Act 2: County of Dunhaven
After two hours of trudging along the uneven trail, my patience was wearing thinner than my boots, but then I spotted salvation: a stone arch marking the end of this godforsaken road. About two hundred meters ahead, it stood like a monument to my suffering—or at least, my ticket to civilization. My exhaustion gave way to a surge of excitement, and I quickened my pace, ready to dive headfirst into the sweet embrace of a bustling city.
Two minutes later, I reached the arch, only to find my hopes briefly crushed. There, in all their glory, stood a group of knights a few meters from the entrance, chatting like they were at a weekend barbecue.
"S-shit!" I hissed, ducking behind the arch so fast I probably looked like a particularly clumsy squirrel. I pressed my back to the cold stone, heart pounding.
Peeking around the edge, I saw the knights were still blissfully unaware of my presence, busy arguing about... something. Maybe lunch plans? It didn't matter. What did matter was not being spotted by them.
With a deep breath, I backed away slowly, circling into the thin patch of forest separating the mountain from the city. "Okay, Casey, you're practically invisible," I whispered to myself. "Just stick to the trees, don't step on anything loud, and—ow, dammit!" I grimaced as a twig snapped underfoot, loud enough to make me wince. Luckily, the knights didn't seem to notice.
After skirting around the group and resisting the urge to cheer at my own stealth skills, I finally emerged closer to the city, relieved to find the area was quiet. Only a few pedestrians wandered the streets, and none of them looked remotely like bounty-hunting knights. "Finally, civilization!" I muttered, stepping onto the cobbled streets with an exaggerated sigh of relief.
The residential area was quaint, with warm-toned houses painted in yellows and oranges that practically screamed, We have no plot relevance but enjoy the cozy vibes! I'd finally entered Dunhaven, a mid-sized city in the northern Sacred Empire—and, conveniently, the setting for the novel's first arc: The Sacrifice of the Saint. You know, where I'm the saint who was supposed to die but didn't. Kind of awkward, but hey, I'll take survival over sticking to the script.
First things first: I needed to sell the crystals I'd collected or at least trade my dirt-stained clothes for something less... conspicuous. Fortunately, I still remembered the city's layout from the book. The mountain was in the same position, so if I walked in a straight line, I'd reach the central market soon enough. Easy, right?
Wrong. As I strolled through the streets, I couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. People turned to look at me—not just casual glances, but full-on staring. Some even whispered to each other as I passed.
"Why the hell is everyone staring at me…?" I muttered, glancing down to make sure I hadn't somehow forgotten pants or something equally horrifying. Nope, pants were on. Shirt? Present. Hair? A bit messy, but nothing catastrophic. So what was their problem?
By the time I reached the busier parts of the city, the staring had mostly died down, but the occasional lingering gaze still made me sweat. Months of living in isolation had done wonders for my anti-social anxiety. Trying to shake off the nerves, I focused on the task at hand and soon found myself standing in front of a shop that looked promising.
The building wasn't too big, but it had an air of refinement. Through the large windows, I could see racks of clothes and some jewelry on display. Perfect. Ignoring the faint buzz of whispers around me, I hurried inside.
The interior was just as refined as I'd expected. The waiting area practically screamed we're fancy and overpriced, with plush seating and soft lighting designed to make you feel like royalty. The clothing selection was small—just ten outfits on display, five on each side—but they all looked like something you'd wear to a royal ball if you had more money than sense.
Before I could take it all in, I noticed the clerk behind the counter. A young red-haired man stood there, watching me with an expression that was somewhere between polite curiosity and mild suspicion. I froze, suddenly hyper-aware of how dusty and disheveled I must have looked. Great. First the staring, now this.
Well, at least he wasn't a knight. Probably.
"Eh... Hello...?" I said, my voice practically shouting "awkward," as it trembled with discomfort.
"Good morning! How can I assist you today? Looking to buy clothes? Accessories? Or perhaps something... specific?" the clerk asked, his voice almost too chipper.
