I woke up to the sun shining in the room. I got up and walked to the window to look outside. The streets were full of people walking about with festivities and stall all about the streets. Thinking about it the people probably think this will be a celebratory announcement.

They believed they had beaten the hero and his army which was more than cause for a celebration. They could effectively charge straight into the human lands with their strength with ease.

‘KNOCK KNOCK’ “Are you awake miss? It’s time to get ready!”

Time to get this started. Today was the big day after all.

We made our way to the dressing room from yesterday where Oboro was waiting.

“Time to get ready girl! Let’s get going girls. Time to accessorize!”

After getting me in the dress and some matching shoes they started styling my hair. Brushing it and putting hair clips into accent my hair.

“Time for makeup miss. It’ll go a long way to show off your beauty.”

“Fine Felicia just don’t use too much. I don’t like the stuff.”

“Oh come on girl! We got to spruce you up as much as we can. Orders from you know who himself.”

“Like I said it’s fine just don’t go overboard.”

After I was all ‘prettied up’ Felicia took us to a carriage which would take us to the temple. Oboro wasn’t coming with us but wished me luck.

I felt extreme discomfort in the way I now looked. True I looked beautiful, but it still hurt to see my changed image. Also, it wasn’t the most comfortable thing to wear. My sister really wasn’t lying when she said beauty is painful.

The carriage’s windows were covered by dark curtains probably to hide us inside.

“You ready miss? It’s the big day! I wonder what announcement is going to be!”

Wait! She didn’t know? How stupid was this girl? Wasn’t everything we did yesterday a pretty big indicator what was happening?

“So you don’t know what the announcement is?”

“Nope, I was never told. Flora just told me to get you ready for it. I can’t wait to find out what it is!”

“You really can’t tell Felicia? How dense are you?”

“Dense? How am I dense?”

“Think about it. I’ve been meeting the demon king twice a day. Yesterday I was groomed all day and I had this dress made specifically made for me. Now we are on our way to meet him at a special announcement in a darkened carriage.”

“So? He’s just being kind isn’t he?”

“No, he’s announcing our engagement today to everyone!”

“Engagement! But you just met four days ago and you’re human and a weak noblewoman right?”

“No, I was the human hero sent here to kill Seliph. He turned me into a girl and now plans to marry me.”

She looked dumbfounded at me silently for a couple minutes trying to process what I’d said.

“So you’re the hero, and you’re marrying his majesty?”

“Yes.”

“But don’t you want to kill him!”

“Situations changed. Right now it’s my best option at the moment, and as you said he isn’t treating me bad.”

“Phewph at least he isn’t marrying some weak pretty face. He would have brought great shame to himself. I’m glad he at least has you now. I was wondering when he was going to finally marry. I wish you both the best of luck.”

Wow! He really wasn’t kidding about people being fine with it. They really did put power before anything else. Hopefully, it went this well with everyone else.

During the rest of the trip, Felicia looked at me inquisitively. Trying to probably discern my true motives. But she didn’t seem scared or nervous just puzzled.

After a while, we came to a halt and the door opened to reveal a crowded scene at a shining temple with the symbols of the nine divines etched upon the entrance.

There were people all around staring at me in wonder. I exited the carriage and walked towards the temple as elegantly as I could.

There were armed guards guarding the entrance leaving a clear way for me to proceed forward. The people quieted as I walked forward. My heart beat in my chest rapidly. I never was one for crowds. I smiled as I tried to keep a straight face.

As I entered the temple I saw Seliph in a black tux equivalent with red embroidery that directly contrasted my own dress. He stood with an old man dressed in his robes. They stood on top of the altar where nine statues of the nine divines towered above them.

In the front row, I saw the human delegates stare in shock as I approached. On the other side of the aisle, there were finely dressed demons who must have been the nobles. In the mix, I saw what looked to be Seliph’s mother and sister. It was only a guess but they shared a remarkable resemblance.

