Chapter 82 Mute*ANA*“Why is my cat here?” I can’t stop myself from looking back. What compensation? I am confused. And the kitten only makes me feel lost. What is he doing here? When I left, he was in my room. He looked so warm and happy there. But now, the kitten seems anything but happy.“Cousin?” I feel Mykhol’s arm. He is oddly tense, as if aware of something I am not. And Abina cowers closer to his legs.“What is going on?” I ask, but Mykhol does not mean my eyes. He is looking straight ahead.“Mew!” Nicoli II shifted uncomfortably in the maid's hands. His tail flips from side to side. And his ears are sideways as he leans away from the other maid with the bucket.“The bucket?” What is that for? I look after the maid. But before I can even think of asking, Stepmother continues. “I respect your wish to handle your servant.” Queen Belinda starts up again, and I force myself to look back at her. She has a sharp smile on her face.“But the fact remains that our crown prince was wi
*King Alexander?*Damn it. King Alexander never felt an urge to scream more than now. But he couldn't; he could only stand by as his wife sentenced a child’s pet to death.“No!” Ana, meanwhile, cried out. “Please, you can’t.” her hands clenched for the air, but Mykhol held her back. “Ana-” The teen managed to keep her, but barely. Ana was putting up a good fight. “I said no! It is too much, Your Majesty- Father!” And Ana turned from Belinda to meet Alexander's eyes. “Please, you can’t!”But King Alexander only looked back at her, helpless. His hands were tied. He knew it, and so did Belinda.Damn it all. Alexander cursed again, looking back at his wife.“This is too severe,” Alexander growled under his breath. He knew Belinda did not like the child, but he never dreamed it would go this far. She was only a child. “Too severe, you say?” “Yes,” Alexander hissed through his teeth. “It’s gone too far.”“You think this is too far?” Belinda quickly looked over the room with purpose. She
Chapter 84 On Deaf Ears(reviewed & edited 5.27.24)*Mykhol*Mykhol stood by as the royal family passed them. Queen Belinda met his eye but no more. But he didn’t expect there to be any reaction. Our business is over. Mykhol thought. They both got what they wanted. They wouldn't need each other anymore.It was fun while it lasted. Mykhol had to admit. Mykhol thought he was good. But Queen Belinda's performance was unworldly. I shouldn’t ever make an enemy out of that woman. Mykhol had to shiver. She was formidable.Even for humans, Mykhol had to give credit. But it was a comfort to know that that wouldn’t happen now. Their work here was done. It was now just a matter of tying off the stray pieces.Speaking of which, Mykhol looked over at Ana. She was still kneeling. And her hair was a mess of wild curls.It was jarring to see all that silver where red should be. Mykhol wanted to reach out and grab a fistful. But again, Mykhol also wanted to curl the strands around his fingers.In t
Chapter 85 Downpour(reviewed & edited 6/2/24)*Nicoli*“Smile, Your Highness.” Another clown danced and honked his nose at the boy. But Nicoli only stared back quietly. His blue eyes looked bored, and the clown sighed.“Happy birthday, your majesty.” The clown gave up and bowed out. Nicoli saw him walk off toward his friends Philip and Tommy. Philip squealed with delight at the clown, and Tommy demanded a balloon animal. They’re having fun. Nicoli smiled weakly, seeing how the clown enthralled them. They looked so happy and carefree, like all the other children enjoying the circus. But Nicoli couldn’t share the sentiment.Unable to react, Nicoli looked over his shoulder for the umpteenth time. His eyes scanned the face of the castle. A curtain shifted as if someone were looking out. Ana? Nicoli stopped to train his sight on the window, but nothing happened. Whoever it was did not dare peek out again. They were not brave enough to show their faces. I want to see you. Nicoli thought
Chapter 86 The Aftermath*King Alexander*“Ha,” King Alexander dropped the quill altogether. It was pointless. He couldn’t focus. He couldn’t for the past few days. His mind kept wandering off to think. Ana’s going to miss the whole thing. Today was the last day for the circus. But Ana still did not leave her room. She hadn’t for days. I would have thought she would by now. Alexander had hoped. He had trusted Ana to be curious enough to come out, at least, for the circus. Alexander remembered the excited faces on both of his children. Alexander recalled that they had even planned to stay up to wait for it just days before, but he had underestimated even that much.What am I to do? Alexander fumbled with his fingers. Time was running out, and Ana would leave soon. But things weren’t any better than before. Should I see her? But the thought scared him. What would he find if he did? What if she doesn’t? It left Alexander stuck and useless. What then? How do I fix this? Again, Alex
(Revised & edited) 6.17.24) *Maddie*“Thank god I brought a blanket.” Maddie cheerfully stretched the blanket over them. She could immediately feel the heat change like a blessing. It was way too cold for anyone to be outside. But if Ana wants to go outside, Maddie wouldn’t complain, not at this point. Though I don't know why she’d pick here of all places, still Maddie was willing to make the most of it.”It didn’t look so cold from the window,” Maddie perked up. “But that’s just how Dawny winters are.”“Are they?” Ana fell quiet. I may need to try a bit harder. “Well, I don’t think they're as cold as Almonies winters.” Maddie looked at Ana pointedly. “Do you know?”“No, they are not.” This girl- Maddie could roll her eyes just then. Ana was undoubtedly going to make her work for it.“Then how cold would you say they are?” Maddie leaned in, still smiling. “Cold? Very cold? Or to the bone?” It was meant to be a joke, but it seemed to fly over her head.“Yes, it's colder.” Oh, c
