Chapter 145 - Volume 8 (1/2)

Volume 8, Chapter 3: I became a Hero, Part 3

Ever since I became Yurushia, I’ve become used to being given sponge baths by my maids. Even now, I’m still getting cared for in the bath by Fannie, so my sense of shame has become quite lax, it’s still the ‘same-sex’ after all.

…… Well… being hand-washed by Tina was still kind of a turn-off even though we were the same sex.

Even so, the story was different when it came to men.

No, I should actually have noticed it from the beginning. The platinum dress made by Noa and Nea this time formed an [All-in-one Undergarment design] alongside the black and silver dress, but to think that the maids of the castle wouldn’t even say anything about wearing a corset equivalent……

I’m not a big fan of exposure, so to having all that floral lace going all the way down my back to the bottom makes my face flush even if it’s me I’m looking at. Even then, my chest doesn’t feel unsupported. In fact, any swelling up while wearing such thin clothes is sure to be troubling.

Even now, the young hot-blooded knights were trying very hard to avert their eyes, while Daichi was being held down and barred from looking by Touka.

What is this obscenity censoring behavior……?

The maids who’d tied up my hair so that my back could be seen are also guilty, damn it.

“……Oh?”

When I tried to use magic power to “transform” the black and silver dress, instead of turning back into a dress, it turned from a choker into a “shawl” with the same lace pattern as the one on my back, and gracefully hung over my shoulders.

“…… a rather uselessly high-performance item.”

“Was there such a function?”

……Eh? Tina, didn’t you make it?

I managed to cover most of my back…… though a bit of my waistline can still be seen…… and arrived at the room where we were to have the luncheon.

“Ms. Yu-Yurushia, please come in.”

It was neither the butler nor the maid, but rather the senior knight who opened the door for us.

I don’t know whether it was because he was nervous or afraid, but it felt very awkward.

Please don’t look at my back.

“I’ve been expecting you, Yurushia.”

Bianca, the second princess of Sail, greeted me as I entered.

It’s been a long time, Bianca-chan. We rarely ever ran into each other in the castle, but as to whether that was because the castle was just that large, or if she was avoiding me, or………

“Hey, Princess Yurushia, it’s been a long time. I nearly couldn’t recognize you today in that nice dress.”  Kyoji chimed in.

“I see that both of you haven’t changed much.”

Or, could it be that the Hero of Water was trying to keep her close in fear of her leaking information……?

As I entered, one of the knights guided me to my seat.

“Oh, you’re……”

“…… I’m sorry for my previous rudeness.”

It was that greenhorn knight who had immediately underestimated Onzada-kun and had been beaten up.

Although the expression of despair from that time had disappeared, it seems that he was deep in thought about something, just glancing at his face I could tell that he was blushing and frowning, clearly enduring something.

Yeah, have no idea what.

If he held malice against me, I wouldn’t have condoned it, but for now, I couldn’t feel anything from him, so I didn’t pay him any special attention.

I thought of addressing him, but if I asked him [Is your health well?] as the Lord of Onzada-kun, it would surely be construed as sarcasm……

Well, maybe.

“Would you allow me to treat your scalp……?”

“Well, it’s not a problem…… wha”

Oh, my bad.

Even if you’re young, carelessness is a powerful enemy, you know. For knights and the like who liked to abuse their bodies, they would continue to prefer oily food well into their middle ages, and with the way he was shook up just from these comments, he kind of resembles the old knight behind Bianca right now.

“I’m alright, so please……sit down.”

“I understand.”

I sat down gently in the proffered chair. As I did so, my shawl turned back into a choker without my permission, and the knight visibly started shaking.

…… It’s because it suddenly transformed, right? It’s not because my back is exposed, right?

I could feel myself flushing, but I felt like I was able to keep my cool. Since I’ve been keeping myself in check ever since I was young, I have been able to behave in a very “human” fashion.

4 of us sat at a large table that could easily seat 20. Kyoji was right next to me. Bianca sat directly across of him. And next to Bianca, directly opposite of me, sat a small boy.

“Sis, introduce me!”

The little blonde boy of about 10 called Bianca ‘Sis’ impatiently and was looking at me with sparkling eyes.

“How shameless, Fio. Excuse me, Yurushia. This is my younger brother, the First Prince…”

“I’m Fjord, nice to meet you, Princess Yurushia.”

Fjord, unable to wait for his sister to finish her words, greeted me enthusiastically.

I see…… he’s got the exact look and the personality that was in the attendants’ report.

Because he was born so late as a boy, he kept a grudge against the First Princess, who had been married off to another country but was still aiming for the throne. Yep, that’s the First Prince without a doubt.

“Yes, I have heard some things about you, Fjord-sama. I am Yurushia of Tariterudo.”

“I wonder what those rumors are…… ah, please, call me Fio.”

“Sit down properly, Fio.”

Bianca immediately chastised Fjord, whose face turned red even as Bianca frowned.