Chapter 6: Try It On? Now? Here?

When Rita transmigrated to this world, she was wearing this scandalously revealing black outfit.

Normal clothes got in the way when she unleashed her wings and tail, but this garment, barely covering the essentials, posed no such problem.

Even now, Rita wore it during her “hunts,” though she draped a cloak over it to avoid unwanted attention.

Without that cloak, the innkeeper would’ve grown suspicious this morning, seeing her in an outfit utterly unfit for a Holy Knight.

Now, that very outfit lay before her, leaving Rita’s mouth dry and her mind grasping for excuses.

Wasn’t the usual plot to hide her identity for dozens of chapters, slip up for a few more, then keep hiding in a back-and-forth tug-of-war?

“As a suspect in the Princess’s assassination attempt, searching your room is reasonable,” Cecilia said, hands resting on the table, her tone as casual as if she were merely informing Rita of a routine action.

As a Princess, Cecilia could end Rita’s life with a single word in this world of absolute royal authority.

“Your room had no money, no weapons, no evidence of collusion—everything was normal, except for two things: the permit you claimed to have lost but carried, and this outfit.”

Cecilia placed Rita’s surrendered Holy Knight exam permit beside the clothes, aligning them neatly.

“This,” she pointed at the outfit without touching it, “sustains your life at night.”

“This,” her finger shifted to the thin sheet of paper, “sustains your life in the capital.”

The Princess raised her lashes, glancing at Rita, then back at the mismatched items. “But together, I don’t understand.”

What could Rita say? Claim she was like an eroge knight, fighting monsters by day and working in a hotel by night?

Eroge didn’t need much logic! Rita was a succubus, not brainless—unlike her long-lost “brother.”

Though, admittedly, she wasn’t that bright to begin with, or she wouldn’t be in this mess.

Still, she could try fooling the Princess. Time to weave a flawless excuse.

“This… this… it’s not mine.”

Rita’s voice faltered, her gaze shifting guiltily to the side.

‘Agh! What am I saying?!’

That was just as brainless!

“Oh.” Cecilia nodded.

No matter how absurd the lie, Rita had to commit to it now.

“Because today’s the exam, I was so nervous last night that I called for… ahem, a yuri escort service. Things got intense, and she forgot her clothes here. Yup, that’s it. Totally.”

Cecilia’s expression turned thoughtful, as if genuinely weighing Rita’s words.

“Is that so?”

Could it be… this Princess only seemed smart?

Rita was partly gambling now. She didn’t know why she’d forgotten last night, but the Princess likely fared no better. Her succubus aura could disrupt cognition and erase memories.

Since Cecilia hadn’t immediately arrested her for sneaking into her room, and showed no awkwardness during their interaction, maybe things weren’t as bad as they seemed.

Rita looked up at Cecilia, who seemed to have been waiting for this moment. She gestured invitingly. “I think this outfit suits you.”

“Don’t you want to try it on?”

“Try it on? Now? Here?”

“Relax, I’ve ordered the surveillance magic lifted. No one but us knows what’s happening here.”

‘Sorry for thinking you were a dumb loli!’

Last night should’ve taught her—this Fourth Princess was a scheming, black-hearted loli.

Even so, Rita had to resist a little. Was Cecilia fishing for useful information or just toying with her?

Rita stood, kneeling before the Princess again.

“Your Highness, I came to Solus City to become a Holy Knight. Forgive my bluntness, but asking a future Holy Knight to do this is an insult… Even as a Princess, I can hardly comply.”

“You’re right. Most with a Holy Knight exam permit are wealthy or noble. It’s reasonable for such spoiled elites to call for escorts, but you’re not one of them.”

Cecilia tapped the permit with a slender finger. “One of these doesn’t belong to you. I was pleased when you admitted it, but your answer wasn’t the one I wanted.”

She knew the permit wasn’t Rita’s?

How could she tell?

Holy Knight permits were anonymous—anyone with one could take the exam. With enough money or influence, they were easy to obtain.

Otherwise, Rita wouldn’t have dared use a permit she’d stumbled upon.

“You’ve already given me one answer I didn’t want.”

Cecilia’s calm gaze reminded Rita of last night, sending a shiver down her spine.

“So, will you put on the outfit now?”

This woman!

From the moment she entered, she’d been steering the conversation with erratic topics, asking new questions before Rita could catch up, eliciting flawed answers.

Sure, most of it was because Rita wasn’t that sharp and was easily led.

What was Cecilia’s goal in making her do this?

Was the Princess addicted to screwing her over?

Rita seethed inwardly. If this weren’t the heavily guarded city lord’s mansion, she’d love to teach her a lesson!

Flip the table or follow the path laid out for her—those were her options.

Flipping the table? Rita doubted Cecilia was unprepared.

Tap.

Cecilia’s knuckle rapped the table lightly, as if urging her.

‘Endure! A small misstep could ruin everything!’

Like the countless spineless heroines she’d mocked, Rita swallowed hard, grabbed the humiliating outfit, and turned toward the corner.

Just then, Cecilia’s voice rang out again.

“Change here.”