Just dominate me queen

The tavern was louder than I expected. The wooden beams groaned under the weight of too many patrons, and the air was thick with the smell of ale, roasted meat, and sweat. My head was still spinning from everything that had happened, but at least I wasn't naked anymore. Eris had scrounged up some spare clothes—a rough linen shirt and a pair of loose trousers that didn't quite fit but were better than nothing.
I sat across from her at a wobbly wooden table, nursing a mug of water while she downed what smelled like strong ale. She hadn't said much since we arrived, just ordered drinks and something to eat, but I could tell she was watching me, studying me like I was some kind of puzzle she couldn't quite figure out.
"So," she said finally, breaking the silence. "Where are you from?"
I hesitated, unsure how to answer. "Uh...America?"
Her brow furrowed slightly. "Never heard of it. Is that a kingdom?"
"Not exactly," I said, shifting uncomfortably under her gaze. "It's a country, across the ocean. Or, well, I think it's across the ocean. I don't really know where I am right now."
"You're in Valmere," she said matter-of-factly, leaning back in her chair. Her armor clinked softly as she moved, the polished metal catching the dim light of the tavern. "If your homeland is across the sea, then it must be far. I've never heard of it."
I nodded slowly, trying to process her words. "Valmere. Sounds...medieval."
She tilted her head, her blonde hair cascading over one shoulder. "Medieval?"
"Like, uh, knights and castles and stuff. You know, old-fashioned."
Her eyes narrowed slightly. "Knights and castles aren't 'old-fashioned.' They're necessary."
"Right. Yeah. Of course." I scratched the back of my neck, feeling like an idiot. "Thanks, by the way. For, uh, saving me. I don't know what would've happened if you hadn't shown up."
Eris shrugged, taking another swig of her ale. "It's my duty to protect the weak."
"Gee, thanks," I muttered, rolling my eyes. "Really doing wonders for my self-esteem."
Her lips twitched, almost like she was trying not to smile. "You're welcome."
We sat in silence for a moment, the noise of the tavern filling the gap. I took another sip of water, glancing around at the other patrons. Most of them looked rough—soldiers, mercenaries, and a few people who were clearly on the shadier side of the law. None of them paid us much attention, though. Maybe they were used to seeing knights like Eris around.
"So," I said, breaking the silence, "what now? Am I just supposed to wander around and hope I figure out how to get home?"
Eris shook her head. "No. You'll stay with me for now. I'm heading back to the capital—Soleilspire. If anyone knows how to get you back, it'll be the Ayre royal mages academy."
"Mages?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "Like, magic and shit?"
"Yes," she said simply, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
I leaned back in my chair, letting out a low whistle. "Alright, sure. Why the hell not? Magic mages in a medieval kingdom. Let's just add that to the list of things I don't understand."
Eris frowned slightly, her eyes narrowing. "You don't believe in magic?"
"It's not that I don't believe in it," I said, shrugging. "It's just...where I'm from, magic isn't real. It's, like, fantasy stuff. Wizards and dragons and all that—it's just stories."
Her frown deepened. "Your homeland sounds strange."
"Yeah, well, yours isn't exactly normal either," I shot back, then immediately regretted it. "Uh, no offense."
"None taken," she said, though her tone was clipped. She set her mug down with a soft thud and leaned forward, resting her forearms on the table. "If you want to get back to this America, you'll need their help. The mages are the only ones who might have the answers you're looking for."
"Alright," I said, nodding. "The capital it is. How far is it?"
"About three days on foot," she replied. "But we'll travel by horse. It'll take half that time."
"Great," I said, trying to muster some enthusiasm. "Can't wait to get started."
Eris didn't respond. She just studied me again, her blue eyes sharp and unreadable. It was like she was trying to figure out if I was worth the trouble. The silence stretched on until a barmaid appeared with our food—a plate of roasted chicken and some kind of stew. She placed it in front of us without a word, her eyes lingering on Eris's armor for a moment before she walked away.
I dug in immediately, realizing just how hungry I was. The food was simple but surprisingly good, and I devoured it like I hadn't eaten in days. Eris ate more slowly, her movements precise and deliberate, like everything else about her.
"So," I said between bites, "what's the deal with those bandits? Are they, like, a big problem around here?"
"They're pests," Eris said, her tone dismissive. "They target travelers and merchants, but they're cowards at heart. They only attack when they think they have the advantage."
"Well, they sure as hell thought they had the advantage with me," I muttered, shuddering at the memory. "Thanks again for scaring them off."
She didn't respond immediately, her gaze focused on her food. Finally, she said, "You shouldn't have been out there alone."
"Yeah, no shit," I said, rolling my eyes. "It's not like I planned to get dropped into the middle of a crater with my junk flapping in the wind."
Eris actually smirked at that, though the expression was fleeting. "You're lucky I found you."
"Yeah, I'm starting to realize that," I admitted. "Seriously, though, I owe you one. If there's anything I can do to repay you—"
"Just stay out of trouble," she said, cutting me off. "That'll be enough."
