A few weeks went by in peace. Halcroft had indeed rescinded all our orders except those agreed on, but made a minor edit to our deal adding one additional order that we could not sabotage our classes, stats, or skills. Technically he was going back on our deal immediately, but I don’t think any of us were going to do that. So we took the bad with the good.

  Mother and Taele became inseparable now that they could be more open with their relationship. They were having this disgustingly cute honeymoon phase, that only Penelope, Farva, and I actually got to be privy to. I was happy they were happy, but I could also do with knowing less about my mother’s sex life.

  Penelope and I took to sleeping over in each other’s rooms on nights our mothers decided to spend together. That was fortuitous because I was able to inform Penelope about all our preparations. If she was going to betray us it would have happened a long time before this. I had no secrets with my sister, except the big one of course.

  Lately I’ve been considering telling everyone about my big secret. I’m wary of doing so while I’m still in Halcroft’s prison. The more people that know the more likely it will be he will give me direct commands to reveal secrets of my world. That didn’t stop the pang of guilt I felt every time someone complimented my genius.

  They all knew about the deal I made with Halcroft, and that we had a very obvious ticking clock. More than likely we would be making our escape while Halcroft was at the capital for the social season. He skipped last year, allowing Dylan to represent his interests so he couldn’t afford not to be seen there.

  Now there was going to be a celebration, with nobles from all over Halcroft’s province and some even further abroad for my birthday. The 12th birthday, unlike others, was actually celebrated since it marked the true unlocking of the system. Other important birthdays were the 16th when we were considered adults of marriageable age, and the 20th when our adolescent classes became adult classes. That was it really, other birthdays just didn’t really matter.

  Of course the reason this birthday would really be celebrated with nobles from around the region was that Halcroft would be announcing my adoption into his family. He wanted to show me off so when he did so again after I unlocked he could show what a genius I was. I’m sure he had plans to show me off in next year’s social season, not that I would be around then.

  Being the focal point of the party I was getting the entire princess treatment. The preparations started a week before the party when a high level seamstress was brought in to make me a dress. Of course, giving Halcroft’s considerable wealth, this wasn’t just a dress, it was the most beautiful gown I had ever worn. And to be clear, I have worn quite a few gowns in my second life.

  To accent my red hair it was a deep blue. There were layers, my goddesses the layers! A bustier to make my rather small amounts of cleavage appear much more significant started the affair. I did my best to ignore the fact that this particular piece of lingerie was being used to sexualize a 12 year old, because fuck ye oldie times. Then a slip, garters, stockings, and then the layers of the dress began. It took a team of women to put it on and take it off.

  I was thankful that learning to walk in heels had been part of my etiquette lessons. If I had to learn just for these 3 inch high heels I was going to be wearing I would have made a fool of myself.

  There was jewelry with an emerald focus since my eyes sparkled like them. Makeup, goddess so much makeup. I was an elf with magically enhanced flawless skin, yet I needed a pound of the stuff apparently. I wasn’t even against using some makeup. I had added it to my routine because I thought a little was really pretty, and to level up my pretty skill. However this was way too much for my taste. I did have to admit it somehow looked amazing when it was done, but that was probably super high level skills at work.

  Finally my hair was styled, so the red waves that went all the way down to my lower back curled slightly all the way down. I was surprised they didn’t add a tiara, but I also knew that Halcroft was keeping my lineage a secret for now.

  At the end of the entire process I examined myself in the mirror. The girl was clearly still me, she was clearly still Alea, but she looked to be in her mid teens not 12. I had grown taller before I got anything else from puberty, so with these heels I was right around average height for women at 5’ 5”.

  The only part that wasn’t adorned was my right wrist, which Halcroft had specifically requested be left bare. My guess was he was planning to gift me some insanely expensive bracelet or something.

  Once I was appropriately armed for the oncoming fight I steeled myself. I prepared my princess persona, stepping into the other me as seamlessly as I did into a new room. I would be regal, although I couldn’t give away I was actually royalty. A fine line to walk, but this was my debut so I doubted anyone would give me trouble over it.

  I walked to the main stairway, the occasional clack of my heels when they hit stone in between rugs. I may have accepted being Alea, but there were still some very dissonant moments, like this one. Being made up in such an extremely feminine way made me feel a bit self-conscious. I couldn’t tell if I was worried I would look strange, I would somehow be outed as previously being a guy, or some leftover Jacob hangup. Like I’d occasionally have these moments where I’d look at myself in the mirror while getting ready and I would suddenly feel deeply uncomfortable. Was it some bit of masculinity left over that was resisting being my new self? Ugh… I needed to talk to a psychologist. Of course to do that I would also need to invent the profession.

