"Sleep well—and don't go groping random girls again. Not everyone's as forgiving as me!" Elsa teased, waving as the carriage rolled away.
"I'll make sure of it!" Drake laughed, waving back enthusiastically.
As the carriage vanished into the distance, Drake stood alone in the quiet street, holding the MirrorNet.
*She's gone... It's suddenly so peaceful.*
*WHOOOOSH!* A cool evening breeze tousled his dark hair.
"Brrr! I better locate that inn before I freeze to death out here."
SNIFF SNIFF.
"Ugh... yeah, I desperately need that hot bath."
He examined the MirrorNet's interface carefully.
"Alright... red navigation dot... Inn location. This shouldn't be too complicated. I'm exceptionally intelligent—I'll master this device in no time."
He smirked with characteristic confidence.
"Onward to the inn!" he declared boldly, following the glowing map display.
---
The floating crystal lanterns glided down the cobblestone streets, casting ethereal patterns of light and shadow. Drake followed the bouncing red dot on his MirrorNet with exaggerated concentration, treating the device like some ancient artifact that might explode if handled incorrectly.
Street vendors were packing up their magical wares for the evening, yawning as they secured enchanted trinkets and potions behind protective barriers. From a nearby tavern, raucous laughter and off-key singing spilled into the night air—clearly some adventurers were celebrating a successful quest with liberal amounts of ale.
*At least someone's having a good time,* Drake thought, dodging a stumbling dwarf who was attempting to serenade a street lamp.
After several minutes of navigation, he found himself standing before an impressive multi-story establishment. Golden trim adorned every architectural detail, and a magnificent billboard glowed with elegant magical runes proclaiming: "THE PHOENIX REST—HOME OF ROYAL COMFORT."
"Holy..." Drake's jaw dropped as he took in the marble pillars and cascading crystal chandeliers. "This place looks like it charges a month's salary just to look at the menu."
He double-checked the MirrorNet display. The red dot pulsed directly over the inn's location.
*Elsa really wasn't messing around when she said she'd set me up properly. Show-off.*
Taking a deep breath to compose himself, Drake pushed through the ornate entrance doors.
DING!
A melodic chime announced his arrival into the most luxurious lobby he'd ever witnessed. Plush velvet furniture arranged in elegant conversation areas, polished hardwood floors that reflected the light from elaborate chandeliers, and mystical plants that sparkled with their own inner radiance while releasing a refreshing botanical fragrance.
Behind an impressive marble reception desk sat a striking woman with sleek ebony hair pulled into a professional bun. Her crimson velvet uniform bore a golden phoenix emblem, and she regarded Drake with calm, practiced hospitality.
*Don't sound like a vagrant who just crawled out of a monster den,* Drake coached himself internally as he approached.
"Good evening," he began, attempting his most refined tone. "I believe there's a room reserved under the name... Lady Elsa."
*She's nobility, you moron. Don't forget the proper title.*
The receptionist nodded gracefully, consulting what appeared to be a magical guest registry. "Indeed, Lady Elsa has arranged accommodations for you, Sir Lorenzo. Here is your key."
She slid an elegant bronze key across the marble surface, its golden tag shimmering with the inscription: Room 25.
"Much appreciated," Drake replied, pocketing the surprisingly warm metal. *Room 25... sounds appropriately fancy.*
"Your suite is located on our top floor, final room at the end of the corridor," she explained with a professional smile. "Fresh attire will be delivered shortly, and we'll notify you when dinner service is available."
"Perfect. Um... exactly how many flights up is the top floor?"
Her smile widened slightly. "It's quite the climb, but the view is spectacular."
Drake eyed the grand staircase that seemed to ascend into the heavens themselves. "Wonderful. Thanks for the warning."
*This is going to be brutal.*
After what felt like scaling a mountain peak, Drake finally reached Room 25, his legs trembling with exhaustion. He fumbled with the bronze key, and the door swung open to reveal—
"You've got to be kidding me."
The suite was absolutely massive. A king-sized bed draped in deep crimson silk dominated the center of the room, while an elaborate crystal chandelier cast dancing patterns of light across polished enchanted wood floors. A wall-mounted MirrorNet screen displayed scrolling amenities and weather updates like some kind of magical television.
*I couldn't afford this room if I worked for three lifetimes,* Drake marveled, stepping inside. The door sealed behind him with a satisfying thump.
He collapsed onto the bed, which immediately enveloped him in cloud-like comfort.
"This is insane. Why does one person need a bed this enormous? Unless..." A mischievous grin crossed his face. "Unless Elsa secretly booked it for both of us."
