*Ana* Ultimately, the paper's decision came down to two options. But this did not help make things easier between us. We seem to remain divided. A standoff has been in place for the better of half of the afternoon, running to the early hours of the evening. Though, I can’t see why we need to fight. It’s only paper. It is Maddie who refuses to see reason. But I think I should clarify my choice first. I am not particular. I just want a simple cream tone- no flushes or flutes. Just as it should be. I want simple paper. Maddie, however, is dead set on using this strong rosy pink paper. A decision she will not budge on. But as the day progresses, I feel no win to this fight. My resolve for simplicity is waning to her stubbornness. And overall, this whole argument has gone on for too long as how ridiculous it is. I don’t think I’ve ever had to fight with someone over something so trivial before. Because it is, it’s nothing. It's only paper. I must sigh. Honestly… But Maddie will m
*Ana* It's not long before I have my reply. It takes a week before I find the letter from Dawny, sealed and delivered. Aunt Funda delivers it again on the standard silver tray. Though, there is a distinctly disgruntled look on her face, more so than usual, when she does. Enough so that I am beginning to wonder if something is wrong with her. Why do I get the impression that she is bothered by these letters? But I don’t dwell on the thought long as it doesn’t make sense. Since Aunt Funda barely pays attention, let alone cares about what I usually do. Outside of these being for diplomatic reasons, Aunt Funda has no reason to be overjoyed or upset over anything of mine. They are just letters. So I quickly dismiss my thoughts as just being overactive. “You may go, Aunt Funda. “ I wave to her as she has done her job. But to my lite surprise, she doesn’t move immediately. Instead, she stands where she is and stares at the letter like a cat to a bird. Did she not hear me? I feel i
*Ana* We will have Nicoli's next response by the next week. Again, Maddie and I find a need to hold in a laugh as we see another example of poor writing. But at least, this time, it’s easier to understand. I think he put in more effort this time to make it legible. “Learning is such a chore. And the lessons are so boring. “Nicoli complains in the letter. “It may be someone insufferable, little brother, as you are still young. But it will be worth your future to stay consistent. “I write back. Again, another of Nicoli’s letters soon follows in the coming week. “Are you sure about that, Ana? I think that could take forever. My brain is going to rot by then. “ Nicoli writes. “It will not, Nicoli. By learning, the brain feeds on books. “I have to counter. “I’d rather play and learn swords. “Nicoli writes. “You still can, but after lessons. You must wait. “I write back. “You wait! I’m running away to join the circus. I’ll work on the trapeze and teach the bear how to dance" Nic
*Ana* Truth be told, I do not have much to say about my cousin as I do not know him. In the score of four years, I have only met him once. And that was when I first arrived in Nocthen, and I was not in the best state of mind to remember things (as I was crying, yelling, and acting childish). So what I do know is what I have gathered from the bits and pieces Aunt Funda and Uncle have told me. Cousin Mykhol is fourteen years old to my seven- making an age difference of seven years between us. And he has, for the better part of the four years I’ve been here, been attending the famed military academy of Nochten this whole time. That alone is a fantastic feat, as this is no ordinary academy. Established by Nochten’s first emperor- it is said to make anyone who attends a great leader. And only those of nobility and wealth can attend. Save unless you are a girl. Not even my mother, an Empress, was allowed in. So this only makes me look forward to Mykhol’s return this winter break. Asi
*Ana* “Oh…“ I barely manage to utter as I feel myself freeze on the spot. I only watch the maid continue to pull the doll out. Mykhol takes it from her to push into my free arm. I numbly feel the doll's long red wavy hair cascading over my arm. What is this? Unable to speak, I can only look back at the teen. My eyes dart around him as if to see some answer. But he doesn’t help at all. He’s just standing there grinning at me. What...this… My mind is trying to process the next word and failing. Finally, though, the teen doesn’t seem bothered by my silence, instead, he seems to take the opportunity to speak. I feel a rush of relief as he lets go of my hand- which I instantly pull back toward me. Mykhol turns to face the court. “This is a doll that our finest crafter has created. He specializes in creating replicas. He is detailed down to the mere centimeters. Each is a perfect copy-“ Mykhol explains in a prominent voice that carries through the room. But here he stops to look ove
