The Empire’s Third Prince, Sledo Crown, was officially enrolled at the academy, though he rarely made an appearance for sses or events. This was because his reason for being there wasn’t to grow or learn.


    What he sought was survival. Compared to the First Princess, who left a bloody trail of enemies in her wake, and the Second Prince, who was quietly building a vastwork of powerful allies in the  shadows──  Sledo just wanted to live.


    So, he fled. But just running away wasn’t enough.


    Constantly fearing that either the First Princess or Second Prince might send assassins after him, he decided to ally himself with a faction of Dark Wizards who had approached him.


    The Dark Wizards needed the weight of Sledo’s name, and in return, Sledo needed the strength to shield himself?? so it was a mutually advantageous arrangement.


    Of course, now and then, his conscience would prick at him, questioning whether joining forces with Dark Wizards was the right path.


    Still, he reassured himself that this single deal wouldn’t bring disaster. After all, what harm could a prince, already sidelined from the struggle for the throne, possibly do?


    “Sledo, sir. A new professor has just been appointed to the academy. But he──”


    In the end, Sledo’s paranoia proved justified.


    “I kn—, I knew it??. I knew it would happen.”


    The Second Prince had used his influence to install a Purple Tower wizard as a professor at the academy. This professor had ruthlessly purged many Dark Wizards and taught students with an innovative method that no one had dared to try before.


    But could that be the whole story? What if this professor had a secret mission from the Second Prince? Perhaps something like eliminating the Third Prince if there was an opportunity, ensuring no future threat to his power──.


    Had Sledo not allied himself with the Dark Wizards, he would likely have been killed in silence, without even realizing it. There were even whispers that this professor threw students into abyrinth full of tentacles, leaving them to suffer before killing them.


    It was clear then—joining forces with the Dark Wizards had been the right decision. He had no other choice if he wished to survive. Ah, if only he hadn’t been born into this cursed bloodline. If only he had been born amoner, living a simple life, tilling thend for a living.


    Sledo Crown curled up beneath his nket. He hated being awake. The present was filled with nothing but dread, and it seemed that his other senses had dulled—fear was the only thing he could feel.


    So he tried to slip back into the world of dreams, squeezing his eyes shut. But his body refused; it had already had its fill of rest.


    No matter how hard he tried to unlock the door to the dream world, it remained sealed shut.


    So, he pretended to be asleep, hoping to deceive himself.


    Pulling the nket over his head, he squeezed his eyes tight, trying to convince himself that the darkness under his eyelids was the entirety of the world. Staying like this would at least calm down his fear a little.


    “????.”


    But maybe today wasn’t his day.


    He heard a sound outside. It came from beyond the window. In that direction, someone was speaking to the guards at the front gate. Who could it be so early in the morning? And why?


    Even though Sledo tried to ignore it, his thoughts kept drifting back. Dark, unsettling ideas continued to creep into his mind. In that case… he’d just have to see it for himself. Then, maybe he could fall back asleep.


    Sledo Crown crawled over and slightly parted the curtain, peering through the narrow opening


    Three beautiful women stood there.


    He recognized two of them. They were subi who regrly visited the mansion where Sledo lived.


    They were the ones who helped people like Sledo, those who struggled with sleep or longed for deep, unbroken rest. They were good people who gave him ‘sleep therapy’ from time to time.


    Though each session left him feeling utterly drained, Sledo didn’t mind. In fact, he preferred it that way—it made it easier to slip into sleep afterward.


    But the third woman—was she a subus too? It was hard to tell from afar, but her long ck hair cascaded down to her waist, and her red eyes stood out.


    The guard who had been speaking to her suddenly erupted into loudughter, Wahahaha!


    It was the first time Sledo had ever seen himugh. That guard was usually strict and stubborn, an arrogant man whose intimidating presence could make others feel small. Who knew he couldugh like that?


    What could they be talking about?


    Curiosity got the better of Sledo, and he pulled the curtain back a bit more. In that moment, his eyes locked with the woman below. Her cunning red eyes gleamed.


    She smiled softly and slowly closed one eye in a wink.


    “????!!”


    Sledo hurriedly shut the curtains and ducked out of sight.


    His heart pounded in his chest. Why? It was just a wink. He had just made eye contact, then why?? did it feel like his heart had dropped?


    Creaak. The sound of the main gate opening reached his ears.


    Was the subus paying him a visit? Was she entering the mansion now? Was he about to meet her face to face?


    Sledo stumbled to the mirror, hastily trying to fix his hair. He didn’t even know why he was doing it—it was as if he had no control over his actions. It was just, he just felt like he had to.


    The young man in the mirror had a face that was flushed red.


    ===============================================================


    After quickly distracting the guards and breaching the front gate, we sessfully sneaked into the mansion.


    The residence where the Third Prince was staying was tucked away in a shady, secluded area. It would have been difficult to find unless we had known its exact location. Even while living at the Academy, it was unlikely anyone would stumble upon it.


    It didn’t seem like people frequented the mansion often. It wasn’t meticulously maintained, but it wasn’t particrly run-down either—just “adequate.” Most of the rooms appeared unused.


