Chapter 184: Firefly, Why Are You Dressed To Kill?
Chapter 184: Firefly, Why Are You Dressed To Kill?
Elyn’s POV
When I turned in it, the fabric caught the light in waves.
It complemented my hair.
No—it amplified it.
The red of the dress deepened the vibrancy of my own strands, making them appear almost molten in comparison.
"It’s dangerous," Rin had said approvingly.
"It’s magnetic," Versha had murmured.
"It’s unforgettable," Vaelory concluded.
By the time both outfits were finalized, my bones felt hollow with exhaustion.
Two days of fittings. Two days of scrutiny. Two days of posture adjustments and embroidery alterations and debates over sleeve lengths.
And then—
It was the day of the ball.
Which meant first—
The luncheon.
—
I stood in my chambers staring at the luncheon attire laid carefully across the bed.
My stomach twisted.
Seven dukedoms.
Seven territories that had existed long before I had arrived in this realm. Seven rulers who had watched Zorathys reign, who had witnessed centuries of demon politics, who had formed alliances and rivalries and expectations.
And now they would look at me.
Judge me.
Measure me.
It was absurd how fabric could feel heavier than armor.
"My lady?" Rin’s voice cut gently through my thoughts.
I turned.
She was already holding the jacket.
Vaelory stood near the vanity, hair tools arranged with quiet precision.
"It’s time," Vaelory said softly.
Why did that sound like we were going to war? Or maybe it was war, due to how I felt at this point.
I nodded.
They dressed me with practiced efficiency. The white tunic first—cool and structured against my skin. Then the pants, fitted perfectly to my frame. The jacket settled last, its weight grounding rather than oppressive.
Rin circled me once. "You look beautiful, my lady. It suits you so well."
Where have I heard that before? Oh, I know—in the dressing room just a day before.
Vaelory stepped closer, smoothing an invisible crease. "You look beautiful," she told me.
I inhaled slowly and then smiled. "Thank you, guys."
Rin handled my makeup as usual. It was minimal but impactful.
Her fingers were deft, confident. A soft base to even my complexion. Subtle contouring to sharpen without harshness. A faint sweep of warm gold at the inner corners of my eyes, blending into a deeper bronze along the lids. Not glittering—glowing.
My lashes were darkened just enough.
My lips were brushed with a muted rose—natural, controlled.
"You are not going to war," Rin muttered, "but they should feel like you could."
Vaelory focused on my hair.
She gathered my red strands carefully, smoothing them back into a low, sleek bun at the nape of my neck. No loose curls. No romantic framing.
It exposed my neck.
My posture.
My confidence—or lack thereof.
When she secured the final pin, she stepped back.
"Your Highness," she breathed.
I met my reflection.
For a moment, I didn’t recognize myself.
I looked older. Not in age, though, but in presence.
Rin clasped her hands together dramatically. "My lady, if everyone today does not fall at your feet, I will personally question their eyesight."
Vaelory nodded fervently. "Your Highness, you look magnificent. You look regal and composed."
I sure did not feel composed.
Rin moved closer, studying me critically before breaking into a grin. "No—more than that. My lady, you look like you could rewrite the structure of the demon realm before dessert is served."
Vaelory gasped softly. "Yes. Yes! Your Highness, they will see you and immediately understand that you are not a fleeting ornament of the court. You are permanence."
Rin scoffed lightly. "Permanence? She looks like inevitability."
Vaelory lifted her chin. "Your Highness embodies refined sovereignty."
"My lady radiates quiet domination," Rin countered.
"Your Highness carries herself like destiny incarnate."
"My lady looks like she invented destiny."
I stared at them.
They stared at each other.
Versha slowly stepped back, clearly preparing for impact.
"Her Highness’s posture alone commands reverence," Vaelory continued.
"My lady’s gaze could dismantle entire bloodlines," Rin shot back.
"Her elegance is unparalleled—"
"She’s lethal in silk—"
"Her presence—"
"Her aura—"
I rolled my eyes.
"Enough."
They froze mid-argument.
I exhaled slowly. "I appreciate the effort. Truly. You both did incredible work."
Rin opened her mouth.
Vaelory inhaled.
I raised a hand.
"But you do not need to compete over who compliments me better."
They just stared at me.
"You both did well," I continued. "I’m not going to praise one and ignore the other. So relax."
They glanced at each other.
Rin huffed slightly.
Vaelory straightened with dignity.
"We were not competing," Vaelory said primly.
Rin snorted. "We absolutely were."
Before the debate could reignite—
Shadows pooled beneath the door.
They spread slowly across the floor like spilled ink.
The temperature shifted.
I felt it before I saw him.
The shadows thickened, rising.
And then—
Zorathys stepped through.
He emerged as though the darkness itself had shaped him.
The room went still.
He was dressed in black, which wasn’t anything surprising.
A fitted black shirt, sleeves rolled just enough to reveal strong forearms. The top two buttons were undone, exposing a glimpse of bronze-kissed skin at his collarbone. Black trousers tailored perfectly to his long frame. No visible embellishments. No dramatic embroidery.
It was simple and effortless, but honestly, deadly too.
His long, straight black hair fell exactly as it always did—silken, unrestrained, brushing his back. His ruby eyes scanned the room lazily before settling on me.
His earrings caught the light and glinted.
It didn’t look like he had tried.
And yet—
He looked devastating.
My throat went dry at that. Why this lazy demon had this much effect on me, I didn’t know.
Rin and Vaelory immediately stepped back.
Zorathys barely acknowledged them though, his gaze was still on me.
It trailed slowly—from my sleek bun to the sharp lines of the jacket, down the embroidery along my waist, to the fitted pants.
Heat crept up my spine.
He took one step closer.
Then another.
His expression shifted—subtle, almost amused.
His eyes finally met mine.
And hee gave a small smile.
"Firefly," he said smoothly and my pulse chose the moment to betray me.
"It’s a luncheon."
His ruby gaze flickered once more over my figure.
"Why are you dressed to kill?"