Here you go, hope you'll enjoy!
A special thanks to SaphiraRyuuka ( u/5313226/) for the ideas.

A week passed since their second encounter. Lydia was lying in bed, smoking a cigarette. It soothed her even thought it was a bad habit she developed. Her hand rested on the animal next to her, his purring resonating in the room. She looked at the smoke, passing her fingers into it; it reminded her of him. The lady didn't know what he was up to either, but it didn't make her forget about him. She knew that if she went for him again it would've been too much; sometimes you just have to deal with it. Thoughts swam into her mind, trying to remember how he kissed her; how the kiss was cold but at the same time so soft and chaste... She flinched when Rose came into the room telling her to start making preparations about tonight. The young woman had a ball this evening, and she needed to make a good impression on the coworkers of her father.

Red lipstick on, green dress and accessories that paired with it; she was ready. The maid helped her get into her high heels and they were off to the evening. Lydia looked outside through the carriage's small window. Her eyes following the passing trees while her father talked about some financials matters with one of his associates. That man always looked at her in a disgusting way; the kind of way that gives you this uncomfortable feeling in your stomach. The event was out of town and she didn't recall that everything looked so gloomy. She didn't even remember the last time she went out of The City actually. Her eyes finally saw the massive house that was receiving her. It already looked corny... Her father helped her out, while the coachman closed the door behind her. She walked on the paved alley, her footstep masked by the trotting of the heavy black horses. Her white gloves reached to the golden doorknob, making her entrance in the manor. Her father was greeted by many other rich people, she actually lost count. Charles Carver was a tall handsome man, his straight smile radiated success. He was in his late fifties but still looked like a young stallion. Lydia must've admitted that her father was good looking. His eyes were blue as the sky; well, if she remembered it right. She'd got her eyes from her mother who died a couple of years ago, making the relationship with her fatherly figure more complicated. He also had that seductive and flirty personality, maybe that's where Lydia got it... She giggled under the crowds chattering; thinking about her rendez vous with Garrett. She took a glass of white chardonnay offered by the butler and listened to her father, talking about how his application made this city progress and everything... She scoffed lightly sometimes, knowing that he wasn't a good man as he said he was. Sipping on her flute glass, she looked around. How many dollars were spent on this evening? Too much probably.

Her father made her snap out of her thoughts, taking her by the hand and bringing her closer to him. She looked up at him; he was so tall compared to her.
"This, monsieur and mesdames is the sweet Lydia I always talked about." He kissed her hand, presenting her. She felt embarrassed, brushing of his actions by being humble. Questions rushed to her as the people around her started to be interested in her being. They asked her if she'd be married soon, if she was interested in the business as her father, if she, if she... She couldn't keep up with it because as soon if they asked if she had someone, she thought about him again. Did he think about her as much as she did? That was the question. She took a break by saying she needed to refill her glass; which was true. Lydia was dismissed and she went for the small bar in the opposite side of the room. People were loud and she didn't really like it in here, rich people always seemed fake to her. Her slow walk finally made her reach the bar. Thankfully it was self-service. While she was pouring the bubbly champagne in her glass, something brushed against her leg. She looked behind her to see a dark silhouette. Lydia gasped a little, hiding her mouth.
"What are you doing here?" She asked with a low tone voice, she could talk normally actually, nobody was paying attention to her. Especially not in the corner of the room where was a bar.
"Participating."
She scoffed. God did she wanted to be closer to him right now. She needed to be discreet, her back turned to him.
"Where have you been Garrett?" She did everything to make her voice stable, even if it cracked at the end.
"In the shadows maybe."
"You'll get in trouble if you steal here, please don't ruin the mood."

No answer. She turned around and looked at her surroundings, forgetting about the people around her. He was nowhere to be found.

The rest of the night went as expected, she received a lot of compliment, her father got another contract, and she drank more wine that she should've... But that was another thing. The carriage brought her to her inn room near the manor. She kissed her father and waved goodbye the coachman who was the same since she was born. They always slept at this inn when they had important evenings out of town. She hurried to the door, sliding the little key into the knob and stepped inside, closing it by leaning on the wooden platform. She was exhausted and most importantly, troubled by the fact that she saw him. He did it on purpose, there's no way she could've detected him otherwise. She lifted her body and went to her room. As soon she was in, she kicked the high heels off, almost moaning in satisfaction. Next were the accessories; she'd thrown them on the cabinet. Her hand massaged her sore neck and then worked on the zip of her long green dress. It unzipped itself to the lower section of her back, she then started by removing one shoulder while turning around to face her bed when a loud shriek came out of her throat, covering herself almost instantly. A man was sitting on her bed; a disgusting, old man. He got up. One of his legs was stiff, it looked unreal. He leaned on a cane and took a step over her; Lydia took one back petrified; unable to talk. A greasy laugh came out of his throat.
"So where is he?" He spitted.
"I don't know what you're talking about." She looked away, anger and disgust in her voice.
Lydia worked on her dress, covering her shoulders again. The man was getting closer and wrapped his long fingers around her neck, straightening her face towards him.
"Where is he?" He boiled from frustration. Other guards came in, armed with crossbows and swords, looking around, scavenging her room. Lydia didn't even dare to look at him. She knew who he was now; she saw him at the reception. Thadeus Harlan was his name or as he liked it the Thief-Taker General.
"My father won't be happy to hear about this."
He slapped her; she collapsed on the floor, covering the burning sensation on her cheek; tears filling up her face. The General looked down at her.
"Where is the Master Thief, Lydia?" He was yelling now; she looked away.
"I don't know who-"
"Oh do I really look that stupid?" He yanked her up, almost ripping her dress. "I heard you speak his name earlier, he was there wasn't he? Where is he now?" His grip on her arm was painful, Lydia sobbed quietly, looking away anger making her shiver.
"I see that you won't cooperate." The man pinned his face in front of her, challenging her to look at him in the eyes. Lydia stayed rigid, looking in the distance.
"Maybe a night in The Keep will clear your mind, young lady."
Her body stiffen at the words, why did she dismiss Rose tonight? Maybe it was a good thing after all; less questions. The two watchmen came to her and took her by the arms, dragging her out of the room. They made sure to quiet her by putting a piece of clothing in her mouth and a bag on her head. Lydia closed her eyes in the complete darkness, crying. Was she really willing to risk her life to save Garrett again? Her thoughts were rambling in her head. She wasn't even sure it was worth it anymore.

