I woke up in my bed as the sun shined through the window. I felt much better today. I might be able to get my mana working again if I’m lucky. I try to stand up and realize most of the pain is gone. Now I just feel a bit sore. That bath really did work wonders.
I try stretching to see how my range of motion is different. For the most part, I think I can adjust my style to compensate. What worries me is how my physicality has changed.
Women are inherently weaker than men, but with magic, I might be able to compensate. The bigger question is how my abilities are hampered. I need all my strength to beat him. As I do a backbend I hear the door open and the maid sees me hunched over backward. Guess I can’t fake still being hurt now.
“Looks like that bath really helped you last night. I’m glad you’re feeling better at least. The demon king wanted to know how you were doing. Seeing as how you're up and moving he would like to see.”
Great I wanted to avoid this for as long as I could but looks like luck isn’t on my side. Time to see what he has planned for me.
The maid then led me through the halls to another room. I tried to remember the layout but this place was massive it was definitely going to take me awhile to get an internal map of this place. She then knocked on the door as she introduced us.
“Excuse me sir, I brought the miss as you asked of me.”
“Good come in.”
She opened the door to a great office. The demon king was sitting behind a large desk with some papers strewn about it. He was busy writing some kind of document and when he finished he set his pen to the side before looking up at me.
“That will be all for now Felicia. I wish to have a private discussion with our guest.”
Felicia left the room and closed the door behind her leaving just me and him in the same room. We stared each other down with great intent. Mine with the intent to kill and his with curiosity.
“Come have a seat. We have much to discuss. No need to stand while we do so.”
“I’m fine where I am and I want to know what you want with me.”
“What do I want? I told you earlier didn’t I? I wish to use you to end this war once and for all. Although I must admit the elixir worked far better than I anticipated. You make a stunning woman Done.”
I balled my hands into fists and subconsciously channeled mana into them. He slowly frowned at this before raising his hands in surrender.
“Sorry Done. It was just a compliment. No need to be so hostile. I assure you I have no intentions of forcing myself onto you. I’m just glad you are up and about. I thought you’d be bedridden for a week at least.”
“Your bath's work quite some wonders. I have to give you credit for that.”
He looked puzzled at this. I guess he didn’t expect me up so quickly.
“That would definitely have improved your condition, but weren’t you bedridden?”
“I had some assistance and went on my maid’s recommendation.”
“Did you run into anyone?”
“A couple of ladies walked in on me when I was bathing. Felicia helped explain to them why I was there, but I found it strange that the castle didn’t seem to know about me.”
“As I said I expected you to be bedridden for at least a week so I didn’t think it necessary. You definitely defied my expectations that’s for sure. For now, we need to give you a new name.”
I scowled at this. I didn’t want a new name, but it was kind of necessary. Done wasn't really a female name nevertheless a male one. But it was still my name so I was reluctant to be rid of it.
“You don’t have to change it now, but it is something you should think about in the future. For now, you will need some instruction in the world of feminine affairs. My personal maid will see to this and has been briefed of your circumstances. I haven’t told anyone else though. They all think the hero is down below in a cell.”
“What do you have planned for the army outside your wall? I know you haven't been doing nothing while I’ve been gone at least.”
“They have been taken care of. Last night we raided their camp and they surrendered. I sent a messenger to the force of what has happened and now I wait for them to arrive so we might discuss a peace treaty. Though it all depends on how you and I go about things.”
I froze at the realization that my help was gone. I was now deep behind enemy lines without support. The only reason we had come as far as we had was because I’d been dealing with his generals when we encountered them. Their defense against them without me was quite minimal and not at all what they needed to fight the demon king. It would take years at a minimum for them to even attempt a renewed assault. The remaining human army would play the defensive until they could find a new hero to fight with them.
“If we play our cards right I think we can demand enough reparations to repair what has been lost in this war and open trade between our people.”
I didn’t know what reparations he wanted them to pay but getting them to pay would be difficult. They were a conglomerate of many small countries so making them pay would prove an arduous task and most would rather die in battle than admit defeat.
“If you joined me they would have no choice but to submit to our rule am I wrong. There is no force that they have that could match our combined strength.”
