*Side note to readers: song recommendation while you read. Try Once Upon A December by Emilie Pandolfi* I groan while stirring from sleep. My eyes burn as I flutter myself awake. But they give me the chance to adjust to the darkness. Each blink helps clear my sight as I see better at night. And it is night. Some time deep into it. I can tell by how dark it looks outside from the windows. “Maddie?” I am up. My eyes scan the room, for her but see nothing. However, I find that the trunks are all closed and stacked up. Maddie must have finished packing and gone off to bed. The sight brings a small smile of relief. We can leave as soon as it’s morning now. I feel myself grow a little warm at the thought. Home never sounded so wonderful as it did right now. Home. I never thought I would look at it like that before. Until now, I had thought this was- At least I know people will be waiting for me. They have to. But the thought gives me no solace. I feel myself grow cold again. I mo
I must be in the right direction. The song is getting louder. Thank god, I’m relieved that I’m going the right way. It's been a couple of minutes of following down the strange hall. And it would be a waste if I wasn’t. I’ve been trying to remember this when I turn- so I can find my way back. I don't want to be lost. But it’s easy to get distracted by what I found here. My eyes can’t seem to stop themselves from roaming. But seeing it has proven one thing for sure, this hall is abandoned. It has to be. It’s full of discarded pieces with little to no organization. As if this were the land of castaways- I see furniture covered up in big white sheets and portraits piled on each other. Unidentifiable pieces of wood and building supplies are bundled haphazardly together- as if someone intended to come back for them. But that must have been who knows how long ago. Everything has a thick coat of dust. I move my hand to trace a line over an exposed armrest. It’s clean against the thick c
*Ana* "What is this place?" I feel a little silly to even ask. Because I know what it is. Sorta. It’s a room. But it’s not like I’ve ever seen it. The colors are so vivid- I must blink to ensure my eyes aren’t playing with me. I want to say they could be because I’ve been in the dark for so long that it’s not adjusting to the light just yet. But they’re fine. My eyes are not seeing things. I am standing in a room like that which I’ve never seen. And I’m blown away right there. If I had to break it down, the room should start with the walls. They have painted shades of blue in yellow of the likes I have never seen. It’s almost garish in the shade- seldom used in nature. It’s a color I never expect to find in my palace. But that is just the walls. What is inside the room is as follows- a lush purple carpet that sinks in with every step. It borders most of the room save for the sides where the furniture is. I see toys everywhere- they litter the ground. I see trains, building blocks
“Hello, little brother,” I repeat. But I still don't believe it. I never thought I would get to say those words. Let alone see the very face that is my brother. This must be a dream. Or not- as I hear another snore from him. It breaks the fantasy- only proving that this has to be real. I don’t think anyone ever dreams about someone else snoring. But still, I can’t help but stare on. “He’s adorable.” I find myself needing to gush over him. His face looks so sweet, like a little doll- a miniature of my father in almost all the ways, save for the beard. But outside of that, I am happy. It's good he takes after Father. Better than the alternative-if he happened to take after my stepmother more- I don’t think I could do that. I already know. It would make this very difficult. Just thinking of her makes me shiver. What a scary woman. Was she always like this? I can't remember. But there is something I was right about. If this was his room, which it had to be-This child is well tak
*Ana* With all the trunks packed and the horses ready, my entourage and I are prepared to leave by dawn without delay. There is only one thing left to do. I must give my farewells. But I can’t lie and say I find this the most challenging part. I understand it is an official duty- a right due and expected from one ruler to another. But I can’t help but feel myself struggle to mouth the words. Finally, I open my mouth only to feel myself shiver instead. Whether that is from the icy air or from the one I stood before, I can only say today has been especially cruel. The wind doesn’t seem to end. Each blow feels like a finger reaching through my skirts to claw at my legs. I wince as I stand, but my mouth still lacks the words. I can only swallow as I try to build my resolve again. Once my official duty is done, I can go. I have to remind myself. I have to- from one ruler to another. It is the proper way. I must do this. I am Empress. I know. I know it well. So I force in another br
* King Alexander* When King Alexander returned, he felt himself bursting with excitement. "Johan!" King Alexander barely undressed from his armor as he began calling for the butler. He was smiling from ear to ear. "Johan! Where is Anastasia right now?" King Alexander boomed as the older man made his way into his chamber. King Alexander had yet to notice the solemn look on his face. He was too happy thinking of Ana. "I didn't see her." King Alexander spoke while another servant boy pulled the armor over his head. The boy shot a confused look at Johan. Johan shook his head. "Go, boy." Johan nodded toward the door, and the boy quickly jumped down. He carried the armor plate with him and dashed from the room. Johan could see the relieved look on his face as he did. The boy knew he was lucky to get to leave. If only Johan could do the same. But someone had to tell the king. And if anyone, it would have to be him. "Your Majesty," Johan began, but his words seemed lost in Kin