"Ah, yes... Do you also, um, buy clothes and... precious stones?" I asked, inching closer to the counter like a nervous rabbit.
"Hmm... Yes, we do, but it depends on the quality of the garment and, uh, the precious stones you're referring to," the clerk replied, his face twitching with just a hint of annoyance-like I'd asked if they sold unicorns.
I reached the counter and, with all the seriousness of a spy about to deliver world-altering secrets, I said, "Right... So, I managed to get my hands on some crystals, but I'm not sure what they're worth. You think you can, uh, check them out? Depending on that, I might be willing to sell them to you." I gave my best "I'm a person of mystery and value" face.
"I see... Can you show them to me?" the man asked, raising an eyebrow like I was about to reveal a bag of live snakes.
"Oh, sure..." I said, pulling out the cloth bag from my waist and opening it, trying not to look like I was pulling out a deadly weapon.
"...?" For a split second, the clerk looked at me like I'd handed him a bag of toenail clippings. But then, as if he'd seen the Holy Grail, his eyes lit up. "May I... hold them?" he asked, practically leaning across the counter, eyes wide.
"...Yes?" I replied, more confused by the second.
"Perfect!" he exclaimed, snatching one of the crystals with all the finesse of a kid grabbing the last slice of pizza. He brought it close to his eyes, inspecting it like it was the last artifact of an ancient civilization. "Where did you get these crystals?" he asked, practically vibrating with excitement.
"Oh, well, I got them from a..." I started, before my brain screamed NO!-remembering that spilling where I'd found them might just lead to my untimely demise. Instead, I shrugged and said, "...Is that really necessary?"
"...Not necessarily, but I'd appreciate it if you were willing to share." The man's voice was practically pleading, like I was about to reveal the secret to world peace.
"Hmm... I don't think I should give away a trade secret like that, haha... I'll keep it to myself," I said with a nervous laugh, already imagining myself on the run from bounty hunters.
"Ah... I see, no problem..." he muttered, slightly deflated. "Anyway, follow me to the back of the store. I need to check the quality of this," he said, before thrusting the crystal back into my hands like I might suddenly run off with it.
"Oh, yes!" I said, catching up to him in a few quick steps, eager to get this over with. "By the way, do you know what these crystals are?" I asked, trying to distract myself from the escalating weirdness.
"Yes. They seem to be Sky Crystals," the boy replied, sounding like he was announcing a rare treasure he'd just discovered on a scavenger hunt.
"Hm..." The name sounded familiar, but my brain was running at half-speed, so I asked, "Sky Crystals...?"
"Yes. Stones formed from the condensation of divine power. You got lucky-they're pretty rare," the man said, practically jumping with excitement. "This is the first time I've seen one with this white color," he added, like he'd just found a unicorn in his backyard.
"Ah...!" Suddenly, it clicked. Sky Crystals. They were stones formed by the divine power of the four great spirits. They went by different names, but the core idea was the same: fancy stones made of godly power. "So that's what they were...!" I murmured to myself, feeling like a fool who'd just discovered something obvious.
"We're here," the clerk said abruptly, stopping short. I barely avoided bumping into him, which would have been embarrassing for both of us.
I looked around and gasped-apparently, we'd arrived at some sort of jewel storage. There were rows upon rows of glass boxes, each containing sparkling treasures that made me feel like I'd walked into a dragon's hoard. From necklaces to bracelets, everything gleamed like it was begging to be stolen.
The clerk picked up a green stone from the counter, placed it in a glass container, and said, "Alright, can you hand me the crystal again?" His voice was now a mix of excitement and professional seriousness-like this was his life's greatest task.
"Ah, yes," I replied, handing him the crystal like it was a fragile heirloom.
He placed it into the container, sealing it quickly. "Okay, now we just wait...!" he said, barely containing his glee.
"...? Wait... what exactly is going on here?" I asked, watching him fiddle with the glowing green stone inside the container.
