I Got Reincarnated as a Zombie Girl

That night the snow fell heavier than usual. From the window of Velthya's grand chamber, the moonlight was almost invisible, veiled by thick clouds. The wind whispered, shaking the pines until their needles dropped white shards of ice to the ground.

Inside the manor, the atmosphere was different: warm, calm, and scented with the pinewood burning in the hearth. Velthya closed the brief report she had just finished reading and exhaled a long breath. Her face still carried traces of worry after Sylvia's news about the Church's attack.

She turned to where Sylvia stood by the window. Her friend looked like a living shadow: tall and slender in a black cloak, her long hair shimmering faintly, crimson eyes reflecting the flicker of the torches outside. Silent but in her silence was a weight only those who knew her long could guess.

Velthya stepped closer. "You need rest, Sylvia. Otherwise you'll drown in your own thoughts."

Sylvia turned, her expression still flat. "I don't need sleep."

"I know," Velthya replied softly, her silver-furred tail swaying slowly. "But you need something to ease your mind. Hot water, perhaps."

Sylvia raised a thin brow. "Hot water?"

Velthya's lips curved faintly. "The bath in the back courtyard. Since the blizzard, the pool has frozen. But if you want…" She glanced at Sylvia, as though issuing a challenge. "I'm sure you could melt it with that fire of yours."

Sylvia regarded her for a moment, then finally sighed. "Very well. This body is stiff. A little hot water would not hurt."

Velthya's private bath was set in the rear courtyard, hidden between high stone walls with an open roof. That night, the pool that usually steamed with warmth was frozen solid, a thick crust of ice covering its surface. Torches fixed to the stone walls burned dimly, their yellow light reflecting on the pale ice.

"It's so cold…" Velthya hugged herself, her heavy fur cloak still on. Her breath came out in white mist. "Normally this place is my refuge after a long day. But now…"

Sylvia strode forward without hesitation. She placed a pale hand upon the ice.

"Nether Flame."

Fwoooosshhh!

Dark violet fire surged forth, spreading across the surface with a strange hiss. No smoke, only the repeated crack of ice splitting and melting. In seconds the pool steamed again, water rippling darkly under the glow of the fire.

Velthya's golden eyes sparkled. "You've made it warmer than usual. Perfect."

Sylvia withdrew her hand, hot vapor wreathing her pale face. "Then go on. You were the one who suggested this."

Soon the two of them were seated at the pool's edge. Their heavy cloaks and outer garments were neatly folded on wooden chairs. Only thin white cloths covered their bodies.

Velthya slipped in first, warm water soaking her skin, steam curling high around her. "Haaahhh… this… this is what I needed." Her voice was heavy with relief. Her silver tail brushed lazily across the surface, sending ripples outward.

Sylvia followed more slowly, lowering herself into the water. The heat embraced her marble-cold skin. She closed her eyes briefly, letting herself relax. "Not bad," she murmured.

They sat side by side, their shoulders nearly touching. Steam filled the air, blurring the torchlight against the stone walls.

Velthya turned with a mischievous smile. "Look at us. Two women who just spoke of politics, the Church, and war… now soaking like ordinary folk."

Sylvia opened her eyes, meeting her gaze calmly. "You insisted."

"And you didn't refuse," Velthya shot back quickly, laughter light on her lips.

For a moment, the suffocating weight on their chests seemed gone. They teased one another, letting the water ease their tension.

Velthya's gaze wandered over Sylvia from wet hair clinging to her shoulders to the pale skin revealed by the cloth. "You know," she said in a playful tone, "your body may be cold, but its form is extraordinary. Were you not undead, every man in this city would kneel before you."

Sylvia arched her brow. "Is that praise, or insult?"

"Praise, of course." Velthya chuckled. She flexed her own arm lightly, showing the smooth tone beneath her skin. "But I'm not to be outdone. See? I've got a fine body too."

Sylvia studied her for a long moment, then allowed a faint smile rare on her pale face. "Yes, I admit. Your body is good. A warrior's body, yet you've kept it elegant. Impressive."

Velthya flushed faintly, though she tried to cover it with laughter. "You make me feel like a blushing girl being complimented."

"Isn't that what you wanted?" Sylvia's tone was dry, yet the hint of mockery was clear.

"True enough." Velthya nudged her lightly, water splashing between them.

They laughed light, genuine laughter.

The steam thickened, shutting out the world beyond. For a while, the two friends spoke only of small things of food, of how Anarats changed in winter, of the cook who always oversalted the soup. Their teasing returned, easier now.

