*Ana*“This,” Father starts but then stops again as he looks over my plans; his face shifts as if he's biting his tongue. At long last, he looks up at me. “ Are you sure, daughter?”Am I sure? The words strike deep. I immediately grew alarmed.“Is something wrong with the calculations?” I’m retracing my thoughts. Did I mishandle something? Perhaps I haven't explained thoroughly enough? But I am sure I have everything done. I reviewed it more times than I can count. I’m sure I have- but if Father is having this much trouble, I must have missed something.“Give it back, and I’ll review it again-” I reach to take the papers, but Father lifts them out of reach. “No, that’s-” Father quickly shakes his head at me. “There’s nothing wrong, per se.” Father looks stumped. “How did you come up with this?”“I based it on what previous civilizations did,” I explain. I thought if it worked for them, it could work again.” At least, that is my theory. If I repeat them, I should have the same result
*ana*Well, this is a first. I steal a look around the room. “Why is everyone quiet?” Even Mykhol is uncharacteristically quiet. I don’t think I’ve ever seen the room so silent. It is the last thing I expected. I assumed there would be questions. I was ready to answer. But they look more shocked than curious.“Speak.” I urge, looking to look at Aunt Funda and Uncle. Aunt Funda steps back out of the line of sight, leaving Uncle to take the fall. He seems to fumble but tries to start.“Your Empress…” Uncle steps with a hesitant look between Mykhol and me.“You can speak.” I encourage him with a smile. “I want to hear what you have to say.” But the smile has the opposite effect, and Uncle steps back to join his wife. “Cousin, what do you say?” I turn to Mykhol as my last resort. Mykhol pulls a misshapen smile that doesn’t seem so confident.“Anastasia, this is…” Mykhol falls off as he looks over the room and sees the same shocked faces.“Yes?” I lean in, ready to hear the first opinio
*Ana*“Marriage?” I repeat the word. “You…want to talk about-” I pause to look around the room. “You mean,” I point at myself, “My marriage?”“Yes, your marriage,” Duke Zaver nods with another laugh behind him.“Are we finally talking about it?” A noble woman turns to another with a happy clap. “Now that the coronation is over, we can resolve the real issues.”“Real issues?” I repeat as Duke Zaver takes back the spotlight. “As you can see, your empress,” Duke Zaver cuts over, gesturing to the ruly crowd. “Everyone is anxious to see this matter settled.”“You are anxious? About my marriage?” I must repeat to see Duke Zaver and many others nod in agreement.“Now that the coronation is at an end, We should start deliberating on who shall share the throne with you-”“My marriage is more important than… the colonies?”“Er, in a way, yes, your Empress.” Duke Zaver stiffens a little. “We need to secure an heir.”“An heir?” I nod slowly. I understand the words, but it’s like translating
*King Alexander/Johan *“Oh, happy day,” Alexander sang as he traversed the halls with Johan in tow. Johan only shook his head at the apparent display of joy. Alexander was on the brink of bursting by this point. “As old as you are, you never learned to be subtle, did you?” Johan remarked as soon as they were back in the room. But even as he said it, he receded.“But I suppose your good mood is warranted.” “Of course it is!” Alexander laughed and took a spot on his couch. Then he was up on his feet. He couldn’t sit down if he wanted to. I need to do something- dance, sing- whatever. Energy and joy were surging through him. “Any father would be over the moon!” Alexander put his hands in his pockets to pull them back out again.“If I could just replay that moment, Johan, it was amazing.” Alexander moved to the small desk provided in the room. The chair squeaked as he sat, only to get up again. “It felt so damn good to see all those faces fall at once!” “It was.” Johan relished in