*Ana* My arrival after a week’s travel is usual. We had a smooth ride without hiccups or delays. And I arrive to find a formal affair of the welcome party. Aunt and Uncle greet me along with the nobles and servants. It is smaller in number than before. But I won’t linger on it. I push my way in. It’s not something to dwell on. And the faster I can get to my routine, the better I will feel. I know it. “Did they not know you were returning?” Maddie whispers as we walk back in. She seems more troubled by the small number. “Perhaps word didn’t get out fast enough?” She seems to look back as if something were wrong. Again, she is trying to hope for the best. But I am not so quick to take up that optimism. I only wish to go inside my room. But it must wait as Aunt Funda and Uncle step into our path. I frown inwardly but manage to give a light bow to greet them. “Welcome back, Empress Anastasia, “ Aunt Funda and Uncle smile at each other. They seemed pleased to have me back—a surpris
*Ana* The blue wax must have dried out from the journey because I find it easy to slice open. It cracks and pills down to fall on my skirt as I split it apart. The flap opens, and I find two sheets of paper inside. I take them both out to study. There are two? Another surprise. What would need two pages? I look to find one written in fathers hand. The other, though, has me pause. What? “A drawing? “ I voice before looking up at both women. They look at each other just as confused. “A drawing?” Maddie repeats as Aunt Funda furrows her brows. “IS that it? A drawing?” She goes, sounding annoyed. “No- there’s a letter too, but-” Again, I look back to the drawing. If I lift it up toward the light, I think I can better gather the meaning. It doesn’t help very much when I do. It’s in crayon- and it is not by a skilled hand. This looks like the work of a child. I can’t help but wonder. Did my father draw this? Why? Are stick figures riding a dog? Block? Thing? I can’t tell. One s
*Julia*Julia was already out before the posthorse was even taken to the stable. And Like clockwork, she took her spot to stand and wait as the mail was delivered over to Postmaster Nettle. Her presence shocking no one. Why, it was such a common sight to see her now that Nettle nor the other servants even stirred. The silent old woman’s presence was nothing to them. She was simply a part of the process. And like always, she waited and watched for Nettle to approach with hawk-like precision. But regardless of her cold approach or silent pressure, Nettle still kept his own. He would not move faster, even for the queen’s handmaid. He only nodded to her in greeting.“Ah, Julia, I see you have ears like a cat.” he joked. “You arrived just in time. I’ve just received the post.”“PostMaster Nettle,” Julia returned stiffly, already looking past him. Her eyes scanned the letters on the golden tray in his hands. They immediately went to the return addresses. She already vying to see where th
*Ana*Is it really time? Can I really do it at last? The thoughts swim in my head as I dash away from Father. The breeze lifts my shawl as I move.Can I write to Nicoli? I knew this day would come. But now that it’s here, I am almost overwhelmed.It doesn’t feel real to me. After going through so much, the first blood, the coronation, the trade problems, Mykhol’s departure, and countless other things. So much has happened since then. It just never felt like it would happen. But here I am, running. And it feels so unreal. Nothing does now. I can’t even feel the ground under my feet as I move. Everything seems to slow down, or I move even faster.I am only vaguely aware of the sound. It’s my heart. It hits against my chest like a drum and by the time I am back inside, a slight wave of dizziness is swimming over me.But I can’t stop. I won’t stop. I am driven like a moth to a flame. It is like I am floating through the halls. And my body feels weightless as I come to my door.“Naska!” I
*Ana*Is this where I get my work ethic from? It’s fair to make the argument because I am surprised how immediate Father is to start as soon as we get back inside. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him so seriously.But he is. And I can’t say I’m not glad about it. When he said get to work, he meant it. Immediately after Mykhol departed, one of the first and most important things Father sought to fix was the supply issue.He made it all look so simple. A new trade route was established going through the Almony mountains, not our desert. And secondly, Almony, not our Nocthen merchants, would be used going forward. This, of course, caused quite the outburst in court, not to have any Nochten’s but foreigners involved. I included. But Father assured me that they would be reliable thanks to his own experience. Even Hidi has vouched for them through letters, among other things. As for the other things, Hidi sounded peeved in her letter. Something about doing surprise visits instead of correspo
