Calm your pants, Gerda.

The room, my room, was a cozy space that I’d made to my taste. In the process of reviving the duke, I hadn’t noticed how small it really was. Now Julian was standing so close that I could feel my ball gown catching on his legs and my long hair brushing against him. The sight of him playing with my hair had been something I’d never forget.

It was delicious fan service.

But as much as I wanted to push Julian back onto my bed and have my way with him… that would be a bad life choice.

Instead, I said. “For one, I only need to reach the Northern Fortress so I can connect my home to your drawbridge. Then it won’t matter if I pop out a few times a day to give out riddles.”

“How do you know my fortress has a drawbridge?” Julian asked, that same small smile tempting me.

I put my hands on my hips. “I’m Madame Potts, remember?”

The best eexcuse for all of my game lore.

“And you're still going to pop out on any bridge in the Dark Enchanted Forest with a traveler even knowing assassins are after you?” His brow furrowed.

“Yes.” I said, and crossed my arms in front of me. It put an extra barrier between me and my unfairly attractive guest. “I highly doubt any normal assassin is going to get me while I'm on my own bridge. I look forward to the challenge.”

I hadn't needed to go all out since the Bridge Battle. It would be fun to see what tricks the assassins' guilds had up their sleeve.

Julian relaxed his stance. “Alright then, if you're sure?”

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

“Sure as sure.” Even the fact that he accepted I could take care of myself made me like him. Gah. “I've faced entire armies. Worst case I portal away and take the loss.”

I wasn't going to tell him that in the real worst case scenario, I had a hero's ring full of magical items to fall back on.

So many overpowered end game items; from my quest legendary set, to potions, to phoenix tail feathers. Once equipped, a Phoenix tail feather was an instant [Resurrect] upon death. I could only equip one at a time so it wasn't fool proof - but I'd just have to portal out quickly before anyone noticed my revival.

“Besides, I wouldn't be a bridge troll if I didn't properly toll all of my bridges.” I added. Ignoring the fact that I'd neglected to pop out and face any of the fifty three people who'd crossed my bridges today.

Hey, I was still on vacation.

“We will have to make a plan.” Julian reached out a hand to grab a lock of my hair that was touching his arm and played with it with his fingers. “So everyone knows what to expect when you disappear suddenly.”

Alright, that was too much for me to handle. I took a step back and my hair gently fell from his palm. The reading nook bench pressed up against my heel so I couldn’t back up anymore, but even this small amount of space made it easier.

“That's tomorrow Gerda's problem.” I said, and he laughed at the phrase, genuinely amused. Before he could speak I continued, “For now I think it's time we get back to the ball.”

Julian flinched. “My mother is probably worried.”

“Yes.”

“Alright.” He looked pained to say it, but drew himself up and offered me his arm. “Now how do we get back?”

“You should reactivate your Divine Arts [Shield] first.” I told him.

“We'll have to stand closer.” He said. “There isn't much room in here and I don't want to break your bed.”

I bit my lip to stop myself from saying what I wanted to. It took all my willpower, but I held it in.

We came together, and as I took his offered arm I felt the Shield go up.

“Alright, hold on.” I said, activating my perk.

“[World Bridge].”

[Perk: World Bridge: You have the ability to travel between bridges you control with World Bridge. All +Troll Magic [Dimension] captured bridges are included…]

I made my selection. There was a pull and the room faded away as we teleported onto the sky bridge in the Coral Palace.

No one shot at us, but there was a welcome waiting.

“Your Grace. Miss Gerda.” Lord Johnathon stood in his corporeal form, with three knights who stood at the ready. “The Grand Duchess is awaiting you.”