Ravina’s headache didn’t end with Earl’s sudden trist into fashion. The maids at Crook-Beak Manor were thrilled to learn she was attending a party, and with a date no less. Whispers echoed through the halls, speculating which nobleman from the academy had captured her heart. After all, only someone from the academy could be worthy of her. That was, someone from the Amaranth Aeolian Clerisy Academy.
Ravina never mentioned her change in academic pursuits to the maids for one simple reason; they never asked. As a noble, it was expected that she graduate from AACA. It wasn’t a hard rule, but a social expectation, especially for the daughter of a count. She didn't need top scores—that was for the daughters of dukes and royals—but she had to be suitable for her rank. The system favored the rich, and that worked in her favor.
So, in the shade of ignorance the joyful gossipers of Crook-Beak were determined to give their best effort. Ravina was roused before dawn, the cool night air still lingering outside. The event wouldn’t take place until the sun was low in the sky, but the maids were unwavering in their dedication. To them, it was their duty to ensure Ravina was the most splendid jewel in the city of education—Princess Mian herself be damned.
Ravina blinked the sleep from her eyes, bewildered by the small army of maids that had materialized seemingly out of nowhere. She had only ever seen two or three of them at a time, and mostly they had done nothing but gossip. Now, they moved with sharp, professional precision, and soon she was captive to their whims.
They nearly drowned her in a bath of rose water, the scent mingling with the sharp tang of the alchemical potions, poured in at regular intervals. Her skin glowed after being scrubbed, a feat only accomplished with the expensive reagents mixed into the water that healed any removal of her skin.
When she was finally released from the watery prison, the floral fragrance lingering long after she was wrapped in plush towels, the cool air raising goosebumps on her freshly pampered skin. She found herself comfortable in a why that made her eyes droop. Yet she had little time to be sleepy, for the maids were not done. Their hands tugging her damp hair this way and that with practiced precision. It was something that would never end.
Indeed, it felt like an eternity, but eventually, the ordeal was over, and the young Ravina was finally ready to attend the first ball of both her lives.
She gazed at her reflection, hardly recognizing the person staring back. Her dark hair had been pulled into a sleek bun, with a few loose strands framing her face. A gentle sprinkling of rare purple flowers had been woven into her hair, softening her features and highlighting her subtle beauty.
The dress, selected in advance by Earl, was a deep, dark green. It was made from smooth, heavy silk. Bright green gems adorned her neck and ears, casting tiny emerald reflections across the room. She ran a hand down the front of the gown, feeling the cool, luxurious material. “Honestly, it’s like they think this is young love or something,” she muttered as she held herself in awe of her own appearance.To the adults around her, that’s exactly what it looked like.
The manor’s caretaker entered the room, calm and composed, as he informed Ravina that her partner had arrived. “What?” Ravina's eyes widened. “So soon?”
“It’s already time for the ball to start,” he replied with a sly smile, gesturing toward the window. Ravina's eyes doubled in size as she saw the sun sinking low behind the buildings.
“When did—?” She was certain the maids had woken her before dawn, but now the evening was nearly upon them. The butler offered an awkward smile in response.
“Shall I have the young gentleman wait in the parlor?” he asked politely.
“N-no, I’m ready,” she stammered, turning to the maids for confirmation. They nodded enthusiastically. “Yeah, I’m ready, so… let’s get this over with.”
Crook-Beak Manor was in the exclusive Kendel district, as such Ravina had arranged for a carriage to pick up Earl Hayes. It was a kindness, but also a bit of a snarky bit of revenge—after all, he had won the bet, but she still felt cheated so she wanted to display how much better she was than him. It was a petty thought, especially since her lot in life was only borrowed.
Taking a deep breath, Ravina left for the simple carriage she had hired for them. Carefully navigating the high-heeled shoes she was unaccustomed to. The butler’s escort was a blessing as she managed the precarious footwear. She had worn heels before but always found a way to avoid them.
Yet, the formality of the event and the maids' enthusiasm had her in a pair of delicate, high-heeled shoes raised even higher than she was ever used to. While it did make her a little taller and she thought they were kind of cute, she still preferred flats. It wasn’t terrible, but Ravina couldn’t help but feel she wasn’t meant to tiptoe through life.
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When she finally boarded the carriage, she found Earl already seated on the other side. He was dressed in a fine black suit with purple accents, every detail meticulously chosen to match their agreed-upon theme. True to his vision, they both wore the colors of their partners, and Ravina couldn’t help but admit that he had done an excellent job. He had expertly coordinated not only his outfit but hers as well, though the maids deserved much of the credit for pulling her together.
