Inadequate Preparations
Lua looked incredibly busy from the crack of dawn. She had to command the troops departing to reinforce the Northwest Barrier. She would definitely need my help this morning as well, but it seemed she didn’t even have a moment to spare. I wanted to help somehow, but it was clear that my involvement would only create more confusion.
“Sir Sia. Please sit here.”
“Mm…… Huh?!”
“Sir Sia?”
“Ah, it’s nothing.”
As Angelica guided me to sit in front of the full-length mirror, a burning pain flared in my rear. It was from how rough last night had been. Dimaria had healed it discreetly enough that no one would notice, but it was still sore.
Angelica took a deep breath and loosened up her body, as if she was about to undertake something of great importance.
“His Highness instructed me to adorn you as beautifully as possible.”
“Lua? Why? I’m not going there to have fun or anything……”
The place I was heading to was a battlefield, plain and simple. A place where lives would inevitably come to an end. I doubted others would view a noble showing up in such an extravagant manner with kind eyes.
It seemed Angelica knew what I was thinking.
“Even on the battlefield, there are times when one must pursue beauty.”
“Mm……?”
I couldn’t quite grasp Angelica’s words, but if it was the Grand Duke’s decision, there had to be a reason.
“From now on, I will transform you, Sir Sia, into the most beautiful individual in the entire Grand Duchy. We have more than enough time.”
“We will depart thirty minutes later than scheduled. Address all deficiencies within that time.”
In the Grand Duke’s office, Lua issued instructions in a sharp voice. Numerous inadequacies in the preparations had been discovered right before departure. These were issues that should have been resolved by last night.
“Yes, Your Highness. I will take responsibility for this matter.”
The knight in armor bowed his head. It was Ruben, the Knight Commander of the White Rose Knights who served the Tanalif Grand Duchy.
Lua felt a surge of irritation. It wasn’t that she was angry at the commander; she was simply in a bad mood because things hadn’t gone smoothly since morning. Taking out such emotions on subordinates was wrong.
“There’s no need for anyone to take responsibility. It’s a sudden situation that occurred earlier than in previous years, so there are bound to be shortcomings. Please convey that they should be more careful next time.”
“Understood, Your Highness.”
The knight commander withdrew and headed toward the office door.
“Whew……”
Lua leaned back in her chair and lowered her gaze to her crotch. Her smooth groin, with nothing protruding, was unmistakably that of a woman. However, in reality, Lua was suffering from morning wood. Dimaria had cast a stronger concealment spell, but the strain when she got erect was unavoidable. She could still endure it for now, but if she stayed like this, her judgment would gradually cloud.
Since she had a bit of time, she wondered if she should go see her brother. It was then that—
“Your Highness.”
As soon as the knight commander left, another person approached the Grand Duke. It was Chief Seneschal Jeras.
“Chief Seneschal.”
“I heard that Sir Sia will be accompanying you.”
“That’s correct.”
“Could you reconsider? Taking Sir Sia with you is……”
“What’s the reason?”
“Wouldn’t it be better for Sir Sia to act as regent while Your Highness is away?”
Lua tilted her eyebrows in puzzlement. Of course, it wasn’t strange for blood relatives to take on the regency while the Grand Duke was away. But Sia, who had been treated almost like a non-existent person, had never been assigned as regent before. The reason for suddenly suggesting the regency and telling her not to take Sia along was obvious.
“Is it because you’re displeased with my brother going outside?”
“It’s not that……”
“Are you worried that he’ll tarnish the dignity of the Grand Duchy by wandering around with that cursed body?”
The chief seneschal was averse to Sia revealing himself outside at all. He was one of those who viewed the existence of the eldest son who had become a woman as a disgrace to the Grand Duchy. But Lua had no intention of hiding her brother’s existence. Sia, who had always been shut inside, had resolved to step forward for his younger sister. Lua intended to ensure that Sia received treatment befitting that resolution. So that her brother wouldn’t feel ashamed of his own existence.
“I-it’s not that I meant it that way. I was simply concerned about Sir Sia’s health……”
When the Grand Duke didn’t hide her displeasure, the chief seneschal panicked and stammered.
“There is no need to worry about Sir Sia’s body. I will stay by his side and watch over him.”
The family physician, Dimaria, spoke. This time, it was the chief seneschal’s turn to feel displeased. A heretic in the magical academic world. She was merely someone the previous Grand Duke had hired for the sake of the next generation, not even a proper vassal, yet she spoke up without being given the right to speak.
“It is as the physician says.”
“Your Highness. In my opinion……”
“Make sure there are no issues in the castle until I return. I’m counting on you.”
“……Understood, Your Highness.”
The statement carried the meaning that he should stop interfering with this matter and focus on his duties. The chief seneschal realized that the Grand Duke had essentially ordered him to leave. Originally, the Grand Duke had never disregarded the chief seneschal’s words so casually, nor was she in a position to do so. But recently, starting with the marriage issue, she had been distancing herself from him like this, so he couldn’t help but feel hurt. No, it was probably just because she was in a bad mood right now.