"Oh! Right. Sorry, I forgot to explain. That 'green stone' is an Earth Gem," he said, like this was the most obvious thing in the world. "We use it to measure the quality of Sky Crystals. The more divine power the crystal has, the brighter the Earth Gem glows."
"Ohhh, I see!" I said, finally understanding. "So now we just wait? How long does it take?" I was suddenly way too invested in this little experiment.
"Well, it depends on the crystal's quality, but usually about five minutes for the middle-grade ones," the man replied.
"Alright, thanks for the explanation!" I said, eagerly watching the Earth Gem, which was already starting to glow faintly.
Two minutes passed, and the green glow shifted from "this might be a firefly" to "hey, we have ourselves a low-wattage lightbulb."
"I think that's enough," the shopkeeper said, his eyes wide as he opened the container and carefully removed both crystals, clearly trying to keep his excitement in check, though it was obvious he was doing an awful job of it.
"Ah, okay. Is that glow a good sign?" I asked, genuinely curious but also really hoping I wasn't about to be ripped off.
"Oh, it sure is, haha! That glow means these crystals are of intermediate-high quality," he replied, practically bouncing in place, his voice crackling with excitement like a kid on Christmas morning.
"Great! So, do you actually want to buy them?" I asked, trying to sound confident but feeling like a tiny, nervous blob of anxiety. I mean, I wasn't exactly sure about the crystal market, and I didn't want to accidentally ask for the moon and get thrown out.
"Hm... That depends on the price," he said, leaning in like I was about to unveil a rare artifact. "How much are you asking for each one?"
"How much do I want...?" I murmured to myself, my mind suddenly becoming a calculator. "Alright, let's see..."
Okay, I had this. In the Holy Empire, there are five main coins, each with increasing values. Iron, copper, silver, gold, and platinum. You know, basic currency stuff, like the game's tutorial trying to be helpful. The iron coin is about one dollar, copper is ten dollars, silver is 100, gold is 1,000, and platinum is ridiculously rare, worth 10,000. So, I was thinking, if he's saying this crystal is rare, I shouldn't undersell it, right?
"Okay, okay. If it's rare, it's gotta be at least a gold coin... But what if he thinks that's too much? Should I play it safe and start with two gold coins? No, I'm risking it all. Three gold coins per crystal! Yeah, let's do that. Then, if he freaks out, I can pretend I was joking and lower the price to one gold coin, and then he'll think I'm a bargain... Right?"
After this rapid-fire internal debate, I looked up at the shopkeeper, who was now staring at me like I was some kind of treasure chest. "W-What do you think about three gold coins per crystal?"
The man blinked. Twice. Then, he practically leaped out of his skin. "Three gold coins??? Sure! We can make a deal!" he shouted, so excited I thought he might spontaneously combust.
"Eh? Ah, alright!" I responded, half surprised that I hadn't been thrown out yet and half wondering if I'd just accidentally sold him the world's most overpriced paperweights.
With his eyes practically sparkling, the man asked, "How many of these crystals do you have?? Ten?"
"Ah, I'm not sure. Can you give me a second to check?" I responded, already starting to panic. Did I really just make that deal?
"Of course! Take your time," he said, his tone practically vibrating with excitement. It was like I'd just told him I had a pet dragon in my bag.
"Okay, thank you," I mumbled, turning around to lift the cloth bag. As I opened it, I started counting the crystals like I was about to crack a code. "One... Two... Three... Ten... Thirteen... Seventeen... Twenty... Twenty-four..."
Holy. Crap. There were twenty-four crystals inside the bag. Add the one the shopkeeper was holding, and that's a total of twenty-five crystals... which equals a grand total of seventy-five gold coins. My brain was starting to short-circuit from the excitement. That was more money than I'd probably seen in my entire life, and all I had to do was count some rocks.
After a few seconds of me standing there, my mind racing and my expression probably looking like a deer caught in headlights, the shopkeeper raised an eyebrow and asked, "...? Is everything okay? Did you manage to count how many crystals there are?"
