Since I was staying the night at the royal castle, I was guided to a room that was truly befitting a state guest, right down to the massive, luxurious bath I’d just finished soaking in.
Everything was opulent, and the support system was so thorough it included a dedicated maid standing by outside my door. I knew this was only to be expected of a royal castle, but it was still hard to settle in.
Naturally, Alice was in a separate room since she was a woman. Bell was also being well cared for, receiving the same level of courtesy and fine meals. That said, I heard the Behemoth had sent the knight assigned to its care flying with a single slap to the face, so I eventually had to sit the little guy down for a stern lecture.
After spending some time alone in my overly spacious room, I was summoned by Chris-san. One of the maids guided me through the castle to her private chambers.
When we reached the room, located in what felt like the innermost depths of the vast castle, the maid bowed and departed. Left alone, I felt a surge of nerves as I knocked on the door.
"Chris-san, it’s Miyama."
"Ah, Miyama-sama. My apologies, I’m currently... actually, no, it’s fine. Please, come in."
"Huh?"
Her phrasing struck me as a bit odd, but I soon heard the lock click. Puzzled, I pushed the door open.
When I stepped inside, Chris-san was there as expected—but her appearance was entirely unexpected.
"Wha—?! What the...?"
"Forgive me, Miyama-sama. I’m in the middle of changing, but I’ll be finished shortly. Please, take a seat over there."
Chris-san stood there with her porcelain-white skin exposed, her hands in the middle of adjusting an elegant cloth to cover her chest.
It was a provocative sight that threatened to grind my thoughts to a halt. Even though I knew I shouldn't look, my gaze inadvertently drifted toward her modest curves.
Wait, wait, wait! More importantly...
"Wh-Wh... I mean, you’re a woman?!"
"...Oh?"
Hearing my outburst, Chris-san blinked in surprise for a moment before tapping her chin thoughtfully. I really wished she would put some clothes on before she started thinking.
That movement finally snapped my brain back into gear. I scrambled out of the room in a panic.
"I’m so sorry!"
I slammed the door shut and leaned against it, breathing heavily. The image of her body was burned into my mind, making it impossible to stay calm.
I didn't even know what to say. I had to apologize, obviously, but wait a second. In stories, this is usually what happens when a protagonist forgets to knock—the classic "lucky lecher" trope. But I definitely knocked. And I definitely waited for her to tell me to come in. So why did this happen?
"Miyama-sama."
"Y-Yes?!"
"I’ve finished dressing. You may come in."
"A-Ah, right. Okay."
Responding to her voice, I reflexively straightened my posture. I took several deep breaths to compose myself before stepping back inside.
Chris-san was no longer wearing the extravagant attire of an emperor; instead, she wore a simple dress. The change in clothing completely altered the impression she gave off. Between her short hair and her androgynous features, I had assumed she was a man because of the driver’s uniform she wore when we first met. Seeing her like this, however, she was undeniably a woman.
Thinking back, she had never actually claimed to be a man. Even Alice had referred to her as the Former Emperor's "third child," never once using the word "prince."
"Chris-san, I am incredibly sorry about what happened."
"Hm? Oh, think nothing of it. If anything, I was the one who told you to enter with a certain calculation in mind."
"...Calculation?"
"Yes. It was a coincidence that you arrived while I was changing, but I thought that if you felt even a hint of desire for me, I might be able to secure your favor by offering my body. I hoped to build a relationship that would be beneficial for the future... but since you didn't even realize I was a woman, my plan was a failure."
"..."
This person was terrifying. She had tried to spring a honey trap on me in the span of a heartbeat. She really did view herself as nothing more than a tool to be used for the sake of her country. I realized then that I couldn't afford to let my guard down around her.
"I suppose my meager physique isn't particularly appealing as an object of desire?"
"N-No... well, it might not sound very convincing since I mistook you for a man until now, but I think you’re a very beautiful person, Chris-san."
"Thank you. If you would be willing to speak well of our country to the Six Kings, Miyama-sama, you are more than welcome to do as you please with my body."
"...No, I think I'll pass on that."
"Rejected again? How disappointing."
The smile Chris-san wore as she said that was beautiful, but I felt like I was being played, which made me feel incredibly out of place. This conversation was becoming dangerous—mostly for my own sanity—so I decided to change the subject immediately.
"S-Speaking of which, you said there was something you wanted to discuss?"
"Quite right. I suppose I should save wooing you for another time and move on to the main topic."
"I would appreciate that."
"Fufu."
Chris-san wasn't scary because of her power, but in a completely different way. I felt a sense of dread that if I wasn't careful, I’d find myself trapped before I even knew what was happening.
After giving me a sultry smile as if to tease me further, Chris-san’s expression turned serious.
"...The information I wanted to bring to your attention, Miyama-sama, is that word regarding you has been spreading lately."
"Information about me?"
"Yes. Not the specific details, but rather rumors. Word of an Otherworlder who has caught the interest of the Underworld King, the Death King, and the World King."
"...Is that not just because I drew some attention during the Treasure Tree Festival?"
The conversation was taking an ominous turn. The most logical explanation for my name getting out was my victory at the festival, but Chris-san’s expression suggested otherwise.
"In my personal opinion, I suspect that is not the case. It has moved too quickly and remained too vague to have been spread simply by the festival participants."
"..."
"I have no proof. However, though I am still young, I have lived my life navigating a world of constant conspiracy. My intuition tells me that the spread of this information is intentional."
"Does that mean... someone is leaking my information on purpose?"
"Yes. I don't know the objective, nor do I know how they managed to broadcast it so widely and so quickly. But one thing is certain: for the people of this world, your value as an individual is becoming common knowledge."
Chris-san delivered this warning quietly, her gaze steady. Someone was spreading my name across the world? For what? I had no idea. If even the sharp-witted Chris-san couldn't figure it out, there was no way I would be able to.
"For now, it is merely at the level of rumors. However, as time passes, people who harbor foolish ideas will surely emerge. Please, be on your guard."
"...I will."
Seeing me nod with a look of unease, Chris-san relaxed her serious expression and offered a small smile.
"I will cooperate as much as possible if there is anything I can do. I can suppress the rumors within this country to an extent, and I will investigate the source of the information. Oh, and if you ever tire of the Kingdom of Sinfonia, you are always welcome to stay here. I would welcome you with open arms and swear to protect you even at the cost of my life."
"...With a calculation in mind, I assume?"
"Of course. Perhaps we should even consider marriage? Fortunately, I am single. If we were wed, there would be very few people who would dare lay a hand on you."
"I'll pass on that too."
"Oh, rejected again. What a shame."
She was a person one could never truly be careless with, but I suppose that was exactly why she was fit to be an emperor. At the very least, her concern for me seemed genuine, even if it was tied to her own agendas.
While I liked her more than I had at our first meeting, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was in danger if I let my guard down for even a second. Though, for all I knew, even that sense of caution was exactly what she wanted me to feel.
Dear Mother, Father—Chris-san is sharp-witted and incredibly calculating, the very image of a ruler. And according to her, it seems my name is starting to echo across the world.