Chapter 5

“Then I’ll take my leave now, Father.”

“Alright. Make sure to prepare for the journey in advance. You’ll need to depart for the Empire in at least three days.”

After finishing the satisfying conversation, I left the inner chamber. It felt like I had just escaped from a sauna.

Now I feel like I can finally live a little.

The attendant seemed to have returned to their original workplace, as they were nowhere to be seen, and only Ja-han stood stiffly, waiting.

“Has the audience ended, Princess Ha-shal-leur?”

“Whew… Yes. Somehow, I managed to get through it. It was exhausting. I feel like I need a break.”

“If that’s the case, I’ll send an attendant to the Gold Flower Palace to make preparations. Hey, you, come here.”

At Ja-han’s call, a passing maid hurriedly approached.

“Yes! Princess Ha-shal-leur, Ja-han. What can I do for you?”

“The Princess is tired from a long expedition. Go to the Gold Flower Palace, tidy up the bedroom, and prepare hot water.”

“Yes. I’ll inform them right away.”

The maid bowed and quickly left.

So, the Gold Flower Palace is my residence, huh?

“Shall we head to the Gold Flower Palace now?”

“Hmm… Yes, that sounds good. Lead the way.”

“Me?”

Ja-han seemed a bit startled.

What now? Is it not okay to have him guide me? How would I know that?

…It would be even weirder to backtrack now. Let’s just push through shamelessly.

“Do you not want to?”

“…No. I’ll guide you.”

Swallowing his words, Ja-han started walking, and I slowly followed behind.

There are some perks to being a troublemaker. If you push hard enough, everyone just does as they’re told.

—

The Gold Flower Palace was a spacious detached palace located to the west, behind the Main Palace.

Originally, it was where Ha-shal-leur and her mother, Ai-mel-ra, lived. It was said that Or-han named it the Gold Flower Palace after Ai-mel-ra’s hair color.

In the past, it was a beautiful palace filled with golden flowers all year round, but after Ai-mel-ra’s death, no one tended to the garden anymore.

Indeed, the garden I saw upon entering was barren, without even a single weed, let alone golden flowers.

“Whew…”

I entrusted my armor and clothes to the maids and went into the bath next to the bedroom to wash my body with warm water. I sent away the maids who came to assist with the bath, saying I wasn’t in the mood.

It’s already been 15 days since I was transported into this body. The once awkward new body has become somewhat familiar.

Only in terms of functionality, though. Fighting non-stop made me adapt naturally.

As for the part about becoming a woman’s body… what can I say?

I looked at my reflection in the water again.

Come to think of it, is this the first time I’m actually seeing Ha-shal-leur’s face?

During the expedition, there was no mirror, and water was scarce, so I only wiped my body with a damp cloth, let alone taking a bath.

I was so mentally exhausted back then that I didn’t even think about such things.

Looking at it now, she is indeed beautiful.

Her waist-length black hair, roughened by the long life outdoors, became smooth and fell over her shoulders after washing off the dirt and oil.

In the original story, she used to tie up the left half of her hair and leave it like that.

Her face, despite living like a barbarian on the battlefield, was clean and elegant.

The rumor that mixed-bloods are often beautiful seems to be true.

However, her overly sharp eyes, as if she had a lot of dissatisfaction with the world, made her seem more fierce than beautiful.

Her cold, icy blue eyes felt like looking into the eyes of a wolf rather than a person.

If only her hair were white, she’d look exactly like the Northern Duke.

Her toned body was well-trained but not overly muscular.

Rather, it was a body overflowing with healthy charm, though there were a few scars here and there.

It’s definitely a beautiful body, but I didn’t feel particularly embarrassed or excited.

Well, it’s not like it’s the first time I’ve seen a woman’s body.

Besides, isn’t it a bit weird to feel lust for my own body? I’m not Narcissus.

It’s probably weird, right? I’m not the only one who thinks that, am I?

Anyway.

I leaned back in the tub and soaked in the warm water.

Come to think of it, it’s a tradition for characters who get gender-swapped to at least try masturbating.

But honestly, now that I’ve actually been gender-swapped, I don’t even have the thought or courage to do that.