I nodded, deciding not to push my luck. Eris didn't strike me as the kind of person who enjoyed small talk, and I was already grateful she hadn't left me to fend for myself.
As we finished our meal, I couldn't help but wonder what the capital would be like. If magic was real here, who knew what kind of crazy shit I'd see? Part of me was excited, but another part—the smarter part—was scared out of my mind. This wasn't my world, and I didn't know the rules. All I could do was stick close to Eris and hope she could keep me alive long enough to find my way back home.
Assuming I even could.
***
The room was small, barely big enough for a bed, a couch, and a rickety wooden table shoved into one corner. A single candle flickered on the nightstand, casting long shadows on the walls. The window was cracked open just enough to let in a cool breeze, carrying the faint sounds of the bustling tavern below.
Eris stood by the door, her armor neatly stacked in the corner. Without it, she looked...different. Less intimidating, maybe. She was still tall, her broad shoulders and toned arms making it clear she was a fighter, but there was something almost graceful about the way she moved in her tunic and breeches.
"You take the bed," she said simply, grabbing a blanket from the small wardrobe against the wall.
"What? No, no way," I protested, sitting on the edge of the mattress. "I'll take the couch. You're the one who fought off a bunch of psychotic bandits today. You deserve the bed."
She shot me a look that could've melted steel. "I'm not arguing about this. Sleep on the bed."
I hesitated, torn between politeness and self-preservation. Finally, I sighed. "Fine. But I feel like a total asshole about this."
Eris shrugged, draping the blanket over the couch before sitting down. "I've slept on worse."
I watched as she leaned back, crossing her arms over her chest. Her long blonde hair spilled over her shoulder in soft waves, catching the candlelight. Despite the day's chaos, she didn't look tired—just...calm. Focused.
"Do you ever take a break?" I asked, lying back on the bed.
She raised an eyebrow. "From what?"
"From being...you know, a knight. Always serious, always on guard."
Her lips twitched, almost like she was fighting a smile. "It's my duty."
"Yeah, but you're still human, right? Don't you ever just...relax?"
Eris tilted her head slightly, considering my question. "I'll relax when the world is safe."
"That sounds exhausting," I muttered, staring up at the ceiling.
"It is." Her voice was quiet, almost thoughtful.
The silence stretched between us, broken only by the muffled sounds of laughter and music from the tavern below. I closed my eyes, trying to let the mattress's softness pull me into sleep. But my mind wouldn't stop racing.
Everything felt surreal. The crater, the bandits, this whole medieval world—it was like something out of a fucked-up fantasy novel. But it wasn't a dream. The ache in my muscles and the scratchy fabric of my borrowed clothes made that painfully clear.
"I don't even know if this is real," I said suddenly, my voice barely above a whisper.
"What do you mean?" Eris asked, her tone neutral but curious.
"This place. You. The bandits. Magic." I sat up, running a hand through my hair. "One minute, I'm walking home, thinking about...someone, and the next, I'm naked in a crater, fighting for my life. It doesn't feel real."
Eris didn't respond immediately. When she did, her voice was calm, steady. "It's real. Whether you accept it or not doesn't change that."
Her words hit me harder than I expected. I swallowed, my throat tight. "Back home, I had a life. People who...I don't know, might miss me. Or maybe they won't. Maybe they'll just move on, and I'll be stuck here forever."
Eris's gaze softened, just a fraction. "You think they won't care?"
I laughed bitterly. "Honestly? I don't know. I mean, my parents were always busy. My friends...we were close, but not 'drop everything to search for me' close. And her..." My voice trailed off, and I shook my head. "Never mind."
"Her?" Eris asked, raising an eyebrow.
"It's nothing," I said quickly. "Just someone I liked. Probably doesn't matter now."
Eris was quiet for a moment, then said, "If they care about you, they'll notice you're gone."
Her words were simple, but they carried a weight that made my chest ache. I nodded, though I didn't really believe her.
"Thanks," I said softly.
She gave a small nod, leaning her head back against the couch. "Try to sleep. We leave early."
I lay back down, staring at the ceiling again. The bed was comfortable enough, but my mind wouldn't shut up. Every time I closed my eyes, I thought about home—my neighborhood, my friends, my crush. Was Mia even wondering where I was, or had she just shrugged it off when I didn't show up?
"Eris?" I said quietly, not sure if she was still awake.
"Hmm?"
"Do you think...if I can't get back, I could make a life here?"
She opened her eyes, her piercing blue gaze meeting mine. "You'll survive."
"That's not exactly reassuring," I said with a weak laugh.
"It's the truth," she said simply. "You're not weak, Alec. You just need to learn how to adapt."
I let her words sink in, unsure if I found them comforting or not. "Thanks, I guess."
"Sleep," she said again, her voice firmer this time.
I sighed, closing my eyes. The sounds of the tavern below faded into the background, replaced by the steady rhythm of my own breathing. For the first time since I arrived in this strange world, I felt...safe. Not completely, but enough to let myself drift off.
Eris was right—I'd survive. I had to.
Q: What is the first thing you will do if you got Isekaied?