They All Eventually Become Damsels

Chapter 62

The easiest solution, in plain terms, is to eliminate the constructed individual, just as we did with Alexander.

In this case, that would mean killing Carlen Baker.

And there’s already a perfectly suitable reason for her demise.

The Regalis family is showing signs of becoming brazen to the point of outright assassinating imperial nobles.

Removing Carlen, the reason their assassination attempt failed, would be a perfectly plausible scenario.

Framing them would be yawn-inducingly simple.

Though, to “kill” her would just mean erasing her from the records.

The problem is, David is far more infatuated with Carlen—Sergei—than I anticipated.

Even if His Majesty didn’t know Carlen was Sergei, he was intrigued enough to take a personal interest.

Therefore, killing Carlen now would greatly increase the likelihood of David turning against the Regalis family, a house with whom he already has a strained relationship through his mother’s side.

Even if we conceal the truth initially, David isn’t an idiot. Sooner or later, he’ll discover that the Regalis family was behind the attempt on Baron Socius’ life. He’ll naturally infer that they were also responsible for Carlen’s death.

Considering the future ramifications, framing the Regalis family would be too risky.

“So, I just decided to lay the facts bare.”

Sergei scratched his cheek at my words, then said, “I’m all for it, but… won’t His Imperial Highness be shocked?”

“He’s going to be shocked sooner or later anyway. Better to know the truth sooner rather than later.” At least it’s better than him undressing someone and finding something that shouldn’t be there.

I had considered letting Sergei, disguised as a woman, meet him and reject his advances, but there was no guarantee David would give up so easily. So, I decided to have them confront each other directly.

He’ll be shocked now, but in ten years or so, he’ll be able to laugh about it.

At least, that’s what I believed.

“…Just one day. Won’t you indulge me for just one day?”

“Pardon?”

That was before David, having heard the truth from Sergei in the intelligence bureau, blurted those words out.

Hmm.

This… this was a turn of events even the heavens hadn’t foreseen.

You’ve truly exceeded my expectations, David.

Though, it’s exceeding them in a rather undesirable direction.

I thought I knew the lad well enough, considered him almost like a nephew. Guess I was wrong.

Could it be this one is of… that persuasion?

“David. I understand your skepticism, but Sergei really is a man. You’re welcome to confirm it, if you like.”

I was contemplating ordering Sergei to drop his trousers, but David shook his head.

“I don’t doubt it, Erwin. Or, well, it’s difficult to believe, admittedly, but even so… *that’s* why I need to ascertain.”

“Ascertain what?”

“My feelings. I need to know if I was drawn to Karlen…to Sergei… because I thought she was a woman, or if I am drawn to them regardless of their s*x.”

There are countless things in the world one is better off not knowing. I think I’ll add what David just said to that list.

“Supposing, just supposing, you conclude that being with a man is acceptable to you… what then?”

“Then I must accept myself as such.”

“Are you insane?”

This is serious. If this goes on, the Akerus Imperial line might end because of my androgynous subordinate.

“Consider your position, David. You are the Crown Prince.”

“I am aware. Do not fret, the line will be secured properly. It’s just… those are separate matters. Is there a law against keeping a male consort?”

There isn’t… technically…

Wait a moment. Did this b*stard just call me a concubine?

“Eek?!”

Even when facing death, Sergei would remain composed, yet now he recoiled in horror, scrambling backward.

His hands instinctively covered his groin.

To reduce the Owls of the Intelligence Division to such a state of terror… truly befitting the Imperial Crown Prince, or rather…

“Whether you care or not, the prestige of the Imperial Family is on the line. If it gets out that the Imperial Crown Prince is a homos*xual, it will be a major blow on the diplomatic front.”

“I am willing to bear that burden.”

“You crazy fool.”

If he wasn’t His Majesty’s son, who would believe it? Stubbornness runs thicker than an ox’s tendon.

I have no choice. I didn’t want to go this far, but there’s nothing else for it.

Rummaging through my drawer, I pulled out a potion vial and held it out towards Sergei, who was on the verge of tears.

“M-Minister? What is that…?”

“Something I had discreetly transported from Angela, from the Magic Tower, no less. Drink.”

At my command, Sergei downed the potion without hesitation, a fact that seemed to displease David.

“It’s not exactly pleasant to see him obey another man so absolutely.”

