Mastermind: Genderbent Villainess

"Penelope, I just realised something."

After another week of the same routine, the girls had accustomed themselves to the comforts of Tanya's mansion. However, after so long staying in the building doing nothing, Erina was raising doubts.

"Don't you feel like we are dead weight lately? We have no jobs here and we really have nothing to do…"

"So you want a job?" Penelope raised one eyebrow. She was busy with managing various areas for Tanya as well as seeing to Tanya's day to day needs. She really did not understand why Erina would want to do more work on her holiday.

"Yes, I want to feel alive. I know being with Tanya is amazing and I would love to spar with her, but we both know that Tanya has work which needs to be done. So when I can't see her… I want to have something to do."

"That is easier said than done. Tanya already filled all positions as of last week. Just enjoy your holiday and Tanya, you deserve a good break." Penelope waved her hand, gesturing for Erina to leave it at that. 

"Trust me, all I need to do is convince Tanya to let me have a job to do. Just please help me get the keys to her study… she hid them after Yuri snuck in yesterday." 

While Tanya did not have as much work as last week, she still had much to do. So during the day, she fulfilled her duties. All of this was so that she may have a firm grip on her own territory in the future. With all of this legitimate paperwork and iron hard policy, Tanya was confident that she could finally take a break soon.

"Mmm… Tanya said she doesn't want anyone inside her study unless it is urgent." Penelope sighed.

"You know I am a swordsman. I grew up in the fields and I always had something fun to do. But here, I feel like I have nothing to do unless Tanya is free. My dad always said that I should make myself useful if I don't want to be bored, so please help me, Penelope." Erina pleaded one last time. Boredom was one of her only weaknesses, she could not stand it.

"Erina you make this so difficult. My wife should be focusing on her work rather than organising jobs on a whim." Her voice was firm, with a clear meaning. She wanted Erina to wait and let Tanya do her work.

"I don't really understand why you are infatuated with Tanya. Sure she saved your life once, but is there anything else? You just follow her like you respect her more than you love her. You like her body and you are charmed by her personality, but what else? Erina, I did not want to say this… but you leave me no choice." Penelope felt fed up with Erina's pestering about getting a job. She just wanted Erina to stop being so impatient.

"You don't love Tanya, you just admire her." Penelope finally voiced out. Her words quickly pounded into Erina's heart. 

"Of course I love her!" Erina responded with a shout, angered by Penelope's accusation.

"..." Erina did not know how to answer this question. She hadn't really noticed this before. When she first met Tanya, she was defeated by the latter's speech and sword. Then onwards, her sword could never beat Tanya.

She had always admired Tanya's skills, possibly being a false infatuation. She never really could understand.

"So just let Tanya get back to her work and don't disturb her with trivial requests."

*sniff* *sniff*

"..."

Erina has actually begun to develop watery eyes. She was visibly distraught, wanting to cry because of Penelope's words.

"Don't cry…" Penelope immediately became worried. She had always been stern with Tanya when she was in charge of teaching the latter, so she treated Erina the same way. Yet the girl couldn't even take this much? 

Penelope has vastly overestimated Erina in terms of Tanya.

"Bu-but- I don't deserve Tanya! I'm stupid and selfish!"

"..." Penelope had really done it.

She had broken Erina's heart.

All of this just because Erina wanted to have something to do.

"Is Tanya the only person on your mind? You do know it is important to not just have one thing on your mind…"

Erina nodded in response.

"Okay, this is basically love at this point. Some type of weird and stalker-like love. I don't really want to understand right now, but please don't cry."

"Okay, you love Tanya." Penelope finally admitted.

"Yey!" Erina took Penelope's words to heart. She believed Penelope was the most senior and therefore the expert on Tanya.

"Now go play with your sword. Neya is probably in the practice hall. Go there and spar with her."

"Her will is way too weak…" Penelope murmured as Erina strolled away with a bright grin.

"Tanya is really a one of a kind girl in her generation. Everyone else is so mushy. Hmmph!"

"I wonder if they can survive a month without Tanya? Would they start crying from such a long wait? I should discipline them sometime. If they can't deal with this much, how will they survive in the real world without Tanya being there to watch them?" With that, Penelope made up her mind to begin a new training regime for all of the other girls in the mansion.

This course would forever be etched into their minds as the course that turned them from girls to women. Looking back, they would thank Penelope for making them stronger in mentality and much less dependent. Tanya would also thank her for lifting much responsibility off of her shoulders.

Meanwhile, a certain Diana was opening up a letter from home.

"Diana, who's that from?" Yuri popped up from behind, Peeringa the contents of the letter.

"Oh, it's from my brother. You should know him; the hope of my family and the definite heir to the Duchy." Diana sighed. Just mentioning her brother was enough to make her remember her inferiority. In her household, there was never a day when she wasn't compared to her brother, such occasions only made her feel worthless.

The only time she felt any worth was when Tanya flirted with her, actually caring to treat Diana like a beauty.

"What did he say?" Yuri asked.

"He just wanted to know if I will be able to attend his official coming of age ceremony to become the next duke. He said he wants me to be there and support him." Diana did not reveal much emotions. Underneath her calmness was nothing but jealousy and envy. She hated the fact that her brother had invited her to watch.

She was a proud noble daughter, how could she just be there to support her brother that already has so much attention? Wasn't he asking for too much from her?

"Diana, we are friends. You can be normal with me, don't hide it. I know you don't like your bro." Yuri pouted. She at least thought Diana trusted her more than this,

"He's so popular and I am pitiful. Most people don't even know that my father has a daughter."