“You mean that she manipulated me into granting her a wish just now?”

“Yes, that's righ-...” At first, Fran was about to nod in agreement with Rina. But mid-sentence, after she had digested Rina's words, she stopped and looked at the red-haired girl in surprise instead.

“”What did you just say!?”” Funnily enough, it wasn't only Fran who asked this as her voice was overlapped by another female-sounding voice. Needless to say, this additional voice belonged to Marianne.

After all, she, too, was more than astonished that her naïve mistress had seen through her scheme. She had already assumed that the elf would be able to read her and had also guessed that Fran would maybe interfere, but not outright expose her. However, she had never thought it possible that Rina would do it herself instead.

Unbeknownst to the two's inner mayhem, Rina, the girl responsible for their distress, nonchalantly answered their question by repeating her words from before. “I said, 'You mean that she manipulated me into granting her a wish just now?'” To further cement her confusion, she tilted her head as she looked at the two equally confused women.

“”...””

“...”

After an awkward silence, Marianne was the first to regain her composure partially and spoke up. “C-can you elaborate further on what you m-mean?” Naturally, since her plan had been exposed by her target, Marianne could only stammer out her question.

Rina could tell that the situation was rather uncomfortable for Marianne, as the brunette's eyes were clearly darting around the carriage. But even without that obvious sign of awkwardness, she could see that it might be embarrassing to have one's plans revealed like that. And as someone, who had been in a share of, to put it mildly, uncomfortable situations herself, especially in her previous life, she offered Marianne an easy way out. Whether the brunette would take it or not, was another question.

“Marianne, are you really sure that I should explain this to you? I mean, I can already see that you're uncomfortable with this situation and I can imagine that it's only going to get worse for you if I explain what I think your plan was. I think it wouldn't be so bad if we were alone, but Lady Fran is here too... so... putting it all in front of her will probably just make you more embarrassed.”

Unfortunately, even though Rina had slowly learned to read people's thoughts and intentions, she was still bad when it came to interacting with others naturally. So, even though her words had only meant good for Marianne, she had actually made the situation even more embarrassing for her, as they could both see that Fran was clearly having a hard time holding back her laughter at the brunette's misfortune.

Meanwhile, Marianne felt as if she had been stripped naked. That was why the colour of her face resembled the colour of Rina's hair. But since the formerly socially awkward, naïve girl had probably seen through her usual manipulation and even said as much, Marianne had no choice but to keep going, hoping that Rina's assumption was actually wrong. Well, considering Rina's behaviour in the past, Marianne found that possibility rather high, so she clung to it desperately. “Y-yes, Rina... p-please explain it.”

Naturally, Rina was baffled as to why Marianne had chosen not to take the offered escape route. So, she was left with no choice but to explain what everyone in the carriage probably already knew.

“At first, I was curious about what Clara had discussed with you during the one-hour break before we left. But you were rather evasive and didn't give me a satisfying answer... but, well, since I wasn't that curious about it, I decided to tease you instead, by asking you if you had any quality time with Clara back then.”

Marianne nodded meekly at the explanation so far, while Fran visibly listened, trying to show that she was not paying attention by looking out of the window. Nevertheless, seeing that they were both silent, Rina continued.

A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

“Well... in response to my joke, you theatrically showed that you were hurt by it. You said that I knew about your feelings for me... in that context, I admit that my joke would be tasteless if not even rude. But I still don't believe that you love me... but well... because I can see my joke for what it is, rude, I have apologised.

At that, you said you would not forgive me until I promised to grant you a wish. And when I agreed, you immediately changed your demeanour and forgave me... and well... yes. I know that you were not actually mad at me. You only wanted to make me promise to grant you a wish... That was, if I understand your intentions correctly, your goal”

When Rina had finished her explanation, she looked around to perceive that Fran next to her was quite visibly grimacing from trying to suppress her laughter, while Marianne was even redder than before.

But as if the redhead was not sure what to do with the situation at hand, she decided to ask Marianne for confirmation. “Marianne? Was my assumption correct? If not, please say so.”

