A Princess’s Punishment

Predictably, Faein’s mood was far from pleasant. We eventually found an inn situated by a tranquil field, nestled behind the bustling marketplace.

As we were both girls, we requested a single room. Indeed, it might have seemed more suspicious if we hadn’t.

The inn was populated by unassuming villagers and merchants. While some eyes certainly turned our way—Faein’s figure effortlessly captured the attention of all men, after all—we didn’t encounter any trouble.

A masked swordswoman in black, her origins unknown, was not someone ordinary villagers would dare provoke. Their gazes, at most, lingered a few extra moments.

Upon entering our room, we found the wooden cabin surprisingly clean, with a simple yet cozy brown bed.

For some inexplicable reason, I began to feel a little nervous. This was, after all, my first time sharing a room with another girl, though given our circumstances, it wasn’t strange at all.

Faein sat on the other side of the bed, setting down her weapons and removing her veil, before beginning to tidy her hair.

“Faein-senpai,” I asked, sitting on my side of the bed and idly fiddling with my fingers.

“Hmm?”

“Why are you so invested in this matter, Senpai? Could it be because… you’ve experienced something similar yourself?”

“…….”

Faein offered no reply.

The atmosphere instantly grew awkward.

I couldn’t explain why, but I felt a sudden impulse to provoke her today. Some nerve in me seemed to have snapped.

“Hmph, you made us take such a huge risk to come to the surface world to rescue strangers, and you won’t even tell us why!”

Faein turned, her voice tinged with impatience. “So, what do you think the reason is? Hmm?”

“How should I know! I have no idea what you’re thinking, Senpai!”

“If you don’t know, then why did you come with me? And why did you stop me from acting earlier? What exactly is on your mind?” Faein seemed genuinely annoyed that I had restrained her.

“That’s because I didn’t want to see you sad—”

“What?” Faein’s voice took on a different tone.

“No, nothing.” I had almost said I didn’t want her to be sad, but for some reason, I didn’t want to humor her right now. Wasn’t her intense concern all because of Yukino?

“Hmph! Senpai, you haven’t forgotten, have you? You told me to obey you. Now I’m doing as you say, and you’re asking me why?”

For a moment, the air seemed to congeal. I felt Faein’s gaze on me, a sensation that simultaneously warmed and chilled my back, yet I dared not turn around.

“A-Li, I almost forgot. So, my little princess is deliberately trying to defy me.”

“Eh?”

Then I heard the click of Faein’s heels as she rose.

The tall Faein-senpai, clad in her black outfit and short skirt, approached me. She looked down at me, perched on the edge of the bed. I didn’t dare meet her eyes, imagining them filled with the slightly angered, majestic gaze of a goddess. Yet, I felt her breath—a gentle, fragrant exhalation, noticeably deeper than a normal breath—drift over the top of my head.

“Speaking of which, it’s been several days since your last punishment from your big sister, hasn’t it?” Faein-senpai said, gently lifting my chin. “Is that right? My little princess, who deliberately tries to make me angry!”

“Eh?” My cheeks flushed crimson, but I shook my head vigorously!

‘Sister, what nerve of yours sensed I had such thoughts! No, if I go along with Senpai’s wishes, something bad will happen again. Seriously, we’re on the front lines of a rescue mission. How strong is this Senpai’s S-side desire? Does she need to vent it at every opportunity? Has she considered my feelings at all?’

This time, I wouldn’t let her indulge her S-tendencies so easily. I pushed her hand away without even standing up, playfully crossing my legs. “I say, my Lady Dark Knight, wasn’t it you who, just yesterday, knelt before this princess in front of everyone to beg me to save those poor sisters? Also, Senpai, do you know? You’re my personal guard, but personal guards, in the structure of a dungeon legion, aren’t independent. They’re subordinate to the maid corps! Oh, I just had a brilliant idea. As thanks for this princess’s tireless efforts on your behalf, how about you wear a maid outfit and stand by my side when we return? It would suit you perfectly, Senpai.”

Faein’s condescending gaze, which had been fixed on me, grew cold as I spoke. “You want me to wear a maid outfit? Alright, but you have to agree to one condition, dear sister.”

“Oh? What condition?” My eyes lit up, wondering if there was truly a chance to see her in a maid outfit.

“It’s… you’re not allowed to laugh under my assault!”

Suddenly, Senpai pushed me onto the bed, then climbed on top of me, her knees pressing directly on my legs. Her hands began to tickle my sensitive spots, sometimes lightly, sometimes with more pressure.

“Eh? No, Sister… Ahahahahahahahaha, hahahahahahaha!” I was already extremely ticklish, let alone being stimulated by Senpai’s long, nimble fingers. I lasted only a few seconds before covering my face in embarrassment, laughing uncontrollably.

“Ahahahahahahaha! Hahahahahahaha, no more, that’s enough, enough, Sister, spare me~ I can’t take it anymore!” I couldn’t bear it any longer, and unable to fend off Senpai’s relentless teasing, I twisted my body, begging for mercy.

Yet, Senpai had no intention of letting me off. The more I pleaded, the more intensely she tickled me, making tears stream down my face from laughter.

“Ahahahahah… haha, I can’t, I really can’t,” I panted, my face flushed, breathless.

Faein sprawled on top of me, her gaze suddenly shifting, a mischievous smile gracing her lips. “You little pervert, daring to make fun of your big sister earlier, hmph hmph…”

Suddenly, Faein grabbed my arm and sat up on the edge of the bed, pulling me abruptly onto her lap.

“Eh? Sister, what—what are you going to do?!” My face burned, and an ominous premonition began to creep over me.

“What’s wrong, little princess? Are you scared already? Weren’t you just wanting to see your big sister in a maid outfit?” Faein-senpai’s voice made me feel even more uneasy.

“Um, this… that…”

“‘This what, that what’? You little pervert! To think that at such a young age, with such an innocent face, your thoughts are so depraved!”

“Sister, a maid outfit isn’t any more revealing than your usual clothes; it’s just a style. How is that depraved?”

“Still arguing! Watch me not teach you a lesson!” With that, Faein-senpai raised her slender, pale arm high. With a whoosh, it landed with a *smack* on my upturned backside.

“Ouch! What was that for! Sister, why—why did you hit my butt!”

“Not learning good habits at such a young age, your mind is full of wanting to see big sisters in maid outfits, isn’t it? I’ll discipline you properly on behalf of your parents!”

“Eh? No, don’t!”

“Hmph, you don’t get to say no!” Faein twisted one of my hands behind my back, and with her other hand, *smack! smack! smack!* it came down.

“Sister, don’t hit me! I’m the princess of the dungeon! How can I be lying across my sister’s lap getting spanked like this!”

“So what if you’re a princess, you depraved little princess! Since it’s your first offense, I’ll hit you 50 times through your skirt! But if you ever say such vulgar things again, I’ll personally give your bare bottom a good spanking!”

“Eh??? Aiya! No! Sister, spare me!”

…