"It's a world called E-23, Your Highness," Theo replied, sipping his tea. "It resembles my old world, but it's different at the same time. It's where I come from."
The Empress leaned forward, intrigued. "Tell me more," she urged. "How does it differ from Astra?"
Theo took a deep breath, trying to gather his thoughts. "Well, for one, there are no gods or prophecies dictating our lives," he said, his eyes drifting to the window. "And the technology is...advanced. People live much longer, and there's no need for the kind of reproduction rituals we have here."
Her eyes widened, a spark of curiosity lighting her features. "Fascinating," she murmured. "And what of your role in this other world? Are you a duke there as well?"
Theo chuckled, feeling a bit more at ease. "No, I was just a regular person. A student, actually. Nothing like this."
The Empress leaned back in her chair, steepling her fingers. "How...unusual."
