“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Dalion. I’m Aster Valmar,” I say, feigning a smile when he presses a kiss to the back of my hand. I’ve never been one to enjoy such exaggerated chivalry, but I need to get into the party.

“If you don’t mind my asking, if your last name is Ezirin, are you related to Valerie, the chosen partner of the Demon King?” I ask.

“Yes, I am. She’s my little sister.”

I don’t recall Valerie having a brother, but I never paid attention to Maven or Valerie before. When they came through our town, I was out in the fields tending to crops. Their affairs meant nothing to me, until they suddenly meant everything to everyone and it was too late. Now that the chance to learn more about Valerie’s life before Maven and a family that may know her best has been laid before me, I have to take it.

“Wow, I don’t know what to say, give a congratulations or ask if you need to talk. As her brother, are you proud of this or concerned? I have younger siblings myself. I don’t know if I’d be able to send them away with the Demon King,” I say, gauging his reaction that consists of a slow nod and unreadable gaze.

“I do apologize if I’m overstepping my boundaries,” I add, relieved when he smiles.

“Would you believe me if I said it hasn’t quite sunk in yet?” he replies, shaking his head. “I was baffled when she signed up to become a part of the ceremony. Thought nothing would come of it. Now I’m wondering if this is a dream and when will I wake up, especially after we were gifted all this when Valerie was chosen.”

Dalion gestures to the carriage and his own attire.

“Yes, I imagine it is even harder to realize this is reality when we commoners only dream of situations like this,” I say.

So he and Valerie don’t come from money. I have always been aware that there is only one rule in regards to the Choosing Ceremony; the participants must be willing to go to Fateir with Maven. That means commoners and royals alike are welcome to sign up. Twenty-five are picked to meet with Maven for a week until he chooses one that has genuinely piqued his interests. But no matter how many men and women applied, no one had yet got his heart.

The carriage slows. I lean over to push the curtain open. We’re no longer on the streets of the city, but rather above it on terraces linked with narrow roads connecting multiple pointed castles and bright green yards. Carriages are slowly moving towards an open building with a ceiling held up by circular columns. I faintly hear the music and see the silhouettes of visitors moving up the steps to the glittering party within.

“A bit overwhelming, isn’t it?” Dalion asks over my shoulder.

“More than a bit. Will I really be allowed in?”

“If you had come on your own, probably not,” Dalion admits with a sheepish grin. “They say these are open to the public, but that’s a lie. Everyone is judged at the door, but with me, you’ll walk right in.”

“I must thank you again for offering me this chance. The city isn’t made up of many kind strangers like you.”

“You give me too much credit,” he counters just as our carriage comes to a stop. We’re parked in a long line of carriages outside of the palace, or whatever one wishes to call it.

Dalion steps out first, holding out his arm for me to take. I do so while dusting the remaining dirt off my dress. Now that I’m here, I can’t deny that I stand out. My dress is nothing compared to the lavish gowns of others, decked out in glittering gems and garish feathers. Well, I’ve got my face at least so that should count for something.

“Earlier it sounded like you are a bit fearful of the Demon King. If that’s so, why are you so interested in seeing him?” Dalion asks when we ascend the stairs.

“We only ever hear tales of him. I almost believe he isn’t real. Scared or not, I hoped to see him for myself, see if he lives up to all the stories I’ve been told,” I answer, which isn’t a total lie. While I wasn’t interested in the Demon King when I got older, as a child I always wished to see the monster that local kids told horror stories about. We even had games about him, chasing each other as the terrifying Demon King that would eat you up if he caught you.

Dalion nods.

At the top of the stairs, I’m left a little breathless, and slightly annoyed, to see the building. Maybe past me, prior to the apocalypse, would have found this place fascinating, or even enjoyed it. Now I’m pissed at all the useless waste. There are giant cakes, endless tables of food, perfectly good food that likely won’t be consumed this evening and so tossed later. Attendees are laughing and dancing while drinking wine and listening to music, some scolding workers carrying snacks and beverages on trays, as if they are beneath them. Let’s see who is beneath whom when you’re stripped of your fine clothes and stupid titles.

“I promised to meet my sister when I arrived. I’m not sure if the Demon King is with her, in fact—” Dalion stands on his tip toes, observing the crowd. “I don’t think he’s here yet. If you want a good look at him, you should probably wait near the entrance for his arrival. I can come back with my sister, if you’re ok with that?”

“Absolutely. I’ll wait here,” I answer, relieved that Dalion is making himself scarce. While I don’t mind his company, I do have a mission that he may get in the way of.

With that, Dalion walks away in search of Valerie.

Who would have thought that I’d be honestly grateful to almost be run over? I’ve met Valerie’s brother and, in a short while, I’ll meet her. The girl destined to end the world. Perhaps I can convince her to take me on as a maid, otherwise I will be left with two unpleasant options; scour the city in hopes of finding where I could be employed for such a job, or wait until they’re about to leave and knock some girl out to take her place. I haven’t tried any memory magic since I’ve returned to this time, so that could go horribly wrong.

As I’m contemplating my next move, trumpets blare. All eyes turn to the open entrance, waiting in silence. Then a man dressed in emerald attire steps up to shout, “Presenting the illustrious Demon King of Fateir, His Majesty Maven Athik!”

The man that ascends the stairs is not the same one that I met, solemn and alone. This is who I expected from the tales; the fearsome Demon King of nightmares.