(Edited & reviewed 7/1/24)*Ana*I can do this. I tell myself. Just keep your head up. Keep your face still.You are almost there. The carriage is just ahead. And then I won’t have to pretend. Just keep it in, and you’ll be fine.“Ana?” Maddie whispers. Her eyes were big and searching. “Ana, are you alright?” She moves to take my hand, but I have to shoo it away. “Let’s go,” I breathe as the grand doors open. The cold wind busts through to throw back my shawl. It’s freezing, but I can’t stop.It’s time.I start the walk down the path. Maddie close behind me. I wish I could just run but that wouldn’t do. Empresses don’t run away. So I can’t. I must walk as the trumpets blare and the crowd throws rose petals. "Goodbye, Empress Anastasia." Some call out in sweet voices."Safe travels." Others throw more petals."Come back to us again."But between their cheers, I can hear the whispers. My ears are too open to ignore them. Sharper words pass between the smiles."Did you hear what ha
“Your Empress?” I don’t mean to, but I cringe in response. Maddie has been at it ever since we’ve returned.And it doesn’t look like today will be any different.“It’s coming up another week.”“I said no.” I hold the book tighter. The words dance across my eyes as my vision blurs. But I suck back the tears.Not today. I’m not crying today. I try to be angry instead. I shouldn’t have to keep answering the same question. I shouldn’t, but I can’t stop her either.I just don’t want to think about any of it at all. “Ana,” Maddie comes near.“At least write a ‘thank you for your stay.”“Maddie, please stop.” I lean back in my chair. I already know what’s coming next, but Maddie will give another lecture.And true enough, Maddie does not delay.“Ana, I am not saying this for my good.” Maddie snatches the book away.“Maddie!” My book? I look to see her in the eye. “Are you going to listen now?”I reach for the book, but she lifts it.“Give that back.” Why can’t I just read? It’s all I wan
“Hidi?” But before I can have a chance to ask any further, Hidi only taps my arm, her fingertips pressing just a fraction too firmly against my sleeve."But we will talk later, as for now—" Her green eyes immediately shift to Nicoli and brighten, like lamps suddenly lit from within. The strange expression suddenly disappeared again, replaced with a mask, so perfectly that I wondered if I had seen anything at all. Her smile is bright and full, with blunt white teeth again, but something about it feels rehearsed, a performance she's put on countless times. Her attention was solely on him, her body angling toward his like a flower turning to the sun."Nicoli, did you see that? Look how helpful I am to our dear Ana." She beams, as if nothing were wrong at all, stepping slightly closer to him than necessary, her arm brushing against his in a casual gesture that somehow feels deliberate. "Our dear Ana" sits strangely in my ears, as if I'm a shared possession rather than a friend. Her voice
Ana*“Please, everyone, if you would just-” But it's clear no one is listening. My voice is swallowed up by the cacophony of string instruments and the colliding conversations surging around us like crashing waves. The air thickens with perfumes and colognes—spiced amber, midnight jasmine, and something metallic that clings to the back of my throat. If I ever felt overwhelmed before a court of nobles shouting over each other after some new decree, it's nothing compared to the suffocating pressure closing in now. Actually, I think I'd prefer that over this.I don't even think my coronation was this bad. I recall that, being just a bit more orderly, the crowd maintained a respectful distance that allowed my lungs to fill properly. But then again, Mykhol was pushing them along so I could eat, right? It's a delayed shock of wisdom to realize that it was indeed helpful. I feel ashamed now that I ever thought he was being haughty at the time. He wasn't. His curt dismissals created a buffe
Naska stared at the cup instead of taking it, more shocked than surprised at the motion. Someone poured her drink? It was indeed a first. No one had ever done anything for her. She was so used to doing everything for herself. And glancing up, the sight of who did, only made her more confused.It was one of the veiled women—a Bulgeon, a human. Her eyes lined in that inky black shadow seemed to regard her in silence just as she did. Her hand lifted the cup, steady, as if she were still waiting. Naska, not knowing what else to do, took the cup. But her eyes remained glued to the woman. Because of the veil, she couldn’t know what expression the woman was making. Was it friendly? Bitter? What did her face even look like under the cloth?Watching her, the mysterious woman moved with grace. She poured another ladle of blood, not wine, to steam against the glass. Her thin fingers peeked out of her sleeve to swipe a slice of meat to dip in, and she moved to eat under the cloth. Naska raised
