(Inglis's pov)
I don't understand at all why, when I look at her, I feel a strange tingling sensation in my chest...
Chisa...
This strange girl who appeared before me, which should have alerted me, since I didn't know where she was from or why she came, but something told me she wasn't bad at all...
I decided to trust this feeling, and didn't wish... Our sparring...
It was truly wonderful! I've never experienced anything like this, not even in my past life, when I was a king! She embodied everything I wanted from a sword fight!
I want this to happen more often!
Chisa said she has no one else... Maybe I should ask her to stay...
No, no... I can't do this, I don't even know what she thinks of me...
But why do I feel a strange pressure in my chest, after I thought she didn't like me?
I'm not young anymore, and of course I know what that means...
But I want to deny it. I can't, I have no right. I'm an old man in a young girl's body, I can't fall in love with another young girl.
Although if I had a choice, I'd choose a woman, of course... I've managed to avoid the topic of marriage for a long time, but eventually it will drag on too long... I'll definitely never be with a man, not ever... But with a girl...
I don't even know how to tell my family or Rafi about this. What will they think of me? Especially my mother... She wants grandchildren... Which she'll definitely never have, no matter what...
Maybe I should just run away and become a knight-errant?
Although, I don't want to upset Mom...
But I'm also tired of hearing about marrying a man... I'm already saying outright that I don't want to marry a man, that they imply there's another path, one involving women...
But no one understood it, and no one ever will... Even in my past life, when I was king, I almost never heard of girls with other girls... Although, a couple of times, such cases were noted in reports... I didn't mind back then, there's nothing wrong with it... Who knew I'd turn into such a woman...
When the goddess said I could be reborn, I thought I'd start a new life and become a great swordsman, but in the end, I became a woman, but that didn't change my dream...
True, sword fighting has become more difficult because of my breasts... Which continue to grow... God, how embarrassing...
Although... I saw Chisa's gaze linger briefly on my breasts... Did she really... Did she like my breasts, or is she jealous?
I guess I'm just mistaking dreams for reality...
I can't be with her, for many reasons.
First, we've known each other for less than a day, even though I enjoyed our acquaintance...
Second, I'm an old man trapped in the body of a young woman... Well, I'm more or less used to it... But I don't think I'm ready for a relationship that starts with a lie.
Third, this is a family that wants me to marry a man... Well, maybe... No, even to please my family, I wouldn't do such a thing. The thought alone turns me off, and I want to puke...
Sigh...
"And why are you sighing so heavily?" Mom asked when I met her in the hallway this morning.
"Ah, good morning, Mother..." I said, smiling.
"Good morning to you too. So tell me, why is my sweet daughter sighing so heavily? Maybe you like someone?" Mom asked.
"I... I'm not sure..." I said, blushing a little...
Damn, I can't get the image of Chisa's naked body out of my head... Why hasn't that happened to me with Rafi... Although Rafi is more like a granddaughter to me... It would be weird if I thought about Rafi's naked body...
"Has spring really come for my daughter too?" Mom said dreamily.
"Spring?" I asked.
It's summer now, spring is already over...
"Anyway, who is he?" Mom asked.
Well, of course, she'll immediately think of a man...
So what should I tell her? I don't even want to talk about the lie about liking a guy; I feel like I can't take it anymore and I'm going to throw up...
What should I do...
"Madam, breakfast is ready." the maid said, coming up to us.
There's my savior! I could kiss that maid!
"Okay. Chris, will you go wake up Chisa? We have a lot to do after breakfast; we need to take her measurements to pick out a dress for her." Mom said.
"Yes, I'll go see her." I said, and walked down the hallway to the room where Chisa was staying.
Even yesterday, I wasn't sure Mom would let Chisa go to the ball with us... Although, I think Mom liked Chisa... Maybe she even feels sorry for her that she's left alone...
In any case... It's already a success that my mom liked her, which means it will be easier in the future...
So stop, what am I thinking about again!
I can already imagine the future we'll live in...
We've only known each other for a short time, so how did I manage to fall in love with her?
