Chapter 4 To the General's abode

"Please make yourself feel at home."

The Goddess of Death's eyes wandered the extravagant interior of the Grand Duke's palace. Each design engraved unto the pillars and walls of the hallway looked intricate and expensive. She could even recognize some of the creations to be made by a God.

She couldn't believe that a timid and shy God such as the God of Craft would come and descend the human world. He was quite the aloof deity and was someone who doesn't really like to interact with the other Gods. He also avoided every gathering they had and was even dubbed as a God who feared crowds.

She is quite curious what kind of life he had in a world that doubles their population.

"It does feel like home." Was what Freyja had whispered after noticing that almost every nook and corner had the color of gold. It certainly reminded her of how the deities back at her palace used to decorate the hallways as if they won't be blinded by the light reflected upon the shiny ornaments.

It was the sole reason Freyja never liked going outside. It just felt like her eyes would burn every time she walks by.

After giving his instructions and orders to the butler, Xavier turns around and stops when he noticed what the Goddess is doing. He doesn't understand what the lady found interesting as she looks stuck in her own little world while she was staring at the wall.

He noticed how her eyes glimmered with longing. 'She's probably missing her family.' Until now, he is still thinking about what could be the reason she got kicked out. She doesn't look like the type to mess around or even cause trouble. From her way of speaking to the way she acts, all he can see was a sweet, obedient noble lady.

Xavier then shook his head to snap out of his thoughts. He slowly approached the Goddess and lightly tapped her shoulder to get her attention.

"It's getting late, I think you should head to your bedroom now." Xavier gave her a smile, "The butler will lead you to a room."

"Alright, I understand. Thank you, General." She lowered her head to bow, somehow making Xavier uncomfortable.

"It's nothing. You don't need to thank me, my lady. Tomorrow, after we have breakfast, I will help you find a nearby house to live in."

"I will look forward to it." And there it was again, her gentle but small smile, captivating the General. "Then, I bid you good night, General."

Xavier only managed to nod, once again left breathless, even after witnessing the Goddess's smile more than a few times.

---

Freyja didn't even try to sleep, she just sat there in a big, fluffy bed, in her night gown, staring at nothing. She lies down once in a while if she can feel her butt getting sore, but after it disappears, she is back to sitting down and spacing out.

She doesn't mind reading, only if there were books to be found inside the room the General has given her. But no, not even a single piece of paper in sight. She could have just asked the butler to fetch her something to read, but then if the butler found out she isn't sleeping, he's going to tell the General. And if the General heard about it, he's going to wonder why.

And so... the Goddess could do nothing but stare. Stare at everything she found interesting.

As the sun slowly rises, Freyja gets up and made her way to the balcony. She wore a robe that helped her shield her body from the cold. Her nightgown was thin, and although she can just use her powers to warm herself up, she decided against it since she wants to feel the air that hits her skin.

The Sun Goddess would be delighted to know that even in a different world, Freyja still doesn't fail to appreciate how the sun rises and sets.

To the other Gods, she was the cold, strict, and authoritative Goddess of Death, who shows no mercy to anyone who dares to stand in her way. But to Alma, and to the deities who had seen who she really is behind her mask, she is someone who is kind and humble.

Snapping her out of her thoughts was a knock coming from the door.

"Pardon me, my lady, but may I know if you have awoken?" It was the butler's voice.

"Ah yes, you can come in."

Freyja frantically stepped out of the balcony and closed the door. She also tried and fixed herself, glancing at a full-length mirror attached to a cabinet near her to check if whether or not she looks presentable enough.

As the butler enters the room, Freyja noticed the two people that came with him. They were the same people that was with her last night, still wearing what looks like a uniform in the colors black and white. The Goddess knows they were some kind of slave but, she isn't familiar with what they were called.

"My lady this is Carol, and this is Hailey." The butler points to each girl as he says their names, "They are the ones that helped you last night and they will also be your personal maids for today. The Duke has given them the clothes you will change into, so you need not to worry. I will now take my leave."

Immediately after the butler left, the two girls, which now Freyja knows are called maids, quickly went to work. They helped her undress, and even escorted her to the bathroom where they bathe her. She felt uncomfortable by having people other than her, touch her body.

Deities, such as herself, would go swim in a river whenever it's time to clean their bodies. They don't even need things the humans use such as soaps, or even a scrubber, because the river's magic was enough.

After what felt like forever inside that bathroom, the maids dragged the Goddess towards a walk in closet, then, they started strapping her waist in a torture device called 'corset.' Freyja couldn't understand why she needs to wear such an evil thing. And before she could even complain, the girls started putting more fabric on her.

And just so when she thought it was done, it was now time to do her hair. Which needless to say, was another torture for the Goddess of Death