Mastermind: Genderbent Villainess

"Tanya, I don't think we should let Diana go… what if she gets bullied by her brother?" Yuri advised. As Diana's best friend, how could she just watch as Diana went out to be humiliated? Yuri wanted Diana to be happy and that meant Diana needed Tanya's help. As usual, Tanya would be the one to decide on how the event unfolds.

"Yuri, Diana doesn't want our help. Sometimes it's for the best to just let someone deal with their own personal problems. This is a pride issue anyway." Tanya declined. She knew it wouldn't end well if she interferes after Diana explicitly told her not to.

It would be for the best that Tanya lets the matter go through its natural course.

"Besides, are you sure it's the best decision to talk about this while Diana is on a short toilet break? She will be back any minute now." Tanya sighed.

"I know you two are friends, but you need to think about how she feels. I understand you don't want to see her get hurt, I don't want that either. However, she feels like it's her own duty to attend and fulfil her own familial responsibility. I won't interfere unless Diana asks." 

'Yuri is so cute when she's worried~' Tanya could not help but feel warm inside after seeing Yuri get so worked up over Diana.

"Pwease~?" Yuri quivered her lips and begged.

"..." the girls were speechless. This shamelessness was clearly too much!

"How about I give you some snuggles and we'll stop talking about this matter…" Tanya faked her coughs to draw attention away from her waning patience. She just wanted to sleep already.

"Pwease…."

"..."

One week later:

Tanya and the girls were already in the carriage, heading towards the Jeanne Duchy. It was a familiar route for Diana and Tanya, as they had already been on a similar path at the start of the year. But for everyone else, it was unfamiliar and eye-catching for the most part.

The group passed through mountain ranges, forests, waterfalls, and many other beautiful places. Tanya was one for beauty but she would rather look at a woman than a tree.

"You all just want to stare at tree bark when a stunning beauty is right in front of you... Hmmmph!" Tanya pouted, jealous of the attention the scenery was getting from the girls.

"At the very least if we stare at tree bark we won't pounce and 'eat' it." Rose winked.

"..." 

'Fair point.' Tanya conceded.

Life had been busy for Tanya, and now she had to accompany the girls again for an event in another territory. If it weren't for Yuri's constant nagging, Tanya might have just enjoyed a peaceful week of lounging and drinking tea. Now, Tanya was on a carriage heading for a party.

As far as she was concerned, she would just be there to keep watch of Yuri and Diana. If anything happened, she would not let it go. 

*cough* *cough*

"We want to admire the scenery."

"..." Diana was forced to just accept the answer as she knew she wouldn't get anything else from the girls.

"Meh, the scenery is good, Penelope. But the lunch is better~" Rose licked her lips and patted Tanya's shoulder.

"!!!"

Lunch was served on the go.

Rose ate.

Penelope ate.

Yuri ate.

The other girls watched.

Tanya moaned.

Two hours later:

"It looks just the same as last time. So boring, thank goodness Tanya gave us a nice snack~!" Yuri beamed with energy upon jumping out of the carriage.

"Yes… that meal was quite delicious~" Rose deviously grinned.

"Tanya always improves every single time." Penelope praised.

Meanwhile, a certain countess walked out of the carriage with flushed cheeks and heavy breath.

"That is not the correct place for that…" Tanya attempted to complain.

"You weren't complaining when we were eating."

"..."

The girls eventually all made their way towards the front gates and were greeted by a young maid which guided them to the event area without too much unneeded chatter. This was much to Tanya's gratitude as she just wanted to sit down and have a moment to rest.

"Goodness… if I marry Tanya, would I be able to go that far too?" Yuna murmured to herself.

'At least I get to stay with Tanya from now on… graduating early has its perks!' Yuna quickly reminded herself of the fact she had the seat of valedictorian. Now she had free reign of her life and could stay with Tanya for as much as she could.

"This looks exactly the same as Diana's birthday party, just a bit more lively." Tanya commented.

The garden was filled with young nobles and mature ones alike. All of them were chatting amongst themselves in their own cliques without paying attention to others. For the most part, the girls did crowd around one area.

Tanya guessed that Robert would be at the centre of that crowd. Why else would so many girls be crowded in one area?

"Oh meeey gwod!!! It's Robert!" 

The random girls went wild.

"He's always been magnetic…" Diana coldly remarked.

"Hmmph! If Tanya announced herself, all of them would turn around and surround Tanya instead." Yuna smirked confidently. Her faith in Tanya's abilities were as solid as her grades during the mast months.

"Meh, the disgusting person is surrounded by people as usual. It's better if he stays surrounded and doesn't see any of us. He's quite the lecher." Serena disdainfully interjected. She once again reinforced her low opinion of Robert yet again. 

"Ah! Look who finally arrived… it's my sister, Diana!"

"..."

'Does he have the eyes of a hawk or something?' All of the girls questioned in their minds.

Robert suddenly rushed out of the crowd and walked towards his sister with an air of confidence following him. With his muscular yet slender appearance, brown eyes, purple hair, and light skin, he was much appealing for the girls in the crowd. However, in the eyes of Tanya's group, he was just another man.

'Men aren't on the menu in Tanya's restaurant! Only Tanya!'

"Oh, hi brother…" Diana tried her best to smile.

"Oh! Wow… you didn't tell me you would be bringing along such beauties to my coming of age ceremony! I see you know what your big brother likes…"

"..."

He had already lost interest in his sister and immediately turned to greet Tanya and the girls.

"I haven't seen you around before. By any chance are you all here for me? I happen to be the man of the hour. Robert Jeanne is my name, the next duke of Jeanne." He winked and bowed gracefully, attempting to find a reaction in any of them.

"Did a child with no rank just greet us like commoners? Pfft… don't make me laugh." Tanya chuckled disdainfully.

"To us, you will say 'Ladies'. Do you understand, Mr Jeanne?"

This was not what he expected.

"Tanya, I told you. He's male scum, Hmmph!"

'SERENA GOLDE!' Robert quickly realised something wasn't right.

"Tanya…?"