After taking a bath in the spacious and luxurious bathroom, I was shown to a room so large that it seemed like it really was for state guests.
In addition to everything being luxurious, there is a system where an exclusive maid would wait in front of the room to support you.
Naturally, the female Alice is in a separate room, and apparently, Bell has been courteously given food... not, in fact, it seems that he originally slapped away the knight who came to take care of him, so I had to go there and tell him to listen to them.
And then, after spending some time in the room that was too large for me, I was called out by Chris-san earlier, so I asked the maid to show me to his room and we headed to Chris-san's room.
When we arrived at the room at the far end of the large royal castle, the maid bowed and left, leaving me somewhat nervous as I knocked on his door.
[Chris-san, it's Miyama.]
[Ah, Miyama-sama, I'm sorry I'm now... Ah, no, please come in.]
[Unnn?]
I thought there was something out of place with the way she spoke just now, but I soon heard a click and the sound of a lock opening, and even though I'm feeling a little doubtful, I opened the door.
And when I entered, as I thought, there was Chris-san inside.... but I didn't expect to be in this kind of situation.
[...Wha!? Eh?]
[I'm sorry, Miyama-sama. I'm still "getting dressed" right now, so please have a seat over there.]
Chris-san, who was inside the room, with her beautiful skin as white as white porcelain jar exposed, was in the middle of working on the elegant cloth that was covering her breasts.
It was such a sensational scene that made me almost stop thinking, and although it was no good, my gaze still went to her modest bulges.
Wait, stop right there!? Putting that aside...
[W- Wha... wait, eh? Y- You're a woman!?]
[...Oya?]
Hearing the words I said, Chris-san had an astonished expression on his… her face for a moment, before she puts her hand to her chin, as if she's thinking about something... No, please put that aside for now and get dressed already.
With that movement of hers, my thoughts finally came back to normal, and I hurriedly left the room.
[I'm sorry!?]
I hurriedly left and closed the door, my breathing turned faster.
My head is filled with images of Chris's body that I saw earlier, and I honestly can't calm down.
I don't know what's a good way to say to her... Anyway, I need to apologize to Chris-san, no wait a sec, okay?
It was often written in light novels, that the protagonist forgets to knock or check if there's a person inside, and when it happens, it's called "Lucky Pervert"... However, I knocked earlier, didn't I?
Yeah, I'm pretty sure I knocked, and I should have heard Chris-san say it was okay to come in before I came into her room. So, how the heck did I get into this situation?
[Miyama-sama.]
[Y- Yes!?]
[I'm already finished dressing, so please come in.]
[Ah, y- yes.]
Responding to the voice I heard again, my back unconsciously straightened, and after taking a few deep breaths, I went inside again.
Chris-san was wearing a simple dress instead of the luxurious outfit befitting an emperor like the one I had just seen her wearing, and the change in her clothing made her look quite different.
With the short haircut and her gender-neutral face, the first time we met, I had misunderstood because she was wearing a man's suit, but now that I see her like this, she completely looks like a woman.
Looking back, Chris-san never said he was a man, and Alice said he was the third child of the former emperor, but never said she was a prince.
(T/N: It kinda got lost in translation, but Alice didn't refer to Chris-san as "kare/kanojo/he/she" nor did everyone refer to Chris as His Majesty, just "kotei heika/ Chris-heika". I don't want to spoil his gender so I placed it as he, just like Kaito thinks he's a male before. Meh, not like I necessarily spoiled anything since you probably saw that naked image of hers. kekw)
[Chris-san, I'm really sorry about before.]
[Eh? Ahh, I don't mind... Rather, I'm the one who said it's alright to enter, according to my "calculations"...]
[...Calculations?]
[Yes, it may have been a coincidence that Miyama-sama came just as I was changing clothes... but I thought that if Miyama-sama gives in to his lust, offering my body and earning your affection, we could build a beneficial relationship from now on... However, it seems that it was a mistake since you didn't consider me as a woman right from the start.]
[.....]
That's scary!? She just laid down a honey trap like that in that instant!?
I- It's like she really thinks she's just a tool to make her country better... How should I say this, I really can't let my guard down around her.