*Ana* “You’ll like the library.” I go as I lead the way. Mykhol smiles with a nod, but I can feel his eye drift. He seems to look forlorn for some reason. “Oh.” I find my steps slow as I see it. Does he not want to go? Am I being pushy? “Unless…you’d like to go elsewhere?” Because you don’t seem that interested. But I don’t say it out loud. It just looks like he isn’t. But Mykhol quickly shakes his head. His energy is back, and he’s looking at me eagerly. “Oh no, please-“ As if to make sure, I feel him squeeze my hand. Then, he drives to move ahead before stopping to look at me. “Please, I would like to see it. Really.” His grin curls as it did back in the court room. He seems to be waiting for me. Or some reaction from me. Am I supposed to make one? I’m not sure. But I nod with a quiet sigh. It looks like he means it- that he does want to go. Maybe I just saw something by mistake. “Yea, well,” I make to step ahead. “It’s right this way.” I continue leading us to t
*Ana* (song suggested for chapter: State of Mind II by Vetle Naero) “Look who’s here again. “Maddie hums, but the sound makes my stomach sink. I didn’t even want to look up. I can already guess who she means. I know it’s not Aunt Funda or, on the off chance, my Uncle. So that leaves only one other person who can come into my side of the palace. And I’m already dreading it. I can’t believe he’s found me. I thought this place would be safe, and he wouldn’t think to check here. I want to cry. But it looks like not even the rose garden is safe- in the middle of winter with no one else around. With no one else who would want to be outside- I thought surely, he wouldn’t try here. He’d overlook the gardens, at least. Nope. I am wrong again. Cousin Mykhol has again located my existence. "He’s rather adamant, isn’t he?" Maddie must have heard my groan because she looked at me with furrowed brows. Does she notice that I’m not enjoying the onslaught of attention? Because I’m not. I don’
*Ana* “Maddie, “ I sigh as I at last feel at ease. It finally comes to that time of the day- bedtime. The now most sacred time of the day. It is the only part of my day that Mykhol can not be with me. He is not allowed to be in my bedroom this late. No one is, save for Maddie. So I relish this moment beyond all others now. My precious time with her. Alone. No Mykhol to peer up beside me. The sheer bliss of the nightly routine has me grounded. All the tension and weariness lift away as Maddie unties my skirt and top to put them back into the wardrobe. She comes back to unravel my braid next. “A rose?” Maddie stops as she finds the dried-out rose. She holds it out to me. I look at it but make no motion to take it. I don’t want to keep it. “Heh,” Maddie shrugs and tosses it into the fire. I watch it burn from my chair. The petals sizzle into white smoke before being swallowed by orange lines. The sight makes me think of Mykhol’s eyes- how he will stare at me almost like I could
*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
*Mykhol*Mykhol shifted the naked girl's arm off with patient strength, not wanting to wake her. Though last night was enjoyable, his needs satisfied amply, Mykhol wasn’t too keen on her being up, especially to talk. Instead, Mykhol stood out of bed and stretched, lifting his arms high over his hand, allowing his muscles to shift and lax. Unable to resist the urge, his eyes went to the mirror to admire himself and inspect for any potential flaws in his physique. With nine years apart, Mykhol had grown into quite the man in many ways. Thanks to the training grounds and a strict physical regime, Mykhol’s body was now sleek and firm. His chest, arms, and legs were chiseled. If Mykhol had been handsome before, he would have been just a boy then. Now he was a ‘real man’ with a well-kept beard, only adding to his alluring masculinity. A fact, that certainly did not go missed by the female teachers and maids.Thanks to that, Mykhol had no problem finding any company. More like, amble en
*Belinda*“The answer is no.” Belinda threw the invitation down on the desk, wishing she could just rip the entire paper to shreds. “You are not to attend.”“But mother,” Nicoli was up from the chair. “Why?” His blue eyes searched her face, a look of confusion clear as day. “I was invited, wasn’t I? Please, mother,”“Nicoli,” Belinda had to force herself not to look into them, knowing full well, that if she did, she’d cave.“You are not of age. You're still too young.” Belinda took in a breath to steel her answer. “ I forbid it.”“But Mother,”“No,” Belinda motioned to Julia, who swiftly took the invitation away. “You will not step foot out of this country until you are 18.“ Belinda reaffirmed. “Not until then,” That should have ended the discussion right there, but alas, Nicoli would not give up.“But I will be,” Nicoli countered, looking after her. “My birthday is in a few months. I'm practically 18 already.” “Nicoli,” Belinda flinched. Was he that keen on going? Already stating i
*Lady funda*“A party!?” Funda puffed, repeating the news, before looking back at Naska. Naska could only meet her with an equal mix of confusion and disdain, before looking over to her own son, who came to report the latest news. His stoic face revealed no hint of either, only further driving home the point, that what he said was true.“Apparently,” Naska turned back to speak.”It is to celebrate her victory.” The word ‘victory’ almost spat out, the sheer insult of it all. “Victory? More like a lucky break,” Funda snarked. “Those Bulgeons have the complete run over in Pave, now.” Funda couldn’t believe anyone would see it as a victory. It was more like admitting a truce, a tie, two losers. And just because my wretched niece didn’t want to shed any blood. Funda was beside herself. And to have a party? A celebration? Why, it was like rubbing dirt in their eyes. It was cruel.“Yeah, well,” Naska, meanwhile, moved to pick her teeth, “I don’t see the point in it either.” She rubbed somet
