***Arc 7 One Who Bare Their Fang on Reason, Chapter 171 Trivial Days***
It was that evening that the discussion known as the Christand Trial was held.
The person to be judged was Bery Argan (the accused), a servant and the founder of the “Krische-sama Cute Church" (aggressive fundamentalism, paganism), who is the shadow ruler of Christand.
The red-haired servant, who was skilled in intrigue and had won every political battle with her skillful words, sat in a chair in the center of the room, face down, looking like a prisoner of war awaiting her verdict.
Or perhaps she thought that even with all her brains, a comeback from this point is impossible――she lacks her usual high spirits.
At her front.
Sitting at a desk with her legs crossed and a sheet of underwear spread out in front of her was, the chairman of the "Christand Council for the Improvement of Public Morals (1 member, only the chairman)" and the Kingdom's Marshal, Serene Christand (the Inquisitor).
She took a close look at the mysterious underwear that is the garter belt――and then she turned her gaze toward Krische (victim, satisfied after the meal), the chairman of the “After-Meal Discussion Promotion Committee (powerless)” who was watching the situation while drinking tea next to her.
Selene looked intently at her sister's face and closed her eyes.
She said to Bery, showing off the garter belt in her hand.
“What on earth were you thinking, trying to make Krische wear something like this?”
"Of course, it's for Krische-sama’s sake, Ojou-sama. Is there any other reason?"
It all started after the dinner.
Krische said that her new underwear was very comfortable, as she immediately showed off her garter belt to Selene.
It was probably due in part to the skill of the craftsman.
The tailor was Arica Saazbern, the third daughter of a great aristocrat.
As a female tailor, she emphasizes comfort first and foremost when it comes to underwear and undergarments, not to mention the quality of the design.
And that was also what Krische looks for in clothing.
She also received a "Bery Bonus", the most important evaluation point, because "Bery went out of her way to order it for Krische," so it was no surprise that Krische was so pleased.
However, Serene has a hard time accepting the fact that her beloved sister is suddenly flaunting some kind of indecent (look like) underwear with such glee.
It was also inevitable that she blamed Bery for taking advantage of Krische obedience to her to lead her in a bad direction.
The name Arica Saazbern was well known.
It seems that her tailoring business was not originally a business, but started as a hobby, starting with her own costumes and decorations.
It seems that this was something that attracted the attention of noble women in social circles, and its popularity was due to its slightly mature and sexy design.
The embroidery on this garter belt was also very elegant.
She had no objection to the fact that it was really beautiful, including the design, but perhaps the purpose of this underwear was the same as the previous example the sex appeal of women.
This underwear was intended to please those who saw it, and one could catch a glimpse of such an intention.
She couldn’t believe that she made Krische wore this kind of underwear.
For Selene, who was usually defeated, this was the perfect material for blaming Berry.
"Really? I don't think so. How can you prove that there isn't some personal and devious desire involved?"
"...? I don't really understand why I'm being accused like that."
“You…are you doubling down on it?”
“Doubling down, isn't it Ojou-sama who is saying strange things”
Bery looked up at her and she smiled generously.
"It's just functional underwear, just a waist belt and a sock clasp. Do you think it's something obscene, Ojou-sama?"
“Well, maybe some young ladies would see this as something very obscene and questionable. To me, it just looks like a corrective device, no different from a corset.”
"ts..."
‘――Isn't it because you're looking at it that way that you think it's obscene?’
Those who judge and those who are judged――this was a way to reverse the positions.
Bery Argan's only move was to open up and replace her own weaknesses with those of her opponent.
"D-don't try sophism with me! It's you who..."
"Sophism, how can you say that. I'm just saying what I think. And I'm just worried about you...Ojou-sama treating Cliché-sama more than just your sister――"
"I don’t, you idiot! That's you, you coward! You keep making nonsense..."
"Criticizing another character when you’re cornered...It's even more suspicious when I see Ojou-sama getting angry."
"You..."
Bery sighed exasperated.
And she was confident of victory.
There was no doubt that Selene would blame herself when she sees this.
That said, she could not forbid Krische to wear this underwear just because it was too mature looking, as Krische was very satisfied with the situation.
Selene was a Krische fundamentalist.
She didn't want to make Krische sad, and its original purpose was as a waist support for a belt, just underwear.
There was no way she would show it to anyone even if she wore it, and she would feel sorry for not using something that was made for her because she thought it was visually inappropriate.
She felt bad for Selene, but Bery could not back out any longer.
"In this case, I'm afraid that the one who should be judged is not me, but the Ojou-sama. Please look at yourself. Which one is truly evil?"
