Chapter Eleven: Walking A Mile

  “I can’t possibly be the only one, right?” Elijah asked after he’d woken up, walked back to his room, and showered.

  Stripping might have been the strangest ordeal of Elijah’s life, barring only the bathroom experience. Then the showering had been even stranger. Guide Amanda’s comments had only made everything worse, but having to rub his hands all over his new body was a little strange, and something he didn’t want to have to go through again. So it was a pity, and slightly an exciting proposition, that he would have to do it day after day.

  As soon as he’d truly felt woken up, he had begun to think of the last twenty-four hours, and had come to the conclusion that if he needed to do anything, it was to find an escape to the world. While he was here, he would enjoy it, but that didn’t mean he had to stay in Advantia forever.

  Only one that what?

  “You can read my thoughts, you don’t need me to clarify?”

  Yeah, but it’s more fun to act confused and ignorant.

  Elijah grumbled, but acquiesced. “I was thinking—”

  Really? Is that a first for you?

  “I was thinking,” He grit his teeth, repeating the phrase, “That if I got transported from my world to yours, what’s stopping that from happening to someone else?”

  Oh! That’s actually quite a great conclusion.

  “So, if anyone knows the way out of here, it would be the one who has been to the other world, right?”

  It’s possible, very possible. His Guide was silent for a moment, reflecting on what he said. I personally do not know of anyone claiming to have come from another world, but, then again, it is doubtful they would explain their plight to someone living in Advantia. Most likely, they themselves would have a Guide who would warn them of the dangers of exposing who they are.

  “Well, what are we waiting for?” Elijah asked. “I need to find a way to discover people who’ve been brought here!”

  Woah, horsey! Calm down, you’re being impulsive. Think about it rationally. There are a multitude of reasons why that would not work. Can you think of any?

  “You don’t need to guide me through it,” Elijah groaned. “Just tell me why!”

  I’m testing your brains.

  “Ugh, well, um, I guess that in such a big city it would be almost impossible to find anyone that would fit the criteria.”

  Well, yes, but you are looking at it wrong. It’s not the city that is the problem. If we were just looking in the city, I don’t think we would have much of a problem. But Advantia is only a city part of a much bigger country.

  “Oh,” Elijah blanched.

  But I’m not done, sweetheart. Not only that, but Advantia is one kingdom of many, many kingdoms in this world, and searching for a very select few people will be like searching for a one inch long needle in a twenty mile long haystack. Not to mention that to impress a princess anyone would lie.

  “Is that all the problems we have?” Elijah asked, dreading the response

  Well, there’s one other one, but I don’t think you would get there without my help. See, there are princessly duties you must perform and spending your time searching for a person that may or may not exist will not get them done.

  “Duties? But I didn’t do any yesterday!”

  That is because I kindly asked for a day off before you became me, and I was planning on enjoying it, so thanks for nothing.

  “What were you going to do on the day off?”

  Explore the new damn district.

  “Well, you did see it.”

  For a few minutes only. It was not enough to truly appreciate the beauty behind the art. Something you do not understand.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  Silence followed, both parties wondering who would break it first.

  “I could wait here forever,” Elijah said.

  Ha! You talked first.

  “That’s not what I—”

  Oh, come off it. I win, admit it.

  “I will do no such thing,” He told her. “But I do wish to know: what princessly duties do I have?”

  Well, let’s start with the basics shall we? You can ask me for the list if you want it.

  “What?”

  It’s like the relationship bar except for everything you must do as a princess.

  “Oh! I would like to see it if you don’t mind.”

  I do mind, actually.

  “But you just said that—”

  I know what I said, I’m contractually obligated to say that, or something like that. Here goes…

  A glowing pink 2D box appeared in Elijah’s vision with the words:

  Princess Amanda Gold

  Level 2

  Princess Duties:

  Below that was nothing. No jobs, nothing to do, nothing to read. There was absolutely nothing, and Elijah narrowed his eyes at the Guide inside him.

  “What is this?” He asked.

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  The duties will pop up as I talk about them. I had not said this yet, because I was waiting for the right time, but this is another way of increasing my Level. Do not expect to finish all duties in a day, much less a week. Here we go…

  Let’s start with the easy duties. The Queen has sent you to research on the political tensions between Advantia and other countries. There are several books in the library you may read for that topic; they may not be very fun but they are informative and interesting.

  Sure enough, just like the guide had said, a small box and words next to them appeared right below Princess Duties:

  Research on Political Tension

  Your second duty is to help out Thomas. This was brought upon by you, but at any of the balls you may attend, you must help him. You accepted the job, and now you are trapped in it, unless you want to be considered a liar. That means attending a lot of balls, almost every day.

  Another duty you have is to watch over the Orb of the dragon, the one that you will have when you perform the dragon ceremony. It is very important that you do that at least once. When it is time for you to do so, you may ask me about it.

