POV: Seliph

As Diana falls asleep I stand up trying not to disturb her. I go to my closet and start taking off my suit.

I had never met someone like her. She didn’t suck up to me and had treated me like an equal. That was why when she had tried to become more intimate tonight. I could tell something was wrong. I could see the pain in her eyes as she threw herself at me.

She had thrown herself at me out of desperation from what I could tell. She didn’t know what to do with herself. With my mother pressuring her and feeling hopeless at her odds of ever returning. She had decided to throw herself fully into the role that was being expected of her.

As I took off my tie I looked at myself in the mirror. Staring back at myself I wondered if I had made the right choice. All of this benefited me perfectly but there was some part of it all that I despised.

I had promised her that we’d be able to get her back home. Mostly as a way of appeasing her. At first, I had no plan to do so. But when I saw how much she missed her family I said I’d help her get home.

It had worked she had calmed down for the most part and everything had gone well. But from what Pent had, said and from all the records I had found. I doubted my ability to fulfill that promise. It would possibly take decades and during that time she’d be expected to have my children.

If she wanted to stay here that would be fine. But if there was a way for her to go home in say twenty years and we’d had a kid by then would she still leave?

The gods had played her, I’d played her, the world had played with her. She was only supposed to be a disposable pawn sent only to kill me. Instead, I had made her my queen.

Flora had been against the arrangement at first, but with some convincing, she had agreed to help me. I then explained it to my generals and we pulled back our forces offering her a straight shot at the capital and therefore allowed me to enact my plan.

I had then expected her to fight me afterward. Instead, she had followed along with most of what I had asked of her, and I had slowly started to realize that I had become interested in her.

I had never expected this to have happened. I was just going to use her as a pawn and manipulate her by force if she had resisted.

I put on my night clothes and walk out to see Diana still fast asleep on my bed. An innocent and naive face showing no care in the world. A direct contrast to her single minded face she showed when she was awake.

With time I had realized she was nothing more than a lost puppy. Only wanting nothing more than to get home. She had held no ill will towards my people herself. Fighting only because it was what she had been told would get her home.

I pulled the covers over her and made my way to the twin that was in the corner. Laying out on the small bed as I stared at the moonlit ceiling.

What did I want from this? What did she want from this? I turned to look back at Diana and imagined myself sleeping beside her.

Could I ever convince her to stay here permanently and start a family with me? Asking her to forget everyone she loved and give up on ever getting home.

I had stopped her because I didn’t want to do something she’d regret later and lose her trust. In order for this to work, I had to win her absolute trust. Letting her make the decision to fully embrace the role as my wife and queen.

Nothing could be affecting her decision and she could not make it too hastily. If she did I could only imagine her being sad and resentful in the future. We both have long lives too so I’d rather we both get along during our time together.

I rest my head on the pillow and close my eyes. We had another long day tomorrow and I’d probably need to help her recover tomorrow morning as well.

POV: Diana

“So, did you enjoy the party, my child?”

I turn to see Dibella sitting on a chair above me. Her face showed amusement at my face as I turned to face her.

“What do you want Dibella? I’ve had enough of your interference.”

“Nothing, just checking up on my favorite new toy!”

“I’m not your toy Dibella.”

“Oh really? Your body seems to disagree. I did have a hand in its marvelous appearance, did I not?”

“You did, but I’m not happy about the enlarged bust. I was perfectly fine with my original bust.”

“You might have been, but what about your partner? He seems to be enjoying your new change.”

She probably was right, but I was still not happy about that.

“So what do you want?”

“For you to use your new talents. You just scratched the surface of the boon I’ve gifted you.”

“What do you mean? What boon?”

“That’s for you to find out. Just make sure to use them for my amusement girl. I’ve invested a lot in you.”

What boon is she talking about? Dibella was the god of beauty. So what could a boon from her mean?

“Time to wake up my child. Don’t disappoint.”

I wake up to see Seliph reading some papers on the twin bed in the corner. I have a small headache and it takes me a minute to remember what happened last night.

I then remember my kiss with Seliph and start to cringe upon realization. My headache increases in intensity and I try to sit up. I guess my alcohol tolerance is lower now as well. Good to know.

Hearing me stir Seliph sets his papers on a nearby nightstand and picks up a glass of water as he walks towards me.

“How are you doing Diana? Had a little too much to drink?”