My footsteps echoed across the silent room as I approached. Making my already fast beating heart echo in my ears. Everything resided in the goddess’s action. I could only wish she had a better plan than I did.

As I walked up the steps of the altar Seliph addressed the quiet crowd.

“Ladies and gentlemen! This here is the human hero Diana and I am taking her as my wife! Let it be known to the nine divines and all who are here this is my decision and she shall be your new queen!”

As I turned around to face the crowd the room stayed silent at his announcement. I thought it was in shock, but when I looked around they all seemed frozen in place. I turned back towards the altar to see Mara hovering above her statue.

“Hello Mara, it’s good to see you again.”

“Haha! I thought you were in trouble. Not about to be engaged! I’ll wholeheartedly support your marriage!”

The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

“So you're the lady Mara. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“WAIT! The demon king! You’re marrying him! But he wants to kill you, humans!”

“I never said I did Mara. It was you who appears to have jumped to this conclusion. We were just defending our land with a preemptive strike after a human border incursion.“

“That still didn't give you the right to raze all the countries you did!”

“Why aren’t you happy with this marriage Mara. We can join our two people together with this and end this war. What do you disagree with?”

“How about how you forcibly turned my hero into your wife and it isn’t even a proper transformation! Her reproductive system is all messed up!”

“Thanks for noticing Mara. I thought you had forgotten about that for a second.”

“How could you have failed to kill him! Now he’ll kill everyone!”

“As I’ve said, Mara, I hope to end this war with this marriage. So you have my promise we won’t interfere with them any more than we have.”

“Why don’t you believe him sister? I believe in him.”

A man hovered above another statue. I didn’t recognize the statute though.

“Only because you bless his kingdom with your blessing!”

“What about you neglecting the demons. Their low fertility is your fault!”

“As if I’d ever give my blessing to those brutes. Besides they are fine even without my blessing.”

“Only because of my blessing!”

“Enough fighting you two. You should let this happen and then get a room. You’re opposites attract each other so much!”

“What are you doing here Dibella!”

“Hello Mara, just checking in on my new favorite mortal. I did have a part in her new appearance after all.”

The gods chatted away almost completely ignoring the two of us. We looked at each other and back at them not sure what to do. They were gods after all and we were both unsure how we should interject in their conversation.

“ENOUGH! I can’t keep this up forever. Say what you wish so I may start time again.”

Mara turned towards me as she addressed me.

“Alright Akatosh, I shall go first. I will fix your reproductive systems Diana, but I am still reluctant to support this ‘alliance’.”

She was rejecting to call this a marriage. Still probably trying to bite at Talos.

Dibella was next also turning to me.

“Glad to see your transformation was such a success! Are you enjoying your new body? I did my best to make it as appealing as possible, but maybe I need to add a little something. What do you think?”

“I’m fine, I’d rather not have any more unexpected changes.”

“Stop being so conservative! Don’t worry I’ll make sure to address that.”

“Please don’t. I have enough problems already.”

“Fine, I’ll wait till tonight. Can’t go ripping your dress in public can we?”

“Well good work Seliph. She should make a great wife. I have no qualms to this. Her power should only push you to strive to new heights!”

“Thank you, lord Talos. Your blessing is most appreciated.”

“You don’t hate me for being a hero of Mara?”

“No, I only hate her. I respect anyone with power and honor both of which you have in abundance. Her motives might be bad, but her heroes have never failed to disappoint me. I think this union will be a great union of strength as I said. So why don’t you support this union sister?”

“Because there is so much more love to be gained if they continue to fight!”

“So you’ve only been using me as your pawn?”

“No! I want the safety of mankind which this war would achieve.”

“But at what cost! I hate seeing lives throw to the slaughter like you are proposing. Even if I hate the way this is happening if peace can be brought. True peace! Then I will support them!”

