A few days later, I'm running an errand with Mei-Rin to fetch some fabric uncle had ordered in preperation for the ball being held within two weeks. I sigh inwardly as I recall what he said before sending us on this errand.

"Lilly, there is a ball to be held in two weeks! We must look our best so that Lizzy catches the eye of the young prince, Ciel! Now go along with Mey-Rin, she'll make sure you do your job correctly this time. Can't even trust you to do simple tasks by yourself."

And with that, we were sent out to get his fabric, and he ordered an insane amount.

*Sigh*

"Don't you worry Lilly, I am here to help you, yes I am!" Says Mey-Rin with a bright smile.

"Thank you." I say, returning her smile.

As we reach the shop and step inside I am taken aback.

"It certainly is...red."

All around us is the color red with some gold and white splashed in here and there.

"This is the best fabric shop in all of Japan." States, Mey-Rin.

I nod taking her word for it before suddenly...

"HELLLOOOO! And welcome to Grell's wondrous world of fabrics!"

I start in surprise as a man dressed in a woman's red Kimono with white underneath appears before us, he has long bright red hair and green eyes the color of limes and long lashes behind thin glasses. He actually looks like a woman, but his voice and build suggest otherwise.

"Hello Grell! We're here to pick up the Viscounts fabrics, yes we are!" Says, Mey-Rin getting caught up in his enthusiasm.

"But of course! I have them right here!"

With that he begins bringing over several bundles of fabric and placing them in our arms until we're literally blind from it all.

"Umm...here's your payment."

I say while trying my best to hand over the coin purse without dropping anything.

He takes it and brings the purse to his ear before giving it a light shake, he then tosses it up into the air slightly to measure the weight and see if it's all there. Once he's satisfied he smiles brightly.

"Thank you for your service! And remember, when you're in need of fabric come to Grell's wondrous world of fabrics!" He says while ushering us outside before disappearing back into the shop.

Mey-Rin and I share a nervous glance at one another and slowly make our way back to the Estate, begin extra careful as we walk so we don't run into anyone. But it seems luck is not on my side again today and I trip over a rock, everything seems to go in slow motion as the mountain of fabric I was carrying flies out of my hands and up into the air and I close my eyes, bracing for the impact that is about to come when suddenly.

"Whoa there."

I hear a mans voice before feeling an arm wrap around my waist, catching me before I fall onto the ground. Timidly opening my eyes, I see the attendant from the first day we came here holding the bundle of fabric that flew from my arms, still neatly folded. I blink in surprise before turning my head to see who had caught me and my breath catches in my throat. The man who saved me is non other than the eldest prince who had rescued the little boy and I the other day.

Flustered and ashamed, I quickly move away from him and bow my head deeply.

"Please forgive my rudeness. And thank you for saving me yet again."

There's silence for a few moments before I hear him chuckle and I look up in surprise.

"There is nothing to forgive, Miss Lilly. And it is my pleasure, as well as a pleasant surprise to see you again so soon." He says with a warm smile that makes my heart skip a beat.

I then look over to the other man and bow my head in gratitude.

"And thank you for catching the fabric for me. I am so sorry to have troubled you."

The man smiles and shakes his head.

"No trouble at all, Miss. I am happy to be of assistance."

I go to look up and thank him once more when.

WHOOSH!

"AH!"

A strong breeze blows and knocks the cap that I have to wear right off my head, causing my long auburn hair to fall out and down to my lower back, it's slightly wavy and curls at the end. In the sunlight it seems to glow a pinkish red, giving it a lighter auburn color than it actually is.

Claude, having watched the cap blow off her head goes wide eyed at the scene that happens afterwards while the whole world seems to slow down. She was already beautiful enough with her slender face, baby blue eyes, long lashes and heart shaped lips that held a tint of red to them naturally. But now, the shimmering curtain of wavy pinkish red hair that tumbles down to her lower back makes her too beautiful to be real and he wonders if his eyes are somehow playing tricks on him, but when he hears her scream out in surprise he knows that this is indeed not a dream.

"OH NO! MY CAP!" I shout in surprise before running after it.

Mey-Rin stands there stunned, trying to see what happened behind the mountain of fabric she too carries in her arms.

Claude chases after the cap with her but not before telling Sebastian to help the other woman take the fabrics back to the Estate. Sebastian nods and does as he's told.

The cap lands on the street a few feet in front of me but as I go and bend down to get it, someone kicks it out of the way unknowingly and the wind once again picks it up and sends it elsewhere.

After chasing after my cap for several minutes, it finally stops blowing away from me but unfortunately, it has blown up into a tree and dangles from one of the middle branches. Sighing, I look around to make sure no one is nearby before taking off my dress and climbing up the tree in nothing but my undergarments. Finally I reach the branch my cap is dangling from and slowly crawl towards it while reaching out to grab it.

