The carriage wheels slowed as they turned into the narrow lane leading to the brothel district. The smell of flowers and fresh rain lingered faintly in the air, mixing with the faint hum of music coming from the open windows of nearby inns.
Seraphina had been quiet for most of the ride. Her fan rested on her lap, unopened. She'd imagined a dark, filthy street with drunk men and cheap women leaning by the doors, but what stretched before her was the opposite. The brothel buildings were well-built and painted, the path swept clean, the lights bright even in daylight.
Her father leaned back slightly, watching her reaction through the reflection in the window. Rin sat across from her, his eyes half-lidded, tapping his finger against his lap as if the whole trip was nothing special.
When the carriage finally stopped, the guard outside called.
"We've arrived, my lord."
The door opened, and Rin was the first to step out.