“Forgot to think about my lower tolerance last night. Let’s just forget that happened.”

“That what happened?”

Seliph had a sly smile on his face poking fun at last night’s escapades. I accepted the glass he offered as I put my other hand to my head as my headache flares.

After draining the glass I give it back to Seliph who sets it down on the nightstand.

“You know what happened and I’m not repeating it.”

“That you kissed me and tried to seduce me with your new womanly charms?”

“I, I wasn’t thinking and it was just the alcohol.”

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“Alcohol only makes it easier for your true feelings to surface. So you must have had some desire on some level to do that.”

“NO! I, don’t feel that way yet. I’m still not sure about all this.”

I turn away as my cheeks blush as a mixture of emotions flood over me.

“Are you so sure about that?”

I feel Seliph’s hand turn my face to his as he inches closer. I immediately fall backward onto the bed and crawl away to the other side of the bed.

“What are you doing that for!”

He chuckled at my display and took a seat at the other end of the bed.

“Oh nothing, just seeing how you’d react. Besides with your kiss last night that means I’m free to kiss you as well now. Am I wrong?”

I then imagined him kissing me and felt a new wave of embarrassment hit me. I covered myself with the bed’s sheets trying to hide my embarrassment from him.

But he pulled the sheet away from my weak grasp revealing me to his sight. I lunged for the end but he only ended up dragging me towards him.

He then lifted me up onto his lap and leaned in towards me. I didn’t know what to do as he came closer and closer to my face. Did he want to kiss me? I closed my eyes in fear and waited for it to be over.

I waited for something to happen but it never came. I opened my eyes to see Seliph trying to suppress his laughter.

“What’s so funny!”

“Oh nothing, it’s just your reaction was priceless. You just make it too easy to tease you.”

“That’s not funny!”

“I assure you it is for me. Besides you aren’t mad are you. You're just embarrassed because this is your first relationship. Is it not?”

He wasn’t wrong. I had never had the courage to ask girls on earth and I’d been too busy fighting here.

“No, it's just.”

He looked me in the eyes and I could tell he didn’t believe my lie.

“Fine, this is my first real relationship. Anyways how did you know?”

He shook his head from side to side in a mocking manner.

“Lucky guess.”

“You didn’t even know, did you?”

“I do now.”

I give him a stern look but he only laughs at it.

“Like I said Diana you make it too easy to tease you. But, that’s enough for now.”

He sets me back on the bed and stands up.

“I have to get back to work, but I’m guessing you want to take a bath after last night. So I had Felicia come by earlier get your bath and clothes ready.”

He gestured towards the bathroom where I guess it all was.

“Take your time. Today will be a relatively easy day. We’ll have a late lunch and after that, the guests will start to leave and it’ll be a little quieter around here. I’ll have Felicia come to attend to you when I leave.”

He then left the room leaving me on the bed confused at how to react. After a minute I finally stood up and made my way to the bathroom where I saw a steaming bath and dress hanging nearby.

I took my time washing up while trying my best to organize all my emotions. I should have probably been mad at him, but I couldn’t bring myself to be. Maybe I did deserve it after what I did last night.

I just wasn’t sure what to feel about it all. Having never been in a relationship and having to switch roles was hard enough. But, I also had more responsibilities now that I was effectively dating a king.

I didn’t know what I was supposed to do from here. Everything with the peace seems to be running smoothly without me for now. I hadn’t ever thought about what it was I had ever wanted to do with my life, and here Seliph was offering me his hand in marriage and being his queen.

Definitely not the first thing that ever came to my mind when I was a kid. This was more my sister’s thing.

But it was something to do. I had been rid of my duty to kill Seliph from both my weaken state and the fact that effectively the war had ended. The war was over and now reconstruction could begin. Though I was ignorant to many of this world’s workings.

I was now to be this kingdom’s queen. Could I fill such a role. How should I fill such a role. I knew I was completely ignorant when it came to being a queen. But I would serve this place and humanity the best way I knew. As a hero and defender of this world’s people.

Maybe I should ask if I can train somewhere when everyone leaves. That encounter with those assassins yesterday showed me that I needed some training to reacquaint myself with my new body when it came to fighting.

I got out of the bath and dried myself off with a towel. I heard a knock on the door and turned to see Felicia coming in. She then helped me dry my hair and put on the dress. Helping me with my hair and other womanly necessities.

