Chapter 222 The Cross-Dressing Beauty ②
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Having exposed the ‘Prince’ of the flower town or street—Viscount Ray Nixfen¹—as a woman through some ill-timed harassment, I was now roped into helping her with her ‘objective.’
”So, why are you actually dressed like that anyway?”
Moving back to Barbara-san’s house, I asked the question. Outside the window, several older sisters were still peeking in. Viscount Nixfen hunched her shoulders and spoke with a timid tremble.
”Well, a lot happened… I’ve dressed like a man from the start, but everyone said it’s better to act more dignified… oh, and to sell the ‘Help Stick²,’ you see?”
Her answer was vague, her eyes darting around. It seemed her true self was very shy. She looked like a mouse born in a giraffe’s body by mistake, desperately trying to hide in a hole.
It was scary to think she could theoretically cleave me in two. Then again, given her great physique and the strength of people in this world, maybe it was just a common thing. Really, I should be the one shaking in my boots. Well, I won’t worry about that now.
”Hmm, it would help if you told me the whole story. You’re the lord of the Nixfen territory who makes ‘Help Sticks,’ Viscount Nixfen, right?” I asked.
”U-Um, yes. That’s right… yes. Truly, I am Viscount Nixfen,” she replied.
”So, since you’ve been cross-dressing for a long time, does it mean you’re the only heir and they’re making you act like a man?”
”W-Wow! How did you know?!” Ray asked.
”Well, it’s a common setup in stories…”
”A setup…?”
”Ah, don’t worry about it.”
”U-Um. Yes. In the Nixfen house, I was the only child born to my father and mother. For a normal noble, they’d just make me a temporary lord and find a husband, but…”
”I see. Because of the ‘Help Stick’ business, it’s easier for a man than a woman, isn’t it?”
”E-E-Exactly! Lord Harvest is truly amazing!”
Her face lit up when she saw I understood. She really was like a small animal… She must have been met with confusion many times before, so she seemed moved by my quick intuition.
”Well, since I make similar things, I can guess. The craftsmen making these are probably men, right? And the merchants are mostly men too. A female lord would have a hard time, and people would look down on her.”
”Yes, that’s it. Of course, since the customers are mostly women, there was a talk that female sales staff would be better, but…”
”I remember your place also made the ‘Help Ring³‘ for men.”
”Yes, our items aren’t just ‘Help Sticks.’ Also, if I took a husband, it would be a problem if he didn’t know our business. In the end, it was decided a man would be better,” Ray explained.
”Sounds like a lot of work… And is the next heir going to be okay?”
”Hmm, not really. In a few years, we will adopt an heir from a relative. If they study from a young age, it should be fine.”
Man, another unfortunate woman has appeared… There’s Her Majesty Queen Cecile, who vowed to stay single for her brother, and Lady Tina Badcage, daughter of Duke Badcage, who was giving up on children due to succession issues. Is the noble system here harsh on women? Maybe that’s just how hereditary nobility works.
”Well, that’s fine. I feel more calm in men’s clothes anyway, and the people in the territory are kind… Anyway, about this matter…”
”Right, you said you had to sell those ‘Help Sticks,’ right?” I prompted.
”Yes, I’ve found myself in need of some funds…”
”In need? What, did the previous head fall ill?”
”Eh? My father is very healthy. He’s actually getting more energetic since he passed the title to me.”
It seemed this wasn’t following the usual story beats. I thought the retired father would be sick, or a bastard brother would appear needing money…
”My father is a ‘Help Stick’ craftsman too. I think he’d get along with you, Lord Harvest. Though lately, he is very obsessed with making ‘Help Rings’…”
I see. The passion I felt in that ‘Help Stick’ wasn’t from this Viscount Nixfen, but from her father, the previous Viscount… To be clear, a ‘Help Ring’ is like a ‘cock ring’ from my old world—something worn at the base to help with erections.
For a retired noble’s hobby, it was a bit too full of lust to be elegant. I felt weird imagining the lower-body affairs of a man I’d never met. Well, they probably have a good marriage, so good for them…
”Um… what were we talking about…?”
”You’re short on cash and need to sell ‘Help Sticks,’ right?”
”Oh, right. Yes, the West is getting a bit suspicious.”
”The West? Do you mean the maritime nation of Silbaoll⁴…?”
”No, not that way.”
