The maid closed her eyes, waiting for me to enter.

As I walked inside, I was left astonished by the view, pointing at the room. "Wow, this is my room?" I asked, leaving my mouth open. Gaping at the luxurious room, I turned my head towards the maid. "Am I dreaming?"

"This room is indeed yours," she slightly tugged her lips, remaining a gentle face.

The room was clearly themed for a more masculine tone: gray and white. A sumptuous bed with a gray and white pattern was beautifully arranged in the space, completing the aesthetic with gray curtains wrapped with a white knot, which beamed in light from the widespread window. The masculine features were demonstrated through the paintings of beasts that were fixed across the room, making the area even more badass. Even a taxidermied lion-like head was installed on the wall in front of the bed!

The maid cleared her throat. "If you would, please follow me." She pointed towards the door to the right of the bed, and there was also another to the left.

We both entered the room to the right: a walk-in closet.

The room held a plethora of hanging clothing and multiple drawers, complemented with a cushioned table where one could sit. While staring at the room, I overlooked the maid had already picked out some clothing.

Turning my head, I noticed her holding the clothes. I smiled, trying to grab the clothes. "Thank you."

But before I could grab onto the clothing, the maid held them higher, making it impossible to reach. She cleared her throat. "Young sir, you need to take a bath before changing."

Looking downwards at my tarnished clothes and dirtied body from Alren's shenanigans. I let out a sigh. "Fine."

We exited the closet and went back into the room, the maid ushering me to enter the other door.

The room was a grand bathroom, and heck, the word grand was simply an understatement. The bathroom contained an area for changing, a toilet and sink, even a jacuzzi-like bath.

"Take off your clothes," she looked straight into my eyes.

My face turned red as I squeaked. "Hell no!" Slamming the door on the maid, I relaxed my body onto the door, not allowing her to enter.

The maid insisted. "Sir, I am here to help you, so allow me to help you take a bath."

Aggressively shaking my head, I put more force against the door. "No, I'll do it myself..."

"I'm here to help you, sir... Please, allow me to perform my job."

"No! I'm old enough to take a bath myself..."

The maid conceded, whispering. "As you desire, Mr. Radcliffe."

I walked towards the bathtub, taking off my torn clothes and entering. A button was located near the top of the bath, so I clicked the button when suddenly water began flowing in. The water bubbled from the bottom of the tub, filling to a certain point.

The water was at the perfect temperature, allowing me to relax as I stretched onto the bath's floor. It made me wonder how advanced the world was without the same modern technology as my old world.

The water system was probably derived from magic, but how it worked was mysterious to me. Even the lights in rooms were probably magic-derived as there were no signs of electrical technology; the only answer was magic.

I dumped my head into the bath, proceeding out and gasping for air. I exited the bath flickering my head and splattering areas with water droplets.

The water emptied from the bottom of the bath as soon as I exited. It was like magic! I mean, I guess it quite literally could be magic...

I began stretching, noticing a fancy towel placed on a rack. I grabbed it and dried myself off, wrapping myself with the towel once I finished drying.

Nearing the door, I announced. "I'm coming inside." Opening the door, I cleared my throat. "Please close your eyes."

"As you wish, Mr. Radcliffe," a soft voice uttered.

I opened the door, noticing the lady closing her eyes and holding my clothes. Quickly grabbing the clothes, I ran back to the bathroom.

Looking at the mirror, I put on the clothes, plain red pajamas, and a silky smooth shirt.

"You can open your eyes now," I whispered, getting ready to lay down on my bed.

The maid shook her head, grabbing a brush, forcing me to sit down on a chair in the bathroom.

She began brushing my hair, frantically looking around. "You need to be cleaner, young sir. You splashed water everywhere, and you left clothing on the floor." The maid aggressively began brushing my hair. "You didn't even do your hair! This is why I wanted to help you clean you."

I sporadically moved around, shrieking. "OW, OW, OW!"

The maid eased the brush strokes, relaxing her composure. "Sorry, sir."

It was odd to receive such respect, so why was she doing so?

I tilted my head, staring at the lovely woman as she brushed my hair. She wore a typical maid outfit... though her black hair, clear skin, and green eyes held a statement of their own.

Scratching my cheek, I smiled. "What's your name?"

I felt wicked for not even asking for a name. I just thought of the woman as a maid. At that moment, I was no better than a rich brat...

The maid pushed her fingers through my hair. "My name is Tehlarissa Shamys." She smiled. "Though, everyone calls me Tehla!"

As Tehla brushed my hair, she was positioned in a fixture that revealed her ears. They looked pointy, almost like the mythical creatures of my old world: elves.

I scratched my head, avoiding eye contact. "Tehla, are you an elf?" Fidgeting my fingers, I looked back at her, moving my gaze down to the floor.

Tehla stopped brushing my hair, laughing. "You didn't know I was an elf?" Her smirk returned to her composed self. "Indeed, I'm an elf, but to be more specific, I'm a half-elf."

Stretching out an awkward half-smile, I whispered. "I'm sorry if I was rude."

"It's okay, young sir! I take no offense," she laughed it off, grinning.

Looking back up, I gaped at the lady, turning my half-smile into a slight frown. "You don't need to call me with such professionalism." I fiddled with my fingers. "You don't need to call me sir or Mr... Wryn should be more than enough."

She gazed at me, almost puzzled, but quickly placed her hand on my head. "Even if I wanted to call you by your first name, I can't. It's my job, and I take it earnestly." She turned her back, walking. "Alren told us to meet him in the kitchen for dinner, and dinner should be ready anytime soon, so hurry up."

