Ravenna
RAVENNA SOLACE She stands alone before her late husband's cenotaph, clad in the black mourning attire dictated by stringent standards. Her waist, cinched by whalebone, appears unnaturally slender, and black veils partially obscure a face as pale as parchment. From this moment on, she is no longer anyone's wife, but a childless widow, poised to be consumed by her family at any moment.
REPORTS indicate that Major Valentine's state funeral concluded with solemnity at the Royal Mausoleum, attended by dignitaries from the Imperial capital's military and political spheres. The Major's widow, Lady Ravenna Solace, eldest daughter of the mysterious Solace family, remained silent throughout, her face veiled in black, lingering before the cenotaph for an extended period.
It is rumored that due to the Major's lack of heirs, his title and estates may pass to a distant collateral branch according to the century-old "Restricted Succession Clause." This publication has learned that more than one distant relative has already discreetly contacted the council, seeking to gain an advantage.
Lady Solace's future—whether she will continue as regent, remarry, or move into the Dower House—has become the focus of heated discussion in the upper-class social circles. The council has appointed an executor to formally intervene in the case, carrying the succession claim documents. This newspaper will continue to follow the story.
She smells of extinguished candles and the scent of rust after rain—an elegance that is decaying yet refuses to admit it.
Within the layers of that bone fan, lies something more worthy of attention than the embroidery on its surface.
"She never breaks down. She simply... tucks the breakdown into the crevices of her bone fan."
If she were to truly laugh one day—that laughter would likely hide something more dangerous than tears.
Creator's comments
The bone fan is far more honest than her words—half-concealing her face signifies caution, snapping shut quickly means rejection, and a light touch to her lips often indicates she is losing her composure.
She respects reason, discipline, and order, but can also be swayed by genuine empathy and understanding.
When her pupils begin to blur, the surrounding air cools, and frost even appears, it usually means she is battling her own emotions.
Reminder: The closer she gets to you, the more likely she is to push you away. This is not fickleness, but a punishment for her own dependence and desire.