Wait, I'm a Woman?

I opened my eyes to the glow of my computer monito-

Nah, just kidding. Did I getcha?

As soon as I gained consciousness, I knew I was still Elisabeth. The weight on my chest and the hair tickling my face told me as much immediately. I didn’t know what was to come, and frankly, I didn’t really want to find out, what with how yesterday had ended.

But my curiosity got the better of me. Stretching my arms, I slowly leaned up. A cute noise leaked out of my mouth.

“Ah, the beauty finally wakes. Good morning, Miss Elisabeth.” In the corner of the room, Marie sat, neatly folding clothes into a leather box of some kind. Is getting watched like this normal? I guess for a princess, maybe.

I turned my vision to the windows. They were open, and the same fresh spring air from the day before streamed gently into my room, complemented by the midday sun.

I did a double take. Hold on, midday? Didn’t the King say we’d meet this morning?

“Ah, Miss Elisabeth, please do not fret,” Marie said, noticing my panic. “With how much yesterday seemed to wear on you, I thought you ought to rest longer. I explained this to His Majesty early this morning.”

“Marie, I- Thank you. That’s very kind.”

I was no stranger to waking up super late (have you met any VTubers? We aren’t known for sleep hygiene). In this world, however, it wasn’t just me I had to worry about. Marie must have cut a deal to let me sleep in and then had to sit and babysit me while I rested. I felt a little guilty.

“Come now, now that you’re fresh and awake, let us get you ready for the day ahead, hm? We’ll be meeting with Her Majesty the Queen, instead.” Marie beckoned.

I obeyed, swinging my legs out of bed. The Queen, huh? As soon as I stood up, I lost my balance and had to sit back down in bed. Right. My body’s a little different now.

Marie strode over and guided me to the bathroom, if it could even be called that. It was massive, bigger than my entire apartment, and made entirely from marble-like stone. She helped me wash my face, clearing off the day-old makeup that had smeared across it with the whole sobbing-myself-to-sleep ordeal.

“I’ve drawn a bath for you, as well, to quickly freshen up before starting the day. Come, take off that nightgown.”

A bath?! I turned my head to see wisps of steam curling off the surface of a spacious basin in the corner.

A bath.

Oh, I am not ready for this, at all.

I’m not going to go into detail on how that went.

…Hm?

What?

Come on now, a lady needs her privacy, after all.

Suffice it to say it was a new experience, as strange and yet simultaneously emotionally fulfilling as discovering my body had been yesterday.

After drying me off, Marie handed me a set of matching underwear, white lace and satin.

Oh my god, it’s so cute!

Wait, what do you mean ‘cute,’ me?

The bottoms were easy enough to figure out, but I had to have Marie help me slip the bra(ssiere?) over my shoulders and latch it. I’d never had any experience with such a garment myself.

“No corset today, huh?”

“Correct, Miss Elisabeth, you’re in luck. No formal wear.”

I hadn’t realized it yesterday — since the off-shoulder dress I wore had some support built in, so I hadn’t worn one — but bras were kind of uncomfortable. At the same time, something about having the layer on felt supportive, guarding. Comforting.

My eyes caught my reflection in the bathroom’s full-body mirror.

The girl who looked back was incredible. I got lost in the glass, beholding my new body. The subtle curves which the undergarments hugged, the wavy hair cresting down my back, the small frame and slender limbs. My heart fluttered.

“I’m a woman… I’m really a woman,” I softly murmured.

“Miss Elisabeth, you are truly gorgeous — but come, break away from that starstruck wonder, we must finish preparing for the day. Her Majesty wishes to meet with you.”

I wasn’t staring that hard, Marie. I think.

