Chapter IX

"HAAAAH!"

My eyes shoot open, I'm not in the void anymore. My breathing is rapid and uncontrolled. What the hell happened to me? I grab my head, but it doesn't hurt. Soon after a couple of guards and Renia rush into the room I'm in. I sit up, and look at them all. I let out a sigh as I place my head on my hand. I rub my forehead for a moment, trying to comprehend everything. Its all moving to fast. I let my hand fall to my side on the bed, and look back up at the guards. They all look at me with worry, some even with fear.

"What happened."

They all look at me, like their surprised. I'm told that ritht before I collapsed, I had something glowing within my eyes, and then I went out cold. I heated up to a dangerous level, so they rushed me into a room. I apparently had multiple healers and water mages trying to fix me. They kept at it till I started to cool down. After I had started to cool down, I was transported to this room, and I was watched till I woke up. Apparently my eyes were fluttering the whole time, so they thought I was slightly awake, going in and out.

After getting a very detailed recap, I start to relax again. Thankfully, I can tell now that these people actually do care for me. That what had happened was indeed just an accident. Getting that thought out of my head was essential, glad it happened sooner than later. Renia whispers something to do he guards and they all nod and walk out of the room. Leaving me and Renia alone together. She looks at me and I look at her. I don't know if she feels the same way I do, but this feels kinda awkward. I can tell she's shy around me, she blushing hard, but is trying to hide it. Should I say something about it... Nah, I'll keep to myself.

"Thanks... For looking out for me."

Hearing me say this surprised her I guess. She jumped a little and looked away.

"Y-Yeah... No problem..."

Man, that voice is so clean. She really is someone special. I don't know if it's just otherworldly attractiveness that I'm not used to, or if she really is just my type. One thing that's for sure though... We most definitely like each other.

"So... What happens now?"

Renia speaks up, breaking the silence. I sit and think for a moment, bringing the silence back. What does happen next now? Actually, I do know what happens next. I slowly get out of the bed, and do a quick stretch. I look over at Renia, and she's beat red. I look down at myself and realize that I still dont have a shirt on. Whoops...

"Oh... Sorry about that..."

"No, no... It's fine... Just..."

Seems like her train of thought is gone as she looks me up and down. I don't know if she knows I can tell or not. But it looks like she doesn't care either way. I can tell from her gazes at my body. Trying to distract myself, I look around the room. It looks rather feminineish. Could this be... No way.

"Is this your room?"

"..."

I don't like her silence. It's unsettling for some reason. It probably doesn't help with the way she's looking at me. I stand and wait for her to answer... And it taking what feels like an eternity.

"I'm sorry... It is. I hope this doesn't bother you..."

"Oh no. It's fine, it just shows you care. I appreciate it."

Welp, I'm not helping my case. She blushes even more and fully turns her back to me. I hope I'm not making her uncomfortable. So, to de-escalate the situation I look around for something. I see a window, that seems like something. Maybe I can get a better view of this kingdom from the window. I doubt they would have a princesses bedroom on ground level. I walk over to the window and take a look. It turns out, I was correct. The view isn't something to miss. It truly is something amazing and unlike anything I've ever seen. I hear Renia walk up to me, but I stay looking out. I've noticed recently that I have better awareness of my surroundings. Nothing has gotten past me unnoticed so far. Renia places her hand in my shoulder and stands really close to me.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?"

"It is."

This feeling... It's so surreal. The view, the feeling, the environment. It's all... Perfect. This can't be real. I'm... At a loss... I put my hand on her shoulder, and she blushes again.

"What's... Your name?"

"It's Daiki... Daiki Yamaguchi."

She looks up at me, into my eyes, into my soul. The emotion in her eyes, she's in love. I wonder if I'm responding the same...

"What a lovely name, Daiki."

She rests her head on my shoulder, and I start to blush a bit. The sun setting, and a cute girl leaning on my shoulder. It's like a dream. But it's not, it's real. This is reality. I pull her in closer to me, and she responds with closing the gap evenmore herself. I look back at the bed over my shoulder. I really shouldn't... I should get my own room, or sleep on the ground if I can't. Sleeping with the princess after just arriving isn't what I would call a smart idea. Getting this close already probably isn't okay, but it'll slide for me. Sleeping with her will not.

"Hey, Renia..."

"Yes, Daiki?"

I hesitate to ask, I don't want her to take this the wrong way. I think of a way to put to that doesn't sound mean or disrespectful.

"Listen... I'm a little tired and I was wondering if there was a place to sleep here."

She looks at me confused, and looks at the bed I woke up on. She then looks back at me.

"No, no... I mean like, privately."

"Is there a problem?"

Huh? She doesn't see what's wrong with it? No way. Either this world's customs are completely different or she's just madly in love. Both don't seem like a bad outcome... Damnit Daiki! Snap out of it!

"Kinda. It's not polite to sleep with a woman that you've just met from where I'm from."

She looks at me, and wraps her arms around my neck. Oh shit.

"It'll be alright, I'll just the royal guards I was looking after you, which is true."

Oh... Shit...

"Are your sure?"

"I am, it's alright Daiki. Come on, let's go to sleep."

She grabs my hand and walks me over to the bed. She takes a seat on the bed, and pats on it. I assume she wants me to sit, so I do. She puts a hand on my back and chest, and lays me down. I let her so so, her touch so soft and careful. She's treating me like a precious piece of decor, or something special that requires care. She grabs the sheets and gets me under them, and she joins in right after. As I lay flat, I look over at her. She scoots over and lays her head on my chest. I let my body relax, and try to sleep. I close my eyes, and everything slowly starts to go away.