*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* “So, this is a party.” I can’t help myself from saying as we arrive. We are late- thanks to Mykhol, but we are not the only ones. People are coming up behind us. It must be common because the servants don't look disturbed. They move to take our coats before moving to the next group. Behind us, I can hear excited whispers. And it is not long before I feel the oh-so-familiar feeling of eyes. We are being watched. “Lord Mykhol,” I hear one call out from behind. It’s a boy, younger than Mykhol but older than me. He moves to bow as if to introduce himself. “Hello,” Mykhol smiles at them but doesn't move from my side. The boy looks disappointed but quickly retreats into his group. There are no others brave enough to speak. But surely they will spread the word we are here. “So,” Mykhol begins, and I break my gaze. I turn in time to see him gesture outward. “What do you think? Is this what you had in mind?” “No,” I answer, and Mykhol laughs. “Sorry to disappoint.” “No, it
*Ana* Any minute, I expect Mykhol will change his mind. He will change his mind and follow me. I even hold my breath as I wait to hear the footsteps. Huh? But to my surprise, they don't. Isn't he going to change his mind? Is he going to leave me to myself? Now? Here? I don't believe it. I see him go to a table instead. He sits amongst a group of boys. All of them look happy to see him. They seem excited to have him- like it's an honor. Mykhol, whether he is as excited, keeps a measured smile. His eyes flash up at me, but he only looks at me. He doesn't make another motion of acknowledgment. Is he letting me go on my own? I think before I feel a spark in my stomach. If that's the case… I slowly turn my head back. If he is going to leave on my own, then- I feel myself skip a step. Quickly! I pull up my skirt to help. This is my chance! I charge across the floor and between the tables. It must be a right because people turn their heads. But no one bothers me. I'm allowed to
*Ana* “Can you touch it?” I look behind me but see nothing. I look beside me and see nothing. Touch what? There’s nothing around me. And why is he looking at my hair? No. It couldn’t be. I look behind me again. Of course, there is nothing. That leaves me. But that sounds absurd. He doesn't want to touch that, does he? I look back at him to see if he is kidding. But he is just waiting for an answer. Does he want to touch my hair? I am struck dumb and mute in an instant. I almost feel myself falling in my chair. It's that hard to believe. Aside from Maddie, there is someone willing- no, they WANT to touch my hair? “Are you sure?” The concept seems just so unworldly. “Yes, please. If I may?” Pendrick looks pink in the face now. I thought he would cool down by now. Perhaps he has already had too much sun? Maybe it’s gotten to his head? I think with a touch of my hair. Is that why he is saying such strange things? I must assume so, but I don’t find the idea appalling. If he on
*Maddie* “Ana,” Maddie called again but quickly saw it wouldn’t work better than the first hundred times she tried. It seemed nothing could stir the girl. “Ah,” Maddie sighed as she squatted down to the floor. Ana was crouched just a short feet away from her under the vanity table. Maddie could see her back turned toward her as if to hide her face. “Ah,” Maddie let out another soft sigh. She felt frustrated. Ana wasn’t responding to anything. And she didn’t know what to do. Something must have happened out there. Maddie could gather that much. Maddie found that when the two returned, Ana was different. She seemed shaken, and her hair was a mess. It was sticking this way and that. And it wasn’t just her hair. Ana’s clothes look disheveled as if there was some fight. And her eyes were glossy from crying. She was certainly not the same girl that had left the palace. Maddie could agree. Something must have happened. And it must have been something terrible. Because she couldn’t
*Ana* This shawl is magic! It’s the only way I can describe it. Otherwise, I don’t know. Could I say it’s witchcraft? That Maddie is a powerful witch in disguise this entire time? No, that would be too silly. I could never entertain such a childish notion. But I will say this. That there is something special about it. Behind the obvious flash of red and gold, there is something I can not see but can feel. Maddie's new shawl seems to harbor some power within it. Since putting it on, I have not had a single incident. I still get the customary stare, but it’s more to do with me suddenly wearing it. Otherwise, I’ve had no issues. No one has brought it up. Both the whispers and nasty looks have stopped. Dare I even say, when I catch them in a stare, it’s different. Almost as if they are disappointed. That or they have nothing to talk about anymore. Even Mykhol keeps quiet. It seems to have also created some effect on him. I pause from my reading to look up. It is now past
*Ana* Am I the only one who thinks like this? That it’s just me, who wants to see each other? I can’t seem to shake off Mykhol’s words. They haunt me. But I can’t help it. I keep finding myself going back to them. What if it is true? The question shakes me. I don’t want it to be as I look up at the sun. For once, let things go my way. I plead to the sun. Because I want to see it; I want to see a circus. I’ve even read about them from the library. I know enough that I can already imagine it. There will be clowns with painted faces. I start as if I can see it right in front of me. They are smiling as they ride little bikes and jump over one another. It would be loud, right? Of course- What with the tigers roaring and as the tigers would elephants tooting before they stand on their hind legs like in the pictures. And the bears- “The bears…” I now think of Nicoli. But when I see him, he is back in his room. The tacky yellow and blue walls seem to lean and make the space feel