"Ah! Yes! There are twenty-five crystals, including the one you're holding," I replied, my voice trembling like a leaf in the wind.
"Twenty-five crystals??" The shopkeeper's eyes widened comically, and before I could even process his reaction, he blurted out, "Alright, that's perfect! Deal! I'll separate the gold coins right away. Wait a moment."
"...? Ah, yes, thank you!" I said, still in shock, blinking a few times like I was expecting this all to be some weird dream. I mean, come on, it hadn't even been two hours since I stepped foot in this city, and I was already about to become ridiculously rich? This had to be a setup for a huge plot twist.
A sigh of relief escaped me as I started imagining a future where I didn't have to rummage through garbage cans for food or sleep under bridges. This was going to be great.
After about three minutes, which felt more like three years, the shopkeeper came back, practically dragging a sack of coins behind him. "Here! The money is ready!" he said, his voice so full of excitement that it was like I'd just handed him the secret to eternal youth.
"...? Ah, okay! Thanks," I replied, still too stunned to fully process the situation. I held out my cloth bag, which he grabbed faster than a squirrel with a peanut addiction and started counting the crystals like I had handed him the crown jewels. "One, two, three..." he mumbled under his breath, completely oblivious to the fact that I was staring at him like he was some kind of weird coin-counting robot.
"Eh... Can you just give me the coins?" I asked, not entirely sure what was happening. Was this some kind of customer service ritual? Maybe it was a special way of counting?
"Ah... Yes, of course," he replied, clearly embarrassed that I'd interrupted his counting, and handed me the sack of coins with the urgency of a man who just realized he left his oven on.
And then he got back to counting the crystals. "Ten, eleven, twelve..." he muttered to himself, as if somehow this was a crucial step in his business model.
By the third round of counting, I started to feel like I was watching a live-action math lesson. After what felt like an eternity, he finally turned to me with a relieved expression and said, "Alright, thank you very much! If you manage to get more of these, feel free to bring them back anytime!"
"All right! Thanks!" I said cheerfully, still trying to wrap my head around how smooth this entire transaction had gone.
Then, as if a switch had flipped in his brain, he leaned forward, looking unusually serious for someone who had just made a fortune off some random crystals. "By the way, my name is Ethan, Ethan Dunhaven. What's yours?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Dunhaven...? Like the city?" I asked, a little too surprised by the connection, but totally missing the significance.
"Ah, haha, sorry I didn't introduce myself earlier. My father is the count of this territory," he replied casually, as if being the son of a count wasn't something that should be shouted from the rooftops.
Wait. His father was a count? My mind immediately short-circuited as I panicked, unsure of what to do next. I froze for a second and then bowed-way too deeply. My legs nearly gave out as I scrambled to form the most awkward apology of my life. "Oh my God! I'm so sorry for not recognizing you!" I blurted out, absolutely mortified.
"Ah, right. That's not necessary," he laughed, waving it off like it was no big deal. "I don't like that kind of formality, especially from a customer, haha... Anyway, you haven't answered my question. What's your name?"
"M-my name...?" I stammered, anxiety creeping up my spine.
"...Yes?"
And then it hit me. I had no idea what my name was. I mean, I couldn't use my real one. And the saint's name wasn't revealed in the novel. So I had exactly three seconds to make up a name before this situation turned into a full-blown disaster.
"...? If you don't want to say it, you don't have to, but I believe that would be somewhat disrespectful. I revealed my real name to you without any hesitation. I think you should carefully consider that..." he said, sounding mildly disappointed, like I had just insulted him by not sharing my deepest, darkest secrets.
Without thinking, I blurted out the first thing that came to mind: "C-Crystal! That's my name!" I squeaked.
"Hmmm, haha, what a coincidence! Your name is Crystal and you came to sell crystals!" Ethan said, chuckling like it was the funniest thing in the world. "Anyway, it's a beautiful name. I hope we can meet again in the future."
"Ah...! Sure, thank you," I said, uncomfortable with the joke but trying to play it cool. Great job, self.
