Laž’ar stepped out of his mother’s room without speaking to her again.
He seldom had disagreements with his mother, since he would do what she asked of him almost regardless of what it was. He would gladly have married someone even if just as a concubine if his mother told him to. It wasn’t as if he had anything of value to lose, other than his mother.
He knew his mother wasn’t wrong. He seldom spoke his mind or what he truly wanted. But the words ‘I won’t leave’ had always been true.
If he was going to leave, he’d bring his mother with him. He just needed to find a way to secure the money needed.
Now it turned out his own mother didn’t want him so how could he not feel hurt?
“Zallaž.”
Laž’ar turned his face down to see the two siblings through a pink haze created by the veil. They tugged at his red and pink robe with worried expressions.
“What are you two up to now?” he asked with a smile, reaching for their hands. “Where are the others? I still have work to do.”
“Kitchen,” the older brother mumbled.
“Let’s go there then. I’ll come to you when Madam let’s me, hmm?”
They both nodded.
He brought the children back to the others and saw the girl who only just turned thirteen also had changed.
“Be careful,” he said as he handed the brother-sister pair to a maidservant. He turned to her before he continued. “Keep your distance from the guests. Don’t speak to them. Remain in the main hall. And observe what your elders do. I won’t be there to guide you.”
“What will you do then?”
“Mother is unwell,” he replied ambiguously, before he turned.
“Is that child in a poor mood?” he heard the maidservant whisper to someone else behind him. He left as if he hadn’t heard a single word.
“Hellellaz!”
When he heard a regular call his name as he stepped out with the lantern in the evening, he lifted his sleeve to hide his smile, as if he was shy.
“Big brother, we have yet to open. You have to come by later.”
The young man that approach him was around eighteen or nineteen years old. A government official’s son, from what Laž’ar has picked up from conversations while helping his the servants during their open hours. As someone so lowly he lived where he did, he was actually supposed to call this young man a lord or young master, but he had found he would get a few coins if he called him more affectionately. He had always made use of this.
The ‘big brother’ didn’t disappoint this time either. He took hold of the hand Laž’ar had lifted, turned the palm up and dropped three copper coins in it.
“Is the Rose Lady performing tonight?” he asked as he took the lantern off of Laž’ar’s hand.
“Oh, no, big brother, this is my work. Don’t take it away from me!”
“Let your big brother hang it up for you, Hellellaz.”
Laž’ar pretended to be troubled, while the young man hooked it to the pole to hang it up far above their heads.
When the young man went to get another one right within the door, Laž’ar hurried to step in front of him, holding out the three coins he had just got.
“Big brother was too kind. I can’t—”
“Just take it, hmm? It’s not much. If the Rose Lady isn’t performing, I can’t see you either anyway.”
“Oh,” Laž’ar said ambiguously, then reached for another lantern and handed it to the young man. “If you insist…”
He watched as the next lantern was hung up and got a third one. He noticed the proprietress come to look and hurried to the young man’s side, taking hold of the pole.
“Madam is coming, give it back.”
“Your Madam is too strict. She shouldn’t make a girl like you work with chores like these. What if you get hurt?”
Laž’ar looked back and saw the woman step out, looking to the side. He half-hid behind the young man as if scared, but when she saw Laž’ar , he quickly motioned for her to leave, and she let her gaze sweep past the man.
“Where did that unruly thing go?” she muttered and turned around. “Did someone see Masellaz?” she shouted as she stepped inside.
The young man looked down at Laž’ar . “You’re too worried. See, she didn’t even see you.”
Laž’ar thought bitterly that this young man certainly needed to have someone check if his vision was fine. If it wasn’t for the fact he was essentially earning the woman money by roping in a guest, how would she had not left them alone?
“Big brother, don’t help me anymore.”
He took the lantern that Laž’ar still help. “No, I’ll do it.”
Naturally Laž’ar let him, and didn’t try to make him stop anymore.
Once the last of them was hung up, Laž’ar tugged at his sleeve. “Big brother, if you come by later, I’ll do it.”
“What?”
“I’ll perform. I’ll wait to the side for you.”
He then raised his arm, before he hurried back inside, lowering his arm once out of view, taking out the three coins and dropped them in the proprietress’ hand, where she was waiting right within.
“Hmm, not bad, Masellaz. If that young master comes by, I’ll pay you well.”
He smiled. “Madam has taught me well.”
“I’ll arrange your hair for you. You can’t take any customers properly the way you are.”
He showed his gratitude and followed her while taking off the veil to show a face painted impeccably, making him look no different from one of those truly working at the Pavillion.
Several maidservants looked surprised as they passed them, surely knowing the meaning behind it, but not pointing out that Laž’ar only turned twelve a couple of months ago.
He wondered if anyone would tell his mother this time. If so… she might just be so angered she refused to even let him into the room. Laž’ar wasn’t as innocent as his mother may think. He clearly understood that it was one thing to perform as one of the servants… and another to be one of the ladies.
He knew what he was doing. And what risks it entailed.