"Miss Lilly! What are you doing?!"

I start in surprise as my hand is mere inches away from my cap and look down to see the prince standing there, but because of my sudden movements the branch underneath me groans in protest and I freeze, gripping onto the branch even tighter with my one hand.

"Don't move! I'm coming up after you!"

He says while stripping off the Kimono that drapes over his shoulders.

"No don't! If you do we'll both be in trouble! It won't be able to handle any more weight!"

I exclaim as I see him reaching for one of the lower branches, ready to hoist himself up and begin climbing. He stops and assess the situation before nodding in agreement and backing away from the tree before standing directly under the branch I'm on and looks up at me worriedly.
I sigh in relief and my fingers brush against my cloth cap slightly before.

CREEEAK!

SNAP!

"WAH!"

I cry out as the branch gives way and falls to the ground, taking me and my cap with it. I brace myself for the impact and close my eyes but instead, I land in a pair of strong arms and feel his warmth all around me. Opening my eyes, I look up at him slowly and see him looking down at me with a gentle smile.

"I got you."

I blush at the sight before me, Cherry Blossom petals from a nearby tree flutter in the wind behind him, his perfectly windswept hair blows gracefully in the gentle breeze and with the sun shining brightly behind him, he looks like a beautiful angel that descended from heaven.

Snapping myself out of my thoughts, I become flustered at our close proximity and nearly jump out of his arms before looking down to the side slightly in embarrassment.

"Thank you for saving me yet again. You seem to have a knack for it." I say with a shy chuckle.

He smirks in amusement.

"Only because you seem to get yourself into dangerous situations. But..."

Saying this, he moves to stand directly in front of me and extends his hand towards me to gently brush a strand of hair behind my ear. I blush and look up at him, startled from the sudden touch but once our eyes meet, I can't seem to look away.

"If it weren't for that, we would have never met. And I am glad fate created these opportunities so we could meet."

Hearing him say this causes my blush to darken and spread even further on my cheeks before I nod and meekly say. "Me too."

We smile at one another and get lost in our own little world before someone clears their throat.

We both start in surprise and look over at the man standing next to us.

"Sebastian."

Says the prince and the man smiles.

"I have done what you asked, your highness and have come to look for you. I didn't think I'd find you flirting with a mere commoner though." Saying this he sends an unamused smile my way.

I pull away from the prince and look down ashamed of myself as his words resonate in my ears, causing a slight pain to prick at my heart. I know my position, he doesn't need to remind me of it.

"That was out of line, Sebastian! Apologize to Miss Lilly at once!"

"But why? I simply speak the truth."

He says, his smile never leaving his lips.

"Why you insolent-"

"It's alright, sire. He's correct, I have forgotten my place."

The prince looks at me in surprise before a look of sadness takes over his features.

"Miss Lilly..."

I bow my head to him and go to pick up my cap before securing it back in place. I then turn, bow once more to both men and turn on my heel, leaving them both behind me as I head back home.

"Miss Lilly..." The prince whispers as he watches her figure fade into the distance.

Sebastian sees the look on Claude's face and places a hand on his shoulder, snapping the prince's attention back towards him.

"She is a smart woman to have realized her mistake, sire. You were born to privilege and with that comes specific obligations. You must marry a noble, even if your heart is swept away by a beautiful and intelligent commoner."

Claude hears him, he knows what he says is true but his heart refuses to accept it. With a sigh he gently pulls away from Sebastian and picks up his Kimono before walking away.

Seeing this, Sebastian smirks in amusement before following after the prince.

"MISS LILLY! THANK GOODNESS YOU'RE ALRIGHT!" Shouts, Mey-Rin as she runs up to me and grabs my hands.

"I was so worried, yes I was!"

"I'm sorry to have worried you, Mey-Rin."

I say with a smile, causing the young woman to smile in return.

"It's alright, as long as you're ok!"

"Yes, she's quite right."

I start in surprise and look behind her to see Hannah standing there with a warm smile on her face.

"Mey-Rin told me what happened and we covered for you so don't worry, you won't be scolded by the Viscount."

I smile in both relief and gratitude to the two women. They really are great friends and I am glad to have had the chance to meet them.

"Thank you both so much. And I truly am sorry for having caused you both worry. It won't happen again." I say with determination.

I'll make sure I stay focused from now on. No more getting into dangerous situations. No more seeing the prince.

Fate is a cruel thing. Bringing two people together from completely different worlds and toying with their hearts, but no one said life was fair or especially kind to anyone. We had to live each day the best way we can and just deal with whatever comes our way.