71. Tap Water

Author Note: I am trying to focus more on character writing since we didn't have much time with them. I would love to hear what you guys opinions are, Leave a Review with your feedback.

5:55 PM.

The anticipation in the city was palpable. Thousands of citizens sat in their homes, eyes flickering between the ticking clock and the gleaming metal taps installed in their kitchens and bathrooms. This was a historic evening—one that would forever change daily life in the city of Jola.

Angelo stood in the small yet comfortable bathroom of his family’s apartment, staring at the unfamiliar metal fixture before him. He hesitated, pointing at it as though it were some ancient relic rather than a marvel of modern ingenuity.

“S-So I just turn this, and water will start flowing?” he asked, his voice laced with both awe and skepticism.

Sarah, chuckled softly as she sat on the floor playing with their young son, gently rolling a wooden toy cart back and forth between them.

“That’s what the announcement said,” she replied, her tone brimming with excitement. “According to Her Highness, the water is drinkable too. We just have to wait five more minutes—when the clock strikes six.”

Angelo glanced over at the large wooden clock mounted on the wall. Its ticking echoed softly through the room, each passing second making his heart race with anticipation.

Five more minutes.

Outside, the streets were unusually quiet. Normally, around this hour, farmers would still be working away their crops, children would be playing in the alleyways, and the sounds of life would fill the air. But tonight was different. Everyone had gathered in their homes, waiting for the exact moment when the city’s promised water system would be activated.

Angelo exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. “That clock thing is really useful. We always get off work at the exact time and get back home without fail.”

Sarah hummed in agreement, though her gaze remained on their child, who giggled as he chased after the rolling cart. The warm glow of the setting sun streamed through the windows, casting long shadows across the floor.

As the final minutes ticked away, the entire city held its breath.

Meanwhile, in Jola's Lord Castle, Ravenna sat in her bedroom rather than her usual study. Stacks of documents lay spread across her desk, their contents detailing the final logistical reports of the water system’s launch. Though her mind remained focused on the papers, her ears were keenly attuned to the ticking of the ornate golden clock mounted on the far wall.

Not far from her, Marie stood before a full-length mirror, fidgeting uncomfortably as Alice and Jessica Taylor—the head of clothing in Jola—adjusted yet another extravagant gown on her.

Alice clapped her hands together, stepping back to admire her latest choice. “How does this look?”

Marie turned to face the mirror, her reflection now adorned in an elegant young lady’s gown.

The fabric shimmered like liquid silver, catching the dim candlelight with every tiny movement. The fitted bodice was adorned with delicate gold embroidery, vines and flowers intertwining along its seams. The sleeves, flaring slightly at the elbows, ended in lace-trimmed cuffs. A high lace collar framed her slender neck, accentuating her refined features. Draped across her shoulders was a velvet capelet in midnight blue, its edges lined with soft silver fur. A crescent moon brooch fastened it in place, gleaming under the light.

Her skirt cascaded in layered silk, translucent enough to reveal hints of glittering beadwork sewn along the hems. A silver pin adorned her styled hair, completing the look of quiet nobility.

Alice smiled proudly, but Ravenna barely glanced up from her papers before shaking her head.“Hmm, the blue doesn’t suit her. Try something less bright. She needs to match me too, right?”

Alice tilted her head in thought. “You might be right. I did think it was a bit too loud for the eyes.” muttered.

Marie groaned dramatically. “Master… come on! I’ve been changing clothes for three whole hours now! Can’t we just pick one? Or better yet, why can’t I wear something comfortable—like my usual outfits? These are so suffocating! I’m sweating unfathomably!”

Ravenna finally looked up, her lips curving into an amused smirk. The frustration in Marie’s voice reminded her of herself—of the long, grueling hours spent in the imperial palace, forced into layers upon layers of suffocating noble attire when she first arrived in this world.

“You’ll have to endure it,” Ravenna said, stretching her arms before standing. “This will be your first official appearance as my disciple. We can’t have you wearing subpar clothing, and the free, open styles we wear in Jola aren’t appropriate for the capital.”

She gestured toward the window, where the golden hues of sunset bathed the distant horizon. “The southern part of the empire is much colder than the far north where we are now. You grew up in one of the villages near the southern towns, didn’t you? You should know that.”

Marie huffed, her shoulders slumping in defeat. “I know, I know… but that doesn’t mean I have to like it.”

Alice and Jessica exchanged amused glances before selecting the next gown. Marie braced herself for yet another round of fittings, when—

The clock struck six.

A chime echoed throughout the room.

Ravenna’s expression shifted, her lips curling into a satisfied smile. Setting her papers aside, she straightened her coat. “Alright, let’s take a break and check out the tap water, shall we?”

Marie’s frustration vanished in an instant. Her eyes sparkled with curiosity as she quickly turned toward the door. Behind her, Alice and Jessica began tidying away the fabrics, chuckling at her sudden burst of excitement.

The moment the word ‘break’ left Ravenna’s lips, Marie had already darted forward, practically dragging her along.

As they made their way toward the main hall, the excitement outside had reached its peak. The entire city, from its southern districts to its northern apartment complexes, stood in anticipation.

Then, at long last—

The taps turned.

And for the first time in history, clean, fresh water flowed into every home.

Cheers erupted across the city, voices rising into the evening sky as children laughed and splashed in the newfound miracle. People gathered around their taps, filling their cups and drinking in disbelief, some even shedding tears at the realization that they no longer had to fetch water from distant wells.

Marie stood in stunned silence as Ravenna gracefully turned on the tap in her bedroom’s private chamber.

A stream of crystal-clear water flowed effortlessly into a porcelain basin.

Marie gasped. “It… it really works.”

Ravenna smirked, arms crossed as she watched the water glisten under the candlelight. “Of course, it does. You didn’t doubt me, did you?”

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