“Have you been eating well?”

“Uhhh, first of all, could you please put me down, dear sister?”

Francis was raised up into the sky. His sister’s hands were firmly placed on her waist, and he was picked up like a child. His legs dangled in the air.

“Are you sure you’re eating well? You’re too light.”

“Oh, well if you’d like me to explain, let me down. Don’t drop me though. You’ll break my legs.”

“Is that so? As expected of our little brother, haha,” the other sister said.

He was hoisted up by Elise, the second daughter of the Rayleighs. Wearing the academy uniform, she looked smart and classy with the red tie tucked into her blazer. Both of them had the trademark crimson red eyes of the family.

“And this your guard?” Elise said, looking at Katalina with Francis still in her hands.

“Alright I think that’s enough, sister. Let’s all head inside. I’m sure father would be happy to see us again, but knowing him, he’s probably swamped with work,” said Estelle, the eldest daughter.

“Now if you could put me down, I’d really appreciate it sister.”

“No can do!”

Elise placed him firmly on her shoulders. And in combination to the natural strength of the Rayleighs, his also natural light weight let her play with him like a ragdoll. The toy was put atop her shoulders, like how a father would carry a daughter.

“Right, I guess you don’t listen to anyone,” said Francis.

“Get used to it brother,” the eldest sister said, “It's your fate to be her toy when she wants it, haha. Just wait until she gets bored.”

The two sisters shared many things in common. Raven black hair, and crimson red eyes. The signature features of a Rayleigh. Estelle wore a similar imperial academy uniform, with a purple blazer, and red tie. They wore a white shirt beneath the blazer and a long indigo skirt went with it. The uniform itself was form fitting, unlike the long flowy dresses of the ballroom. Equipped with an ample chest and striking looks, were she not a Rayleigh, Estelle would have suitors lined up around the mansion. And a similar statement could be made for Elise.

Once past the entrance to the mansion, various servants greeted them as they returned. The butler took their coats as they walked in, keeping his head down. He never did anything more than necessary. The required formalities, the needed actions to appease them. There was no attempt at small talk, or anything similar. And it seemed like they appreciated it too, and would prefer to keep the situation as it is.

They walked towards his father’s office. The two guards that stood in front of the large doors saluted and bowed as the three children walked. Katalina followed closely behind her lord, saluting to those who did so.

He tried his best to push the doors open. Elise laughed from below him.

“Too weak to open the door, brother?” the second daughter asked.

“It's locked.”

“What are you talking about? It's not,” she pushed the door.

“Huh?”

The great wooden doors swung open. Their father looked up, his raven black hair reflecting sunlight. A servant was by his side, presumably to help sort the documents. On the main table, there were several stacks of papers.

“You’re back, you two.”

The man that walked around with a frown most of the time let his face change. A small, but noticeable smile propped itself up on his lips, and for a moment, those crimson red eyes had a warm feeling to them.

He stood up, showing off his height for all. The two sisters, and the brother on one of their shoulders, entered the room. Surprisingly, the doors were tall enough to allow that, though he did need to bend a little bit. Francis could feel the heat radiating off of his sister’s shoulders, and watched the smooth raven black hair sway as she walked.

“Could you put me down now, sister?”

“Nope. You’re very light.”

“That’s not the problem?”

“Doesn’t matter.”

“She’s right. There’s nothing wrong with it,” his father added in.

“See? Besides, you’ve changed since last year.”

“How so?”

“You’ve gotten more gentle. Calmer too.”

“Huh... By the way, when’s the Hunters Festival?” Francis asked, “I was told that it’ll start once you two come back.”

“It’s tomorrow. So, please rest up you two. And Fran, are you prepared? Who have you chosen?” Charles said.

“Actually, about that... What determines who can go hunting?”

“Well, a hunter must be able to bring back results. That immediately eliminates you from the list. But aside from that, nothing’s stopping a son or daughter of a noble to go. But even if they do go, its useless if they’re not appointed as a knight.”

