Chapter 50: Expectations of the Self

As it turned out, there was some truth to what Serveyia said.

Like now—after changing clothes, Lin Sheng unexpectedly discovered that it really didn’t seem likely to have a wardrobe malfunction.

Although it was still short and didn’t offer much sense of security, it seemed that as long as you walked normally, nothing would be exposed.

How strange.

How could this be?

Lin Sheng felt a bit conflicted.

But it was true.

He tested it a few times and confirmed it.

There was no danger.

“See? I told you it’s fine if I say it’s fine.”

Serveyia watched Lin Sheng examining himself in the mirror, trying not to laugh as she explained.

“After all, designers wouldn’t make clothes that you can’t wear outside, right?”

To be honest, Lin Sheng still felt skeptical about Serveyia’s claim.

After all, he’d seen plenty of clothes that couldn’t be worn in public.

But Lin Sheng obediently kept his doubts to himself.

He had a feeling that if he argued, he’d only be inviting more punishment from Serveyia.

On the way to the classroom, thanks to the carriage, Lin Sheng’s outfit was spared from being seen by other students.

But Lin Sheng knew very well in his heart that once he entered the classroom, the real battle was just beginning.

When Lin Sheng and Serveyia arrived at the classroom, they realized it was already nearly full.

Even the teacher had arrived and seemed ready to start the lesson.

Walking straight in like this drew the attention of the entire class.

“Look, look! It’s the Princess!”

“That’s right. Is Her Highness the Princess here to audit the class? How lucky!”

“And look, the Princess is wearing a cheongsam! Was it prepared by Her Highness Serveyia?”

“Hard to say… But the Princess’s legs look amazing. Seeing such beautiful legs makes me feel like I could eat a few more bowls at lunch.”

“By the way, since the Princess is here to audit, does that mean we need to show off a bit more today?”

***

Lin Sheng didn’t know if it was because the Nine-tailed Celestial Fox’s hearing was especially sharp, but the whispers between the girls somehow reached his ears.

And among them, wasn’t there a strange line mixed in?

Weren’t girls supposed to focus on clothes?

Why was he hearing such weird comments?

“Uh, s-sorry, Teacher, are we late?”

“Ah, it’s fine. We haven’t started class yet. Your Highness Princess, please find a seat.”

As a good student, Lin Sheng had always feared teachers since childhood, especially being late.

So almost instinctively, he apologized and even started to bow.

But Serveyia, quick as lightning, stopped him.

“Your Highness, please don’t forget what you’re wearing.”

Clothes?

Clothes!

Suddenly realizing what he was wearing, Lin Sheng froze.

With a “poof,” nine tails exploded outward, wrapping him into a ball.

The Young Ladies, seeing this rare and adorable sight, burst into laughter.

But the sound only made the snow-white Fox Ball curl up tighter.

The teacher had never seen such a scene before.

Looking helplessly at the ball and Serveyia, she didn’t know what to do.

“It’s all right, Teacher, leave it to me.”

Serveyia walked over to the Fox Ball, gently parted the tails to reveal a pair of little fox ears, and whispered,

“Little fox, don’t curl up into a ball. Everyone’s watching, and the teacher can’t start class. Right?”

“B-but, just now… I almost—almost had a wardrobe malfunction… Won’t they think I’m stupid?”

Although nothing was actually exposed, and strictly speaking, no one was standing behind him at the time, so even if he did bow, no one would have seen.

Still, Lin Sheng felt that a real Princess—or a real Young Lady—wouldn’t be so careless.

That’s right.

Since being a Princess was practically unavoidable now, he should at least try to do a better job.

If he kept almost exposing himself, wouldn’t people think the Princess was dim-witted?

In other words, Lin Sheng was afraid of disappointing others.

He had already made such sacrifices—changed gender (forced), changed race (also forced)—and if he couldn’t even meet expectations, wouldn’t all those sacrifices be for nothing?

“It’s all right. No one saw anything, and I think most people didn’t even realize what happened. They just saw the Princess turn into a Fox Ball in front of them. Trust me, they’ll only think you’re cute, not stupid.”

“R-really?”

“Of course! No matter what you do, everyone thinks you’re cute. That’s the privilege of the Nine-tailed Celestial Fox.”

When it came down to it, Lin Sheng was just shy.

Curling into a ball was more an uncontrollable instinct.

After Serveyia comforted him a bit, Lin Sheng managed to fight off his instincts and pulled himself out of the tail ball.