If not for the ironic twist of Kelyia’s intervention leading to Ravina’s release from jail, she would have found herself lingering in that cage indefinitely. However, fortune turned a friendly face as Ashtr, the loyal Braymore butler appeared in the guard house a few hours later. His typical butler's garb of formal black suit and white gloves was absent, replaced instead by the rich fabrics of a Braymore servant. He wore a tunic of deep forest green with a high collar, the material soft and threaded with gold trim. Over it, a waistcoat of obsidian black added a dignified touch. This uniform became a symbol for servants loyal to the Braymore house.

“What exactly is she in for?” Ashtr's voice reverberated against the cold stone walls of her cell, causing Ravina to jump in surprise at his sudden appearance.

“Uh, it's not exactly… here,” responded another figure standing beside Ashtr, who was clad in the dignified uniform of the guards. His outfit was neat and well-kept, the emblem of an eagle spread-winged sewn neatly on his chest, signifying him as an officer. The uniform was made of sturdy leather, well-maintained and polished to a subtle sheen that caught the soft light filtering in through the window bars.

Beneath the uniform was a man who was more lean than muscular, his physique more suited to the rigors of administration rather than frontline combat. His face bore the stern, lined countenance of someone accustomed to managing affairs from behind a desk rather than in the field. His cold gray eyes were sharp and assessing. He had an unmistakable air of authority around him.

“And yet she is under arrest?”

“Well… I’m sure there is a good reason,” the Major hesitated, shuffling uncomfortably under Ashtr's inquiring gaze.

“Well,” Ashtr shifted his attention towards Ravina, a slight arch of his eyebrow inviting her to speak. “Is there a good reason?”

“I went shopping,” Ravina confessed, the weight of her reality reflected in her voice. “With the rest of the money I got from the wizard.”

“Well, how foolish of her,” Ashtr's tone dripped with sarcasm as he shot a sideways glance at the flustered guard.

“I…” the Major started, however, Ashtr raised a hand, effectively silencing him.

“Release her, and gather a few competent men. We have a situation to resolve.” The underlying authority in his voice left no room for dispute.

The moment Ashtr's command echoed through the air, the guard immediately sprang into action, unlocking Ravina's cell with an efficient, practiced motion. A soft creak and the sharp scent of iron permeated the air as the cell door swung open.

"Come along, Ravina," Ashtr's voice still full of his undisputed authority, yet there was an undercurrent of something else—perhaps a shred of concern? Ravina nodded, her heart drumming a rapid beat as she fell into step behind him, trailed by the guard and two of his silent companions.

Their steps echoed on the cobblestone streets, the sound intertwining with the distant hum of village life, drawing them inevitably back to the one place Ravina wanted to avoid—the tailor shop. Her heart dropped like a stone into a pond, the ripples of dread coursing through her.

Silently, she followed Ashtr into the familiar setting, the smell of fabric and the sight of meticulously arranged garments tugging at the corners of her memories. It wasn't long before she found herself once again standing before Sue and Anne.

The words were out of Sue's mouth before Ravina had time to prepare herself. "What's that rat doing back in here?" Sue sneered, her green eyes glinting maliciously.

Ashtr's voice cut through the tension, directed at the guard named Roth. "Arrest that one."

Sue's smug grin faltered. "What? I didn't do anything." Her protest was filled with feigned innocence, but a trace of panic lurked beneath.

"If she continues with her insolence, cut out her tongue," Ashtr said, his stern gaze trained on Sue.

For a moment, Sue seemed as if she would argue further. But at the sight of Ashtr's unwavering gaze and the silent guards beside him, she bit back her words, fear glinting in her eyes for the first time. A thin smile formed on Ravina’s lips before she could police it.

Ashtr led Ravina and Roth through a narrow door hidden behind the counter, revealing a secluded section at the back of the clothing store. The space was set apart from the usual hustle of the main shop floor, exuding a certain charm despite its modest arrangement.

