With the guard’s help, they were able to bring the eight packages through town, heading to her house. A chaotic chorus slightly shook the home. Once they arrived Ravina asked them to set the packages just outside.
“I just don't want them to worry,” she explained, the thought of the Braymore butler and a village guard showing up at her doorstep terrible, especially considering the whispers that had already started circulating about the sight of a guard in the old quarter.
“Very well,” Ashtr responded, recognizing her apprehension. He and the guard placed the parcels near the doorstep. Then, he took a smaller package and offered it to her with a soft, understanding gaze. "This, though, is a gift from the Braymores. Jonathan would be quite disappointed if I left without giving you anything."
Ravina's heartbeat fluttered wildly, a pang of exhilaration echoing in her chest, as she struggled to keep her emotions in check. She accepted the package from the butler.
"I hope you have a peaceful evening, my lady," Ashtr wished her warmly, then he departed.
She found herself rooted to the spot, clutching the package tightly within her quivering hands. Gathering her courage, she delicately untied the string, her fingers shaking slightly with a blend of anticipation and excitement. As she unfolded the wrapping, two dresses, simple yet woven from soft cotton, spilled out - a rarity for her family living on the edge of poverty.
Ravina couldn't help but let out a breathless gasp. They were beautiful and simple, but to her woven gold. Something she hadn’t received anything in a long time… a long time.
She clutched the dresses to her chest.
But the moment was fleeting. As the last rays of sunlight began to wane, she hurriedly wrapped the dress back up. A cocktail of anticipation and trepidation coursed through her as she stepped inside their quaint, rustic home, the scent of woodsmoke and a lingering familiarity greeting her. And there, in the heart of their dwelling, was her family—gathered around the worn wooden counter, engrossed in a rare moment of blissful unity. It struck her once again. They would be just fine without her.
“Rina!” Lily's voice echoed, filled with an unmistakable zest and genuine joy at the sight of her big sister. But then, as if struck by a sudden memory, her joyful demeanor faltered, her small face twisting into a pout. “You didn't come after us!” she cried out, the crestfallen tone not quite hiding her disappointment.
“I was busy,” Ravina responded softly, trying to pacify Lily's evident distress.
From across the room, Reed's voice cut through the air. “We waited for you, you know!” he blurted, his tone a blend of frustration and longing. “We couldn't collect anything from the forest today because you weren't there.”
Ravina smiled despite herself. It was an obvious lie, one she would usually chide him for, but now, there was no need for that. Everything would be alright. They no longer needed to scour the forest for hidden coins.
“I made you some soup!” Asher's voice chimed in, his innocent excitement brightening the room. “It's in the pot, Daddy said it would keep warm that way.”
“I see, thank you, Asher.” She responded, her voice soft but clear.
Finally, Finn found his voice, the deep timbre echoing around the cozy room. “We tried to wait for you,” he confessed, his gaze meeting hers with a warmth she rarely saw. “But I didn't want the kids to go hungry for too long. I know you're busy.” His voice tapered off, a silent recognition of her burdens hanging in the air.
And you're not, as usual. She blinked slowly as she breathed out, the bitter thought danced on the tip of her tongue, but she swallowed it, unwilling to let him ruin her good mood. “I understand,” she responded evenly. “I managed to pick up a few things, if I can have-” She hesitated, a lump forming in her throat as she recalled the cold dismissiveness of the morning.
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“Sure,” Reed interrupted, tumbling out of his chair with a boyish enthusiasm. “I’ll help!”
Asher was quick to follow, mirroring his older brother's eagerness.
As the boys helped Ravina with the items, the girls clung to their father, wide-eyed and curious.
“Wow!” Reed's awe-filled exclamation echoed through the room as he began unpacking.
“Hey, be careful, everything here is new,” Ravina cautioned, softening her tone with a reassuring smile. “We even have sheets for the bed now.”
Intrigued by the novelty, the young girls broke free from Finn, rushing over to join the excitement.
