The Imperial Sword and a Teasing Princess

Hmph, a bunch of people clamoring for the Imperial Sword.

Maple looked at me, our gazes meeting.

‘Ugh, what is he up to? He couldn’t possibly be interested in the Imperial Sword too, could he? Is he hoping to pull it out the next time I tease him?’

“Is this your first time participating in the hunt?”

“Mhm…”

“Shall we team up? I can ride a horse, shoot arrows, and even protect you.”

“Oh, I can cook and clean, but those won’t be much use here, I suppose.”

Maple tilted his head. “Doesn’t that make us a perfect match?”

“I don’t really have a choice anyway…” I muttered under my breath, turning my face away.

From Maple’s words, it seemed we needed to rest up before the hunt, so I accompanied him back to his tent.

“Phew~ Finally, I don’t need these cumbersome things anymore.” The moment he stepped inside, Maple stripped off his iron boots and greaves, revealing his fair, clean legs.

I watched him change into his usual shoes, noting with a click of my tongue how small his feet were, like a girl’s.

“Hey, why are you staring at my legs?” He seemed a little uncomfortable.

I mused aloud, “They say some boys have nicer legs than girls. I think you’d look great in stockings.”

“Stop thinking such nonsense all the time.” He feigned anger to hide his blush.

‘Haha, his embarrassed reaction is so adorable. I’ve found my new joy in teasing cute boys~’

When it came time to remove his armor, he glanced at me halfway through. Seeing me sitting there, chin in hands, watching him intently, he grew visibly flustered.

“Are you going to keep staring at me while I change?”

“What’s the big deal? Are you saying you’re wearing nothing under your armor?”

“Of course not!”

“You’re a boy, what’s there to be afraid of seeing?”

“You have a point…”

A sudden whim struck me. “Want me to help you take it off?”

“No need…!” He immediately backed away from me.

“Come on, this thing is like a can on you. I bet it’s really hard for you to take off by yourself, and you’re just too embarrassed to ask me, right?”

Unable to resist my persistence, he whispered, “I warn you, this thing is a bit heavy.”

“It’s fine~ What’s so hard about it?”

I dismissed his warning with a wave, but then…

‘Whoa, why is it so heavy?!’

‘For the first time in my life, I found helping someone undress to be this difficult. If Maple were to wear this armor and ‘duke it out’ with me, I wouldn’t stand a chance!’

After the arduous task was complete, Maple donned a small cape, saying with evident embarrassment, “Thanks… I can’t believe I troubled Your Royal Highness to help me remove my armor.”

I chuckled. “No trouble at all. I’d be even happier if you let me dress you in women’s clothes ♡”

“I advise you to abandon such unrealistic notions. I have no such preferences.” He declared firmly, righteously, and with utmost seriousness, pointing at me.

I paid him no mind, dodging his finger as I moved behind him.

“What are you doing?”

“Don’t move. I’m going to tie your hair into a little ponytail.”

“Hey! I’m a boy! Why would I wear a ponytail?”

“Isn’t it more embarrassing the more you emphasize that you’re a boy?”

Maple fell silent.

“If that’s the case, why bother keeping your hair this long? You might as well get a buzz cut.”

“No way, that’s my limit,” he stressed.

‘What limit?’ I wondered, a question mark plastered across my face.

On second thought, Maple’s hair felt so soft, just like a girl’s. I happened to have a hair tie on my wrist, so I genuinely helped him tie a small ponytail.

I nudged him towards the mirror. “How about it? Are you falling for yourself yet?”

“You’re so boring!”