Page 28 of Barbi and the Villain

“We call it Earth. It’s far larger than Akkaya and there are a lot of countries. We don’t have magic, but we have technology. That sort of fulfills the same purpose. I come from the USA. It’s one of the biggest countries and…”

I do my best to explain my country, our culture, economy, and anything else that might seem relevant. Lady Jocelyn and Sir Damien listen quietly, their expressions rapt with interest.

“And how many people did you say were on this Earth?” Sir Damien asks pensively.

“Around eight billion.”

His eyes widen. Lady Jocelyn gasps.

“Eight billion?”

I nod.

“Akkaya has a few hundred million at best,” he adds quietly.

“Damien, this is…” Lady Jocelyn’s gaze connects with his.

“It is, indeed,” he agrees.

“So, uhm, I was wondering if you might be able to help me get back there. I’m not exactly sure how I ended up here but?—”

“Of course,” Sir Damien cuts me off. “We would be honored to help you find a way to your world.”

“So it is possible to go back?” I whisper in relief.

“There are portals that connect to other worlds across Akkaya. We will get you back,” Sir Damien responds casually. “I will need to confer with my advisers. Until then, you shall, of course, be a guest at my court. It is not every day that we have an otherworldly guest.” He chuckles.

I nod slowly, though a niggling feeling tells me this was far too…easy?

“Jocelyn will show you to a guest suite. Why don’t we reunite for dinner so you can tell me more about this Earth?”

“I can do that.” I offer a tentative smile. “Thank you.”

“Don’t even mention it.” He waves his hand.

His gaze connects with that of Lady Jocelyn and something passes between them. After a moment, Lady Jocelyn nods and turns to me, plastering a smile on her face.

“I will show you to your suite now,” she says, all but kicking me out of Sir Damien’s room.

Not wanting to be ungrateful or rude, I follow her without protest.

The suite she assigns to me isn’t far. It’s at the end of the corridor, some six doors down from their own chambers. The room is a pleasant combination of brown and off-white. There is a king-sized bed in the middle of the room, an adjoining bathroom, and a sitting room with double doors that lead to a balcony.

I let PomPom out of my arms and she races across the suite to get familiar with the surroundings.

“A maid will come to bring you new clothes and food for you and PomPom.” As usual, her voice softens as she mentions my baby. “Please have some rest and we will reconvene this evening for dinner.”

With that, she turns to leave.

“Uhm,” I call out.

She stops, turning her head to the side.

“Maybe I am overstepping my boundaries, but… I thought you and Sir Damien were married…”

“We are,” she replies sharply.

“But then why was he?—”

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