*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
*Mykhol* “Good Morning, Lord Mykhol.” Maddie greeted while fixing the bed. She was calm despite Mykhol bursting in without so much as a knock. “Your Empress…” Mykhol stood at the door. His red eyes darted over everything. It was early morning- so he had expected to find her still asleep. But it wasn’t so. She wasn’t in bed. Or sitting at the vanity getting herself ready for the day. Ana wasn’t even here. "She’s…not here." Mykhol voiced quietly before narrowing his eyes at the maid. He didn’t need to hide the irritation. The human just smiled at him stupidly. Mykhol felt his stomach turn at the sight of her and turned his head to look elsewhere. How could she already be gone? That’s what he wanted to know. Looking over the room, Mykhol found the envelope on Ana’s bed. He could see the blue wax. It was a letter from Dawny. Was. Mykhol noted. The letter was gone alongside the reader. And to where was the choice question? They both seemed to have disappeared entirely. Mykhol fro
*Maddie* Maddie made it through the empty halls without incident. Not that she had a worry she would. It was clear knowledge that no other servant wanted to be so close to Ana's wing. Let alone freely walk around it at night. Maddie had gathered that much over her months of being here. Hence she could move around now freely. No fear of being seen or caught. “Still kinda creepy, though.” Maddie had to confess to herself. Maddie shivered at the thought. It was quite something to be moving around in such a prominent place, chock full of vampires. No wonder the halls feel so eerie. But Maddie kept walking until she reached Ana’s study. Before stepping in, Maddie turned the gas higher to brighten the room. Unlike Ana, Maddie was only human. She needed light to see. "It's right near a wonder I can get around at all right now. Damn, near as dark as outside around here. If I didn't know my way, I'd be lost." "Let there be light, then." Maddie clicked the knob. Illuminated, Madd
*Mykhol* Upon hearing Ana enter, Mykhol read aloud. His fingers flicked the edge of the parchment like a rhythmic beat. It added background support to his cadence. “- I wish I was there with you. But I have boring lessons. I want to cry.” Mykhol read. He stopped there to now look up at Ana. She was standing perfectly still. Like a doll, Mykhol thought as he lingered on the image. It made him smile with his fangs. “My, does Prince Nicoli not like his lessons that much?” Mykhol posed, sounding innocent. “What are you doing?” Ana’s eyes were wide and shifted from him to the letter. Mykhol just smiled at her. “Good day, dear cousin,” Mykhol replied. He looked behind her to see the girl alone. Her maid was out of sight. About time. Mykhol had been waiting for the chance. He had to smile at his luck. “We finally meet after so long.” Mykhol folded the letter to put it back on top of the others. His finger lingered on the golden box before dipping back in. Then, his hand move
“Empress Anastasia seems quite attached to Lord Mykhol as of late.” A maid spoke to her master during court. “Yes, I seem to see them together quite a lot today.” The noble agreed. “I saw them together in the library just this morning.” A manservant interjected. “And they had breakfast together too.” “Well, I’ve seen them in the garden.” Another maid went. More turned in the crowd hearing the outburst. “Well, it’s clear to say our Empress enjoys Lord Mykhol’s presence.” Another laughed. “More like clinging to him. I mean, look now. Look how Ana has him standing right at her side.” He spoke loud enough for all to hear below. Hearing this, Ana flinched on her throne. It was slight and easily overlooked if one didn't know. But if they did, they could also tell the disturbed look that pushed in her brows. Mykhol, however, reveled in the attention. It was precisely what he had hoped for. And to further his ego, he made a show of taking Ana’s hand and holding it. “Mykhol?!
*Mykhol* “No,” Mykhol snatched the quill away from Ana’s hand. Immediately making the girl look at him. Her petite little face crumpled before his eyes. It was clear to see the girl was tired. But Mykhol refused to budge. He remained unyielding to her silent pleas. They would not work on him- not when things were going his way now. Mykhol had no intention of letting it go. I like it better that you can’t worm your way out. Mykhol thought with a slight curl to his lips. He flicked the quill in his hands before propping it down before her. “Write it again.” “Cousin-” At last, Ana could take no more. She turned as Mykhol crumpled the paper. He tossed behind him with a soft thud before motioning for another. “Don’t keep us waiting?” Mykhol smirked at Maddie. Maddie, who remained off near the fireplace, only shook her head. She went to hand over a new piece. “It’s getting late,” Maddie commented, not to Mykhol but to Ana. Mykhol scuffed at the lack of respect. “Who says you could
*Maddie* You can’t be serious. Maddie thought but held her breath as she held out the skirt and top combo. It was one of the last left Mykhol hadn’t seen. But Maddie could feel her stomach turn as the teen seemed to take his time. He mulled his tongue over his mouth as if in thought. By all, that is holy! It’s just a dress. Maddie wanted to throw it at his face. But she knew she couldn’t. She couldn’t do anything save serving Ana- which meant serving Mykhol now. And Maddie was quickly learning she did not like the teen. A fact that Mykhol didn’t seem to be hurt by. As he almost looked like he enjoyed his little plays of power- just as he did now. “No. I don’t like it.” Mykhol finally dismissed with a wave of his fingers. Maddie nearly dropped her mouth. No, he says. Maddie could feel the heat in her belly rise. How nice would it be the slam a fist into the punk? Pretty nice, Maddie could guess. But it wasn’t up to her. And poor Ana- Maddie stopped to see how crumbled the girl s
*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
*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