"Are you alright?" "I-I'm fine. Ahem, I seem to have shown an unsightly side of myself due to the sudden shock."
Unsightly? In what way? If anything, she was excessively beautiful.
Silver, pure white, and pink.
The miracle created by the harmony of those three colors would probably remain in my memory for a lifetime.
"..." "..."
And then, silence.
Suffocating silence continued for quite a while. It simply wasn't a situation where ordinary conversation could take place.
'At least that's fortunate.'
But still… I've avoided the worst-case scenario.
Whether it was due to the shock of having shown her naked body to a stranger, Her Highness stumbled backward and fell onto the grass.
And I, having witnessed in real-time the suspicious spy transform into a beauty with audacious tastes and then into the Imperial Princess, was also extremely flustered.
According to her own stated wishes of not being ready, Princess Alicia, known to be unmarried and not even betrothed at the age of twenty.
Regardless of the circumstances, I saw her naked, and that alone meant I had already committed a grave crime.
After pondering what to do. When I reached out to help her up, she just tightly shut her eyes, and I thought it was all over.
But for some reason, instead of calling out for her guard knight, Her Highness stayed still for a moment, blinked, and then began blushing.
And then, a little later, she grabbed my hand without a word and stood up, but there hasn't been any particular progress since then.
'What exactly am I supposed to do in a situation like this?'
I felt a sense of frustration.
Until now, I've lived a life with little connection to women.
Around the time I came of age. I was forcibly dragged to the battlefield by my family's will and spent five years rolling in the mud before finally being liberated, so it's only natural.
That doesn't mean I'm a complete fool, but my limited experience consisted only of brief physical relationships.
For someone like me, having to deal with not an ordinary woman but Her Highness the Princess, in this current situation, is far too burdensome.
I'd rather go back to the battlefield and fight at this point.
By now, I was seriously considering whether to just force open the floodgates of conversation by spouting any nonsense, when…
"…Achoo!"
The silence, broken in an unexpected direction, forced me to reflect deeply.
'Damn it. What an idiot!'
I've had a person naked before my eyes, and until now, what useless thoughts have I been pondering? I must have really lost my mind.
I hurriedly took off the shirt I was wearing and draped it over Her Highness, who was shivering from the cold.
I knew it was a terribly rude action, but it's better than catching a cold, right?
"W-what?"
She seemed somewhat taken aback by the sudden consideration but, perhaps understanding my intent, quietly accepted it.
The overshirt, large for her body, properly covered Her Highness's naked form down to her lower half.
Though I felt a slight sense of regret, it created an atmosphere where conversation was somewhat possible.
I bowed my head deeply toward her and spoke.
"I sincerely apologize. In the sudden situation, I was flustered and failed to properly attend to your noble person. Please, have me executed."
Even though she inadvertently showed me her naked body, she is a member of the imperial family.
Someone like me, a mere prospective Knight Commander, is in no position to challenge that.
Fortunately, as the princess is known to be of gentle disposition, she carefully adjusted the hem of the shirt and accepted my apology.
"It's alright. You may raise your head." "I am but grateful for your immeasurable mercy." "And… please refrain from the excessive honorifics. It makes me uncomfortable to hear." "Yes. I understand."
Seeing the conversation begin to flow somewhat peacefully, I felt a great sense of relief.
If things continued like this, it seemed I could make today's events as if they never happened.
"Seeing you observe proper etiquette, you seem to be a noble. What is your name?" "I am Wolfgang of House Schwarz."
I have no desire to interfere with whatever hobby a princess, wandering around naked with only a hood in the dead of night, might have.
I simply want to quietly cover up this incident, remembering only Her Highness's naked body.
Also, from Her Highness's perspective, she would absolutely not want today's events to be known by anyone else, so our goals are aligned.
"Good, Sir Wolfgang. Listen well. Today's matter…"
It's obvious what's coming next. She'll suggest we cover it up.
"Yes. I will absolutely not disclose it to anyone."
I answered perceptively in advance. Her Highness slowly nodded, her face reddening.
It seems recalling what happened brought another wave of shame.
"T-that's right. Make sure you don't tell anyone. Of course you should." "Certainly. This incident is nothing more than an accident. We shall pretend nothing happened today." "Hmm…"
I emphasized firmly in a more forceful tone to reassure Her Highness, but she still seemed somewhat unconvinced.
Well, of course, she can't completely trust me. That's a natural reaction.