“What do you mean by that last part?”

“Oh, that’s the people you’ve chosen. I assume you’re picking your sisters, and me?”

Ah. Right.

“I’ll keep it as a surprise. Find out tomorrow, haha.”

Nervous laughter escaped his mouth. How could he forget about his own father? No, why did he forget? There was nothing to indicate that he was going to stay still. If even his sisters were participating, why couldn’t his father do so too?

“If that’s all, then go ahead and rest, you two.”

“That’s right sister. So put him down,” Estelle said.

The second daughter grabbed onto him by his sides. Squeezing him, she pulled him off and placed him on the ground. The three children bowed, and left their father’s study as per his request.

“Now then, let's get some sleep. If you want to get a good game tomorrow, you better rest Elise. And brother? I’m expecting one.”

“Yes, yes, of course. Good night then both of you, even though it's just the afternoon,” Francis waved goodbye to the two of them as they headed to their rooms.

He turned around, and raced towards his own quarters. When he passed Anne, he stopped. The maid bowed her head.

“Young master?”

“Cancel my lesson with Mr Frium for today.”

“Oh dear young master. What happened?”

“I just forgot about something, that’s all. Tell him I apologise for taking up his time,” Francis said before walking away again.

Katalina followed him, and matched his pace. Step for step. His legs moved fast. And his brain was moving even faster. It was his blunder. Once they reached the doors of his private quarters, he turned around and faced her.

“Are there any requirements for the thing? Like the gift to the hunters?” he asked.

“As long as it is from someone of noble blood who isn’t participating.”

“I see. Then maybe something like a ribbon?”

“Did you forget to buy something for his grace, my lord?”

“...And if I did?”

She stifled a laugh. Indeed, it had slipped his mind. She was in the right to laugh, it was his fault after all.

“Anything will do, my lord.”

“Then could you please get me a sewing kit for me,” Francis said when he opened the door.

“You can sew?”

“Of course I can.”

With a needle in hand, he took a small piece of black fabric and pierced it. Weaving in and out, he embroidered a crude image of the Rayleigh family crest. The ribbon was long enough to stretch across and be tied into a knot onto a sword. It wasn’t much, but it had to do. A pair of earrings for each of his sisters, a ring for Katalina, and a ribbon for his father. Or, he could always just give the ring to Charles.

The next day came, and Francis woke up. Anne was sitting beside his bed, and stood up when he woke. She bowed her head, and greeted him.

“You’re awake, my lord.”

“Yes, I am. Do I need to do anything?”

“Young master, I need to do your makeup. The butler needs to handle your clothes. A light breakfast is prepared for you, so once you finish, we need to get started.”

He nodded, and stood up. The translucent gown hung off his shoulders. He left his room, and Katalina greeted him as he left. She followed him towards the dining room.

Upon arriving, he was the only male Rayleigh there. His mother, who wasn’t participating, was drinking coffee. She waved as he walked in, and quickly finished. Toast lathered with butter, and a cup of tea was brought out for him.

“Are you prepared?” his mother asked.

“Well, we’re not participants, so we don’t have much to prepare for.”

“Hmp. Fran, dear, don’t forget. Today, your existence will be announced. When you went to other noble parties, we were there too. Your father especially. But now, everyone will know that you’re mixed. There’s no more aura shield around you.”

“Aura shield?”

“Oh to hide your eyes and hair, dear. Did we not tell you?”

He quickly finished his breakfast and rushed off. What was aura? His teacher didn’t tell him anything about it.

Francis raced back towards his quarters. If he was late, the consequences would be unthinkable. His fate would be to rot in a dungeon. The emperor and his family would be present. Francis Rayleigh could not let that chance pass.

“Alright!” he slammed the door open.

Anne jumped as he entered. She quickly bowed her head, and motioned for him to sit in front of the mirror. The butler worked on the side, picking out clothes that might suit his lord’s fancy.

