I Became the Absolute Hidden Villainess Princess of the Academy

Chapter 20: The Princess Has Made a Friend

Irene, who had requested an explanation of the incident from 10 years ago.

Esti, without hesitation, concocted a bold fabrication.

Telling the truth would only tarnish Louis' image further, after all.

However, her efforts were in vain.

Irene's affection for Louis steadily plummeted.

'...Wow, what a trashy guy. Why is he even still alive?'

Even Esti's desperate defense couldn’t obscure the miserable reality of that time.

Irene could easily imagine the scene from back then, despite Esti claiming she had only "trimmed" things a little.

From what Irene overheard from the servants during her bath yesterday, it had taken three whole years for Esti's hair to grow back.

That wasn't just "trimming a little."

She must have hacked at it, cutting so much it could create a mountain of hair.

Irene’s shared experiences as a woman added to her sympathy.

The memory of thinking, I'll just touch up my bangs a bit, only to ruin everything while standing in front of a mirror.

Women who’ve been through that know all too well how reckless it is to cut your own hair. Irene was no exception.

And yet, Esti—just a 10-year-old girl—had attempted to cut that much of her hair, alone, in her room, using a dull letter opener?

The results couldn’t have been anything short of disastrous.

'It must’ve been so bad she couldn’t bear to look in the mirror. And… whatever Louis said that day probably wasn’t insignificant either.'

The truth behind Esti's claim that Louis’ comment was "no big deal" was quickly exposed.

After all, hadn't Irene herself heard him yesterday say, "It's well-cooked."

She knew firsthand what kind of crazy nonsense Louis was capable of.

Having experienced such ridiculousness herself, she speculated that Louis must have said something equally absurd to Esti.

Perhaps something like, "It's not ripe enough."

If Esti knew what Irene was thinking, she would’ve been utterly flabbergasted, letting out a classic "Huhhh!?"

And piecing together all the details Irene had gathered so far:

'The princess… she's really just a pitiful girl.'

After receiving verbal abuse from her betrothed at their first meeting, Esti had lost all self-esteem as a young woman, cutting her hair alone in her room, and for the next 10 years, she couldn't even bring herself to wear a dress.

What kind of face had the 10-year-old girl made as she used a blunt letter opener to cut her hair? On her birthday, no less—the day she was meeting her betrothed for the first time.

A day that should’ve been her happiest turned into heartbreak. The child must have cried bitterly, alone.

Even Irene, who was often called a witch, couldn't suppress a genuine sigh of pity.

No woman could ignore such a tragedy.

Sigh.

'And yet, she’s still trying so hard to defend the guy she loves.'

Even Esti's behavior stirred up Irene's sympathy.

After everything she’d been through, Esti had every right to hate Louis for the rest of her life.

But instead, she kept him close, even going so far as to shyly ask Irene—a commoner—for help.

Irene's eyes softened as she looked at Esti.

'If a girl loves you this much, you better appreciate it. If I had someone like her…'

—Srrrk.

At the same time, Irene’s hand landed on Esti’s thigh.

Considering Irene's preferences, it was quite a suggestive move.

Esti let out an adorably startled squeak.

"Eek?"

'I’d love to pat her head, but we’re in the middle of a lecture. This’ll do for now.'

—Pat pat.

"…Heh."

Esti’s initial surprise quickly turned into a sheepish smile. Irene’s soft patting on her thigh had calmed her.

"What’s with the sudden move? Hehe."

"I just wanted to thank you for sharing that story. Was that rude of me?"

"Huh? Not at all! This is totally fine between friends!"

The warmth and kindness behind Irene’s touch were evident, so Esti didn’t reject it.

Irene smiled back, her eyes crinkling in delight.

'Hmm, looks like she’s happy I shared stories about Louis. I’ll have to tell her even more!'

'She’s far too precious to end up with someone like that trash Louis… but what can I do? Guess she’ll have to trust this big sis.'

Even though the mood between the two seemed warm and heartfelt, their thoughts couldn’t have been more at odds.

'W-What’s happening!? Even Lady Schefor is holding back so much, and yet, she’s touching the princess’ soft thighs like that… I’m so jealous!'

'Wait, what on earth is going on!? I mean, sure, they did everything yesterday, but still! Isn’t this too much in front of everyone!?'

Beneath them, Lady Schefor silently seethed with envy, while Louis hurriedly averted his gaze.

But surprisingly, nothing came of it.

* * *

The lecture ended before they knew it as they continued chatting.

"That’s it for today since it’s the first day. For the next class, come prepared with one spell showcasing your specialty. Dismissed."

"Yes~!"

"…I’ll suggest a custom cushion for my dear pupil to the Principal, hehe."

After ruffling my hair affectionately, the professor left the classroom with a softer smile than before.

As lively chatter filled the lecture hall, we weren’t much different from the rest.

"Phew~ Nothing too big happened today since it’s the first day, huh? Right, Louis?"

—Poke poke.

While pretending to talk to Louis, I subtly scooted closer to Irene.

Irene leaned slightly toward Louis, enough that their arms were touching.

Though I was practically smushed against Irene, It was a worthwhile exchange for my favorite pairing.

Louis fanned his reddened face, clearly flustered yet delighted.

"You clung to her the entire lecture, but the moment it’s over, you’re cuddling? Esti, you’re bolder than I thought."

"Huh~? What was that, Louis?"

"Ah, nothing. I didn’t say anything. I didn’t see anything, either."