(I definitely was.)

~~~~~~

After Marie had dressed me in a similar green dress to the gown I wore when I spawned in, though significantly more comfortable, she guided me outside the palace and through an enchanting courtyard path to meet with the Queen. I marveled at the garden around us, the ground view of the same flowering beauty I had seen yesterday from above left me speechless.

I was further shocked when I first laid eyes upon her. While beautiful, the more surprising thing was just how much the Queen reminded me of me. An older, more mature version of my VTuber character. What was her name again? I thought back to what the King had said last night. Did he ever mention her name? Oh God, I hope it doesn’t come up.

Seeing us approach, she smiled.

“I hope you were able to rest well, Elisabeth, dear. Marie told me it was a rather eventful day.”

“I felt a little off, yes,” I said, glancing at my maid. She said nothing.

“Well, come, sit. I thought it might be nice to start with tea.” She patted the chair next to her. I dutifully sat next to her, trying to seem as prim and proper as possible. A small gazebo-pavilion-thing provided us shade.

A few maids, including Marie, brought over trays with intricate ceramic cups and plates, small snacks, and some desserts. As they set the garden table, I engaged my mother in conversation, asking her a question that had popped into my head when Marie said we’d be seeing the Queen instead of the King.

“Um, Mother, what about the meeting with Duke Deighsel?”

“Hm? Oh, that. Your father decided you’d only get in the way, something about being a nuisance yesterday? He ordered me to refine your etiquette a little more while they negotiated the details.”

“He what?”

“Is something the matter?” She cocked her head to the side.

Mouth agape, I was completely dumbfounded. That bastard! He’s marrying me off without me even being there for the meeting!

“Doesn’t that seem unfair to you? I don’t even get to participate!”

The Queen laughed. “Oh, dear, not at all. In fact, that was how I became betrothed to your father, in much the same manner!” I couldn’t believe it. She’s just rolling over and letting him ship me off to those slimeballs. “Perhaps Margot really should have taken those books away from you, after all, hm?”

I don’t even know what books they keep talking about. And who the hell is Margot?!

“That aside, shall we begin with your queen’s training?” She gestured towards the teatime equipment now laid before us.

Deciding that I would go interrogate the King afterwards, I resigned myself to her, hanging my head. “Alright.”

As the sun passed us by from midday to afternoon, my mother drilled me on the exact procedures for teatime. From the angle I held the teacup to how I sipped it, every action I took was met with scrutiny and corrected. Only when I completed a full teacup with no ‘mistakes’ was the Queen satisfied.

When she finally released me from queen’s training, the afternoon was well on its way to vanishing. I asked Marie to take me to the King before it was too late.

But it was too late.

From afar, we saw the Deighsel men talking to a butler, with their knights preparing to leave. Right as we arrived at the gate, the two boarded their carriage. Friedbert noticed us. He slowly smirked and raised his hand in an uncharacteristic wave. He was mocking me. It was the same wave I had given him and his father yesterday in the foyer, a cutesy finger-wiggling sending arrows through my chest.

Before finally stepping up into his fire-colored carriage, he mouthed something. Three words.

‘See you soon.’

With a final condescending smile, he turned back and climbed into his carriage.

I wanted to chase after him and beat him senseless with my heels. Marie and I watched as their line of carriages proceeded out to the edge of view and disappeared into the forest.

“Marie…”

“I know. I saw.” She bit her lip. “I’m not so sure about that one, myself, either.”

Softly, she took my arm and led me inside. The King was sitting in the same mini-throne as before, conversing with a knight. When he saw us, he waved us over.

“Elisabeth, good. We had a productive conversation. You’ll be wed to the Deighsel boy in approximately two months.”

Not if I have anything to say about it. I’ll find a way out, no matter what. I kept the thought to myself, however, and curtsied in faux obedience.

“As you wish, Father.”

“Hmph. Good, you’ve finally come to your senses. Now go, Marie, pack her things for her.”

“It is already done, Your Majesty.”

“Very fine indeed. In that case, return outside. I believe the stablemaster already has your-”

“Hold on, hold on!” I interrupted. “What do you mean pack? What for?”

“Have you forgotten already? For the Empire. You’re going to attend the Dawn of Spring.”