He sat stiffly, a gleam of light revealing a bead of sweat on his forehead as Ravina entered. He swallowed dryly.
With a lurch, the carriage pulled forward, the driver's whip cracking through the air as the lone black horse pulled the heavy carrage forward from the sound as the whip never broke across it. The city streets passed by in a blur of shadow and light, the evening settling into a quiet calm. They moved in silence, the rhythmic clatter of the carriage wheels against the cobblestones the only sound.
Earl fidgeted with his sleeve, his usual confidence replaced by rare hesitation. Finally, he cleared his throat, breaking the silence. “So… who… uh… who are you, exactly?”
Ravina smiled at his awkwardness. “Just your average classmate,” she replied, enjoying the way his eyes narrowed in annoyance. But he pulled in a fresh breath of air as he tried to regain his composure. But she wasn’t going to let that happen easily. “One you leveraged a bet with to bring as a date, and then tried to lock into a year-long contract.”
“I-it was mutual,” he corrected quickly, stumbling over the words. “Also not really dating, just a bit of a lie for…my…sake…”
“Oh?” Ravina feigned shock, widening her purple eyes and placing her hands on her chest. Tears formed in the discomfort from keeping her eyes open that wide. “Am I not worthy?” she asked, her tone dripping with mock offense.
Earl realized the trap just in time, stopping his reply after the first syllable slipped out. He coughed slightly, then corrected himself, “I’ve no doubt you would be worthy of anyone—myself, a noble, even the prince.” he added, causing Ravina to click her tongue as she rubbed the discombert from her eyes. “But it was a bet we both agreed upon, and that year was decided by both of us.”
Ravina puffed out a small breath, a playful smirk tugging at her lips. “You’re no fun,” she teased, clicking her tongue.
“And you’re no commoner,” Earl countered, his voice regaining some of its usual confidence as he straightened in his seat.
“Obviously,” Ravina replied with a casual shrug, as if stating an undeniable fact. She glanced out the window, watching the city’s shadows flicker past. “But this city’s rules require students to hide such things.”
“You know why all our peers have a last name, right?” Earl’s expression grew stony, his eyes hardening.
“Of course,” she said casually, dismissing his question.
Still, Earl didnt let it go. “Do you know why that rule exists?”
“To ensure everyone is treated fairly,” Ravina answered lightly, though she sensed the air around Earl was twisting uncomfortable.
A heavy silence settled over the carriage, the rhythmic tapping of the wheels against the cobblestones the only sound.
“It’s to stop nobles from killing commoners out of petty revenge,” Earl muttered, his voice low and rough.
“Killing?” Ravina echoed, her head tilting to the side slightly.
“Of course,” Earl scoffed, his eyes falling out the window, his tone darkening. “Why would a noble tolerate the insult of being shown up by a peasant?”
“That’s…” She wanted to disagree with him but even her limited interactions with nobles around her age had left a bad taste in her mouth. Still, “killing is a bit harsh…” Ravina suggested, her voice faltering as unease twisted in her stomach. The concept wasn’t entirely unthinkable, and that realization disturbed her. “Humans have rights,” she muttered, more to herself than to Earl, but such a mentality didn't belong in the era she was in.
“Commoners have rights?” Earl repeated, twisting her words. His lips curled into a twisted smile as his green eyes turned to hers. It was a simple act that sent a cold shiver down her spine. “Sure, I guess. They do have the right to die.”
The air between them thickened with an uncomfortable chill. Ravina was unaware of what to say.
“Sorry,” Earl relented, his voice softer now, almost regretful. But Ravina wasn’t ready to just drop this. His hostility had flared up after her clever little comment, before that he was just a bit nervous about finding out that Ravina lived in Kendel.
She couldn’t shake the feeling she had said something she shouldn't have and it made her feel a bit guilty. So now, as the silence had become awkward, her mind raced to piece together what the reason could be. It was clear Earl harbored a deep resentment, but it wasn’t just about status—again, he was normal even after guessing she was a noble. No… it was something more specific, something about the insult of being shown up by a peasant.
She needed more information, but time wasn’t on her side. So she asked a question, and asked it rather indelicately, “Who did you lose?”
“Drop it,” he demanded, his tone cutting through the air like a knife. For a moment, Ravina could see the pain flicker in his eyes before he turned away.
The reaction was an answer of sorts. It was obvious that he had lost someone close to him—family, most likely. But she knew better than to push further, they weren’t close enough for that kind of conversation.