"No worries. Anyway, do you need anything else? Depending on what it is, I might even give it to you for free. I think it's the least I can do after you gave me such a great deal!"
"Hmmm... Well, I think you could help me with two things..." I said, locking eyes with him, trying to sound serious even though my brain was still caught up in the name thing.
"And what would those be?" he asked, his tone shifting to something a little more serious, like I was about to ask for a private jet or a dragon.
"Well... First, do you think you could get me some clothes? Right now, I only have this one I'm wearing, haha... The more, the better," I said, trying to keep it casual.
"Ah... Of course. For a moment I thought you were going to ask for something outrageous. That's pretty simple. I think I can get you some dresses for different occasions in your daily life."
"Ah... about that, I'd prefer men's clothing," I replied, my voice getting a little more awkward. I really wasn't in a position to be parading around in dresses and skirts while constantly facing danger.
"Hm...? Ah, that's fine. Should I pick the clothes and send them to you, or would you prefer to choose them yourself?" he asked, clearly a bit surprised.
"Hm... I think you can choose," I said, trying to sound confident even though I felt like I was throwing all my dignity out the window.
"Alright...! Well, what's the second request?" he asked, still looking at me with that weirdly intense curiosity.
"Well... Do you know of any cheap inns around here...? Preferably one that serves breakfast to its guests..." I asked, suddenly feeling way too embarrassed about how poor I was.
"Of course! In fact, if you're interested, my family owns one. I could give you a special discount if you'd like to stay there," Ethan said, practically bouncing on his heels with excitement.
"Really? I'd be very grateful if you did that. I don't know how to thank you enough for this!" I said, starting to feel way too indebted to him.
"Yes, as I said, it's the least I can do for a customer."
"Thank you so much...!" I said, practically bowing again, which only made the situation even more awkward.
A long, awkward silence followed.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, I cleared my throat and decided to break the ice. "...So, can you point me in the direction of your family's inn?"
"Ah, of course. Don't worry, I'll take you there myself," he said, stepping forward like he was already on a mission.
Before I could even react, he said, "Follow me, I'll take you there!"
"A-Ah! Yes, alright!" I exclaimed, shaking myself out of my stupor and quickly following him.
30 Minutes After Leaving the Store
After about 30 minutes of walking through what felt like an endless parade of gleaming, high-end shops, I couldn't shake the feeling of my pockets suddenly feeling suspiciously light. Even though I had just made a decent chunk of change, I felt more and more like I had been reduced to a beggar in the presence of these ridiculously expensive stores. Then, Ethan stopped in front of a building so lavish, I briefly considered the possibility it might actually be a palace.
"We've arrived!" he declared, as though this were the most normal thing in the world.
I stared up at the towering structure, my mouth hanging open. This was no ordinary inn. This place was a colossus of marble, towering three stories into the sky, gleaming with gold accents like a wealthy wizard's dream. If the streets around us were lined with riches, then this inn looked like it had swallowed an entire treasury and then casually burped up a couple of jewels for decoration.
My heart pounded in my chest, and I asked the question that had been plaguing my mind since we entered the street: "C-can I really afford this...?"
Ethan chuckled, a wide grin plastered on his face. "Haha, impressive, isn't it? Don't worry about a thing. Since you're a valuable customer, I can give you a special discount. It's no trouble at all. Follow me!"
As we entered, I half-expected to see a gold-plated chandelier drop from the ceiling and a butler offer me a goblet of some ridiculously expensive wine. The lobby was a dream in white marble and black granite, and even the potted plants seemed to be so meticulously placed that they probably cost more than my entire wardrobe.
I paused, suddenly very suspicious. "Did he bring me here to rope me into paying some astronomical price? Did I just get duped into paying for a month's worth of rent in one night?" I wondered.
Two staff members greeted us. "What brings you here today, sir?" one asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Don't worry, I'm just here to bring a valuable customer," Ethan replied, practically skipping with excitement.
