Once I had calmed down a little, I looked down, feeling embarrassed to meet his gaze. "Thank you for your kindness," I said softly. "And I'm sorry for breaking down like that."
He nodded understandingly, offering me a reassuring smile. "It's alright. It's okay to let it all out sometimes."
After that, we returned inside his house. He brewed and served me a soothing tea, its warmth comforting as I sipped. The aroma was unfamiliar yet pleasant, adding a sense of calm to the unsettling situation.
We sat across from each other at a modest wooden table. He introduced himself and watched me with a curious yet gentle expression. "My name's Lysander, or you can just call me Lys. What's yours? Do you remember your name?"
I hesitated, the weight of my predicament sinking in. "Nerina," I finally replied, my voice barely above a whisper.
"So, Nerina," Lysander said, leaning in slightly, "do you know where your house is? Or… your parents?"
A wave of anxiety washed over me. I had no idea where I was or how I would return to my world. The thought of being cast out into the unknown was terrifying. So, I made a quick decision to lie. "I—I don't know. All I know is my name."
His eyes softened with sympathy, though a trace of concern lingered. "I understand. It's alright if you need time. You're welcome to stay here as long as you need to figure things out." His words provided a small comfort in the midst of my confusion and fear.
Several days had passed since I'd arrived at Lys' plantation, and I was slowly adapting to life in this unfamiliar world. I burned all my belongings—notes, laptop, even the clothes I wore before arriving—wanting to leave no evidence of my past life behind.
I gathered bits and pieces of information: the land was ruled by a king and queen, Lys owned the plantation and seemed to hold a respectable position in society, and—most surprisingly—magic existed here.
One day, while I was trying to cook something on the stove, I fumbled with the controls, struggling to get it lit. Just as I was about to give up, Lys appeared beside me. I was about to ask for his help when my eyes widened in shock.
Lys' palm was ablaze with flames, dancing in a mesmerizing yet alarming display of fire.
"F-FIRE, LYS! Y-your hands are burning!" I screamed, my heart racing.
In a panic, I grabbed a nearby jug of water and hurled it at him, hoping to douse the flames. Lys was caught off guard but quickly raised his hand to shield himself. When the water didn't completely extinguish the fire, I threw another splash, desperate to put it out.
With a flick of his wrist, Lys effortlessly quelled the flames, leaving only a faint wisp of smoke in the air. I stared at him, dumbfounded and confused.
"H-huh?" I stammered, my mind racing to understand what had just happened.
Lys, now fire-free and looking amused, chuckled softly. "It's alright, Nerina. I wasn't in any danger. I was just trying to help you light the stove."
I blinked at him, still trying to process the situation. Lys began to explain, his voice calm and reassuring.
"Here, we have magic as a part of our everyday life. The flame you saw was a simple conjuration. I was just demonstrating a basic fire spell. Magic is used for many things—cooking, lighting, healing, and more. It's an integral part of our world."
I gaped at him, my initial panic fading as I absorbed his explanation. "So… you have magic? Just like that?"
Lys nodded, still smiling. "Yes."
A pang of guilt washed over me as my eyes fell on his wet clothes. Without thinking, I grabbed a nearby towel and started to wipe him down, beginning at his shoulders and moving down toward his stomach.
Lys looked shocked, his eyes widening as he gently grasped my hands to stop me. "Nerina, please, you don't have to—"
But I was so focused on apologizing that I didn't notice his discomfort. "I'm so sorry for splashing water on you," I said, continuing to dry him off.
Lys' face turned a deep shade of red, and he seemed increasingly flustered by the situation. He finally managed to gently hold both of my wrists, raising them away from him, his voice trembling slightly. "Stop it, I'm okay already."
He met my gaze, and the intensity of the moment made his blush even more pronounced. I was completely oblivious to the awkwardness of our position and the effect it was having on him.
"Lys?"
He snapped out of his trance. "I'm just going to change," he stammered, his voice hurried as he quickly let go of my wrists and stepped back. He hastily moved to another room, leaving me standing there with the towel in hand, still not fully understanding the reason for his sudden departure.
I had always lived a sheltered life, my interactions with men limited to my father and the workers on our plantation. Homeschooled until elementary school, I had only attended an all-girls high school and college, surrounded by female classmates. My strict and protective parents made it clear that dating would only be allowed once I completed my education.
This upbringing left me with little understanding of men or social dynamics beyond my immediate family and female peers. I had never dated, never been exposed to romantic interactions, and was largely unaware of the nuances of male reactions and personal boundaries.
As Lys quickly left to change, I remained completely oblivious to the awkwardness and embarrassment I had caused. I continued to focus on my task, my ignorance leaving me unperturbed by the subtle cues I might have missed. For me, it was simply another part of my day, untainted by the complexities I had yet to encounter.