“What?! What are you doing here?” Ray asked in bewilderment. Before she can respond a soldier just closed the carriage with a thud leaving both of them in awkward situation. He could only take a seat beside her.

“Sir Britt instructed me to company you in carriage.” She said with a single breath.

Ray placed his hand on his face, ‘I should’ve cleared the misunderstanding properly.’

They remained silent but silent itself felt suffocating. Though they looked at the opposite direction of each other, faint smell of sweat remained making them conscious of each other.

“So… I have.. many questions. But first… is your name Lily?” He cautiously asked her.

“That's what others call me. I told y…” She quickly paused thinking it’d quite rude of her to complete it.

“Ah… sorry. I actually recall your name. It was just…. recheck.”

She looked away making sure he couldn’t trace the guilt.

‘Did she just lied again?! Maybe she has her reasons to do so.’

 The remained silent rest of the journey and within a while entered the red city governed by his family. After entering the estate, Ray was cautious- no matter what he mustn’t be seen by his mother. Sir Britt took him without asking count or countess. If what he did reached the ear of Countess, he’d be scolded if not demoted. 

Just as the door of carriage opened, an arrow came out of nowhere. 

“Watch out.” Ray instinctively reached out and pushed her down while he himself fell. The arrow landed on the carriage seat.

“Lord Ray” Ray didn’t notice but he was in a most awkward position. His body was on hers. He quickly rose from the ground and noticed soldiers coming.

“Lord Ray, did something happened?” They didn’t had to wait for the answer and noticed the arrow.

“There’s assassins within the estate. Please inform Sir Britt about it.” 

It didn’t take long before Britt came, “I ask your forgiveness, Ray. Something like that happened under my watch and… inside the estate more importantly, it’s completely my fault. I’ll inform guards to search every corner of the city and apprehend the assassin.”

“No.” Ray’s voice resolute, “ If you do that Sir Britt, then every citizen of the city would know by tomorrow about it. We mustn’t let that happen. Heck, we can’t let even my parents know about it. Let’s just tighten the security from now on.” Ray wasn’t a brat, he knew every single step had it’s own consequences. 

“As you wish, milord.” He humbled himself while gazing at the arrow placed on Lily’s seat. ‘Somethings wrong here. How did they dare to enter the raven estate? Most importantly… why this girl?!.’

Ray and lily went inside the mansion with silent steps. “Hey! It might be rude…… but can you please.. Take off that hoodie of yours… It’s…” Ray was concerned if his intentions were misinterpreted. But thankfully she complied and took it off. She wore a blue gown which was torn and sewed here and there but somehow with those beautiful violet eyes she looked stunning at the dress.

The first one to caught them was Ria, “ray, you quite late today, countess was so…” the moment she noticed Lily the ironed clothes from her hand fell. “You brought a girl  at this time! Who is she? “ she added, “I’ll tell the countess about it if you don't answer.” 

“Well.. she’s Lily…. My friend. And…. I’ll tell mom about it tomorrow morning.” Ria looked at both of them, “you two wont do anything scandalous right?”  “Obviously not” Ray couldn’t count how many times he had been embarrassed because of this girl.

“Please arrange a room for her to stay …”

“You don’t have to remind me of my task. Just visit countess once, she seemed worried about her ‘baby boy.’”

Ray quickly left the scene- the more he stay there, the more will he have to get insulted.

Countess Maria was looking at the diverse clothes laid out on bed when Ray entered the room. Seeing him she quickly hugged her, “I was quite worried about . Why you have to stay with your friends for this late at night?” Ray just opened mouth but couldn’t figure out what to say, “I know what you’re going to tell me. Sir Britt already informed me that you brought a friend with you. Don’t worry she can stay here as long as she wants.”

She quickly brought a set of aristocratic cloth with her, “More importantly, tomorrow’s a gathering in the estate. I had tailor make this suit for you. Try it out… But first have a bath.” 

She handed it over. “Oh, I need to give your friend a nice dress too. You should’ve informed me about her earlier. Now I can only gift her pre-made dress.” 

She teased him a bit, “It seems this time you dont have to dance with Ria. I heard your ‘friend’ is quite a lovely lady.” she paused a bit, “ Well, you’re growing up Ray. Make sure not to mess up tomorrow.”

WHile leaving the room, ray couldn’t help but curse, ‘Britt has definitely spread his misunderstanding. Well It was a nice cover.”

_____

The next day came rather quickly as Ray was standing in front of the large mirror and making sure he wore the suit in proper way. The cloths worn by nobility was quite complex. 

Ray hadn’t talk with Lily after the incident but he wasn’t worried much worried her. 

While leaving the room, he noticed Ria with a hint of displeasure on her face. “Why you haven’t got dressed yet?”

“Now that you got yourself a ‘beautiful lady’, you won’t need a servant girl like me attend the party.” she said sarcastically . 

‘Why she’s angry with me?’ He said,” shouldn’t you be glad about that? You dont have to babysit me anymore and can dance with some handsome lads.” he waited for her reply but it didn’t came” Get ready or this time I’ll complain mother that you’re being stubborn. “

___

At gathering, several barons, earl, their knights and family were gathered. Counts will not enter this early and Duke at last. It was a tradition practised by aristocracy for centuries. And for lower nobility to enter later than the higher one was considered rude if not outright offensive.

Nobles were chatting with several topics which were mostly useless. Heck, they were even more useless than the meeting at Jack’s place.

Suddenly Ray’s eye fell on a beauty wearing purple gown matching the purple eyes. Her brown curly hair gracefully tied. Several young nobles were mesmerized just like him. But walking past them, it was him whom she forward her hand to.