The morning sun filtered through stained-glass windows as Inigo stood at the gates of the Royal Citadel, heart beating a little faster than usual. The towering spires loomed above, their silver-gilt edges catching the light like blades pointed at the heavens. Banners bearing the crest of the Elandran royal family—an emerald phoenix soaring above a crown of stars—fluttered in the gentle wind.
He had never seen anything like this before. Not even back in his old world. Sure, he'd binge-watched fantasy anime where protagonists were summoned to palaces, greeted by princesses, and paraded in front of nobles—but now, it was happening to him.
And he was very much aware of it.
"This is ridiculous," he muttered, adjusting the collar of the finely pressed white tunic they gave him. "I'm wearing silk. I look like I'm about to attend prom."
Lyra, standing beside him in a sky-blue gown, laughed softly. "You clean up well. Try not to trip on the carpet when we enter."
