Arata: “Sorry, my bad.”

Princess Glen: “…”

Rose: “Hyaa…”

The pathetic shriek came from Rose-san, who, in the past few days, had cemented her image as the one to apologize on her knees.

I thought I was used to her blunders, but I didn’t think it would come to this.

In the early morning, Rose-san suggested a bath to the newly named 【Prince Glen】 ,formerly 【Prince Glen Ashley Promaris】, who had no appetite.

However, while Rose-san went to fetch a change of clothes for the princess, I entered the men’s bath at the same time – that’s the crux of the matter.

While it was fine to let the princess use the men’s bath in consideration of the worst-case scenario, this time, that consideration had completely backfired.

Arata: “I said it, didn’t I? Don’t take your eyes off her – be careful. Right?”

Rose: “You did say that.”

Arata: “If you had prepared a change of clothes in advance, or if you had set up Dorothy to keep an eye on her, could this accident have been prevented?”

Rose: “~~~”

At the word “accident,” Princess Glen covered her face with her hand.

The tips of her ears peeking through her hair were bright red, but it wasn’t because her blood circulation was improved from the bath.

Actually, when I picked up Princess Glen in the slums, I noticed her secret.

When I used 【Appraisal】 to check her condition, I found out that despite her name being 【Prince Glen Ashley Promaris】 in the name field, her gender was 【female】.

However, it’s not that the princess didn’t take measures against 【Appraisal】

She was equipped with a 『Ring of Deceit』 to disguise her gender, a ring that fools others’ appraisal.

–Accessory 『Ring of Deceit』

This item, classified as an “Accessory” which can be equipped separately from the main gear, has the effect of 『Status Disguise』

『Status Disguise』’s description is – 【Does not disclose status to anyone with a level lower than 300 over the equipper’s level】.

The princess’s level is 20.

Add the 300 level of the 『Ring of Deceit』 and 【Appraisal】 from anyone with a level lower than 320 is nullified.

The effect of the 【Appraisal】 skill is 【For each level increase, the status of an opponent 50 levels higher can be viewed】.

At the time, my level was 72, and I had raised the skill level of 【Appraisal】 to 5, so I was able to view her status.

That’s fine.

The residents of this world have low levels and can’t distribute skill points at will, so there are almost no people who can break through the 『Ring of Deceit』

The fact that I knew Princess Glen’s secret was well covered up, with only Rose-san noticing during the care process.

Or so I thought…

Arata: “I’m going to disappear. Most likely, we’ll never meet again.”

Rose: “Wait, what?!”

Accused of impropriety towards royalty, that’s no joke.

Even if I tried everything, I can’t see an outcome other than execution.

And a royal who disguises their gender is a clear landmine.

If I get involved, it’s easy to imagine that I’ll be connected to powerful people in a bad way.

Rose-san alone is enough to establish a close relationship with the powerful.

Princess Glen: “Please wait!”

As I reached for the door to leave, Princess Glen stopped me.

Princess Glen: “Can we pretend this incident never happened?”

The proposal that came from Princess Glen was unexpected.

Arata: “What do you mean?”

Princess Glen: “I don’t want to create discord with Rose-san, the captain of the Second Knights, or with you, Arata-san, as her associate. Fortunately, only a small part of the royalty knows my secret.”

I hate knowing a secret that even a small part of the royal family doesn’t know…

However, Princess Glen’s proposal is appreciated.

I had just raised my rank to A, and I thought it would be a waste to quit as an adventurer now.

I don’t care if I get betrayed.

With my current level and skills, it would be easy to shake off pursuers.

Plus, with a disguise or a name change, I can re-register with the guild, and I could even make a living selling monster materials on the black market if needed.

As I took my seat, Rose-san clearly breathed a sigh of relief.

Princess Glen: “Though belated, I’m grateful for your help. Thank you very much.”

Princess Glen said, bowing deeply.

It was prejudiced, but I was surprised because I had the image of royalty being more arrogant or disrespectful.

