Dying by spontaneous combustion was, objectively, the most pathetic way to end a life in the Demon Realm. It was the biological equivalent of a fish drowning from trying to breathe too hard.
That seemed to have been Zelyn's cruel fate. And now Thomas, who had taken her identity, knew that if he wasn't careful, he could end up the same way.
Although Circe had told him many things, most of it was under the assumption that he was the real Zelyn, making reading between the lines a tedious problem.
However, right now the current Zelyn was facing a greater dilemma. Something that, perhaps due to so much commotion, he hadn't even managed to imagine.
"Don't be stubborn, Miss Zelyn. You must wear it."
Although Circe didn't take long to return, she had left Zelyn alone for a moment to go change her clothes; hers had ended up all wet.
"No. In no way am I putting on a dress."
Zelyn, naked, ran from the bathroom into the room.
"But you can't keep being naked either. What's wrong with you today?"
Zelyn took the bedsheets and wrapped herself in them.
"I'm not wearing that dress. No way. Find me something more comfortable."
"Something more comfortable? But you like this dress... you say it's cute."
'That I like it? No way, I'm not a femboy!'
"Yes, it's cute, but I don't want to wear it anymore. Better... I know. I want something like your uniform."
"Those pants look very comfortable."
"No way. Even if you are considered an impure daughter, you are still a princess. You must dress appropriately, not like a Watcher," grumbled Circe.
Zelyn fell silent for a moment. Hearing the word 'princess' left her thinking, and far from even imagining being happy about it, it only made her uneasy since she had forgotten something very important from what Circe told her.
'Am I supposed to be the bastard daughter of the Demon King in this world?'
"Fine, fine, Circe, I'm freezing to death. Get me something like your uniform, I prefer something like that. It will be more efficient."
Circe sighed.
"You're hopeless, Miss Zelyn, but I've never seen you so capricious, and I found it cute. I guess we can do something."
In the end, Circe gave in and got her an outfit that was basically a black dress fitted at the top, but with integrated shorts instead of a skirt, with long sleeves and white details, closer to a maid uniform than to princess clothing.
Practical, comfortable, and clearly designed to move and work without restrictions.
"Great, this is much more comfortable. Circe, there's something I want to ask you."
"Yes, tell me Miss Zelyn."
"...Tell me something, can all demons be burned by their own fire? Shouldn't we be immune?"
"Of course not. The normal thing is to attack by manifesting the fire at a distance where it doesn't affect you yourself..."
She said it while extending her hand and showing her how five small fireballs floated at a certain distance without touching her.
"See? Even so, I feel the heat of the fire on my hand, but it isn't as strong as it would be for a human."
"...I see. Sorry for asking weird things. I'm still shaken and I haven't eaten anything, hehehe."
"Ahhh Miss Zelyn, sorry for my incompetence. I had completely forgotten it. I will go look for something for you to eat right now."
But at that moment, the room door burst open.
The impact against the wall resonated loudly.
A demon woman with long, twisted horns entered without announcing herself, with a furrowed brow and a gaze loaded with contempt. She walked straight until she planted herself in front of Circe, invading her space.
"If this little bastard already woke up, you should have informed His Majesty immediately."
She fixed her eyes on Circe.
"Or what are you doing here, idling around?"
'And what's wrong with her? Who the hell is she?' thought Zelyn, feeling something boiling in her chest.
"I'm not idling, Leonor." Circe responded with a tense but firm face.
"Miss Zelyn needed to clean up and eat. When she woke up, she was a mess."
"She is always a mess." Leonor clicked her tongue.
"Stop talking nonsense. You must take her to His Majesty immediately."
Zelyn took a step forward, raising her hands clumsily, trying to calm the situation.
"Alright, alright... it's not that big a deal. I just wanted to be presentable."
Leonor slowly turned her head toward her.
"You shut up, little bastard." She said it with a dry, sharp tone.
'…I'm getting angry now. Who does this bitch think she is?'
"Enough, Leonor. Has being Lord Ash's Watcher clouded your judgment? Are you sure you want to face me?" Circe's voice hardened. "I will take Miss Zelyn to eat. After that, we will go to His Majesty."
'So they call the princes' assistants "Watchers"?'
Leonor smiled sideways, a grimace loaded with malice.
"So now you defy authority?"
"Perfect. It will be a pleasure to see both of you chained up… or something worse."
Zelyn brought her right hand to her forehead.
'There's no sense in continuing to argue with this bitch.'
She turned toward Circe and pushed her gently by the shoulders.
"Let's go. I'm not that hungry, so we'd better go right now."
"But, Miss!" protested Circe, surprised.
"Don't worry." Zelyn forced a tense smile.
"Let's do it quickly. Otherwise, we'll be here all day."
Leonor let out a short laugh.
"Ha."
It was the last thing she said before leaving the room, closing the door forcefully. There was no point in thinking about it anymore: there was no option. Zelyn had to present herself before the Demon King.