Sin: Path of Poison

Chapter 22

By the time we got back to the palace it was dark. Thoughts of who could be causing trouble in the city wandered through my mind, I cast my senses out but came up empty. Whomever they were, they weren't active today. Obviously they were here for me otherwise Ruby wouldn't have mentioned it.

The next morning was uneventful. Nomi didn't come to collect me, probably allowing me extra time to sleep. Gathering some energy, I channeled and searched for information on Official Chao. I was still unsure if General Bai was going to take care of him. I thought about paying him a visit but someone was stationed a far distance away, observing me, so I decided to stay. It'd be easy to sneak out, but it wasn't urgent so waiting was just as easy.

A few hours before dinner Nomi came to look for me. I sat alone outside under a tree, I was easy to spot. Although she wore her usual maid outfit she smelled of a floral scent, it was the first time I smelled perfume on her. She led me away, in a different direction than normal. A carriage waited. It was larger than our normal carriage and of nice quality, roughly matching the upper middle class look of the clothing we purchased. As we stepped inside the carriage I saw the clothing we purchased the day before.

"We'll change in here." Nomi said excitedly. "I put makeup in here earlier, do you know how to put it on?" She asked. Maids were only allowed to wear the most basic of makeup, looking as natural and modest as possible. With Nomi busy changing herself and with so little room to change in, she was too preoccupied to notice any recovering wounds on my body.

I changed into the bright purple robes with small red flowers embroidered on the outer layer. It felt even stranger than wearing the maid uniform. It wasn't like I'd never worn this type of outfit before, it was just odd wearing a disguise within a disguise. I deftly put my hair up and left none of it down, mocking the upper middle class and noble ladies. With the hair clasp and hair pin from Ruby in place, I put on my makeup. The makeup was reserved and elegant, a far cry from my normal appearance. In the near dark interior of the carriage, the two of us put ourselves together.

"We're ready." Nomi called out to the driver as we started to move. Packing up everything, she shoved our maid uniforms and other items under one of the carriage benches.

"Where are the others?" I asked, not that I couldn't feel them a good distance ahead of us.

"They're going out first on horseback, in guard uniforms. Once we're outside they'll change. We have their clothing under that bench." She pointed near me. I'd already noticed the hidden clothing and also noted there were a few swords underneath.

"Mm." I nodded.

"Are you nervous?" She asked.

"No." I replied. Why would I be nervous? The only ones who should be nervous were the ones causing trouble out there. If the person that's been keeping an eye on me all day wasn't sent by Blake or the Empress, then I'd likely figure it out soon. As we passed through the gates it became apparent the Empress wasn't the one watching, she would have put a stop to this. My senses extended once again, why him? Who sent him here?

After moving a good distance from the palace walls, the carriage pulled into a side street and came to a stop. The Crown Prince, Blake, and Lei were standing nearby, waiting for us to arrive. They were passing off their horses to a servant, apparently someone our carriage driver knew. Nomi stepped out of the carriage first, she stood under the bright lanterns that hung overhead. She looked like a different person. Her robes were shades of light blue with pink embroidered flowers and a pink under robe that gave an elegant contrast. I could feel the Crown Prince light up with a smile as he saw her radiance.

Their eyes suddenly moved away from Nomi and towards me as I followed her out of the carriage. Their mouths dropped open a little as they stared without reservation. I was used to being stared at, but not dressed like this. Nomi turned to look at me, aware of what was happening. She stopped as well, unable to look away. Maybe I overdid the makeup after all?