“I do not wish to understand what you mean, so say no more.”

Sergei, having emptied the potion completely, tilted his head in confusion for a moment.

Then, after another moment.

“Huh?”

Sergei slapped his crotch a few times, then cried out in alarm.

“It’s…it’s gone! That, that thing is gone! W-What exactly did I drink?!”

“A feminization potion.”

“What?! Th-That’s a forbidden item that should absolutely *not* be created!?”

“I am a Grand Duke. I can do what I want.”

“Would you please refrain from using your Grand Duke’s privileges in such a manner?!”

I observed Sergei’s appearance, who was almost in tears, but because he already had a somewhat androgynous face, not much seemed to have changed.

Perhaps only his voice tone had risen slightly.

Seeing Sergei now as a woman, David nodded with satisfaction.

“Indeed. In this form, he could become Empress instead of just a concubine.”

“That is *not* why I turned him into a woman, you Crown Prince fool.”

“Indeed?”

“This way, at least the rumor won’t be that the Crown Prince beds men.”

Disguising as Karlen allows for secret rendezvous, but even then, there’s no knowing where, when, or from whom the whispers will begin.

It’s impossible to block the eyes and ears of everyone in this world.

We know that better than anyone.

Rather than risk that, it’s better to eliminate the risk entirely.

“You have twenty-four hours to remain as a woman. Be careful, as you will revert to being a man when that time is up.”

“Yes. Thank you, Erwin. Come here. The Minister has sold you off.”

Cease such utterances that could breed misunderstanding.

I didn’t sell him off.

I merely gave him away.

“M-Minister?!”

David, having bowed to me, seized Sergei’s wrist, and Sergei, unable to wrest free from the Crown Prince’s grip, was dragged away by David.

I don’t know what will come of it now, but I’ve done all I can, so I leave the rest to fate.

As I thought this, popping painkillers and fever reducers, leaning back in my chair, Celine peered into the Minister’s office, her head peeking in.

“May I come in now?”

“Hm.”

Celine, carrying an ice pack, entered, placed it on my forehead, then checked the medicine bottles and exclaimed.

“Minister! How much have you taken again!”

“Not much.”

“At least four days’ worth is gone, and you say not much?”

What am I supposed to do when my head feels like it’s about to explode if I don’t take them.

“Haa, really… But what happened to Sergei?”

“He became a woman and went on a date with David.”

With the Eye of the Sky, I could see them in a carriage, Sergei looking bewildered by David’s advances.

They are heading towards the Golden Griffin. I wonder if they plan to have dinner first?

“His Highness, the Crown Prince, certainly has a refined taste… What do you predict will happen between those two tonight, Minister?”

“I’d rather not imagine it.”

Though I wished to not imagine it, the Eye of the Sky derived the conclusion arbitrarily.

“It’s highly probable they will share a bed.”

David was being awfully…enthusiastic.

Celine grimaced, even though she was the one who brought it up.

“Ugh…did you tell Sergei that if he gets pregnant, he’ll never be able to go back to being a man?”

“Ah.”

Ah.

—

The Regallis family is one difficult to define in a single phrase.

While revered as a prestigious lineage within the Empire, they are not nobles, nor are they aligned with the anti-noble faction.

Like the Duke Barmut family, they are one of the Empire’s meritorious families, originally enjoying independent power.

Then, when the current Emperor ascended the throne, he took a daughter of the Regallis family as his Empress.

They rejoiced, undoubtedly believing that they would now wield absolute, unchecked authority.

But the Emperor cast them aside.

Not simply setting them aside, but seizing the power they had enjoyed until then and distancing them from Imperial politics.

The Regallis family, ruined overnight, was greatly enraged, and that fury became hatred after the Empress died of illness.

Though fallen, the Regallis family, still wielding immense influence in various circles, sharpens its blade to reclaim its power.

And Albrecht, the head of the Regallis family, is the one who grips the hilt of that blade.

Albrecht, making his way to the family mansion’s drawing room, greeted his visitor from afar with delight.

“Welcome, Margrave Krebitz. It’s been since my visit to your lands last year, hasn’t it?”

“Indeed, I trust you have been well.”

Tea was served to the two men seated across from each other.

One removed from power.

The other unable to approach it.

Albrecht was the first to speak.

“Now then, let us share our thoughts. On the dawn of a new Empire, you see.”