Although, it could be attributed to the fact that I haven't had a woman in a very, very long time... Not since my past life...
Approaching the door, I knocked three times, but didn't hear an answer, so I decided to knock again...
In the end, I just decided to go into the room...
When I entered, I immediately noticed Chisa, hugging a pillow...
Damn, she's too cute...
"But why does she sleep with her clothes on?" I wondered.
Yesterday, when I met her, I noticed her strange clothes, but I didn't think much of it, and only now do I realize how strange they are...
I've never seen clothes like that before... Maybe that's where she's from, is it common to wear them? Although it's a cape, and it's also strange... And it has strange cutouts on the sleeves, revealing smooth skin on her arm, with black... stars on it? I don't know why, but it looks more like stars, that's what I thought, although it could be something else... Even though this clothes are strange to me, they fit Chisa well, and I like the way they look...
Although, I want to see her in a dress...
Hmm, I also remember her sword appearing out of nowhere; maybe she has some kind of magical repository... And I wonder what runes she has...
Even in childhood, everyone receives magical runes that are connected to mana, which determine your future destiny. And you might even become a knight in the future... Of course, I didn't show any runes. Although it's difficult for people of this era to use mana, that doesn't mean it doesn't exist; people have simply forgotten how to use it. Everyone was surprised then that I didn't have a rune, but in reality, I shouldn't have one. I'm a heavenly knight and wield ether, not mana, so the box that was supposed to give me runes gave me nothing. Of course, without a rune, you can't become a knight in this kingdom, at least officially, but for me, it's just a small obstacle, not worth my attention...
Shutting off the memories, I looked at the sleeping girl...
I don't know what happened, but for some reason I wanted to lie down next to her, like I was a sedalava.
For about five minutes, I lay there and looked at Chisa's sweet face until she opened her eyes. It scared and embarrassed me at the same time, but I didn't show it.
"Good morning, Chisa." I said, still lying there.
"Chris? What are you doing here?" she asked.
"I came to wake you up for breakfast." I replied.
"And that's why you decided to lie down next to me?" the girl asked.
Damn... Come on...
"I... My back just hurt a little, so I lay down." I said.
Inglis, what the hell back?! You're not an old man anymore, you're a young girl!
"Really? Then do you want me to give you a massage?" asked Chisa.
"No need, your back is already better... Anyway, let's go to breakfast, Mom's waiting." I said, getting out of bed.
Chisa followed me.
"Chris, won't your dad be at breakfast?" asked Chisa.
"He's busy, but he should be back soon... My father is the knight commander." I said.
"Oh, so you'll be taking over after he retires?" Chisa asked, to which I shook my head.
"No, I can't become a knight, I don't have a rune." I said, showing her the back of my hand.
"So what? I don't have one either." Chisa said, showing her that she didn't have a rune...
Could she be like me? Instead of mana, does she wield ether?
We quickly reached the dining hall, where Mother was waiting...
"I see you're not in a hurry." she said, raising an eyebrow.
"Uh... Yes, sorry, Miss Sera, it's my fault... Chris woke me up, but she couldn't... I usually sleep very soundly... If it's safe around me..." Chisa said awkwardly.
Although, it was my fault...
"I'm so glad you feel safe in our house." Mom said, her tone gentle.
"Anyway, sit down, the maids will be bringing breakfast soon." Mom said, gesturing to the empty seats.
I decided to sit not in my own seat this time, but next to Chisa...
"Chisa, dear, how did you sleep in bed?" Mom decided to speak while we were waiting for breakfast.
"Excellent! The bed is soft and comfortable, I've never slept so well." Chisa said, smiling.
"Wasn't your old bed comfortable?" Mom asked.
"Uh... Well, actually, I didn't have a home, so I didn't have a bed... I usually sleep outside by the fire..." she said, although for some reason I find it hard to believe, but since she says so, I'll believe her for now.
"I see... Anyway, after breakfast we'll go get your measurements." Mom said, changing the subject.
"Measurements?" Chisa asked, as if she'd forgotten where I'd invited her... I don't want to go either; I'd rather stay home and spar with Chisa.
