*Admiral Nugen*“Like I was saying, for the last time, Mr. Brunce.” Admiral Nugen could feel the headache forming just above his brow. And the day wasn’t even over yet.Wonderful. Admiral Nugen groaned in his throat. He would need to make sure to thank the person responsible. Though it was doubtful, Mr. Brunce would get it. It was almost unbelievable how anyone could be this stupid. Who chose him as the Armory Supervisor? Whoever it was, they clearly were not checking for basic intelligence. Or was this another spoil of nepotism? Ana is going to have a lot to clean up. It was becoming clear that many were in positions they didn't qualify for, and many would need to be replaced.But then again, Par had the same issues.At least I can help this time around. Admiral Nugein would see it through at her side. It was a job he would look forward to. Well, almost. Admiral Nugen looked back at the vampire with a dull throb. But a headache was a small price to pay.“There is stock missing.”
*Lady Funda*“You won’t believe the day I’ve had!” ”Funda didn’t knock and just burst in. Her voice carried over the room and seemed to stun the men inside momentarily. But as they realized it was only her, Charles lowered his brows.“Must you be so loud?” He grumbled, but Funda ignored the comment. She was pretty used to her frumpy husband. And besides, he will change his tune as soon as he knows why. Funda shimmied with joy.“I trust you had a good walk, Mother?” Mykhol mused. “Did something happen?”“Did something happen?”Funda chuckled and patted her lips. “You won’t believe what I heard going around.” “Gossip?” Charles finally showed some interest. “What are they saying? Is everything going to plan?”“Oh, it’s even better!” Lady Funda gushed. Her cheeks were still flushed from running around. “Everyone is talking about it. And I mean Everyone. They are talking about nothing else.” Lady Funda went forward to hold her son by the arm. “They are damning Anastasia left and right
*Admiral Nugen*“Where are you?” Admiral Nugen was growing a little frustrated, finding yet another room empty. I can’t even find that lazy maid of hers. It was like the two had vanished in thin air.No, I must find her. He would not give up. It was imperative that he did.Because something told him that the longer he waited, the worse things would get.Not that it’s not already bad. Admiral Nugen took another corner. It still bothered him. The armory was so poor and ill-equipped. A country is only so good as its weapons. But the state of the armory right now was disturbing.“We would barely strife off an attack if it were to happen tomorrow.” It wasn’t an idle threat. Things were that bad.But why? How could things slip this far?Even if Ana knew about the cuts, she wouldn't have known how severe they were. Surely, notAdmiral Nugen held the ledger close as he turned the hall. He would try the library next if Ana weren’t in her study. And if not there, then-“Maybe the garden?” Wh
*Ana*“I don’t see why you are so obsessed with these damn things?” Behind me, Naska kicks another rock to make more noise. “It’s just a bunch of leaves and sticks.” “It’s not leaves and sticks, Naska.” She has quite the attitude today. But I ignore her.It’s too nice to be inside today. The winter chill has lifted, and the sun is out. Besides, I wanted to gauge the new growth. I look around the walls. Everything is green and full now. Spring is almost here.“Well, they look like twigs and leaves.” Naska goes again.“Naska,” I take a breath. She really is quite the sour sport today, isn’t she? But I can manage myself. She will not make me go any faster.“Well, they are not.” I touch a new leaf. “They are roses.”“Roses?” Naska pulls her lip up. “No way, roses are pretty. And these are-“She shakes her head.These can’t be roses. I know what a rose looks like.“You're lying. ”“Since when do I lie?” But Naska just shrugs.“Well, they are.” I defend. “And they’ll be in bloom soon
*Ana*“Ana?” Mykhol stands waiting with a measured smile. “Am I interrupting something?”“Not at all.” I go simply. “Sir Pendwick is on a walk. We stopped to chat.” “Yes, I was on a walk,” Pendwick adds, stepping a little closer. “For my health,”“Is that right, a walk?” Mykhol lifts his chin as if to stretch. It makes me notice his gown.Again, I seem to be the only one dressed down today.As always, Mykhol is dressed sharply. His hair is combed and parted to the side, and his golden earrings shine in the sun. He also has another new gown on.However, Mykhol does not look like he is dressed for a walk any more than Pendwick is. But I push the odd note aside. Who am I to question people’s preferences? My favorite color is purple, after all. “Yes,” I answer. “It is a good day for a walk like Sir Pendwick was just telling me.”“Yes, I was just-”“So it is.” Mykhol cuts over, only looking at me. “ And You both happened to want to go on a walk today of all days? At the same time?”
*King Alexander*It’s going to take more than a day to wrap up everything—a week at best, maybe?Yeah right. Alexander sank, looking over the stacks of papers. Who am I kidding?Even if I worked straight through the day with no breaks, or sleep, I still wouldn’t finish. “I know I was gone awhile, but how could there be so much?” Just looking at them made him exhausted. I want to go back to Nochten. Alexander couldn’t stop feeling restless. He didn’t mean to stay this long.But the paperwork- Alexander leaned back to press the space between his brows. “I thought Belinda was taking care of all this?”“I’m sure she was, Your Highness,” Johan went with a measured air, “On top of planning his majesty's birthday, entertaining the guests, and her Majesty Hildenberg.”“All by herself, I might add.” Johan’s last statement made Alexander flinch.“Right,” Alexander shrank, feeling the blow. “Guess Belinda has been a little busy.”“It’s not a guess, sire,” Johan went, looking out the wind
*Admiral Nugen*“The bookkeeper is dead?”Admiral Nugen felt the air push out from the bottom of his stomach.Nugen did have suspicions, but he still hoped he was wrong. He hoped the man hid himself away or fled to another country. I was too optimistic. Nugen could not help but drop at the news. His last line of evidence was gone.He had nothing again.“And the spare ledger?”“We could not find it, sir.” The subordinate sounded generally sorry; he was one of the few honest vampires Nugen trusted. “The room was ransacked.”“A robbery gone wrong?” “It does appear so.” Nugen could feel his doubt show. But he managed to keep his sarcasm at bay. “That’s terrible.” “He was a good man,” the subordinate continued. “He had a wife and child.” Ana’s face fell a little when he mentioned the child.“I will make sure they receive his pension.” Ana closed the report silently. “You are dismissed.”“Yes, Your Empress.” The subordinate bowed and left to return to his post outside. Nugen watched
*Alexander*Alexander flicked his eyes up to find Julia. She looked content, standing by with the other servants. But unlike them, Julia wasn’t chatting aimlessly or forgetting herself.Julia was vigilant. She stood alert and ready. It was clear how dedicated she was to her role and master. Too dedicated. Alexander sank into his chair. Belinda chose well with her.But that made things harder. Someone so dedicated would never voluntarily give up anything. That left Alexander with two hard choices. Confession by torture or being caught in the act. And Alexander was not keen on the first option.So, all the more reason, he hoped she would slip up. It would make things so much easier.But if she doesn’t, Johan will find another way. Even now, Johan was at work. While Alexander sat with everyone outside for tea, Johan was using the chance. He and his men were going through her room for clues.But if he finds anything, King Alexander stopped the thought. Right now, it did not seem like