The area was furnished with a few simple but comfortable pieces. A worn-out couch, its velvet upholstery faded with time, nestled against one wall. A handful of mismatched, yet cozy chairs surrounded a wooden table at the room's center, which bore the mark of countless hours of discussions and deals. The low ceiling, supported by timber beams, and dim, soft light filtering through a tiny, barred window, contributed to a sense of privacy. Sparse decorations adorned the space – a faded rug underfoot, a candlestick holding a half-melted candle, and a vase with a few wildflowers picked from the nearby meadows.

Inside this secluded enclave, they found Kelyia in conversation with Johnathan and Liem. Liem was a recent addition to Johnathan’s team yet he had quickly established himself as the businessman's right hand. His modest appearance belied his swift ascent - his brown hair, slightly unkempt, fell onto his slightly pale forehead, a testament to countless hours spent indoors pouring over paperwork. His eyes, the same shade of brown, held a certain spark, a mix of ambition and acute awareness that had endeared him to Johnathan.

He had a thin, wiry build, the result of long hours hunched over scrolls and books. There was a sort of rushed energy about him - the sense of someone constantly on the move, even when seated. As a servant of Braymore He wore the same clothes as Ashtr. A tunic of deep forest green with a high collar, the material soft and threaded with gold trim. His clothes, though well-maintained, showed signs of constant use, with the occasional ink stain marring the fabric. His hands, though slender and agile, bore signs of hard labor, rough patches of skin belying his delicate profession.

Ravina’s heart sank when she saw Johnathan.

"Ah, Ravina, do join us." He gestured towards an empty seat in their small gathering. Ashtr and Roth walked up behind him. They stood tall, their posture like stone statues behind him, Liem, their quiet scribe, perched beside them.

Swallowing her anxiety, Ravina crossed the room and took the indicated seat, her eyes glued to the intricate grain of the wooden floor. As such, she did not see Kelyia’s disapproving stare. However, no one could reproach Johnathan, even if he was in their home

Jonathan continued, a hint of mockery seeping into his steady voice, "I've just heard a rather intriguing tale from Kelyia here. She told me you accused her diligent employees of theft, based solely on coins you can't even produce as evidence."

Her gaze remained fixated on the floor, the room's heavy silence pressing down on her like a physical weight. The tension in Kelyia's face was a silent testament to the trouble she'd stirred. After an extensive review of the store's accounts - a task Jonathan had insisted on - they'd discovered not only a surplus of a few dozen coins in the till but also a steady drain of funds indicating ongoing theft by store employees. Unfortunately, Ravina was not aware of this and could only assume his words were an insult to her.

Savoring the charged silence with a slow sip of tea, Jonathan gently set his cup down just as a knock reverberated through the room. The door swung open with a hesitant creak to unveil three more guards. Ravina recognized the first two; the young men she had naively sought out for help, Alongside them was another guard, his uniform adorned with details signifying his higher rank. The silver threads of a lieutenant's crest gleamed on his chest.

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The Lieutenant stepped forward, a stiff nod towards Jonathan conveying respect. "Sir," his voice echoed the respect his posture suggested, "I've gathered the patrol as per your request." His statement hung in the air, the unspoken questions about what would happen next adding to the tension in the room.

Johnathan's gaze shifted to the two men who stood uneasily near the door, their apprehension casting a grim shadow on their faces. The situation was tense, the room hanging on a thread of unsaid words.

"Good morning, gentlemen," Johnathan began, his tone conversational yet subtly commanding. "I'd like to understand what transpired this morning. Would you mind sharing your perspective?"

The first guard, the one with auburn hair, attempted to form a response. "We... uh... received a call about a robbery, and upon arriving at the scene, things got... complicated." He seemed to struggle, contemplating whether to lie or stick with the truth. In the end, he opted for a half-truth.

