CHAPTER TWO

The next morning, Leo knocked lightly on my door just as the soft morning light filtered through the curtains.

"Princess," he teased, grinning as he peeked inside. I was still in my pajamas — a delicate cream tank top and shorts, layered with a flowing silk robe that brushed the floor. My hair was loose, braided only halfway down, strands falling softly over my shoulders.

Leo's eyes flicked over me, amusement sparkling. "Still in your royal sleepwear, huh? I swear you're the only person I know who makes pajamas look like a throne-worthy outfit."

I rolled my eyes, but the teasing warmth eased some of the tightness I still felt about being new here.

"So, how about we explore the city today?" he asked, stepping inside with a casual ease.

I hesitated. "I still have to unpack…"

He held up a hand, as if already anticipating my excuse. "I can help. Plus, I'll be back in a flash — with a sandwich."

I blinked, surprised but grateful.

"Deal?"

I nodded.

Leo disappeared for a short while, returning with the warm promise of a sandwich. We settled on the floor, surrounded by my vintage dresses, boots, and jewelry — all rich with ruffles, lace, and corsets.

He chuckled as he pulled out a particularly dramatic corset dress. "You really need to tone down the princess vibes if you want to blend in here."

I crossed my arms, mock offended. "I like my style."

"Yeah, but trust me — less lace, fewer corsets. Try something a little more... normal high school."

He picked a simpler dress from the pile — a shorter blue dress with minimal lace. "This one," he said, holding it up. "It's way better. Less… princess, more you. At least for blending in."

I eyed the dress skeptically. Short dresses weren't really my thing. I preferred something longer, something that felt more like me.

Leo caught my hesitation and smirked. "Come on, you survived the silk tank top and shorts this morning. That was way shorter than this."

I flushed, realizing he had a point.

"Besides," he added with a wink, "if you want to explore the city without being stared at like a queen escaped from a painting, this is your best bet."

"Get ready in fifteen minutes," he said, already smirking. "I'm taking you shopping."

I sighed, but nodded. "Alright, fifteen minutes."

About fifteen minutes later, Leo knocked softly and stepped inside.

There I was by the window, the shorter dress falling just above my knees. It was simpler, less lace, but still elegant—definitely more me.

He stopped in his tracks, eyes widening just a little. "Wow," he said, voice low and a bit breathless. "You actually look… amazing."

I felt my cheeks warm, but I didn't pull away when he stepped closer and held out his hand.

"Shall I escort you, Princess?" he teased, that familiar smirk returning.

Without thinking, I took his hand. It felt warm, steady—something real.

He squeezed gently. "See? Not so scary, right?"

I smiled softly. "Not at all."

We stepped into the hallway, the hum of the dorm around us. Outside, the city waited.

"So, where to first?" I asked, feeling a flutter of excitement.

Leo grinned. "The mall. Let's find you some clothes that don't scream 'royalty in exile.'"

I laughed, squeezing his hand back. "Lead the way, Leo."

Leo tightened his grip on my hand as we turned a corner and spotted a small café tucked beneath ivy-covered bricks.

"Perfect spot for a caffeine fix," he said with a grin. "We'll need the energy if we're hitting the mall."

Inside, the air was warm and smelled of fresh coffee and baked pastries. We found a quiet corner, and Leo ordered two coffees.

As I took the warm cup in my hands, the gentle steam curling upward, a strange calm settled over me. For the first time in days, I felt a flicker of peace.

Leo glanced at me, eyes twinkling. "So, princess, ready to trade laces for jeans after this?"

I smiled softly. "I think I'm ready

They stepped out of the cozy café into the crisp morning air, the warmth of the coffee lingering in their hands. Leo stretched his arms and glanced at Selene with that mischievous grin.

"Alright, time to find you some 'mortal' clothes," he teased, looping his arm gently through hers. The streets buzzed softly around them as they made their way toward the mall.

They entered the mall, a sprawling mix of old-world charm and modern bustle. The tiled floors echoed softly underfoot, and warm light filtered through stained-glass skylights, casting kaleidoscopes of color onto polished wooden storefronts.

Leo led the way, weaving through the crowd with ease. "This place has everything — vintage shops, modern boutiques, even a little bookshop that smells like old secrets."

I followed closely, heart fluttering with a mix of curiosity and nerves.