  I stopped just before turning the corner to the massive entryway where the party had already begun. There was a man waiting to announce my arrival, I would be Alea Halcroft, the daughter of the late baron Rothana, a made up baron of Ysara, and new granddaughter of the Halcrofts. I raised my hand to tell the man to wait for a moment. I took a few deep breaths in and out, and concentrated on shoving whatever awkward dissonance I was feeling down deep. I needed to be cordial, happy, noble, and feminine. I had to be a perfect noble daughter to sell the illusion Halcroft wanted.

  I felt my mind begin to settle and a clearer image of the princess Alea Rothana filled my mind. That was the girl I needed to be at this moment. I felt my posture straighten and I opened my eyes, now determined to make a good presentation.

  I nodded at the man and he pivoted around the corner. “Announcing Alea Halcroft, daughter of the late baron Rothana of Ysara, and now granddaughter to Duke Gabriel Halcroft, the lady of the hour.” The man’s voice was somehow soft and yet filled the room. He must have had some skill for projecting his voice without raising it.

  I took a confident step forward, exactly as I had been taught. The room was quiet and I covered the distance to the top of the stairs in a few short but determined strides. I performed a light curtsy before raising my head. “Thank you all for making your way here to celebrate my birthday and adoption into the Halcroft family.” Then my eyes went to the duke himself at the bottom of the stairway. “To my benefactor I offer deep appreciation for making this all possible.” This time I ended the short speech with a much deeper curtsy, perfectly performed, and directed at Halcroft. I remained lowered for 3 long seconds as was tradition. Then I rose. “Now let us enjoy the festivities.” A chorus of soft applause marked the end of the most tedious portion of tradition.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  I made my way down the stairs taking Halcroft’s offered hand at the bottom. “Perfectly done, not that I would expect anything else from my granddaughter.” A young human woman, in her late teens at his side let out a faux laugh which caused Halcroft to smile at her. “May I introduce, first Princess Rose Burtherion.” She held out her hand to me. Rose was a tall woman, with a fairly average figure, of course with a corset she was showing copious cleavage as was the style. Her golden hair was short, almost a pixie cut. She had sharper features, and was more handsome than beautiful. I couldn’t put my finger on it because her lovely white and green gown covered most of her body, but I got the feeling this princess was more muscular than the average woman, and was strong. I Identified her and got back [Paladin], and not surprisingly no level.

  This was a show of fealty, my being a foreign noble coming into a Hakan family I needed to bow the knee, quite literally, to the Hakan royal family. Especially considering I would enter into the line of succession of a powerful Duke family. I took great care considering my ubiquitous layers dropped to one knee and took the hand gently. I bowed my head so I was looking at the floor. “It is a deep honor to have you here, my princess. I am humbled to join the ranks of the Hakan nobility.”

  She took her hand from mine and touched my chin forcing my head upwards. “Your grandfather has told me much about your promise. I will enjoy seeing if his boasts are true come the upcoming social season.” Rose stared into my eyes and the intensity took my breath away.

  Her intense gaze made me nearly miss the fact she said upcoming social season. Was Halcroft planning to bring me along with him to this social season? I had assumed he would want me to train for at least several months with whatever class I got when I unlocked. Crap this was a serious problem. If I went with Halcroft, then there was no way for our escape plan to work.

  I realized both Rose and Halcroft were staring at me. I had waited a bit too long to respond. I swallowed down my worries and pushed through. “I assure you I have no intentions of letting anyone down.”

  Rose smirked and Halcroft grinned. “We shall see.” Rose said before turning and stepping away.

  I felt myself relax only once the paladin princess was well and truly away from me. I got the feeling she was a match for Halcroft and potentially even stronger. “Well that certainly went well.” Halcroft said cheerfully. “The princess tends to not like weak people, she must see the same thing in you I do.”

  Ugh more of Halcroft being a fucking creepy weirdo. I just ignored him. “Shall we start our rounds?” I asked, attempting to change the subject.

  “Yes-” He interrupted himself by sticking a hand into his fancy coat. “-But first I need to complete your outfit.” He pulled out a box and opened it to reveal an absolutely lovely chain-linked gold bracelet with several emeralds inlaid in some of the chains. I actually gasped at the exquisite jewelry. I wouldn’t admit it to anyone if they asked, but Halcroft actually had a good sense for fashion, and this bracelet was gorgeous, plus the gems matched my eyes.

