Chapter 203 - One Hell Of A Dinner Party

Hypatia walked back out and smiled at us, "Did you enjoy the bath house?"

Millie and I remained silent. Mary nodded in excitement, "It was fantastic! I want to come again!"

Hypatia looked happy to hear this, "I am so happy you three aren't prudes. I was worried that you would be boring since you are from the Imperial Kingdom. I figured I would be bored out of my mind spending time with you."

I forced myself to smile, "I am glad we could surprise you."

Hypatia grabbed my hand tightly, "Come! I will take you into town now."

I looked down at her hand that grasped mine. I slightly frowned at the sensation. Touching? Again? I thought I had a progressive mindset, but this is starting to make me feel uncomfortable. I'm sure she doesn't mean anything by this, but I dislike whenever anyone touches me without my permission.

She added, "We have a variety of food you must sample."

My eyes lit up ignoring the uncomfortable feeling I had just a moment before, "Food? Lead the way!" I allowed her to pull me along.

We spent the rest of the day stuffing our faces. Hypatia may be Queen, but she didn't really act like one. She walked around and visited the stores alongside the commoners. Her personal Knights followed her to make sure she stayed safe, but for the most part no one tried anything. You could tell she was well liked and respected by all.

We went into a store and I sighed as I looked at the outfits. I really miss being able to wear shorty shorts and crop tops. I really hate these tight dresses. I reached out and felt one of the clothes. I couldn't even wear these things even if I wanted to. Although everyone had heard about the various scars on my body, probably only Millie understood the full extent to them. These kinds of clothes wouldn't hide a thing.

Hypatia noticed me looking closely at an outfit and smiled, "Do you like it?"

I dropped it from my grip, "Oh... No."

She ignored me and picked it up, "I will buy it for you."

I shook my head quickly, "No! It's really okay."

"Why not? You seem to want to wear it."

"Well..." I tried to think of what to say, "I want to wear it, but I fear I won't look very good in it."

An enticing smile crossed her face, "With a body like that? You would look like a goddess."

I blushed, "Aw... Stop it." I nudged her so that she would continue praising me.

She took the hint and teasingly tugged on my hair, "You have such beautiful and unique hair. It is so silky smooth. I could just play with this all day."

I giggled as Hypatia continued to compliment me. Mary and Millie watched us banter back and forth speechlessly. Hypatia started pulling me to the dressing room, "Come! You must try on some clothes!"

"Oh... I don't know..."

"Live a little!" She smirked at me, "Just follow your desire. And what is your desire?"

I answered sheepishly, "I desire to wear these clothes."

"Then wear them! Be adventurous!"

"It's not that I don't want to be adventurous. In fact, I crave adventure and excitement more than anything! However, my skin is not good underneath this dress."

She paused, "It's not good? What do you mean?"

I spoke in a hushed voice, "It's just that I have several scars and... They might make certain people uncomfortable."

"Pah!" She waved her hand, "Didn't you know? Scars are considered the epitome of beauty here. If you show them off, everyone will start throwing themselves at you."

"Really?" I looked at her in surprise.

Really. Why didn't I get transmigrated here? This place is so much better!

"Yes, but since you seem so hesitant, I will choose something that will minimize the scars without losing any freedom."

She clapped her hands and spoke to the clerks. They hastily began to grab material and entered the dressing room. I was surprised to see Hypatia walk in and help me change.

Is she really a Queen? Why isn't she acting like one? Walking around town is one thing, but now she is even helping me get dressed? The customs here sure are strange.

She pinched my waist. "BAHAHAH!" I covered my mouth then snapped at her, "Did you just pinch my waist?!"

Is this normal behavior?! Why can't I figure out what is going on?

She giggled, "I couldn't help it. It's just so white and small. I had to pinch it."

"..."

She nudged me, "Now hurry up and get dressed. I heard that you were excited to visit the beach. I am sure they only had hideous dresses for bathing suits back at your Kingdom."

D*mn. I wish I could deny it, but it's true.

She spoke full of pride, "After this I will help you and your handmaidens pick out one of OUR bathing suits to wear tomorrow."

I felt so moved that I started tearing up. I reached out and held her pretty cheeks, "Hypatia. Where have you been all my life?"

She smiled, "I feel the same way. It is almost as if we were long lost friends."

My face got serious, "Are you really not Lydia?"

"Stop mispronouncing my name."

___________

William, Dante, and the King sat at the table waiting for dinner. They had just finished discussions for the day and concluded their business. The King admired William's work, but he made it clear that his wife made the final decision. William was aware that this Kingdom was more equal in terms of men and women so he didn't feel upset at this. In fact, William had a surprisingly progressive mind. If this was from his many years with the wild Seri, no one knew for sure. However, this made the King's favor increase even more.

The King spoke, "My wife should be home soon. Please feel free to drink while you wait."

Dante drank the alcohol in front of him while William was a little more hesitant. William wasn't very good with alcohol, so he made sure that he only sipped on it. The door flew open. Everyone turned to see the Queen with a charming smirk, "You boys ready to see a beautiful goddess?"

Dante and William looked at each other in uncertainty. The King chuckled, "Bring in the goddess!"

