11. Sunset (2)
11. Sunset (2)
"Your Highness, are you experiencing any discomfort?"
"Hmm."
To be honest, it was impossible not to feel uncomfortable.
Of course, women's undergarments designed to support the breasts were bound to feel constricting.
But it wasn't as if I could go without wearing them either.
If I gave in to the temptation of that small sense of liberation and didn't wear the breast cover, every movement would inevitably reveal that bouncing and breast jiggle to others.
Moreover, I had an even more compelling reason to wear it.
That reason was because I use a sword.
Just imagining it made me understand naturally.
If I were to feel my chest shaking like an earthquake with every swing of the sword, I'd realize I had to wear it whether I wanted to or not.
Even for me, who had previously been a man.
"They have the same type of support straps, but I've made them all different in shape and color."
The tailor lined up the undergarments she had tailored in a row.
And the set I was currently wearing was identical to these.
'Certainly, she has skill. She does, but...'
The tailor's skills were exceptional.
Her promise to meet my expectations back then hadn't been a lie.
But this presented its own difficulties.
Because, to my eyes, they were too provocative.
No, honestly, anyone would think the same.
When I mentioned this,
"Your Highness, how important are undergarments to a woman!"
Dorothy, who was standing behind me, was the first to object.
"I agree with that as well. First of all, it naturally boosts self-esteem, and I believe it's clothing that dictates one's mood for the day."
Even the tailor sided with Dorothy.
"No, but, what's the point of wearing something like this when no one's going to see it anyway..."
"That's exactly what's important, Your Highness!"
Dorothy's explanation went like this.
If an accident were to occur while moving and her skirt were to lift up, the undergarments would inevitably be seen by someone.
So, since she'd be humiliated anyway, it's better to show elegant and beautiful undergarments to be less ashamed.
"And Your Highness, that day will surely come for you too!"
"...What day?"
"The first night that women dream of!!"
"........."
What Dorothy said after that was quite shocking.
Or more accurately, all sorts of women's secrets that I hadn't known came pouring out.
"Your Highness, there will definitely come a day when you think, 'I could give my first time to this man-'. Then, before it's taken from you, you need to establish it as a fait accompli, but if you happen to be wearing plain undergarments at that time—, you'll definitely regret it!"
After hearing Dorothy's words, I was so shocked my head spun.
If two people like each other, nothing should look bad.
And besides, there's no way I'd ever have a first night with a man in the first place!
Rather, I'm in a position where I need to properly complete my mission and return to being a man.
However, the shock didn't end there.
"Your Highness, this is something I can only tell you because you are the princess...."
"...Go on."
"Well, Her Majesty the Empress personally requests undergarments that—"
—*whisper whisper*.
The tailor whispered in my ear.
"Wh-what?! N-no fabric in the middle...., what, made only of strings....?!"
That day, I ended up learning a secret about Her Majesty that I hadn't known and hadn't wanted to know.
####
"Son, no. Should I call you daughter now."
"...Father."
He was someone who normally wouldn't pay attention to such things.
Suddenly having a conversation like this, just the two of us, was a bit awkward, but this moment still felt somewhat precious.
"Go safely. I will obtain the medicine to return you to your original form, no matter what happens."
"Yes, Father. I will return."
This was Father's room.
Neither Cassandra nor the Night Knights Captain were here—just father and son, the two of us.
And this was a side of him that couldn't be shown to just anyone.
Beyond the mission, we were family first.
"I'll really be going now."
"Alright. I pray you stay safe."
After finishing the farewell with Father, I headed to where the knights were gathered in front of the Imperial Palace.
"You've arrived."
"Hmm. Are the preparations complete?"
"Yes, Your Highness. We can depart at any time."
From now on, the place I would belong.
That place was no longer the Imperial Palace, but the 2nd Imperial Knights.
"*Sob*, *hic*. *Sob*. Your Highness, you must stay safe...."
"Do not worry."
Starting with Dorothy, who was dabbing her tears with a handkerchief, I also said goodbye to the maids who had served me and likely had a hard time doing so for almost a month.