  I raised my hand to touch it, but Halcroft stopped me. “Allow me.” I acquiesced and offered him my wrist. He took the bracelet out and looped it around my wrist. When it latched it shrunk a little to perfectly fit.

  I felt a warm glow from the bracelet and the warmth spread through my body. I shivered at the deeply pleasant feeling. “It is enchanted to protect you from harm, I can’t have my investment being harmed if she wishes to become a warrior.” Halcroft gave his usual happy grin.

  The warm feeling faded and I could think again. If this was truly an enchanted item then this was a massively expensive gift. It required powerful monster cores to make items like this and huge amounts of time and effort from a dedicated enchanter class. “Thank you…” I swallowed back the bile the next word was causing. “...grandfather.”

  "Well let us make our rounds now! I have so many people to introduce you to.” Halcroft turned and moved toward the nearest group of nobles. I dutifully followed after him, pretending to be the loyal granddaughter of my warden.

  We spent an hour or so meeting nobles and their children. I was confident there were quite a few young men that were being presented as potential suitors. I did my best to remain cordial and accommodating without actually agreeing to anything. Being adopted into the Halcroft family and an elf apparently made quite popular in that way.

  Once that process ended I was shipped off to the dance floor to become entertainment for everyone. It felt like I had to dance with every eligible bachelor in the kingdom. I knew that wasn’t technically true, but my feet had long since become balls of pure unadulterated pain.

  Right when I thought I was done a familiar face appeared and offered me her hand. “Would you honor me with a dance?” Princess Rose said with a smirk.

  Inwardly I sighed, I really didn’t know if I could handle another dance. Outwardly I plastered an overjoyed smile on my face and immediately took her hand. This was the first time, outside of training, I was dancing with another woman. I had trained a little in the male role for these dances, but not nearly enough to be confident.

  That concern was immediately alayed when the princess took charge. She took to leading our dance as if she were born to it. She was better at leading than any of the men I had danced with thus far.

  At one point she stepped into a different dance that caused us to be face to face. Her piercing deep blue eyes locked with mine and despite myself I felt a blush forming. Goddesses she was handsome and I was apparently attracted to whatever gender she was.

  This was the first time I had felt anything like romantic attraction in this body. Puberty had hit me somewhat late, but I had yet to form even an iota of a crush on anyone. She pulled me in close so we were breast to breast as she led me in a far more elaborate dance than I was comfortable with. However, my confidence was clearly unneeded, because she had more than enough for both of us. The way she moved, guiding me in a dance I wasn’t even sure I had trained in left me with tingles.

  When she first twirled me I finally noticed the entire room had gone deathly silent to watch our dance. I knew queer relationships weren’t exactly kosher in Hakan, but I at the time I couldn’t even be bothered to know if it was just how skilled the princess was at dancing or people disapproving of two women dancing together. Any concerns were blown away when she took me back into her arms and we continued to dance.

  Our dance seemed to last for both seconds and hours as the pain in my feet became a figment of the past. Only when she let me down in a dip did I realize I was panting with exertion. Whatever just happened it had to be a skill. If it wasn’t I am deeply worried I have just been wooed by a single dance with a princess. My cheeks burned so hot I was confident even through my layers of makeup people could see I was flush.

  Rose pulled me back up so I was once again looking into her glorious blue eyes. I couldn’t bring myself to look away. The crowd around us burst into a round of rokus applause when they finally realized our dance was over. As she began to lean down my eyes finally fell without my conscious effort to her lips. They looked so soft and inviting.

  Panic racked my brain as I saw her lips inch closer to me. Was she doing what I thought she was?! I was 12 for goddesses sake! Then she went past me so that her mouth was to my ear. “It was lovely meeting you, princess.”

  Only then did Rose let the small of my back go, I hadn’t even realized she had been holding me so intimately. I nearly fell on my ass without her supporting me. I kept standing trying and very much failing to regain my composure. Rose for her part was all smiles and waves as she began to make her way out of the manor.

  She knew… how did she know? Did Halcroft tell her? Did she find out? Whose side was she on? And most importantly why the fuck was I tracking her sashaying confident stride so closely?

  Shit… I had my first crush in this life and it was on a princess and a potential enemy. As quickly as I could I made my excuses and made my way back to my apartment. I desperately shoved all these new feelings as deeply into the back of my mind as I could. I would do my absolute best to not think of that dance in the future.