"...I see, you're trying to say that I'm weird because this looks obscene."
"...?"
However, Berry frowned at Selene's words.
All that was left for her to do was to wrap up the furious Selene――that was what she was supposed to do, but Selene, who was about to show her anger, turned around and glared at Bery in a calm manner.
“It doesn’t look like that to you, and you are saying this is just normal underwear.”
“Yes.…I have been saying that for a while now.”
While answering, Bery's gaze wavered as she noticed that it wasn't going well.
The initiative that was supposed to be in her hands seemed to be returning to Selene's hands before she knew it.
"...Yes. Then Bery, maybe I was wrong."
Selene smiled,
"But if it's that good, why don't you try wearing it too instead of just Krische? You seem to really like these underwear."
"……Eh"
Bery stiffened.
It was a natural rebellion――to put it bluntly, Bery Argan had won too many victories.
One-sidedly and completely, she achieved victory in every political battle.
You could say that there was a certain kind of arrogance within her.
She believed that Selene cannot win against her in an argument with her.
Her absolute confidence in her own abilities――she, like Krische, is someone who doesn't understand the losing side’s feelings.
She was convinced that Selene had learned nothing from her previous defeats.
But in order to beat her, Serene was examining the reasons why, alone, over and over again.
Bery took the initiative by speaking some sophism, and then guided her thoughts by making her lose her composure.
Bery sneaky ways were always like that, and she always got her way by making Selene lose her cool.
What should she do to win? was is only one answer.
Don't be fooled by nonsense, don't lose your cool, and make a move that your opponent won't expect.
In this case, she should just follow the other side’s logic.
"That's right. I think Berry would look great in mature underwear like this. This is a good opportunity, but I think Bery should try her hand at the latest fashions once in a while."
"I-I'm... I-I'm a servant..."
"You don't have to be so shy just because you're a servant. Well, as the head of the Christand family, I'd like to give this to you, too, for always doing your best."
Selene stood up and approached Bery, unfolding the garter belt.
Bery groaned as her face turns red and her gaze swam around.
She was an extremely attractive woman, but Selene was also well aware that she was not as good at showing off her femininity as anyone else.
"...Or is there a reason why you don't want to wear it? Could it be that you would make Krische wear something that you yourself would be ashamed to wear?"
"Th-that's..."
"That's right. Then there's nothing wrong with it...Isn't it nice that Krische and Bery matches?"
Krische, who was suddenly hit, thought for a moment and smiled.
"Ehehe, yes. Krische think it will be good to have matching pair with Bery.”
"Uuu..."
For the most part, Bery probably gave up on persuasion because she couldn't keep bring herself to pour cold water on Krische’s happiness.
Selene too had thought she already given up on this and thought it was over.
Anyway, Krische liked it. It's already too late.
However, she can't let something like this happen again in the future, and what she didn’t like most is she being talked into doing whatever Bery wanted.
She has to punish her and give her her due.
Selene was currently working just for that purpose.
――If it’s Krische’s demands, Bery surely couldn’t say no either.
This was her closure.
It was more of a draw than a win, but it was going to hurt Bery a lot.
Unlike Berry, who only wanted to win, Selene had given up on winning from the beginning, thinking only of inflicting a blow on her.
The result was as follows, even if she couldn't call it a win, she won the match.
As if to prove that, Berry's face turned red with frustration and her gaze darted around her.
There's a sense of contentment in her Selene――However.
"Onee-sama, please take a look. I'm matching too."
Wearing a garter belt, with her body just in underwear.
Hugged her sister in a good mood was, the leader of the third force, the "For Now Just Wear Matching Pair With Onee-sama Alliance (hedonism)" leader Kreschenta Alberinea (judge, satisfied after the meal).
Ignoring Bery and Selene's silly exchanges, Kreschenta was happy as Anne takes off her dress and quickly puts on a garter belt.
She straddled herself on top of Krische and she happily shows off her outfit to her sister.
“It suits you, Kreschenta, how is it?”
"This one's not so bad. The garter ring was a bit of a nuisance because of the way it squeezed my thighs.
The garter ring, which held the long socks on the thighs, was somewhat inconvenient.
If loosened, they were meaningless, but if tightened, they would bind the thighs and make them tight.
In that sense, Kreschenta was honestly impressed, saying that the idea of hanging it from the waist wasn't a bad idea.
The hanging garter was a little annoying, but it couldn’t be helped.
Above all, it was important to Kreschenta because it matches her sister.
"...Hehe, I'm glad that Kreschenta-sama liked it as well."
"……you"
Bery looked at the two of them, closes her eyes for a moment, and says so.
Bery invited Kreschenta to take a bath before Selene returned.
