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The ringing of the bells shook the Imperial Palace, the Imperial City, and the Empire. Ninallia covered her ears and ran from her room into a common area of Madama Ector’s dumas hostel. All the women housed at the hostel crowded into the room, their anxious chatter adding to the din of noise.
“Is the city under attack?” asked Irinia. Her baby had been born, and she was soon to leave the hostel. Madama Ector required the babies to spend the first two months with their mothers if possible.
Ninallia had been at Madama Ector’s for four months. Nothing like this happened before. The bells were making it difficult to think. Everyone was frightened.
“There has been a death at the palace. We are in no danger here. Please go back to what you were doing.” The firm voice of Marta, the housekeeper stilled the panic in the room. “Madama Ector will return with news soon.”
Something in the housekeeper’s face worried Ninallia. She went to her room and caught the end of the Royal Nephew’s speech. She could not believe the news. The Imperial Palace was on lockdown after the assassination of the emperor and empress. Memories of images of the beautiful empress posted throughout the city brought tears to her eyes. The luxury of her room and clothing seemed wrong.
“There you are!” Madama Ector startled her.
Ninallia turned and saw Madama staring at her from the doorway. There were tears streaming down her cheeks. Ninallia rose and started toward the older woman.
Madama Ector turned and shut the door with such violence it shook. She raised one hand to stop Ninallia. “You have to leave. Get out!”
Ninallia shook her head. “I don’t understand. I conceived. I haven’t lost the child.”
Madama Ector pushed her toward the closet. “You don’t understand. It is the emperor’s child you carry. It was to remain a secret. They will find me and come for you.”
Ninallia stood frozen in shock. Words and questions flooded her mind. They would not come out. She stared at Madama. How could she be carrying the royal heir?
Before her mind could focus, Madama was shaking her and screaming, “Run, you silly child! They will kill you and the heir if they find you here.”
She stared into Madama Ector’s eyes, absorbing the fear and panic bubbling behind the tranquil color. “Home?”
“Of course not! If they can find you here, they will find your family. Go somewhere and hide yourself until the child is born.”
“Where?” Her question was unheeded as Madama Ector thrust a small bag of garments and a pouch heavy with credits into her hands and pushed her toward the open balcony window.
Thrust into the night, Ninallia clutched the garment bag and ran. Is Madama Ector a madwoman? Would such a fine man as the Royal Nephew harm anyone, let alone an infant? Ninallia slowed her pace, shaking her head. Of course he would. He wants the throne for himself no matter what he says.
She ducked into a public toilet and opened the bag. Tears fell. None of the fine clothes she loved were spilled out. These were servant’s clothes and not too clean. They would have to do. She changed from her gown into the new clothes. She looked in the mirror. The poor young girl of a few months past stared back at her.
As she walked back onto the street she faced a new dilemma. Madama Ector was generous with credit chips, but a lone girl could not approach an inn or hostel at night without raising notice and comment. Ninallia slept in an alley hidden behind some bins. It was smelly and cold.
When morning light woke her, she rose from her hiding place and brushed the worst of the dirt from her clothes. She bought a hot beverage and a meat roll from a vender and ate as she walked toward the outskirts of the city. She almost collided with a young boy who was running ahead of his mother. Ninallia stopped. The boy was a few years younger, but he was almost her height and weight. He smiled and bowed in apology. She nodded back.
A plan formed in her mind as she moved through the crowded city street. Anyone trying to harm her would be seeking a young woman carrying the emperor’s heir. They would not be looking for a boy.
After turning down a street of shops, she began her transformation. I must not appear to be a poor boy or merchants will question the credits he carries. He cannot be wealthy or noble born or they will question his lack of servants. She purchased clothes suitable for the son of a middle-class merchant. She would call herself Naro. Her imagination took over, and after a day of wandering the streets buying supplies she felt ready to don her disguise.
The boy’s attire fit loosely and would hide her pregnancy as the baby grew for a while. Shaving the sides of her head and plating the rest of her hair in a long braid finished the transformation. Naro could travel alone without comment. He could sleep in a hostel and eat at any inn in the city. Heading along the busy street, she sought a hostel to spend the night. She was eager to have a good meal and sleep in a bed.
She walked awkwardly down the street, trying to imitate a boy’s long strides. The clothes were comfortable, and she was getting used to the shoes. The hair was another matter. Every day or two she would need to shave the sides to maintain the style, and the intricate braid wasn’t easy.
The proprietor of the modest inn smiled as she entered his establishment. “Good day, young master. How may I help you?”
Ninallia let her hand touch the pouch holding her credits. “I am traveling to my uncle’s home in the northern mountains.”
“A long journey, young master. How may I assist?”
Ninallia was thrilled the innkeeper was fooled by her disguise. “This is my first time in the Imperial City, and I plan to spend a few weeks here before I continue my journey. I must arrive before full winter.”
“We have the perfect room for you,” the innkeeper assured her. “Will you want meals as well?”
She responded with a polite nod. “Breakfast and dinner.” She followed the innkeeper up the stairs to a small guestroom.