Felicia told me that I had some time before lunch and that I was free till then. So I asked her to take me to the garden from yesterday. Seeing all the plants made me feel at ease and maybe it would help me to clear my thoughts.

We passed by a couple of people on the way and exchanged greetings. They were nice and pleasant to talk to. With each demon I met, I felt more comfortable around them. I wasn’t used to the horns or weird body features. But they acted for the most part strangely human.

When we made it to the garden I started strolling by the plants taking in their scents and sights. It was filled with plants I’d never seen. Both bizarre and beautiful. Reminding me that this was another world, but a world filled with beauty just the same.

What could Dibella have meant with her visit to my dreams this morning? Dibella was the god of beauty so what would fall under beauty? Thinking about it I could only think of art as falling into that realm. So did that mean that she increased my ability in the arts?

Stopping in the middle of the garden I looked around seeing if anyone else was around. There wasn’t other than Felicia who was tailing me. I took a deep breath before deciding it was worth a shot to test if it was true.

I began by singing a light tune. No lyrics just singing different notes up and down the musical register. I realized another ability my new body afforded me. I was now able to sing in all the upper registers that previously eluded me.

It was a pleasant surprise and before I knew it I had fallen into a similar trance like last night and sang to my heart's content taking in the euphoria of the beauty around me and amplifying it with my voice.

When I stopped I realized what I had just done and looked around to find some observers around me. They clapped at my performance and I felt embarrassed at their gazes.

“Felicia, can you take me to Seliph’s office?”

“Yes miss.”

“Wait!”

I didn’t stop at the new voice and followed Felicia who was either ignoring the voice or had ignored it as well. I just wanted to hide somewhere where I could escape this embarrassment.

But I felt a tug on my arm and I was stopped in my tracks. I turned around to a tall slender man who wore a sword at his waist. I thought I knew him strangely enough but I couldn’t place him.

“Laslow! Let go of her this instant. She has no wish to be a part of your flirtatious games.”

Laslow? Ah, he was one of the demon generals. That was how I knew him.

“Come now Felicia. I just wished to pay my respects to this woman’s beautiful voice. It brought great bliss to me on this fine day. Could I at least get your name dear maiden?”

I guess it wouldn’t hurt to tell him at least.

“My name is Diana it's a pleasure to meet you."

I extend my hand to shake his hand, but he quickly retracts his hand and bows his head.

“I’m sorry your majesty. Forgive me for my ignorant advances. I will take my leave immediately I just wished to share my praise too your beautiful performance.”

He then made his way away from us after bowing to us as he left. I was left in shock. That felt too sudden, but why was he in such a hurry?

“Why did he run off like that Felicia?”

“That man is just a stupid flirt. He’s been reprimanded for it before and must have realized his mistake for hitting on the king’s fiancee.”

“He got in trouble for flirting? What did he do?”

“He tried hitting on the king’s sister when his fiance was nearby. The king had none of it and punished him to public humiliation by one of his generals. When Laslow beat him he was made the new general. It surprised a lot of people but his strength is genuine. Just stay away from him. He only brings ruin to ladies of the court.”

I tried to imagine it but he didn’t seem that bad. Maybe a little forward and romantic but he seemed harmless. Though he might just be good at hiding it if he is one of Seliph’s generals.

“Let us go miss. Lunch is growing ever closer and the king will want to see you before it begins.”

I followed her to his office and watched as I passed by passing people. I started looking at the different people I passed noting their smiles and chats as I passed by.

I made my way to the door and pushed it open to see Seliph was bored out of his mind reading the documents. But when I entered his smile returned and I knew he was happy to see me.

I still didn’t know how I felt about him, but I couldn’t help but smile as well. I wasn’t sure how I felt about him, but I had to admit that I felt a, bond with him. Maybe my advances last night were an unconscious feeling, but maybe that wasn’t such a bad thing. He wasn’t a bad man and I enjoyed his company. I even enjoyed talking with his sister. His mother, less so, but interesting nonetheless. They weren’t my family, but they made me feel more at home.

But I felt like I was replacing them with my own family. I wasn’t sure if it was okay to feel this way. To become part of this family. I almost felt like I was betraying my own. But I felt intrigued to see where this would go.

Would I one day form my own family with Seliph? Or would I return before that could ever have a chance to form? Did I even want it to form? Maybe I did subconsciously but for now, I’d take it one step at a time.