*Yeah right. In your dreams, Lorenzo.*
He stretched out, staring at the ornate ceiling. The silence was almost overwhelming after such a chaotic day.
*It's oddly quiet without Elsa's creative insults and aggressive flirtation.*
"What am I saying? I'm perfectly content being alone," he muttered, though his voice lacked conviction. "Time to test out that legendary bathing situation."
Drake peeled off his travel-worn clothes, folding them with uncharacteristic neatness before wrapping a plush towel around his waist. The bathroom—no, bathing temple—exceeded even his wildest expectations.
A deep marble tub sat positioned beside a panoramic window where moonlight spilled across its polished surface. An elaborate shower mechanism mounted on the wall featured two glowing gemstones—one sapphire blue, one ruby red—embedded in the ornate handle.
"Alright, this has to be the shower controls," Drake reasoned, reaching for the blue gem.
SPLASH!
"GAAAHHH! FREEZING!" He danced frantically as arctic water pelted him like liquid daggers. "Note to self—blue equals betrayal!"
He slammed his palm against the red gem.
FWOOOOSH!
Blessed hot water cascaded over him like divine intervention.
"Oh yes... now THIS is what I call fantasy luxury," he groaned with pure satisfaction.
After thoroughly rinsing away the day's adventures, Drake turned his attention to the magnificent bathtub. He activated the hot water flow, watching steam rise as the marble basin filled.
*Time for the royal treatment.*
He slipped into the perfectly heated water with an audible sigh of contentment. The moonlight filtering through the window mixed with the soft ambient lighting, while the subtle scent of enchanted lavender filled the air.
KNOCK! KNOCK!
Drake's eyes opened lazily. "Hmm?"
KNOCK! KNOCK!
"Coming!" He climbed out of the tub, water droplets trailing behind him as he padded toward the door.
Without thinking, he swung it open wide.
"Yes—?"
A young maid stood in the hallway, holding a neatly folded set of clothing. Her eyes widened to the size of dinner plates. The garments tumbled from her suddenly nerveless fingers.
"I—I—uh..."
Drake blinked in confusion. Then he glanced down at himself.
"OH HOLY—!"
*SLAM!*
He threw the door shut with explosive force.
"I'M SO SORRY! I DIDN'T MEAN TO—THE BATH WAS—I WASN'T THINKING—UGH!!"
The maid's voice came from the other side, barely containing laughter. "It's perfectly fine, really! I just came to deliver fresh clothes and collect your soiled ones for cleaning."
Face burning with mortification, Drake hastily gathered his dirty garments, cracked the door open just enough to shove them through, and snatched the new clothes.
"Here! And thank you for the fresh outfit!"
"All set! Also, when you're properly dressed, you can head down to our third-floor dining hall for dinner service."
"Actually... could I possibly have it delivered to my room? I'd prefer to eat in solitude right now."
"Certainly, that's no problem at all. I'll arrange room service immediately."
She paused, then added with obvious amusement:
"Oh, and Sir Lorenzo? Perhaps consider wearing something next time you answer the door. I'd rather not be traumatized twice in one evening."
Drake winced. "Completely fair. It won't happen again, I swear. The bath was just so relaxing—I completely lost my head!"
"Mhmm. Just keep your... sword sheathed next time, hero."
Her footsteps echoed down the hallway along with barely suppressed giggles.
Drake collapsed backwards onto the luxurious bed.
"I just flashed a complete stranger. Completely naked. Full frontal display. Legendary weapon fully exposed. Absolutely perfect."
He covered his face with both hands.
"Well, it's too late to undo that disaster now..."
He stared up at the intricately carved ceiling, reflecting on the extraordinary day he'd experienced—his arrival in this mystical world, the battle with shadow wolves, his heroic moment at the marketplace, and that wonderfully awkward farewell with Elsa.
*It was genuinely fun... I hope every day here is as wild and entertaining as this one.*
A massive yawn escaped his lips.
*Why was I transported to this world anyway? To defeat some ultimate evil? Save the realm from destruction? Or maybe...*
He chuckled softly.
*Maybe just to become the most legendary hero this kingdom has ever seen.*
Drake pulled the oversized blanket up to his chin, sinking deeper into the impossibly comfortable mattress.
"Either way, I'll figure it out eventually. But right now—"
He turned onto his side, already half-asleep.
"—I'm going to rest like absolute royalty."
As moonlight continued streaming through the window, the gentle sound of contented snoring began to fill the luxurious suite.