I hated the way Mara was acting. She was supposed to be a benevolent god of love and passion, but the way she was acting. It seemed like she saw our passion for war and had a twisted enjoyment in the love gained in our struggles.

Was I summoned here to end this war or to progress it? To have the human forces fight harder and struggle more. War leads people to have love and passion. This is what this goddess Mara must be saying.

They taught her love in the human temples and neglected to even talk about this. Either they kept it a secret or didn’t know themselves. I was now conflicted. If what Seliph said was indeed true I could end this war and stop this needless war that only brought joy to Mara.

Talos also acknowledged my strength as well as Seliph has. If I really stayed by his side it could all probably end peacefully.

But it won’t get me home.

“How do I get home then! All I’ve gotten from you is vague talk. You’ve never answered me. I thought it was weird, but I never questioned it.”

I didn’t want it to be true but I had to say it.

“But, there isn’t even a way to get home, is there!”

She avoided my eyes and looked away before replying.

“Since this war is a good as over now I guess there is no longer any more reason to hide it. You are right. I have no way to send you home.”

“Because every hero you’ve sent has died in their fight with the demon king haven’t they.”

I looked to see Seliph staring down Mara.

“Since they have always died you tell them this lie to encourage their death, don’t you. That’s why I promise you here today in front of the divines that I will help you find a way home! It might take days, months, years! But, I will help you search for a way to get back to your family. No god of love has the right to take away someone’s love for their own ‘love’.”

“Maybe it won’t be such a bore after all. Fine, I will bless this union. Happy brother?”

“No, but I am happy you did bless it.”

Akatosh clapped silencing the room.

“Then it is concluded. The divines bless your marriage demon lord and hero. May you bring a new era to this world.”

“Do enjoy the new body Diana. I had a lot of fun shaping it!”

“Wait!”

I raised my hand at them but before I could learn more time resumed.

“WHAAAAAT!!!!!”

The temple echoed with conversation as everyone took in the news. I stood looking at the altar before Seliph took my hand and turned me to face the crowd.

“Now let everyone know of my announcement. In celebration, we shall feast!”

Everyone talked amongst themselves while Seliph pulled me along towards a more private room. People came towards us, but he told them there would plenty of time to talk later.

“Everyone out I wish to talk to my fiance real quick before we greet our guests.”

“Of course your majesty.”

The soldiers left the room and after confirming everyone’s absence he turned towards me. I just stood dead eyed. Not sure what to make of what I’d just heard.

“So I can never go back can I. She lied to me to thrust us towards each other in endless war and ‘love’. I feel so used and mad!”

“Like I said, I will help you find a way home. For now, we have to achieve peace. With it, we can poll the resources from trade to find you a way home. Until then we will achieve a prosperous and peaceful future where the gods don’t force us to fight each other for our amusement.”

I felt strange and didn’t know how to take it. But I think this was a bodily and not a mental problem.

“Now how about we enjoy tonight. I promise the food won’t disappoint.”

I felt something wet start running down my leg. I couldn’t check but I think I knew what was happening Mara really had kept her promise. DAMN HER!

I fell over in pain as my reproductive system fixed itself. Which meant periods. Yeah…

This was going to hurt and then there was Dibella. Who had said that she had changes for me as well. Well, this would definitely change things sorry about ruining your plans Seliph.

“Sorry Seliph, Mara kept her end of the bargain. Which means, I’ll be out of condition for today.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m having a period. Which means I’m bleeding right now. I need to clean up. Dang, it’s going to ruin this dress as well.”

“It’s okay I’ll get Flora. It’ll put a damper on our plans, but I’ll just have you meet the VIP’s tomorrow when you feel better. Just sit down I’ll be right back.

Stupid gods not only did you bring me here with no plans of sending me back. Now I’ve got to deal with female reproductive issues and probably a bigger chest if Dibella wasn’t lying.

I sat down as he left and contemplated what to do next. Mara’s lie had motivated me and now I’d been told a lie. I just wanted a relief from this pain.