*Naska*“What a joke of a party,” Naska muttered, baring her fangs as she leaned against the wall. ”Mine will be so much better.” Her pale red eyes flickered over blue and gold streamers hanging from the center of the high ceiling with a sneer. Ugly colors, she immediately found it stupid. But not as stupid as having to sniffle every other minute. Her nose was irritated and starting to run from all the damn pine scent in the room. Each breath was like choking on a bottle of soap. From the platform near the far wall, the gentle strains of stringed instruments played a song too delicate and indistinct for her to recognize. It filled the air like perfume—pleasant to some, she supposed, but meaningless to her. Light laughter floated between the nobles, punctuated now and then by the sharp clink of crystal goblets. Beneath the noise, however, the pressure in the room was thick. Everyone waited for Her Empress to return. The tension curled under the music like smoke, unseen but unmistakab
*Johan*As he entered the banquet hall, Johan quickly noticed quite a few things. The first was that King Alexander was nowhere to be seen, though Johan expected that. He must have still been talking with Queen Bratha.What surprised him, though, was that others were missing—two, to be exact. The handsome brunette prince was not in the banquet hall as he thought he would be, considering he did not see him in the lobby or even the line. He was gone, and neither was Ana. Who he did see was just Hidi.The giant queen stood out among the partygoers- not just because of her size. Her very presence seemed to overpower anyone who dared draw near. Those who attempted to pass her either darted their eyes down or weakly bowed before hightailing it inside. Johan could see that even that old coot kept a safe distance if anyone wanted to try to talk to her, like the ever-eager Sir Celbest.The blonde was not pleased about something, and Johan could easily see it. The girl had never been one to hi
*Nicoli*Nicoli held onto Ana like a man gripping the edge of a cliff—tight, unyielding, unwilling to let go for even a second. The very idea of releasing her, even to their father, was absurd. No. Absolutely not.He had waited too long, ached too much, spent years longing for this moment. And now that she was finally by his side again, he refused to let anything—anyone—take her away. Not tonight. Not ever. So be it if he had to fight off the entire court to keep her close. Vampire, noble, or king, he didn’t care. He’d take them all on.She was his Anastasia. And now that they were together, everything felt right again.A rare, genuine grin tugged at his lips—one that wasn’t for show, unlike the practiced smiles he wore in Dawny. This was different. This was real.But as they moved through the white halls, his excitement warred with Ana’s slow, deliberate steps. Too slow. She still walked like an old lady.Nicoli’s muscles twitched with pent-up energy, his entire body screaming to mo
*Ana*My body freezes, every muscle locked in place as Nicoli leans in closer. His face is inches from mine, and I feel my breath catch, a whirlwind of confusion and anticipation racing through my mind. What is he doing? Is…he going to kiss me?But we can’t—we shouldn’t. We aren’t children anymore.As children, it was innocent. Nicoli used to kiss me on the lips, but it was always affectionate—nothing more, just like when he would hold my hand or offer a playful hug. It was natural to him, something that didn’t feel strange, something I expected from him without question. But that was then.Now, we’re adults. And that changes everything.We can’t– I try to tell myself that, but something in me hesitates, unsure whether I want him to stop or... not. I’m paralyzed, my heart beating so loudly I can hear it in my ears. As his face nears mine, I feel the world shrinks, the air around us thick with tension. A strange eagerness stirs in my chest—a warmth I don’t understand. It coils through
*Ana*“Nicoli–” He’s going the wrong way again. I shake my head, the soft chime of my gold chains punctuating my amusement. But he insists on leading, judging by the stubborn set of his shoulders. He’s determined to get somewhere despite having absolutely no idea where that is.For the past twenty minutes, Nicoli has forged ahead with all the confidence in the world, only to crumble in confusion when we inevitably hit another dead end or loop back to the same hall. Left, then right, then left again. Each turn is taken with steadfast determination — and each time, I have to stifle a new laugh as we encounter yet another wall.“Nicoli, just let me show you–” I try, though I’m already bracing for him to ignore me. It would be far easier if he let me lead, though. This is my palace, after all. I know the twists and turns, the subtle variations in the endless white corridors. But he seems lost in his resolve. As if doing this out of spite at the challenge and not wanting it to get the bett
*Hidi*“But, what about me–” For once in Hidi’s life, her voice was too soft to hear—lost, swallowed under the sound of laughter. Their laughter. Hidi froze, her breath caught in her chest, her words useless in the space they left behind. Her eyes only widened as she stared after them, watching–watching, but not moving in disbelief.The two of them were running, laughing, hands clasped like children lost in their own world. And she was still standing here.She blinked. Did they really just… leave me?The air seemed too still while everything else moved too fast. Nicoli had been right there. Right there. She could have reached out, close enough to brush her fingers against his sleeve. But he hadn’t even looked at her. Didn’t even voice a hello.Not once.His sapphire-blue eyes had locked onto Ana, and nothing else had mattered.For the second time.A cool flick of irritation ran beneath her ribs, lodging itself somewhere deep inside her. She knew this was their grand reunion, knew th