"Slow down, Helga," Evie said as she looked at Helga, who was rushing with hurried steps.
"Your highness," Helga said in whispers. "I checked the list and your name is still there."
"Really?" Evie said, standing from her seat. "Are you sure?" she said, holding Helga's hand.
"Yes, your highness, I am sure," Helga replied. "I made sure no one saw me, and your name is there. I think the butler forgot to remove you since your promotion was unexpected."
"Did you keep my uniform?" Evie asked, her voice shaky from excitement.
"Yes, your highness," Helga said.
"Okay, now we need to be prepared, Helga. We can't take lots of things, but a few essential items."
"Yes, your highness," Helga said bowing and taking her leave.
Evie stood up, walking to the gazebo. She wanted to take a walk around as she was in a very good mood. She couldn't believe her luck; in two days, she would be able to leave the palace. The road ahead was going to be very far, but leaving this place was a very big and important step; she was going to make it because she was not only responsible for both her and Helga's lives but also for all the people of the Ashborne kingdom. "Lady Isabella and the empress will be so happy," Evie said, and she felt someone shake her arm. She looked down to find Lila looking at her worriedly and about to shed a tear.
"Are you okay, your highness? I have been calling you for a while, but you have not been responding. What happened?" she said, returning Evie's mind to the present.
"Sorry, Lila, what is wrong?"
"Why would we be so happy, and why are you ignoring me? Is this how people are treated in Moonlight Pavilion?" A high-pitched voice made Evie wince.
Talk about the devil, Evie thought, looking at Lady Isabella and her convoy of ladies-in-waiting and maids standing at the opening of the gazebo with an annoyed look on their faces.
"Apologies, Lady Isabella. I was in my mind and couldn't welcome you. Please come in and have a seat," Evie said, walking to Lady Isabella.
Why am I so unlucky? Just two days. If only she had waited two days, and I would be out of her hair, but no, Evie mentally sighed.
"Lila, go tell Helga to bring snacks for the guest," Evie said, turning to Lila.
"It's okay, I brought my snacks," Isabella sneered. "If I knew I would be standing at the door ignored for hours, I would have brought my own chairs too, but I will remember that for next time," she said as she took a seat opposite Evie.
As if there is going to be a next time, Evie thought as she also took a seat.
"To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit, Lady Isabella?" Evie said, trying to keep the tone of her voice as neutral as possible.
"I come to apologise to you, sister," Isabella said.
"Apologise? Why?" Evie asked, confused.
"Last night, his majesty was supposed to spend the night here in Moonlight Pavilion, but as you are aware, my health has not been good since my miscarriage, so he was forced to be with me instead," Isabella said. And although she tried to sound sorry, Evie could see her puffed-out chest and flared nostrils. She came here to gloat, Evie thought. She smiled. That would have hurt her were she in love with the emperor, but she wasn't, and contrary to being angry, she was happy and grateful to Lady Isabella.
"There is no need to apologise, Lady Isabella," Evie said. "And I am also part of the reason why you are sick, so I didn't mind. I hope you are feeling well now," she added, smiling, hoping the smile would disarm Lady Isabella as she was not honestly ready to clash with her. She neither had the time nor energy, but seeing the fury on her face, Evie knew she wasn't going to go scot-free today, and her shoulders sagged as she sighed.
Isabella sat up in her chair. "Yes, it is your fault that I am sick, and it is also thanks to me that you are now a consort and part of the imperial family."
"Why?" Evie asked, regretting why she asked as soon as the word left her mouth. Did it matter why? Dammit, curiosity is going to be my biggest downfall, Evie thought.
"I promised the emperor not to punish any maid and lost my temper when you poured hot tea on me and punished you, so to punish me, he took you in," Isabella said.
You poured the tea on yourself, Evie said in her mind, but the message for today was clear: it is because of me you were made a consort, and the emperor comes running to me, leaving you behind. But the question on Isabella's mind of why the emperor promoted her was now answered. All that happened because she was caught up in a lover's tiff and happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
"The Grand Chamberlain, Sir Arthur, is here," an announcement sounded at the gate.
"Come in," Evie said as she pressed on her temples. All she wanted was to stay low these two days, but no, it was time for everyone in the palace to pay her a visit.
"Good afternoon, your majesties," Arthur said with a bow, looking at Lady Isabella with surprise.
"Good afternoon, Sir Arthur," Evie and Isabella said in unison.
"How is his highness? He couldn't really sleep last night due to worry," Isabella said before Evie could say a word, looking at Evie with a triumphant look in her eyes.
"His highness is doing well," Arthur said, looking between the two ladies.
Evie chuckled in her mind. "To what do I owe the pleasure of this visit, Sir Arthur?" she said for the second time today.
"I come to inform you that we are going to hold your welcome party on Wednesday, as per the emperor's instruction," Arthur said.
"What?" both ladies said, standing from their seats.