*Nicoli*It must be today. Nicoli thought before involuntarily shivering. Despite it not snowing for some time, the air was still freezing. Sitting next to the window proved quite the task, but Nicoli refused to budge. He was determined to stay at his post. “Nicoli, if you are cold, come away from the window,” Belinda called, but Nicoli curled up his legs.“Not until the post comes.” Nicoli went with his eyes piercing down the path. “Nicoli,” Belinda called again. “Nicoli, listen to your mother for once.” But again, Nicoli shook his head. “No,”“Nicoli,” Belinda sighed, not having the strength to fight him today. Another problem had arisen the night before, swamping Belinda with work. The paper stack was even taller than yesterday.“Julia?” Without needing a word, the maid knew what to do. Nicoli felt the blanket draped around him.“Ah, thank-” Nicoli looked up, but the maid was already gone and by his mother’s side. She always was, Nicoli noted. I wonder how Mom doesn’t get tire
*Belinda*“Of all the things he could do.” Belinda clenched her teeth to stop herself from yelling. The fury and disappointment were welling over, but servants were still running about. What if they were to hear her?Worse, what would they report back to Alexander? Belinda could already imagine how eager they would be to report the smallest of infractions. And it made Belinda’s stomach turn. Belinda, like always, could never let her guard down. Whatever happened in this room would never meet the light of day. Julia would be the only confidant Belinda could afford.“Your Majesty?” Julia, meanwhile, patiently moved closer. “Your majesty, what made you so upset?”“Julia,” Belinda closed her eyes. But it made no difference; the words burned under her eyelids. She couldn’t get away from them.“I feel sick. I might throw up.” Belinda's throat tightened. “No, I might cry.” But there were no tears in her eyes as she opened them to see the letter before her again—both of them. Hidi and her h
*Ana*“Hmm?” I look up from my desk. But Hidi is busy. She didn’t say anything. No, I swear I heard it. I look around again. But it’s absurd, and I know it. Nicoli is miles and miles away.And auditory hallucination, perhaps? I consider it. I’ve read about those. I sit back and peer out the window to see the gray sky. The clouds are heavy with snow, but it will never fall. Snow never finds Nochten. I used to wish for snow. The thought makes me smile sadly. Back then, when I was alone and the afternoons were too hot, I would look at some illustrations and wonder what snow was like. That was before Maddie, I remember, and I pinch my shawl. Even now, thinking about her makes me feel mixed. Should I condemn Maddie? Or should I thank her? Because without her, would I be where I am?“Ana?” Hidi smiles after me; she always smiles so quickly, as if it's nothing. “What are you doing staring off like that?” “I, it’s nothing,” I motioned for her to sit back down. “I thought I heard my nam
Chapter # Lovebirds*Johan*Johan stood upright as they waited for the impending arrival. He was calm and ready, as always. But the same could not be said for the vampire.The boy looked nervous, as he wouldn’t sit still. Pendwick seemed fixated on fixing or fussing over something. He fiddled with his sleeves, then his shoes, and now his hair. But no sooner was he done with one task than he was on to the next. “Sir Pendwick,” Johan went to calm the boy. Pendwick stopped to put his hands in his lap.“Sorry,” Pendwick went with a slight pink to his cheeks. “I- I’m just so nervous.” I can see that. But Johan didn’t say it aloud. The boy seemed to have a natural temperament of nervousness, but it wasn’t too severe. And over time, the boy would grow out of it. But for now, the boy needed steady reassurance.“Don’t be.” Johan went instead. “As long as you stick to the script, everything will go according to plan.”“Ah, yes, right.” Pendwick nodded a little too eagerly. “Yes, I’ll stick to
*Ana*“Am I… “ I blink, gobsmacked, as my mind can not quite process what I just heard. That, or maybe fight it? The sheer audacity that anyone would even think to ask such a question, let alone someone ask me, is unthinkable.“Am…I?” I try again before Amul nods, his brownish-black eyes glinting with amusement and interest, before spreading his beard thin to betray a toothy grin.“Are you a virgin?” Amul repeats slowly but clearly. As if he thought I might not have heard him correctly the first time, before tilting his head to one side quizzically and shifting a sun-bleached dreadlock off his shoulder.“I asked if you have laid with another man before.” “I…?”The words squeaked out of my chattering teeth before stalling on my tongue, again in disbelief that this was happening.But it is. Amul just asked me if I am a…I look back at him, wide-eyed and not sure how to even start to react to such an off-putting question.Should I be angry? Upset? Disgusted? I don’t know. Or maybe this wa
