A beam of sunlight hit my eyes. The distant chirping of birds sounded almost deliberate, as if they were trying to wake me up. I’m still here. Still in OJAN, the magical kingdom.

  I stretched lazily, savoring the rare feeling of a full night’s sleep.

  It had been so long since I felt this rested.

  As I shifted under the covers, a sudden splash of color caught my eye—a bird, perched on the windowsill, watching me. Its feathers shimmered like a prism, reflecting hues of purple, green, and gold. It tilted its head, waiting.

  “Good morning,” I murmured.

  The moment I spoke, the bird spread its radiant wings and soared away, as if its only purpose had been to see me wake up.

  I pushed myself up, swinging my legs over the side of the bed. A knock at the door. The two maids from yesterday entered, carrying trays of refreshments. Their presence was silent yet efficient, as if they moved by habit rather than choice. I noticed a fresh gown laid out on the bed, its fabric delicate and flowing.

  After freshening up, they led me back to the bathhouse.

  As we walked, I caught sight of three women ahead of us.

  They were breathtaking—almost unnaturally beautiful. But something was off. They moved with a vacant grace, their gazes cast downward, their faces emotionless. Lifeless.

  The maids exchanged quiet whispers. Curious, I leaned in.

  “Who are they?” I asked.

  They froze, eyes darting toward me before quickly looking away. The conversation between them died instantly. Interesting.

  I noted that they wore the same style of gown I had worn yesterday. What does that mean?

  After bathing, I was treated to a lavish breakfast of fruits and grains—simple but satisfying. As I ate, I turned to the maids.

  “So… what can I do here?” I asked, hoping for some direction.

  Silence. They simply continued tidying, though the room was already spotless.

  I sighed, staring at my plate, lost in thought. I couldn’t spend another day locked in this room with nothing but my own mind for company.

  Finally, I decided to take a risk.

  “Can I meet your boss?”

  The maids stiffened.

  They exchanged a look, then turned back to me with unreadable expressions. No words. No explanation. Just a bow—and then they left.

  I groaned, flopping back against the chair. Great. More silence.

  But before I could sink further into frustration, a sharp knock sounded at the door.

  And then—boom.

  The commander himself stepped inside.

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  A genuine smile broke across my face. At last, something new.

  I rushed toward him, eager. “Can I go out?”

  His expression darkened.

  “Do you think you have the luxury to do as you please?” His voice was sharp, cutting through my excitement like a blade. “You are a hostage.”

  The words hit like a slap.

  Frustrated, I folded my arms. “Fine. Then at least let me read something. Or watch TV. Or something.”

  He blinked. “TV?”

  I hesitated, then nodded. “Yeah. A box where I can watch whatever I want.”

  His expression changed.

  For the first time, he looked… uncomfortable. Almost as if I had said something that meant something to him.

  “Where do you have this?” His tone was guarded.

  “Back home,” I answered slowly. “Everyone has it.”

  His jaw tightened. He said nothing, only staring at me with an unreadable intensity.

  Then, abruptly, he turned away. “You may walk around. The guards will escort you.” And just like that, he was gone.

  I frowned. What was that about?

  But the thought barely had time to settle before the maids returned, knocking gently before stepping inside. They gestured toward the door.

  “Are you ready?”

  I grinned. Finally.

  Of course, I was ready. What else was I supposed to do?

  They led me through the corridors, and I quickly realized something—I was in the center of the spiral castle. His chamber.

  So, this wasn’t just any room. This was his.

  I wasn’t just a prisoner. I was being kept close.

  The realization sent a shiver down my spine, but I brushed it aside, too caught up in my surroundings. The view was breathtaking. Windows stretched high, framing a sky filled with floating clouds and birds that shimmered with magic. I could have watched them for hours.

  Then, something even better—a floating chair.

  It wasn’t just a chair, though. It looked like a seesaw, suspended in the air, gently rocking as if waiting for someone to sit.

  “Can I try?” I asked.

  The maids exchanged nervous glances. One of them scurried away, presumably to get permission. I sighed, watching as she disappeared. Everything here required approval.

