I’m Michele • De • Cross, a knight who has dedicated her sword to the Queen.

My true name is Michela. I hated this name in the past but now is different. At present, I am just glad to have been born as female from bottom of my heart.

The main reason I thought so was my beloved fiancé, but as I grew older, I came to realize that I was lucky to not have born as stupid and vulgar man.

“I believe I can understand Michela thoughts.”

When our conversation shifts into being about my upbringing, Philia, a new friend I recently made, elegantly tilts her head in agreement.

“I also think they are very troublesome and helpless creatures…… Well, Luke is cute in this point too, though”

“It’s really accurate to say they are helpless. No matter how old they become, they sometimes behave like children and act in incomprehensible ways. They sometimes think with their body and not with their head, mainly with their lower body…… except for Nikolo, though”

We smiled at each other, feeling that we understood each other.

It had only been a short time since I became friends with Philia, but we are already best friends.

As the only daughter of La • Robe Duke, one of the most prominent families in the kingdom, she rarely appeared in public until now. Although, I heard that the King and the Queen had gathered information about her and wanted her to be crown princess.

The more I heard about Philia from the honorable Queen, the more I came to share those feelings.

I was surprised and disappointed when her engagement with her stepbrother was announced, but it also intrigued me that a woman who could have become the queen actually chooses a three years younger, blood related man, who fell behind in rank. Young ladies typically hope for a husband with a matching court rank as them or even higher.

When I made up my mind to marry the frail Niccolo, who is also seven years younger than me, everyone around me made a fuss and even meddled between us, hoping that I would reconsider my decision. For that reason, I arbitrarily held feelings of kinship with her, but when we actually became friends, I noticed I surprisingly got along well with her, someone who should have been a sheltered princess.

I had thought a woman like me would not be able to get along with an aristocratic young lady (in fact, I couldn’t even get along with my sisters), but Philia was different. No matter how much we talked, it just didn’t feel like it was enough, so I agreed to Philia’s suggestion of having a [girl’s gathering] and was invited to Duke’s mansion.  In her room, we were relaxing in our sleepwear.

We were sprawled over a massive bed eating snacks and drinking alcohol. I had brought it along with me. That was an unladylike situation, but it was fun.

“If my mother or the old maid were to see us like this, they would definitely go crazy and flatten me.”

“Ufufuf, it’s really fun to do things you aren’t supposed to at a girl’s gathering. In addition, just eating lots of delicious things without worrying about tomorrow’s waistline.”

I smile sarcastically while sprawled on the bed and tilt my glass. She smiles back as she pinch the chocolate.

Philia, apparently weak to alcohol, with her eyes darting around and flushed cheeks was so enchanting she was a sight to behold even for a woman. As she originally had a stern face, which came off as scary at first glance, she looked so cute. More so now that was defenseless.

When I saw the drunk Philia giggling, I suddenly thought maybe if it was then, I might be able to ask her.

“Philia, can you tell me how you and your fiancé got together? Why did you become engaged with him? It’s unfair only for me to talk.”

I had already completely told her of my dear memories with Niccolo the first day we became friends.

I told her of my first encounter with Nicolo. He had just inherited the count rank at the passing of his parents four years ago. Of how I felt electricity jolt throughout my body the moment I saw him and decided to make him my bride…… I mean husband. About how my escape route was carefully blocked by the people around me, and about once he turned seventeen, I imposed….. Cough, offered my innocence to him.

Philia had talked about her memories with her fiancé, who was also her step brother, but whenever it came to the essential process of the engagement, her words become vague.

Ever since the wise Philia had fallen, my maiden’s spirit of curiosity was itching to learn just what kind of romantic courtship it had been.

Just as I had expected, drunk Philia was now loose tongued.

“Why did I get engaged to Lukeeee…… When I woke up, we were engaged.”

“?? What do you mean?”

“Hmm, Luke took off his gloves and pushed me down. The first two times were painful, so I fell asleep, and when I woke up, I was engaged with him.”

What gloves?

It was strangely incoherent because of her drunkenness, but when the general meaning became clear to me, I instantly became sober.

“….. Philia, did he perhaps take away your innocence forcefully? Without any words of love?”

“He told me ‘I love you.’ After the deed though.”

“That man…… I will not forgive him”

I subconsciously fumbled around for the sword usually affixed to my waist and clicked my tongue when I found nothing.

If her fiancé was in front of me, I would have immediately challenged to a duel. To forcibly steal a maiden’s innocence, even if she were his stepsister, that’s why men are……

“But…… When I thought about it later, I didn’t find it unpleasant at all.”

“Huh?”

“Whether I was kissed by Luke or when he forcibly pushed me down…… I did think it was wrong, but I didn’t hate it. I always thought I only saw him as my little brother but….. Maybe I liked him from the beginning?”

Lying there languidly, Philia tilted her head, finding it strange herself. Whether it was her expression or her tone, they were vaguer than usual and she looked dangerously erotic with her sloven nightgown.

Maybe I could show a bit compassion if her fiancé was seduced by her charm. No, no matter how erotic it is, it’s outrageous to act without mutual consent. I also seduced Nicolo properly and after creating the mood, I took it. However, it seems Philia didn’t detest it……

While my thoughts were going round and round, Philia spoke about even more unpardonable remarks.

“Because, I was really scared and disgusted when I was pushed down by that womanizing knight. After all, it’s because Luke was special to me.”

“What did you say! What does that mean, Philia?”

“Michela, you’re spilling the wine. Well, because of a trifling misunderstanding, that pervert…… I was pushed down by Cesari-sama in his bad humor, but goosebumps ran all over my body and I resisted desperately.”

“I thought I had already seen all the pervertedness of that man. Dammit, that lustful demon even stretched his dirty claws to Philia…… “

“Lustful demon is a very accurate description. I call him a horny womanizing man.”

