"Are you sure?" Victor asked seriously after ending the call
They nodded with stern expression with sadness in their eyes. A part of Victor wanted to refuse but maybe the children need closure in their own way,
"There will be a public funeral for Vanessa, tomorrow..." Victor told "So we need to go down the shed while everyone is there."
Alexander frowned, "Won't it be suspicious we're not there?"
"I'm new in town so nobody really knows me." Violet informed
Victor explained that a public funeral would be filled with most or all of the citizens of the town, who would notice if anyone is missing and they needed to the shed. They stopped by a store to get them a change of clothes and drove to Eastside Hospital.
"Mr. Glade?" A woman greeted
Victor smiled, "That would be us."
Alexander looked around as the nurse led them...yesterday this area was destroyed in battle and here it stands like nothing happened. He felt a mixture of worry and something else he couldn't name.
They entered the room and found Elizabeth laying in bed with closed eyes. She wore a breathtaking gown with bright yellow flowers and Violet remember a question she asked while tears ran down her cheeks.
"Yo...you...look beautiful." She wailed "The gown suits you so well."
A few tears slipped from Alexander's eyes and he nodded to Violet's words. If only they had been stronger, more prepared...if only...
Victor approached Ms. Moor. No one would have guessed this woman was a warrior worthy of praise that held back Jeffery for their escape. But they would and will remember the elegant lady who was like a dynamite. The children watched him bow his head slightly.
Victor smiled, " I will not shed a tear, because I know you're somewhere better. I only cry that we didn't have more time."
The nurses began to tear up as well and were thankfully as well that Ms. Moor had such wonderful people. A man tapped a crying junior nurse and she jumped in surprise.
"What's happening?" He asked looking at the room
The nurse sniffed, "Ms. Moor passed and her family is here to sent her off."
"Family?" the man repeated with confusion
He looked back again with suspicion and a hint of sorrow before leaving the Hospital. Victor scooped at the children and let them cry their heart out.
"Let's get you two home, shall we?" Victor smiled "There's no school because of the event tomorrow so I'll grab you in the morning."
He chuckled slightly when he saw their puffy eyes and that action ignited Violet's rage. He dropped them off at their front gates with bags containing replacement for their destroyed items.
"I feel sad...but I'm glad I saw Ms. Moor. Say thank you and goodbye." Violet thought "Maybe this is closure?"
She entered using her keys and walked into the house. Violet wondered what to eat as he locked the door.
"Violet."
Aster and the twins saw their sister literally jump preparing to run out the door. Calix quickly reassured her and Violet sighed in relief.
"You worried me for a second." She told "Why are you awake?"
Violet opened the fridge and took out a lunchbox filled with what she guessed was today's dinner. Her elder siblings were silent as she microwaved her food and devoured the food.
"Where were you, Delphine?" Aster asked sternly
Violet flinched at the mention of her second name and turned to look at her lightly angry brother. She mentally told herself to climb the window next time and probably eat at Victor's place...she ask him.
"I was out with friends." she answered vaguely
Aster frowned, "YOU'RE LYING! DO YOU KNOW WHAT TIME IT IS!? HOW WORRIED I WAS?!"
"Would your friends parents let them play until seven in the night?" Jasmine added with concern
Violet snapped, "And what does that have to do with anything?!"
Her scream woke up their parents and they came downstairs with confusion in their eyes. Violet's breathing was rapid, she was cornered...why are they suddenly acting weird after blaming her for what happened...
"I'm not causing trouble and if I am, I'll handle it on my own!" She yelled
Aster felt a lump in his throat. Violet looked at them defensively as if she guarding herself from her own family. She didn't have a drop of trust anymore only worry in her eyes. Before Ster could say anything she grabbed her bag, maneuvered around them and dashed to her room.
Aster told, "I...I'll talk to her tomorrow. There's no work or school so we can chat."
Their mother, Ruby looked at the tightly closed door of her youngest daughter and sighed deeply. It was going to be a long night.
~~~
Calix was woken up by noise from the kitchen, he saw Aster also exiting his room and they descended down the stairs. His elder brother stopped him and they saw Violet on a stool on a video call.
"Is the stove on?" the deep voice asked
Violet confirmed the stove was on a low heat level and placed the pan on the heating plate. She took out some eggs, bacon and toast.
"Grab a bowl, your favorite spices...nope, get salt and use the spoon to break the eggs." the voice instructed
They watched their sister make a clumsy breakfast and saw her pout deeply at whoever was on the call.
"Of course it's not perfect, this is your first time. I'll get you some pancakes later." the voice chuckled
Another person joined they call and a young cold voice echoed, "Have you seen the paper?"
Violet ate her half burnt bacon and nodded, "They're going all for Vanessa, aren't they?"
The deep voice sighed, "She was well-respected, if they didn't we'd be reading about a public strike instead. Eitherway we'll still be able to slip away undetected."
"Won't your family hear you, Your Royal Highness?" the young voice asked
Violet puffed her chest, "Nope. My family won't wake up even if I break the windows! They're heavy sleepers."
The two brothers knew she was right and had no mental retort for her statement. Aster was worried about what they were listening to and strained his ears to hear more.
"The entire event is an hour and a half. So we need to be in and out with alibis if asked." The young voice
The deep voice agreed, "We'll need to set off early to get a head start as well. I'll technically be at the casino counting my losses due to today's event."
"I don't have an alibi, what to do?" Violet deflated
The young voice offered, "How about a convenience store, they'll still be open because of the suddenness of the event and tons of cameras to see us."
"I'm on my way." the deep voice informed
Violet tidied up the kitchen and grabbed her bag. Aster say her pause and look around with a serious expression. He and Calix held their breathe, hidden in the area under the stairs and finally heard the door close with Violet's exit.
"What's going on...." Calix asked
Aster frowned, "Hopefully nothing serious."