Raven

Chapter 7

Raven's POV

Miss Harley was the perfect embodiment of a shopaholic. Every shop we entered, we will come out carrying 2-3 bags. If you think this is few, wait till you see the batch she just had delivered to her house before this.

Right now, I'm carrying a few bag while the group of the mall's employees following behind us were the ones carrying the rest of Miss Harley's items.

I heard from the people behind me that Miss Harley was the daughter of the owner of this mall. She shops here this much every month so almost all the employees knew her and witnessed her epic spending.

The day ended with her being escorted by her bodyguards though.

We were having fun at the arcade when we were suddenly surrounded by men in black. Miss Harley was about to escape, along with me, when she stopped and stood face to face with a man.

"Hi there, Hype. It's a surprise to see you here." Miss Harley said cheekily.

It was Hyperion. The one Miss Harley referred to as a "mother hen" nagging her. He's indeed handsome, but his face was always in a frown as if he's carrying all the problems in the world. Well, knowing Miss Harley's personality, he must have had it hard.

They left me in the mall with a bunch of bags in tow. All these stuff were chosen by Miss Harley but she frequently asked me about my preference from time to time.

I came home looking like a Christmas tree decorated with colorful paper bags from famous designer brands. People were looking at me as if I robbed a department store, or a personal assistant of a celebrity.

Even Lilibeth was shocked to see me. "Did you took my card‽"

My face went blank. "Ha ha, very funny."

I gently placed the bags on the floor and fell on the couch with a flop. Lilibeth leaned down and examined the bags. "Wow, these are some designer items you got here."

I lazily picked up a cyan-colored box and handed it to her. "For you. From Miss Harley."

Lilibeth's face was doubtful as she opened the bag. I was buying milktea when Miss Harley bought that so I have no idea what's in it.

"Holy sh—" She paused and looked at me and made a peace sign. Her eyes twinkled as she held the box like it's a sacred item.

"Let me guess. A tea set?" I said while dangling my head on the couch's armrest.

She looked at me excitedly, "This is not just an ordinary tea set. This is the six-piece sterling silver tea and coffee service made by Epiphany Empire during the 17th century. It was sold at more than four times the original estimate by an auction house in Gaston State in January 20xx."

I stared at Lilibeth blabbering about how awesome the tea set in her hand is. She couldn't stop mentioning how thankful she was for Miss Harley's gift.

"By the way, you hungry?" Lilibeth asked. She was now displaying the tea set in her cabinet full of other tea sets that she collected. I think she already had 36 sets? And none of it hasn't even been used once.

"Hungry and dead tired," I said exaggeratedly.

Lilibeth chuckled. "I cooked some beef stew. You gonna eat?"

I thought of it for a while and then decided that I'm not that hungry. "I think I'll just make a sandwich."

"Let me make you one."

"Two!"

I heard her laugh and said, "Ok, two sandwiches."

I was just minding my own business, going in a daze again, when I heard Lilibeth placing the plate of sandwich on the coffee table and nudged me, "Raven, what do you think about moving?"

I sat up when I heard her say that. "Move where?"

"Somewhere big, somewhere fun." She said mysteriously.

I'm not surprised though. We've been moving from place to place since the accident and I'm kinda getting used to it. We only rented this house, and we've only been here for like a year and a half?

I nodded showing my understanding. "Hmm, when?"

She winked at me as she handed the sandwich. "Next week, if there's no interruption of paper works."

I took the sandwich and had a bite. "What's the reason this time?" I asked. I'm just worried Lala and Mathilde might ask questions about why I'm moving away, again.

Lilibeth must've guessed it from the worried look I had on my face. She patted my shoulder and gave me an assuring smile. "Don't worry, it's just an hour drive away from here, so you'll still be seeing them if you like. Just tell them... you'll be settling down for good."

My eyes widen and I almost choke from excitement. "Really‽ This will be our last house moving‽"

Lilibeth giggled. "Yes." And then she looked at me intently which gave me goosebumps. "And probably you'll be attending school again."

