Zora passed the time inside her room picking out an outfit that won't give her status away but her clothes seems to be all her uniform.

Jacob was actually nagging her to buy a new set of clothes before they arrived at the hotel because he kept repeating that the place they'll be going to, will be uncomfortable to go to, wearing her usual uniform.

Zora scanned the clothes on her bed again, and her eyes locked onto the only, what might be the most 'appropriate' outfit to wear that will not give her identity away.

It was a fitted dress with her signature color red but it was too revealing, and Zora can't help but feel embarassed just imagining herself wear something of the sort.

But it was the only clothing she have that might fit the occasion. Jacob had already told her the plan for tonight's operation. And to not alert their target ,they should keep a low profile. The place's name is Oleander, it is supposedly where most gentlemen, and women go to for entertainment. 

Jacob said 'entertainment' but it was a place more than that. It is also a well-known brothel that has a history of purchasing slaves and training them to become masters of the arts and music.

The services they offer doesn't entirely revolve in providing pleasure and just like Jacob said, it is also a place of entertainment. 

Zora pondered a bit more about the clothes in front of her when she saw a maroon colored suit from her clothes that seems out of place. 

It also came along with a set of pants with the same color.

Zora took it out of the pile of clothes on her bed and she was sure, the clothes wasn't hers unless... Jacob managed to slip it into her luggage.

Zora smiles to herself. It was expected of Jacob to think things through and at times like these, Zora feels the utmost gratitude towards her friend who always had her back.

Be it in the battlefield, fighting alongside her or here at Rysanthe, helping her to choose an outfit.

Upon deciding what to finally wear, Zora tied her hair up in a bun, with a few locks of her hair decorating the sides of her face.

Looking at the mirror, with clothes that she usually won't wear, it all felt foreign to her. All her life it was either her clothes for her arduous training at the mansion or her usual uniform to meet with officials of the empire.

But today, she looked just like any other, with the exemption of wearing a suit and a pair of pants which isn't usually the best choice of clothing for a woman at this time and age but nevertheless, it was something new.

Zora, looked at herself in the mirror for one last time before putting on a cloche hat with the same color as her suit to match it. The hat covers half her face and Zora intentionally put it that way to not let her eyes show.

Crimson eyes were rare in the empire and it was much more rarer, here in Rysanthe. It would only cause unnecessary attention if she were to decide to walk down the streets with her eyes in plain view. Especially, when people would usually associate crimson eyes to the Clyborne family. In short, her eyes would definitely be a dead giveaway.

In all actuality, when Zora and Jacob were walking in the midst of a busy street just this afternoon, when Jacob was showing her around, her long blonde hair was already getting the attention of the locals and her usual hat that came along with her military uniform was covering only a part of her face so they had no choice but for her to wear sunglasses all the way to the hotel, to not scare the locals out of their wits.

The Clyborne family members are indeed very respected individuals, but seeing one in the middle of nowhere where commoners most of the time bid their time would be odd and people would immediately think that there is something wrong or that an official 'business' is in motion.

And usually, 'business' meant something entirely different for a member of the Clyborne family. The last time a Clyborne showed up here in Rysanthe on an official business, a family of a wealthy merchant was wiped out overnight due to the empire getting hold of the information that this particular merchant was exporting illegal drugs along with being involved with human trafficking and illegal slave trade to Asphodel with the help of a curropt official who was also swiftly dealt with by the Clyborne family. 

In other words, a Clyborne showing up here means nothing but trouble and it's no surprise that even the locals of Rysanthe would fear them. Zora, out of all people knows how ruthless can the Clyborne family be.

'Hell Flower', 'Crimson Witch'.

Her titles are not mere empty titles that holds no truth in them.

They were actually proof of how cold, unforgiving, and fearless Zora is on the battlefield. 

But all of it was because she was a soldier, a product of the Clyborne family made to protect; first her family's honor, and the empire second.

"My eyes are the proof of my sin. The disgusting color it has is proof that I am tainted with blood from head to foot but..."

Zora opens the door of her room and walk down the stairs from the second floor to the hotel entrance. In front of the entrance was a familiar figure. It was the silhouette of someone who was much more closer to what one would call a 'family' than her own kin.

Zora thought to herself as she walk down another set of stairs and Jacob, taking notice of her, smiled and nod his head to greet her.

"It looks like the clothes I bought fits you, m'lady."

"I see... so that is the role we are playing tonight."

Jacob grinned at how fast Zora caught up to his act. And without further ado,   Jacob called for the carriage that will take them both to the brothel.

He opened the door in a very courteous manner, and helped Zora up the carriage.

When both of them settled inside the carriage, Zora can't help but suddenly feel nervous. 

Jacob immediately got wind of the heavy atmosphere hanging on his friend's head and he took it as a chance to comfort his worrywart friend.

"Don't be too anxious, m'lady. I assure you the entertainment Oleander offers is out of this world."

Jacob says in that same mischievous tone but his eyes were looking straight at Zora, full of sincerity.

"Believe in me, Zora. You will be cured."

He said with his hand on his chest, and his opal eyes brimming with warmth. 

The same feeling of gratitude that she feels for Jacob washes over her and all of a sudden it was easier to breathe than when she first came to this place.

Zora was finally at ease.