Velthya patted Sylvia's stomach lightly. "I'm sure if you ate more, your body could be fuller."

Sylvia turned, her eyes narrowing. "My body is enough. I don't need to be fuller."

"True, you're like a marble statue. Beautiful, but cold."

"And you?" Sylvia lifted her chin. "Your body is warmer, but sometimes far too noisy."

Velthya laughed loudly. "Then we complement each other."

Water splashed, their laughter mingling with ripples.

Beyond the stone walls, the snowstorm still howled, the world outside full of threats. But in that bath, there were only two friends mocking each other's flaws, praising each other's strengths. Two women, both powerful yet fragile in ways they never confessed.

For that night, they chose to forget the Church, the war, and the shadows of danger. They simply sat in the steam, letting their hearts be warmed by each other's presence.

The warmth faded as they left the pool. Droplets slid from Sylvia's and Velthya's hair, falling onto the cooling stone floor. Servants waiting outside quickly offered thick towels to dry them, then withdrew at a subtle gesture.

Sylvia bound her hair, a simple movement yet graceful. She turned to Velthya, who was still fussing over drying her tail. A faint smile touched her pale lips. "If all we do is soak, your head will still be full of thoughts. How about… something warmer still?"

Velthya paused, her pointed ears twitching. "Warmer? What do you mean?"

Sylvia turned fully, her crimson eyes glinting under the torchlight. "Barbeque."

Velthya blinked, puzzled. "Bar… what?"

A soft chuckle escaped Sylvia, a sound rarely heard. "Barbeque. Meat grilled over fire, coated with special sauce, eaten while still hot. Usually loud, full of laughter, scented with delicious smoke. I thought… Tonight we could try it. Just us."

Velthya's golden eyes lit up. She straightened, her tail swishing faster. "Grilled meat? Why didn't you say so sooner! I love meat."

Sylvia nodded calmly, though her lips curved faintly. "I suspected as much. But there's a problem."

Velthya tilted her head, ears flicking with curiosity. "What problem?"

"The space," Sylvia answered, glancing at the small window in the wall. Outside, snow still fell thick, wind tossing flakes through the night. "If too enclosed, smoke will choke the room. We'll cough more than we eat. But if it's too open…"

Velthya also looked outside. Snow piled high in the courtyard, its white sheen reflecting the torchlight like a frozen sea. The draft slipping through the window's cracks made her shiver.

"…we'll freeze along with the meat," Sylvia finished.

Velthya bit her lip, then grinned wide. "Then we use the side pavilion's main hall. The ceiling's high, ventilation good, and there are wide windows we can open. The smoke won't choke us, and the storm won't bite."

Sylvia inclined her head, her gaze steady. "That sounds reasonable."

Velthya clapped her hands, excited. "I'll have the servants bring dry wood and cuts of meat. A snow-deer was just hunted this morning."

Sylvia paused as she fastened her cloak, turning. "Snow-deer?"

"Yes," Velthya's tail wagged in eagerness. "Its meat is tender, slightly sweet. Grilled… I know you'll like it."

Sylvia didn't reply, only exhaled softly. "Then let's try."

Together they left the bath, heading to the side pavilion. Their steps were light for the first time that night, the worries of the Church and looming war were set aside, replaced by the thought of sizzling meat and simple laughter amid the snow.

The servants moved quickly, bringing trays of freshly cut snow-deer meat, dried spice blends, and several root vegetables usually roasted alongside. In the center of the side pavilion, a small hearth had already been lit. Orange flames danced over the dry wood, casting a warm glow across the wooden walls and the high ceiling.

Sylvia sat calmly, her eyes following the sparks that fell into the coals. "So… this is barbeque. You simply grill it, brush it with sauce, and then eat it."

Velthya, her tail almost unable to stay still, placed the first cut of meat onto the grill. "Simply grill? You make it sound dull. The aroma alone already makes me hungry again."

"Just try it," Sylvia replied, folding her arms across her chest.

As the fat began to drip into the fire, a sharp sshhh rang out, followed by a mouthwatering scent that quickly filled the room. Velthya closed her eyes, inhaling deeply. "Haaahhh… this is incredible. You were right, Sylvia, this was a good idea."

Sylvia turned, a faint smile curving her lips. "I'm never wrong when it comes to food."

Their gazes met, then both chuckled softly. For a moment, there was only the scent of grilled meat, the crackle of firewood, and two friends finally enjoying a simple warmth in the midst of a snowstorm.