…?”

***

Two months had passed since I was granted permission to enter the academy.

It was now March.

And today was…

The day of the academy’s entrance ceremony.

Because of that, I woke up at dawn and prepared myself with a ritual bath to steady my mind.

‘Everything I’ve built up until now is to disrupt the story that will unfold at the academy. Stay strong, oh mastermind…!!!’

“Is the water temperature to your liking, my lady?”

“Yeah, it’s just right. Thanks.”

“Then I will wash your hair for you.”

“Okay~.”

Women attending to my bath were gathered around me.

Back in the early days of my possession of this body, when I wasn’t yet accustomed to it, I used to tightly shut my eyes during baths, fearing I’d be arrested if anyone saw my naked body.

Naturally, I got used to it over time, but…

Once you experience it a few times, it’s just way too convenient.

If I kept my eyes closed, they did everything for me.

As a result, I spent 10 years taking baths with my eyes closed.

Whisper, whisper.

Look at her. Even today, she’s not even thinking of looking at her own body.

How low must her self-esteem be as a woman for her to keep her eyes shut so tightly?

Ugh, I feel like I’m going to cry…

‘What are they whispering about now?’

I could hear them chattering behind me, but it probably wasn’t anything important.

I brushed it off without much thought…

And secretly activated my magic.

This was the very first magic I had learned after pestering my teacher to teach me, back when I decided to embrace the role of the “mastermind.”

It was the perfect spell to kill time while bathing with my eyes closed. The very spell often used by the protagonist of “Witch’s Flesh.”

‘Alright… Surveillance.’

—Whirl—

The spell activated with no incantation, a result of having used it so much, and my vision transformed.

Even with my eyes closed, it felt as though I could see everything before me.

That was the power of “Surveillance,” a spell that borrowed the vision of the contractor.

My sight became synchronized with that of my contractor.

Soon, the eerie interior of an office came into view.

‘This girl still lives like this, huh… so gloomy.’

The interior hadn’t changed a bit despite the years that had passed since we’d met.

While I was marveling at it, my line of sight suddenly jerked.

She must have sensed my surveillance spell and was momentarily startled.

Afterward, she quickly pulled out a notebook from her chest pocket.

It was a notebook reserved solely for our correspondence.

—Scratch, scratch.

[Aah, Lady Esti. What a lovely morning it is. By the way, isn’t today the day of your entrance ceremony? Congratulations.]

‘She used to not even be able to write, but now she’s a calligraphy master.’

My contractor, referencing my name as the mastermind, greeted me through the notebook.

On the back of her hand, the letters “T” and “S” were engraved.

It was a contract mark that I had inscribed for her, at her own request, after reading my name in English and swapping the letters around.

Soon, the crimson mana began to surge and flicker in the mark on the back of her hand.

[I’ll prepare it right away.]

—Vroom.

‘Whoa, this girl’s seriously strong. How is that much mana even possible?’

Her mana surged to the point where the whiskey glass on her desk rattled.

And then…

—She also activated her “Surveillance” spell.

—Flash!!!

Her field of vision shifted in an instant.

And then… another person’s perspective… and another… and another.

The combined view from numerous perspectives appeared before me, far too vast and large for me to fully handle.

‘…This is the true power of this spell, as I see it.’

Before I knew it, 99 distinct views had opened up before me.

These were the perspectives of informants stationed near the academy—informants who were part of “Twilight’s Blade,” the notorious villainous group in the original story that had sought to overthrow the empire.

‘…I still don’t know why those people are now operating under the name “TS Brigade,” but whatever.’

They all had the “T” and “S” marks engraved on their hands as well, which felt a bit unsettling… but, oh well.

I borrowed the vision of these informants and observed the academy grounds.

—Splash, splash.

“My lady, I will now apply the fragrant oil.”

“Okay~.”

‘Heh heh~. Observing the empire while getting pampered in a bath. This is the life of a true mastermind~.’

Of course, I also continued to enjoy my bath.

Then, just as my bath was about to end…

—Flinch.

“…Huh?”

‘Wait, why is that person there?’

I spotted a familiar face at the entrance of the academy.

It was someone who, in the original story, was never supposed to be a student at the academy.