*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
*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
*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
*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
*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
*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
*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
*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*“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