"You've worked hard all this time. Use this to buy something you want."
It wasn't a huge amount of money, but I gave a few gold coins each to the maids who lived solely on their salaries.
Though it was a bit difficult to console Dorothy and the maids who cried as if I were someone leaving for good.
"Everyone, please don't worry so much. I'll likely stop by the Imperial Palace within a month or two for supplies and reorganization."
Just from these farewells, it might seem like I'm someone leaving for good, but I truly must return to the empire within two months.
If a military expedition really took several months or years, who would ever go on one?
I truly turned my body around.
Because it was now really time to depart.
Although we were setting out on an expedition to protect the empire, aside from the people here, there was no one else to see us off.
Not Father, not my elder brother, not the household members, not the citizens.
But I didn't feel particularly upset about that.
It wasn't as if it would be good for the existence of a princess to be widely known.
Rather, since it's confidential, the fewer people who know, the better.
That's why Imperial Father didn't tell the ministers about my existence either.
In fact, he didn't even announce to the citizens that there was a hidden princess.
That was the reason.
And the proof that my existence wasn't well known was precisely—
"Wow, damn. That body is insane. Captain, who is this? A new recruit who just joined?"
—that there was still one knight in the 2nd Knight Order who didn't know of my existence.
He looked like a real troublemaker.
Not particularly handsome, but the type of playboy womanizer who probably made many girls cry.
His skin was tanned black, making him seem like someone who partied a lot.
"Watch your language. This is Her Highness the Princess."
"Whaaat?! The Princess?"
The man briefly scanned my body from top to bottom before bowing his head.
"Ah, my apologies."
Not "I'm sorry," nor "I've committed a capital offense."
The teasing remark he just made to me was certainly enough for a death sentence, but that would only be if I had truly been a princess since birth.
Honestly, even I sometimes get captivated by my own reflection, so I decided to let this one slide.
It wasn't truly offensive sexual harassment, just a compliment about my figure.
##
'...Why isn't she getting angry? Is she really okay with it?'
Or perhaps she doesn't want to start trouble on the first day of the expedition.
From Evernoir's perspective, it seemed the Princess was holding back.
Honestly, she wasn't a commoner, nor was she just some noble family's young lady.
She was the Emperor's daughter, a princess standing high above, practically in the heavens.
To put it bluntly, unlike commoners, it was obvious she had lived her whole life being served and treated with utmost care.
Yet, despite hearing such insulting words that should have made her angry, she remained impassive.
Naturally, from Evernoir's view, there had to be another reason.
##
After finishing his last mission and returning to the empire, he had taken about a month of vacation to rest, and now some woman had joined the knight order.
The moment he saw that woman, his first impression unintentionally slipped out.
But it was unavoidable.
Just look, honestly.
Just from stealing a glance like this—
'Damn, that body is something else.'
—wasn't hers the kind of face and figure you'd want to push onto a bed right away?
Still, seeing that she didn't try to kill him for mere sexual harassment, it seemed his life was thankfully spared.
Then someday, he might be able to make that noble princess fall under him too.
'...Tch.'
It clearly looked like it would take a long time.
If he approached her wrong, it was certain he'd be the one to die.
But still, if he could fuck that body like a dog, wasn't it worth risking his life?
Walter licked his lips and adjusted his bulging trousers.
But he didn't bother to hide it.
Even if the princess saw this, she couldn't do anything to him.
Rather, he hoped she'd see it and wonder how good sex with him would be.
Then there might be at least a slight possibility.
'Certainly, putting in effort to fuck someone is more enjoyable than just fucking them.'
Walter decided to patiently bide his time, even if it was just so our noble Princess could get fucked by him.
####
The note Imperial Father handed me right before we parted.
That note contained various circumstances.
After all, heading out on an expedition recklessly without a goal would break one's will.
And what was written there was information about villages that had been suddenly invaded by demon beasts.
If we were going, we'd naturally start with the closest one.
"Evernoir."
"Give your command."
"I think we should head to Arbel Village first."
"Understood. All knights, mount up!"
""Yes!""
And so, our first destination became Arbel Village.