Since my clothes had gotten thoroughly dirty, I had to wear the outfit given by Her Highness. Putting aside that it fit... I couldn't get used to it because my lower body felt chilly. Even though it was called a dress, it was a one-piece that only came down to my ankles, so it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say this was the first time I'd worn a skirt that exposed my thighs.
...And on top of that, I had just been doing... that kind of thing... No, not just "that kind of thing"—
"Miss Shaa?"
"Yes, yes!"
"Fufufu... Somehow you seem even more nervous than before?"
"Ah, no. It's just... this is my first time wearing clothes like this..."
"Is that so?"
Her Highness nodded as if surprised, then tilted the teapot. As befitting an expensive room, it seemed to be a magical tool, as a sunset-colored liquid resembling steaming vapor poured out in a trickle. Once it was adequately filled, Her Highness pushed the teacup toward me.
...Oh, it was mine.
"Th-thank you."
"Please enjoy it."
It would be nice if I could drink it comfortably... but I couldn't help feeling nervous. Still, it seemed to be good tea leaves, as the taste was excellent. I thought it would be nice to brew it a bit stronger and make milk tea.
As I was warming myself up like that, I noticed Her Highness staring intently at me. When our eyes met, her blue eyes curved gracefully.
"You... are indeed strange."
"Huh?"
"You... aren't hiding your identity from me, are you?"
"...I am not."
"Hmm..."
Watching Her Highness sip her tea with a dignified gesture, I realized what mistake I had made. It seemed to be due to a habitual gesture. After setting down her teacup, Her Highness gazed at me steadily, then drew a gentle curve at the corner of her mouth.
"Well, if you say so, I'll take your word for it. More importantly, let's talk about the medicine. You... seemed to already know about the medicine, didn't you?"
After hesitating for a moment, I answered. I had found a suitable excuse.
"Um... I heard it from Miss Be, Caltz. It just came to mind earlier, so it seemed like I was hiding it... Your Highness."
"Hmm... Yes, a suitable excuse."
"..."
Cold sweat ran down my back. I barely managed to lift the corners of my mouth, which were threatening to drop like a plummeting stock graph, and averted my gaze. A laugh reached my ears.
"Kukuku... Don't be so scared, it was just a joke. Your reaction was so cute I couldn't help but tease you."
"...I-is that so."
...This is why people of high status. Afraid my disrespectful thoughts might show, I pinched my wrist.
It hurt.
As I hid my wrist and rubbed it slightly, I heard the sound of tea being poured with a glug-glug.
"This request might sound a bit sensitive and rude... but could you tell me what you know?"
Her Highness smiled faintly and dropped a square sugar cube into her teacup with a plop. She leisurely enjoyed her tea as if willing to wait as long as needed, awaiting my response.
...I felt a bit gloomy. Of course, I knew the ingredients... but even I didn't know why it turned out that way. I felt pathetic. For some reason, the corners of my eyes felt damp. When I brushed my fingers over them, tears were leaking out.
Huh? Why, why is this happening? While I was flustered by the tears flowing on their own, Her Highness rose from her seat and came to sit beside me. I felt the soft touch of fabric gently pressing against the corners of my eyes.
"I don't know what happened, but it seems I asked something unnecessary."
"N-no, it's not that. I, I don't really know why, why this is happening suddenly either."
The sudden burst of tears was uncontrollable. It was fortunate that it was a small, tearful appearance that suited tears... if I had shed tears in my previous form... it would have been ugly.
But I really don't know why the tears are pouring out... I definitely felt gloomy and powerless, but I... didn't expect it to burst out like this right away.
This feeling of being swept away by emotions was extremely disconcerting and... unpleasant.
...Is it because my body changed?
Probably... that's it.
After calming down under Her Highness's touch, I opened my mouth in a small voice. My voice was a bit husky, probably from crying.
"Um... I apologize for showing such disgrace."
"I don't mind. Rather... I might have pushed too hard... so I should be the one apologizing."
"Ah, no."
"Huhu... If you say so."
After that, when I apologized for not having found out anything, she shook her head with a smile. She said she understood, so I obediently sipped my tea to calm down before returning. The look in her eyes, as if she were looking at a cute creature, was a bit burdensome, but it was better than a disapproving look.
Only after eating all the snacks she pushed toward me in the middle did the atmosphere become suitable for returning. Her Highness placed a badge engraved with the imperial crest in my hand and spoke.
"I'd appreciate it if you came to the palace if you find out anything. And..."
Her Highness paused briefly before continuing.
"If any problems arise from today's events, you can come anytime. You can even come to visit if you're bored."
"...I am deeply honored."
I absolutely will not go.
