A week swam by far too quickly, slipping through her fingers like water. Before she knew it, Ravina found herself standing before a beautiful marble fountain, its cascading waters shimmering in the golden afternoon light. She wore a casual pastel violet summer dress that swayed gently in the breeze, the soft fabric brushing against her skin. The appointed time had come, and with it, a quiet hum of anticipation.

She had arrived a little early—only by a few hours. Yet, despite the wait, nothing could still the excited fluttering in her chest. Her eyes followed the city as it moved around her, an odd mixture of nostalgia settling over her as she watched. With summer break in full swing, most schools had emptied out, and many students had returned home. The kingdom's capital was a week’s journey by carriage, and that’s where most of her classmates had gone.

The streets weren’t as bustling as usual, with only those who couldn’t or chose not to go home lingering about, along with the true residents of the City of Education. It was a quieter place now, with a rare stillness woven into the rhythm of daily life. Still, the public square was far from empty. Ravina noticed the steady flow of people milling about, some wandering aimlessly while others walked with purpose.

Quite a few couples caught her eye, strolling hand in hand as they made their way to cozy restaurants or paused at various market stalls. A few bold ones ventured into the upscale stores that lined the square, eager to impress their dates with a grand display of their wallets.

It was the perfect lazy day for the city, where nothing seemed to matter beyond deciding what to do next. The soft murmur of the square, the gentle sway of the trees, everything felt at ease.

“Good afternoon, Miss Grant.” The voice, warm and familiar, wrapped around her like a comforting breeze. She spun around, her heart skipping a beat as she found him standing there, his smile as radiant as ever. The sight of him sent a warmth to her cheeks, a gentle blush carried on the soft wind that stirred between them.

“G-good afternoon!” she replied, her voice faltering as a smile naturally spread across her face. “You look great.”

And he did—beyond great. He stood before her like the very picture of nobility and effortless charm. His coat, a vibrant green that mirrored the lushness of a summer meadow, accentuated the striking intensity of his turquoise-green eyes, making them glow even more brightly under the golden rays of sunlight. Every inch of him radiated confidence, from the way his coat fit perfectly against his lean frame to the sharp, pristine white pants that flowed into his soft grey shoes.

There was a quiet elegance in how he carried himself—refined but without arrogance. The breeze tousled his pearl-copper hair, the loose waves catching the light just so, adding a playful contrast to his otherwise impeccable appearance. He looked both dashing and heavenly, especially when he was viewed in the light of day.

He let loose a beautiful, windchime-like laugh at her compliment. “Thank you,” he replied, his eyes twinkling, “so do you.”

Ravina felt her cheeks grow warm, a bit bashful under his gaze. She couldn’t help but think of all the effort the entire female staff—she was sure there was even a souz chefs in the group—had put into helping her prepare. It had felt as though the entire manor had rallied around her, transforming her into something that felt almost otherworldly. The light, pastel dress they’d chosen brought out the deep purple of her eyes far more than the darker tones she usually wore, and it framed her face, her long raven-black hair cascading down her back like silk.

The dress had been tailored perfectly, highlighting her natural figure with an elegance she hadn’t realized she possessed. Even the areas where she felt lacking had been given a delicate touch, the craftsmanship almost making her laugh at their attempts to create the illusion of what wasn’t there.

“T-thank you,” she managed, wishing she could get the words out without stumbling over them.

For a moment, they stood there, an awkward silence creeping in between them. Ravina felt her pulse quicken, unsure of what to say next.

“May I inquire if the lady has yet to eat?” he asked, his voice breaking the tension with graceful ease.

Ravina shook her head. “No, I haven’t eaten yet.”

With a charming smile, he extended his white-gloved hand. “Then might I suggest we walk a little ways? I know a delightful restaurant that I believe will suit my lady’s taste.”

Without hesitation, she placed her hand in his, and despite the fabric of the glove, she could feel the warmth radiating from his touch. Her heart skipped a beat as she replied, “Please, lead the way.”

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

Arm in arm, they strolled down the street, the world around them fading into the background. The steady rhythm of her heart was all she could hear.

The meal had been fantastic, and though there had been a touch of awkwardness at first, they soon found their rhythm, talking with ease. As they lingered over after-dinner coffee, he leaned back slightly, his eyes warm with admiration. “I have to say,” he began, taking a slow sip, “it’s rare to find a woman so well-versed in the law.”