He wasn’t wrong but it didn’t feel right he was planning something and not telling me the whole truth.
“I’ll help you negotiate with them, but I’m not promising you anything until I know more.”
“That’s perfectly reasonable. I need them to know you aren't my puppet after all. If you’ve joined me of your free will and they realize it all the better.”
“Not to be rude but I’m not joining you. I still don’t trust you completely after what you did.”
“That is perfectly true but I hope I can change your opinion of me in the future to a better one. But there is another more urgent matter at the moment. Since the ladies in the palace know you are here I’m going to have to push up our schedule. You have three days to become more familiar with being a woman because after three days I will be giving a royal decree declaring our marriage. This will safeguard your life from most potential rivals and will further cement our power.”
“I’m not marrying you! That’s disgusting! You're asking a former man to marry a man and one of an entirely different species no less!”
Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
“As I said previously I won’t force myself onto you, but I do hope that someday that we can come to better terms with this relationship.”
“Not happening anytime soon I can tell you that.”
I wanted to blow him up and kill him where he stood, but I didn’t have any of my equipment. If I failed to kill him he’d be able to kill me quite easily. Dying wasn’t an option at the moment so I’d just have to buy my time.
“Then I guess we’ll just have to be frenemies at the moment. But I do think you’ll change your mind with some time.”
“That’s not likely numbskull.”
“For now you just need to be able to learn to dress and take care of yourself in three days. All I ask is that you show your strength to everyone and let them know you have come to accept who you now are.”
“You do realize that you were the one who did this right? I’m not going to magically accept this wholeheartedly.”
“I'm not asking you to do that. I’m asking you to show them that you have. If you don’t you're just going to be a sheep in a wolf’s den. Demons respect strength and if I were to take you as my wife and you were to be weak it weakens my reputation. You would also be singled out and attacked by those seeking to prove themselves against you. If you can show them you are still strong. It will deter future enemies you will have to face.”
“So you’re saying I’m only safe here if I can show them my strength hasn’t diminished?”
“Yes, we are a strength based meritocracy. So for both of our sakes, I hope you succeed.”
I heard a knock on the door. I turn to see what I’m guessing is his personal maid.
”Hello Done. My name is Flora and I will be guiding you in the ways of being a woman. This will be a first for both of us. But we have to get this to work or else my master’s reputation will deteriorate. So I’m not going to let you have it easy at all these next three days. Now come with we have a lot of work to do.”
I felt her pull on me towards the door. The demon king only laughed at this as I gave him my most evil stare possible which only made him laugh harder. I was definitely going to have to pay him back for this later. A good swift kick to his balls would do. The hard part is pulling it off and living afterwards.
After being led through another set of unfamiliar hallways I’m taken to another room. This one is small conference area with clothes hanging around the room.
“First off we need to go over the basics of being a woman. Take everything you thought about women and throw it out the window. Women are not made of sugar and spice and everything nice. They are manipulative people that are trying to use every advantage they can to either further their goals, power, or hooking a man. This might not be true for every woman you encounter, but you must be ever vigilant. You also have to take into consideration that you are human. Others will see it as a weakness and try to start rumors and false claims to undermine your true strength.”
“It can’t be that cutthroat, can it? I’m sure women aren’t that bad.”
“There are few men of high status and everyone wants to be their wife. So they’ll do anything to make it happen. That will be especially true with the demon king being your future husband.”
I shuddered but she had a point. There had to be a lot of women trying to hook up with him and women do love to talk so she could have a point. The main problem was I wasn’t very good at political manipulation and smooth talking. I usually charged things head on using brute force and logic to achieve success.
“Couldn’t I just beat them in a fight and show them I’m stronger. That should keep away most weaker candidates right?”
“That would work but for now due to your changes. I wouldn’t put all your cards down like that. Right now you just have to exude confidence to them so they won’t dare to challenge you. For now we just have to make you look strong. We’ll focus on combat training later. Now we must begin with you anatomical changes.”
I was then given a basic speech in female anatomy. I had to learn about menstruation (which I would suffer from within about a month), female genitals, and most important boobs. SHe seemed to stress this a lot, but I a feeling she was angry that she was flat chested. Though small mine still were bigger than her.
