Chained Royalty [ZNN]

Chapter VIII: NuNew

2024

The alarm clock woke me up with its shrill ringing, jolting me from a deep sleep. My body felt heavy with exhaustion, the kind that clings to your bones and makes every movement feel like a monumental effort. Despite my fatigue, I knew I couldn't afford to linger in bed.

I dragged myself up, mentally going through my to-do list for the day. At the top of the list was a proposal that needed to be finished by Friday, just a few days away. It was crucial, a project that could significantly impact our department's goals for the quarter. With that in mind, I pushed aside my weariness, determined to make the most of the time I had.

My eyes widened in shock when I saw an unfamiliar man sitting in my game chair. He was dressed in old royal clothes, like those from medieval times, complete with intricate embroidery and a velvet cloak. The contrast between his attire and my modern gaming setup was stark. He looked so out of place, his expression a mix of confusion and curiosity as he glanced around the room, taking in the unfamiliar surroundings. His puzzled gaze eventually landed on me, and I could see the myriad of questions reflected in his eyes, mirroring my own bewilderment at this unexpected intrusion.

"My liege? At long last, thou art awakened. What realm is this?" he asked, his voice tinged with awe and uncertainty.

Am I still asleep and perhaps dreaming? Who is this man? How the hell did he get inside my house?!

He pointed to the computer screen, the LED lights, and the sleek gaming console, each item eliciting a question. "What manner of sorcery be these glowing parchments? And these strange, luminescent boxes—do they house spirits?" His eyes widened further as he took in the entire room, each modern device more baffling than the last.

His astonishment grew with every glance. "These metal carriages outside," he continued, pointing toward the window where cars were parked along the street, "do they not require steeds to move? And these tiny, glowing candles," he gestured at the light bulbs, "how doth they burn without wax or flame?"

I took a deep breath, trying to gather my thoughts because I was close to screaming. My mind was racing, struggling to comprehend the bizarre scene unfolding before me. "These are not sorcery, you are the sorcery!" I finally managed to say, my voice trembling with a mix of fear and frustration.

The man continued to look around, seemingly fascinated by the blinking lights and humming devices that filled the room. His calm demeanor only heightened my anxiety.

"Who are you?" I demanded, my voice rising. "And how the hell did you get inside my house?! Where the hell are you from?!"

My heart pounded in my chest as I watched him. He seemed almost amused by my reaction, as if my bewilderment was something he had anticipated. His eyes, though confused, held a glimmer of curiosity and perhaps even amusement.

"I must know," I pressed on, my hands clenched into fists at my sides. "What is happening here?!"

The man's gaze finally settled on me, his expression turning serious. He opened his mouth to speak, but the words seemed to elude him, as if he was as lost in this situation as I was.

"My Sire, how could you forget me?" The unknown man's voice resonated with a mix of hurt and disbelief, his regal bearing not masking the genuine pain in his eyes. "I am Prince Zee, the Prince of the South and your soon-to-be husband! I departed at dawn. Do you not remember our kiss, your pledge of loyalty to me?" His words hung in the air, a plea for recognition and reassurance from the one he loved most.

"What the fuck? I don't remember kissing anyone!" I exclaimed, panic rising in my voice. "I don't even have a first kiss! What is he talking about? Oh my God, who is this guy? What if he's a lunatic who escaped from a mental institution? Am I in danger? Is this how my life will end?"