I, the Villain, Want to Save Myself, But the Yandere Heroines Disagree-Chapter 111 - Sincerity For Sincerity (2/2)

Forcing himself to separate from Olivia, with whom he had a semi-confirmed relationship, Orson didn’t believe he was a scumbag.

Moreover, if this matter were to spread outside, it wouldn’t sound good. Others would think Orson was someone who flattered those in power, and they would also think Elsa was stealing someone else’s man, which could easily bring negative implications for both of them.

After some thought, Orson finally spoke, “How about this, Your Highness? I would like to ask you a question. If you can answer me, I can consider whether to help you.”

“Alright.” Elsa nodded. “Orson, ask away.”

“Your Highness, can you tell me, why are you so determined to become Emperor?”

Saying this, Orson stared intently at Elsa, his eagle-like gaze seeming to want to pierce through Elsa’s thoughts.

Elsa was startled by Orson’s question, then said, “I... that is how I was educated from a young age.”

“My Imperial Brother and I seemed to have a good relationship growing up, but both my father and our court tutors always taught us one concept from childhood: that the Imperial Family is like a row of saplings planted together.”

“Among this row of saplings, only one can grow robustly, becoming a towering tree, providing shade for the other smaller saplings around it.”

“It sounds quite nice, doesn’t it?”

“But that towering tree has actually deeply rooted itself in the ground. Its roots have already penetrated beneath the other saplings, absorbing the nutrients that rightfully belonged to them, thus creating a situation where one shelters many.”

“This superficial warmth, in reality, is cruel to the other small saplings.”

“If some small saplings can only grow to a certain size and don’t need more nutrients, spending their lives under the shade of the large tree, then that’s fine.”

“However, if some small saplings could also grow into towering trees, but have their source of nutrients and sunlight cut off by the large tree when they need more, they can only gradually wither and die.”

Orson listened to Elsa’s words, nodding thoughtfully.

“So, sometimes being willing to be a small tree is quite good, isn’t it?” he said.

“Do you really think so, Orson?” Elsa countered.

“After all, with the big tree sheltering you from wind and rain, you don’t have to face the sun and rain yourself. Isn’t that quite good?”

“But in that case, can you still be considered a tree?”

“...”

“If my Imperial Brother becomes Emperor, given his political ambitions, I will likely be used as a tool for political marriage in the future, marrying someone I don’t like.”

“I don’t want that kind of life. So, I must change my own destiny.”

“Moreover, don’t assume I’m unambitious because I seem aloof. In reality, I care more about rankings than anyone else. I believe I won’t be inferior to my Imperial Brother.”

Orson nodded upon hearing this.

“I can understand you, Your Highness.”

“You said sincerity for sincerity earlier, right?”

“Then I will tell you directly, actually, in this matter, my stance has always leaned towards your side, Your Highness. However, for certain reasons, I cannot directly participate at this time. I hope you can understand.”

“You just need to know that I will help you, that’s all.”

Elsa’s eyes lit up upon hearing Orson’s words.

“Really?”

“Yes.” Orson nodded.

“As you know, I am not someone who lies.”

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“In that case...” Elsa extended her hand towards Orson. “Then let’s wish for a pleasant cooperation in advance.”

Orson reached out and clasped hands with Elsa.

Cool, delicate skin, a boneless softness to the touch—this was Orson’s first impression.

As expected of a princess, it seemed she took good care of her skin.

“Mm, pleasant cooperation.”

Litte stood at the turn of the staircase, watching the scene of the two talking downstairs, a thoughtful expression on her face.

...

“So, Orson, why did you agree to help Princess Elsa?”

After seeing Elsa off, Orson returned upstairs.

At this moment, Litte had changed back into the men’s clothes she usually wore the most. She asked Orson with confusion.

“Since when were you eavesdropping, Litte?” Orson didn’t answer directly but first took a sip of water.

“Uh... probably when you were talking about the 《Noble Protection Act》. I had already changed clothes by then. I was planning to come down directly, but seeing you discussing something, I didn’t dare to disturb you.”

“Oh.” Orson nodded upon hearing this, then told Litte everything about their conversation.

He didn’t hold back this time, because he wanted Litte to know which side they would be aligned with in the future.

“Eh? Trist? Why does that name sound a bit familiar?”

“Yes. The Doctor told me about the contract he saw in the Iron Wolf Mercenary Group’s office. One contract was about kidnapping and imprisonment. The Doctor and I speculated that it might be possible to rescue someone, so I sent the Doctor over.”

“Now that Trist is dead, the person should have already been rescued.”

“I see...” Litte breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.

At the beginning, when she saw the content of Trist’s contract with the Iron Wolf Mercenary Group, Litte had been shocked by its contents.

Now, hearing the news that the person had been rescued and the culprit had been apprehended, Litte felt a little better.

“Although I don’t know how Her Highness the Princess found out about this, it’s clear that she came here seeking cooperation.”

“As the saying goes, ‘taking someone’s money makes your hands soft’. Since we accepted Elsa’s help, we definitely need to return the favor and lean more towards Elsa’s side in terms of stance.”

“But...” Litte paused to think upon hearing this, then spoke, “Nobles involved in the disputes of the Imperial Family, unless they stand on the winning side, often don’t have good endings...”

“That’s why I told her that for now, I cannot fully stand by her, just lean towards her side a bit more.”

“Then... Orson, do you believe Princess Elsa will ultimately win? In my opinion, Prince Arthas’s side is clearly a better investment.”

“I don’t know, but I am confident that Elsa is definitely not as weak as you think,” Orson said.

“And Prince Arthas is far less formidable than you imagine.”

“In the power struggles throughout history, the one who laughs last is often not the one who laughed loudest at first.”

“Alright, let’s not talk about this anymore.” Orson said this, then continued asking, “Litte, how are you preparing for your midterm exams? This midterm exam is essentially like the final exams of previous years. You’re student number 001, you can’t lose face.”

“You can rest assured on that point, Orson! I’ll definitely be fine!” Litte said this, patting her small chest, making an OK gesture.

“That’s good then.”