*Ana*At least…everyone is quick to assemble on short notice. I shiver as another gust of wind blows over us, making even me flinch, and pull up my cloak, before stealing a glance back.On the platform, wrapped up tightly in thick cloaks, Aunt Funda and Uncle Charles miserably stand together against the cold on the left side. Underneath the cloak’s hems, I can spy the hint of blue of the matching gown sets I had ordered made for them. Something Aunt Funda insists is too plain, what with not having jewels sewn in or metallic threads used. But Sir Celbest is always quick to remind her of the budget restraints. Or threaten her that she won’t get any new gowns. Something which seems always to make her grow quiet again. Which is quite impressive on its own, but that just proves Sir Celbest making a good treasurer.Better than Uncle, even. I think with a look over to the crowd and find them both together. Both of them, Pendwick and his maternal grandfather, Sir Celbest, stand in the front
*Naska*“She…turned him down?” Lady Funda was still processing between disbelief and joy at the news, but it didn’t take long before her lips lifted to show a fanged smile. With a smile, Naska was quick to pick up.“Oh, yes. She turned him down, alright.” Naska repeated. “It’s a pity you couldn’t have been there to see it with your own eyes.” Naska went on, and Funda laughed, clearly taken in by the thought.“It would have been grand if I could,” Funda admitted. “To see her, shoot him down like that.” She chuckled again, touching her rings, before turning with a smile.” My, good work, Naska. You’ve done wonderfully.” “I have, haven’t I?” Naska beamed, pleased beyond measure how quickly her work was being praised. But of course, Naska knew she would be.Maybe, Lady Funda will give me another of her pretty necklaces again? She hoped so, reminded of the necklace Lady Funda had just given her the other day. Lady Funda liked her so much more now. Her affection was clear by all the gifts
*Ana*“A confession?” What could Pendwick possibly have to confess to me? I must say, it is quite a surprise to hear, coming from him, of all people.Pendwick is the most forthcoming person I know. He may be shy in his words, yes, but he is candid with me. So, it’s quite a surprise to hear we had secrets between us.Though, he did mention something like this before, didn’t he? Back in the garden the other morning? Perhaps this is referring to that?“Pendwick? What is this confession?” I curiously look down at our hands, his cupping over mine, before looking back up. “Have you..done something?”“Done..?” Pendwick flinches, his hands slightly shaking over mine a moment, but takes in a shaky breath, before calming down. “It’s.. not something I wanted to do.” Pendwick lowers his eyes then. “Not intentionally.”Not intentionally he says? “Then, Pendwick, what is it?” I press because now I am starting to feel my stomach tighten, a bit confused. What could he be confessing about? And… what
*ana*“Bruno, I would have thought you, out of everyone, would have liked this idea.” But clearly, I am wrong. And, instead of excitement like I thought, I now have a 14-year-old boy, brooding at me. Bruno’s overgrown dusty red bangs cover his eyes, making it hard to see where he is looking, let alone what kind of expression he’s making now.“What’s so wrong with a dance?” I ask him. “Tell me, why don’t you like it?”“Because…it’s foreign.” Bruno goes off, shaking his head as if that is a good enough reason. But I can’t help but frown all over again.“I know it is. But just because it’s foreign, doesn’t mean we can’t do it.” “Why?” Burno only shoots back, blowing his bangs out of his face with a huff. “It’s enough for me. It’s a silly idea.”“Silly? Oh, Bruno.” I have to smirk at that. “Well, I thought it was something to help liven the party a bit. Something practical in terms.” I answer at last. “I mean, most of us know a dance or two.” “I don’t.” Bruno corrects flatly. “That…ye
