Scáthach’s Sense of Shame
Hiro did not understand. His mind struggled to process what it was seeing.
Well-proportioned limbs glowing with vigor. Pale skin glistening amber in the blush of sunset. Slick hair dripping with water that gradually surrendered to gravity, trickling in rivulets from collarbone to floor. The sight would have made anyone gulp. He stood frozen in panic, like a deer in the headlights.
Scáthach’s cherry-pink lips trembled hesitantly. “L-Lord Hiro. May... May I ask what brings you here?”
“Uh...I could ask you the same thing. What are you doing here?”
By all rights, he should have been the one asking the questions. What was she doing here—and naked, no less? She had absolutely nothing to cover herself with. Her flawless body was on full display. As he stared, she flushed bright scarlet from chin to scalp.
“I worked up a sweat while training. I thought I might run myself a bath.”
“That...was my plan too.”
“I see. It seems we both chose a poor time. An unfortunate coincidence.”
“Yeah. Right. I guess so.” Why wasn’t she trying to cover up? “Um...you do know that I can see everything, right?”
“What of it?”
Scáthach’s face was beet red even as the question left her mouth. Her body language wasn’t matching her words. She had to be embarrassed, there was no question, but even so, she still wasn’t trying to cover herself.
“I know I’m the one who walked in on you, but shouldn’t you be screaming at me? Or at least trying to cover up?”
Why was he having to explain the problem to the person who should have been the victim? His head was starting to spin. Normally, he would have expected to be slapped, or shouted at, or forced to frantically apologize before fleeing down the corridor. But for some reason, he was stuck in this odd standoff instead.
“Should a princess of Faerzen act like some common maiden?” Scáthach planted her hands on her hips, putting herself even more on display. “I am a knight. I have a duty to set an example through my strength and conduct.”
Now Hiro was the one getting embarrassed. “That doesn’t mean you’re not allowed a sense of shame. If anything, that’s probably a good thing for a princess to have.”
“D-Don’t be ridiculous. Being seen in the nude is no reason to raise my voice, let alone resort to violence. A princess would never disgrace herself with such unseemly behavior!”
She spoke so passionately and gestured so emphatically that Hiro found himself being talked down. As best he could tell, she had overheated with embarrassment and now had no idea what she was saying.
“Fine, but at least cover up...”
“A preposterous suggestion. Why should I be ashamed of the body my parents gave me? I should be happy for you to look!”
Tears beaded in the corners of her eyes. She looked like she was on the verge of crying. This was a lost cause. Trying to dig his heels in would only make it worse.
“I-I see...” Hiro forced what might have been a diplomatic smile.
“I am glad to hear it! Now stop standing there like a stump and take your bath! I shall return to my chamb— Wah!”
Scáthach had started to walk away, her lips pressed tightly together, but slipped on the slick floor.
“Watch ou—” Without thinking, Hiro reached out to catch her. What followed was simply a stroke of bad luck—or so he told himself—but the moment his hand touched something soft, he realized he had made a terrible mistake. He gritted his teeth and waited for the inevitable punch.
It never came.
“Eep! I-I’m sorry! I’ll go now!” Scáthach scrambled away, her face practically on fire. She spun around and tried to beat a retreat toward the corridor, but halfway there, she realized that she was still undressed. She picked up her clothes, hastily threw them on, and ran disheveled from the room.
“Scáthach? What’s the matter?” Liz’s voice sounded from outside. “Why are you half-dressed?! Wait, are you crying?!”
Struck by an ominous feeling, Hiro started thinking about making an escape.
“It’s Hiro’s fault...” Scáthach whimpered. “It’s all Hiro’s fault!”
“What did he do?!”
In a flash, Hiro realized what was coming and bolted as fast as his legs would carry him.
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