We only met today.
From her perspective, she can't even be sure if the name I gave is real or fake. My excessively straightforward answer probably aroused suspicion instead.
I suppose even if she possesses the eccentricity of enjoying nude exposure in the middle of the night, a princess is still a princess.
If some kind of investigation comes later, it would be troublesome. I'd rather plant a sense of trust, but there's no way to do that.
Just as an subtle atmosphere began to swirl between us again.
"Hmm. Sir Wolfgang? I think I've heard your name somewhere. Perha… Eeek?!" "Shh, quiet!"
I cut off Her Highness, who was about to say something, and hastily pulled her body toward me.
Because of that, it ended up looking as if she had leaned against and was embraced by me, but there was no choice.
"Y-y-you finally couldn't hold back and revealed your ugly true colors! I, I am the Imperial Princess. I will absolutely not yield to pleasu…! Mmph?!"
I outright covered the mouth of the princess, who had suddenly started spouting nonsense, with my hand and whispered into her ear.
"People are coming this way. Two of them." "...!!"
Hearing that people were coming, she, who had been struggling in my arms, immediately became quiet.
—Thud, thud…
The sound of footsteps growing closer.
Although it was a situation where I needed to stay focused, the pleasant scent wafting from the hair and skin of Her Highness embraced in my arms was utterly dizzying.
I barely suppressed the urge to bury my face directly in the nape of Her Highness's neck and her hair, and waved my free hand toward the direction of the presence.
Then, a guard, cautiously approaching with a torch in one hand and a drawn sword in the other, relaxed and came straight over.
"Ooh! Young Master Wolf! Out for a nighttime stroll again today? Hey, looks like you're not alone today?"
Thankfully, it was someone I was acquainted with. The difficulty of keeping quiet decreased significantly.
"Ah, yes. I was in the middle of enjoying a passionate tryst. Is that a new recruit beside you?" "Yes! He joined three days ago!"
But the guy next to him was the problem. His gaze was filled with the unique sense of duty of a newcomer.
"You two there. You have violated the nighttime curfew, so you must accompany us to the guard post."
As expected. A sigh escaped me.
If I were alone, I would have gladly accompanied them to the guard post and enjoyed watching the chief, recognizing my face, turn pale and scold the new guy.
—Shiver, shiver…
But today, I'm not alone.
Perhaps due to the tension of possibly being discovered, Her Highness began trembling violently.
"Hey! Are you going to act up again without distinguishing between shit and piss? That man may not look it, but he's a noble! A noble!" "Gasp, a noble?! But, then at least some identity verification…" "Ugh. This bastard, really… We already got an earful once today because of you! Do you wanna die?"
The senior guard, who was reprimanding his junior, spat out curses as if annoyed and looked at me with an apologetic expression.
This is not a good flow.
"Um, Young Master Wolf. Excuse me, but could we just take a look at your companion's face? This is actually the proper procedure, you see. No matter if you're nobles…"
If I handle this clumsily, it will only lead to more questioning. It's better to be assertive here.
I took a deep breath against Her Highness's hair and muttered lowly.
"I'd rather not."
The atmosphere instantly turned cold.
The senior guard began stepping backward from me with a pale face, and the junior's legs gave way, and he sat down.
It felt bitter to be intimidating soldiers who were just doing their duty, but it was unavoidable.
"I have a bit of a strong possessive streak, you see. I hope you understand." "Y-yes… uh… I-I have committed a mortal sin! Young Master Wolf. No... Sir Wolfgang!"
"No, what sin? Clearly, I'm the one in the wrong. Isn't that so?"
I said with sincerity, staring intently at the junior with a warm gaze.
"Hii, hiiik…"
However, as the pleasant scent of Her Highness began to mix with the smell of urine, I wanted to leave this place quickly.
"Sorry about this. I don't want to show my woman's face, so I'd appreciate it if we could let it slide with this."
I shoved two gold coins into the breast pocket of the senior guard, who was looking at me with trembling eyes.
"Nighttime curfew violation fine: 6 silver. For two people, that's 12 silver. Since I've paid properly, we can go now, right?"
Then, the senior guard, who had been frozen stiff saying he'd committed a mortal sin, quickly returned to his previous cheerful demeanor.
"Ah, yes! 12 silver. Confirmed clearly! Hehe, I'll educate this junior well. Young Master Wolf." "Good work."
