Tea with the Princess and an Unexpected Flood of Tears
Because my clothes were utterly filthy, I had no choice but to wear the outfit the princess had given me. The size fitting me was secondary... what really threw me off was how exposed my lower half felt. It was a long dress that reached my ankles, so you could say this was my first time in anything that actually showed my thighs. ...And right up until moments ago, we'd been doing that sort of thing—no, wait, not that sort of thing—
"Miss Sha'a?"
"Y-yes!"
"Pfft... You seem even more tense than before. What's got you so wound up?"
"N-no, it's nothing. I just... I've never worn anything like this before..."
"Is that so?"
The princess nodded as if surprised, then tilted the teapot. True to the luxury of the private car, it must have been enchanted—the sunset-hued liquid poured out in a steady stream, steam rising invitingly. Once my cup was suitably filled, she slid it toward me.
...It was mine all along, huh.
"Th-thank you."
"Drink up, make yourself at home."
If only I could relax... but my nerves wouldn't settle. Still, it was excellent tea—fine leaves, no doubt. I couldn't help thinking how nice it'd be steeped a bit stronger and turned into milk tea. As I warmed my insides, I noticed the princess staring right at me. Our eyes met, and her blue ones crinkled softly.
"You're... definitely strange."
"Pardon?"
"You're not hiding your true identity from me, are you?"
"...No, Your Highness."
"Hmm..."
As she elegantly sipped her tea, I realized my slip-up. It must have been a habit ingrained from my old body. She set her cup down and gazed at me steadily, a smile curving her lips.
"Well, if you say so, I believe you. More importantly, tell me about the potion. It seems you already know something about it?"
I hesitated before answering. I'd found a convenient excuse, after all.
"I... heard about it from Lady Kaltz. It just came to mind right before, so it must've looked like I was hiding it. Your Highness."
"Hmm... a convenient excuse, isn't it?"
"..."
Cold sweat trickled down my back. I forced my drooping lips—plummeting like a crashing stock chart—into a smile and averted my eyes, only to hear laughter.
"Hee hee... Don't look so scared; I was just teasing. Your reactions are so adorable, I couldn't help myself."
"...I-is that so."
This is why dealing with nobles is such a pain. I pinched my wrist to keep irreverent thoughts from showing on my face. It hurt. As I hid my wrist and rubbed it, the soft glug-glug of my teacup refilling sounded.
"This might sound a bit rude or intrusive, but... could you share what you know?"
The princess smiled brightly and dropped a sugar cube into her tea with a plop. She sipped leisurely, as if perfectly content to wait for my answer.
...I felt a little downcast. Sure, I knew the ingredients... but even I had no idea why it worked that way. I felt pathetic. For some reason, my eyes grew damp. Wiping them, I found tears leaking out.
Huh? Why... why is this happening? Panicking at the unbidden tears, I barely registered the princess rising and sitting beside me. The soft touch of cloth gently pressing my eyes...
"I don't know what happened, but it seems I pried too much."
"N-no, it's not that—I don't know why this is happening to me either!"
The sudden flood of tears wouldn't stop. Good thing my petite frame suited them; if I'd been my old self, bawling like this would've been hideous. But seriously, why? I was feeling down and helpless, sure, but I hadn't expected it to burst out like this. Being tossed around by emotions like this was bewildering... and unpleasant.
Is it because of the body change? Yeah... probably.
Calming under her touch, I spoke softly, my voice hoarse from crying.
"I... apologize for the unseemly display."
"I'm fine. If anything, I feel bad for pushing you... so I should be the one apologizing."
"N-no, please."
"Hee hee... if you insist."
Afterward, I apologized for having nothing new to share, but she just laughed and shook her head. Finish the tea, compose yourself, and head back, she said. I obediently sipped away. Her gaze—like she was watching a cute little creature—was a tad burdensome, but better than suspicion.
I polished off even the snacks she offered midway, and finally, it was time to go. She placed a badge emblazoned with the imperial crest in my hand.
"If you learn anything, come to the palace. And..."
She paused, then continued.
"If today's events cause any trouble, feel free to visit anytime. Or just drop by if you're bored."
"...I am deeply honored."
No way in hell.
"I'll be cooped up in the palace for a while, so come whenever."
"...Understood."
The princess giggled.
"Truth be told, I was the one who stopped the train. A little tantrum to delay my return to the palace, you could say."
No wonder the gifts she sent felt so extravagant. Nobles really do everything big.
"D-did I... get in your way?"
"Not at all. Thanks to you, I got an excuse to meet. Call it a win."
"..."
I fiddled with the badge in my hand. I'd been so careful to avoid entanglements, yet here we were. Other nobles would've jumped at this, but I had zero interest. Sure, it might mean big money... but getting tangled in politics, making enemies against my will, watching my every move? Hard pass.
...For now, since it's under Sha'a, it'll stay secret.
As the princess toyed with her cup, she spoke as if she'd forgotten.
"Oh, and could you pass a message to your master, Lord Astarote? I'd love to meet him soon. Not forcing you... but personally, I'd appreciate it."
He's right here. Regrettably.
"...If I see him, I will."
"Thanks."
Only then did I leave her room and reunite with Claudia. She'd been waiting; the moment I opened the door I'd entered through, there she was—arms crossed, eyes closed. They snapped open as our gazes met.
I'd already bowed to the princess before the door opened, so I hurried off with Claudia back to our car. Her voice dripped worry.
"Sha'a. You didn't get up to anything weird in there, right?"
"...Nothing happened."
"Your eyes look a bit red..."
"...The tea from the lady inside was so good, it brought a few tears."
"Haha, good one."
Claudia chuckled, then whispered once the princess's guards were out of earshot.
"So, who's the big shot in there to warrant all that security?"
I glanced around. Who knew what ears might be listening?
The princess knew Astarote Asha wasn't at the workshop. Better safe than sorry. She probably wouldn't mind, but I was uneasy.
"...You'll get hurt if you know."
"Hmmm..."
"Later..."
"Got it."
Claudia backed off gracefully, understanding.
"But... Sha'a."
"Yeah?"
"What's with the outfit?"
"Oh... my clothes got dirty."
Forgot about it, but her pointing it out made my thighs feel chilly again—despite the warm weather. Probably just my imagination...
"Well... it looks pretty. Suits you."
"...Thanks."
Compliment, yet it felt off. Scratching my head, Claudia's second question hit.
"One more thing I'm curious about."
"What?"
She grinned. A subtle, knowing smile.
"Your breasts seem a lot smaller than when you went in... Nothing really happened, right?"
"M-must be your imagination. Th-they're the same!"
Walking while eyeing me, Claudia's strong hand slipped under my armpit and groped my chest.
"Wh-what are you doing?!"
"...They are smaller. And you even put on underwear?"
"I-it's imagination! L-let's hurry back. The others'll worry..."
"Fine, fine."
Shaking off her teasing—I'll let it slide this time—I speed-walked to the car. Claudia caught up, grabbing my hips.
"Sha'a... I get you're in a rush, but running like that flashes your undies."
"..."
"Lucky no one's around, but be careful."
She smirked, opening the door with a lecherous grin.
"That color suits you."
"..."
Fuck.
There was a minor stir when they learned I'd met the princess, but our companions weren't the type to blab, so no issues. Especially not those two.
They seemed more interested in my outfit and shrunken chest, though... I fumbled excuses, but the train reached its destination without further incident.
Of course—who do you think fixed it?
And so... for the first time since graduating the academy, we arrived in the capital, Haven. The crowds made my stomach churn a bit.