Ravina smiled, swirling the dark liquid in her cup with a small spoon, watching the ripples form. “Well, it’s because I was almost blindsided,” she admitted, her voice steady but thoughtful. “My father started a program for young orphans, and I wanted to keep it going. After all, children are this country’s future.” She paused, hoping her words came across as mature and meaningful.

“Without the law,” Ravina continued, her voice growing more impassioned, “my father’s orphanage would close, and so many children would be left at the mercy of the church.” As soon as the words left her lips, she regretted them. The stories she’d read—the ones where the church was often cast as corrupt and malevolent—filled her mind. She had always enjoyed those trashy romance novels, but this was different.

Her fears, however, were quickly dispelled by his next words.

“I see. Yes, it is unfortunate that the church does so little for the children when they are given so much.”

“Exactly!” Ravina's face brightened, relieved he agreed with her. “When I was preparing my argument to keep the initiative alive, I did some research. The church doesn’t even spend 1% of its donations on children.”

He raised an eyebrow. “What? That can’t be right.”

“It is!” Ravina nodded vigorously. “Thirty percent goes to ‘Other,’ whatever that means. Twenty percent to the priests, another twenty to infrastructure, ten to bookmaking and preaching, ten more to missionary work, five to temple maintenance, three to tithes, and the remaining one percent is stored away for later. Of that final percentage, only a fraction actually goes to supplies for orphanages across the entire kingdom!”

“Really?” He knit his brow, clearly intrigued. “That seems rather suspect. Also, aren’t tithes just taxes to the church?”

“Exactly! That three percent is just recycled money,” Ravina exclaimed, “It's why they always get a record number of donations!” Leaning back in her seat, Ravina suddenly felt the weight of her frustration bear down on her. “It’s infuriating when you think about it. They clearly don’t care, yet they were so insistent on getting custody of the kids. With those numbers, I’m never going to let them take my children.”

“Uh, right,” he said, his tone a bit cautious. “But it all turned out well in the end, didn’t it?”

“Yeah… in the end,” she sighed. “Dear old Dad had to come to my rescue. You should have seen it. They were so smug, all high and mighty, until he stood up. Then—” she snapped her fingers, “boom—silence. No one dared speak while he was talking, and the fear in their eyes? That was real power.”

“Yes, Count Ravenshild is a truly powerful man,” he agreed, his voice lowering in respect. “Many believe he holds more influence than the imperial family. Actually, the Ravenshilds are the only family left with direct ties to the founding of this nation, apart from the royal family of course.”

“Really? I’d believe it. I saw a map of our territory once—it’s just over a third of the kingdom. I have no idea why we’re still considered a county. Even the three dukes have less land than we do.”

“Well,” he said with a wry smile, “it’s all about politics and appearances. The royal family can’t afford to have a duke that powerful, but they can’t legally break up the Ravenshilds either. They’ve tried before. You know, you’ve done well to study law, especially sense many covet the power of the house of ravens. Your family has great military strength, so there’s no reason for you to fight. Just focus on the battles behind the scenes.”

“I suppose you’re right,” she admitted, glancing down at her hands. “I mean, I can fight when I need to, but… it’s not as satisfying when I do, you know?”

He blinked, looking at her curiously. “Wait, your saying you’ve not only learned to fight, but you’ve actively participated?”

“Huh? Oh, yeah,” Ravina said casually before realizing what she’d revealed. “I mean, I sort of secretly joined the adventurers guild to learn how to fight monsters because of the whole there—” She caught herself, her voice dropping to a near whisper. “I mean… just because.”

There was an undeniable allure in the way the baron’s son raised his left eyebrow, arching it high in curiosity, yet he didn’t press her for more. “That’s amazing,” he said, his voice filled with admiration. “I’ve never met a woman who could be so brave.”

Ravina’s cheeks flushed, and she found herself laughing nervously. “Oh, stop,” she murmured, though inside, she wondered how much longer her heart could handle the sweetness of his words.

But he wasn’t done. “No, it’s true,” he continued, his tone soft yet sincere. “In the central region, women are little more than decoration for men. But you… You’re quite the credit to your gender.”

He stood up shortly after, extending his hand toward her once more. “Now then, my lady, perhaps a walk to ease the dinner?”

Ravina hesitated only for a moment before placing her hand in his, feeling the gentle warmth of his fingers as he pulled her up with graceful ease. There was a quiet intimacy in the simple gesture and with it they departed the eatery and stepped into the serene streets. The world seemed to slow down around them as they walked hand in hand.