“That master and servant pair are honestly beyond saving. Lustful demon (Laurenz) is crazy all the time irrespective of the place and that idiot (Al)…… Can’t even say words of praise to the woman he likes despite fooling around those dull headed women who keep swarming to his status as the crown prince.”

I subconsciously glanced at Philia’s face. I saw the grown up appearance of a tiny girl gently hiding her dimwitted step brother whom she had become attached to.

“Oh, there are still people who think of His Highness. I heard he is broken-hearted.”

“Yeah, he is. His heart was broken before he could even express his feelings, he’s honestly a stupid and disappointed guy.”

“Let’s not talk about his useless condescending tone and egoistic attitude. He should have enough capital with his looks and position. If he seriously makes a pass on a woman, almost any woman would waver.”

“For example, even you?”

“It’s impossible for me. I’m bad at dealing with conceited looking gentlemen. I don’t know how many times I wanted to shove my fan up his prideful nose”

“Pff…… Fuhaha a folding fan in the nose…… “

Seems like my cousin doesn’t have even the slightest bit of hope. He was mercilessly shot down without even a second of consideration.

I corrected my expression after laughing and imagining the scene of Philia shoving her folding fan into Alphonso’s nose while laughing gracefully.

“Let’s not talk about Al, you gave an unreliable impression save for your stern expression, Philia. Your stepbrother has already established the fact with you, and you were even push down my that lustful demon.”

“Luke is my brother and looks like an angel, I never thought he would look at me in that way. I had a slight misunderstanding about Cesari-sama, thinking I was safe since he might had been a homosexual.”

“Philia, perhaps your fiancé isn’t an angel, but what’s with that womanizer being a homosexual? If it were true, that would instead be a blessing for this world, but it’s impossible”

“You’re right…… He’s a true pervert who took pleasure in seeing me disgusted.”

“There’s no doubt that guy is a pervert, but I think it would be better if ha a stronger sense of danger. Men are simple creatures. I think they will usually have shameful feelings when they look at you. Look at your chest, you are slender, but they are…… um, soft…… Outrageous”

“Hold up, don’t be mad while touching my chest. Isn’t Michela also surprisingly large? Even though you look flat in your knight’s uniform.”

“I suppress them using a sarashi since they get in the way when I am on duty. I used to think they were a burden, but they were helpful in seducing Nicolo.”

“Using a sarashi to bind them will harm your figu…re…… They aren’t?”

“I may lose in size, but I have confidence in their shape and bounciness. It’s because I have been working out. Philia might be nice and bouncy now, but if they are that big and remain neglected, in future…… “

“Noooooo, don’t say that, I’m actually worried about that!”

…… Even as the night deepened, our girl’s gathering continued in Duke’s mansion……

※※※

The next day, my head hurt from a hangover.

“Ugh…… I hate this body for being weak against alcohol.”

“Please remember that you’re weak to alcohol, and easily gain weight, young lady. Look, your stomach is sticking out.”

“Angie, don’t poke where it hurts.”

Michela is a glutton since her body does taxing work, moreover, she’s a heavy drinker, yet her complexion didn’t change no matter how much she drank. The day after I was lured along by her and got carried away, I was writhing in agony as Angela was barely able to tie up my corset.

I did say that I didn’t mind wearing casual garments as I wasn’t expecting any visitor but,

 [What are you talking about! What do you mean wear casual garments when the beautiful Michela-sama is here! The beautiful young lady must flawlessly stand next to Michela-sama…… ]

It was rejected by strong opposition from all the maids beginning with Angela.

My new best friend charmed all the maids the moment she came to visit my house.

Not to say anything about Angela who witnessed her magnificently saving me from a certain ambassador, the kind and handsome young lady knight who’s cheerful to each and every servant has been greeted with an enthusiastic welcome by all the servants.

“Are you dressed, Philia? May I enter?”

Michela, who has returned from changing her clothes in another room, called out after knocking.

“Umm, it’s okay.”

The door opened as I answered and Michela, dressed in her knight’s uniform, entered gallantly. She smiled sweetly at me with a freshness that was appropriate for the cool morning air without any vestige of heavy drinker in sight.

“Good morning, Philia. You look remarkably radiant this morning.”

The way she politely took my hand and kissed me was very knightly.

Last night was the first time I saw her in women’s clothing, or rather, I saw her in something that’s not a knight’s uniform and surprisingly, she only looked like a female. She was as tall as a man, but her body was toned and had all the necessary curves. She was a beautiful woman hiding the power of a Valkyrie or Artemis.

It was just as my maids said, exposing my bloated body due to overeating and drinking to Michela, who was both handsome and almost an uncomfortably beautiful, was painful.

“Good morning. You’re the same as always despite all that eating and drinking.”

“I have always been a bottomless pit for food and drink. Philia who quickly got drunk was awfully cute.”

“I don’t like hearing you say that after seeing my bloated face.”

I was shocked when I looked in the mirror and sighed, but Michela gave a light laugh.

“Haha, hasn’t your slight puffiness just made cuter? You know, there are lines of men who would love to kiss your slightly swollen eyelids?”

*Tsun*

When Michela gently poked on my forehead, a high pitched shriek rose from the maids standing on the sides.

“What a beautiful sight to behold…… “

“I also want to be poked by Michela-sama…… “

It would have given me goosebumps if she had been your usual man, but when a handsome young man whom I know is actually a woman does that, it inevitably makes my heart race.

I quickly cover my cheeks with my hands to hide the redness of my face.

“――――― Elder sister”

“Hi”

The blood rushing to my face quickly calmed down.

Looking inside from the wide open door was my fiancé. His haggard beauty was exuding melancholy and gruesomeness.

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