Jonathan tilted his head, intrigued. "I see. So, you were summoned to assist a distressed citizen and somehow ended up... confused. What, may I ask, was so complex about the situation?"

The second guard, softer in his approach, interjected, stumbling over his words in his nervousness. "Well, sir... both parties claimed to be under your authority... we couldn't fathom the possibility of the young lady working for you, so we... suspected her claims were deceitful."

A beat of silence passed before Jonathan calmly responded, "And that led you to apprehend her?"

"Yes, sir," the first guard swiftly replied, an edge of desperation in his voice as if trying to salvage a rapidly deteriorating situation. "We believed it best for the higher-ups to manage the matter."

But it was too late. It was far too late the moment they decided to shrug off a difficult task and walk away.

"Where, pray tell, is the paperwork?" Johnathan's voice filled the room as he rose from his seat, giving Kelyia a signal to remain seated, Ravina, was far too numb and afraid to even look his way. "Upon making an arrest, procedure dictates the filing of proper documentation, does it not? Each station in the village is adequately equipped with a scribe for such a purpose. After all, your value to me can only be proven by the work you document."

As one of the guards attempted to formulate a response, Johnathan swiftly cut him off. "Let me tell you the account I was given," he began, pointing a stern finger at Kelyia. "This respectable lady here sent me a message about the outrageous actions of our village guards. They had come with a street rat to shake down the place for a little coin.” Kelyia visibly recoiled at his words, her knuckles turning white as she clung to her own hands for solace. "I, of course, dismissed the notion initially, convinced that my well-paid guards would never engage in such behavior."

A sharp clap of his hands brought Liem to the fore, the young man standing tall with an air of unwavering professionalism. "Imagine my astonishment," Johnathan continued, "when Liem here looked into the matter."

Taking a cue, Liem, with a certain gravitas in his voice, added his insight to the dialogue. "Our investigation has revealed that the two women managing the shop began swindling it almost immediately after they got their jobs. The prices they demanded from customers far exceeded what was listed, thus tricking the villagers out of their hard-earned coins. This deceit has hit the less fortunate residents of our town the hardest."

He dove deeper into the issue, painting a grim picture of how many stores in the newer district had exploited the illiteracy of their neighbors. With most of the town's guards neglecting their responsibility to document such matters properly, this deception flew under the radar. However, due to the culprits' sloppy attempts at hiding their misdemeanors, they were able to piece together most of their wrongdoings almost immediately.

Jonathan, burdened with the weight of his responsibilities, sighed and took the floor again. He moved slowly around the couch where Kelyia sat, coming to a stop behind her. “Perhaps I acted hastily,” he began, his voice a blend of concern and regret. "I was in search of bright minds to bring vibrancy to our village."

Kelyia shifted in her seat, her discomfort visible. "I wasn't aware—" she began, but Jonathan interrupted her.

In a stern tone, Jonathan chastised her, "Perhaps the shop was too much for you. After all, you're a seamstress, not a businessman." He then turned his attention to the guards, who were clearly aware of their failure. “So tell me, was neglecting your paperwork really worth the repercussions we now face?”

A heavy silence fell over the room, the guards remaining mute, fully aware that any attempt at justification would only worsen their predicament. Jonathan, shaking his head in disapproval, gestured towards the lieutenant. “Hold them in the guardhouse until I decide what to do with them,” he ordered, sinking back into his chair. “And arrest those two whores outside,” he added. Taking a sip from his tea he sighed as he tasted the fatigue within its warm depths.

A hush ensued.

“Ravina,” Jonathan called out, making the young girl flinch. “Look at me,” he requested, his tone unexpectedly gentle.

Maybe it was his softened voice, his less imposing demeanor, or perhaps enough time had simply passed, but eventually, she managed to raise her head slowly, her purple eyes meeting his gaze.

“You did well,” he affirmed, holding her gaze.