"...I see. Should we prepare a room?" the other staff member asked, eyeing me with a mix of curiosity and what could only be described as polite confusion.
"Yes, yes. Just wait a moment. I need to check something with her," Ethan said, turning to me. "Okay, I forgot to ask-how long do you want to stay?"
Taken aback, I muttered, "I-I think a week should be enough."
"Alright! Don't worry about the cost of the stay. I'll cover the expenses for the first week. After that, you'll only need to pay five silver coins per day," Ethan said, as though he was handing me a treasure chest.
"Okay! Thank you so much!" I exclaimed, genuinely surprised. This was way cheaper than I expected, and I started to wonder if he was secretly running a charity under the guise of a luxury inn.
Ethan smiled proudly. "No problem. Give me a second, though. I need to talk to the staff about your stay." He gave me a thumbs up before walking away, leaving me to feel both deeply grateful and slightly uneasy.
I tried to distract myself by idly glancing at the decor, but one of the staff members continued to stare at me with an intense enthusiasm, as if I were some rare specimen of animal. I waved at him awkwardly, and he returned my gesture with the dumbest grin I'd ever seen.
Ethan returned a few minutes later, practically bouncing with excitement. "I hope you didn't wait too long. I've already talked to them, and if you'd like, you can ask them to take you to your room. I've got to go now, but if you need anything, I'll be at the clothing store. If I'm not there, just ask the staff to call me."
"Ah, that's fine. I'm really very grateful! I don't even know how to thank you for all this!" I stammered, my gratitude overflowing.
"No, no! I'm the one who should be thanking you! Haha... Anyway, before I go, is there anything else you need?"
I glanced around, suddenly struck by a burning curiosity. "Well... It's not exactly a favor, but... how can you keep this hotel running with such a low daily rate? No matter how I look at it, I don't see how five silver coins could possibly cover this level of luxury."
Ethan paused, his face lighting up. "Ah, I see you've been paying attention. Well, this hotel wasn't designed for regular customers. It's more of a symbol of our family's power. Only the important people stay here, you know? We charge a symbolic rate for guests, but... well, normally it's two gold coins per day. The five silver coins? That's the discount I mentioned!" he explained, beaming as though he'd just unveiled the greatest secret of the universe.
"Ahhhhh, I see. So... is there anyone else staying here right now?" I asked, genuinely curious.
Ethan hesitated for a moment before responding. "Well... there is one other guest, but I can't tell you who. Privacy and security are top priorities here. Even if the emperor himself stayed, we wouldn't reveal that unless there was a royal decree. So, no spoilers!"
I raised an eyebrow. "The emperor? Really?"
"Eh, well, not the emperor... But you get the idea."
I sighed, trying to mask my frustration. "Right... Okay, thank you for everything."
Ethan waved his silly grin at me. "Good luck! Take care!" he called as he turned and disappeared out the door.
"Okay..." I mumbled under my breath, turning toward the reception desk.
"...? Can I help you with something?" the receptionist asked, giving me a polite but uninterested glance.
I felt a little embarrassed but asked, "So... are you still serving breakfast...?"
The receptionist gave me a regretful look. "Unfortunately, we stopped serving breakfast about thirty minutes ago. If you'd like, you can wait for lunch in about an hour."
"Ah... no problem," I said, my stomach growling in protest. "Can you just take me to my room, then?"
"Yes, of course." The receptionist raised his hand, and another staff member quickly appeared, who greeted me with the same curious glance as the others before leading me to... an elevator?
I blinked. Was this some kind of magic? Or maybe some fancy new mana tech? Either way, it was definitely unexpected. The staff member pressed a button, and I couldn't help but marvel at the strange contraption as we ascended.
"So... I've gotta ask," I began, seizing the opportunity to satisfy my curiosity. "Who else is staying here besides me?"
The staff member's face instantly turned pale. Cold sweat began dripping down his forehead, and he stammered, "W-well... I can't exactly say."
"...? Why not?" I asked, still confused by his reaction.
