“How could you!?”Queen Belinda quickly flashed her anger at the one she felt most deserved. She pointed her finger.“You can’t be serious!” She choked as angry tears filled her eyes.“Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined you’d do this to me. You are just letting them run off- with my son. OUR SON!” Queen Belinda took a sharp breath and tried to control her tears. She was not alone. Julia was still at her side, which gave her some comfort.But Belinda was still aware of how they both watched her. The maid blinked stupidly. But the other was the real threat. Belinda knew how he seemed to listen to it all quietly.Of all the times her husband could be so foolish? It made her sick to her stomach. “How- how could you?” Belinda pressed a hand to her head. Now her head was beginning to hurt.Have I not been a good wife? Belinda thought. Had I not shown years of devotion? And still, you choose her over me? Belinda thought with another wave of tears. She managed to hold them i
“I’m done.” Ana stepped from behind the changing screen. She was now wearing one of Nicoli’s nightgowns. It was a surprise to find their size almost the same. Save, Nicoli was just a touch bigger. A fact which made Ana’s pride sting a little. Even Nicoli is getting taller than me. So Ana thought and felt her pride as the elder bruised. If this keeps going, he’s going to tower over me too. “Come over here, Ana,” Nicoli called from the bookshelf. He had been waiting there the whole while. But not out of boredom. Nicoli seemed to have kept himself busy with what books to choose. And it looked like he had found one. Ana took the chance to look over the room. He’s right. Ana thought. It was almost hard to believe it was the same space. For the room was now barren. There were no toys, and the blue and gold paint was gone. Now the room was full of books. There was even a globe in the spot the clown doll used to be. Which Ana found to be the only change she agreed with. Actually, it
That morning looked to be the beginning of a hot day. Not as hot as Nochten, of course, but enough for Ana to regret her choices. If she had known it could get this warm in Dawny, she would have stayed with her Nochten gowns.And here I thought it was such luck to fit everything still. Ana thought before wincing. “Naska,” Ana tried to alert her the laces were uncomfortable. But Naksa just rolled her eyes as if Ana was the one being a pain.“You’re stomach gotten puffy.” She pressed her finger into Ana.“Oh?” Ana blinked. Did she gain weight?I hope it means I’ll have another growth spurt. Ana thought with optimism. Everyone else seemed to be. Nicoli was bordering at her height, and Ana couldn’t lie that it hurt her pride as the older sibling. “Tsk,” Naska clicked her tongue before giving the lace another yank. She seemed to be struggling with it. Ana again winced.“Naska,” Ana went again. But Naska wasn’t looking at her. She seemed unfocused. Or instead irritated by something. Sh
Hidi sat in her fluffy dress, trying to stay interested as Queen Belinda kept talking. But it was proving quite the task as it seemed to be non-stop. Queen Belinda had been at Hidi's ears all morning. She seemed to never run out of something to say.But it wasn’t anything of importance, of course. Just things about the weather or the tea. Or she would rain down compliments for Hidi about her dress or hair. And in between the compliments, the topic of marriage would pop up. Queen Belinda would bring it up casually—just a mere mention of a wedding in spring. Or grandchildren with blond hair. And then, she would change the topic back to the party. But it wouldn't be long before she'd mentioned it again.As Hidi listened, she barely hid her amused smile.It’s a bit forward. Hidi thought. But not enough to overstep herself. If anything, Hidi wished Belinda could get to the point.It's not like I would shoot it down. Hidi knew. As Hidi found she had begun to like the queen, she would be m
It’s fine. Ana told herself as she felt a thousand eyes fall on her. Just stay calm.Still, Ana unconsciously touched her shawl. It was still there. And it still covered her hair.Ana gave a quiet sigh of relief.But it didn’t last. As Ana could feel their eyes. They made her freeze in place.Stop it. Ana whispered to herself.All that matters is Nicoli, remember? So snap out of it.Ana couldn’t help but glance at Nicoli. A great smile was on his face. He seemed so happy and carefree.Could I ever be like that? Ana felt a pang in her chest. She didn't know. But she'd like to try.For Nicoli's sake, at least.So Ana held her breath and looked over the crowd. So many eager faces were looking at her curiously. All pretty girls in big puffy dresses Nicoli’s age.The only change was a great table. And it was here Ana found her actual cause of worry. Ana flinched when she found those blue eyes had turned toward her.Father. Ana thought with dread.“Come, I see our table.” Nicoli went, stil
“Good Morning King Alexander, Queen Belinda.” Ana shifted uncomfortably in her seat. “Thank you for inviting me.” King Alexander lessened his smile at the cold greeting, but it did not affect Belinda. She continued as if all was normal. On the outside, at least.“So glad you could come.” Belinda took some tea. “I wasn’t sure you were going to make it. Since I heard no word from you.”Ana felt her spine straighten at the insinuation. I received the letter so late. Ana knew it would take a week to have a response. By then, the party would have started. She would have shown up late anyways.But still, Ana felt guilty.“I…my invitation arrived late.” Ana looked down at her feet. “I apologize. I came as quickly as I could.”Quietly, Ana darted her eyes to find her Father. He was looking straight at her.He won’t do anything in front of the party, will he? Not with so many young and impressionable girls around. And at that, Ana made to take another look around the girls dressed in the
Mykhol could see the smaller tables filled with human girls across the lawn. Their dresses looked silly and overbearing from his spot. They all looked like colored cotton balls.Periodically, Mykhol could see one lift their head and look his way. Then, a quick blush would cross their face before they'd go to whisper to one another. And when they did, another would look up. It kept repeating as Mykhol watched on.Mykhol had to smirk at their apparent interest. But it held little weight to him. He was not here for them.Mykhol looked on to find the flash of red. “There you are.” Mykhol drew back his lips to show his fangs. Ana was sitting at the main table. She seemed somewhat cramped, though. The table seemed relatively small for all of them.Mykhol could see her sandwiched between four. Queen Belinda at the one end, King Alexander at the other, Nicoli sat beside her, and the other-Mykhol dropped his smile at the sight of the giant who sat at the table. The one dressed in a dress j
Ana found herself in a difficult situation. Her father being the most significant cause of her turmoil. But that was not the only issue. Ana was faced with a completely new problem.Ana was used to being the recipient of attention. In her court, she was the main attraction. She was Empress, though, so it made sense.But Nochten's attention was on rules. There was a silent way of reservation and decorum in her approach. If not out of custom, it was practiced out of respect.In Dawny, however, Ana faced an entirely different form of the spotlight. One that was more animated and full of compliments with conversations that ran together. Ana found herself in a drift in the center of a crowd. The sea of excited girls was moving and swaying in their puffy dresses. Some even bounced off the others, thanks to their hoop skirts. But they didn’t seem to falter as they returned to pushing closer.Ana couldn’t help but feel the sensation similar to a mouse cornered by cats.I’m not sure I like t