Of course, it was to get her on her side.
As expected even if it's Bery, she didn’t think she can attack Selene and Kreschenta at the same time and gain the upper hand.
If she was going to take them on, she was going to do it one at a time――she had correctly followed the basic principle of dispersing enemy’s forces and had begun to take action.
When Kreschenta saw Krische showing off her garter belt during the undressing process, she naturally bit Bery.
However, she had nothing against Berry, who has the strength of pleasing Krische.
“Actually, Your Majesty the Queen also received a free sample. What do you think? It will match with Krische-sama, and I’m sure Krische-sama is going to be pleased. Why not try it later?”
Same as the cliché. Krische also rejoiced.
Kreschenta’s killing words.
‘Well, Kreschenta also often wears long socks. She'll probably like it when she tries it on, right? Ehehe, it matches with Krische.’
‘A-a match...’
‘yes. ...Kreschenta hate matching outfits? ‘
‘I-I don’t hate it. If Onee-sama says so then...’
From there, she lifted Kreschenta mood so as not to upset her.
The timing of the after-dinner try-on was all Bery's design.
The outcome was already decided before the fight.
The fight, which had started unexpectedly, was all in the hands of this servant.
Selene bit her lip as she realized that she had been set up.
But still, Selene has no intention of conceding the victory to her.
"...But if you think you can escape from this, you're wrong, Bery. If this happens, I'll make you wear it, no matter what."
"Guess no helping it. The situation has taken a turn for the worse. I won't struggle any longer."
If Kreschenta had joined the fight a little earlier, she might have been able to wrap things up nicely this time as well.
However, Berry sighed that everything is too late.
She must had also looked down on Selene.
“However, if Krische-sama and Kreschenta-sama, and even me, wear it then...”
"ts..."
Understanding this, Bery's eyes flashed with joy.
“Of course, the head of the Christand family, Ojou-sama, not wearing wear this...I don’t think that would happen, right?”
"W-why even me..."
"What's wrong with this situation? Maybe, Ojou-sama, do you have some dissatisfaction with the underwear? Is there a reason why Ojou-sama doesn't want to wear them?"
It was as if Bery was returning Selene’s words, Bery said that with a malicious smile.
Once she knew he couldn't win, she resorted to a scorched earth strategy.
Even if she couldn’t win the fight, she didn’t lose the battle.
She was a gentle, intelligent lady in disguise――Bery Argan was, in fact, a helpless woman.
"What do you think, Krische? If this happens, everyone will match."
Her questions would definitely be answered in the affirmative.
Selene could only listen to this in shock, and glared at Berry in frustration.
Arne Giterns (onlooker), who was watching the fight while holding Kreschenta’s dress, watched with bated breath as she watched the stupid fight.
With war on the horizon, even as the country was facing ruin.
The Christand was peaceful.
"In the first place, you..."
"O-Ojou-sama, please...I understand."
The sun had set, and Krische and Kreschenta were already sleeping in bed, hugging each other.
Anne was also sent back to her room, and Bery and Selene were awake in the room.
The elegant golden-haired young lady raised her eyebrows, glared at Bery while drinking Bogan's sake, and then attacked her.
"You don't understand. You're always trying to mislead me like that..."
Bery had already changed into her nightgown, and Selene also takes off her clothes and changed clothes.
Meanwhile, Selene kept nagging her.
Bery murmured with a wry smile that it can't be helped.
Perhaps because she was so frustrated, Selene went to bathe in hot water, then came back with two of her sake bottles and started drinking――Krische and Kreschenta were allowed to sleep early, but Bery, of course, was still made to kept her company like this.
Selene grabbed her drink and poured it into the Bery’s empty glass, slamming it down in front of Bery.
"It's no use trying to run away, Bery. You don’t want to drink your Master’s alcohol?"
“I, don't drink this kind of strong liquor...”
"Drink"
Bery took the glass with a sigh.
The first glass was already, and her face was on fire.
One of the bottles Serene brought was Bogan's favorite northern spirit.
It was said that the island nation to the north of Arna has a thriving brewing industry, and it seems that sake is drunk there on a daily basis.
The amber liquid was flavored with herbs. It had a sweet scent, perhaps Pierim.
Alcohol wasn't bad in that she could enjoy the aroma, but if she sipped it even a little, the alcohol felt like it was burning your throat.
She covered her mouth and looked at Selene troubled.
"Ojou-sama is strong. If possible, I think I’d prefer that but..."
She points to the wine on the shelf.
It was a nightcap that she always keep on hand for when she can't fall asleep.
Selene dismissed it as no good.