*Hidi*Hidi shifted, yet again, trying to make herself comfortable. But it was a fool's cause, and she knew it. The sofa was simply too small, though a more than adequate size for a vampire, it was vastly shortcoming to her grand size. Why, Hidi’s hips, alone, swallowed up two seats per side, but what other option did Hidi really have? What with this being the biggest of Ana’s couches?The rest in Ana’s private sitting room was, and Hidi wouldn’t say aloud but found it to be the size for children. No, the whole room, in fact, was more a nursery than fitting an Empress, in her opinion.It did not help either, that Hidi was wearing the latest in fashion, an elongated hoop skirt, tapered at the sides. Making her need even more space.But Ana, as always, tried to accommodate, doing her best to make Hidi comfortable as much as possible, pulling more chairs over, and giving Hidi more space. Hidi expected no less from her friend, even now, volunteering to share a seat with Sir Pendwcik, in
*Ana*I would have thought that most would have gone ahead and skipped today, what with it being rather colder, but I quickly find I am wrong. Even in the cold, the rose garden is bustling with others. My simple walk in the cold winter morning is not so simple, turning more into a social outing, whether I like it or not.As such, I must present myself accordingly. I control my smile to be gentle and inviting just as the first wave comes over. “Your Empress, The noblemen bow in unison. “Sir Pendwick.” They nod their heads to him, next. “A beautiful morning, is it not?” Their outfits look fine, rich, and most importantly warm, for the cold weather.“It certainly is a clear sky,” I remark, noticing their noses turning pink from the cold. It makes me wonder how long they have been out here, and a better question, why. But I let the thought pass, thinking it better not to ask, simply wanting to get back to our walk.“Good morning,” I nod in their direction before turning with Pendwick in
*King Alexander*“They grow up so fast,” Alexander mused as he watched what used to be his little boy, turned now young man, take back inside. Nicoli’s face bright with excitement as he rushed back with no other thought than Ana. How Alexander envied him, then. “Damn, and here I hoped we would talk a bit longer.” Alexander pouted.“He’s just excited about the news.” Johan went. “He’ll be back.”“Aye, I get that.” Alexander would have liked to have a bit more time together. He knew the years of traveling between Nochten and Dawny had put a distance between them. His own son not even sure to hug him anymore, Alexander reflected.“Still, I’d like just a moment.” It was like they were strangers to each other. But, then, it was the price he had to pay, after all. Alexander knew that something would have to give after putting more effort on Ana than him. So he couldn’t hold it against him. Besides, it was good to see his reaction.He’s just excited for Ana. I understand his joy. Alexander
*Nicoli*“Mother,” Nicoli barely spoke, short of breath, as he rounded the stairs. His mother already on her way down, with Julia in close tow. “You shouldn’t run, Nicoli. ” Belinda reprimed with a slight shake of her head, “it’s unbecoming of a Monarch.” But she stopped as if to wait. Seeming to want him to join her side. Something Nicoli had no problem doing. Because Nicoli knew what she really wanted. And he moved without needing to be asked. Taking her hand into the crook of his arm, it earned him a gentle smile back. Her angry already half dissolved by the act.And further diminished by Nicoli tacking on his best smile.“Forgive me, Mother, I was just excited to find Father coming home earlier than expected.” Nicoli went before noticing the slight pink hue around her eyes. Making his smile thin a little. She was crying again. His eyes darted to Julia. She gave the barest of nods to confirm he was right. But even then, she said nothing to betray her master. Her steadfast loyalt
*Nicoli*“It’s here, it’s here!” Nicoli’s elation only heightened the further he moved. His long legs take him in leaps and bounds leaving everyone behind.Why, he was already taking the stairs before he dared another glance down at his letters. He knew he shouldn’t, it wasn’t wise to be distracted when climbing the stairs. But Nicoli was more coordinated than most. And he trusted his balance and memory of the castle. Even if he didn’t, Nicoli would have caved to his excitement anyway. It happened each time he got another letter. Nicoli would lose his crafted mature and pleasant demeanor, which everyone loved so much, for that of an excited child in an instant. Ana just had that effect on him.And Nicoli would not restrain himself when it came to her. Not anymore, not after so many years. And so, his eyes freely roamed over the letters. Passing over Hidi’s careful cursive and yellow seal for the red seal. It was Ana’s letter that he wanted to read most. Hidi’s of course, would be r