“Alright, let's get these beds made and freshen up before bed!” Ravina proposed, attempting to channel the energy into something productive.
“But we already washed up!” Reed protested, his brows furrowing.
“These are new sheets and we want to keep them clean for as long as we can, so please…” she faltered.
“Okay!” Reed quickly called out.
“Thank you,” Ravina acknowledged with a sigh of relief.
As the siblings worked together to make the beds, their father took it upon himself to clear the dishes and begin washing up, the homely clacking of wooden cutlery washing over the bustling room as the children marveled at the soft linens. Ravina herself was impressed by the feel of the material. They were not coarse or hard on the hands but soft and inviting.
Though they tried their best the beds were made quite sloppily and though she hated to admit it, Ravina had no idea how to properly make the beds. In the end, they had just tossed the fabric over the beds and hoped they would stay there. Feeling a little tired Ravina sat down at the table realizing for the first time how long the day had been.
“We’ll be back!” The four youthful voices echoed, and the house emptied of their lively presence, leaving Ravina alone with her father.
Finn, with his usual silence, placed a bowl of soup before her and returned to his chair. Cabbage stew again.
“You wanted to talk,” he finally said, his gaze piercing as she took her first bite. There was something in his eye that rubbed her the wrong way. A sort of mistrust that she felt was unearned.
“Yes,” she responded, struggling to find the right words.
“I assume it has something to do with all this,” he indicated towards the fresh sheets and bundles of clean clothes with a nod.
“Yes,” she managed to reply, her heart pounding in her chest. “I… will be leaving tomorrow.” The words sounded alien as they left her mouth. “I’ve taken a job.”
Finn's reaction was immediate and harsh. “What!?” he hissed, a dangerous blend of confusion and anger seeping into his words.
Still, the shout was a relief to her. Expected even. It allowed her to continue unbothered. “I've cleared our debts and the Braymores will be checking in on you guys occasionally,” she continued, plowing through his indignation, almost happy as his face twisted in anger over his wounded pride.
“You don’t have to worry—”
“No, you don't get it, that's why I had to go to the Braymores!”
“I’ll handle it!” His denial was explosive, his hand slamming onto the table, toppling Ravina's bowl, and spilling out the remaining soup.
Silence reigned, punctuated only by the sound of water dripping onto the wooden floor.
“Sorry,” Finn finally murmured, his tone subdued.
“No… no more apologies,” Ravina held firm, her gaze unwavering as she met her father's somber eyes. “You need to shoulder the responsibility of them.”
“I do take care—”
“I won’t be here!” She cut him off. Not caring to let him delude himself into thinking he was anything more than dead weight to them. “I won't be around to shield them anymore. You're going to have to rise to the occasion. If not, let Reed step in if you're unable.” Her words were sharp, an unspoken challenge lingering in the air. “You can continue standing on the sidelines, doing nothing, just like always.”
Ravina rose from her seat.
“Wait, I-”
“I need to wash up. I'm leaving tomorrow.” Her words were firm as she moved towards the door.
“But I’m not done—”
“I am.” she shot back, her voice steady as she exited the house. Her heart felt light as she left her childhood home behind, a comfortable conversation had happened and she finally had the ability to say everything she wanted. Well, mostly everything. In the heat of the moment she didn't care to rub his face in all the hard work she did. Still, a part of her did feel numb to the euphoria, slowly causing her to falter. She sought the solace of the river that snaked its way around the village.
Upon reaching the water's edge, she found Reed, Asher, Lily, and Rose splashing around in the lake. They were only getting more dirty in their playful antics, but Ravina found herself smiling at the sight.
“Rina!” Rose spotted her first, her voice carrying across the water. “Come play!” Lily chimed in. Both girls giggled as they splashed around in the water.
Allowing herself one final shared moment of joy with her siblings, she let her heavy heart lighten. It was a picture-perfect scene, a moment of pure familial joy amidst the tumult of her life. The laughter and the splashes, the love and warmth radiating from her siblings were enough to let her forget the coldness of the water and the weight of the decision she was forced to make.