The Princess In Male Attire

Chapter 1

[1]

I am the crown prince of Hadrait, but I am a woman.

On the day I was born, my mother inspected me thoroughly, but she couldn't find what she was searching for.

In the end, she gritted her teeth and declared, "Whether you're a boy or a girl, you must live as a boy!"

So, I disguised myself as a man, binding my chest and living as the crown prince for seventeen years.

Despite my wisdom and skills in both literature and martial arts, when my true identity was discovered, I couldn't escape death.

As I faced the once-loyal ministers now seething with anger, I drew my sword defiantly.

"Who says a woman can't rule?"

Later, Landen, who studied with me, and Phil, who taught me martial arts, both vied for my attention.

I wrapped an arm around each of their shoulders and smiled. "Why compete? There will be many more in the palace in the future. You two need to get along!"

[2]

The Prince's Residence had been unusually lively these past few days.

My mother was determined to find me a bride.

She must be out of her mind.

I was a woman. How could she not know that? But she didn't care. She kept presenting me with one portrait after another, insisting I choose at least two.

"You're almost twenty and still not married. Your father will start asking questions!"

The servants had long been dismissed from the hall, leaving only Tonya, the maid who had grown up with me.

I sighed. "Mother, why don't we just tell Father the truth? This can't go on."

Mother's face hardened. "Scarlett, I am destined to become the empress dowager. If you want to ruin yourself, do it alone. Don't drag me down with you."

Was this really something a mother would say?

Seeing her about to lose her temper, I reluctantly nodded in agreement.

"Fine, fine. You go back first. I'll take a look myself."

Mother placed the scrolls down and said slowly, "These are all daughters of important officials. They will be beneficial to you in the future."

"As for their looks, they are all quite good. You will definitely like them."

I twitched at the corner of my eye. "Mother, let me remind you again, I do not like women. I like men."

"So what?"

Mother looked at me, her almond-shaped eyes narrowing, exuding an aura of authority without anger.

"You are the crown prince now. You are expected to only like women."

With that, she handed the scrolls to Tonya and stood up slowly.

"I expect to see your choices by the end of next month at the latest."

I had no choice but to respond, "Yes, I will remember. Goodbye, Mother."

Chapter 2

I was born on a wintry day seventeen years ago.

At that time, my mother held a high rank among the emperor's concubines. My father, the emperor, was nearly forty and still had no sons, though he had about twenty daughters. He made a bold promise: whoever in the imperial harem gave him his first son would be made empress, and the son would be crowned as the prince.

My mother and Sandra, who enjoyed his favor then, were locked in fierce competition, each desperate to give birth to the much-desired son. Desperation led my mother to secretly give my father herbal medicines and take various remedies herself, which eventually resulted in her pregnancy. But when I was born, she was shocked.

Searching me over and over, she could not find the crucial part that would make me a prince. Despite her disappointment, she was a brave and decisive woman. She immediately declared that she had given birth to a prince and asked my father to let her raise me personally, without a nanny's help. In his joy, my father agreed to all her requests.

Thus, my identity was concealed. Naturally, over the seventeen years, there were occasional instances where my true gender was discovered. Yet no matter who it was, my mother made sure they could never reveal our secret.

Tonya, a relative from my mother's family, had been serving me since childhood. My mother was determined to become the empress dowager, so over the years, she groomed me to be impeccable. I meticulously played the role of crown prince.

Strangely enough, my father never had another son. In the beginning, I worried that someone might compete with me for the position, but as time passed, I realized I was the only one. However, my mother never allowed me to slack off. She arranged for the prime minister's son, Landen, to study with me and for General Harper's son, Phil, to teach me martial arts.

Since my earliest memories, I have endured intense and grueling training. Luckily, I inherited my mother's resilience; the more challenging the situation, the more determined I became. As a result, my father grew increasingly satisfied with my performance as the crown prince.

My mother and I managed the entire royal family-she overseeing the harem and I handling court affairs. But she was constantly vigilant, fearing my father might grow suspicious, and never allowed me to relax. Given her meticulous planning, it was only natural that she would also arrange a marriage for me.

But who should I choose?

After much thought, my attention turned to Tonya. She knew my true identity. Perhaps she was the best choice.

Chapter 3

Tonya had been my confidante for so many years that she could understand my intentions with just a glance. As soon as our eyes met, she dropped to her knees with a thud.

"Your Highness, please have mercy. I am not worthy."

I sat calmly on the stool, sipping my tea, my voice low and steady.

"What is so dreadful about marrying me? Once I ascend to the throne, I will grant you freedom from the palace."

Tonya trembled all over. "Your Highness, please don't jest with me. I am terrified."

I set down my teacup and said, "Bring me the scroll."

Tonya, as if given a reprieve, quickly retrieved the scroll from the table and handed it to me. I examined it for a long time before finally selecting one person: Ryann, the sister of Landen, with whom I had studied.

In the painting, Ryann's smile was enchanting, her beauty unmatched. I was very pleased. Even if I were to marry her just to keep her near, she had to be someone pleasing to the eye.

After putting away the painting, I instructed, "Send a message to Landen, asking him to bring his sister to the Royal Palace tomorrow."

Landen, the prime minister's legitimate son, was well-educated, handsome, and as gentle as jade. If I were to revert to my female identity, he would actually be a suitable match. What a pity. Since he couldn't be mine, I hoped his sister could be of some use.

The next day, Landen brought Ryann with him. Our friendship since childhood had long dispensed with formalities, but he still bowed to me before sitting down after receiving my permission. He was a scholar, with an inherent gentleness, speaking neither too fast nor too slow.

"Your Highness, what is the reason you have summoned my sister and me?"

I looked at Ryann. Her face was so delicate it looked like it could melt, and her light yellow dress made her look even more beautiful. As a young lady who had not yet married, she rarely appeared in public, so this was my first time meeting her. When she saw me, a hint of surprise flashed in her eyes. It took her a moment to remember to bow.

"Greetings, Crown Prince."

Her voice was pleasant too. I looked her up and down, satisfied.

"No need for formalities. Your brother and I are as close as siblings ourselves. You can treat me as an elder brother."

"Sit down."

With my command, Ryann moved gracefully to a nearby stool and sat down slowly, her every movement exuding the elegance of a noble lady. But my next words nearly made her slide off the stool in fright.

"You are beautiful, and your figure is graceful. Become a part of the Royal Palace."

As soon as I finished speaking, Ryann's face turned pale, and she looked at me with a strange expression. Even the always gentle and refined Landen's face darkened.

"Scarlett, what madness is this? You've only met my sister once."

"How dare you!"

I raised my voice slightly, and the maids and servants immediately knelt down. But Landen, with his brows slightly furrowed, was not afraid and instead looked at me unflinchingly. Our gazes locked in the air for a long time before I finally conceded.

"Is it so wrong to fall in love at first sight?"

He snorted coldly. "Your Highness, your affection comes too late. Ryann already has someone she admires."

"Who?" I immediately asked. "Tell me quickly, and I'll deal with him."

Ryann knelt down. "Crown Prince, please spare me. I am terrified!"

"Become a part of the Royal Palace, and you will be the future empress. What, you are unwilling?"

She trembled like a leaf, her head hanging low.

"I am not worthy to serve Your Highness. Please, Your Highness, choose someone else."

"Alright." I was silent for a long time before speaking. "I do not wish to make things difficult for you. You can stand up now."

Ryann let out a huge sigh of relief and sat back down on the stool, but this time, she wouldn't even look at me. Landen's expression also improved, but just as he was about to speak, I interrupted him.

"Landen, since Ryann is unwilling to marry me, do you have any other sisters?"