Summoned to another world

A dull ache throbbed in Jace’s head as his eyes fluttered open. His vision blurred, adjusting to the dimly lit room. The scent of lavender filled the air, mingling with the rich aroma of polished wood. Silken curtains swayed gently by the breeze from an open window. Beneath him, an unfamiliar yet incredibly soft mattress cradled his body.

"Where… am I?"

A soft gasp escaped his lips as he shot upright, gripping his head. His chest no longer burned. The pain, the suffocating weight that had crushed him before he lost consciousness was gone. In fact, he felt strangely… lighter. Stronger.

A presence near his bedside caught his attention.

A woman stood beside him, dressed in a pristine black-and-white maid uniform. Her emerald eyes gleamed with a mix of reverence and curiosity, her hands clasped in front of her.

“You are awake, Hero.”

Jace blinked.

"Hero?"

“What—? Hero? Me?” He scoffed. “What’s that supposed to mean? And who the hell are you?”

The woman bowed slightly, her voice calm and composed. “My name is Jessica. I am a maid here.”

Jace exhaled sharply, running a hand through his disheveled hair. “You know what? Never mind that. The bigger question is—where the hell am I?”

Jessica’s lips curved into a knowing smile. “Rest assured, Hero. Your questions will be answered soon.”

He didn’t like the way she kept calling him ‘Hero.’ 

“If you say so…” Jace muttered.

“For now, please change into these clothes,” Jessica continued, gesturing toward a neatly folded set of garments on a nearby chair. “Once you’re ready, I will escort you to the main hall.”

Jace glanced at the outfit, then back at her. “Right. Mind giving me some privacy?”

Jessica gave a small nod. “Of course.”

As she stepped outside, closing the door behind her, Jace exhaled and swung his legs over the bed. The floor beneath his feet was cold, yet his body barely registered the chill. Something was different.

He stood, flexing his fingers.

"No pain. No heaviness. Just… lightness."

His eyes shifted to the clothes—an elegant black tunic embroidered with silver thread, paired with sturdy boots and fitted trousers. The fabric felt strange, richer than anything he had ever worn before.

"This isn’t normal. None of this is normal."

His last memory before waking up here was… pain. Rihanna’s confession. That unbearable pressure crushing his chest. Then darkness took over.

"What happened to me?"

A knock interrupted his thoughts.

“Are you done, Sir Hero?”

Jace rolled his eyes. “Give me a minute! And stop calling me ‘Hero.’ My name is Jace. Call me that.”

A soft chuckle came from behind the door. “As you wish, Sir Jace.”

With a sigh, he finished dressing and opened the door. Jessica’s gaze briefly scanned him before offering a small nod of approval.

“You look good, Sir Jace.”

Jace scratched the back of his neck. “Uh… thanks.”

“Now, if you please, follow me.”

He stepped out, his breath catching the moment he laid eyes on the corridor.

Magnificent.

Towering marble pillars lined the grand hallway, adorned with intricate carvings of mythical beasts and heroic figures.Through arched windows, sprawling gardens and glistening fountains .

"This place… it’s like a castle out of a movie."

Jessica glanced at him. “Yes. This is the Royal Palace of Valmoria—the capital city of the Aranthor Kingdom.”

Jace’s brows furrowed. “Wait—what? A palace? And what the hell is Velmoria? I don’t remember any city named that.”

Jessica only smiled. “We have arrived.”

She pushed open the massive double doors before them, revealing an opulent chamber. At the center of the grand hall stood four figures, three of them unfamiliar, but one instantly recognizable.

Jace’s breath hitched.

"No way."

His eyes locked onto her.

Rihanna Kensington.

She turned, eyes widening.

“Jace?”

Before he could react, she ran toward him, throwing her arms around him in a desperate embrace.

“It’s you! You’re alive!” Her voice trembled. “The last time I saw you… you were in so much pain.”

Jace stood frozen, his mind still struggling to process everything.

“Yeah… that’s something I’m still trying to figure out,” he admitted.

To be continued...

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