A lazy chapter

"Ahem." The sound of someone clearing their throat echoed in the dark void. Following it was the sound of a light opening, illuminating the tall man standing underneath. The man under the spotlight, Dylan was donned in a formal suit, his hair combed neatly and back straight. He eluded a powerful and charming presence. "The author had gotten lazy again. Says she needs a change in pace. So, this is a side chapter. A stupid chapter."

"Well, this was brought on by her binging another series so she felt guilty about not writing a chapter." Another voice echoed. Sherry stood under the spotlight, her hair tied back in a lazy ponytail, donned in a suit as well, she was devilishly handsome. "So yeah, here it is."

——

Scenario - what if Dylan actually became a princess?

<Alternative part of Childhood>

Dylan hid in his wooden crates, feeling anxious. His heart pound noisily in his chest and he held his hands over his mouth in fear. Who were these people, what did they want from him?

Suddenly detecting intense bloodlust, poor Dylan was frightened into stupidity. He flinched, hitting the wooden board that hid him and produced a hollow sound in the crates. The men arguing outside were alarmed by the sound and sliced at the crates, revealing the hidden Dylan.

Dylan widened his eyes at the sudden breath of fresh air and widened view. He had been discovered.

"Princess!" The man that had cut the crate suddenly kneeled and yelled. His female companion followed suit.

"P-P-Princess?" Dylan repeated in stupor. "I'm, I'm a guy!"

"Your gender is of no concern to us. Please return with us to fulfil your duty."

"Duty?"

"Yes, to marry the neighbouring prince."

"What?!" Dylan yelled. "No! Impossible! How can I marry someone I've never met before?"

"Your opinion doesn't matter. Princess Lyn, please come home."

"I, I will not!" Dylan refused. "My name is Dylan, I'm not a princess!"

The man coldly stared at the boy and glanced at his companion who nodded in return. The two mercilessly decided to cast a sleeping spell on the noisy critter and kidnapped him back to the castle.

By the time Dylan woke up again, he was already in a comfortable bed. It was decorated luxuriously and even had a bed canopy! The room also was very pretty. It was full of frills and pink and warm colours.

Dylan sat up to look around. A lock of his hair fell on his chest when he did so. Hmm? Since when was his hair so long? Dylan grabbed the lock of golden hair. It was very soft and even had a faint fragrance of fruits. He tugged on it and foolishly pulled his own head down to his chest.

"It's not a wig?" Dylan exclaimed. He dashed out of bed and hopped in front of a mirror. He was currently wearing a baggy sleeping gown. It was a light pink and was decorated wiht frills and ribbons. But most importantly, Dylan's hair had grown so long that it reached his bottom! Combined with his delicate and not fully matured facial features, he looked completely like a girl, a really cute girl at that!

"Princess, are you awake?" A knock came from the door.

"Y-yes." Dylan unknowingly replied.

The big doors opened and a flock of excited maids walked in with elegance and excitement.

"Kyahh! I knew it. He's so cute, completely like a girl."

"If I didn't know, I would think he was a doll!"

"Our princess is the cutest girl in the kingdom. Prince Sher is bound to fall at first sight."

"W-who are you people? What do you want from me?" Dylan cautiously asked.

The maids simultaneously curtsied. "We are your humble servants, Princess Lyn."

"His majesty has left us in charge of teaching you how to act like a princess."

"We will be taking care of you from now on."

"I'm not a princess! I want to go home!" Dylan yelled.

"This is your home, your highness. Please do not throw a tantrum."

"Now then, it is time to get dressed, Princess."

The maids all surrounded Dylan and left him no space to escaped. Without any choice, he was stripped of all his clothing, along with his dignity and changed like a doll by the teasing maids. They treated him like a dress up doll, changing his outfits into ones they liked again and again.

Finally, when they were satisfied with the clothes, they argued about his hair. They combed and combed and combed it before settling on a simple braid that boosted his cuteness.

By the end of it all, Dylan was too tired to even bother correcting the way they referred to him. He just wanted to rest and for it all to end. And then, some time passed and the cute Dylan gradually became accustomed to being a princess, though he was at times uncooperative and rebellious.

"Your highness, Prince Sher has come to visit."

"Prince Sher? My fiance?" From up the tree, Dylan munched on an apple and spread his legs apart even though he was wearing a dress. The maids were all already used to such a scene so they only smiled and nodded.

"Yes, I sneaked a glance earlier and saw that he was very handsome."

"What use it there for being handsome? I've already been engaged to that stupid prince but he's only now coming to visit me." Dylan grumbled.

"I'm sure he has his reasons, your highness."

"Please come down. He is waiting for you in the guest room."

"Unless you want to go change your clothes again, ohohoho."

"Nononono, I'm coming down now. I'm coming down!" Dylan instantly jumped down and obeyed the maids. Although he was used to being princess now, he still hated being a dress up doll for the maids and was most afraid of them.

All the while grumbling hatefully to himself, Dylan walked to the guest room and put up the persona of Princess Lyn, which was basically just Dylan but more princessy.

"Ah-!" Dylan tripped over the carpet and let out a high pitched scream. He closed his eyes and waited for the impact, only to fall on something warm and soft.

"Are you alright, Princess?" A gentlemanly and kind voice asked.

Dylan opened his eyes and looked at his saviour. He had long black hair, a charming smile and eyes that narrowed into pleasant slits. He also had a dimple that hung at the corner of his lips, very cute and enchanting.

"I'm, I'm fine." Dylan stuttered with a red face. He pushed himself away from the other person. "May I know your name?"

"My name is Sher." The other replied with his gentlemanly smile. "It's a pleasure to have finally met you, my beloved Princess Lyn."

"Me-me too. It's a pleasure." Dylan blushed uncontrollably. Seems like being a princess wasn't as bad as he thought.

-----

"Argh!" A deep manly voice screamed. Dylan sat up on the bed, drenched in sweat. "I dreamt of becoming a princess. What a horrible dream."

Suddenly an image flashed in his mind. It was that of Sherry's younger self dressed as a boy. Blushing, Dylan shook his head. "Or maybe it was a good dream?"