"First stop," Leo said, pulling open the door to a small boutique adorned with delicate lace curtains and antique mirrors. "Let's find something that screams YOU without scaring the locals."

I smiled, feeling the strange thrill of beginning again.

The boutique was a cozy haven tucked between the louder shops—a quiet world of soft fabrics, muted colors, and the scent of lavender and aged wood. Racks of dresses, blouses, and coats in rich earth tones and deep jewel hues lined the walls, their textures whispering stories of forgotten elegance.

Leo wandered behind me, occasionally picking up a piece and holding it against my frame with a teasing grin. "How about this one? Not too much lace, but still mysterious enough to suit you."

I ran my fingers over the fabric—a smooth velvet dress in midnight blue, the kind that caught the light like shadows flickering in candle flame. It felt like a whisper of something I hadn't yet dared to be.

"I like it," I admitted softly.

But before I could protest, he grabbed the dress and tossed it onto the pile. "Consider this a secret weapon. One day, princess, you'll wear it."

I smiled, amused by his teasing. "You're impossible."

Leo winked. "And you're my favorite impossible mystery.

he turned to me with a smirk, arms folded dramatically.

"Alright, your turn now."

I blinked. "My turn for what?"

He tilted his head, pretending to be offended. "To surprise me. Show me you're capable of choosing something normal. You know, like a high school student and not someone who stepped out of a time-traveling trunk."

I raised an eyebrow. "You want me to pick jeans?"

"Jeans. Hoodies. T-shirts without embroidery or poetry printed on them." He gave me a fake gasp. "Dare I say… sneakers?"

I laughed, shaking my head. "That sounds like a nightmare."

Leo stepped closer, lowering his voice to a playful whisper. "Just one outfit. Prove to me there's a regular girl under all that lace and ruffle."

I crossed my arms, matching his energy. "Fine. But if I go down that road, I'm dragging you with me. You're picking something too."

He placed a hand over his heart. "Challenge accepted, Princess."

After the playful exchange, we stood at the center of the mall's wide corridor, surrounded by storefronts lit with soft gold lights and music drifting from different directions.

Leo pointed to a more modern store across the floor. "Alright, I'm heading there to find something painfully normal for me."

We split up shortly after our little challenge, Leo heading toward a more streetwear-heavy store while I wandered into one that felt like a soft blend of edge and elegance — polished floors, racks of color-coded outfits, and shelves stacked with shoes that clicked and gleamed like candy in a glass jar.

It felt strange, choosing things without lace or corsets. Strange, but oddly exciting.

I started picking out pieces slowly at first — a couple of plaid skirts in warm tones, then a few fitted tank tops and sheer net leggings that caught the light in the right way. I added some cropped cardigans, a few tube tops and halters, and then wandered into the next aisle for sporty oversized jerseys and sweetheart-cut short dresses. Each item felt like peeling back a layer — not hiding the girl I was, just letting in a little light.

The jeans section was more fun than I expected. I ended up with wide-legged pairs, some bootcut, a few high-waisted jorts, and ripped shorts. Casual but still sharp.

Then came the shoes. I hesitated… then went all in.

Platform boots in deep maroon. High-heeled sneakers with silver laces. And, just because I couldn't resist, a pair of cherry red stilettos that looked like they belonged in a fairytale.

By the time I walked toward the checkout, my arms were full — and so was my mind.

I stepped out of the store, balancing far too many bags in both hands, when I spotted him a few feet away — Leo, also carrying a few bags, looking far too pleased with himself.

He noticed me at the same time, and his eyes widened with mock horror. "What in the name of fashion did you do?"

I looked down at my haul, raising an eyebrow. "You said 'surprise me.' I think I delivered."

He walked over, scanning the bags like he was inspecting evidence. "Okay, plaid skirts… acceptable. Tube tops? Spicy. Are those—are those stilettos? Are you building an army of identities?"

I laughed. "You told me to tone it down. I simply evolved."

He grinned and held up one of his own bags. "Well, I found a hoodie that isn't black. That's character development."

"Oh, we're both new people," I said, nudging his arm with my elbow.

He offered me his hand again — like he always did, with a dramatic bow. "Shall we, my lady?"

This time, I didn't hesitate. I handed him two of my bags instead. "Chivalry means carrying half, Leo."

He laughed, falling into step beside me. "You're catching on fast, Princess."

