The carriage turned onto a street gleaming like gold.
Royal Road.
The shopping district at the heart of the capital—as the name suggests, it was Royal, the place where the empire's nobles came to shop.
True to its reputation, every single shop was a luxury boutique.
And the one where the carriage stopped was called Trael Tailor Shop.
"Get out."
Even as I descended, the Princess held my hand.
Really...
I never imagined that instead of escorting a woman, I'd first become one and receive an escort.
"Um... Your Highness...?"
I said, glancing cautiously at the Princess.
"We've already gotten out of the carriage..."
The Princess was still holding my hand.
Her large hand gripped mine entirely, as if refusing to let go.
"Are you embarrassed?"
"N-No, it's not that...! People will misunderstand!"
"What misunderstanding?"
"They might think we're lovers."
At my response, the Princess chuckled as if it were amusing.
"Does Sir Withbel think every man and woman holding hands are lovers?"
"Th-That's not what I meant."
"Then what did you mean?"
"As a member of the imperial family, Your Highness must be cautious in your relationships. Especially with the opposite sex—I believe you should be thorough."
"That's not for Sir Withbel to worry about."
"If I've overstepped..."
"No need to apologize."
It was at that moment.
Whoosh!
The Princess yanked my hand.
Unable to resist, I was pulled straight into her embrace.
My smaller body was enveloped in the Princess's broad chest.
"Sir Withbel isn't entirely wrong."
"Eek!"
The Princess pulled at my waist.
Our stomachs pressed together.
"As imperial family, I hold the initiative in all relationships. In the empire, the imperial family is absolute. What others say is none of my concern."
The Princess smiled warmly.
"Your face is red again."
"D-Don't tease me...!"
"Sir Withbel, your reactions are just so delicious."
The Princess licked her lips.
"I said don't tease...!"
I flailed and escaped from the Princess's arms.
My heart pounded wildly.
The Princess's teasing wasn't good for my heart.
Come to think of it, the Princess had this kind of personality?
It was different from the rumors.
I'd thought she was just cold and curt.
She was like a playful boy who loved pranks.
"Knights, listen up."
The Princess addressed the knights standing in formation.
"If word of what just happened reaches anyone else's ears, you'll all be executed. Collective responsibility, right?"
The Princess caressed the sword at her waist.
The knights replied in unison, straightening their backs sharply.
It felt like this wasn't the first time something like this had happened.
Scary.
"Well, shall we go in?"
The Princess, who had been staring expressionlessly at the knights, flashed a soft smile.
Truly scary.
I was dragged by the Princess into the tailor shop.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
As soon as we entered the tailor shop, a luxurious scent wafted over us.
It was as fragrant as a flower garden in full bloom.
Mannequins dressed in vibrant, colorful garments suited the aroma perfectly, displayed all around.
"Welcome."
A woman in a black dress greeted us haughtily.
A face I'd seen in the newspapers.
Trael Chicotti.
The owner of this shop, for whom the empire's young ladies lined up to have their clothes tailored.
I knew reservations were backed up for over a year.
"Oh?"
The woman tilted her head, arms crossed.
"I heard the Princess was coming."
"It's been a while, ChiChi."
"Princess?"
"Circumstances turned me into this for a bit."
"I see."
Trael nodded.
No further questions.
Her attitude was simply, "If there's a circumstance, then there is," and moved on.
Most people would be curious about what the circumstance was.
"Your Highness looks magnificent whether as a woman or a man. I don't make men's suits, but I'll create one that suits you."
"Thanks."
The Princess replied with a curt expression.
She said thanks, but her face didn't show it.
"But I'm not here to get my own clothes tailored today."
The Princess placed me in front.
"I want clothes for this lady. Make them right away."
"Understood."
"Is that okay?"
I was startled by how readily she accepted.
"I heard that at Trael Tailor Shop, you need a year's reservation even for a duke's daughter..."
Even offering a fortune for priority, they firmly refused and upheld the order.
"A request from the Princess is an exception."
"Ehh..."
"Your Highness saved my life. I must grant any request from my lifesaver."