Unfortunately for the brunette, this was the last final in the coffin, as it became too much for the elf to endure. She straight up fell out of her seat and rolled around on the floor, laughing out loud, even though there was hardly any room for it. “AHAHAHAHA... who would have thought it... AHAHAHAHA... your analysis was spot on... AHAHAHAHA *cough* *cough* Oh, f*ck, I'm dying...” As usual, when the elf lost herself in laughter, she accidentally swallowed her own saliva, causing her to cough.

Meanwhile, the poor Marianne was on the verge of tears. She knew very well, that her plans to seduce and use Rina, a seemingly innocent and unsuspecting girl, for her having a bright future was beyond shameless. Fortunately, Clara, someone who usually had a good sense of people, had been too blinded by her feelings for Rina and Rina had been too naïve and dumb to see through Marianne. However, while the former was still true, the latter obviously wasn't anymore. So all Marianne could do now, was stare at Rina in protest, even though she was blushing like a red tomato.

Marianne's glare didn't go unnoticed by Rina. She knew very well, that the brunette was now all the more embarrassed than before, as she had correctly predicted. So, in order to give Marianne another way out of this situation, Rina looked for another topic to change to.

Unfortunately, just as she was about to find another topic, Fran, who had calmed down from laughing and had taken her seat again, spoke up. “Ahhh~~... again a good laugh in a while... my time with you, Rina, is really the best... first Clara, now Marianne... hehe.”

These words, however, earned her glares not only from Marianne, the victim, but also from Rina, the alleged aggressor. But Fran was, as always, unimpressed by those looks and continued. “But then I have to ask, Rina... Why did you promise to grant her a wish in the first place? I mean, when you could see through her intentions. She tried to trick you... that's not a nice thing to do.”

Marianne was actually just as curious. So she managed to get the blush out of her face and waited patiently for the red-haired girl's next words.

Rina thought for a while before she finally answered. “Well, there's not much reasoning behind it. I like Marianne... despite her... well... personality and schemes... if you know what I mean?”

While Fran nodded in half-understanding, Marianne became slightly red again. Though, only Marianne herself knew, whether her blushing was because of Rina saying she liked her, or because of Rina seeing through her personality and schemes. Still, like Fran, she remained silent and waited for the red-haired girl to continue.

“That's why I have no problem doing her a favour. Well... there are just two things, that I don't really understand why you're acting like this.” Rina looked at the brunette and raised the index finger of her right hand. “Firstly, I can't understand why you don't just ask me if there's something you want me to do for you. If it's something I can do within my power, I'd be happy to do it, even without you coercing or blackmailing me... Well, these words are too strong, but I hope you get what I want to mean?”

Rina looked around, and when she saw that both Fran and Marianne were nodding, she raised her middle finger in addition to her index finger. “Secondly, I'm a little about what you want me to do. After all, I'm neither rich, nor do I have the political power of Lord Eric or Clara... so I have no idea, what you might want from me, but well...” Rina turned back to Fran. “Does my explanation answer your question?”

“Hmm... Partially. So to summarise your words, you find her likeable and have no problem promising her a wish. In addition to that, you want to see what she wants you to do?”

“Yes, that sums it up.”

Fran frowned visibly and massaged the bridge of her nose as if to relieve herself of a headache. Only a few seconds later, and after a loud sigh, did she speak up, and in a rather annoyed voice at that. “Did it ever occur to you that she might want something that could be considered bad for you?”

Rina tilted her head in confusion at the question. “Like what? I don't think she'd want anything that I wouldn't agree to.”

Marianne, who had listened silently the whole time, couldn't help but be surprised, even astonished, by the twelve-year-old girl's statement. After all, she did actually want to leech off her. In her eyes, it was a questionable thing to want. So, feeling guilty, she could only stammer out her next words. “D-do you t-trust me that much?”

Feeling both eyes on her, Rina contemplated her answer for a few moments, before replying. “Rather than trust... together with Clara and Fran, you belong to the most important people for me. Thanks to you, I'm really having fun.”

“”...””

Not registering how both gazes on her had become slightly awkward filled with guilt, Rina looked at them with a bright smile on her face.

“There aren't many things I wouldn't be willing to do for you.”