"What's wrong Ray, Why aren't you eating?" - Maria Raven- his mother looked at him with concern.

Ray came to his senses. He tried to reply but could come up with no excuse. He can't just say that he felt guilty about imprisoning her and executing his own father.

Fortunately or unfortunately Robin saved him from an awkward situation with a sly smile-

"Big brother wet his bed today. That's why, he's so sad"

Count Rein scoffed and coffee spilled from his mouth. Both he and Ray gave Robin a cold stare.

"Riya is feeding you all these bullshit right? Wait I'll teach her a lesson later"

Maria curled her eyebrows, "Riya is older than you. Act more respectfully toward her."

Ray looked at his younger brother still at the age where he can't go washroom alone. His rough hand and muscular body were no longer, instead, there was a soft and slender one. He had to accept that he's in after afterlife dream realm or.... in the past itself.

The rest of the Breakfast went quietly as Robin focused entirely on separating the veggies and hid it on a plate under the table, Rein and maria were tensed on their 'grown-up matters'. But Ray stole some glances at his parents from time to time. Seeing their faces gave him reassurance but also amplified the guilt in his heart.

After the meal, Robin went to play outside and Ray also left the table. But while leaving the room, Ray heard his parents talking-

"The aristocracy taxation bill didn't pass even this time, instead agriculture tax and VAT on staples got increased. The situation might turn worse."

'So this is happening again'

Back in the room, Ray's eyes were rolling around every corner of the room witnessing the aesthetic luxury and wealth his ancestors had accumulated for generations.

'If only they focused on the well-being of the common folk.'

He stared at the wheat field through his window. Children were playing joyfully whereas farmers were toiling their backs off wore a satisfied smile. This season's harvest was bountiful.

‘Sitting on a comfy chair won't do any good’

He went outside took a deep and relaxing breath diminishing all the tension and anxiety he had previously.

With newfound inspiration, he went to the field.

“Young lord,…” with hesitation the farmer continued, “ why did you pay a visit to this lowly field today?”

“I heard you guys are short on numbers. So, I came here to lend you a hand, gentlemen.”

The farmer was skeptical but dared not question the whims of noble nobleman.

Up in the middle of the sky, the dazzling sun was giving away its heat as if testing the endurance of human beings. Ray continued his work without complaining. Surely, he sucked at this but that wasn’t enough to discourage him. 

The sun began to down in the west while coloring the sky red. Ray put down the basket of hay where others were also collecting.

Without saying anything, he walked to the estate.

"Hey Ray! " - Ray shifted his head from the ground and his vivid thinking came to an end.

" I really couldn't believe it when your brother said that you had gone to the field. You're great. I never even considered lending a hand to farmers. Looks like I'm all talk, no action"

Jack Astor, his friend and the founder of the Secret Republic Party, the man who paved the path and began the rebellion, praised him with great admiration.

But as unfortunate as it is, he was also executed! Executed in a far heinous way than his. 

When the spark of great rebellion spread throughout the entire grassland. It was decided that they would attack his family estate. The Astor family, one of the richest families on the grassland despite being just a baron. They controlled the staple business all over the nation and accumulated great wealth.

Fearing his father's execution, he betrayed and tried to flee the land with his family. 

But alas! They couldn't. 

Leader betraying their great blood oath wasn't something rebels could accept. 

In the end, he along with his entire family was executed by hanging. 

His own body was hanged outside the estate later outside the royal palace as a sign that those who betray the great cause would suffer the wrath of rebels.

Ray was also part of the jury. But what can you expect from a man who wrote down the order of execution of his own father!

“Why are you looking at me like that as if you are guilty?” Jack asked with genuine concern in voice.

“No…. it’s just… I feel tired a bit.. That’s all.”

"I can't believe you did it. A nobleman working with farmers?" "I've been all talk. BUt you’re different…not a pampered noble man like me."

Ray kept walking. 'If only you knew where this leads.' "It wasn't much."

"You've done more for the cause today than months of our meetings."

'The cause.' Ray stopped. "What cause, Jack?"

Jack's golden eyes lit up. "The republic we discussed. What you did proves you get it."