"I'll have to be confined to the palace for a while, so come visit anytime."
"...Is that so."
Her Highness giggled and said.
"Actually, I was the one who stopped the train. A small protest to delay going to the palace even a little longer..."
...No wonder the things she gave as apologies were so luxurious. As expected of someone of high status, the scale of her protest is quite... grand.
"D-did I cause... trouble?"
"Don't worry about it. Thanks to you, I made an excuse to meet you, so if there's any benefit, it's a benefit."
"..."
I fiddled with the badge in my hand. I had been careful, avoiding involvement as if trying not to get entangled, but I never dreamed... it would turn out like this. Other nobles would probably be delighted and jump at the chance... but I have no interest in such things. Of course, it could be an opportunity to handle large sums of money.
But more than that, I detest getting entangled in politics, having enemies made regardless of my will, and having to worry about others' eyes.
...Since I received it secretly as Shaa, it should be fine.
Her Highness, who had been fiddling with her teacup, spoke as if she had just remembered.
"Ah, and could you convey to your teacher, Lord Astarote, that I'd like to see him soon if possible? It's not a demand... but personally, I'd like you to tell him."
He's right in front of you. Unfortunately.
"...If I meet him, I'll convey that."
"Good, I'll leave it to you."
Only then could I leave Her Highness's room and reunite with Claudia. As I opened the door I had entered through—whether she had been waiting until I came out—Claudia was right there. She had her arms crossed and her eyes closed, but the moment the door opened, our eyes met.
Since I had already bowed to Her Highness before the door opened, I immediately moved to return to our room with Claudia.
Claudia spoke in a worried voice.
"Shaa. You didn't have anything strange done to you, right?"
"...Nothing happened."
"Your eyes look a bit red..."
"...The tea given by the person inside was so delicious it brought a tear to my eye."
"Haha, joking aside."
Claudia, who had been giggling, whispered softly once Her Highness's guards were far away.
"So who's inside that they're so strict?"
At that question, I looked around. I thought there might be ears listening somewhere. Her Highness knew that Astaroth Asha was not at the Workshop.
So, it wouldn't hurt to be careful.
Of course... Her Highness wouldn't mind, but I was uneasy.
"...You'll get hurt if you know."
"Hmm..."
"Later..."
"Okay."
Claudia, who understood what I was implying, backed off obediently.
"But... Shaa."
"Yes?"
"What's with that outfit?"
"Ah... The clothes I was wearing got dirty."
I had forgotten, but when Claudia pointed it out, my thighs felt chilly. Even though the weather was slightly warm. It must be my mood...
"Well... it's pretty. It suits you."
"...Thank you."
It was a compliment, but it felt strange. As I scratched my head, Claudia's second question assaulted me.
"But I have one more thing I'm curious about."
"Yes?"
Claudia grinned. Somehow... it was a subtle smile.
"Your chest seems to have shrunk a lot compared to when you went in... Are you sure nothing happened?"
"...It, it must be your imagination. It's, it's the same, isn't it?"
Claudia, who had been walking while looking down at me, reached up through my armpit with her sturdy hand and groped my chest.
"Wh-what are you doing!"
"...It definitely seems smaller. You even put on underwear?"
"...It, it really is your imagination! Le-let's go back quickly. The others will be worried..."
"Okay, okay, I get it."
Leaving behind Claudia, who was grumbling as if she'd let it go just this once, I hurriedly walked toward our room. Claudia chased after me and grabbed my hips.
"Shaa... I know you're in a hurry, but if you run like that, your underwear will show."
"..."
"It's fortunate no one's around, but you should be careful."
Claudia chuckled, opened the room door, and smiled with a slightly mischievous face.
"That color suits you well."
"..."
Fuck.
There was a small commotion over the fact that the person I met was Her Highness, but since the companions traveling with us weren't the type to talk about it elsewhere, nothing came of it. Especially since two of them... wouldn't have anyone to tell anyway.
But the companions seemed more interested in the outfit I was wearing and my reduced chest.
...It was a bit troublesome to make excuses because of that, but the train that had departed arrived at its destination without any issues. Of course, who would have problems with something I repaired?
And so... I arrived at Jedo 'Haven,' where I had returned for the first time since graduating from the academy.
Perhaps because there were many people, my stomach felt a bit queasy.
Author's Note (Author's Afterword)
Since many people enjoyed the IF side story delusions, I'm thinking of writing one.
Whether that point will be after the main story's conclusion, and whether I'll dig into a new work and upload it... I haven't decided yet, but I think you'll be able to see it someday.
In my opinion, it will probably be after the main story ends. In many ways... that seems better.
So... for now, I'll focus on the main story!!!