Ravenna sat at her desk, a delicate por teacup in hand, the warm aroma of tea wafting through the room. Her sharp, deep bck eyes gazed out the window, watg the silver moonrise illumihe darkened skyline of the city. The quiet moment of refle was interpreted by the soft chime of an interface panel materializing before her.

  [Reputation System v0.1]User: Ravenna Sorius / Joy Cha KimReputation Level: 60 (6350/8200)Curreation Points: 21,331Titles: Raven of Sun Pace, Unruly Princess{View Reputation Log} {Speation Points}

  Ravenna’s lips curved into a faint smile as she reviewed the dispy. “Seems I earned quite a bit from today’s otion,” she murmured, sippiea.

  Her thoughts were interrupted by a firm knock at the door. She set her cup down gracefully and called out, “e in.”

  The door creaked open, and Alitered, her steps purposeful. She pced a hefty file on the desk with a dull thud before settling into the chair opposite Ravenna.

  “I heard you took in a disciple on a whim,” Alice begaone ced with mild caution.

  Ravenna chuckled, a sly glint in her eyes. “Indeed. She caught my eye, her hair, and her face were pretty adorable. I’ve reached twenty-six without a single disciple; it was high time to ge that, wouldn’t you agree?”

  Alice raised an eyebrow. “That’s all well and good, but... a former sve?”

  “What of it?” Ravenna replied smoothly, her smile unwavering. “Potential is potential, regardless in. Now, what’s in the report?” She gestured to the file with a casual flick of her wrist.

  Alice sighed but nodded, flipping open the folder. “Things are progressing well on the food distribution front. The introdu of potatoes has been successful, and the farming assistance program is gaining tra. Within a month, we should be able to phase out the food distributiram entirely.”

  Ravenna leaned back, satisfa evident on her face. “That’s ahead of schedule. Impressive.”

  Alice tinued, “The new eic policy is showing positive results as well. By l median wages along with the cost of services and goods, we’ve mao stabilize the market. However, if the situatio bance fully in the ing weeks, we may o extend these measures. For now, though, it looks promising.”

  “How much remains ireasury?” Ravenna asked, her tone sharp and businesslike.

  Alice responded promptly, “We have approximately seventy mana s. After c wages for the knights and other essential employees, we should be able to sustain the ey for about three months. That’s rgely thanks to the new policies.” She hesitated, then added, “However...”

  Ravenna fihe thought. “However, it’s just aimate. We’ll o secure aernal source of ine before then.”

  Aliodded in agreement. Even with state trol over businesses and services, they couldn’t rely indefinitely on internal moary circution. The current model of redug costs and wages was a temporary solutioually, the bubble would burst. Attrag revenue from outside the isnd was imperative.

  “The mining expedition led by Viight-Captain John has gone smoothly,” Alice reported. “They’ll return tomorrow afternoon with a sizable shipment of limestone.”

  “Good,” Ravenna replied, tapping her fingers on the desk.

  “There’s also a letter from Hughes regarding his jouro the northern coastlihey estimate aen to twelve days before they reach their destination.”

  Ravenna gave an approving nod. “Excellent. And the city?”

  Alice’s expression darkened slightly. “Crime rates remain a persistent issue. Despite deploying the newly formed militia alongside the knights fur patrols and implementing stricter punishments, the improvements are negligible. Every day, we receive reports of theft, attempted murder, or sexual abuse. The knight’s station is overwhelmed with pints.”

  Ravenna’s fingers stilled, her gaze hardening. She leaned ba her chair with a sigh, her earlier piving way to frustration.

  “It’s been a recurring problem,” she said, her voice low. “No matter hoolicies we enact or patrols we implement, the chaos left in the wake of the nobility’s absence refuses to abate. Even as living ditions improve, the ingrained habits of wlessness persist.”

  Aliodded solemnly. “The people grew aced to crime during the period of u. It’s as much a cultural issue now as an eie.”

  Ravenna stared at the moonlight streaming through the window, her mind rag with possible solutions. The challenge before her was immense, but she refused to let it defeat her.

  Her thoughts were interrupted by a tentative knock at the door. A hesitant voice followed, barely above a whisper.“Y-Yhness, it’s Marie... May I e in?”

  Ravenna straightened and called out, her tole but firm, “Yes, e in.”

  The door creaked open, and Marie stepped ihe transformation was striking. Her chestnut-brown hair, previously matted with brine, now gleamed, casg down her shoulders in soft waves. Her freshly scrubbed skin, free of grime, had a subtle glow uhe room’s warm mplight. She wore one of Ravenna’s personal outfits—a sleeveless crop top made of light, breathable silk. The fabric was intricately embroidered with golden threads, shimmering faintly with her every movement. The top, dyed a deep, elegant bck, trasted beautifully with her fair plexion and rich brown hair.

  The ensemble was pleted with a high-waisted, flowing maxi skirt tailored for practicality in the isnd’s hot climate. Slits ran along its sides, granting both ease of movement and a touch of uated allure. Yet, despite the outfit’s elegance, Marie’s awkward movements revealed her unfamiliarity with such attire.

  “She s up nicely,” Alice remarked, a knowing smile grag her lips.

  “Practically a noblewoman,” Ravenna added with a pyful smirk.

  Marie’s cheeks flushed crimson at the pliment. She quickly bowed her head, her voice faltering with embarrassment. “T-Thank you, Yhness.”

  Alice stepped forward, her expression softening. “Ah, where are my manners? I’m Alice, head maid and atant thness.” Her tone was warm, almost motherly, as she extended a hand iing.

  Marie gnced up, unsure of how to respond. She managed a shy nod, her hands fidgeting nervously.

  Ravenured toward the chair opposite her desk. “e, sit. Let’s talk about you and your future.”

  Marie hesitated, her gaze flitting to Alice, who gave her an encing nod. Finally, she took her seat, though her disfort was evident. The skirt, with its high slit, revealed more of her leg than she was aced to. She hastily tried to rearrahe fabric to cover herself, but the silky material refused to cooperate.

  Ravenna watched her with a mixture of amusement and patience. “So, Marie—”

  Marie’s head snapped up, her attention abruptly pulled from her struggle with the dress. “Y-Yes, Yhness!” she blurted out, her voice loud and stiff.

  A soft chuckle escaped Ravenna’s lips as she leaned forward slightly, her gaze steady but kind. “Rex, Marie. This isn’t an interrogation. We’re simply having a versation.”

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