As we made our way toward the mall's main exit, our arms full and spirits surprisingly high, Leo tilted his head toward the food court just beyond the cascading indoor fountain.

"Before we go back and you vanish into your lacey cave," he said, "how about lunch? My treat. You know—so you don't pass out mid-stiletto."

I smiled, brushing a loose strand of hair behind my ear. "Lunch sounds perfect."

We had barely taken two steps in that direction when I suddenly paused, eyes widening.

"Oh—wait! I forgot something!"

Leo turned to me, genuinely startled. "Forgot something? You already bought half the fashion district!"

I laughed. "I just need one last thing."

He narrowed his eyes dramatically. "Let me guess. A tiara? Another pair of boots? Wait—don't tell me. Embroidered gloves with your initials in gold?"

I bit back a grin. "Very funny. Just wait here, please."

Leo exhaled, defeated but amused. "Fine. Go do your royal duties. I, the humble servant, shall remain here. Guarding the kingdom."

He shuffled over to a bench, arms nearly buckling under the ridiculous number of bags I had offloaded onto him. He slumped down like a tragic hero, surrounded by shopping bags like colorful fallen soldiers.

"Don't take too long," he called after me with exaggerated despair. "I may not survive this siege."

"Try not to faint from the burden," I shot back over my shoulder.

He grinned, lounging deeper into the bench like he was reclining on a throne. "If I die, make sure my tombstone says: Buried under boots and beauty."

I shook my head, still smiling, as I hurried back toward the store.

Fifteen minutes later, I returned, arms stacked with four glossy shopping bags from the upscale beauty store tucked near the atrium. Each bag had soft pink tissue paper peeking out, fluttering slightly with each step I took.

Leo spotted me and immediately sat upright on the bench, blinking like he couldn't believe what he was seeing.

"You didn't just buy a lipstick or two," he said slowly, rising to his feet and eyeing the bags as though they were ticking time bombs. "You raided the entire beauty empire."

I shrugged with a smirk. "Just some essentials. Skincare, a few palettes, mascara… maybe a serum or five."

Leo took the bags from me with the solemn expression of a man receiving ancient relics. "You shop like a lost princess who just reclaimed her throne."

I tried to hold back a laugh, but failed. "You exaggerate."

"I don't!" he protested, motioning to the mountain of bags he'd already been guarding. "Either you have a secret inheritance from a royal bloodline or you found a hidden treasure chest behind your dorm bed."

I gave him a sweet smile. "Maybe both."

Leo narrowed his eyes, mock suspicious. "Wait. Are you actually a Victorian duchess cursed to live among us peasants?"

"Maybe," I said, slipping past him toward the food court. "But for now, I'm a hungry duchess. Let's eat."

He followed after me, still shaking his head. "God help me if you ever discover luxury furniture stores."

The food court buzzed softly with afternoon chatter, trays clattering and the rich aroma of mixed cuisines drifting through the air. We found a quiet corner table near a large window, and while Leo went to get the food, I picked the seat with the best view of the city skyline, faintly blurred by the glass.

When he returned, I couldn't help but laugh.

On my side: a plate of parmesan-crusted chicken drizzled in creamy mushroom sauce, a delicate chocolate truffle pastry sitting beside it, and a tall, frosted KitKat milkshake.

On his side: a towering greasy burger spilling with melted cheese, extra bacon, and something suspiciously crunchy; a tray of pizza fries overloaded with meat, jalapeños, and at least three kinds of sauce.

Leo caught my expression and raised his brows. "What?"

I tilted my head. "Your heart's going to cry before you hit twenty-five."

He sat down, unbothered. "My taste buds are partying in five different countries right now. Let me live."

I shook my head with a smile, slicing delicately into my chicken. "You're impossible."

"And you," he said, eyeing my meal with faux seriousness, "are a walking Pinterest board. Parmesan chicken, mushroom sauce, truffle dessert, and a KitKat shake? That's a luxury menu from a palace."

"It's called having taste," I replied sweetly, taking a sip of the shake.

He pointed a fry at me. "And expensive taste, too. What do you do? Summon gold coins from a velvet pouch?"

I grinned. "Wouldn't you like to know."

He leaned back in his chair with a dramatic sigh. "You're going to be the death of my wallet and my appetite."

"And yet, here you are," I teased.