  Finally, the answer came. The remaining maid nodded. Yes, I could sit.

  With a wide grin, I lowered myself onto the floating seat, feeling the gentle sway beneath me. The sky stretched out endlessly before me, a vast ocean of clouds and color.

  The guards stood nearby, silent and unmoving as always.

  I turned to them. “Hi.”

  No response.

  I tried again. “Hello?”

  Still nothing.

  I rolled my eyes. Typical. But at least this time, I wasn’t intimidated. I was getting used to them.

  As for the maids, they still avoided conversation, responding only in small gestures and bows. I needed someone to talk to.

  I must have spent half the day on that floating chair, lost in the view, lost in my thoughts. The sky stretched endlessly before me, painted in shades of blue and gold, and for a while, I forgot that I was a hostage.

  But something kept nagging at me. A feeling.

  I was being watched.

  Not just by the silent guards stationed nearby. There was another presence—unseen but there. I glanced around, trying to shake off the unease, but there was nothing. No one.

  Then, the maids arrived, their quiet footsteps breaking my trance.

  So they’re the ones ending my joy.

  They bowed slightly, motioning for me to follow. I sighed but complied, standing from the floating chair and walking with them back inside.

  As we made our way through the halls, I asked, “Is there a library here? Can I have some books? I just want to see if I can read your language.”

  The maids stiffened.

  They exchanged glances but didn’t answer. Not a single word.

  Their silence was frustrating, but I didn’t push. Soon enough, I was back in my room—alone again.

  The sun was high in the sky, casting warm orange hues as it moved towards noon

  Lunch arrived shortly after—a fresh salad of mixed vegetables, ripe fruit, and a cup of incredibly sweet tea. Simple, yet oddly luxurious. As I ate, I couldn’t help but feel like I was at a high-end resort, indulging in some kind of exotic cleansing diet.

  For a moment, I let myself enjoy it.

  After finishing my meal, I sat in front of the mirror, absentmindedly admiring the gown I had been given. It was even more stunning than the last—pure white, with flickers of gold wrapped around my waist like delicate threads of sunlight.

  Then—a knock.

  I knew who it was.

  The door opened, and he stepped in. The commander.

  He strode inside and, without a word, sat on the bed behind me. I remained where I was—seated on the floor, facing the mirror.

  His gaze was heavy on my back.

  “Why are you sitting there?” His voice was calm, but something in it felt too observant. Too knowing. “What do you normally do in front of a mirror?”

  He smiled slightly.

  I didn’t like that smile.

  It felt like he had been watching me.

  I said nothing. Just turned and met his gaze. He looked harmless in that moment.

  Slowly, I pushed myself up and walked toward him. Without hesitation, I sat beside him on the bed.

  “May I check if I can read your language?” I asked, tilting my head.

  His eyes narrowed. “Why are you so determined to find books?”

  I shrugged. “I’m not used to sitting around doing nothing.”

  His expression remained unreadable.

  “Do you have a plan?” he asked, voice low. “Are you trying to do something?”

  I let out a soft laugh. “Relax. You’re so tense.”

  He studied me for a moment, as if trying to decide whether to trust me. Then, finally, he exhaled and said, “The maids will bring you some books.”

  Excitement rushed through me. Without thinking, I grabbed his arm in pure joy.

  His entire face turned red.

  The moment I realized, I started to pull away, but he was faster.

  He caught my wrist and pulled me toward him—and suddenly, I was between his legs.

  Close.

  Closer than ever before.

  My breath caught as I looked up at him. His face… his eyes… he was beautiful.

  A dangerous idea popped into my head.

  Before I could second-guess myself, I leaned in and pressed a quick, featherlight kiss against the scar on his cheek.

  Then, before he could react, I bolted.

  I turned, grinning as I put distance between us. “It’s a joke,” I said, laughing. “Thank you for the books.”

  I meant it.

  He just sat there. Expressionless.

  Then, without a word, he stood and disappeared from the room.

  I blinked.

  No reaction?

  I threw myself onto the bed, laughing.

  I wasn’t sure why, but something about that moment felt… safe.

  For the first time since I arrived in this world, I wasn’t afraid.