    From casually talking to the guards and subtly guiding the conversation, we gathered that the Third Prince was on the second floor.


    I didn’t press for more specific details, like exactly where on the second floor, since I thought that might have aroused his suspicion. But luckily, I managed to catch a glimpse of him through a window.


    Perfect. Now, all we had to do was go up and take him down—it would be as easy as stealing candy from a child.


    As I went up the stairs with my heels clicking, Pink-Haired Lesbian asked curiously:


    “??How did you do it?”


    “What?”


    “The guy on the second floor. With his golden hair, he must be the Third Prince. He looked like he was about to die from just one of Mr. Crazy Wizard’s winks?? did you use magic?”


    “This isn’t magic—it’s a secret technique, but??.”


    While I paused, it wasn’t Pink-Haired Lesbian who reacted; it was ck Lesbian who was squirming. She was incredibly curious too.


    With a elegant flick of my hair, I began my 『How to Seduce Someone』 masterss.


    “Where do you think nobilityes from?”


    “Isn’t it passed down through noble blood?”


    “Gics do y a role. If you’re born with noble features, you get a bonus. But no matter how noble you look, if you act like amoner, you’ll juste off as vulgar.”


    “Then?”


    It alles down to information.


    When your movements suggest, ‘I am in control’ or ‘Imand others with just a gesture,’ that’s when you appear noble.


    When your bodynguage says, ‘I’m excited’ or ‘I desire you,’ that’s when you seem seductive.


    If, on the other hand, I can manipte those nonverbal cues and imbue them with my own intent… it means I can shape any atmosphere I wanted.


    And I am the master of such information.


    “His pale skin shows that he doesn’t get much sunlight, so he likely doesn’t go outside often. His overall demeanor is timid, and since he was peeking out from only part of the curtain, that’s a defensive stance.”


    In other words, he was practically a hikikomori.


    The incident at Pagoda Pce, the First Prince Case. It had inflicted severe psychological damage on the current royal generation. That was probably why, despite his noble status, the Third Prince had be so reclusive.


    Pink-Haired Lesbian and ck-Lesbian had disguised themselves as the subi we captured to blend in, and seeing the two of them seemed to reassure the Third Prince.


    This implied that subi likely visited the mansion regrly and??.


    “A young man in his prime having frequent visits from subi? I’d bet he’s enjoying a lifestyle where the bedframe doesn’tst long. By now, he’s probably numb to sexual stimtion. Based on that deduction…”


    I categorized him as a ssic case of a spoiled, neurotic noble.


    Iyered warmth and harmlessness into my behavior—a gentle expression that suggested I’d be there if he needed me. I took that from the pre-corruption Niolle.


    Then, I added a sense of familial affection, like I could pick him up in aforting embrace and spin him around three times. I took that from First Princess ine.


    I lowered his guard with these subtleties.


    Next, I added the pride of an arrogant noble, just enough to make him feel I wasn’t someone he could easily trifle with. This one came from Roderus.


    Finally, I topped it all off with the most intoxicating gaze I had ever encountered. I took the hunger from Pink-Haired Lesbian’s eyes earlier, refined it, and added it as the final touch.


    And then, I unleashed it.


    That’s how I became—the woman who usually seems warm and dependable, but also distant and asionally making you keenly aware of her power and allure in an irresistible way.


    I conveyed all of that information through the art of『Talking with Eyes』.


    This was the secret to mastering the 『Heart』.


    “????.”


    “Why is your face like that, ck-Lesbian?”


    “??I just feel ufortable. Watching a man try so hard to seduce another man is??.”


    “The character?? is separate from the yer! It wasn’t me, it was Subus ‘Lize’ who did it, buddy!”


    ck Lesbian looked even more confused.


    Isn’t this all just pretend?


    It waspletely different. Obviously different!


    Thinking like that would be the same as saying I’m dating the Second Prince because I y Centra, or that I’m Namgung Seung-ah with feelings for Namgung Chunghwi, or that I’m best friends with Roderus just because I’m Oh Hye-in.


    Of course, that’s not true. Just because I create and control these characters doesn’t mean I be them.


    “Ah, right…”


    “Ah shit??!”


    Of course, how could a sparrow understand the ambitions of a phoenix? But Pink-Haired Lesbian should’ve understood. I nced over, hoping she’d back me up.


    But what came out of Pink-Haired Lesbian’s mouth was more damage rather than help.


    “Was my gaze really the most seductive?”


    “??Stop pretending like you didn’t hear the rest and confirm it yourself!”


    I grumbled as I turned my head away. Seriously, she couldn’t control her yful nature.


    Pink-Haired Lesbian smiled at me as if I was being cute, then hooked her arm through mine. Although Illusion Magic cloaked her appearance, since I was the one who cast it, I could still see her normally.


    At first, I thought it was her usual physical attack, but it was a little different this time.


    Yuri Lanster entwined her fingers with mine, softly brushing the back of my hand with a gentle touch.


    More than feeling her chest press against me, my attention was drawn to her fingers. The light, ticklish sensation made me keep aposed expression as I asked casually:


    “??What are you doing?”