I widened my eyes and looked up at the Princess.
Lifesaver?
I couldn't believe this villainess had saved someone's life.
She was more likely to take them.
"That look says you don't believe it?"
The Princess stroked the hilt of her sword.
"N-No way."
I carefully averted my eyes.
"Any preferred designs?"
Trael brought over a pen and paper.
"Uh..."
I rubbed my chin, pondering.
If I'd been interested in clothes normally, words would flow easily, but I was the type who thought anything comfortable that covered the body was fine—I had zero interest in fashion.
"Could you make a mage's robe?"
That was the best I could come up with after agonizing.
"Black, and as concealing of the figure as possible."
Was it because I'd become a woman?
Exposing my body felt embarrassing.
Large breasts.
Large hips.
Just as the Princess said, their size was so vulgar.
I felt emotions I'd never imagined as a man.
"What a shame."
"Pardon?"
"A woman's curves must be revealed to bring out her beauty. For someone with a figure as splendid as yours, showing them off would make you even more beautiful."
It was praise, but I couldn't take it as such.
I'm a man!
Why would I be happy about having a feminine figure?
"She says."
The Princess grinned mischievously.
"We should follow the expert's advice. For example, how about something like that?"
The Princess pointed to a mannequin.
A miniskirt barely covering the hips.
A sleeveless shirt exposing the sides of the chest.
It was outrageously revealing, lewd attire.
For a moment, I imagined it.
Myself wearing those clothes.
Compared to the mannequin, all my parts were more ample, so it'd be even more exposing.
"H-How could I wear something like that?!"
I shrieked.
"'Something like that'? That's rude to the designer."
"Ah...!"
I immediately bowed my head and apologized to Trael.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to dismiss the design—I was just saying it doesn't suit me."
"I understand."
Trael brushed it off coolly.
"I'll make it as close to your request as possible."
"Thank you."
Trael's pen flew across the paper, sketching designs.
Her hands were incredibly fast.
Three designs appeared in an instant.
"How long will it take?"
The Princess asked.
"A robe won't take long. About an hour."
"Wow..."
I gasped at the timeline.
To make a full outfit in an hour—impressive.
Even without sewing experience, I could tell it was amazing.
"But don't you need measurements?"
The Princess fiddled with a measuring tape hanging on the wall.
"Measurements..."
"We do, right?"
The Princess cut off Trael mid-sentence.
"I forgot. Measuring is basic before making clothes."
"That can happen."
The Princess picked up the tape and approached me.
It felt like a predator closing in.
My body shivered.
"I'll take them and tell you."
"Um, shouldn't a professional...?"
"No need for a professional here."
The Princess grabbed my wrist.
"ChiChi, prepare the fabric."
"Got it."
"We'll measure in that room."
"Of course."
"E-Eh? Ehhh?"
I was dragged by the Princess into a room at the back of the tailor shop.
Click!
As soon as the door closed, it locked.
Precisely, the Princess locked it.
"Your Highness...? Why lock the door...?"
"In case someone comes in."
The Princess stretched the tape taut between her hands.
"Shall we start?"
I backed away stealthily.
Thud!
But the space was limited.
Cornered, nowhere to flee.
It wasn't really fleeing, but it felt necessary.
"Take it all off."
"All of it...?"
"For accurate sizing, you measure naked."
It wasn't wrong.
Not wrong, but...
Taking it off is embarrassing.
And I felt like I shouldn't.
"What are you doing not undressing?"
"Like this... as much as possible..."
"Should I take it off for you?"
The Princess drew closer.
Her shadow, backlighted by the light, loomed over my face.
I hugged my shoulders, trembling.
"Choose. Undress yourself? Or be undressed?"
The Princess's hand inched nearer.
I swallowed tears and answered.
"I'll undress! I'll do it myself! So back off!"
The Princess obligingly stepped back.
"Ughhh."
Tears welling, I unbuttoned my shirt.
I felt like the Princess's plaything.
No, not felt—I was completely her toy.
No longer the Princess's tutor, but her plaything.