“Dimaria. Could you come here for a moment?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
The chief seneschal, who had been about to leave the office, saw the Grand Duke whispering something to the physician. He didn’t like how the Grand Duke had been keeping this physician close lately. He understood that she had no choice but to keep her near because of the curse, but it felt like the physician was using that as an excuse to gradually interfere in the affairs of the Grand Duchy. Just like how she was butting in about Sia accompanying the Grand Duke now.
“Your Highness. I have finished preparing Sir Sia.”
Before the chief seneschal could exit, the maid Angelica opened the door and entered first. Sia was behind her, so the chief seneschal and Dimaria bowed in accordance with etiquette.
“Ah, thank you for your hard work, Angelica. However, the departure has been delayed from the schedule, so please wait for a mo……”
When the Grand Duke raised her head and took in Sia’s appearance, she froze like a statue.
Sia seemed unaccustomed to his own look, fidgeting with his hands and feet and unable to stay still.
“Angelica……”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
Lua murmured, entranced.
“You really…… worked so hard……”
“Pardon? Ah, yes. Thank you, Your Highness.”
She had just said he worked hard, but had she forgotten? Angelica decided not to point it out and simply accepted the praise. Even by her own standards, she had put in enough effort to deserve being praised twice.
The part Angelica had devoted the most attention to was his hair. The pink hair that was long enough to drag on the floor was lavishly decorated with all sorts of ornaments and floral accessories. It was like a cherry blossom tree come to life. Seeing that the area around his eyes was only lightly darkened, it seemed the makeup was kept to a subtle level, yet that alone made him look far more beautiful than usual.
“Why, why are you looking at me like that?”
My brother, dressed in white garments that made him shine like an angel, twisted his fingers as if embarrassed by his own appearance. For some reason, Sia was barefoot, and the way he was so elegantly dressed yet had his feet exposed perfectly suited Lua’s tastes.
His fingernails and toenails were painted a deep pink, which contrasted with his white skin and further emphasized the backs of his hands and feet.
Throb— His cock, erect to the point of bursting, tried to break through the concealment magic and reveal itself.
Dimaria noticed the Grand Duke’s condition and immediately moved.
“Everyone. It would be best if you all left the room now.”
With the exception of me and Lua, everyone else left the room. It was embarrassing how Lua was staring at me in a daze. She must be looking like that because…… it looked too strange. Even I had to admit that Angelica had gone a bit overboard. No matter how much she was told to make me beautiful, only royalty would dress up their bodies to this extent.
“Brother.”
“Y-yes?”
“Why…… did you come barefoot?”
“Ah, th-this isn’t barefoot. These are glass slippers. It may look this way, but they provide excellent warmth and are quite comfortable.”
I took a few steps in place, letting the clack clack sound ring out. They were transparent so they looked like bare feet, but I was definitely wearing shoes.
“Glass slippers…… I see. I thought you were standing on tiptoes because it felt awkward, but they have heels. Did Angelica put them on for you?”
“Mm. She said my feet are pretty, so they would definitely look good…… and that the key was to create contrast by having the flashy hair but nothing on the feet.”
“Ha, she really knows her stuff.”
“Huh? What did you say?”
“Ah, it’s nothing.”
I didn’t know what Lua had said, but it didn’t seem like a very nice comment. Should I change into something more modest even now?
“Lu-Lua. M-maybe I should take these off? Even I think it looks too, too extravagant……”
“Yes. Take them off right now.”
“H-huh? Here?”
When I blinked with a questioning look, Lua, who had been staring blankly for a moment, suddenly waved both hands and spoke.
“Ah! That’s not what I meant. I’m sorry. I was distracted for a second. There’s no need to worry. I was the one who told her to dress you like that.”
“……I-I see. So, you’re not looking at me so intensely because it looks strange?”
“Not at all, Brother. It suits you so well. I was right to leave it to Angelica.”
I could see a flush rising on Lua’s face. Her breathing seemed slightly heated as well. It looked like it was time for her to receive my help.
“Lua. If we have some time, should I take one foot out……?”
Lua didn’t answer, but I saw her skirt lift at the crotch as it sprang up rigidly. She was suffering so much because of me; I should help her quickly.
“……I’m sorry.”
“Ah, no. It’s not your fault. How do you want me to do it?”
“……Please step on it.”
“H-huh?”
Lua’s face turned bright red as she lowered her head, stood up from the chair, came in front of me, and lay down spread-eagle.
“……Hurry.”
She didn’t specify exactly what to step on, but I somehow knew. I lifted my foot, clad in the glass slipper, and gently pressed down on Lua’s cock, which was pitching a tent.
“Haaung?!♥”
Immediately, an erotic moan burst from Lua’s lips—so lewd that even I felt embarrassed.