The sky above the city shimmered that morning — clean and pale blue, painted with streaks of white clouds that looked almost unreal. Veloria rarely looked this peaceful. The streets were unusually full, banners hung from lampposts, and vendors sold everything from bread to cheap binoculars.
Today was different.
Today, the whole city was waiting to see the future take flight.
The Crimson Workshop — one of Victoria's most brilliant but secretive engineering guilds — had invited nobles, investors, and select families to the public unveiling of their latest invention: The Crimson Blimp, the first flying airship built entirely with Victoria's own technology.
I stood at the side of the Bluerose family carriage, opening the door for them as instructed.
"Ah… so this is it," Lord Bluerose murmured as he stepped out, his cane tapping the pavement. His voice carried that calm tone of quiet authority that made people instinctively make way for him.