*Sir Pendwick*He’s going to be mad. Pendwick didn’t even need to bother pretending. The instant he opened his mouth, he knew what he did. No one overspoke the head of the Celbest family.But I did. Worse, Ana even went with his idea. No, this would not be overlooked, and, inwardly, Pendwick sighed.It’s better if I get it over with now than later. He knew and turned.“Your Empress,” Pendwick started. “I will join you in a moment. I…just have to speak with my grandfather, first.” “Of course,” Ana, unaware of Pendwick's problems, easily replied. Her voice was sweet and soft like always to him. Even in this turmoil, Pendwick could not help but admire her eyes, so beautiful and clear, as she regarded him like a thousand times before.How much I wish I could just fall into them and stay there. Pendwick looked on, longingly, cheeks warming a little. But just as he wished it, he knew he couldn’t stall. He had to go and go he would.“Yes,” Pendwick nodded just before Hidi started.“Well
*Ana*“Hidi,” I go, but Hidi simply smiles back at me, the damage already done.“It will fit.” Hidi turns back to overlook the procession of more crates. Her newest ‘gifts’ of ‘decor’ are looming in multiple boxes. Just looking at the boxes now, I’m afraid to even ask what they are.“Hidi,” I sigh again, “I thought I made it clear that I wanted this to be a manageable party.” “Oh, Ana,” Hidi tsks. “You must make it big. This is your first real party since the coronation, and that was a decade ago.”“It was 9 years, Hidi.” I correct, “Not ten.” but Hidi rolls her eyes.“Worse than that,” Hidi shakes her head, “ You know it too. Come, Ana, I know these things. You must impress the other nobility and royals coming. My Mama alone will have opinions.”“Your-her majesty is coming?” I raise a brow at the news. “She will attend this time?”“It’s nothing major.” Hidi goes off-handedly. “Mama is curious about how things have been.”“But Hidi,” I pout a little, finding the revelation not small
*Julia*“Your Majesty.” Julia piped up, although she knew it was hopeless, that Belinda was already set in her ways. And sure enough, Belinda proved her right.“He wants to go,” Belinda went, her grey eyes watching both her beloved men step into the carriage. “You know, I can’t stop him.” Belinda went on, seeing Nicoli move for the carriage, his excitement clear to see, even from where they stood on the platform. Nicoli lingered to give one last wave and blow of a kiss. Belinda cracked a little, but quickly defaulted back to her icy demeanor as it was now Alexander’s turn.He looks even worse than when he first came back to Dawny some weeks ago. Julia thought with a sinking feeling. Alexander’s face had changed in his short stay, it was sunken to show his cheekbones, and his tan skin was losing color. Even his eyes were different, the blue shine was gone and dull.Alexander had stopped coughing shortly after a few days rest, but now new ailments attacked him, a shortness of breath, an
*Hidi*“Don’t be a pussy, Mama.” Hidi sighed with a roll of her eyes. But really, it wasn’t like she was asking for much. So why did she have to be so obstinate? Hidi pouted.It was one thing for her to be stubborn, but that was different. She was queen now, but even before, Hidi was always that way, never letting up, until she got exactly what she wanted, which she always did. But it was quite something else to have someone treat her the same.No, it’s worse. Hidi thought looking over to her mother, dressed in her thick bear fur coat. No, it was, because Bratha was so much worse. If Hidi was stubborn, Bratha was the main source. She oozed defiance, down to her bones, set in her ways, a queen to the very end, even still, in her older age. But, perhaps it wasn’t just because of her natural stubbornness. Bratha didn’t fear Hidi as everyone else did. No, Bratha didn’t fear anyone. And it was because of that, she had no problem refusing Ana’s invitation now. Even with Hidi’s insistence