Our Canaria Kingdom⁵ is surrounded by other nations. Mountains, rivers, and monster areas act as natural fortresses. The large basin supports the country’s population and power.
Since the Nixfen territory is in the west of the basin, ‘further west’ meant another country. To the southwest is Silbaoll. If it wasn’t ‘that way,’ the only one left was…
”The Ferguson Kingdom⁶.”
”Exactly.”
Ferguson Kingdom is almost directly west of Canaria Kingdom. It didn’t come to mind because it’s a friendly nation, usually far from ‘suspicious’ news.
It was the only country that didn’t betray us after the previous King and Queen died. Also, it’s the nation Her Majesty the Queen was supposed to marry into. Even when it fell through, they didn’t make a problem—a very generous nation.
Culturally, they are similar to Canaria Kingdom. Many feel a sense of kinship. There is a famous story of a King calling us the ‘Twin Kingdoms.’
”Something is happening in Ferguson. Their nobles are frantically arming themselves. Our western nobles are now doing the same—buying weapons and hiring mercenaries.”
”So Nixfen needs money to keep up… but I can’t believe the Ferguson Kingdom would betray us…”
”Oh, no, Ferguson isn’t trying to start a war. The nobles over there actually advised us western nobles to prepare our defenses.”
”Wait, what does that mean…?” I asked.
”Yeah, they can’t quite gauge the situation, so there is no proof, but they have an idea. Um—could you be careful not to spread this?”
”Yeah, I can keep a secret.”
I’ve kept the ‘Hot-Hot Ddo Buddy⁷‘ a secret since it became a military asset. Seeing me nod, the Nixfen Lord leaned in close.
She wanted to whisper, but it was right after the incident. The glares from Barbara and the sisters outside were painful, but Ray didn’t notice.
I thought she was too trusting, and she smelled sweet like a flower… but those thoughts were blown away by her next words.
”Apparently, there are rumors that a ‘Stampede⁸‘ is about to happen…
—
Summary:
Harvest discusses the reasons for Ray Nixfen’s cross-dressing, which stems from her role as the sole heir of an adult goods family. Ray explains the urgent need for funds as western nobles begin military preparations. Contrary to fears of betrayal, Ferguson Kingdom has warned Canaria of a shared threat. The chapter ends with the ominous revelation of a looming Stampede.
—
Character Insight:
Ray Nixfen’s true personality is a sharp contrast to her ‘Prince’ image, displaying a timid nature that Harvest finds pitiable. Harvest demonstrates his pragmatic worldview by quickly identifying the gender-based hardships Ray faces. This mutual understanding builds a bridge of trust between the two adult goods manufacturers, even as the plot shifts toward a larger national crisis.
—
Behind the Scene:
This chapter introduces the concept of the ‘Twin Kingdom’ relationship between Canaria and Ferguson, establishing the geopolitical landscape. The ‘Help Ring’ is used as a comedic callback to traditional adult goods, connecting the previous generation of nobles to Harvest’s current innovations. The 10,000 bookmark milestone mentioned in the raws signifies the series’ growing popularity.
—
T/L:
Notes:
• Nixfen – A viscount aristocrat who has started manufacturing and selling adult goods similar to Kento’s products in the Royal Capital’s pleasure district. He is described as a ‘pretty boy’ or ‘gentle-looking man’ (yasao) but is a territory-holding noble likely trained in combat.
• Ray – A Viscount with flaxen-gold hair in a men’s wolf cut. Possesses a sweet mask and a prince-like aura. It is revealed at the end that Ray is actually a woman. She has started manufacturing and selling adult goods similar to Kento’s products in the Royal Capital’s pleasure district.
• Tina Badcage – Silver-haired, red-eyed woman with a very formal, old-fashioned way of speaking, often ending sentences with ‘no ja’. She is the only daughter of the Duke Badcage, tasked with guarding the North for the Canaria Royal Family. She is described as a beauty. Her inexperience suggests a slender build, and her dress is likely formal and aristocratic, though not explicitly stated.
• Cecile – A high-ranking, powerful woman in the capital who possesses the authority to regulate business and commerce, particularly concerning moral or public order issues. She is currently investigating Kento’s shop, ‘Harvest.’ Have long golden hair, elegant, and wearing expensive white dress with gold accesories.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
Thanks for reading.
Leave a Reply