They tossed her in the corner of a small, filthy cell. A dirty, moldy mattress was the only thing other than her in the room. She couldn't take over herself anymore, crying like a child. The hours had passed; she didn't even have the notion of time. Lydia was curled up in one of the cleanest corners; her dress stained with makeup and tears. She was cold and hungry... Maybe she was going to die. The feeling of panic made her cry even more; she was tired most importantly and that's why she had even less control over her emotions. That's when a loud bang on the metal door made her snap out of her misery, making her jump up; frighten. Thadeus came in, accompanied by a Watchman, face covered with a heavy metal helmet.
"Ready to talk now, darling?" He leaned on his cane in a weird way. Lydia's respiration was short and frequent but she managed to talk without any mark of fright.
"I don't have anything to say to you, let me out of here!"
"Well I guess we need to speed things up."
He turned around and made his way out of the cellar, gesturing the Watchman to get her. The tall muscular man wrapped his arms around her tightly and lifted her up. Lydia gave everything that was left of her strength to resist; he dropped her. She got up and tried to run, but the man was fierce. He took a hand of her long black hair and pulled her back roughly. That's when she blacked out; her head smashed on the closest wall next to her, letting blood drip alongside her forehead.

She woke up; her head was hurting so bad. She wanted to put pressure on her temple to make it disappear to only discover that she was attached by the wrists at a metal chair. Panic took over her again, making Lydia shake her body restlessly to break free. A helpless cry came out of her guts; you could feel frustration in it. The brutal man came in.
"I taught I'd give you the special treatment while you're in our company."He was rustling with some tools next to her. Lydia shook every strand of her body in the chair, as if she would break the leather straps that pinned her down. A large furnace roared in the room, lighting the entire cell. Her gaze went to him, she didn't know if she was precautious now or just scared. The Thief-Take took a large metal pair of pliers in his glove, looking at it while it reflected the ways of light.
"If you know how many times I've been close to get that filthy rat..." He turned the tool in his hands and tightens his grip around it.
"And know I have you as bait." His body swiftly faced her. "You saw him; you talked to him when you were alone in that shadowy corner of the reception," he specified. "Don't tell me you don't know who I'm talking about." She scoffed at him loudly, looking away. "Don't tell me you don't know who's the Rat King or must I say, Garrett for the intimates." Lydia heard him rustle in the fire with the large metal hands. Her eyes closed when she felt him approach her restrained body again. She could feel his foul breath on her face. "You spoke his name Lydia, just tell me and everything will be over with, everybody will be happy and get what they want."
She looked at him in the eyes, letting a howl come out of her throat to break free. The man scoffed.
"Let me refresh your memory."
A striking pain rushed through her body as the metal pliers held a massive piece of fiery orange charcoal to her side, burning down the dress in its way. Sound didn't even come out of her mouth as the air in her lungs just stopped. He burned her.
"Is it coming back?"
Lydia busted into tears as a squeal finally came out with pain.
"No?"
She couldn't speak and that's when he applied the torturing rock on her leg, rubbing it along it; burning the dress again. A yelp was everything she had to give him; feeling her body weakening little by little under the pain.
"Maybe this isn't working." The man walked away, under the hazy eyes of the tortured woman.
"I can go like this all night if you want to. It'll be my pleasure." He turned around, scalpel in his hand, rubbing it lightly against the leather of his suit, ripping it open at the simple contact. Lydia was sobbing at his approaching figure. His hand passed on her face, grabbing her chin; lifting it with a rough move. She then felt a stinging feeling on her cheek, as he was cutting through her porcelain skin, was she going to pass out?
"Don't worry it won't leave a mark." He laughed, enjoying the moment. Blood dripped on her green dress. Was she really going to die in this hole; only because she was curious? Curiosity can get you killed they said... Everything around her was spinning in a slow tango, everything was back noises, and she was losing her senses. Her head dangled; it was too heavy now, maybe it was going to blow. He scratched her here and there, making the pain even worst, or was it? Lydia didn't feel anything at this point; she was only thinking about one thing. The Master Thief.