'Knock! Knock!'
Aylin was munching pieces of bread absentmindedly, gazing outside through the window. Suddenly, she heard a soft knock at the door. She hurriedly got up from the bed and approached the door.
"Who is it?"
A familiar voice responded from outside, "It's me, Lin. Open the door once."
"Oh!"
The moment Aylin opened the door, Kai peeked inside the room and handed her some boy's clothes, "Here, take this. Put on whichever fits you."
Aylin looked down at the black and navy blue robes in her hand as she asked in a confused tone, "Your clothes?"
While scratching the back of his head, Kai answered in a slightly ashamed tone, "Yes. I am sorry. I didn't manage to find anything better."
Aylin instantly declined, shaking her head hastily, "No no. It is fine. I am already so grateful to you. I think it will work perfectly."
"Great! Get ready fast. I am waiting for you downstairs."
Kai was about to leave but he stopped abruptly, remembering something. He turned back and handed her a flat leather case as he instructed, "Put it on too."
Closing the door again, Aylin began to try the dull and ordinary men's robes one after another. Though for her, all the robes felt the same, each of the robes was different shades of black and blue.
After trying all the robes, sighing confusedly, Aylin picked up a random oversized robe and put it on somehow, folding its sleeves. Her eyes shifted to the box nearby.
It contained a false moustache and a beard. Without wasting time thinking, Aylin dutifully stuck them on her face. She hastily emphasised the shadows of her chin, trying to make her jawline more defined.
She was slender so, in that oversized and old robe and false beard, she was looking like a young lad of a poor family with a decent appearance. Without wasting any more time, she left the bedroom as Kai told and headed towards the hall downstairs.
The hall was empty at that time and was looking different from last night. There was no trace of those enchanting beauties she saw last night or that lofty music or intoxicating scent. Most of the hall was silent and forlorn as if the night was still owning that place.
While observing the shady hall, Aylin walked out of the main door.
The just-risen sun shone softly on the streets of the red light area, bringing with it a flurry of early-morning activity. There was barely anyone as if she was standing in front of the city of deaths.
Some random men were passing by seldom but none of them paid any attention to her. The Smoke from the oven was coming out from some cottages but the enchanting glimmer of last night was wiped out by the first ray of the sun, leaving behind the harsh reality as if the scenes of last night were just illusions like a mirage.
It wasn't looking like a fantasy dreamland anymore; rather an ordinary lower-class area.
Aylin was lost in her thoughts, staring at the shabby backwards of the Blossom palace when she felt a soft touch on her shoulder. Startled, she instantly turned her head.
Behind him, a youth tapped on her shoulder with an air of playful arrogance. He was dressed in a white tunic with his deep blue outer robe, tied around his waist; his sleeves were rolled up, revealing those pale white but firm arms. As he walked closer, his wispy hair danced in the soft breeze of autumn.
He looked very much like a strapping young lad of the village but exceedingly carefree and his black eyes were unnaturally twinkling sometimes.
Kai placed a wide and flat hat on her head as he claimed, analysing Aylin for a moment, "Hmmm… It will work."
Aylin mumbled uncomfortably, pressing her false beard again, "Is this good enough?"
Kai looked at her and grinned. While fixing her hat once again, he complimented, "Don't worry. It suits you."
Aylin wiggled her lips as she complained, pouting her cherry lips, "It tickles."
Kai chuckled charmingly. Then placing his hand on her shoulder in a friendly way, he demanded in his teasing yet low tone, "But, it's necessary to protect you, little girl. I can't let others see your beautiful face here. So, we need a perfect disguise for our mission. Right? Let's go?"
Aylin asked with a serious face, "Are we going to the Blossom Palace now? Do you have the VIP pass or any entry card?"
While straightening the folds of his sleeves, Kai explained, "We can't enter the Blossom Palace right now as it hasn't opened yet."
Disappointment darkened Aylin's face as she mumbled in a puzzled tone, "Then? How will we enter? When will it open again?? Can't we just sneak in or enter directly to ask-"
"Lin! Lin! Slow down."
"Huh?"
"One question at a time, little lady. I can't answer so many questions together."
Aylin tilted her head up as she apologised in an embarrassed tone, "Ummm… Sorry." After a little pause, she added in a low and worried tone, "Actually, I am feeling very anxious, Kai. I know I am sounding demanding but please help me to find my Aunt. She is my only family. If something happens to her, I don't-"
"Shush! Nothing will happen to her, Lin. You don't have to explain to me. I know how terrible it feels to stay away from the family. Just trust me, I will keep my promise. We will find her very soon."
Aylin looked up at him with dreamy eyes as Kai's eyes swept over her face approvingly, reaching into her thoughts. A warmth touched Aylin's heart as she inclined her head with a grateful smile.
She trusted him with everything.
An easy smile ruffled Kai's mouth, softening his sculpted face as he murmured, patting her shoulder, "Let's go now. We will split and ask around about your Aunt. Ok? Ask anything and everything about her. Like about her customers, her friends, when they have seen her for the last time, etc. Don't miss anything. Am I clear?"
"Yes. Where and when will we meet again?"
"In the afternoon, in front of the Blossom Palace. It will open again in the afternoon."
Aylin nodded her head and was about to leave but Kai stopped her, grabbing her wrist gently and holding her back. Taking a step closer to her, he whispered in a concerned voice, "Stay careful and approach the women only. I will ask the men."
Aylin murmured back assuringly, "Don't worry. Nothing will happen to me."
But, it felt like Kai was reluctant to let her go alone. With a gloomy expression, he secretly shoved his dagger in Aylin's hand and whispered to her ear while checking her surroundings cautiously, "Use it if needed."
"D-dagger?"
"Yes, aim the neck or heart and stab it. Don't hesitate or overthink. See you in a few hours."
"I- I never use it. I don't know-"
"Then, start learning from now."
But, Kai already turned around and began to walk in the opposite direction. Aylin sighed loudly, staring at his back and his flattering black robe. Then hiding the dagger inside her oversized robe, she also began to walk.
Wild breezes of the Autumn were messing with her robe and hitting her hat again and again. Dry leaves in the wind were like sails without boats, carefree and joyful. Their colours were singing to the blue of the sky and the green grass below.
While wringing her fingers nervously, she approached two ladies of the nearby cottage.
Clearing her throat and thickening her voice slightly, she pretended to be a guy as she asked nervously, "Excuse me, do you know anything about Miss Mable?"
One of them asked sleepily while yawning, "Miss Mable?"
"Yes, she is a famous courtesan of the Blossom Palace. Do you know her?"