"Yes, we need to get your measurements so we can pick out a dress for the ball." Mom said, after which the maids entered carrying our breakfast.
"Here's breakfast, let's eat." Mom said, starting to eat.
"Speaking of the ball... Are you sure everything is in order?" Chisa asked.
"Why do you say that?" Mom asked.
"Well, I'm not a noblewoman, and I don't know any etiquette." Chisa said.
"It's okay. No one knows you here, we can say you're a distant relative. And what about etiquette? Why don't so many young nobles know it or don't want to observe it..." Mom said, but I saw the way she looked at me...
Hey, it's not my fault that I'm supposed to be submissive to men according to etiquette! Who even came up with this trashy etiquette? That person should be burned!
"Well, it seems I've run out of excuses not to go to the ball..." Chisa said with a sigh...
God, I understand her so well...
Chisa's comment made Mom laugh.
"You're so much like Inglis... Only you're more feminine, while Inglis is interested in swords and battles..." Mom said.
What Mom said would be offensive to an ordinary girl, but to an old man who died and was reborn as a girl, it's a compliment.
"What are you saying, Sera... I'm actually attracted to battles and swords too..." Chisa said, continuing to eat breakfast.
Yes, that's my girl!
Mom just shook her head.
"Indeed, my daughter has found a friend to her liking... If you were a guy, I'd already think she'd fallen in love with you..." Mom said with a sigh.
But that's how it is...
No, wait, I didn't fall in love with her...
Or maybe...
"So, you wouldn't mind if I took Inglis for myself?" Chisa asked, making my heart stop.
She just...
"Yes, you can have it, I don't mind." Mom said, smiling.
Okay, wait, what's going on here...
"Okay, enough jokes, let's finish breakfast and go try on dresses..." Mom said, putting down the cutlery...
So she took it as a joke...
But...
Chisa, was she joking or...
I couldn't help but look at the girl who, in just one day, had burst into my life, changing something in me...
And as soon as I looked at her, her gaze was directed at me...
As if she wanted to say she wasn't joking...
But that can't be true...
After breakfast, Mom took us to try on dresses, but I ran out of the room, claiming Rafi needed help...
No, I'm not ready to see Chisa's naked body again...
"Chris, what are you doing?" my cousin's voice rang out as I leaned against her. With my back to the door.
"Rafi? I… Oh right, I'm warming up!" I said, stretching.
"Stretching... in the hallway?" she asked, looking at me intently...
"Yeah, uh... The air's just fresher here..." I was rambling.
"Fresh? In the hallway?"
"I..."
"Okay, that's probably just you being weird... Why are you alone now? Where's Chisa?" Rafi asked.
"Chisa, she and her mom are trying on dresses." I said.
"Then why aren't you with them?" Rafi asked.
"Well, I..." I didn't have time to answer before the door opened and Mom and Chisa came out, who...
Just wow!
She was wearing a black dress with red details... This dress was knee-length... And although I don't want to admit it, it was better than what she was wearing... Although that skirt suited her, when we were fighting, I saw her black panties with a red bow a couple of times...
Am I really a pervert now!?
"Rafi? Has Chris helped you yet?" Mom asked my cousin.
Damn! I should have at least warned her, so she'd play along...
"Uh... Yes, she already helped me." Rafi replied, making me sigh inwardly.
No wonder she's my cousin!
"Anyway, what do you think? This is the first dress Chisa tried on, and it fits her perfectly, right?" Mom asked.
"Yes, it suits her." Rafi said, while I...
"Beautiful..." I blurted out accidentally.
Damn! Yeah, what the hell is going on with me today?!
"Hee hee, thank you." Chisa said, laughing.
Mom, thank goodness she didn't find anything strange in what I said, but why is Rafi staring at me so intently?
Okay, anyway, I need to get ready for the ball...
Hmm, wouldn't it be weird if I asked Chisa to dance...
I...
I give in...
In my entire life, I never thought this would happen... I just thought I'd be with Rafi, constantly shooing away the "insects" from her... But then Chisa showed up, and all my resolve, all my plans...
Just fell apart...