After Elaina disappeared, Himeko and Jane followed some of the demon maids to Jane's new room. It was a rather simple room like any other, but there was one major difference compared to everyone else.
"My own personal forge!" Jane's eyes sparkled seeing a forge in the very room she will be staying in. It was still being built, the many demons in the room using their earth magic to create it. There were even some demons that specialised in long-term spells to reinforce the room.
There were many intricacies when it came to creating the perfect forging environment, but the butlers and maids were all specially trained. They had such a wide variety of skills that whenever Elaina wanted something done, there was always someone up for the job.
"Wow, lucky you." Himeko was envious of such a specialised room and wished she had one too, but there was no skill she had that required one.
"Hehe, now I don't even want to leave the Demon Lands… I wonder if there is a way to become one." An interesting thought appeared in Jane's head, which to her sounded like a great idea. This perked the ears of the demons in the room since it was rare for anyone to be willing to join them.Most people avoided the demon lands, in part due to their closed-off nature, but some would still come from time to time as part of their travels.
"I have no idea how it works, but if it's what you want to do I support your decision." Himeko was shocked to hear Jane wanted to convert, but it didn't really bother Himeko. If anything, it made her curious about what she would turn into.
"Before you get ahead of yourself, it may be too late to transform into a demon since it is a natural process that occurs during childhood. Queen Elaina could possibly have a method, but that is beyond me." One of the butlers spoke up explaining partly how demons come to be.
Jane didn't like the sound of it as it seemed like it would forever remain a fantasy, but it was worth a shot asking Elaina. Jane felt ashamed in her humanity after everything the Pope made them do, so if she could change her race, she would finally feel liberated from the pope's sins.
"Usually people who do want to change get declined by the queen, but seeing your unique position she might be willing to go through with it if there is a way. None of us has seen it happen, so don't get your hopes up." A flying female maid chimed in seeing Jane looking a little down hearing the news, hoping to give her a little hope, but not too much.
"Hmm okay, probably will take a while since it sounds like the queen will be busy for a while." Jane was glad to hear that the demons supported her choice which was not seen as some kind of taboo.
"Anyway, if I have a choice, what do you think I should become Himeko?" Jane turned to Himeko wanting to hear what kind of half-animal or monster would fit her.
"Hmm, probably some kind of fish." Himeko didn't think too deeply about it and thought of the first thing associated with water.
"Ew! No offence to any fish people, but I'd rather not." Jane was revolted by the idea and was hoping that Himeko was joking.
"Pfft, don't worry, I would rather you be a cat girl or something than a scaly fish with demon horns." Himeko chuckled at Jane's reaction to her suggestion, glad that Jane did not actually consider it.
"A cat girl feels too normal though, Maybe something like a bunny." Jane tried imagining herself with different kinds of ears, but the only thing that stuck with her was bunny ears.
"...cute." Himeko had an image appear in her head of Jane with bunny ears and a tail. It was extremely adorable, making Himeko almost blush as suddenly a few lewd thoughts invaded her mind. They were known to have quite a high libido, so if it was a proper transformation it would probably mean Jane will need to find a partner.
Jane blushed hearing Himeko's comment, which only turned worse when her brain also deviated to some of the well-known facts about the bunny race.
"Ahh! Don't think about that." Jane quickly realised what Himeko was thinking as her face turned slightly red. So Jane ran up to Himeko, hitting her lightly and trying to distract her from such thoughts. However, Jane accidentally blurted something out in the process.
"Plus It won't be a problem anyway if I have you." Jane quickly choked on her own words realising what that implied.
"Huh? How?" But in typical fashion, the implication flew right over Himeko's head. All the demons in the room who overheard the conversation facepalmed. They couldn't believe how dense she was, especially after the previous string of lewd innuendos.
*Sigh* Jane could do nothing but sigh, as she kept fumbling on her true feelings, but Himeko was blind to them. Deep down Jane hoped Himeko would pick up on these slip ups, but a very direct approach would most likely be the only way. However, Jane was too afraid to make that jump. Despite her outward attitude being rather extroverted, she was very shy on the inside when it came to herself.
"You never change, do you? No wonder you don't have a partner yet." Jane shook her head as a flood of memories came back to when they were younger.
"Ehh? Where is this coming from? I've been trying hard you know, but every guy is always afraid of me because of my status." Himeko wondered why Jane thought as such, since Himeko has made a genuine attempt whenever she could.
"..." Jane right then and there wanted to ask whether she has ever considered dating a woman, but her anxiety stopped her. It was now clear that Himeko did not see other women as potential partners, which explains why she was so dense.
Jane wanted to scream. She couldn't force herself upon Himeko, especially if she isn't into it. The demons in the room all had stopped working, instead watching everything unfold. They all unanimously felt bad for Jane as right now it was a one-sided love.
"Jane?" Himeko was still confused why Jane was acting like this. It didn't make any sense, but seeing as the atmosphere suddenly got awkward she felt like she should leave.
Jane stayed quiet not knowing what to say, all the while internally she was freaking out so much that her words wouldn't even leave her mouth.
"I'll head back to my room then…" After she gave up on getting a response, Himeko figured she was the problem so she simply up and left. She was still worried, but hoped it would all be okay by tomorrow.
Jane wanted to stop Himeko, but even if she did, the words still would not come out, so she stayed put. The demons, seeing that the show came to an end, quickly finished up their work and left, giving Jane some space to think.
'Maybe I should give up, it didn't work then and it won't work now.' Jane walked over to her bed and fell face-first into the pillow. She knew the problem was herself for not being assertive, but she really thought Himeko ought to have picked up on the hints by now.
***
<5 years ago in Ebonscale>
"Jane! You made it, I thought you wouldn't be able to make it since you're so close to tier 9." Himeko sat in her tower waiting for Jane who had just walked through the main door. It was clear on Jane's face she was exhausted.
"Urgh, no matter how many things I kill and tier 10 weapons I make there seems to be no improvement at all." Jane walked right up to the couch where Himeko was and fell right into her.
"Oop, if you need to rest, you could have stayed home you know." Himeko didn't mind Jane staying, but Himeko was worried that Jane was forcing herself to come.
"You know I consider this place right here home." Jane snuggled into Himeko using her as a body pillow.
"That's very sweet of you, how about I take you to an actual bed and then go grab us something to eat." Himeko figured the couch wasn't the most comfortable so it would be better if they moved somewhere with more space.
"Sure." Jane didn't care as long as she was next to Himeko.
Teleporting to Himeko's room, they both laid in the bed for a moment, but just as Himeko tried to leave...
"Nawww don't go." Jane kept HImeko restrained, preventing her from going to make something.
"Come-on do you want to eat or not?" Himeko chuckled as Jane was acting extremely cute, but it wasn't enough to stop her.
"Get Clara to do it, she can cook right?" Jane tried to come up with an excuse, but the only problem is that Clara can't really cook.
"Uuuhhh I haven't taught her just yet." Himeko hadn't gotten the chance yet since she had been busy lately trying to get her city festival organised.
"Tsk, okay, but come back quick." Jane reluctantly let go of Himeko allowing her to head to the kitchen.
*Sigh* 'How assertive do I have to be!!!!' Jane was mentally screaming as once again her actions were perceived as just something a friend would do.
'This cycle will never end will it?'
Visit and read more novel to help us update chapter quickly. Thank you so much!
Use arrow keys (or A / D) to PREV/NEXT chapter