Volume 1 Chapter 46 Genderbend Female Knight, Appearing In The Party
"Are you sane? Not even one dress?"
"No, because I don't hold parties in the territory."
The simple reason Eleonora was deemed unfit as a lady was that she didn't own any fashionable clothes, like party dresses. Plus, her muscular body in a dress would look like a clown, rivaling even a jester.
"We must find a dress that suits you..."
"However, young lady, with this height and muscle, a dress is impossible."
While Vittoria hesitated, touching her chin, Eleonora casually dismissed her. Vittoria felt both amazed and angry. She desperately tried to think of acceptable attire for meeting the Grand Duke.
"Since you're appearing before my father, you must wear something appropriate..."
"School uniform?"
"Eh!?"
Vittoria was unusually alarmed by Eleonora's sudden suggestion. She sensed a danger beyond life-or-death.
"You! Do you understand how treacherous high society is!? Even one wrong word can ruin a family!"
"Well, coming from a rural upstart's bloodline, I don't think it matters."
In the Kamitafira territory, parties were limited to New Year celebrations and harvest festivals. They'd only experienced small gatherings, like cooking stew over a bonfire in a campsite between two villages.
"Then what am I supposed to do?"
"...Only male attire is available."
Once Vittoria accepted a dress was impossible, she focused on making Eleonora look masculine.
"Let's tailor it like a military uniform. Blue and white would suit."
"Please, young lady, don't make me suffer through dyeing..."
"I'll pay for it! Please hold some dignity! We're going to my favorite clothing store now!"
Vittoria grabbed Eleonora's arm insistently, and they headed to the city's high-end clothing store. The shop's luxurious decor and dedicated doorman signaled its expense.
"Welcome, Lady Vittoria. What are you looking for?"
"I need a suit for her. Blue with white as the base. What do you think?"
The store's planner stared intently at Eleonora from head to toe.
"Tall and muscular—clothes with a heroic feel would suit her better than a dress, Lady Vittoria. Let's make it work."
"Please have it ready for our family party at year's end. I'll pay the rush fee."
"Young lady, but..."
Eleonora reproached.
"Since I'll have you work for me eventually, this is an investment. An investment."
Vittoria quickly left, taking a group of seamstresses to tailor the outfit. Left alone, Eleonora spoke to the planner.
"Please make it military-style."
"Leave it to me. With a good base, it'll be easy."
The seamstresses began measuring Eleonora, calculating how to match her leg length. More people joined, laying cloth, cutting, and sewing.
"Are you friends with the Grand Duke's daughter?"
"I don't know. Maybe it's a mutually beneficial relationship."
"Beneficial?"
"She wants me to do something—I don't know what—but she's paying upfront as a reward."
Without looking at the planner, who was staring intently at Eleonora, the conversation continued as the seamstresses adjusted the clothes to her body as instructed.
"Otherwise, there's no reason for her to pay this much attention to a fake noble like me—just a country mercenary who rose up, not even officially inheriting a title."
"I see."
The conversation continued as the seamstresses worked. The sizes mostly matched, and the plain white fabric looked impressive even without dyeing.
"Oh... It's already been made to that extent."
Vittoria inspected the craftsmanship, smiling at the artisans' skill.
"Are you some kind of nobleman?"
"That's no way, Lady Vittoria..."
"In any case, it seems we'll make it in time for the party."
Vittoria opened her fan, hid her mouth, and her attendant paid the bill.
"I'm looking forward to it, Lady Kamitafira."
* * *
"So, what kind of person is this knight substitute?"
"A strong, people-oriented person~desuwa."
Vittoria answered her father, the Grand Duke.
Today was the year-end party, and there were many guests.
It was both a greeting to the Grand Duke, the king's younger brother, and a prelude to the New Year's celebration hosted by the king.
In the midst of their conversation, two people approached—Cesare, the Grand Duke's eldest son, and Beatrice, his second daughter.
"Hey, Vittoria."
"Elder Sister."
After greeting their father, the two approached and returned the courtesy. Cesare promptly tilted his wine glass and asked,
"Where's the student who defeated the Imperial Guard Knight Order Commander?"
"They should've arrived..."
They're on the guest list and have invitations in hand. There shouldn't be any issue entering the mansion, Vittoria thought, but then a murmur began to spread.
A tall figure appeared, dressed in a white and blue military uniform. With short combed hair and sharp blue eyes, it was clearly Eleonora, drawing whispers and gazes.
"My apologies for being late, Miss."
"Lady Kamitafira, on time~desuwa."
"Hoh," Cesare sighed, feeling a certain energy.
(This is why Vittoria supports her.)
"Your Excellency Grand Duke, I'm honored to be invited."
"My daughter thinks highly of you. Enjoy yourself."
"Lady Kamitafira, let me congratulate you on your tournament victory."
Eleonora curtsied.
"It's an honor, but I've already received this from His Majesty."
"I never thought a student could defeat the Knight Order Commander."
Cesare poured wine, handed it to Eleonora, and raised his cup.
"This is my brother Cesare, and my sister Beatrice~desuwa."
"It's an honor, Princess. I'm the Acting Knight of Kamitafira."
Eleonora lowered her knee, and Beatrice's face turned red.
"I-I'm Beatrice, the second daughter of the Casunat family..."
Beatrice hid behind Cesare's feet.
"How old are you?"
"My little sister will turn 8 this year."
"She seems like a bright young lady."
Beatrice gripped Cesare's trousers tightly, wrinkling them.
"What will you do after graduation? Join the royal guard?"
"My younger brother will inherit the family, so I plan to return thenoble status and enter civilian life."
"That seems impossible. With your skills, you could find a position anywhere."
"Even so..."
"Why is your brother taking over? You could inherit the title after graduation."
"...Miss, do I need to explain?"
"Ah, well..."
Vittoria made a critical communication error.
She had mentioned the individual was talented but failed to specify that it was a female student.
Additionally, the siblings hadn't actually seen the tournament themselves and had only heard rumors that a student defeated the Knight Order Commander. Until this moment, they assumed it was a male student.
"───"
Beatrice di Casunat, at 8, experienced her moment of heartbreak.
Character Notes:
Beatrice - Loli Succubus.
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