The marketplace is pristine. Almost too pristine. The goods are laid out on perfectly arranged tables, their colours vibrant beneath the afternoon sun.
Everywhere I look, people are engaged in hearty conversations, laughter echoing as they carry their groceries home.
No heated haggling.
No desperate bargaining.
No tension.
It's all so manicured.
Well, that's about to change.
"Scarlette?" I turn—only to find her gone.
Of course she's wandered off. Whether she's the Queen of Hearts and Ruin or just Scarlette, she's the same. Up to her usual shenanigans.
A quick scan of the marketplace and—ah. There she is, at a stall. Buying a chicken. A live one.
Because of course she is.
But I have other plans.
My gaze lands on a stall where rows of fish are lined up in perfect symmetry. The vendor's cheerful hum blends with the marketplace chatter as she speaks to a few other Light Fairies buying from her. A friendly fishmonger. The perfect gossipmonger.
I rub my hands together, anticipation buzzing through me.
Let the rumour begin.
I approach with a warm smile. "How much for the fish?"
"Two Light Stones each," the fishmonger replies, friendly and genuine.
I lean in, lowering my voice. "I'll take two. But how about a deal? If you sell them to me for three, I'll share a secret."
Her smile falters. "You're not from around here, are you?"
"Love Fairy," I say smoothly. "We do things differently."
I drop my voice further. "A secret. Interested?"
She studies me, curiosity flickering in her eyes. With a sigh, she crosses her arms. "Fine. Three Light Stones. But this better be good."
I straighten, barely containing my triumph.
Hook. Line. Sinker.
I lean closer. "The Light Fairy King's been… getting rid of obstacles. Things in his way."
Her brow furrows.
"Don't look at me like that," I murmur, tone darkening. "You didn't see anything yesterday, did you?"
She glances toward Lumera's house at the end of the street, her hesitation growing.
"That house wasn't there yesterday," I add, pushing.
Unease creeps across her features. Good.
"And it's all tied to something much bigger," I whisper. "The Baltimorean Emerald."
Her breath catches. "The Baltimorean Emerald?"
I nod solemnly. "The one from the Love Fairy Kingdom. It's here. In this town."
Her eyes widen. "But… why? What does it do?"
I lean in conspiratorially. "It has the power to reshape reality. I should know— it originally belonged to us Love Fairies."
Yes, I'm still in my "Ravos the Love Fairy" disguise. Because I'm too lazy to change out of it.
She glances around, unease growing.
"King Luxeron had it," I continue. "But not anymore. Someone took it."
Her face drains of colour. "Wait… what?"
"King Luxeron is in charge here," I say, voice heavy. "Do you think he'll let anyone get in his way? What are we common folk supposed to do?"
She doesn't answer, but her trembling hand reaches for the fish. The seed is planted.
"I'm just a Love Fairy passing through," I add, letting the words linger. "But I thought you should know."
I turn and walk away. Behind me, I hear her whisper urgently to another Light Fairy, her voice tight with fear.
Bingo. One down, and the rumour is already spreading.
Now, on to my next target: the Spice Shop.
The place is packed with jars and cans, each labeled neatly. The air is thick with cinnamon, cloves, and something sharp—almost eye-watering. Everything is arranged too perfectly, exactly what I expect from this town.
And there, near the entrance, a painting. A painting from yesterday. I notice because some houses are missing.
Perfect.
The shopkeeper—a burly Light Fairy with a deep voice—holds up a small, wrinkled red pod.
"This is called a chili," he says. "A spice from the humans."
I eye it skeptically.
But the mention of humans intrigues me. I've always wondered what it would be like to be human. Since forever.
"Try one?" he offers.
I pop it into my mouth.
Fire. Pure, unholy fire.
My throat burns. My tongue screams. My entire existence collapses into one desperate thought—
Water.
Water.
WATER.
I choke, eyes watering.
The shopkeeper chuckles. "Oh? You can't handle spice?"
I glare, fanning my tongue as he hands me a cup of tea. I down it in one gulp.
"What do you mean, I can't handle spice?" I rasp, coughing.
His grin widens.
Ignoring the lingering agony, I straighten. "In fact," I rasp, "I'll take a bag of these."
His brows lift as he bites into one effortlessly. That smug look. I refuse to be mocked by a Light Fairy. Humans eat this? Is being human supposed to be this painful?
The shopkeeper glances at my basket. "Ah, you're a cook. Love Fairies can cook, right?"
"Of course I can cook," I say proudly. I can cook.
"Chilies go well with fish," he adds.
I blink.
Wait.
That's exactly what I'm cooking for Scarlette.
A slow grin stretches across my face.
"How much again?"
"One Light Stone, sir."
I hand him the stone and lean in. "It's here."
He blinks. "What is?"
I smirk. "The Baltimorean Emerald."
His expression stays blank.
I sigh and lower my voice. "The reality-altering stone. From my kingdom—the Love Fairy Kingdom."
Uncertainty flickers in his eyes.
"Surely you've noticed things missing?" I press, voice smooth.
His gaze shifts to the painting on the wall. He grabs it, compares it to the street outside.
His fingers tighten around the frame. "I painted this yesterday…"
I lean in, voice low and teasing. "And yet… something isn't the same, is it?"
The colour drains from his face.
Without another word, he spins on his heel and bolts into the back room.
I pick up my bag of chilies, grinning.
Another one down.