"I'd like to see Bery drunk once in a while. You're just as normal as ever. Saying ‘I’m a servant’ and taking a step back."
"That's not true..."
“That’s what it looks like.”
Selene said, standing up and sitting down on the sofa.
Then she patted the area next to her.
Bery complied with a sigh and sat down next to her.
Selene laughed happily and leaned on her shoulders.
"I really hate that kind of mature attitude of yours."
"My, fufu, but in reality, I'm an adult compared to Ojou-sama..."
"I don't like that part. What kind of face do you have saying something like that."
Selene took Bery's cheek in her hands and looked at her face.
Bery’s gaze darted around troubled――no matter how Selene looked at her, her face was like that of a girl's, calm yet childish.
Selene pouted her lips.
"If you and I were to stand in silence, I'd definitely look older than you."
"It's just the way I looks. I'm sure in another ten years I'll probably be a little more..."
"I don't know. I feel like you'll always be the same. There are famous stories of people who look the same even after they're fifty."
Selene grunted as she let go of her hand and sank down onto the couch.
"And I'm sure I'll be the only one getting old. Ahh poor me."
"Even if you blame because of your imagination..."
"No, I'm sure it will. Maybe you should apologize now and say I'm sorry for giving you trouble."
"Haaa... my apologies."
"Hehe, I forgive you."
She happily wrapped her arms around Bery and rested her head on her shoulder.
"...I will try my best and not make this apologize a loss."
And then it drips down.
Bery reached her hand to Selene's head and stroked her hair in a soothing manner.
"Did something happen?"
"...No. The strategy meeting was uneventful, and everything was going well without incident... It's so peaceful that I can have a silly chat with you like this. The days are full and smooth sailing, and I guess I'm happy every day."
She held her tightly in her arms and pressed her cheek against her shoulder.
"But maybe that's why...I keep thinking about things like whether I've overlooked something or whether I've really done was what I was supposed to do."
"……I see"
A fifteen-year-old girl, the marshal of the Kingdom.
It was decided by the flow, and it was inevitable.
However, that would be too big a responsibility.
Bery turned to her and hugged her slender body.
"Originally, there is nothing we can do. We are in a hopeless situation, and the only thing we can rely on is Krische. There is no way we can do such a stupid strategy. We’re going to do something that even an amateur know is impossible, fighting without losing against a force more than twice our strength three time.''
Pressing her face into her chest, Selene takes a breath.
“My job is to push such a big gamble like it's a well-crafted strategy and then sit back and laugh. I hate my own incompetence.”
“Faren-sama and the others have all put their heads together to come to this conclusion, right? Then, it is the best conclusion… It is not Ojou-sama’s fault.”
"...Still, I wonder if there was something more I could have done..."
Rub her back and close her eyes.
Bery chuckled.
"...How I think it’s,"
"……what?"
“I guess the conclusion is that overstretching yourself is not good after all.”
Then she picked up Selene and stood up.
She opened her mouth and laughed at Selene's moist eyes, and went straight to the bed where the two were sleeping.
“From today onwards, Ojou-sama will join us at night.”
"What’s that……"
Bery chuckled and sat next to Selene.
She hugged her body.
"See, at least this gives you some peace of mind, right?"
"...Are you making fun of me?"
"No. I recently realized that it's not a good idea to think alone, so I just thought I should tell Ojou-sama straightly."
She looked up from Berry's breasts, her face sulking like a little girl's.
Bery stroked Selene's cheek and smiled.
“Besides, it seems like Ojou-sama needs some time to relax. ...It’s okay for Ojou-sama to be pampered without thinking anything, okay?”
Selene glared at Bery, her eyebrows furrowed angrily.
"How long are you going to treat me like a child?"
“Hehe, you will always be Ojou-sama to me.”
"I'm not like an idiot like Krische. If you're so inclined, I'll make it so you can no longer treat me like a child."
Selene grinned mischievously and reached her hand to her berry breasts.
Bery pressed her forehead against Selene's as she shyly hides her breasts.
"Geez, I have to stop letting Ojou-sama drink too much alcohol from now on. I have to protect her from bad alcohol after all."
"...It’s your fault for looking down me, Berry. If you continue to behave like that, I'll turn you into a bad drunk. ......I also know that you used comforting me as an excuse to get away from my drinking."
“Guess Ojou-sama sees through it.”
"Of course, always making fun of me. Really, just who do you think you are."
She chuckled, hugged her and closed her eyes.
"...But fufu. I love that part of you."
Selene said in a whisper.
"I know. ...Rest well, Ojou-sama."
"...Yeah. Good night."
Berry also closed her eyes happily.
Then, the two of them fell asleep hugging each other.
