The Market Incident

The sun blazed down on the town, casting a harsh light and intensifying the already oppressive heat. Eliana roused from her sleep and rose from the ground, ready to face another day. She made her way to a washing sink in her room, where she carefully splashed cool water onto her face, washing off any remnants of the restless night. 

Stripping off her clothes, she took a small towel and began to gently scrub at her bare body, tracing each curve with careful precision. Her once full figure now looked gaunt and bony after enduring a week without sustenance as punishment. But she wore it with pride, knowing that she had survived and could continue on with her life.

After scrubbing her body clean, Eliana slipped into her worn-down dress. The faded fabric clung to her slender frame, a stark contrast to the opulent surroundings of the large manor she called home. With a heavy sigh, she made her way downstairs to start her daily routine of cleaning and preparing meals for her family.

As she was wiping down the counters in the spacious kitchen, the familiar sound of Cedric's footsteps echoed through the hallway. Fear tightened in her chest as he entered the room, his imposing figure silhouetted against the morning light streaming through the windows.

"Is the food ready yet, you ungrateful tool?" he barked, taking his usual seat at the side of the large dining table in the center of the living room.

"Good morning, Cedric," Eliana answered timidly, forcing a smile onto her face despite her churning stomach. "It will be done shortly."

She knew better than to anger him again. The consequences were always swift and painful, leaving bruises on her skin and scars on her heart. She silently prayed that today would not be one of those days as she continued with her chores, trying to keep her focus on the mundane tasks at hand rather than the looming threat of violence and abuse from her own stepbrother.

As time ticked by, the sounds of bustling footsteps and clattering dishes grew closer. The family, as expected, entered the room with their usual banter and complaints. They scrutinized Eliana's handling of their food, criticizing the time it took for them to be served. Their voices echoed off the walls, filling the air with a sense of agitation and impatience.

- Meanwhile in Ravenwood. -

The carriage, loaded with crates of fresh produce, trundled down the dusty road towards Ravenwood after a long day of traveling to other small villages. As it rolled into the heart of the bustling market, it came to a halt in front of a grandiose building adorned with the emblem of the merchant's guild. 

A well-dressed man stepped off the carriage and instructed his son to wait as he made his way into the building to report their successful journey from Willowbrook. Inside, he was met by a man dressed in a fitted dark suit, adorned with an emblem on his right chest bearing his name and rank: Guild Merchant Manager. A few moments passed as they exchanged words, then the first man emerged with a satisfied expression on his face. The two men shared a firm handshake before parting ways, each returning to their respective tasks at hand. 

After hours of unloading, the manager approached the man and his son. The sun was starting to set, casting a warm glow over the scene. The manager cleared his throat before speaking. 

"I have a question," he began, his eyes scanning the book in his hands. "Your load is perfect and correct, but we seem to be missing some food for our employees' travel. Can you explain where they are?" 

The man's brow furrowed in confusion as he looked at his son and then back at his carriage. He had made sure everything was loaded properly and accounted for. How could they be missing something? 

"How is this possible? We had everything," he said, panic creeping into his voice. His mind raced, thinking about the money he needed to pay for his house and feed his family. Losing this delivery would be disastrous. 

The manager's expression grew stern as he interrupted the man's thoughts. "Please explain, or I will need to report this to the guild master." With a sigh, he closed his book and continued rummaging through the remaining supplies, trying to figure out where the missing items were. The tension in the air was palpable as everyone searched for answers. 

As the group turned to look behind them, they saw Sebastian and Lito standing there. "Maybe I can be of assistance," Sebastian offered, crossing his arms as he pondered how to help the man with his problem. Just then, his son jumped off the carriage and ran towards him. "Please don't be angry, sir. I know what happened," the son said, causing his father to look at him in confusion. "Explain," Sebastian demanded, looking down at the boy.

Before they left Willowbrook, the carriage had been opened at the back to finish loading everything. As the door was being closed, a girl suddenly burst out with food in her hand and stuffed it into her mouth. Her appearance was shocking - she was obviously starving, with pale skin stretched tight over her bones. The boy recounting the event continued on, providing vivid details that held everyone's attention captive. They could almost feel the distress of the hungry girl and the desperation that led her to snatch food without permission. It was a scene that would remain etched in their memories for a long time.

"Say, young lad, have you perhaps caught sight of the fair maiden that ran away?" Sebastian inquired of the boy. "Why yes, sir. If my memory serves me right, her name is Eliana. Her hair is as white as snow and her eyes like fiery rubies; she's quite unforgettable. Though I must mention that her appearance has changed slightly, but she remains a gentle soul. So please, do not take your frustration out on her." The boy spoke with sincere concern in his voice, knowing how beloved Eliana was by everyone in the village.

Sebastian reassured the boy and then turned to address the manager. "Pay them the full amount," he instructed. "And Lito will bring you extra food from the mansion." He glanced at Lito, who nodded in agreement with his master's command. 

"As you wish, my lord," replied the manager with a bow of his head as Sebastian and Lito left.

Their footsteps echoed hollowly against the stone walls as they walked back to the grand mansion. "I guess a lot happened while I was gone," Sebastian remarked, coming to a stop in the spacious foyer. His eyes wandered over the opulent furnishings and intricate tapestries, but his mind was elsewhere.

"Lito, sent some people to check up on what's happening in Willowbrook," he added, his voice tinged with concern. With a small smile, Lito faded into the shadows, leaving behind an air of mystery. 

Sebastian's brows knitted together as he resumed walking. "I need to find out if she's safe," he said softly, his thoughts consumed by the well-being of someone else for once. A strange feeling crept over him, a mix of worry and protectiveness that he couldn't explain. This was the first time he truly cared about another person's safety, and it both scared and confused him. But he couldn't ignore it; he had to make sure she was okay.