  Fourth duty, and yes, I added it just for you, thank you very much: you must talk to Einar so he can find someone who admits to coming from your world.

  Another duty: when your mother the Queen hears the sea folk man—what’s his name again?—you must be there.

  Now there were many boxes and words on the bar:

  Assist Thomas

  Spend Time with the Orb

  Recruit Einar

  Attend Hearing with Queen

  “Ah, this is so much!” Elijah exclaimed, grabbing his head.

  Oh, come on, stop whining! It’s not even that much, and I’ve only said the basic duties.

  “Not that much, eh? How about you try walking a mile in my shoes?”

  I did, bastard. I walked more like 1000 miles while you’ve merely walked a couple feet. I created your reputation. Everything that comes easy to you is because I started it, okay? Now, may I move on the more advanced duties.

  “I guess,” Elijah grumbled. “How advanced are we talking about?”

  Fairly advanced. The first is this: You must convince the Karthans to travel to Bharghejn and appeal to them to ally with us. The Queen gave you this job to test you, and it will require much political maneuvering. I do not know if you are ready for it, but you must prepare yourself for it.

  Another advanced task you have is to advance your relationships with two particular groups: the Advantian army, and your mother’s council members. Not all of them I approve of, as you shall soon see, I presume. But these tasks are ones that come slowly, and never truly end.

  “Anything else?” Elijah sighed.

  One other thing, and this one is very important. You must find out who sent the assassin yesterday. It is not just a one time thing. That assassin was unskilled, meant to test you instead of kill. I can only assume you passed the test, but what that means I do not know. You must investigate what is going on. Maybe you will have to be patient, but there are definitely clues you can follow.

  The bar was now full with the last three tasks:

  Convince Karthans

  Advance Relationships with Army and Advisors

  Investigate Assassin

  “This is so much!” Elijah lamented once more. “How the hell am I supposed to do all this?”

  What the hell kind of woman are you?

  “A man!” Elijah exclaimed.

  Right, because men hate to work.

  “Hey, that’s not true. I just happen to be lazy, and, as a man, I am proud of that!”

  You are a woman, and a damn child!

  “Whatever, it’s the same thing!”

  Just wait until you get your first period.

  “My first—” His face grew white and his eyes widened as he understood what the Guide meant. “Oh, no, no, no! I did not sign up for this. I don’t want a period!”

  The Guide cackled in his head, laughing so uproariously that a headache began to form in Elijah’s head, and the day had just started.

  Oh, poor Amanda, going through her first period.

  “Wait, what do you use as pads in this world?”

  Pads? Never heard of them!

  Elijah shrieked, and the Guide laughed once again.

  Ah, I’m just pulling your leg. Metaphorically, of course, considering you stole my body. Of course we have pads here.

  Elijah sighed in relief. “At least people won’t see what I’m going through.”

  You have no idea what you’re about to go through, do you?

  “Shut up.”

  Well, I’d love to keep chatting, but you have a lot of princessly, womanly duties to accomplish, so up and at ‘em, girl.

  “Don’t say that.” Elijah yawned and rose to his feet, walking towards the door, dreading what would come next. He’d thought being a princess would be at least a little fun, a little freeing. But, if this kept going, he would not have fun.

  What was the point of vacation if not to relax?

  That’s what you don’t understand, darling. You’re not on vacation.

  Elijah couldn’t hide the thrill that came from the feminine voice of the Guide calling him darling and he blushed as she shrieked in outrage when she felt his thoughts.

  You’re a disgusting little creep. How can your own voice turn you on? I understand how this perfect curvaceous body could, but your voice?

  “I’m sorry, I’m just a teenage boy with hormones—”

  Girl.

  “Boy.”

  Girl.

  “Fine, whatever. I’m a teenage girl with hormones who happens to be in a different body of the gender I’m attracted to, so of course it turns me on.”

  You need help.

  “I need help getting out of this place.”

  Oh, that’s easy. Just turn the doorknob and pull.

  “That’s not what I meant!”

  Then be more clear. Ugh, men!

  “Ha, you admitted I’m a man!”

  You’re arrogant like one, that’s for sure. How about I just call you dumbass from now on?

  “How about I do the opposite of what you tell me, eh?”

  Don’t touch yourself.

  “Ew, and you call me a creep!”

  Oh, no. I can feel that turned you on too. The Guide tsked. I’m shaking my head right now. How could you? I feel offended and violated!

  “It’s not your body!”

  Then whose it then, dumbass? I thought you said it wasn’t yours!

  “You win! I’m a woman princess, this body is mine, and I do not turn myself on. Is that clear?”

  Ma’am, yes, ma’am, dumbass.

  I didn’t mean any of it, Elijah thought to himself smugly, shaking his head softly.

  I heard that!

  “I know you did, you were supposed to,” Elijah laughed, and opened the door to find the maid already waiting for him. Guide Amanda cursed in his head as he grinned wickedly. As long as he had a one-up on her, this would be a fun day!