Two days after visiting headquarters, I went straight to see Charlotte.

I was fulfilling the promise I made a few days ago.

To avoid prying eyes, we met in a secluded area of the slums.

A discreet rendezvous.

“You're here.”

“I promised.”

“Come this way.”

A carriage awaited in the alley.

We boarded silently and set off toward our destination.

The scenery outside the window blurred as we sped by.

I felt the swaying of the carriage as I observed the princess seated across from me.

The reason I was summoned was clear.

*—I will gladly assist. If that is your request.*

*—Trust only in me, Your Highness.*

Those were the words I said at the cathedral.

It was because of the desperate plea in her voice.

As I recalled her earnest eyes, I carefully went over the background from the original story.

The Little Prince’s only wish was one thing.

*—I need help.*

*—Please... save Elise.*

The Empire’s 2nd Princess, afflicted with an incurable disease.

She had been diagnosed as terminal, with only a short time left to live, and Charlotte was praying for a miracle for her sister.

It was an older sister’s heartfelt wish.

Over the past several years, numerous attempts had been made to cure her illness, but not a single herb had managed to breathe life back into the Rose.

Even renowned physicians could only shake their heads in defeat.

Despite the repeated failures, Charlotte couldn’t let go of hope, searching tirelessly for a cure. 

This was the reason she pursued the black magicians as well.

*—There might be a way.*

Although the primary goal was to eliminate the cultists, part of her hoped that the research materials seized in the process might hold a clue.

It was a situation desperate enough to look at forbidden knowledge.

*‘The Rose has about a year left.’*

A short time indeed.

Despite the dwindling deadline, nothing substantial had been achieved, leaving her heart restless.

This anxiety consumed her days.

*—I have no intention of revealing your identity. You don’t seem like a bad person.*

*—I’m just curious about who you really are.*

That was when she found me.

The unusual power I possessed was enough to catch her interest and stir hope deep within her.

Previously, she’d only observed me from afar, but after witnessing me restore a spirit projection a few days ago, she seemed convinced of my abilities.

That scene had been an undeniable miracle.

*‘It was only natural for her to be enticed.’*

Everything had gone according to plan.

I made sure to display my power more boldly than usual, knowing there were eyes on me, culminating in an impossible miracle that left a lasting impression.

To Charlotte, it was a bait she couldn’t ignore.

Drawn by the alluring scent of hope, she had stepped into the trap.

Perhaps she thought of me as her last chance.

“Heh.”

Everything was progressing smoothly.

Lost in these thoughts with a smile, I heard a voice from across the carriage.

Charlotte was watching me with her blue eyes.

“...Can she really be cured?”

Her question was faint, her eyes unusually complicated.

Related to her ailing sister, the anxiety seeped through her normally stoic expression.

I responded calmly with a smile.

“I need to see her condition in person to know for sure. My power isn’t all-encompassing, after all.”

“I see.”

“Please wait until the examination is complete.”

“I’m sorry. I was impatient.”

Charlotte nodded, seeming to understand.

I met her gaze and spoke in a soothing tone.

“I will do my best. You needn’t worry.”

“...”

“Just trust me, Your Highness.”

“...Yes, I will.”

My lips curled up in a sly smile.

Suppressing the dark aura within me, I whispered as if biting my white ear.

After that, we sat in silence.

The carriage rolled on without pause toward its destination.

It was only several hours later that the wheels finally came to a stop.

Meanwhile, as the snake and the princess arrived at the palace, the Rose lying in her room received the news.

The girl, with weary eyes, looked at her maid.

“The princess is coming...?”

“Yes, without informing His Majesty, she’s heading directly to the annex.”

“When will she be here?”

“She should be arriving any moment now.”

“Ha.”

The Rose let out a hollow laugh.

As she slowly sat up, her long, red hair fell messily around her.

She brushed it aside with a sluggish motion.

Only the maid’s face reflected in her deep green eyes.

“What’s the purpose?”

“She mentioned bringing a new doctor.”

“Another useless effort.”

“But this time, she said there’s real hope...”

“I wonder how long she’ll keep doing this. Doesn’t she ever tire?”

“You shouldn’t speak that way about Her Highness.”

“What does it matter... Cough!”

Her delicate brows furrowed in pain.

A sharp, thorny demeanor.

Covering her mouth as a sudden cough burst forth, crimson spots stained her white sleeve.

Her green eyes, accustomed to such sights, shifted away indifferently.

“Coughing up blood again... Your condition has gotten worse recently.”

“I need to die quickly.”

“...Don’t say that.”

“Why does it matter? If you’re going to nag, leave.”

“H-hmph...”

The maid’s face fell, disheartened by the harsh words.

Ignoring her reaction, the Rose wiped the blood from her mouth with a cloth.

Her lifeless lips tightened in annoyance.

The girl muttered softly.

“...Please, just give up.”

Her empty pupils held no light.

Sitting still, she finally pulled the blanket over herself with irritation.

We made our way through the annex.

The place where the Rose resided.

It was somewhat removed from the main imperial palace, lacking the splendor of other nearby palaces.

The garden, in particular, was bleak and devoid of a single blooming flower.

“It seems too humble for a place where a princess of the empire resides.”

“...Yes.”

Charlotte’s response was subdued.

We took hidden paths to avoid encountering others.

Moving quietly, it felt as though we were sneaking, but knowing the circumstances, it was necessary.

The annex did not welcome outsiders.

Clack, clack—

We passed between low buildings.

Through the faint sunlight, we walked the long corridor until we reached the most secluded room.

Charlotte’s pace began to slow.

“...”

She bit her pale pink lips.

Was she nervous?

Taking a steady breath, she reached out and knocked on the door.

The room was dark, almost untouched by sunlight.

Knock, knock—

The clear sound of her knocking echoed.

A silence followed.

Though there was no response, Charlotte seemed to know the silence well as she opened the door.

She knew she was being deliberately ignored.

“I’m coming in.”

Creeeeak—

The door groaned softly as the girl stepped inside.

Dim, heavy air greeted us.

The room had a plain, austere feel.

One might call it tidy, or simply lacking in beauty.

It served only as a space.

As I briefly took in the surroundings, Charlotte stopped and greeted the figure on the bed.

“It's been a while, Elise.”

Lying atop the blanket was a single Rose.

Long, red hair and green eyes tinted with a decadent glow.

I recognized her at once.

*‘Elise Rose von Staufen.’*

She appeared just as described in the original.

Dark circles etched deeply beneath her eyes.

Her gaunt complexion exuded frailty, but an undeniable beauty lingered beneath it.

She looked like a flower about to be torn apart by a storm.

“I greet the Empire’s second star.”

I knelt on one knee.

It was a gesture of formal courtesy, a display of humility.

But—

“...”

There was no reply.

A cold silence.

Elise sat on the bed, glaring at us.

Her gaze shifted from the Little Prince to the snake, filled with inexplicable hostility.

Even the maid standing behind swallowed nervously.

“Elise.”

“...”

“This is the one who will cure your illness.”

Perhaps trying to break the awkward atmosphere, Charlotte stepped forward and introduced me.

“Yes. I can vouch for him. I’ve been watching for quite some time.”

It seemed she thought her sister was wary of a stranger’s face.

And she wasn’t wrong.

The blatant tension had been palpable since we arrived.

However, Charlotte overlooked one detail: Elise’s hostility included her as well.

The Rose spoke for the first time.

“Get out.”

Her voice was sharp, icy.

Not the tone of a sister greeting family.