"Max, take me to a clothes shop," Evie said. She had lots to do and needed to get it done as fast as possible. Evie started talking to Max as he led them to a clothes shop nearby.
"Where are your parents, Max?"
"I don't remember, but I heard they both passed away from the plague."
"Sorry to hear that, Evie."
"It is okay," Max replied. "I don't remember much from it, honestly."
"What about siblings?" Evie said.
"I have no siblings either," he replied, and an idea clicked in her head.
If she changed their outlook, then it would be more challenging to find them, as people would be focused on looking for two girls travelling alone. But no one would suspect two women and a boy. Max would be the perfect cover for them.
"You don't have anyone? Why don't you come with Sister Marie and me?" Evie said, surprising Helga and Max.
"To where?" he asked.
"We are planning to go far away. You will have somewhere to sleep and something to eat," she added.
"Okay," Max said with no hesitation.
"Really? You just accepted it like that?" Evie asked.
"Why? You wanted me to refuse?" he asked.
"No, I didn't," Evie said.
"I have nothing to lose, miss. I would rather take an opportunity to have a roof over my head and warm food, and find out it was false, than not try at all," he added.
"You know, you are quite clever for your age," Evie said, genuinely impressed by his deep thought process at his age.
"I learnt it by myself," Max replied, making Evie giggle, lightening the mood.
"There is the shop," he said, pointing.
"Okay, let's go," Evie said as they entered the shop.
They moved around the shop. They settled for a few clothes. She bought three coarse wool dresses for herself, three silk dresses for Helga, and three silk robes for Max, and they left with their hands full.
"Max, do you know any almshouses around?" Evie said.
"Yes, I do, but they don't let homeless people in," Max said.
"Who said we are homeless? Let's first go to a hotel and change," Evie said, and they headed to a restaurant, ordered food, and took turns in the restaurant's private room to change. After they were done with their food, they went out.
Two maids and a homeless boy went into the restaurant, but a middle-class sister and brother with their maid came out of it. Helga and Max were dressed as a young master and miss, while Evie was dressed as their maid. Evie walked behind them as they went to the almshouse.
They reached the almshouse, and Evie went to talk to the nun who ran the place.
"Sister," Evie said to the nun as she dabbed the corner of her eyes with her handkerchief. "My master and mistress are travelling from Starian, where they went to their maternal grandmother's funeral, and are now returning to their home in Velma. Their mother passed away when they were little, and their father remarried.
And you know, as they say, once a father gets a stepmother, he becomes a stepfather to his children," Evie said, pushing back the tears that pooled in her eyes. "We have money, but motels are not safe. A few days ago, my mistress almost..." Evie said, sobbing without finishing the sentence, letting the nun's imagination complete the rest.
"So we decided to stay in almshouses, as they are run by religious and charitable people like you, and are safer than motels. We will donate to the church. Please, let us stay here for three days," she begged.
"It is okay, my daughter, stop crying. We have two rooms. You, your master, and mistress can stay," the nun said.
"Thank you, sister," Evie said, holding the nun's hand.
They were led to two rooms. "Master, you will take that room. My mistress and I will take this one," Evie said, and then turned to the nun. "Thank you, sister. May you be blessed," Evie said as the nun took her leave.
"Sister Evie," Max said, "you are such a good actor. You could rival Lily Rose," Max said, impressed by Evie's acting.
"Who is Lily Rose?" Evie asked.
"You don't know her?" Max questioned. "She is the most famous actress in the theatre troupe."
"I don't know her. Anyway, who names themselves two flower names?" Evie asked, just wondering.
"Lily Rose," Max answered seriously, making Evie and Helga laugh.
"Go to your room," Evie said, pointing. "And remember the story I just told. Now that is our plot moving forward, okay?" Evie said, and Max nodded.
"Evie, why don't we leave?" Helga asked. "Isn't it risky to stay in the capital?" she said.
"Sometimes the safest place is the closest to the danger. I'm sure they have discovered we are missing by now. If not, they will in a few. And what do you think the emperor's first step would be? It is to communicate with the checkpoints and the exit gates, and everyone will be on the lookout. The second place they will look is the motels. We avoided both. And in three days, the intense search will reduce. That's when we will leave," Evie explained, and Helga nodded.
While Evie and Helga relaxed in the almshouse, the palace was about to be thrown into chaos.
Seated on the throne, the emperor wore a midnight purple robe, reading documents.
"Good afternoon, Your Highness," Arthur said, bowing. "You called for me?" he asked.
"Yes," the emperor said. "The guests will be arriving in two hours. Do you have any idea if the people in Moonlight Pavilion are ready?" he added.
"No, Highness. Apologies, I have been busy with the invitations, food, and decorations. I haven't gone there yet, but Lady Catherine is there, so everything should be fine," Arthur answered.
"Okay, go to Moonlight Pavilion. Check their progress and confirm the colour of clothes Lady Elara will be wearing, and find me a similar robe colour," the emperor said, going back to his reading.
"Yes, Your Highness," Arthur said, bowing, and then he turned to leave, going to Moonlight Pavilion.