"Please don't treat me like a baby," I inhaled a deep breath, standing up. "I understand you have a job, but I don't want you to think of me as a brat."

I clenched onto the cushioned chair. "Not too long ago, I was living in a rural part of Darka. I don't deserve to be respected to this degree, and for crying out loud, you're like three times my age!"

"But that's how life goes," she smiled, coming back and grasping my shoulder. "That's life, sir."

Tehla began squeezing my cheeks. "You're just a child, darling. Please don't worry about such onerous details. Have fun! Be a child, and don't worry about me." She shook her head, glaring down at me. "Anyways, I think I know why you want to get comfortable with me! You're trying to make me your girlfriend, aren't you!?"

I knew she didn't mean it, and she was trying to fluster me.

But I still fell for it... "WHERE did you get that assumption from!" I spouted, avoiding eye contact. "I would never try to do that!"

"Yeah yeah, that's what they all say," she rolled her eyes, tugging a smirk to the left.

I shook my head, refocusing. "It's probably dinner time!"

"We should go before Alren gets any more grumpy," Tehla suppressed her laugh.

Walking down the stairs was a simple task, but perhaps, I purposely made it more difficult. I pondered over how no one would take me seriously. I was only a teen, so why would anyone take me seriously?

I needed to be patient, but I wondered: patient for what? Patience for a life of cruelty? Patience to try helping others? Patience to ruin what little fun I had? I wanted to enjoy life. I wanted to enjoy it with those close to me, but when faced with adversity...

When faced with adversity, I felt as if I needed to sacrifice. Wanting to enjoy life yet be the savior of all problems only meant one thing: I was pathetic.

We reached the dining area, and seated at the table was Alren, tapping his feet onto the hardwood floor. His impatience spoke volumes as he began tapping his finger on the table.

Tehla quickly bowed her head, leaving us, moving towards another room attached to the kitchen.

Alren grew a bitch face, clicking his tongue. "About time, princess." He stopped tapping, narrowing his eyes. "It's only been thirty minutes..."

"My bad, your majesty," I murmured, sitting across Alren.

He relaxed his posture, stretching out his legs. "The food should be ready anytime now."

Scratching my head, I sat upright, getting ready to speak, but I stopped. Closing my eyes, I opened my mouth, trying to mug out words, but stopped, slumping my head downwards. Looking around, I focused on Alren and inhaled a deep breath. "Alren, why are the maids treating my family with respect?"

"Pardon?" He raised his eyebrow.

Clenching my back-jaw, I sniffled. "We're nobodies."

Trying not to laugh, he left his relaxed position, sitting upright. "Instead of worrying about how others treat you! Maybe you should refer to me with some respect," he laughed, leaning against his chair. "Your respect is derived from me. Quite frankly, I bought this home, hired these maids, hell I even pay for your shits. Don't expect this respect from any of my colleagues or even regular mages. You're nothing more than a rat in front of them."

"Rat?" I tilted my head, focusing on Alren. "What do you mean by that?"

He shrugged, looking at his silverware. "Us mages call non-mages rats."

"If that's the case..." I whispered, chuckling. "Then, I guess you're right."

Alren developed a confused expression but promptly rubbed his chin, adding. "Since you know magic, I guess you're an okay rat? Nonetheless, you'll be met with animosity, so don't let these luxuries get to your head. At the end of the day, you're a nobody."

Before the conversation could develop, an aromatic, inviting, and mouthwatering fragrance thundered the room.

"Dinner is ready!" One of the maids said, rushing towards the dining area. "Dinner is ready!" The maid swiftly placed the dish in front of Alren and me, pouring Alren wine while pouring me water.

"I hope you gentlemen enjoy the lamb chops," she said, stumbling towards the kitchen. "I hope you gentlemen enjoy it!"

"Let's dig in," Alren yawned, picking up his fork and knife.

It was insightful to see that the world had lambs, though it made me wonder if they were different looking. When I traveled to the Goode residence, bulls of the new world were distinct from my old. It was possible that the lamb of the new world also looked different.

Other than the insightfulness, the food was marvelous. Shown by how Alren and I finished quickly.

Alren stood up, placing his hand over his mouth. "It's time for me to depart to bed. You should too instead of daydreaming."

Glancing down at my empty plate, I realized he was right. I was wasting my time just thinking, I needed to sleep.

Standing up, I noticed that the maids were around, waiting for us to finish.

"Goodnight," I exited the room and headed towards my own, but Tehla followed.

Reaching the stairs, I turned my head. "You don't need to accompany me to bed... I know how to sleep on my own..."

"True, but it's my job, and you never know when you'll need help," she comforted me, tugging her lips to the left.

She followed me to my room, stopping when I went inside the bathroom. I washed my hands and face, and similar to the bathtub, the sink also had a button, but instead, the sink pulled water and dispensed it like a sink in my old world would.

I exited the bathroom, noticing the lights were still shining. Looking around, I tried to find a switch or some type of mechanism to turn it off, but I couldn't.

Scratching my head, I whispered. "Uhhh, how do you turn off the lights?"

Tehla chortled, lightly tapping me on the head. "I thought you didn't need me?" She pointed towards a wall. "Just press that button."

I advanced towards the button and pressed it. The light slowly dimmed, leaving only the moon's light shining through the room's window.

Jumping onto my bed, I wrapped the blanket around myself, staring at the outside scenery, but that didn't last long. Tehla closed the curtains, making the room dark, though things could slightly be discerned.

"Goodnight, Mr. Radcliffe," Tehla whispered, walking out the room and closing the door.

Not long after, I fell fast asleep, leaving all my concerns behind.