She brushed his hair and ran the hairbrush through. Anne applied makeup onto his face, while the butler helped him get dressed. In the end, he wore a long, dark blue and white dress, much to his bewilderment.

“Uh, and why am I wearing a dress?” he asked.

“Well, historically, all sons of nobles have participated as hunters. Some daughters participate too, but that’s rarer. But, usually, the ones not hunting for the mothers, wifes, and other nobles’ daughters. As such, it's tradition to go in a dress. So, young master, don’t feel bad about it,” said the butler.

He looked at himself in the mirror. The dress nearly touched the floor, and when he walked, the high heels proved difficult to use. With a dark blue mantle, he wore a white dress beneath. A small golden hairpin, inserted in the right side of his grey hair. In the mirror, he looked completely different from his normal self. A much more elegant person appeared, one that strayed in between the boundaries of male and female. His long eyelashes fluttered as he took a closer look.

“I look very different.”

“Of course young master! You need to look good, since other nobles will be watching. And, this will be a good chance to charm any potential suitors. Even if you’re not interested in anyone, I’m sure you want to look good for her, right?”

“‘Her’? Who’s on your mind? The crown princess?”

“Oh your knight of course!”

“What? Nah. Besides, let’s go.”

When he left the mansion, the rest of the family was already waiting. The hunters wore tight fitting tunics and pants. Francis had the gifts in a small box, which he held within a small bag. No servants were to follow them, as it was a nobles only event. A carriage waited by the road, pulled by two strong brown horses.

“Oo. Looking good brother,” Elise said.

She picked him up by his sides and raised him. Her hands pressed against his stomach. A pair of black gloves fit snugly on her hands. Katalina supported him from below, though her help probably wasn’t needed.

“Lise, you’ll dirty his dress. Put him down,” said Estelle.

The second daughter gently lowered him. His feet landed onto the ground with a soft thud. The cool autumn air dug deep into his nose and lungs as he took a deep breath. Charles stepped into the carriage, and it creaked and shaked as he put his entire weight on it. Estelle and Elise followed him in. Marianne was next, until the only ones left outside was Francis and Katalina. The carriage itself seemed large enough to fit all of them, though he didn’t know if the horses could pull them.

With a slow start, the carriage began to chug along. There wasn’t much to see along the way. Trees, trees, big open fields, more trees. But after what seemed like an eternity, they arrived.

Tents arranged in a grid like fashion. It didn’t take a genius to figure out which one was theirs. They could see it from quite a distance away. Clad in black, with the Rayleigh family symbol. It stood out from the rest, as the only one in black. As soon as Charles stepped out of the carriage, someone announced his arrival.

“His grace, Duke Rayleigh! And his family! Duchess Marianne! Lady Estelle! Lady Elise! Lord Francis!”

Immediately, he felt stares. From all around him, coming from every direction. They made their way towards their own tent, but he heard whispers among the nobles.

“Francis... Pink eyes...”

“Grey hair... Mixed...”

Elise placed her hand on his shoulders. With a firm grip, she pulled him along. He was much more aware of the painful grip that the stares and whispers.

When they entered the tent, something caught his eye. Or rather, the absence of something. There were no weapons for use. Did the hunters bring their own?

Indeed, he had noticed that they all had their swords by their side. Even Katalina had her usual blade ready. The glacier blue gemstone hummed. The entirety of the Rayleigh family hunter’s had swords that varied in size and length. Elise had a broad, long blade, with a red mana stone. Estelle meanwhile, wielded a rapier, decorated with a bright yellow mana stone.

“Don’t we need to visit others?” Francis asked.

“Tsk. We won’t do that. They’ll come to us, as much as I hate it.”

Francis nodded. The other nobles would visit them. Like flies to a piece of meat sitting unattended on a table. He braced himself for what was to come, like it or not.