*Naska*“I will hold things down until you are back.” Naska managed to whisper, finally having that spare moment alone with Mykhol all morning.Otherwise, I’ll never get my chance. Naska gave a sharp glare behind her to the crowd. Somehow, word had spread overnight of Mykhol’s departure. Thus, why did so many come despite the early morning? They had come to bid their farewells.On any other day, Naska would have warmed at the sight. It demonstrated how many gave their support to him. She would have gloated, prideful at how much power Mykhol had by the display.But the high number of girls in the crowd kept her escalations at bay. The sight of so many in the audience cooled Naska down with their pained expressions and wanton eyes. Eyes, which were all directed at Mykhol, no less. Naska clenched her hand at the sight.Back off, he’s mine. Naska wished she could break away right there and start throttling them. Harm them and something more, that is, until she felt his cool finger graze
*Ana*“Cousin?” I start again finding his silence. Mykhol stiffens but his eyes remain on the door. I almost wish he would turn around and start yelling. But we just continue to stand in silence.“Are you upset?” “Does it matter?” Mykhol’s voice is so quiet that I almost miss it. “Cousin, I don’t want to fight.” I close my hands and take another moment to muster the courage. If I just explain things clearly, he won’t be upset. I’m sure if I explain myself. My reasoning, Mykhol will understand. He will understand. “Cousin, I want to explain myself.” I try again. “From a practical standpoint, you going back to school will be-”“Always so practically aren’t you?” Mykhol’s voice cuts through mine. “Almost to the point of being heartless.” His eyes are like fire. They burn and hurt as they stare down at me. “But I’m sure you’ve heard that one before, right?”I have to dart my eyes and swallow again.“Heartless?”I repeat as an awful memory resurfaces. The whispers and jarring stares
*Naska*“This can’t be happening,” Naska held herself tight as she made her way down the hall. Her feet moving fast as if speed could help something if not her turmoil.It just can’t. Naska shook her head as a painful stretch ran up her chest. It was too awful.Lord Mykhol was being sent away? Just like that? A single word from that brat and he has to go?“No, it just can’t.” Naska went. How was that fair? Surely it wasn’t, right? No, it couldn’t be.He can’t just go. Lord Mykhol was well-loved in court. No one would want him gone. They loved him almost as much as Naska.But what could she do? Naska had no power here. What about someone else? Wasn’t there something to stop Ana? Someone above even her, that could say no?Anyone who could stop this cruel twist of fate? Naska racked her brain for an answer. But the only people she could think of were the same ones with her now. And they were just as inconsolable as Naska opened the door to find Lady Funda a wreck.“We can’t let this happ
*Ana*“The Military academy?!” I don’t know who is more shocked. It’s certainly the last thing I’d thought to hear today.“Now? Why?” I look to Mykhol and back to father before he plants back down. “But father-” I get an instant tap on the nose for using the wrong word. But Father winks at me before smiling. “Because Lord Mykhol said it himself, didn’t he?” Father goes and his servant Johan seems to step up.“His lordship has admitted inexperience,” Johan adds, be it more collected. “You did not finish schooling, if I am correct?” “That is-” Mykhol slightly shifts his lips as if trying to render the next word. But it never forms as someone explodes into laughter from the side. It’s Admiral Nugen, of all people. He is laughing so much that his face is pink.“The military academy?” He holds his sides still laughing. “Ah, this is too rich” Tears are in his eyes. And He continues to laugh so hard it shakes his whole body. “I can’t believe it.” He wheezes between another laugh. He seem
*Ana*“Papa, you are back,” I say, stifling a yawn. It is late, even for a vampire, and it would be a lie to say I wasn’t annoyed by Admiral Nugen’s appearance at my door. But despite being tired, I can not help but be happy as I find the man in the room. At last, he is back! It’s like a dream. And as soon as my eyes find him in the room. All I want to do is rush in and hug him.But wait, I shouldn't do that. I barely collect myself in time. That is not proper.I am an Empress, now, after all. I have to be more aware of my actions. Empresses do not hug on a whim. Even if he may be my father, I must pull myself in. I am not a child anymore. So, instead, I do my best to appear calm and collected. It’s two monarchs meeting each other, after all. I need to start the practice of acting more maturely. My voice, however, despite my desires, cracks with my inner excitement. “I didn’t receive word you were coming.” In truth, I haven’t received any letters at all. From him or Nicoli for som
*King Alexander“Your Majesty, we’re here,” Johan’s voice woke Alexander from his sleep.“Are we?”Alexander grumbled, shifting up in his seat. He blinked a few times to help adjust his sight before looking out the window to see if it was true.“How long was I asleep?” It surprised him he even could. Alexander barely slept the entire ride. He should have though, because now his eyes cursed him.“Not long,” Johan answered as the door opened. The familiar smell of sand immediately washed over them. Alexander took in a deep breath and closed his eyes nostalgically.It’s good to be back. Alexander relaxed as everything flooded back to him. Though he loved his country, something about Nochten weighed in his heart.Maybe it was because of their past, or it was Parsul’s home. But now, he had other reasons. But that twisted his stomach thinking of her.“I hope we aren’t too late.” Alexander got up first. “They’ve made themselves quite busy with me gone.”But it was better to know this now. Ale