Behind her - Arisa smothered her gasp just in time...Who had his hands on her? She couldn't see - Couldn't tell - and from the look of it, neither could the others! After all, their attention was focused entirely on Trinia, and the unfolding scene-<br/><br/><em>Wai-</em>she nearly said - But then that hand cupped her plush behind, squeezing, kneading, groping her...She bit her lip, fighting down a little moan - they really were getting bolder! Any moment now, she'd pull away - Any moment now...<br/><br/><em>"Manly~?"</em>Trinia echoed, pouting...But that pout quickly faded when his thick arm slid around her, to pull her close - And sliding against the edge of her full breasts! The bindings felt tighter than ever, but it didn't stop the low hiss that purred from her silky throat, the way Trinia's eyes widened ever-so-slightly as she arched...Just for a moment-!<br/><br/>She might've said more - flustered as she was! - but a small crowd of people were already gathering...And she blinked, hard, as the letter was pushed into her hands-!<br/><br/>"I-" Trinia hesitated, sensing a trap...But put on the spot as she was, the silver milita badge flashing brightly, it wasn't like she could pull away-! She drew a deep breath, the parchment crinkling in her hands - Her expression curious, then souring, as she began to read aloud:<br/><br/>"By the order of the Duke," she began, her voice clear as a clarion call - "The holder of this letter, Goodsire Lyrio, is appointed the official tax collector for Heroes' Hearth, for the collection of monies amounting to-"<br/><br/>Her voice faltered. It was quite the sum, and maybe it was better if she didn't read it out loud-!<br/><br/>To her credit, Trinia didn't stop - She rallied, magnificently, despite the slightest tremble to her voice-<br/><br/>"...And the bearer of this letter, one Goodsire Lyrio, shall have full authority to seize and hold all property of those<em>in arrears</em>, until the sum -<em>plus interest</em>- is met in full."<br/><br/>All right. *Now* she could see what her mother had been so worried about-!<br/><br/>"-In the name of the Crown, Duke..."<br/><br/>The lovely guardswoman skipped ahead, her disbelieving gasp thrumming from her lips - Her gaze falling to the marker at the end!<br/><br/>"...It's the Duke's own seal," she confirmed, sounding just a little dazed - Not that she had any doubt the document was real...After all, who'd have the audacity to fake it! More - It<em>felt</em>like the real thing. Trinia had seen official documents before - Mostly missives, and the occasional bounty notice - and it was exactly the kind of thing they'd do...!<br/><br/>Trinia's lips pressed together in a thin line, a complex expression flitting across her lovely features-<br/><br/>"<em>You're</em>our new tax-collector?"<br/><br/>It was a good thing everyone was looking that way, right now - Because Arisa had to put her hand to her mouth, to stifle the little mewl that purred from her lips...Even as she made to pull away, just a little! The bombshell had dropped, after all - And she had the distinct feeling there were going to be a *lot* of upset people after this!