The carriage came to an almost abrupt stop.

  There were no walls in sight. Only tall trees, twisted roots, and a dirt path cutting through the forest like an old scar. In the distance, between the branches, pale stone glimmered and towers rose against the horizon.

  The Grand City.

  Don pulled on the reins one last time and quickly climbed down from the seat.

  "This is as far as I go," he said in a low voice. "If I go any farther, I'll start drawing attention."

  He opened the rear door and looked at Elanor first, making sure the cloak still covered her face and hair properly.

  "This is the entrance forest. A lot of people come and go through here on foot. No one will suspect a thing."

  Elanor nodded and stepped down carefully. The ground was damp, covered in leaves and mud. Max climbed down after her, adjusting his hat slightly. Don gestured toward the path with his chin.

  "You have one hour," he said. "We meet again right here. No delays, please."

  Elanor opened her mouth to respond, but Max stepped in first, crossing his arms slightly.

  "Don't worry," he said with a confident smile. "I'll take care of her."

  Don looked at him. Then at Elanor. Then back at Max. A short, quiet laugh slipped out.

  "Of course you will, young master," he replied, climbing back onto the carriage. "Then… I'll see you in one hour."

  He gave a whistle, the wheels began to turn, and the carriage rolled away until it disappeared among the trees.

  The forest fell silent. Max let out a slow breath.

  "Well…" he said. "First trip into the city. No guards. No castle. No protocol."

  He looked at Elanor.

  "Ready?"

  She lifted her gaze toward the towers peeking through the foliage. Her eyes shone, a mix of nerves and restrained excitement.

  "I think so," she replied.

  Max smiled—and took the first step toward the city.

  ***

  As soon as they left the forest behind, the path widened and became a cobblestone street. Sounds began to blend together: overlapping voices, laughter, footsteps, the clinking of metal and wood. The city opened up before them.

  Max stood still for a second. The Grand Capital City of Eldoria. Not as a map. Not as a rendered background. It was there. Alive. A strange knot formed in his chest.

  "So…" he said, forcing himself back to reality, "where do you want to go first?"

  This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

  Elanor looked at him, surprised.

  "Me?"

  "Of course. There are several options," he began, unable to keep the excitement out of his voice. "The merchant district is to the east. Past that are the alchemy workshops. If we go straight, we reach the central plaza… and if we turn before—"

  He stopped. Blinked.

  "Sorry," he smiled, scratching the back of his neck. "It's just… I've been through this place a thousand times. But never like this."

  Elanor didn't answer—she hadn't heard him. She was lost, staring around.

  People walking without escorts. Women haggling over prices. A baker pulling steaming trays from an oven. Two children in a nearby alley, laughing as they threw stones at a mark on the wall.

  Everything was… ordinary.

  "It's incredible…" she murmured. "No one looks at me. No one bows. No one waits for me to say anything."

  She placed a hand on her chest, as if she needed to make sure it was all real.

  "I always thought the city would be… loud. Chaotic. But it's… warm."

  Max watched her. Then looked around again.

  'Yeah. This is Eldoria.'

  And for the first time, not through a screen.

  "I've got an idea," he said, recovering his usual smile. "At the entrance plaza, they sell owl-bear meat."

  Elanor blinked.

  "Owl… bear?"

  "Trust me. It's famous." He leaned a little closer. "And besides, that's where a lot of merchants gather. Jewelry, rare items… things you don't see in the castle."

  Elanor's eyes lit up immediately.

  "Then let's go there."

  Max nodded, feeling the excitement rise again.

  ***

  The entrance plaza was full of life.

  Improvised stalls, colorful awnings, smoke rising from open grills. The scent of spices and roasted meat filled the air.

  Elanor stopped almost abruptly.

  "They cook… here?" she asked, fascinated.

  Max followed her gaze. A massive fire pit occupied the center of one stall. A broad man covered in dark fur, with a head that looked like an actual bear's, was turning slabs of meat with a giant spatula.

  "Yeah," Max replied. "Outside the castle, it's like this. Everything out in the open."

  Elanor stepped closer slowly. She watched every movement—the way the bear-man cut the meat, the way the juices dripped onto the coals and sparked small flames.

  "I was never allowed into the kitchen," she murmured. "Bertha always said it wasn't a place for a princess."

  Max smiled sideways.

  "Well… today you're just a normal girl."

  The bear-man looked at them over the stall.

  "Are you ordering, or just staring?"

  Max stepped forward, resting his elbows on the counter.

  "One owl-bear meat sandwich," he said. "But tell me… isn't that price a bit high?"

  The bear-man raised a furry eyebrow.

  "High? It's fresh meat. Three silver coins."

  "One," Max replied without hesitation. "Look at that bread—it's a bit hard."

  Elanor's eyes widened.

  "Max…"

  "Shh," he whispered. "I know what I'm doing."

  The bear-man stared at him for a long moment. Then snorted.

  "Two."

  Max smiled victoriously—until he reached into the sack. His smile froze.

  '…I don't have any money.'

  "Uh…" he coughed. "One moment."

  Elanor stepped forward naturally.

  "Don't worry," she said softly. "I brought my old coin purse."

  She pulled out a small leather pouch, worn with age. The bear-man watched curiously as she took out a gold coin.

  "Keep the change," she said, smiling beneath the hood.

  The bear-man froze. Blinked.

  "…Thank you very much, fair lady."

  He moved with renewed speed. He cut the meat, placed it between two warm pieces of bread, and wrapped the sandwich in thick paper.

  "Enjoy."

  They sat on one of the stone benches in the plaza. Elanor held the sandwich with both hands, hesitated for a second… and took a bite.

  Her eyes opened wide.

  "It's… incredible," she said, surprised. "I've never eaten anything like this. No plates. No utensils."

  She looked at her hands, lightly stained with juice.

  "It's very practical," she added, amused.

  Max took a bite of his. Chewed. Slightly frowned.

  "…Meh."

  Elanor looked at him.

  "You don't like it?"

  "It's not that," he replied. "It's fine. But… I don't know. I imagined it'd be better."

  He took another bite, resigned.

  "Tastes like dry chicken."

  He sighed.

  "I miss burgers… and soda."

  Elanor tilted her head.

  "Burgers?"

  "Nothing," he smiled. "Stuff from my world."

  She took another happy bite of the sandwich. Max watched her for a moment longer.

  'I guess… seeing her like this makes it worth it.'