John added as he leaned casually against the bathroom doorway, "but I heard her Highness talking about introducing a water bill in the future. Something about managing resources as the city grows."
"I see," Katrina murmured distractedly, her mind still reeling from the modern conveniences she never imagined she'd enjoy. Then, a mischievous glint appeared in her eyes as she turned to look at him.
"And what are you doing just standing there?" she asked with a pyful smirk. "Join me!"
John barely had time to react before Katrina, giggling like a mischievous spirit, tugged him closer.Their ughter filled the small ft, mingling with the soothing sound of running water, as the moon outside climbed higher into the star-speckled sky, casting its silver blessings on the hopeful new life they were about to begin.
The Coastal Town of Ronin, Across the Sea from Jo Isnd, in the Mainnd Empire of Ancorna
As the moon climbed higher into the velvet night sky, scattering its silver light across the restless sea, the town of Ronin below showed no signs of sleeping. Despite the hour, the streets remained alive with the lingering buzz of activity. Fishermen, their work at sea long completed with the setting of the sun, were still busy at the docks and along the piers, loading the day's catch into creaky wooden carriages. The smell of salt, fish, and wet wood hung thick in the cool night air.
On the main street, a crowd was beginning to form near one of the newer buildings. The glow of nterns illuminated the gathering, casting a warm light on the curious faces pressing closer.
From the edge of the harbor, two fishermen returning from their final delivery caught sight of the gathering.
"What’s going on over there?" one of them asked, brushing salt from his rough hands and squinting toward the commotion.
The other, a stockier man with a ready grin, ughed and spped his companion on the back."Who cares? We had a good haul today. Let's go get drunk, leave the crowds to the fools."
But the first fisherman, driven by curiosity, shook his head and drifted toward the crowd, ignoring his friend's call. As he neared the crowd, he tapped the shoulder of a passerby.
"Oi, what’s happening here?" he asked.
The man turned briefly, a wide grin stretched across his face. "Didn’t you hear the announcements the past few weeks?"
The fisherman blinked, thinking back. Now that he recalled it, he remembered the parades and the marching bands that had been cttering through town tely — men in bright uniforms banging drums and shouting news about some grand opening. "Wait... today’s the opening of that new gambling house?"
"Exactly!" the man said, bouncing on his heels with excitement. "It's supposed to be just as fancy as the noble’s gambling dens but at prices we can afford!" With that, he shoved his way back into the mass of people, eager not to miss out.
The fisherman stared after him, still processing the information. "A new gambling house... for commoners?" he muttered under his breath, a mixture of skepticism and intrigue curling in his stomach.
Without hesitation, he turned back and grabbed his friend’s arm, dragging him away from the path to the tavern. "Come on. Let’s go see what all the fuss is about."
Grumbling but curious, the stocky fisherman followed as they pushed their way into the excited crowd, the nterns swaying overhead and the salty breeze of the sea carrying the promise of fortune or folly.
“Hear ye, hear ye!” came the booming voice of a man standing proudly at the entrance of a grand, newly constructed building. He wore a striking crimson coat with gold trimmings, and a magical brooch shaped like a jasmine flower glowed softly on his pel. His voice, amplified clearly by the enchantment, echoed across the street.
“By decree of the esteemed proprietors, The Raven Casino—a gambling house built for the hardworking common folk—shall now open its doors for the very first night of service!”
A wave of murmurs rippled through the crowd. The excitement in the air sharpened into a tangible energy. People nudged and jostled for position, craning their necks to see the grand entryway, which was adorned with fluttering banners of deep purple and gold, bearing the stylized sigil of a raven perched on a coin.
“Please form an orderly line!” the announcer continued, raising a gloved hand. “To ensure our guests receive the finest possible experience, only the first one hundred visitors will be admitted tonight!”
The reaction was immediate. The crowd stirred into motion, some rushed to the front, while others groaned or muttered compints under their breath.
“Please understand!” the man called out again, his magically-enhanced voice calm but firm. “We have far more visitors than staff at present, and wish to provide service worthy of your time and coin. Every guest deserves the standard of excellence we promise!”
The stocky fisherman gnced at his friend. “We better hurry if we want a seat,” he muttered, already elbowing his way forward.
Behind them, the sea whispered against the docks, but all thoughts of fishing were forgotten for the night.
A Few Days Later — Ravenna’s Office, Lord’s Castle, Jo City, Jo Isnd
The tropical sun had begun its slow ascent over the horizon, casting golden shafts of light through the arched windows of the Lord’s Castle in Jo City. The warmth seeped gently into the stone walls of Ravenna’s office, bathing the room in a soft morning glow.
Alice stepped into the room, bowing slightly before handing over a fresh document. “Here is the initial report on the first week of operations for the casino in Ronin Town, Your Highness.”
Ravenna took the document with a nod, the edges of her lips curling slightly with interest. “Thank you. I’ll examine it in due time.”
Rather than opening it immediately, she pced the report aside and reached for another folder—one that bore a more ambitious title, written in elegant gold-leaf lettering:
“Quarterly Report: Jo’s Innovation and Business Initiative.”
“I’d like to review this one first,” Ravenna said calmly.
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