Not the Villainess, but the Maid

Chapter 28: Please Save Me, Princess (2)

The heroine of the yuri visual novel Chronicles of Magical Lily, the second princess, Amethyst Lupin.

Originally, as a commoner, it would have been natural for me to never even speak a word to someone like her in my lifetime.

However, not only was I speaking with her now, but I was also being subjected to some intense "physical communication."

"I surrender, I surrender!"

When I tapped the floor with my palm, having been caught in Amethyst’s excellent joint lock technique, she loosened the grip slightly and smiled faintly.

Amethyst stroked my head as if she found me adorable and said:

"You’re holding out longer than before. You’ve improved."

"What’s the point? I’ll just end up having my belt taken by you again."

The longer I resisted her joint locks, the more pain I felt in the end.

"Anyway, since Amber lost again, you need to take your punishment, right?"

Amethyst looked at me with a refreshing smile.

Those oddly expectant eyes, filled with the thrill of amusement, were infuriating.

"…"

Thinking it was unfair, I took off my headgear and placed it on the floor.

With a sulky expression, I closed my eyes, signaling for her to get it over with already, but for some reason, nothing happened.

‘…Why isn’t she doing anything?’

Feeling puzzled, I opened my eyes to see Amethyst looking at me with an uncharacteristically serious expression.

She stared at my face with her violet eyes, then smiled shyly.

"Amber, you’re beautiful."

"…Pardon!?"

Taking advantage of my shock, she launched a surprise attack.

Smooch.

Before I realized it, her lips had moved from my forehead down to the bridge of my nose, delivering a soft, warm sensation that lingered for a few seconds before pulling away.

Thanks to that, my face turned bright red, as if it were about to explode.

"…Amber, your complexion doesn’t look good. Are you feeling unwell?"

It was all because of her. This foxy princess.

It was maddening how she asked me with such an innocent face, as if she had no memory of her actions.

"Shall we take a short break?"

"Yes."

By the time I had been thrown to the ground so many times I’d lost count, she declared it was time for a break.

"Whoo—"

Amethyst sat down beside me, loosening her training clothes slightly, possibly due to the heat.

Because of that, her ample chest naturally revealed a deep cleavage, leaving me at a loss about where to direct my gaze.

Watching strands of her shiny silver hair fall between the valley of her chest, I couldn’t help but think she was far too relaxed and unguarded.

…Then again, she was strong enough not to need to be on guard.

As I looked at her, something I had been curious about came to mind.

"Hey, Amethyst?"

"Hmm?"

"Why did you choose me as your fiancé?"

At my question, she showed a startled expression.

"W-Why are you suddenly asking that…?"

"I need to know. What was your reason?"

She hesitated for a moment, looking slightly troubled, before speaking.

"Well… Amber is just so adorable, and also…"

"And also?"

When I pressed her persistently, she hesitated for a bit longer before showing a faintly different smile.

"…Do I really have to say it, Amber?"

"Yes, absolutely."

I had already suspected it wasn’t simply because she liked me.

Amethyst probably had a reason for needing a fiancé.

"It might be a bit of a long story. Is that okay?"

"Of course. I want to know everything about you, Amethyst."

Unlike her usual self, Amethyst’s face grew quite serious.

"As you know, I’m the second princess of this kingdom."

She wasn’t directly in line for the throne but was still undoubtedly a princess of a nation.

"Father and Mother are good people, but when it comes to political interests, they become incredibly focused."

Her parents, who had cared for her with utmost devotion, had apparently experienced a shift in perception due to one incident.

"…On my fifth birthday, I overheard the maids talking about me."

"…What did they say?"

She remained silent for a moment before lowering her head and answering.

"They said that I wasn’t born from the queen but from a concubine."

"…!"

Amethyst wasn’t born of the queen?

This revelation was shocking, even for me.

After all, in the game, she never once mentioned anything about her birth.

With a shadowed expression, Amethyst continued her story.

"They didn’t treat me differently from my older sister, but isn’t it strange? That they took me in and raised me as a princess."

Rather than hiding her existence, her parents had formally recognized her as a princess and raised her with great care.

"…Then I found out. They raised me as a princess entirely for political reasons."

"For political reasons…?"

"If I were to marry into a neighboring royal family when I grew up, they’d gain various benefits. In the end, I was just a tool for marriage."

"…"

I had nothing to say.

I could only silently listen to her story.

After quietly listening for a while, I cautiously asked:

"Then, the reason you tried to make me your fiancé…"

"It’s just as you guessed. I wanted to use you to avoid marrying into a neighboring royal family."

If she made her engagement to me a fact, she could avoid an unwanted marriage.

When she had proposed to me at the age of thirteen, it had been for that reason.

"…"

"You’re free to hate me. After all, I deceived you."

For some reason, my heart felt heavy.

Not because I was upset with her or felt betrayed.

It was simply because knowing the circumstances behind the always cheerful Amethyst’s actions was… so painful.

"I really was awful, wasn’t I? Just to escape my own situation, I tried to use an innocent person like you…"

Now unable to even meet my eyes, Amethyst forced a smile.

"That doesn’t matter, Amethyst."

Without realizing it, I reached out and turned her face to meet mine.

Surprised by my sudden touch, Amethyst looked at me with wide eyes.

"A-Amber…?"

