The Princess’s Dance of Humiliation and Rescue

I was quite satisfied with my composure, maintaining a princess’s dignity even in such an outfit, which seemed to ignite everyone’s morale.

However, the gazes from the people behind the high platform where I stood were utterly irritating. They looked as if they were eagerly anticipating my humiliation, ready to enjoy the spectacle!

And from behind, the distance was far too close! At this proximity, everything would be visible!

Though thousands of demons thronged, they were seated in an arena several hundred meters in diameter, making them quite distant from me. In reality, they couldn’t discern much.

Of course, I couldn’t be certain if any Eye Demons with exceptional sight were hidden among them, but at least I felt a certain sense of psychological safety.

Yet, I had a nagging feeling that things wouldn’t proceed so smoothly.

‘Huh?’

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Beth Daisy smiling, and a shiver ran down my spine!

Suddenly!

Above the dark arena, several magical light beams converged, forming an image. Within this image, a young girl’s figure, magnified dozens of times, appeared. The figure gradually sharpened, revealing—me!?

“Kyaaa—!!!”

My boyish mind hadn’t even processed the situation when my girlish body’s instincts shrieked. I instinctively bent over, using my slender arms to pull at the black silk ribbons, attempting to shield my lower body and chest.

My face flushed crimson instantly. Too embarrassed to look, I averted my gaze from the colossal image. It magnified every detail of the outfit with such clarity that every part was distinctly visible. What’s more, the image was three-dimensional! Different angles revealed different, mortifying aspects!

This was outrageous! It felt as though I was completely exposed to the horde of demons, scrutinized by countless greedy eyes.

With a resentful glare, I turned my head back to Beth Daisy, looking as if I wished to slay her. Beth Daisy, however, offered an innocently bitter smile.

‘Innocent? Who would believe that?’

Given my sudden loss of composure, the crowd began to stir into a frenzy. Yet, I couldn’t shake the feeling that they were becoming even more fanatical!

“Um, everyone, please quiet down,” Beth Daisy interjected, taking the stage to host as if it had been pre-arranged. ‘Was this situation with me also part of the plan? You lot are truly wicked!’

Beth continued, “Princess, despite knowing how incredibly revealing this outfit is, and against our fervent advice, she resolutely decided to wear this audacious attire for the opening ceremony, all to bestow a special treat upon you!

Let’s give the Princess a round of applause!”

It was more than just a little applause. A thunderous roar of clapping and shouting erupted, mingled with whistles and inhuman cries. Gravel even rained down from the ceiling of the immense underground cavern.

If not for being in such a public setting, I would have stomped my foot in sheer anger. They were the ones who coerced and tempted me! Yet, they made it sound as if I was clamoring to wear this shameless outfit, and they were benevolently trying to stop me. What kind of subjects are you, to so brazenly mock your own princess!

However, I sensed that the ordeal was far from over.

From somewhere below, a remarkably clear shout pierced through the din: “Princess—dance for us!”

‘It’s probably another one of their plants!’

Soon, rhythmic clapping and enthusiastic responses followed.

“Dance! Dance! Dance!”

The chant echoed almost unanimously across the entire arena.

It was already embarrassing enough just to cover myself with my hands. If I were to dance, spinning and leaping, wouldn’t that mean—being completely exposed?

Moreover, I didn’t know how to dance! In this crucial moment, those ancient memories didn’t surge forth either!

‘Even the ancient memories have abandoned me? Am I destined to be humiliated here? No, no, the original Dark Princess must have been skilled in song and dance. Now, will I be exposed and punished, perhaps even thrown to the demons? My body trembled with a chill, but to prevent anyone from noticing my distress, I had no choice but to mask myself with a shy expression and posture, hoping to mislead them.’

Just as I faced this myriad of crises, a tall figure suddenly approached and took my hand. ‘Could it be my senior coming to save me?’

The figure gently squeezed my small hand and elegantly spoke, “Your Royal Highness, may I have the honor of this dance?”

That voice was not my senior’s; it was Suriya.

I looked up and, indeed, saw Suriya dressed in a magnificent red short jacket, white form-fitting trousers, and long boots, her beautiful golden hair flowing freely. Suriya, in men’s attire, looked precisely like a dashing prince!

Fortunately, this “prince’s” white tight-fitting pants revealed a slender waist and rounded curves, with a flat stomach encased by the fabric. It exuded an endless feminine allure. Otherwise, I would have certainly kicked this “prince” off the platform; I had no fondness for dashing princes!

But if it was the handsome and feminine Sister Suriya…

As gentle music began to play, Suriya pulled me into her embrace—forceful, decisive, yet tender. Her scent, unlike my senior’s naturally rich feminine aroma, was a sophisticated perfume, mysterious and intoxicating. This artificial, stimulating fragrance left me feeling somewhat enchanted.

Though I couldn’t dance, with Suriya leading me in ballroom dancing, I only needed to follow her lead, which was much easier. While I hadn’t been adept at sports as a boy, Coolie’s body was incredibly light and agile. Suriya, a master of aristocratic ballroom dancing, made it effortless for me to keep pace. To the rhythm, almost cheek-to-shoulder with her, we gracefully danced.

The world spun around me. In truth, I didn’t even know what dance we were performing. Slowly, everything else faded into insignificance. All I needed was to concentrate on following Sister Suriya, to revel in the physical communion of our dance under her guidance. The unintentional brushes against crucial areas left me feeling somewhat disoriented, as if in a dream. It seemed that during the dance, I no longer belonged to myself; I was merely Sister Suriya’s dance partner. Her hand, clasped around my waist, felt like a shield, protecting me from the gazes and shouts outside.

‘So Sister Suriya was helping me out of a predicament,’ I thought, a strange surge of emotion welling within me. At this moment, there was no need to overthink anything. I simply immersed myself in Sister Suriya’s varied lead—sometimes fast, sometimes slow, sometimes relaxing, sometimes embracing, even lifting me into a spin. Though Suriya was a woman, she was an Eighth-tier Vampire Swordswoman; lifting me was utterly effortless for her.

And so, I sank into the music and Suriya’s perfume, unable to think of anything else for the time being…

The music gradually ceased. Due to the tension and the intense dancing, I was breathless, covered in fine sweat, and leaned weakly against Suriya’s shoulder.

From the world outside, a continuous roar of applause seemed to reach my ears.