[Inside a luxuries room]
Inside a fancy room, Alden groaned, feeling the pounding headache from the night before.
"Ugh, I didn't think a night of drinking would hit this hard," he muttered.
Before he opened his eyes, he was lying on a really soft bed, making him rethink his choice of friends. "Friends are like accessories," he thought, "they can either help you grow or drag you down. Sadly, I got stuck with the second type."
Thinking back on the 30th birthday celebration after work, Alden admitted he wasn't much of a drinker. But he couldn't resist a drinking challenge, and now the hangover was hitting him hard.
"Sigh... I need to lay off the booze for a bit and focus on myself," Alden said.
Opening his eyes, he was greeted by a stunning chandelier. It had a diamond crest shaped like a white swan, and Alden blinked, amazed.
"Where am I?" he wondered.
"Is this some fancy hotel?" His heart raced, and he took in his surroundings—a fancy table, museum-worthy stuff, two swords crossing each other, and a pyramid-shaped thing with a swan on it above the fireplace.
"No way, this isn't a hotel," Alden concluded, puzzled by the fancy setting. after while of immersing his mind at his surrounding.
Alden sat up in the soft bed, attempting to shake off the remnants of his hangover. As he surveyed the room, he couldn't help but notice the exquisite details—the flickering candlelight casting dancing shadows on intricately carved wooden furniture, the delicate lace drapes framing the tall windows, and the soft glow of candles in ornate holders.
"Okay, this is definitely not my friend's place," Alden muttered, his bewilderment growing.
Swinging his legs over the side of the bed, Alden's gaze fell upon a polished wooden floor that seemed to stretch endlessly. A pair of ornate slippers caught his eye, neatly placed at the foot of the bed—footwear befitting royalty.
"Someone has a taste for the extravagant," he remarked, slipping his feet into the luxurious slippers.
Exploring further, he discovered a balcony that overlooked the sprawling city of Summer City, now illuminated by the warm glow of gas lamps. The night-time view was breath-taking, with elegant spires, bustling markets, and noble estates twinkling with lights. The city's streets buzzed with carriages, merchants, and nobles adorned in opulent attire, creating a scene straight out of a fairy tale.
"Never seen anything like this before," Alden marvelled, captivated by the grandeur of Summer City under the moonlit sky.
The room itself felt like a sanctuary, adorned with tapestries depicting scenes of noble gatherings and lush landscapes. Alden took in every detail, from the velvet cushions on the couch to the antique writing desk adorned with quills and parchment.
His contemplation of the room was interrupted by the sound of a distant city bell chiming the night time hour. It was then that he decided to step out onto the balcony and fully absorb the spectacle of Summer City at night. The air was filled with the sounds of the city—a melodic blend of horse hooves, distant laughter, and the hum of nightly activity.
"Never expected a night of revelry to lead to waking up in a place like this," Alden mused, feeling a mix of awe and curiosity.