"I will still say, think rationally. Your past is colluding your thinking. I will come back at night, after confirming everything from my spies in the duchess chamber, my lord please think wisely.'' Ian bowed and left the office.

He was right, the past was colluding my thoughts. I still remember those days, they were ingrained in my heart that I could not get free with those chains no matter how much I try.

I closed my eyes remembering her face again, how much I had loved her, from the core of my existence, she was like the missing piece of my soul, I did everything to make her one with me, and yet what I got except tears, oh Elizabeth, what had you done to me. (past memories of him, his is remembering when he was 16/17)

That night when we had shared the pie, I thought It was the first and last time we shared time but no, we kept meeting and she kept taking small footsteps towards my life only to ruin it in the end.

I closed my eyes, as memories drifted in,

"Cassius, we are going to take a round of the market, and you will learn how I check their taxes and their working procedure," said my father and I nodded.

We entered the carriage and reached the market. My father continued inspecting the stores opened for nobles, mostly stores of marquees Eddenson or duke Verita.

I heard with full concentration when he asked me to stay there for a while as he had urgent work from the owner. I nodded and started looking around trying to know more when my eyes fell on the pumpkin pie girl.

"Mother, I think that pink dress is better," Elizabeth said to her mother.

Her mother examined the pink dress with furrowed brows.

"no, it's too plain, we are going to have your coming of age ceremony, the dress should be unique. This red one would do" the dress his mother chose was a very heavy and sparkling one.

"But mother, it is too heavy, how would I balance it with high heels and everything?" she said in an almost crying voice.

"you will have to learn, Elizabeth. That is what all nobles do" said her mother in a strict tone and she nodded reluctantly.

Poor girl, from eating to clothing, she had no choice. Suddenly my eyes lit up as I realized I had received my allowance last night.

I walked to the shop when they left.

"excuse me, sir"

"yes, my lord, how can I help you,?" he asked confusedly, looking at a young boy in a female clothing shop alone.

I felt embarrassed for a minute. What was I even thinking? How did I even come here?

"oh, I think I am lost," I said and turned back, but then I saw another girl buying the same pink dress and it annoyed me.

"Actually, I want to buy the pink dress that the lady has in her hands." I pointed at the pink dress.

The man looked at me surprised but nodded, "alright, let me pack it for you, sir, it will cost 500 gold coins."?He replied and I nodded, I gave all the coins I had.

Though I had spent all the coins I had, I still felt good. But then another problem arose. How would this dress reach her?

I bit my lip as I felt like an idiot holding a dress and standing in the middle of the road.

"brother Cassius, what are you doing here, his highness is searching for you." Said Ian and my eyes sparkled.

"Ian, I have a very important task for you," I said and he looked surprised.

"but brother Cassius, I am going back to academy tomorrow with you, I will not stay here" he started shaking his head and I smiled

"It will only take an hour, I want you to give this dress to the?elder daughter of Marquees Wiltshire'' he nodded with relief when I added, "but her family should not know." And he looked at me bewildered.

"Then how would I do that brother Cassius, you know noble ladies do not go out alone before their coming of age ceremony, and the girl you are talking about has her ceremony three days later." He replied and my brows furrowed,

"How did you know that?" I asked with certain annoyance, why did he know that when I did not.

"uh, because I delivered the card to the palace two days ago," he said confused and I smiled, oh so that's why!

"Alright, then I will lessen your work, just hide this dress and deliver it in my chamber," I said and he nodded.

***********

Soon we arrived at her coming of age ceremony.

"You know Cassius, I am very happy today, this is the first time, I did not need to force you to attend a social gathering" he replied with a proud smile and I felt embarrassed. My hands instinctively reached to the seat where I had hidden the dress.

We walked in and soon started mingling, my eyes were settled on her when her father and she came to greet us. She was wearing that same red dress with makeup but she did not look as good as she always did.

I looked for a chance and when I saw her alone after an hour I walked towards her.

"Congratulations on your coming of age ceremony, lady Elizabeth"

She bowed, bending her knees a bit, "thank you, lord Cassius."

"may I have a minute with you, please?" She raised a brow when I forwarded by hand, and my heartbeat increased. I was feeling anxious for the first time in my life. I felt so much relief when she forwarded and held it. I smiled as I took him towards the door.

"where are we going?" she asked when she noticed that we are leaving the venue and she let go of my hand that instant. I could see suspicions in her eyes and I sighed.