I suddenly appeared in the doorway and posed. I was dressed head to toe in the Western Kingdom's traditional clothing. I had a sheer transparent dark cloth covering my body, which flew in the wind as if it was as light as a feather. It was graceful and ethereal. The cloth was dark enough to minimize the appearance of my many scars while also being translucent enough to see what was underneath. Underneath this transparent robe was a jeweled crop top and shorts so short you would think they were underwear.

It felt like I was back home dancing the night away at a club.

On my feet, I wore open toed sandals with small bells that jingled adorably as I walked. My hair had beads and feathers braided in while I wore bright colorful jewelry. If one didn't know any better, they would think I was an actual goddess. As I walked, the air brushed my hair causing it to flow in the wind gently. Everyone's mouths were on the floor. I continued to cat walk and pose for the observers.

The room was completely in silence and in awe at my appearance. Even the Knights were distracted so much they were almost drooling. William's nose started dripping with blood as he looked at every little detail of my appearance. Even Dante was so shocked, his eyes were glued to me and he had to swallow with difficulty.

The King clapped his hands, "My! My! Truly a beauty! You must be the most beautiful Lady in the Imperial Kingdom."

I flipped my hair and walked over with Hypatia to sit down at the table, "Of course I am."

William's voice squeaked, "What are you wearing?"

Hypatia leaned towards me and tugged on my sleeve playfully, "Isn't it nice Prince William? Aren't you pleased to see such a beautiful sight?"

He gulped with difficulty, "Y-Yes..."

Dante stopped enjoying the sight when he realized others were enjoying it as well. He fought off the urge to jump over the table and kidnap me. When he looked at my revealing clothes once more, he started considering grabbing me and bringing me to a secluded room.

I noticed his aggravated look while he fought with his own urges. This made me smile more. That's right. I'm irresistible. Even to the great Dante.

I gave him a wink.

He caught my salacious wink and forced himself to look away. His ears were bright red with desire.

Hypatia motioned to the servants, "Bring Lady Seri the best Rum we have in the cellar."

I licked my lips, "Rum?"

She nodded and scooted even closer to me until our elbows were touching. "It is a delicacy here. Have you ever tried it?"

Not in this world I haven't.

The servants poured out a glass and I quickly took a gulp. My throat twinged with happiness. "Oh. That burns so good."

Hypatia took a gulp from her glass, "Isn't it nice? I knew you'd like it."

William watched as Hypatia and I talked to each other as if we had always been best friends. William motioned to Mary to have her come sit by him. He whispered to her, "What is going on here?"

Mary whispered back, "It seems like the Queen and Seri hit it off. It's almost scary how well they get along."

I smacked the table, "Alright. Drinking game. The first person who finishes their glass wins. The person who loses has to shout an embarrassing secret."

Hypatia nodded, "You're on."

"Okay. 3... 2... 1... Go!"

We began to chug the drink. Dante watched the way we chugged a pint of rum so quickly and grew concerned about the safety of his chastity.

Hypatia finished first, "Pah! Done!"

I finished the last gulp and smacked the glass down on the table, "No way! I lost?"

I never lose!

"Now admit something embarrassing!"

I bellowed out, "I once spied on Dante as he got dressed!"

Dante looked up with an expression that said, "Wait. Wut?"

William was shocked as well, "Seri is always misbehaving, could it be that her influence is rubbing off on the Queen?"

Dante whispered back, "But the Queen is the one encouraging her."

Mary leaned over to William, "Uhm... I don't understand who the bad influence is here."

Millie muttered, "Me too."

"You like coffee right?" The Queen snapped her fingers, "Bring the traditional coffee!"

My eyes sparkled at they place the cup in front of me, "No way! I love coffee!" I took a swig and forced myself to swallow it. I stuck out my tongue, "Oh man! Why did it taste like dirt?!"

Disgusting! That drink was totally disgusting! What did I even just swallow?

The Queen smirked at me, "It's our own homemade blend."

William looked at it in a panic, "Homemade blend?!"

Hypatia nodded without concern, "Yes. It acts fast, but it doesn't last very long. The user should feel it within a few minutes."

Everyone turned to me in a panic. William recalled the time I drank coffee as a child and suddenly became very concerned for everyone's wellbeing. Mary spoke hesitantly, "S-Seri... Do you feel okay? Are you feeling anything strange?"

"No, I don't feel a thing." My pupils suddenly dilated, "Holy sh*t man... I can taste colors..."

William looked at the drink in a panic, "What is in that drink?!"

"In your language it would be called..." The Queen tapped her chin then smiled playfully, "Drugs."

I giggled and swatted at the colors that seemed to form above my head, "Color butterfly~"

Dante stood up, "I will take her back to her room now."

Millie stood up, "I will join you as well." Dante glared at her, but she met his glare with a calm smile. He knew that he couldn't say anything since she was still pretending to be my personal handmaiden. Thus, he could only allow her to follow as he carried me to my room.

As Dante pulled me away, Hypatia waved at us. "Tomorrow you can visit our beach! It's a very romantic location!"

William covered his face and sighed. Somehow he felt like he had screwed up everything. Now they had no hope of coming to an agreement on the current state of trade between their countries. Mary noticed his depressed mood and rubbed his back to soothe him.

The Queen turned back to the King, "Husband. I agree to whatever you and the Prince want. I am having too much fun with Lady Seri. She's such a likeable lady."

The King nodded then turned to William, "Then we shall proceed in our agreement."

William's soul was so happy he even considered switching his religion to theirs.