He raised his burger like a toast. "To terrifyingly stylish roommates with mysterious spending habits."

I clinked my shake gently against it. "To greasy goblins who pretend they hate fancy things."

We lingered at the table a little longer than we meant to. The city light filtered gently through the glass, softening everything into warm gold. My plate was spotless, the truffle pastry gone in two bites, and Leo—well, he looked like he had just returned from battle, his tray covered in the remnants of fries and a crumpled burger wrapper.

"I regret nothing," he said, leaning back and patting his stomach with exaggerated satisfaction.

"You should," I replied, sipping the last of my shake. "Your arteries are weeping."

He grinned lazily. "They're too busy marinating in joy."

We stood, gathering our bags — or more accurately, Leo gathered the bulk of them with a theatrical grunt. "I think I need to file for shopping-induced trauma."

"You offered," I reminded him.

"I didn't know I was signing up to be your personal butler slash stylist slash emotional support pack mule," he said, already falling in step beside me as we exited the mall.

"And yet, here you are," I said again with a sly smile.

He groaned. "You're going to use that line every time, aren't you?"

"Only when it's true."

As we walked back toward the dorms, the city hummed around us — the breeze gentle, the sun dipping low, casting everything in soft amber. It felt strange… peaceful. Like the edge of something new. Maybe even something good.

Leo nudged me lightly with his elbow. "Hey, Princess."

I glanced up.

"You make this whole thing a lot more entertaining."

I smiled, quiet warmth blooming in my chest. "You're not too bad yourself, Leo."

He gasped, hand over his chest. "Was that... a compliment? From you? I need to write this down—frame it."

"Don't push it."

He chuckled, and we turned down the street that led to the dormitory, the evening unfolding gently ahead of us.

By the time we reached the dormitory gates, the sun had long dipped below the rooftops. The sky was a velvet blue, scattered with stars, and the city had begun to quiet down, except for the occasional honk or laughter drifting in from a distant café. Our arms were aching, the bags swinging like trophies of a day well spent.

Leo looked up at the grand, vine-wrapped building, the warm light from the front windows now dimmed to a faint golden glow.

"Crap," he muttered under his breath.

I glanced at him. "What?"

He leaned in dramatically, whispering like we were conspiring in some secret operation. "If we get caught lugging in all this past curfew, Mistress Calloway is going to roast us alive."

I blinked. "Curfew?"

"Yup. Ten sharp. And she's got the ears of a wolf and the patience of a wasp." He grimaced. "Dead meat. Fancy marinated dead meat in your case."

"You could've told me earlier!"

"I thought we'd be back before the shops turned into your personal kingdom." He shrugged, adjusting the bags in his arms. "My bad."

I smacked his arm lightly with one of my smaller bags. "And yet, here you are."

He grinned. "Touché."

We snuck around the side entrance like criminals, careful not to let our boots clack against the polished floors. Leo had half his face hidden behind a shopping bag, tiptoeing like some cartoon villain, while I tried not to laugh.

A shadow moved at the far end of the corridor.

We both froze.

"Hide the heels," Leo hissed. "She can smell leather."

I nearly choked trying to hold in a laugh, But the shadow passed. Just another student. We both exhaled at once.

When we finally made it to our floor, I was barely holding my breath. Leo turned to me as we reached our doors — right next to each other.

"Well," he said, lowering the bags to the floor with a soft thump, "today was wildly successful."

"I didn't expect it to be," I admitted, feeling the soft pull of a smile. "But… it was."

Leo flashed me one of his lazy, lopsided grins. "Get some sleep, Duchess."

"You too, Goblin."

He paused, hand on his doorknob. "Hey, Lyra?"

I looked over.

He raised an eyebrow, that familiar teasing light in his eyes. "Don't let the truffle dreams haunt you."

And with that, he slipped into his room, leaving me laughing quietly in the hallway, surrounded by bags, mischief, and the slow blooming of something entirely unexpected

Once inside, Leo retreated to his room with his usual teasing, leaving me to tackle the chaos of my own space.

I unpacked and organized everything, from plaid skirts to boots, makeup to dresses. When I finished, it was past midnight. The dorm was quiet and peaceful, bathed in soft shadows. I lit a lavender and vanilla candle Lady Anne had given me and sat on my bed, letting the calm wrap around me.

Maybe this place — this city, this dorm, this new life — wasn't so terrifying after all.