Chapter 90

The Princess left the room in a foul mood, leaving only the Chancellor and me behind. The awkwardness made the coffee taste bitter, and I couldn’t think of anything to do other than sip at my cup.

“Sir Shonai.”

I felt relieved that the Chancellor finally broke the silence. I was in a mood where I felt like I would agree to almost any request right now.

“I will ask you directly. With your powers, is it possible to make Her Royal Highness beautiful?”

So, that was their true objective after all.

“If I may be honest, it is possible. Let me explain the specifics. I can increase hair volume and improve hair quality, enhance the luster of the skin, and remove excess fat. My ability even extends to the free adjustment of face and body lines.”

Even the capable Chancellor seemed surprised.

“Terrifying. Does that mean you can turn any ugly woman into a beauty?”

“That is correct.”

I won’t be selling my services cheap, though.

“However, there is one problem.”

This was the part about adjusting the body.

“To change the body’s proportions, I must touch the skin directly with my hands. In other words, during the treatment, the subject must expose those parts to me and allow me to touch them.”

Naturally, I take care to expose only the area being treated so that the entire body isn’t laid bare. I also intend to avoid touching the chest or buttocks. But at the very least, it is impossible to perform the treatment without touching the shoulders or waist. Can a royal woman—especially a Princess who likely hasn’t known a man—endure such a thing? I think it would be better if we didn’t do it.

“I will handle the persuasion. Are there any other problems?”

This man says it so easily. Although it’s for the sake of the country, I feel pity for the Princess.

“Please keep in mind that without the person’s own consent, the treatment will not have any effect.”

Of course, that was a lie, but I didn’t want to touch the Princess’s body without her permission. I have a feeling that this Chancellor might even go so far as to drug the Princess to force the procedure through.

“The other issue is the price.”

“How much?”

The Chancellor asked me bluntly. This is the deciding moment. My body makeup can meet the client’s demands 100%. Furthermore, it is a one-of-a-kind technique that has no side effects and improves health from the inside out. I could never make it cheap.

“If I were to treat everything from the top of the head to the toes… it is 300 million Marques.”

I said it! I have no intention of underselling myself on this.

But, as expected of Count Nurenberg, a man rumored to be a sharp-witted Chancellor. He didn’t even flinch, maintaining a perfect poker face.

“…That is a high price.”

“Yes. I pride myself on it being worth every bit of that.”

I’m terrified! They aren’t going to capture me and force me to do esthetic work, are they? After a moment of silence, the Chancellor opened his mouth as if he had made up his mind.

“Understood. I will find a way to manage it from the budget entrusted to my discretion. However, payment will be made only when Sir Shonai’s technique has properly fulfilled our requirements.”

I won… I actually won the bet…

The remaining problem, of course, is the Princess’s feelings.

“Understood. I have one proposal. Before performing the full-body treatment, why don’t you have the Princess undergo a hair care treatment first? This would only require me to touch her hair, and I believe she will be able to feel the effectiveness of the treatment firsthand.”

“That sounds like a good idea. I shall convey it as such.”

The Chancellor left the room, and I was left alone in the living area. I waited for the Princess’s response on the sofa, having nothing else to do. It was coming up on 50 minutes since I’d been left in this room. Perhaps I would be heading home after all tonight. It was a shame to have missed out on earning 300 million Marques, but I was sure another opportunity would come along eventually.

Just as I was about to give up, the Chancellor’s messenger arrived. Apparently, the Princess accepted the persuasion and would allow at least the hair care treatment. I suspect that her hair is a complex for her, so if her thinning hair improves, I think she will be pleased.

Time to give it my all! I immediately started preparing to perform the head spa on the Princess. Since I had to start with a shampoo, I moved to the bathroom and had them prepare plenty of hot water. I had the Princess change into clothing that would be fine even if it got a little wet.

“From this point on, the handmaidens and I will handle the procedure. Chancellor, please withdraw.”

I shooed away the Chancellor, who had followed us all the way to the bathroom. Even a Princess wouldn’t want someone watching her wash her hair, right? I laid a sleeping mat on the table they had prepared and inflated it.

This was originally a piece of mountain equipment meant to be used inside a sleeping bag, but today I laid it directly onto the table. Since it was an integrated type that even came with a pillow, it was comfortable to lie down on. It was made of vinyl, so it didn’t matter at all if it got wet.