Not only is there a psychological aversion, but if I got caught doing something like that with the wild, vigorous warrior Ja-han nearby…

I’ve accepted becoming a woman, but I never agreed to becoming a female.

—

After finishing the bath and changing into thin sleepwear, I returned to the bedroom.

Unlike the chaotic tent, the room was quite luxurious.

Various tapestries with intricate patterns hung on the walls, and the high-quality wooden furniture was adorned with gold leaf, sparkling brilliantly.

In the center of the inner wall stood…

The bed was surrounded by silk, and it was incredibly fluffy, as if it was stuffed with feathers instead of animal hides.

I didn’t think Ha-shal-leur liked such extravagance.

Then, was Ai-mel-ra the one with such taste?

I was enjoying the fluffy bed, not knowing how long it had been since I last lay down, and sleep began to creep in.

I soon fell into a deep slumber.

—

In my dream, I saw the people I had killed, the ones I had sold into slavery.

Countless half-rotten hands grabbed at my legs, trying to escape, pulling and biting.

As my legs were torn apart, I woke up screaming.

It was a nightmare.

—

As Or-han had boasted, the proposal to send me as a hostage to the Empire to establish a non-aggression pact was passed in just one day.

I heard that three of my brothers had enthusiastically supported it.

They must have been quite wary of Ha-shal-leur. Staying here would have been dangerous indeed.

I explained the situation to Ja-han and Mersin, who came to deliver the news.

“Though you’ll be left alone in enemy territory… well, it’s Princess Ha-shal-leur, so no need to worry.”

“What should we do then?”

Mersin seemed relieved when he realized I wasn’t being forced to go and smiled.

Ja-han asked what they should do if they were to be left behind in Ordos.

Hmm. What should I do with these guys?

Their crimes are too deep to let them live, but it feels oddly bitter to leave those loyal to me to die.

No. That’s crazy. Have I grown attached?

“If my father starts conquering the plains again, will you join the war?”

“If you command it, Princess, it shall be so.”

“So, if I don’t command it, my father won’t drag you into the battlefield, right?”

What should I really do?

“What do you think? Do you want to join the expedition?”

“Of course, I want to—”

“Our wishes don’t matter. We are Princess Ha-shal-leur’s personal cavalry. We only follow your orders.”

Mersin firmly cut off Ja-han’s eager words.

I’ve decided.

Alright. They’re not worth worrying about, but no need to send them to their deaths.

“Then stay in Ordos and guard this place. Going to the battlefield would only mean certain death. My brothers, eager to send me away, won’t let you off easily.”

“As you command.”

Live quietly in Ordos.

If you die anyway, there’s nothing to be done.

—

After sending Ja-han and Mersin back, I spent the whole day preparing to head west.

It’s said that riding all day will take about six days to reach the border.

Traveling alone in the plains is dangerous, so twenty cavalrymen were assigned from Mersin’s unit as escorts.

It’s an ambiguous number, but any more would attract unnecessary attention.

They will accompany me to the border and then return to Ordos.

I left the details like route checks and supply preparations to Mersin.

Having competent subordinates sure is convenient.

Seeing how calmly they follow orders, it seems Ha-shal-leur also left such matters to Mersin.

I leisurely recalled information about the original work in my room and prepared valuables for living expenses in the west.

Then, a servant brought in a heavy-looking wooden box.

“Princess Ha-shal-leur, the weapon you ordered before the last expedition has been completed.”

“Hmm? Good job. Bring it here.”

A weapon? If it’s from before the expedition, it must be something the original Ha-shal-leur ordered.

I took the box from the servant and sent them away.

It’s lighter than I thought. I expected it to be heavy since it’s a weapon.

With curiosity and anticipation, I opened the box.

This is…!

A familiar silver gauntlet lay on soft silk, emitting a faint chill.

A large, sharp silver scale formed a seamless armored glove from the left shoulder to the fingertips.

The fingertips were sharp enough to pierce bear hide, making it more of a weapon than armor.

Ice Blade.

The gauntlet symbolizing the madness of Hersela was right before my eyes.