'What’s this, Louis? Just from a little arm touch, you’re already blushing like that? Are you seriously swooning?'

"Hehe. Cute."

The corners of my lips helplessly curved up at Louis’ honest, boyish response.

But then—

My expression stiffened again.

"Huff, huff... hufff..."

The heavy breathing of the villainous young lady, Lady Schefor, rudely intrude upon the moment.

Her gasping, like she was hyperventilating, made my brow furrow.

'She’s still enduring my "steelweight punishment"? Tough girl. Really tough.'

A quick glance revealed Schefor trembling with fear, sweat beading on her neck.

Yet, she didn’t budge. At most, she squirmed her thighs like someone holding in their need to use the restroom.

Her pitiful state drew the attention of both Louis and Irene.

"Esti, how long are you going to keep sitting on her?"

"That’s right, Your Highness. Class is over; maybe it’s time to let her go…."

'You two are just too nice, aren’t you? Even after hearing what she said yesterday, you’re still saying this?'

Louis and Irene spoke up, asking me to release Schefor.

Their kindness really was something—too well-matched in that department, too.

With no other choice, I climbed off her.

Plop. Thud.

"H-Huhh... Huff, huff..."

Schefor collapsed onto the desk, freed at last.

She didn’t even bother to fix her disheveled skirt, which had ridden up as she crumpled under the weight of royal authority.

Her exposed thighs naturally caught their attention.

…Sure, Irene could stare as much as she wanted since she was a woman, but Louis? Come on, man.

I quickly placed my hand on Schefor’s thigh.

Slide, swish.

"H-Huhhh!?"

"Lady Schefor, your undergarments are showing. That’s hardly becoming of a noble young lady."

I tugged her skirt back into place, restoring her dignity.

It wasn’t because I found her particularly endearing; it was to prevent Louis from getting any ideas and earning himself a glare from Irene.

Of course, I couldn’t resist slipping in a jab while smoothing out the fabric.

"Speaking of Lady Schefor, was there something you needed from my friend, Irene?"

"Wh-What? Uhm... Uh, no... I-I mean..."

"I’d hate to assume you had ill intentions, given what happened yesterday. But as Irene’s friend, I can’t help but worry."

In other words: What face do you have to crawl back in here after getting crushed like that yesterday?

I shot her a sharp glare.

She might be able to ignore it, but as someone well-versed in the social scene, she’d know exactly what I meant.

"I-I… I just… wanted to be friends."

'Huh?'

...She didn’t get it.

"Excuse me?"

"I want to be friends with Your Highness! I also wanted to touch Your Highness’ cheeks…."

"...Pardon?"

"But then… Your Highness hopped onto my lap with that small, soft body of yours… hopping and thudding… Huff… huffff…!!!"

"L-Lady Schefor?"

She started muttering in a hoarse, beast-like voice that was difficult to decipher.

The only part I could clearly make out was her desire to be my friend.

I glanced at Louis and Irene.

"...So that’s why?"

"She did speak kindly to me, but I didn’t realize it was because she wanted to befriend the princess."

"Oh, now that you mention it, I’ve heard before—Vernone family members are notoriously weak for anything cute. Maybe that’s why."

'What? There’s another crazy family like the Blézers?'

Ding!

[Current favorability of ‘Schefor de Vernone (22 years old, female)’: 95]

'...Even my sisters started at 90, and hers is 95? She’s serious!'

A quick check of her favorability score confirmed it—Schefor was desperate to befriend me.

It explained why she was willing to extend an olive branch to Irene, even after yesterday’s fiasco.

Meanwhile, I had assumed the worst and handed down the so-called "steelweight punishment."

The realization that I had wronged her made me feel a pang of guilt.

'If only you’d just said something earlier! Why sit there silently and endure it?'

I reached out and grasped her hands.

"I’m sorry, Lady Schefor. I had no idea…."

Startled, she snapped back to her senses.

"E-Esti, Your Highness!!! I-I mean, uh..."

"You just wanted to be friends with me? Why didn’t you say so earlier? I’m so sorry for the misunderstanding."

"W-Wait, did I say something…?"

"Let’s be friends from now on, Lady Schefor! Actually, no, I’ll drop the formalities—Schefor! My friend!!"

I made the friendship official with a bright declaration.

After nearly 30 minutes of tormenting her, it was only fair to offer my hand in friendship as an apology.

For a baron’s second daughter like Schefor, befriending me—the most socially powerful figure in the academy—was a monumental gift.

Her expression melted into pure bliss.

"W-Wait, the princess… is my friend?"

"Feel free to drop the formalities with me too!"

"E-Estiiiii…?"

"Yup! Schefor!"

"As a daughter of Vernone… This is the honor of a lifetime… Ver… nooooonnn…!!!"

She was so ecstatic she short-circuited, but regardless,

***

Later, I spent time chatting with Irene, Schefor, and Louis while waiting for the next lecture.

Of course, it wasn’t just idle chatter.

"By the way, between Irene and Louis, who has bigger hands?"

"Uh? What’s that about…?"

"Let’s find out! Everyone compare hand sizes! Louis and Irene first!"

—Clap.

"I’ll pair with Schefor in the meantime!"

"Huff… huff…!!!"

The real goal was to nudge Louis and Irene closer together, using my full scheming prowess.

If this kept up, I might end up being accused of facilitating inappropriate relationships between students.

"What’s going on between those two…?"

"Princess Esti."

"Huh?"

"The Principal has requested your presence. Could you please accompany me?"

"...Ah."

And in the end, it was me who got summoned.