After two days of travel, the capital comes into view. In my previous life, I only saw scattered remnants after the end that did nothing to prepare me for the grandeur of this city that rests on a circular island, protected by a deep valley encircling it with four marble bridges as entrances. The capital is a fortress of tan marble with towering walls and scattered buildings capped in navy blues and burgundys. Castles rise above the city, resting on interlocked streets like spiderwebs. A golden glyph as large as the city hovers in the sky, a barrier maintained by mages at all times, an extra shield in case of long range attacks.

Our cart moves across the bridge with hundreds, if not thousands, of other travelers. The gates are glistening iron to ward off fairies. Soldiers dressed in iron armor and mages with iron spears man the entrance. They allow only those that are searched to pass. The city is crammed pack with travelers shouting in foreign tongues. The scent of perfume mixes with cooked beef and the smoke of a blacksmith’s hut. Homes are crowded, packed wall to wall, reaching high into the sky with bridges connecting tiers above until it appears as if we’re within a half built puzzle.

“Surprised, wee lass?” one of the hobgoblins chuckles. “Not what you expected?”

“More than I expected,” I answer, overwhelmed by the chaos.

“Even busier now than usual. Good for us,” the hobgoblin says. “Our Lord Athik is here for the Choosing Ceremony. Many come to see his greatness.”

I almost forgot fairies refer to Maven as Lord. There is no government in Fateir. Demon King is only a title given to Maven from humans. But he is very well respected among his people, viewed as a king for protecting them, thus earning the title “Lord,” at least that’s what Briny told me.

“I’m sure they have,” I grunt when slipping off the cart. “This is where I leave. I appreciate the ride and your hospitality.”

The hobgoblins disappear among the ruckus, as do I. I’ve got work to do, and little time to do it. With the Choosing Ceremony over, the main affair is done. The only information I have now is hear-say. Back home, there are tales of parties lasting the entire two weeks during Maven’s visit. The human kings that come here for the event like to parade the fearsome Demon King around with a human partner as a way to quell the fear of the people, as if he’s a ravenous beast on a leash, although we all know who the real one holding the leash is. Some of the parties are supposedly open to the public. Let’s hope the rumors are true so that I can get in, otherwise I’ll be trying to break into a likely very secure affair.

Seriously, this asshole can send me back in time, but he chooses now?! Another week back, even two, would have been so much easier. Whatever, no use complaining now. If I’m going to a party, then I need a dress.

Among the chaos, I enter a dress shop, waiting for the assistants to be too busy to notice one blue garment go missing. When passing a jewelry stand, I snatch a few pieces. I may have lost most of my mana, but I haven’t lost my thieving touch. I had to become an expert after the end, sneaking or stealing from others to survive.

In a deserted alley, I swiftly change. The dress is a bit big, but I don’t need to look like one of the proper ladies, just well-dressed enough to be invited in. I stash my clothes into my pack then fiddle with some of the stones along the street. When one shifts, I pull it out to fit my bag beneath it, hoping that no one notices the slightly raised stone.

Gossip will have to lead me the rest of the way, but when I maneuver out of the alley the flow of the crowd catches me. I stumble over my feet, and the ends of the dress. I push my way through, grunting and groaning until I break free, only to find myself in the road with a carriage coming right for me.

“Whoa!” The driver shouts, pulling on the reins just as I throw myself towards the sidewalk.

I hit the ground hard, nearly getting trampled by the crowd. The carriage comes to a screeching halt in front of me. The golden drapes are pushed aside, revealing a young brunette man with light green eyes calling from the interior, “What’s going on?!”

His eyes meet mine, then widen. The carriage door opens, revealing the man in his entirety. His brown hair is slicked back with only a few strands curled over his forehead. A long scar reaches across his nose, light pink in color. He’s well dressed, a tailored navy suit with golden trim. The carriage, too, comes from money. The wheels are capped in gold and the sides are sleek ebony.

Money. Well-dressed. High status, so likely to be attending one of the parties with Maven…have I hit the jackpot?

“Miss, are you alright?” the man asks.

I’m quick to pull out the damsel in distress card because this could be my ticket into one of the parties.

“Ow, my ankle,” I whine, reaching for said perfectly fine ankle. “I think I twisted it. I’m so sorry. The crowd was too strong for me. I just stumbled out on accident.”

“No need to apologize, I’m glad that nothing worse happened,” he says, stepping out of the carriage to carefully inspect my ankle. “Can you walk?”

“I think so.”

The man eases me onto my feet. I wince when I put weight on my ankle.

“It’s a bit sore, but I don’t think it’s broken,” I admit with a kind smile then gasp, holding a hand over my mouth. “Oh, but it will be such a pain now to make it to the party.”

“Party?”

“I had hoped to see the Demon King before he left so I spent a whole month's worth of wages on this dress,” I say, holding out the ends of my now slightly dirty dress. I’m pleased with his reaction, an apologetic smile. “I was on my way when this happened. If I walk the rest of the way, I may be in too much pain to dance. What a pity.”

“Well, perhaps I can make this up to you,” he says, gesturing to the open door with a charming smile. “I am attending the very party that you speak of. If you are alright with it, you may ride with me.”

“Really? You’re too kind! I had no idea that any luck could come from being nearly run over.”

“Neither did I,” he laughs, holding out his hand to assist me into the carriage. When he sits beside me, he says, “I’m Dalion, by the way, Dalion Ezirin.”

Ezirin?

That’s Valerie’s last name...