    “I thought I’d try acting a bit.”


    “Acting how?”


    “Like I’m madly in love with you. Something like that.”


    Her teasing was more intense than usual. While she often made lighthearted jabs like this, this one felt more serious and more assertive than usual.


    I looked at her and was about to tell her that this breached our pact.


    But her eyes glimmered with a mix of yfulness and regret. As if she were saying, ‘I’m leaving soon, so it’s okay to go this far, right?’


    Instead of calling her out, I shifted the topic.


    “??You’ve learned well, just from my exnation. 『Talking with Eyes』”


    “Are you really not going to fight back?”


    “????.”


    Yuri leaned in closer, pressing herself against me. It was a taunt. Even though my heart sped up from how close she was?? I was a little sad.


    Was that it? Maybe she wanted to y a little more??.


    Because soon, she would leave. She was preparing for a long journey to take revenge on the Subus Queen. Even if I joined her party to help, her priorities would be different by then.


    In the quiet moments, there’d be no more ying and joking around like this. She’d be too consumed by her vengeance.


    It felt like when a close friend was about to transfer to another school, and you tried to savor everyst moment, trying to stave off the sadness of parting. Maybe she just wanted to cherish this time together to the fullest.


    Then??.


    A head-to-head fight it is, Pink-Haired Lesbian.


    Just for today, I won’t hold back. I will match you gaze for gaze, just like that first day we met in the carriage. Nopromises.


    I raised our sped hands and gently kissed the back of hers, then said.


    “So, we’re acting, right? What’s the setting?”


    “We’re in a forbidden love. Subi usually feed on the essence of the opposite sex, so in a same-sex rtionship, it’s ‘wasteful.’ We can’t gain energy from one another. But despite that, I’m still in love with you.”


    It was a euphemistic metaphor.


    All this time, the time we spent joking around at the Academy had been a waste for her. It had no direct impact on her goal for revenge. But even so, she was saying that those moments were precious to her.


    I responded in kind.


    “I’m a skillful subus capable of stealing the hearts of many, but I’ve never known real love. Every affection I’ve shown was nothing but an act, a performance. But when I’m with you?? I feel something different. I started to notice you.”


    It was easy to push NPCs into intense emotions. After all, I had created them, and at times, I had even acted as them myself. But those emotions always remained just one step away.


    As I mentioned before, even though Centra loved Irid in my story, that didn’t mean I would have feelings for the Second Prince.


    But my feelings for Yuna and Yuri Lanster, though not as passionate, were definitely genuine. They were my own emotions.


    Our faces moved closer to each other.


    “It seems our roles are set, mdy.”


    “So, shall we see how this ys out? The scene ends when?? we leave this mansion. How does that sound?”


    “Agreed. Let’s make it so intense that when we meet again, we’ll feel embarrassed by it. That is, if you don’t run away??.”


    “I may have been on the losing side until now, but today will be different??.”


    Her face drew closer, slowly, until I could feel her breath. Our noses were almost touching.


    Memories of the past shed in my mind. How had it been in the carriage?


    I didn’t want to lose. I didn’t want to be defeated by the evil Pink-Haired Lesbian, who was trying to take Yuna away. Back then, I think it was all about the thrill and tension of the contest.


    But now?


    Now, I found myself eagerly anticipating what might happen in the next few seconds.


    “????.”


    “????.”


    This won’t be a joke if we go through with it? Yuri’s eyes seemed to say.


    Exactly, I replied with my gaze.


    Just before our lips could meet, we both pulled away at the same time. Then, with arms linked, we started walking. Our destination: the Third Prince’s room.


    ck Lesbian silently trailed behind us.


    She didn’tin this time, didn’t whine about staying apart or clinging to her senior. She understood it too. Once this little game was over, Yuri Lanster would return to the Extermination Squad.


    That thought only fueled mypetitive spirit. How dare she act so confident? What if I managed topletely seduce Pink-Haired Lesbian, so much that I would shatter her acting?


    “????Eu, euwawa.”


    Or… maybe she wasn’t acting confident at all. Maybe she was just struggling to keep up.


    Alright then, time to begin. My n was to dazzle the Third Prince and get the information we needed, all while facing off against Pink-Haired Lesbian. The condition for victory was?? I wasn’t sure. It wasn’t that important in the first ce.


    I adjusted my tone, and in response, Pink-Haired Lesbian’s normally expressionless face softened into a gentle smile. My heart started to race when I saw that sight. She spoke gently.


    “Shall we go in together, mdy.”


    Who would’ve thought she could sound like this?


    I squeezed her hand a little tighter and whispered back.


    “Eung. Hold my hand tight. Don’t let me trip or get swept away by the wind, Yuri.”


    “Of course. I will be here, like a tangled tree root.”


    Sheughed.


    Huhu.


    Me and Yuri Lanster.


    The curtain rose on our own private masquerade.


    ===============================================================


    3 hours until Third Prince Sledo Crown bes an enthusiastic Yuri^{<button>1</button>} supporter.