“Please make yourselves comfortable.” Julia went with a hand across the room. The room looked like a garden. Painted flowers and leaves spread over the walls. And potted plants hung from hemp rope baskets. But it wasn’t solely plants that made up the decoration. Whoever decorated had taken the time to match the very furniture in the room. The same colors were used in the couches. And the same style of leaves was used in the throw pillows.Overall the room gave an impression of comfort, if not excessive. And Ana appreciated it. It was a better change than when she last had tea in Dawny.I’d instead a room like this any day. Ana thought before she saw the coffee table. And instantly, her mind went blank. The coffee table was heavily lined with sweets. An assortment Ana was not familiar with but looked tasty all the same. Alongside the cakes, there was a tea set. A gentle steam was curling out of the spot as a sign it was just prepared.I’ve never seen so much! Ana felt her mouth wate
Belinda was undressing for the night before she had to pause at her reflection. Her mind was filled with the day's events.It's been a success beyond my expectations. Belinda thought. To think that the Hildenberg, herself, would show up. It was a pure strike of luck. Belinda could not ask for a perfect candidate.A marriage between Dawny and Almony would create a superpower. Belinda felt her chest swell.It’d be so powerful it could unravel a great empire as Nochten. And Belinda had to smile at herself. She beamed as her maids only looked at her with confusion. They could not begin to understand the depths of Belinda’s plans.Julia would be the only one who could guess. But she was not here. Something had pulled her away.A late arrival. Belinda thought. But it was little concern. “It’s a delightful thought.” Belinda went on thinking about the marriage. Then, she grew back into serious thought again.The real question now was how to get them engaged.Hidi seemed interested. Belinda
Naska cradled her cup. It felt hot once but grew colder as the moments wore on. But she still felt no temptation to drink it. It wasn't easy to try. Her mind was full of thoughts.And the thoughts were loud, like they were screaming. They would not behave. She could feel how they swirled and mixed and collided with each other. So angry. So aggressive.As Mykhol shifted in his seat, Naska looked up. Just the sight of him could feel her with relief. She found her arm again to put the cup down.“My lord,” Naska spoke more attentively.“You’ve yet to try the tea.”And Naska looked down at the cup she had prepared him. It sat neatly on a saucer. The steam still curled up. It was hot, and she didn’t want to see it grow cold.“Please,” Naska gestured with her hand.“Have some-”The loud sigh stopped Naska from going on. She froze in place with her hands out as Mykhol shifted to cross his legs. He leaned back to see the door better. His eyes stayed there as if waiting.He’s waiting for her t
Once they were a reasonable distance from the door, Ana stopped.“Your Majesty?” The poor servant blinked down at her. Confusion was on their face, but Ana tried to smile reassuringly.“I don’t need the lavatories anymore,” Ana explained. “Oh, then-” The poor servant blinked. He looked over back to the door. “Your Empress?” The man seemed a little disappointed.“I will escort you back then?”But Ana shook her head.“Lead me to the maze.” Ana went. Immediately the servant lightened at the thought.“Ah, yes,” He spoke as if excited.“Anything for her, Empress.” And with that, he turned. He led them up to a point Ana began to recognize in the castle.I know this place. Ana thought, seeing the familiar hall. It seemed to have not changed since her last visit. And as they continued, Ana found herself more confident in her memory.The servant led on till Ana was out by the french doors. And when they were opened, Ana felt a gust of perfumed air hit her nose. The air was filled with the sc
After spending the rest of the afternoon meeting new faces, none of which were Ana, Nicoli was more than grateful to pull away for tea.By that point, it was exhausting to smile. Even when the girls seemed excited to meet him, Nicoli felt more put out. Each new face just left him more disappointed.Why didn’t mom invite any of my friends? Like the Davish twins? Or even the Pulish fellow?Or any guys at all?Nicoli thought as he noticed he was the only boy. He had no friends of his own to save him. It felt like every girl in the kingdom had come. Save for the one he wanted to see.I…don’t think Ana’s coming. Nicoli felt his heart sink with the thought. It was already too late in the day. And still, there was no sign of her.Hidi must have noticed the frown forming because she leaned close to whisper.“Don’t look so forlorn, Prince.” Hidi went.“She could still come.”“I hope so,” Nicoli whispered. But he was glad she had said it.It was turning into a good surprise that the giant girl
Queen Belinda kept smiling despite the growing hostility that rose inside. But hostility was not the only thing. Queen Belinda felt noxious. She wanted to both retch and pull out all her hair. But the urge subsided. And she was able to keep her composure. A slight grace considering how uncomfortable she felt in the room.For, as Belinda looked on silently. She could see her presence alter the vampires. They stood stiffly to attention. More so the maid, if anyone. Belinda could see how she tried to cower behind the teen. Her eyes jittered desperately to steal his attention. If Queen Belinda were to make a guess, she would say they looked the same age. But she was dumb. Belinda could see by how simply she acted.No wonder she got knocked up. Belinda thought and smirked. Both Julia and herself had caught their heated conversation through the door. Belinda found it an amusing surprise, and it lifted her spirits. But not for long.Stupid girl. Belinda dismissed and thinned her smile.
I messed up. Ana thought, devastated.I took it all wrong.Ana continued to berate herself as she pressed her feet into the ground.Of course, I did. Nicoli doesn’t want me here. It could only be that. Why else would he stare at her? Because she wasn’t supposed to come. It was only she who thought so. Again she had been foolish.“Stupid! Idiot!” Ana harshly cursed under her breath. She pushed even harder. Around her, everything began to spin. “Fool!” Ana struggled to breathe as she pushed on.“How could I be so stupid!”While Ana bolted off behind her, Nicoli seemed to break from his shock. The realization was now on him, and he was moving. He had taken to chase after her in panic.But his voice was lost over the sound of breathing. So Ana could only hear the rush of blood to her ears and head. So she was deaf to anything besides her own pain.How could this happen again!? Ana thought she had been smarter this time. Wiser. Ana was older. She knew so much more now.“But still, I-” A
“It’s cold.” Ana swished her feet in the water.“Feels nice, though, right?” Nicoli sat next to her on the ledge. Ana had to nod.“It does- hey!” Ana gasped when a wave of water splashed on her. Nicoli laughed.“Gotcha!”“Hey!” Ana frowned and moved to splash a wave back.“Ah!” Nicoli yelped and threw up his hands, but it was too late. Water washed over him to drench his nightgown completely. Ana could now see it cling to his chest. It was sheer enough that she could see the shape of his frame. Suddenly it made her feel embarrassed for looking.Ana quickly looked down at the water as she felt her heart rate increase.Calm down. Ana touched her chest. She could feel how fast it moved. But she had to stop it.This was not the time to start acting like this. Ana knew. She didn’t want to ruin the moment.Not when they finally just got together again-“Ah!” Ana yelped again as Nicoli slapped the water back. She was now drenched as much as he was. It made her throw him a sour look which Ni
*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
*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