But still…

I’m sorry to women, but no matter how I look at it, Princess Glen looks like a beautiful boy.

Her hairstyle, clothes, and aura all make her seem male.

At that moment, I heard the sound of footsteps running outside the room.

Unknown: “Excuse me.”

Rose: “Go ahead.”

At Rose-san’s reply, the door to the reception room was flung open.

The handsome man who appeared had long blonde hair tied back and was wearing a silver full-plate armor.

–Alfred William Owen

He is the current Vice-Captain of the Second Knight’s Order and was the Captain in the game.

When Alfred recognized Princess Glen, his face was colored with surprise for a moment, and he quickly knelt before her.

Vice-Captain Alfred: “I’m glad to see you’re safe, Your Highness.”

Princess Glen: “Raise your head, Alfred. As you can see, I’m safe.”

Vice-Captain Alfred: “It’s most delightful.”

Princess Glen: “I must have caused you some worry.”

Alfred was summoned due to being the most trusted subordinate of Rose-san.

Now that Princess Glen has awakened, it has become crucial to establish contact with the royal castle, enhance the security system, and other forms of cooperation.

Rose-san doesn’t seem capable of that.

So, Alfred came because there was a need to call in a subordinate who can get the job done and is trustworthy.

Arata: “Well, have you and Alfred met somewhere before, Your Highness?”

Vice-Captain Alfred: “Actually, when her highness was attacked in the castle a few days ago, I happened to be at the scene. But…”

Princess Glen: “You don’t need to worry. Alfred, you’ve done well.”

Vice-Captain Alfred: “Your Highness…”

To sum up Alfred’s story, on the day I picked up Princess Glen, several thieves broke into the royal castle.

They were pretty good at what they did, and it ended up being a tough fight.

Princess Glen: “Alfred is my personal shadow.”

Vice-Captain Alfred: “Your Highness! That’s…”

Rose: “Shadow?”

Well, it’s not surprising that Rose-san doesn’t know.

The Kingdom’s Special Knights, also known as “Shadows”.

They are a typical assassination unit.

If the Knights protect the royal family and the kingdom from the front, the Special Knights are tasked with protecting it from the back.

Even in the game’s storyline, there were events where you cooperate with the Special Knights to fight a great evil plaguing the kingdom.

I remember well because a considerably high reward amount was set.

Princess Glen: “But even with Alfred’s involvement, the battle situation didn’t improve…”

Vice-Captain Alfred: “Due to the emergency, her highness was asked to escape to the city through a hidden passage.”

But after escaping the battle scene, I accidentally wandered into the slums and almost got kidnapped.

The thieves who attacked were defeated, but the vital Princess Glen was missing.

It seems that the castle and the Knights were desperate to find her.

Is there an informant?

It’s extremely difficult to invade the castle during the day.

If you don’t follow the proper procedures, the knights who are surely on the lookout will undoubtedly find you.

Did a knight help the thief?

Or maybe――the royal family?

Princess Glen is, on the surface, the seventh prince.

She’s a bit far from the struggle for the spot of the next king.

No, was she attacked because the number doesn’t matter?

Or does her origin hold a secret?

I don’t know.

Besides, there’s something else that’s bothering me――

Vice-Captain Alfred: “Tomorrow, a carriage is scheduled to come here to pick you up.”

Princess Glen: “I have to apologize to my father for worrying him.”

Vice-Captain Alfred: “Yes, your father was also very worried.”

Princess Glen: “Rose-san, Arata-san. Once again, thank you very much for this past occasion.”

Rose: “What? No, I…”

Arata: “Above all else, we’re glad that her highness is safe, right?”

Rose: “Yes! That’s right.”

For this incident, it seems that a reward is coming directly from the king to me who helped Princess Glen.

It seems Rose-san’s actions which came out of concern for the princess’s well-being, are highly valued.

It seems there will be zero blame for not contacting them on her own.

In any case, I have a feeling tonight is going to be a noisy one.