Several days passed, and today the festival was to take place. The servants had just finished dressing him and giving him a noble appearance. Dark eyes looked at their reflection in the mirror; the suit was worn instead of a white shirt with an emblem, his unruly dark hair now had a more aristocratic and neat look, with his fringe remaining, but the rest gathered into a ponytail held and adorned by a white silk ribbon shaped into a bow. Ray's gaze was serious but showed his boredom and indifference.
The whole family got into the carriage, and it began to move. His father, a man with a stern face, magnificent black hair, and eyes the color of a sea wave, sat opposite Ray and watched him. The boy felt as if the man controlled his every movement and thought with his gaze, and the head of the family's voice broke the silence.
"Ray, you are my eldest son and future heir; I hope you will take the festival seriously and know your place." His voice was severe and strict, his gaze seeming to burn a hole through him.
"Yes, Father… To be with the nobility and maintain conversations with them…" the boy answered indifferently and soullessly, feeling a certain prick of irritation and despair.
When they arrived at the square, there was still some time left, so the young man went to look for his friends.
"There you are. Ready for the celebration?" Ray said, approaching his comrades with a smile.
Akito and Andy, who had been talking to each other, turned around, fell silent, looked at each other, then at Ray, and burst into laughter.
"What's with that bow on your head!?" Andy asked, laughing.
Ray, deep down, felt stung; he blushed and awkwardly averted his gaze.
"Silence… It's not like I wanted to dress like this myself…" the black-haired boy mumbled quietly in response.
"But still, it suits you," Akito teased and comforted him at the same time, wiping away tears and hiding a smile.
"Alright, don't pout, we're just being friendly. The celebration will start soon, let's go!" Andy encouraged the boys.
The square was filled with people of different ages and statuses, from poor peasants to rich aristocrats. Everywhere there was the smell of flowers, spring, and wine. While some danced, others drank and had fun; everyone was enjoying themselves. Only Ray couldn't relax; due to his status, he spent most of his time with high-ranking people or, even worse, with his father. The boy considered the nobility false and hypocritical, and his father weighed him down with questions and stories about the future.
'They're all the same… Hiding behind masks of nobility, but empty inside, fakes who only care about themselves…' Ray thought with clear disgust.
As evening approached, fires burned, creating a magical and pleasant atmosphere. It was quiet, a cold wind blew, carrying the scents of wine and flowers. Ray was finally sitting with his friends.
"Who among you would like to become what?" he asked.
"I don't know, maybe I'll follow in my father's footsteps, or find an interesting job," Akito mused dreamily, looking at the evening sky, which was gradually adorned with bright stars, just like his gaze.
"I'd like to become a knight, or an adventurer! Something related to a sword and adventures," Andy said, a self-assured and proud smile on her face.
"Well, I have no choice; I'll be a baron whether I want to or not…" Ray muttered sadly.
"And what's wrong with that?" Akito asked.
"Aristocrats… they're… not real, always hypocritical and only concerned with their status… I hate such people, but you two seem real to me… you don't hide behind masks…" Ray replied, looking sadly at the sky.
Everyone fell silent, then Akito stood up and looked at his friends.
"Maybe… we should take a walk? I think it wouldn't hurt."
"Anywhere, just away from all this boredom," Andy replied.
All three walked around the square, the lights shining. They walked wherever their feet took them. It was starting to get dark when Akito stopped.
"Look!" he exclaimed, picking up an ornament lying on the ground. It was in the shape of a bouquet of white and blue roses entwined with green vines; clearly, it was a master's work. Every petal, every detail seemed meticulously crafted, and the glow from the streetlights only enhanced the overall beauty of the piece.
"Wow! I've never seen anything like it!" Andy cried out excitedly, showing clear interest.
"It's just an ornament. Aristocrats have thousands of them. Probably the owner didn't like it or got bored of it, that's why it's lying here. For them, it's just a trifle, nothing valuable," Ray replied somewhat sadly and dispassionately.
"And what should I do with it?" Akito asked.
"I don't know, keep it, or give it to Andy," Ray answered.
"Why would I want it?! I'll just lose it accidentally; better keep it yourself, I don't need something like that," the girl said.
"As you wish," Akito replied, stuffing the ornament into his pocket.