I quickly changed out of my nightgown and back into the dress that had been laid out for the next day, mumbling in frustration. I really should have more practical clothes—especially after remembering the glimpses I'd caught of the women's outfits in that city. I needed a robe; that much was clear. But I had no idea where to find one, and it felt too late to ask anyone now. Just as I was debating my next move, a knock came—not from the door, but from the window.
My heart leaped. I grabbed a stool, climbed onto it, and pushed the window open. There he was. Claudius sat atop his massive white eagle, the very same one that had carried him to the woods. The moonlight highlighted his sharp features, and for a moment, I was struck by how effortlessly commanding he looked.
"I don't have a robe," I blurted out, my voice tinged with desperation. "And I don't think these clothes will work either." He didn't even hesitate. "Don't worry, I'll take care of it. Just give me your hands."
I don't know what got into me at that moment. Maybe it was the rush of adrenaline from this completely unexpected adventure, or perhaps it was the first spark of rebellion after everything that had happened. But for once, I didn't want to just obey him. Without thinking, I climbed onto the edge of the window, awkwardly—like a one-year-old child trying to jump down the stairs without fear—I leaped, fully assuming I'd land right where I needed to.
Claudius didn't believe what he was seeing. I knew my movements must have been like slow motion to him, but the sheer disbelief on his face, the way his eyebrows shot up as he watched me struggle to jump, only made me more determined to do it. The bird swooped closer, but I had miscalculated. Instead of landing smoothly, I found myself hanging mid-air, Claudius grabbing one of my hands at the last second. He almost lost his balance trying to catch me. In one swift motion, he pulled me up, and before I could even process what had happened, I was on the eagle's back.
Still catching his breath, Claudius stared at me in shock. "Are you serious?" My face burned with embarrassment as I adjusted myself, rubbing my aching wrist against the bird's feathers. I probably looked like a guilty dog standing in front of a pair of chewed-up shoes.
"Sorry… I got carried away," I mumbled. I swore I heard a hidden chuckle. Ugh. This was so embarrassing. The eagle turned, cutting through the wind, and a voice broke through the rush of air. "Hold on tight," Claudius instructed. The bird took off, its wings slicing through the night sky. My stomach lurched as we descended toward the city. The ride was smoother than I expected, but I still clung tightly to the bird's neck. I wasn't taking any chances.
As we neared the city, the eagle swooped toward the back gates and landed gracefully. I exhaled in relief as we dismounted, my heart still racing from the ride. A tall, slim figure stood waiting for us, draped in a hooded cloak. As we approached, the person pulled back the hood, revealing an almost ethereal face—delicate features, luminous eyes, and a teasing smirk that made my breath catch. They were the most beautiful person I had ever seen.
For a brief, bewildering moment, I thought the figure was a girl. But then the stranger spoke, his voice light and flirtatious. "My lord," he cooed, tilting his head. "I've been waiting for you all night." Claudius exhaled sharply, as if already regretting this meeting. I blinked in surprise ! What surprised me even more was how relaxed Claudius seemed around him. Since I arrived in this world, no one—no one—had ever spoken to him in that tone.
"Did you bring the attire?" Claudius asked, ignoring my reaction. The stranger, still smirking, handed over a bundle of clothing.
"Of course, my lord. This is the city attire…" Then, with a slow blink and an obvious once-over of my current outfit, he added, "You'll need to blend in." He followed it with a playful grin, extending his hand. "Oh! I just realized—I haven't introduced myself properly yet. I'm Lassie."
Then, with an exaggerated once-over from head to toe, he winked. "But you can call me Sassy." I tried to hold a strong chuckle; I was still not sure what was happening yet.
Claudius stood beside me, unusually quiet as he checked the attire Lassie had given him. He didn't look angry—just indifferent. I found it odd. This was the same man who had killed knights with terrifying ease just for looking at me, yet he was letting Lassie shamelessly flirt without so much as a glare.
It was… a relief, actually. At least I knew he could be normal. Claudius handed me my attire without a word. I hesitated. "I need somewhere to change."
"Do not go out of my sight," Claudius ordered.
I narrowed my eyes and, for the first time, let out a sarcastic remark. "What, should I just change in front of both of you, then?" Maybe it was Lassie's energy rubbing off on me. Claudius's face immediately darkened, his ears turning red. Lassie, on the other hand, smirked. "I wouldn't mind."
Claudius shot him a dark glare, but Lassie just burst into laughter, clearly enjoying his reaction. They seemed… close. And—shockingly—normal. I groaned and stomped off behind a tree. The city clothes were loose and baggy, but before I could even complain, Lassie appeared at my side.
"Here, let me fix that," he said smoothly. With a few expert adjustments—possibly even a touch of magic—the fabric shrank to fit me perfectly. I was stunned. "Wow… this is amazing," I breathed.
"Of course it is," Lassie preened. "I have excellent skills." Claudius reappeared, now dressed in his own city robes. But no matter how much he tried to blend in, his broad shoulders and imposing figure made it laughably impossible. I took one look at him and burst into laughter.
Lassie smirked. "How exactly are we supposed to hide a mountain like you?"
Claudius shot him a fierce glare that clearly communicated he could kill him without uttering a word. My heart stopped for a moment; I believed him—he could do it. Instead, a chuckle broke the tension. "Well, in that case, enjoy being recognized instantly, Claudius." He froze, staring at Lassie as if he had just realized he made a grave mistake. An awkward smile flickered across his face as both of them slowly turned to look at me.
It was then that I realized something. They were worried that I had heard his name. But what they didn't know was—I already knew it. Claudius must have noticed my confused expression because his eyes darkened, a flicker of worry passing through them. But then, almost at the same time, both he and Lassie seemed to relax. Their tense shoulders eased, and a subtle look of relief crossed their faces—like they thought I hadn't been paying attention. The truth was, I really didn't care. At least, I wouldn't have… if not for their reaction.
Their behavior now was what made me curious. Why was his name such a big deal? Why did it feel like something I wasn't supposed to know? And just like that, I suddenly wanted to find out.
Before I could dwell on it any further, the world around us shifted. The sound of horses pulling carriages filled the air, their drivers urging them forward in a rush. Men shouted, trying to move faster past us, while more people began to arrive. The heavy creak of the gates opening echoed through the night, followed by the distant hum of light music and bursts of laughter.
The sudden shift in atmosphere was almost jarring. Just moments ago, we had been tense and focused, almost like spies lurking in the shadows. But now… I felt like I was about to step into a carnival. My eyes widened, my jaw slightly parted in awe. This wasn't just another city—this felt like an entirely different world. Claudius and Lassie exchanged glances, and I could see a hint of amusement in their eyes as they observed my reaction.
It was a stark contrast to their previous demeanor, and I felt an overwhelming sense of belonging for the first time since I had arrived in this world.
Maybe even for a long time—perhaps since my old world. I had been a shut-in, anti-social, and hadn't experienced this type of atmosphere in a decade; not to mention, it was a magical one.
"Ready?" Claudius's voice broke through the melody of laughter, and I nodded, a beaming smile spreading across my face. With Lassie beside me, exuding charisma as he engaged the crowd, and Claudius's protective presence lingering just behind, I felt exhilarated. The night was alive with possibilities, and I was finally ready to embrace whatever lay ahead. As we stepped through the archway, the festive atmosphere enveloped us, and I took a deep breath...