She then explained clothing in which she took all my measurements. She then explained to me what my measurements were and what to look for if I ever went shopping in the future.
I currently had a modest bust, but Flora told me through gritted teeth that they might still grow due to them not knowing the full effects of the elixir. Though I could hear her cursing my chances of that under her breath. Honestly, I didn’t want them any bigger as it’d only become an encumbrance in a fight.
She then explained the importance of sex appeal and the need to proudly flaunt it around. I needed to show modesty while still showing off my most attractive features.
We then had some high heel practice where she put me in a roughly 4cm high heel. I was then lead through a series of basic dances.
There were other things like hair, nails, and makeup that we spent time on throughout the day. She had been so dedicated to teaching me that we skipped lunch. She claimed that I didn’t need the excess energy and that we could eat after I was ready. As the sun dimmed the room she finally said we were done for the day.
“You have made swift progress, but that was only the basics we still have a long way to go before you are truly ready, but it will have to do for today. Now get dressed you’re going to be eating dinner with the demon king tonight.”
“Why? I thought we were done for today?”
“We are but you must eat with him every day. You will be his wife after all. Also, you must learn table manners we can’t have our queen eating like a savage now can we.”
I was then dressed in some black lingerie with a matching black short sleeve dress that showed the top of my chest. She also got me some matching black high heels. After looking me up and down for a minute she said I was ready. She then led me down the hall towards the banquet hall where I had fallen into his trap. There was a plate at my spot across the table from the demon king. He sat there waiting for me to take my seat.
After sitting down Flora grabbed a chair and sat next to me. Luckily I had taken a Caitlin class back on earth and from what I could gather they seemed to have the same mannerisms. So to her facial displeasure, I passed with flying colors. The demon king smirked at Flora who looked discomforted at my knowledge I have a feeling she wanted to look good in front of Seliph by correcting my ignorance.
After we finished eating our meal Seliph led me back to his office.
“So how was your first day it seemed to have gone well from the look of things.”
My eye twitched in irritation. He was having too much fun with this. So I just stared at him with my evil eye. Flora answered in my silence.
“She has come a long way and her progress is coming along. I have taken her measurements and will take them to the tailor tomorrow. Her dress should be ready for the occasion.”
“Excellent. Now I wish you a good night. Things will only get busier from here. Learn what you can now while you can. Also, might I say you look stunning tonight in that dress. It was a good choice.”
I focused my mana into my hand and said in my most sarcastic tone.
“I’ve had it! If you keep this up I might ‘accidentally’ hit you.”
He smiled at this. Stifling a laugh at my outburst.
“I’m sorry you are right. So I’ll allow you your punch, but it must be above the waist.”
Looks like my kick to the balls is out. I cock my arm back and strengthen it while focusing all my mana into a powerful wind spell. He laughed as I surged forward having my mana burst forth in an explosion as I struck his face. I smiled as I felt the force of the impact.
Only I heard laughing as all the smoke cleared out the window. He stood there unfazed with my fist still next to his face. I then realized that my fist was recoiling in pain and I clutched my bruised hand.
“Flora heal her hand. Can’t be damaging her delicate hands already now can we.”
He smirked as he left the room. I could only sneer in pain as Flora used healing magic to heal my hand. She then led me to my room where she helped me get into my new pajamas.
“I told you that you are weaker now. We will focus on restoring your previous strength but for now, you will focus on our lessons. When you are well versed in this knowledge we will focus on your combat skills. Now rest you have another long day tomorrow.”
She then left me alone in the room for the night. Leaving me alone in the moonlight. I wasn’t religious, but maybe I could receive help from the goddess that brought me here.
“Dear goddess, I’m in dire trouble what should I do? I need your guidance. This is more than what I can handle alone. Please help your chosen hero dear goddess.”
‘Go to the temple inside the city. Ask the priests for my help. I will help you in your time of need. So go to my place of power so I may endow you with the power to succeed in your troubled time.’
The goddess actual answered my prayer? Maybe I was dreaming from exhaustion. I needed to go to sleep. I’d need all the strength I have for these next few days.