*Ana*“It will take some time, but as long as we keep an open communication,” I pause on habit, turning crimson eyes from the map, half expecting to find the Bulgeon chief either dozing off or distracted. Thanks to my less-than-lustrous experiences in court, creating a low bar for many. However, instead of finding the king of pirates inattentive, I am met with an unwavering gaze of chocolate brown eyes. Amul smiles at me from across the table, bronze-calloused hands folded over the other, still in the same pose he first took when we began three hours ago. He tilts his head, shifting beads of bone to clink against the metal chains, before lifting his bushy eyebrows as if expectant, unaware of anything but just following along.“Open communication?” Amul prompts. “You were saying, Empress?” “I-yes,” I come back to it with a slight laugh. “Sorry, I- it’s not often I have someone listen without interruptions. And for this long,”. “They speak when you speak?” Amul’s brown lips dip down
*Hidi*“Mama!” Hidi exclaimed in billowing steam before digging heels to clack against the limestone pathway. The yellow sigil of Almony on the carriage's black door stuck out like a beacon of hope against the ashen skies ripe with snow. The door swung out seamlessly just in time for Hidi to reach out for her hand. Intending to help her mother down. But the elder blond slapped her hand away with a stinging clap, insistent on getting down on her own. Even now, refusing to give her daughter even the smallest admittance to her declining age.Instead, Bratha rose to her staggering height of eight feet on thick but confident legs before reeling back her lips to pinch her nose as if shocked by a horrible odor.“I forgot how much sand stinks.” She grumbled. Hidi had to giggle.“Mama, be kind.” Hidi looped her arm into her mother's as the servants bobbed their redheads, faces ruddy from waiting in the cold, to make for her luggage. Which, Hidi noted, was not much. Mama does not mean to sta
*Ana*“Am I… “ I blink, gobsmacked, as my mind can not quite process what I just heard. That, or maybe fight it? The sheer audacity that anyone would even think to ask such a question, let alone someone ask me, is unthinkable.“Am…I?” I try again before Amul nods, his brownish-black eyes glinting with amusement and interest, before spreading his beard thin to betray a toothy grin.“Are you a virgin?” Amul repeats slowly but clearly. As if he thought I might not have heard him correctly the first time, before tilting his head to one side quizzically and shifting a sun-bleached dreadlock off his shoulder.“I asked if you have laid with another man before.” “I…?”The words squeaked out of my chattering teeth before stalling on my tongue, again in disbelief that this was happening.But it is. Amul just asked me if I am a…I look back at him, wide-eyed and not sure how to even start to react to such an off-putting question.Should I be angry? Upset? Disgusted? I don’t know. Or maybe this wa
*Ana*At least…everyone is quick to assemble on short notice. I shiver as another gust of wind blows over us, making even me flinch, and pull up my cloak, before stealing a glance back.On the platform, wrapped up tightly in thick cloaks, Aunt Funda and Uncle Charles miserably stand together against the cold on the left side. Underneath the cloak’s hems, I can spy the hint of blue of the matching gown sets I had ordered made for them. Something Aunt Funda insists is too plain, what with not having jewels sewn in or metallic threads used. But Sir Celbest is always quick to remind her of the budget restraints. Or threaten her that she won’t get any new gowns. Something which seems always to make her grow quiet again. Which is quite impressive on its own, but that just proves Sir Celbest making a good treasurer.Better than Uncle, even. I think with a look over to the crowd and find them both together. Both of them, Pendwick and his maternal grandfather, Sir Celbest, stand in the front
*Naska*“She…turned him down?” Lady Funda was still processing between disbelief and joy at the news, but it didn’t take long before her lips lifted to show a fanged smile. With a smile, Naska was quick to pick up.“Oh, yes. She turned him down, alright.” Naska repeated. “It’s a pity you couldn’t have been there to see it with your own eyes.” Naska went on, and Funda laughed, clearly taken in by the thought.“It would have been grand if I could,” Funda admitted. “To see her, shoot him down like that.” She chuckled again, touching her rings, before turning with a smile.” My, good work, Naska. You’ve done wonderfully.” “I have, haven’t I?” Naska beamed, pleased beyond measure how quickly her work was being praised. But of course, Naska knew she would be.Maybe, Lady Funda will give me another of her pretty necklaces again? She hoped so, reminded of the necklace Lady Funda had just given her the other day. Lady Funda liked her so much more now. Her affection was clear by all the gifts
*Ana*“A confession?” What could Pendwick possibly have to confess to me? I must say, it is quite a surprise to hear, coming from him, of all people.Pendwick is the most forthcoming person I know. He may be shy in his words, yes, but he is candid with me. So, it’s quite a surprise to hear we had secrets between us.Though, he did mention something like this before, didn’t he? Back in the garden the other morning? Perhaps this is referring to that?“Pendwick? What is this confession?” I curiously look down at our hands, his cupping over mine, before looking back up. “Have you..done something?”“Done..?” Pendwick flinches, his hands slightly shaking over mine a moment, but takes in a shaky breath, before calming down. “It’s.. not something I wanted to do.” Pendwick lowers his eyes then. “Not intentionally.”Not intentionally he says? “Then, Pendwick, what is it?” I press because now I am starting to feel my stomach tighten, a bit confused. What could he be confessing about? And… what
*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