Ray looked at his friend. Jack stood clean in his blue doublet, not a speck of dirt anywhere. Round face, soft cheeks, shorter than Ray by a head. Where Ray was all sharp jaw, blue eyes, dark hair- a look which shows his identity of aristocracy despite his appearance. On other hand, Jack looked like a well-fed merchant's son.

‘Here comes his idealistic lecture.’ Not wanting to press any farther he said, “Let’s not talk about all those things. Why did you visit me today?”

Jack gave a surprised look, “so..you forgot! Tonight we’ve a important meeting for the future of our cause.”

Ray didn’t hear him cause just in front of him was the man who he feared the most- Orange Steele, son of a wetmaid and bastard of some lord, who fought against the fate itself with iron-hammer in his hand. He was the brutalest man history ever seen but also a admiring one who rose to the rein from absolute nothing. Ray used to admire the man greatly until… things began to change.

The dark eyes of Orange’s was curious as he was looking at him. He then said, “Took you a while Jack. But …. LOrd Ray doesn’t seem to be in his … proper condition. Maybe we’ll get late.” 

“Oh, look Orange. Ray is the real man here; he does what he says. And I’m ..just talk.” Jack seemed actually disappointed in himself.

“I’ll get ready in a while.” He quickly excused himself and entered the estate.

Robin was the first to notice, “Oh big brother was playing in the mudd. It’s not fare. You should’ve taken me with you.” Disappointment visible in his voice.

“Wtf Ray, what were you doing? Mother will have me wash those dirts.” Ria said with anoyace.

Maria watched him and couldn’t find anything to say whereas Count Rein just gave a approving node- admiration visible in his eyes.

  Irina quickly went to prepare the bath for him. Robin still was complaining to his parents why he wasn’t allowed to play in the mudd.

After taking a bath, Irina helped him to wear his outfit. No need to say he was quite embarrassed .

Ray stepped into Jack’s carriage where two of them were waiting. The carriage wasn’t anything luxurious contrary to the Raven estate.

“Oh Ray , I was just talking to Orange about how you’re cutting crops along with farmers. He was quite shocked hearing that.”

“If only noblemen were like Lord Ray……” Orange sighed. There was a warmth of genuineness in his voice.

The carriage kept going along with granite path; suddenly Ray broke the silence, “How about we open the windows? It suffocating here.”

Orage without saying anything opened it. Forgot to tell but he was now the henchmen of Jack though they interact like friends.

The golden field mesmerized Jack as he watched the scene with enthusiasm  , “This years harvesting is quite good, I wish farmers get enough money to live a stable life.”

But suddenly his face changed, “ Parliament just increased taxation two days ago, don’t know if those wretched mp’s will allow those farmers to.”

Ray knew the affect of taxation will have a big effect in near future where crop failure lead to mass famine- sparking the candle of Rebellion.

The carriage entered the astor estate rather quickly as they were the vessel of Raven County though outmatching them in terms of wealth and sometime even influence.

For the richest family in empire their estate was quite humble actually, at first look someone might assume as struggling barony.

They entered the mansion and went straight to the tea-room, now the meeting room.

Inside Rayan witnessed most of his former comrades who perished in the rebellion before him. There were nobles like him like Evan Devosky, heir of baron who rose to the position by his militaristic leadership. Ironic as it is, he was killed by his own father in a sword fight and kept hidden for long time. After the masscare of royal family, he took his own life.

There were also Fredrick long-sword, the heir of Imperial general who just like him masscared his own family. His father refused to let go of his loyalty to the empire and also refused to fight against his own children. His only wish was let go of his family and his employees which… was not granted. The only people who didn’t face the jury was children.

THere were other guys I will introduce you later but there was a girl, a girl who wore black hoodie which covered her face slightly. The sword underneath that was visible upon closer look. She was silent and remained silent until her death. Among them she was the first one to die and her death had nothing to do with the rebellion. She was like a fragile flower who died before blossoming. Ray couldn’t help but feel intrigued . ‘ So she’s the one I need to save first to alter the fate itself.’