> King Harald attacked the Parian settlement, but he had not reckoned with the strength of the Parian magicians.

> ― U. Thorgilsson, “Komplet Verdenshistorie”

Asteria

There were dozens of evening gowns to choose from. I picked the simplest, a blue silk chiffon dress with a long skirt and ruched bodice. It was the only one with no fancy details like sequins, crystals, feathers, lace, or appliques.

“An excellent choice. Very elegant,” said the Lifer. As per their usual protocol, she refused to give me her name. Her assistants expertly pinned the dress around my figure and made notes about the adjustments they needed to make.

I didn’t care about the shoes or other accessories, so I let them pick those for me. I did draw the line at wearing jewelry. I was afraid that if I wore one of the elaborate jewels they offered, I’d be forced to take it home with me.

Then I was herded into the bathroom where I showered and bathed in perfumed waters. A massage was followed by a light brunch. I was offered a choice of beauty treatments like chemical peels, eyelash extensions, brow lamination, lip enhancements, hair extensions, and so forth. I refused all of them except for teeth whitening. All that coffee drinking at the Brew Crew cafe had made my teeth less than pearly white.

Their goal was to have me ready by six in the afternoon so I could join in the cocktail hour before the dinner party. I could hardly believe how much they managed to squeeze into eight hours.

Five people worked on my hair. I got a scalp massage then a hair mask, trim, and blow dry before my hair was swept up into a high bun with a wrap-around braid. Two more Lifers worked on my manicure and pedicure. I requested a simple, transparent nail polish and short nails because it’s impossible to play the violin with long or artificial nails.

I insisted on the absolute minimum of makeup, but they still spent a lot of effort on my face. First was a clay mask then a hydrating serum followed by a moisturizing cream. After I explained the concept of “no-makeup makeup,” the makeup artists only used a primer, light foundation cream, cheek and lip tint, and, finally, a touch of mascara.

“A youthful and fresh look. I think Madam will like what we’ve done,” said the Lifer in charge when everything was finished.

“Madam” was Ida Kraej, Magnus’ mother.

I twirled in front of a mirror. It was hilarious that I had to be prepped for eight hours before I could be allowed to join the party, but I appreciated the results. I looked amazing! The ultramarine color of the dress made my eyes look bluer than they really were.

A Lifer entered the suite and said, “Miss, the guests have started arriving. Would you like to join them in the state drawing room?’

“Alright,” I said.

The windows of the state drawing room opened into the Kraej House’s carefully manicured garden. The ceiling and wall paintings depicted the classical mythological figures of the sun, moon, and stars. Golden candelabra were fitted with artifacts that gave off a soft, rosy light.

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The room was half-filled with splendidly dressed people. The women were in evening gowns while the men were in white tie. I knew none of them. Tonight’s party was to celebrate the 58th anniversary of the Mogens Foundation. My own simple event would be sandwiched between the cocktail hour and dinner.

A chorus of “hellos” and “good evenings” greeted me when I entered the room. Everyone quickly turned back to their conversations when they saw that I wasn’t anyone they knew. I nodded and greeted the people I passed as I made my way to the windows. I’d been cooped up all day so I wanted some fresh air.

“Oh, hello,” said a woman as I stopped close to a window. Since the house had such a large garden, I thought the air would be better here but, alas, it was only slightly less polluted than the air in other parts of the city.

“Hello,” I said. “I’m Asteria.”

“Ella. Why have I never seen you before? Where are you from?” said the woman. She was bedecked in numerous large diamonds and rubies. The skirt of her gold and red evening gown was wider than her outstretched arms. Though she was no longer young, her beauty was well-preserved. She looked like an aging model.

“Please excuse Ella,” said the man next to her. He was a younger man who had the sleek hair and cheekbones of a male model. “She was raised by wolves. I’m Oscar.”

“Oh, you! I’m just wondering where she came from. Where are you from, my dear?” she asked.

“I’m from Lieceni,” I said.

“I’ve never heard of it. What’s your family name?” she said.

“My father was from a cadet branch of the house of Vasa, but he…” I coughed and let my voice trail away to indicate that it would be indelicate to ask more.

My father in this world had been disowned by his family, an obscure branch of the noble house of Vasa. I understand that drugs and expulsion from college were the reasons. Nonetheless, he wasn’t formally disowned, so I technically had the right to use the family name. I didn't care about lineage, but the elites of Kraej City did.

“I see.” Her tactic having failed, the woman changed the topic. “Your dress is so charming. It fits you well for an off-the-rack gown. Who is it by?”

“This? Um, I don’t know.” I realized that I had failed to ask the Lifers that. I shrugged.

The woman laughed a tinkling little laugh, pleased that she’d made her point. “Is this what they’re wearing in Lieceni? And why aren’t you wearing any makeup?”

The people around us had moved closer and were listening to her interrogating me. They seemed amused.

“I don’t really like makeup,” I said. A Lifer who had been nearby walked towards me, eyeing Ella with displeasure. The Lifer leaned down to whisper in my ear then walked away. I said, “She says the dress is a vintage Vionnet.”

Ella had paled when the Lifer glared at her. “Why did she, I mean, how did she know?”

“Shh, don’t ask. Stop trying to bully the poor girl.” Oscar was delighted by Ella’s obvious discomfiture.

“I was only asking her about her dress,” said Ella.

“You’d better apologize. Asteria here must be closely connected to our host. The staff wouldn’t have come to her defense if she wasn’t,” said Oscar.

“Oh, I’m sorry,” said Ella. “I didn’t mean to offend.”

“It’s fine, there’s no need to apologize,” I said.

One of the men who had been watching approached us and said, “Hello, I’m August Irgens-Bergh. You’re Asteria, aren’t you? I’ve seen you before at the Forty-Second Club. Ella hasn’t seen you around before because she’s not a member.”

“Hello. Yes, I’m Asteria.”

“You know her?” asked Ella.

“Yes. Look,” said Oscar. He pointed outside where a convoy of black vehicles had just entered the mansion’s gate. “I didn’t know Magnus Kraej was joining us.”

The other guests continued to try to pump me for answers about who I was, but a few minutes later a Lifer approached and asked me to follow her to the Green Room.

It was still too early for the ceremony, so it must be Magnus. I wondered what he wanted.