"What‽ Ack—cough!" This time I really choked from the sandwich I ate. I grabbed the juice she also prepared and gulped it down in one go.

"Please tell me this is just a prank and you're getting back at me for what I did to you last time." I pleaded as I went down on memory lane, remembering Lilibeth's annoyed look when I pranked her with a broken tea set.

"I wish I was, honey. But sorry to say, you'll be going back to school and start socializing again."

The stimulation that Lilibeth's news brought to me affected me so much that my vision blurred.

?

"What is this?" I grimaced as I stood up from the ground. I found myself in the middle of a road. It was nighttime and the streets were filled with red dazzling lanterns. People were walking happily on the street, wearing the same outfit as me.

"Am I wearing ancient-style Chinese clothing? Wait, what era am I in?" I turned around only to find out that I'm not alone. "Mathilde? Lala?"

"Eh? You must be mistaken. I am Lin, and this is my sister Jia." The person who looked like Lala answered. "Are you lost? Did you came for the lantern festival?"

I realized I was dreaming so I decided to act like I don't know them, the same routine, whenever I went into dream mode. "Uh, yes, I came for the lantern festival. Can I tag along?"

"Sure~" Jia answered enthusiastically, which weirded me out 'cause I was used to Mathilde being a grumpy person. "Is it your first time attending the Lantern Festival?"

"Uh yes, my friends left me behind. With this crowd, I doubt they'll find me sooner." I said while making my expression even sadder.

"You can come with us. Maybe you'll find them at the wishing tree." Lin offered. My eyes sparkled, I'm finally saved.

We started roaming around the place and had a look at the shops. The streets were filled with small shops and stalls, selling toys, foods, and stuff. Children were everywhere, running around. Families, elders, and even lovers were all present. "It's my first time attending a lantern festival. This place is packed." I told the two.

I was just having fun sightseeing when a couple passed by my side.

"Slow down. Don't be in a hurry or you'll trip."

"Why do I have to attend the festival wearing this?"

The couple was whispering at each other, but lucky for me I can hear them. I also heard the people around us whispering.

"That girl is so beautiful. Her eyes are bright."

"That man is also very handsome."

"They must've come to the lantern festival together."

The beautiful girl the people were talking about was having difficulty pulling her dress. The handsome man he was with was just smiling, covering the beautiful girl's annoyed face with a fan while walking.

"Why is she wearing such heavy clothes?" I suddenly blurted out.

Lin and Jia turned to look at what I was referring to and giggled. "Oh, she probably works as an entertainer. Only people with those jobs wear that kind of outfit." Jia answered.

On the way, we saw a group of court officials. They're also going to attend the festival, at the same time keeping everything else in order. One of the officials stopped and greeted a couple. "Hello Li daren, are you going to the lantern festival with your wife?"

I listened again (more like eavesdropping). I read in an article that "daren" is a title given to someone with a higher position. This guy must be their superior.

The man replied calmly, "Yes, I'm accompanying my dear wife."

His wife nodded politely at the court officials and smiled. A child suddenly ran and bump into the wife. She almost fell, luckily he managed to hug her waist and supported her gently, "Careful."

I witnessed all of this and before I could even complain to Lin and Jia for eating dog food, the two went to the couple and bowed.

"Good evening, Li daren. Madam Li. It's so nice to see you two attend the festival despite your busy schedules." Lin said. Jia gave the one named Madam Li a mini lantern. I don't know if it'll fly but it's cute so yeah.

"Thank you so much." Madam Li said and accepted the mini lantern. The couple then left and went in the direction of the stone bridge.

When they were already far away, I asked the two. "Who are they?"

"Oh, that was Li daren, our magistrate. And that's his wife, Madam Li, the royal forensic doctor. Isn't he pretty?" Lin said

"Wait, did you just said 'he'?" I asked while cleaning my ears 'cause I suspected I am going deaf.

Jia giggled at my reaction. "The whole town knew that Li daren's wife was a man. Aren't they cute together?"

I sighed. "He's a boyfriend material, husband material, whatever you call that."