The senior guard picked up the dazed junior, who had wet his pants, and hurriedly distanced himself from me.
After confirming that to the end…
Since Her Highness wouldn't be able to walk properly in this position, I brazenly picked her up and left the spot as quickly as possible.
Phew, mission successful.
Honestly, I was on edge the whole time, worried things might go wrong, but Her Highness was much more cooperative than I thought.
It must have been quite an ordeal to be embraced like a lover by a complete stranger. As expected of the Imperial Princess, her mental fortitude is not ordinary.
"Your Highness. It's all over now. We've shaken off those guards from earlier, and there don't seem to be any other guards nearby, so I'll put you down now." "..."
Why isn't she answering? Did she faint or something?
"Your Highness?"
I hurriedly checked the condition of Her Highness in my arms, but fortunately, she hadn't fainted.
However, her face was bright red, perhaps from extreme anger at what I had arbitrarily done.
The lack of response is probably because she's very angry.
"Um, Your Highness?"
Still no answer. It seems like real trouble this time.
Earlier, the situation somehow aligned and we got through it, but this time there's really no way out.
Using urgency as an excuse, I acted arbitrarily without even seeking her consent, so it's entirely my fault.
While I was stomping my feet, wondering what to do…
"…Don't."
Her Highness's voice, trembling with anger, began to be heard faintly.
I asked again, extremely tense.
"I apologize. Could you please say that again?" "D-don't put me down! I don't have any shoes, how am I supposed to walk?! Just leave me like this!"
Oh no. In our haste to leave like we were fleeing earlier, it seems we left Her Highness's shoes and hood behind.
Now, as if she doesn't even want to see my face, she's avoiding even making eye contact.
At this point, it might be better to just keep my mouth shut and walk quietly. They say if you do nothing, you at least get halfway there.
"…Turn right at that fork."
I quietly obeyed Her Highness's command, who had now begun giving directions from within my arms.
Continuing to walk like that, I sensed a distinct martial aura from afar.
A knight. Seems to be quite skilled. Probably Her Highness's guard knight.
But if she's this far from her charge, it's meaningless. Why on earth…
'Ah.'
For a moment, I wondered, but remembering what Her Highness had been trying to do in that secluded place, it made sense naturally.
She deliberately kept them that far away. To enjoy herself alone without interference.
Once that thought occurred, I couldn't help but look at Her Highness in my arms with cold, disdainful eyes.
It was an utterly irresponsible act for one of the Empire's most important figures. What if something happened? Something almost did happen.
If someone other than me had discovered her, an irreversible mishap could have occurred.
Thinking that, I continued walking toward the guard knight. Now that they had likely sensed my presence, they began running toward us, stumbling.
That guy is pitiful too. It's always the underlings who suffer because of those in high positions.
"Your Highness! Wh-what is this indecent attire?! You! What have you done to Her Highness?!" "I have absolutely caused no harm, so you can rest assured."
I tried to offer some explanation, but I couldn't think of an appropriate answer and brushed it off vaguely.
"…Hear it from Her Highness herself. I'm tired, so I'll be going now." "Wait! Do you think you can get away with such words?! Hey!"
The shrill voice of the female knight shouting something from behind reached me, but I ignored it. I didn't want to get further entangled.
Now that Her Highness's safety was assured, my duty was done.
'Tomorrow's inauguration ceremony… Will I be able to hold it properly?'
Once misfortune starts, it tends to continue. I'm worried it might affect tomorrow's important event.
Just as I was trying to soothe my weary mind and turn my steps toward my residence…
"Wait!"
The voice of Her Highness stopping me came from behind.
I might ignore the female knight, but I couldn't bring myself to ignore Her Highness. When I turned around, she was still looking at me with a face from which the red flush hadn't faded.
'Damn. I was trying to slip away quietly.'
Now there's no way out. I hope she's at least a little less angry than before.
"You, you definitely said you were Wolfgang of House Schwarz, right?" "Yes. That is correct." "What happened between us today. Absolutely do not forget it. That's all. Let's go, Liz."
As expected, Her Highness, carried on the female knight's back, left after uttering that terrifying sentence.
Damn. As expected, it's not going to be swept under the rug.
Incurring the resentment of a royal. This is practically no different from a death sentence.
Suddenly, I felt a stifling sensation, as if something heavy had been placed on my chest. A sigh escaped me.
"Sigh…"
It seems I've gotten myself properly entangled.