---- Chapter 13 Athena POV: "We're here," Eliot announced as the car pulled up to a modern, elegant apartment building. | stepped out onto the curb, my eyes immediately drawn to the familiar surroundings. | used to live just a few blocks from here. A wave of nostalgia, sharp and bittersweet, washed over me. Eliot, already holding my suitcase, gestured towards the entrance with a theatrical flourish. "Your new kingdom awaits, my lady." He led me into the apartment across the hall from his. "| took the liberty of getting some basic furniture," he said, setting my bag down. "Hope you don't mind." | stepped into the living room and froze. On the coffee table was a vase filled with my favorite flowers, stargazer lilies. Their sweet, heady fragrance filled the air. My gaze drifted to the wall. Hanging there, beautifully framed, was a print of my very first indie game poster, a project | had thought was lost to time "Where did you get this?" | breathed, my voice filled with awe. ---- Eliot grinned, a proud, boyish smile. "I, uh, may have liberated it from the Professor' s storage unit while he was out of town. Don't tell him." A real, unrestrained laugh escaped me, echoing in the quiet apartment. "Come on," he said, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Check out the bedroom." | pushed open the door and stopped dead in my tracks. It was my old bedroom. Not a replica. The real thing. My bed, my desk, my bookshelf filled with my worn paperbacks-he had somehow moved my entire life here. "| figured you'd be more comfortable with your own things," he said softly from behind me, "so | had your father pack everything up." | turned to him, my hands flying to my mouth, my eyes swimming with tears. This man, this kind, thoughtful man, had literally rebuilt my sanctuary for me. He immediately looked panicked. "Oh no, did | overstep? | can have it all moved out. I'm sorry, | just thought..." "No," | said, cutting him off with a watery laugh. "It's perfect. I'm not crying because I'm sad, Eliot. I'm crying because 'm happy." He scratched the back of his neck, a faint blush creeping up his collar. "Right. Good." He cleared his throat. "Well, how ---- about some dinner? My place. I'm making my famous pasta carbonara." "I'd love that," | said, my heart feeling lighter than it had in years. | followed him across the hall. As he pushed his apartment door open, a blur of golden fur shot out and barreled straight into me, knocking me off my feet. A giant, ecstatic Golden Retriever was licking my face, its tail thumping a frantic rhythm against the floor. "Who is this?" | laughed, trying to fend off the affectionate assault. Eliot smacked his forehead. "Oh! Right. | forgot to mention your other roommate. Athena, meet Buster. Buster, meet... well, you've already met." | looked closer at the dog. There was a faint, silvery scar above his right eye. My breath caught in my throat. "Buster? The stray | rescued from that construction site five years ago? | thought he was adopted by a family upstate." "He was," Eliot said, offering me a hand to help me up. "I'm the family upstate." Just as | got to my feet, Buster, in his excitement, jumped up again. | stumbled backward, right into Eliot's chest. His arms came around me automatically to steady me. His hands were warm and firm on my waist. | could feel the solid ---- wall of his chest against my back, the heat of his body seeping through my thin shirt. His breath hitched, a warm puff of air against my ear. My own face flushed a brilliant shade of crimson. The air between us crackled with a sudden, unexpected tension. My heart did a strange little flip-flop in my chest. Eliot quickly stepped back, his ears turning a telltale shade of red. He cleared his throat and shoved Buster gently away. "Down, boy," he commanded, his voice a little strained. | scurried past him into the apartment, not daring to look at him. He retreated into the kitchen, and soon the apartment was filled with the comforting sounds and smells of him cooking. The awkwardness between us slowly dissipated, replaced by the easy camaraderie we had always shared. We ate at his small dining table, the food delicious, the conversation light. It felt... normal. It felt safe. "So," he said, after we had finished eating, "what's your plan?" "| think," | said, meeting his gaze, a newfound determination hardening my voice, "it's time for PixelVixen to come out of retirement." | smiled. "And | think I'd like to see the new offices of Serrano Publishing." His face lit up. "I had a feeling you'd say that. | even have a studio space cleared out for you. Just in case." ---- | just looked at him, my heart full to bursting. Later that night, as | lay in my old bed, in my new home, surrounded by my own things, a profound sense of peace settled over me. For the first time in three years, | wasn't looking back. | was home. Title: A Princess? No! I'm the Female General! In "A Princess? No! I'm the Female General!" by CrushReel, Adela Taylor, a noble family's daughter, disguises herself as her brother to secure their Duke title by joining the army. Despite facing obstacles, she achieves remarkable success. However, upon her triumphant return, her brother betrays her, setting off a chain of events that will test her resolve and reveal hidden truths. This captivating novel delves into themes of secrets, reincarnation, revenge, murder, and drama. Adela's journey from deception to betrayal is filled with intrigue and suspense as she navigates through a world where power dynamics and family loyalties collide. 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