[As I thought, with my seedy body, you can't see me that way huh?]
[N- No... Errr, it may not be credible for me to say this since I misunderstood that you're a man in the first place, but I think Chris-san is a very beautiful person.]
[Thank you. As long as Miyama-sama tells good things about my country to the Six Kings, I don't mind if you do anything with my body, you know?]
[... N- No, I would have to refuse.]
[I was rejected huh, what a shame.]
Chris-san who had a wry smile on her face as she said that looks really beautiful... but I felt like everything was in the palm of her hands, and it was quite uncomfortable.
Anyway, it's bad to continue with this kind of conversation, mainly because it's too bad for my sense of reasoning, so I'll quickly change the subject.
[S- Speaking of which, you said you wanted to talk to me about something...]
[That's right. Let's save my seduction to Miyama-sama for another time, and head straight to the real issue...]
[I'd appreciate it if we do that.]
[Fufufu.]
Yep, Chris-san is a frightening person, not in the sense of power, but in a different meaning.
How should I say this… I feel a sense of dread that if I'm not careful, I won't be able to escape her grasp before I know it.
After giving a charming smile that seems to draw me in, Chris-san's expression changes to a serious one and she speaks.
[...The matter I would like to share with you, Miyama-sama... is that information about Miyama-san has been spreading lately.]
[Eh? My information?]
[Yes, though I say that, it isn't very detailed, and you may as well call it as your name being rumored... But it was spreading how there's an otherworlder favored by the Underworld King-sama, Death King-sama and World King-sama.]
[...That is… It isn't like I have become a little famous because of my victory in the Sacred Tree Festival or anything like that?]
I feel like the conversation turned a little ominous.
My information is spreading... I thought the most likely scenario is that I won in the Sacred Tree Festival, but judging from Chris-san's expression, that doesn't seem to be the case.
[It's just my personal opinion, but it's probably not true. The information isn't specific enough to be spread by the participants of the Sacred Tree Festival and even if it may not be specific, your information has spread too quickly.]
[...]
[I don't have any proof of this. However, I too, have lived through a whirlwind of schemes when I was still inexperienced. That's why, my intuition is telling me... The spread of your information is "contrived"...]
[Does that mean... that there might be someone out there who is deliberately spreading my information?]
[Yes... I don't know the purpose, and it's a mystery how they spread your information so widely and quickly... but one thing I can say is that the value of Miyama-sama's existence is becoming known to those in this world.]
Chris-san told me quickly with a serious expression on her face.
Someone is spreading information about me to the world? What was that for? I don't know, and if even the smart Chris-san doesn't know, then there may be no way I can figure it out.
[It's really only a moment at the moment. However, as time goes on... There might be people who will start thinking stupid things. Please be very careful.]
[...Yes.]
After seeing me nod my head even as I'm feeling uncomfortable about it, Chris-san breaks her serious expression with a smile.
[If it's something I can do, I'll cooperate as much as possible, and I'll probably be able to suppress some of the information that was spreading within the country, while trying to find out the source. Ahh, if you're fed up with the Symphonia Kingdom, you're welcome to stay here. I will welcome you with all my heart, and I will pledge to protect you with my life, Miyama-sama.]
[...That's also within your calculations, right?]
[Of course. Would you like to get married? Fortunately, I'm still unmarried... That way, there won't be too many people who would dare mess with Miyama-sama.]
[I would have to refuse.]
[Oya, I got rejected again. What a shame.]
I really can't let my guard down around this person, but I guess that's probably why she's the Emperor.
However, at least she seems to have genuine feelings of concern for me... even if that concern may also be under her concern.
On one hand, I feel like Chris-san is more favorable towards me compared to when I first met her, but on the other hand, I also feel a sense of danger that I can't let my guard down around her even for a second... Well, this thought of mine might be something Chris-san had already anticipated though...
Dear Mom, Dad—— Chris-san is smart and profoundly far-sighted... A person who anyone would definitely see as an Emperor. And now, from what Chris-san told me, currently, in the whole world—– It seems that my information has been spreading.