She blinked, in the chaos of her mind she was unable to hear anything that was said before. As such she wasn't able to hear what was said.

Jonathan shifted his attention to Kelyia. “And how do you intend to rectify this situation?”

“The money will be reimbursed, certainly!” Kelyia blurted out swiftly.

“I see…”

“And... we'll give her an additional... two silver coins,” she added, hesitantly.

Jonathan then turned to Ravina. “Does that sound acceptable to you?”

“Sound?” Ravina echoed, a bit disoriented. “Um, it's... okay?” Her mind was in turmoil. Arrested, jailed, then paraded here to be given money?

“Well, there we have it. It's acceptable - to her at least,” Jonathan stated. Turning to Ashtr, he added, “Ashtr, please escort this young lady home. And gather a few helpers to carry the items she initially came for. It's getting late.” He pointed out towards the waning sunlight outside the window.

“Oh, I…” Ravina started to say, however, she stopped herself. She didn't particularly want anything to do with the shop anymore, not after what happened. The echo of Kelyia calling her a rat still played over in her mind. Yet, her hesitation had less to do with her own sentiments and more with her family's needs.

“Let me cover the cost,” Jonathan interjected, casually waving off her concern. “Consider it a token of appreciation for your courage today, and,” he glanced at Kelyia, “a proper compensation for your ordeal.” Refocusing on Ravina, he added, “Ashtr will deliver the owed amount to your home later.”

Before she could formulate a response, Ashtr was at her side, extending an arm to assist her off the couch. The unaccustomed attention made her ears flush, distracting her from any lingering uncertainties.

“What should we procure for you?” Outside the VIP room, a lone guard vigilantly monitored the shop, waiting for his master's orders.

“Oh, um, I needed to get a few items for the children... some clothes, and proper bedding. Winter is approaching, and it seems to be getting colder each year…”

“Understood,” Ashtr nodded, preparing to act on her instructions.

“Ah, but the children are growing so rapidly... so something larger might be-”

“Don't worry,” Ashtr reassured her with a gentle smile, “I’ll handle it.”

Ravina reciprocated Ashtr's smile, watching as he confidently navigated the store, handling items as though he'd worked there for years. Her heart ached slightly. She had wanted to get them things, but in the end, it was Lord Braymore who would provide them. She would have preferred to choose the items herself, but after the day's events, touching anything in the store felt uncomfortably akin to theft.

In due course, Ashtr accumulated a modest heap of items, all neatly wrapped in brown paper and secured with twine.

“And for you, Miss Ravina?” Ashtr asked, turning towards her.

“For me?” she echoed, taken aback.

“Yes, what would you like?”

“Oh, no, this isn't about me. I just wanted to make sure they're taken care of before I left,” she said, the full weight of her words hitting her once more.

“My lady, you should really get yourself something.” Ashtr insisted gently, his brows knitting with concern.

Should she?

For what seemed like forever, her attention had been wholly focused on her siblings – securing their clothing, bedding, and meals. The prospect of acquiring something solely for her personal use hadn't even brushed against her thoughts. The idea felt foreign, almost selfish.

She glanced down at the neatly wrapped pile of items Ashtr had prepared for the children. They were taken care of now, and Ashtr's insistence that she should get something for herself struck an odd chord within her. A mix of longing and guilt swirled within Ravina's heart. She wanted to say yes, to allow herself a small luxury or a token of her own. Yet, How could she justify getting something for herself when her family still had so many needs?

A soft sigh slipped past her lips, her gaze flitting between Ashtr and the modest mound of packages. "I appreciate your concern, but it's truly not necessary. I've already received far more than I'd dared to hope for," she whispered, a hint of melancholy threading through her words.

“I understand,” Ashtr then moved to the guard to enlist his assistance with getting the items moved to her house. A tiny sliver of Ravina wished he had been more assertive, perhaps even pressed her to accept something. But it would be alright.

Yes, it would indeed be alright.