“Now, please lie down here.”

The Princess didn’t say a word, cautiously laying herself down on the mat.

“First, I will wash your hair and scalp thoroughly.”

After briefly explaining the procedure, I started the treatment. With the help of the handmaids, I slowly poured warm water over her long black hair. I washed it with just water at first, then lathered up some shampoo in my palms. Instantly, the bathroom was filled with a fruity-musk scent—an apple base with notes of lemon, cassis, and mint. It’s hard to believe, but this shampoo and treatment cost 20,000 yen even when bought in Japan.

“Such a lovely scent… It smells so delicious…”

I almost let out a faint smile at such a characteristic observation from the Princess. Since I was activating my “God Fingers” at level 1 during the hair-washing stage, the Princess was in a completely relaxed state.

“Does it hurt?”

“No, I feel so at ease. Please, keep going…”

It seemed she was enjoying it.

Once the shampoo was completely rinsed out, I moved on to massaging a cream containing extracts of avocado, ginseng, and aloe into her scalp and hair. At this stage, I used my level 4 skill to improve the condition of her scalp, crafting her hair into something with resilience and body. As I poured in further magical power, new hair roots and strands began to breathe with vitality on the Princess’s head.

Roar, my God Fingers!

“Haa… It’s been so long since I’ve felt this relaxed. I thought it would be much more painful and frightening.”

“I would never do anything so rude to Your Royal Highness. While the cream’s components penetrate your hair, would it be alright if I also cared for your nails?”

Unlike the “Golden Fingers” I had before, the “God Fingers” possessed a restorative ability. I could perform nail care without any tools using this.

“Yes. That is fine. Shonai, I shall entrust everything to you…”

As the Princess closed her eyes in bliss, I pressed my fingertips, infused with magic, against hers. Every time I rubbed her small nails, they developed a beautiful finish, as if they had been coated in clear polish. After finishing the left hand, I moved on to the nails of her right hand.

“How wonderful. My nails are sparkling.”

“I am truly envious, Your Highness Anneliese. They look just like pale pink pearls!”

The handmaids’ excitement grew as they watched the Princess become more beautiful by the second.

“Now, let’s rinse out the cream.”

After carefully rinsing, I used several bath towels, gently pressing them against her hair to absorb the moisture. Here, I took out my secret weapon: a rechargeable, cordless hair dryer I’d purchased during my last trip back to Earth.

“This is a tool that uses warm air to dry your hair. It makes a loud noise, but please don’t be startled.”

As I combed through her hair while blow-drying, her smooth yet resilient, beautiful hair flowed straight. The volume had increased, and her hair now caught the air with a gorgeous, wavy motion.

“Now, Your Highness, you have obtained the most beautiful hair in all of Saxens.”

I turned off the dryer and took three steps back. The Princess gently grasped her own hair with her hands, staring at the finished result.

“Someone, bring the Princess a mirror.”

When I called out to the dazed handmaids, the puppets with cut strings suddenly regained their life.

“Oh, Your Highness Anneliese, it is magnificent! Please, look.”

Perhaps she saw someone else entirely in the mirror. The Princess traced the surface of the glass with her fingers, as if doubting the mirror’s very function.

“Are you satisfied? It is a fragment of the art bestowed upon me by the Goddess of Beauty, Aphrodia.”

I bowed my head with a dramatic flair.

“Sir Shonai, thank you. …I feel as though a weight I’ve carried in my heart since I was a child has been lifted. This hair had always been a target for gossip. I had never once been able to like my own hair.”

It must have been painful in a way I, as a man, could never imagine. Because even as tears spilled, the Princess was wearing the brightest smile I had seen all day.

“Sir Shonai, I shall entrust this body to you. Please, perform your art upon me.”

I found myself recoiling at the sudden offer. Is it really okay? I’ll be touching your shoulders and waist, you know?

“Your Highness, have you received an explanation from Lord Nurenberg? It is quite presumptuous of me to say, but during the treatment, I must touch your skin.”

“I have heard. It does not matter, so do it to your heart’s content. I have taken a liking to you, Shonai.”

She has much more courage than I do. Is this the strength of a woman? A woman not yet twenty had made up her mind. Then, I must cooperate with all my heart and soul.

I’m going to pursue beauty that is healthy, both in mind and body!