*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
*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
*Ana*“Papa, you are back,” I say, stifling a yawn. It is late, even for a vampire, and it would be a lie to say I wasn’t annoyed by Admiral Nugen’s appearance at my door. But despite being tired, I can not help but be happy as I find the man in the room. At last, he is back! It’s like a dream. And as soon as my eyes find him in the room. All I want to do is rush in and hug him.But wait, I shouldn't do that. I barely collect myself in time. That is not proper.I am an Empress, now, after all. I have to be more aware of my actions. Empresses do not hug on a whim. Even if he may be my father, I must pull myself in. I am not a child anymore. So, instead, I do my best to appear calm and collected. It’s two monarchs meeting each other, after all. I need to start the practice of acting more maturely. My voice, however, despite my desires, cracks with my inner excitement. “I didn’t receive word you were coming.” In truth, I haven’t received any letters at all. From him or Nicoli for som