He swallowed hard, voice trembling. "Sorry, but I can't tell you anything. We value the privacy and security of all our guests. I mean... even if the emperor himself were here, we wouldn't spill the beans."
I blinked, a little taken aback. "The emperor, again? Are you sure you're not just messing with me?"
He didn't respond, just looked around nervously, clearly hoping I wouldn't press the issue.
"Tsk, okay," I muttered, frustrated. So much for getting the inside scoop.
After a few more seconds, the elevator reached the second floor, and we disembarked with the elegance of royalty... at least I tried. The floor, like the rest of the hotel, was absurdly opulent. A double-sided corridor stretched ahead, rooms numbered 1 to 5, and the length of the hallway could probably fit an entire parade of dragons. It seemed to go on forever, at least 75 meters of pure luxury.
"Wow... How big is this place...?" I muttered, more to myself than to the staff member. My eyes scanned the hallway, which felt like a small city.
The staff member, who had been trembling before, now puffed up his chest like a rooster after a bath. With a smug grin, he replied, "Huhu, that's a secret. This is your first time seeing such a large hotel, isn't it? This is the pride of our county."
Oh, the pride of the county? How charming. I put on my best poker face and shot back, "Ah, yes. I don't often visit places of this level. Just yesterday, I was in a cave with rats the size of cats."
He blinked, probably not sure if I was joking or not, but wisely decided to hold his tongue. We continued down the hall, and soon we stopped in front of one of the rooms. "Alright, here's the room where you'll be staying," he said, sounding a little too pleased with himself for just showing me the way. He handed me a key, which I snatched up with a quick "Thanks," eager to get to the good part-my new luxurious nest.
"No problem, thank you for your preference. If you'll excuse me, I need to return to the main hall," he said, bowing slightly before walking back toward the elevator, clearly relieved to get away from my sarcasm.
Now alone, I couldn't help but stare at the door in front of me. The material was ebony, with gold detailing on the doorknob. The door itself looked like it cost more than my entire family's yearly income. My heart pounded in my chest as I slipped the key into the lock and turned it.
As I opened the door, I couldn't help but gasp. The room was an absolute palace, decorated in whites and golds with platinum accents that screamed "expensive" at a decibel level that probably hurt the ears of anyone less refined than me. The room was huge, probably about 10 meters long by 8 meters wide, with two doors on either side-one leading to a bathroom, the other to a closet.
The centerpiece, of course, was the enormous king-size bed, which looked like it could comfortably sleep an entire royal family. Fluffy pillows, satin sheets, and a canopy that made it look like a fairy tale. On either side, two nightstands with more expensive-looking trinkets than I could ever dream of owning. And if that wasn't enough to make my jaw drop, a crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling, sparkling like it was straight out of a prince's private palace.
But wait-there was more! In the corner of the room, a small table surrounded by four armchairs, obviously designed for some rich person's breakfast, tea, or existential musings about how much money they had. I stared in wonder for nearly a full minute, taking it all in, before finally snapping out of it and stepping inside.
I couldn't hold it in anymore. I ran toward the bed and flung myself onto it with the grace of a dolphin leaping into the ocean. And it was heaven. The mattress was so soft, it felt like I was floating on a cloud, or at least on a pillow filled with dreams and fluff. I sighed deeply, feeling the tension from the rocky ground I had just been on hours ago melt away.
Grabbing one of the pillows, I hugged it tight, like I was holding onto my hopes and dreams. "So this is what it feels like to be in heaven...?" I murmured to myself, my voice muffled by the fluffy pillow as I burrowed into it. Seriously, I might never leave this bed. Ever.
Of course, as much as I wanted to live in this moment forever, my mind couldn't stop spinning about the prince and how to get closer to him without anyone realizing who I really was. But for now, I'd push those thoughts aside. Let future-me deal with that.
Five minutes later, I was out like a light, the soft hum of the chandelier's glow and the weight of the pillow in my arms lulling me into a peaceful sleep.
End of chapter