After lounging around in her room for a while to ensure Siet was alright, Ravina left the manor to escape the stuffy atmosphere. There was nothing worse than resting in your room only to wonder—no, to know that there was something more productive that you could do with your time. It took some convincing for her loyal little maid but she was able to convince her that going to the library isn't a chore but something relaxing.
Leaving the doubtful maid behind as well as the oppressive looking manor behind she followed the stone pathway with Aurlia in tow. Again, the young girl saw less of a spark in her small hero’s eye. The woman seemed down about something. When she first started as the young girl's guard she was prime, proper and while not cheerful she had a certain bounce in her step. However, each day took a spring out of her step and she seemed rather reserved now. Quiet—though she rarely spoke up more than necessary.
“You seem quieter these days. How do you find the manor?” Ravina ventured, her voice laced with a mix of concern and curiosity.
“Exceptional.” came the woman's lone answer.
“That's nice, so how is everything at the barracks? Are you learning anything interesting? Or is everyone treating you alright?”
Aurelia looked at the young girl with a raised eyebrow. “Everything is fine, as the only guard of the count's precious daughter I am being treated better than some of those who have been here longer.” she smiled smugly. “Having my own room is quite nice I must say. And yes, I have learned quite a bit…” she trailed off as her eyes fell to her hand, raised and resting just above her breast. “Quite a bit, perhaps too much.”
There it was again, a somber expression washing over her face. Ravina tensed her face, her teeth tightening. “Then do you need something else?” she asked.
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Aurelia’s hand slowly dropped, her gaze shifting back to Ravina, her lips forming a frown “Need something?” she repeated sharply. “I don't need anything.” her tone was final and unappreciative. She clearly didn't want anything from Ravina. Not help and not pity. It stabbed at the young girl, after all, she brought her here. In a sense, she was responsible for her.
“Alright then.” However, Ravina relented. She didn't want to challenge her or upset her anymore so she focused instead on the task that the count had given her. Her eyes turned to the grand library before them. The familiar three-story structure was like a second home to her. “Then I will see you in a few hours, why not enjoy a meal or two—you can charge it to the count, after all.” she pulled a smile. “He will be glad to spend money on his precious daughter.”
Aurelia waved her suggestion aside, “I’ll just remain where I always am.”
“Right,” with a nod Ravina entered the library while Aurelia turned on her heel. Aurelia made her way to a quaint, modest restaurant, its second-story terrace offering a perfect vantage point to keep watch over the library. The aged wooden tables and rustling leaves of potted plants lent it a humble charm. Occasionally her sharp blue eyes would spot the unique black hair of her little charge through the library window.
The owner, a man torn between business sense and personal woe, watched Aurelia arrive. Her presence was a double-edged sword – drawing in curious onlookers yet scarcely profitable in terms of her modest orders. After all, she would not order any alcohol or wine. Instead, it was a few cups of water, and only once did she ever ask for ice. Still, she did bring some coin with her and her beauty drew in the odd customer or two. But it was exactly her beauty that caused the owner some distress. His wife eyed him like a hawk when she arrived so he couldn't even steal a good look. If only she ordered something proper to drink.
If only, if only… those words ran through the owner's mind as she felt his wife’s eyes burning a hole in his head as he offered the woman her usual table. He ran a hand through his head, knowing that more than a few hairs were lost when the beautiful woman with blue hair started frequenting his restaurant.