"It’s okay. Even if you really did intend to use me."

Gently brushing her cheek with my fingers, I wiped away the faint tears that had formed in her eyes.

"You never forced me into the engagement, and I never once felt like you were using me."

"…"

"Even now, when I’m with you, all I feel is happiness."

It had been my choice to reject the engagement and to remain by her side.

So, I hoped Amethyst wouldn’t feel guilty toward me.

That’s how I felt.

"…Amber, you don’t hate me?"

"How could I possibly hate you? Amethyst, whether in the past or now, you’re my precious first friend."

"…"

I patted the dust off my knees as if nothing had happened and extended my hand to Amethyst.

"Come on, let’s continue, shall we?"

She silently stared at my outstretched hand for a moment, then grabbed it with a bright smile.

"Alright!"

It was the same smile as always, but this time, it felt oddly lighter.

Amethyst and I stood facing each other, having tidied up our training clothes.

As if she was ready to defeat me again, Amethyst rotated her arms in preparation and spoke.

"If you lose again, you’d better be ready. You know that, right?"

"Yes."

The last punishment was a kiss on the bridge of my nose.

Honestly, I still didn’t understand why that was considered a punishment, but the next target would undoubtedly be my lips.

It would be a significant event, something akin to a first kiss, and I couldn’t let it be taken away like this.

‘Phew…’

I steeled myself more than ever, assuming a stance and glaring at her.

Amethyst was the type who preferred to finish things in one swift move.

She would ruthlessly exploit her opponent's weakness and end it in an instant.

‘It’s okay. Let’s do this.’

From countless defeats, I had learned her small habits and favorite techniques to an almost excessive degree.

This time, I was determined to take her belt.

"Here I come, Amber!"

"Yes!"

Amethyst dashed forward at an unbelievable speed.

Once again, she lowered her posture, clearly intending to grab at my waist.

-Swish.

To be blunt, it was impossible for me to dodge her charge with my speed.

So I surrendered without resistance and let myself be tackled.

-Thud.

As soon as she brought me down, she moved quickly to restrain my arms.

Once she had me on the ground, her joint lock would inevitably follow.

‘Resisting will only hurt me more.’

Judging by the obvious difference in our strength, which was at least 50 points apart, breaking free from her joint lock was impossible.

When I deliberately positioned my arms to make it easier for her to apply the hold, she immediately pinned my arms under her armpits and upper arms.

"Too bad, Amber. Giving up already?"

Now was the moment.

While she was completely off guard.

I quickly wriggled my fingers and began tickling her underarms with all my might.

"Ha—!? W-Wait, stop…!"

‘This is Amethyst’s weak spot.’

It seemed to work; her grip on me loosened as she began to tremble.

"That tickles…! This… is against the rules…! Hah…!?"

‘Now!’

Seizing the opportunity, I swiftly grabbed the belt from her waist.

"Victory!"

"Ugh… You… targeted my sensitive spot…"

As Amethyst lay trembling on the floor, I raised the belt triumphantly.

I hadn’t used any special techniques, and it wasn’t fair, but I had won nonetheless.

"…That’s dirty."

Amethyst, her face almost tearful from the tickling, adjusted her clothes as she stood up.

"Well, I can’t deny that you won, Amber. Congratulations."

"It was tough. Finding Amethyst’s weak spot wasn’t easy."

Her defenses were practically impenetrable, except for her sole weakness: her underarms.

Having defeated her as promised, it was finally time to learn swordsmanship.

"Well, your stamina seems to have improved compared to before. Let’s move on to the next stage, shall we?"

"Wait a moment, Amethyst."

"Hmm?"

When I tugged on her sleeve as she was about to get up, Amethyst looked at me with a puzzled expression.

"You need to take your punishment."

"What are you talking about? You won this match, Amber…"

Amethyst trailed off in mid-sentence, startled, then quickly changed her tone.

"Wait, don’t tell me you’re going to punish me…?"

"Of course. I went through it, so it’s only fair."

"Y-You’re serious…?"

"Come on, lie down already."

Under my relentless urging, she eventually gave in and lay down on the floor.

"…"

Amethyst closed her eyes, her expression a mix of resignation and unease.

It was the first time I had ever climbed on top of her, so I carefully positioned myself before leaning over her.

"Did you… do it already?"

"Not yet."

Like she had done earlier, I brushed aside her bangs with my hand and gazed at her smooth, white forehead.

Having just been active, her skin was warm to the touch.

If Lady Ruby’s skin was as white as snow, Amethyst’s had a slightly healthy tint.

‘Now, she’ll know just how embarrassing this is.’

Slowly, I lowered my head and pressed my lips against her forehead.

Just like she had done, I didn’t pull away immediately but lingered for a few seconds to feel her warmth.

"…Ah."

When she let out a small, embarrassed sound, I finally pulled back.

"…How does it feel? It’s really embarrassing, isn’t it?"

"…"

"Alright, get up now…"

As I tried to move off her, her limbs suddenly wrapped tightly around me.

"…!"

She pulled me close, leaving no space between us and completely immobilizing me.

"A-Amethyst…!?"

"…Amber, you brought this on yourself."

"W-Wait, wait…!"

That day, I was held tightly by Amethyst and subjected to various things.

It was only when I was completely drained of energy that she finally let me go.