Chapter 5 The First Letter

“Your Majesty,” Johan warned. But King Alexander shooed him off.

“I know what you are going to say, but I don’t care.” King Alexander had every right to be happy.  And with that, he gave another skip around the room. 

“Your majesty,” Johan could shake his head, but it was a lost cause. The king wasn’t going to listen.

“My baby girl, my sweet little dove.” King Alexander twirled before sitting back down. He kicked his feet before going for the letter again. It was the third time.

But it still wasn’t enough.

“I wish she wrote more.” Alexander pouted, pushing his beard down.

“But it’s a start, your Majesty.” 

“Aye, yes, it is.” And Alexander was back up and walking the room. His mind was a buzz, and he had to keep moving. 

“Agent Maddie has delivered on her word.” She said she would. But neither of them expected it to be this fast. 

“She deserves a reward. But it should be gold.” No, gold wouldn’t be enough for what she managed to do.

The door of communication was finally opened after four years. It was no small task by any means. Yes, it deserved something great.

“I’ll give her a title.” Alexander decided at once. “And a great house.”

Alexander returned to the letter.

“My very first letter.” Alexander lifted it like a priceless heirloom. “Look at her penmanship. It’s perfect.”  

"Ana must be quite the student indeed." 

“Yes, She takes after her mother.” Alexander beamed proudly. 

“Then Prince Nicoli must take after you.” 

Alexander dropped his smile.

“Old coot.” 

“Speak of the devil,” Johan and King Alexander both turned at the startled cry. 

Birds were up and flying over the window in panic as a child's laughter bellowed.

“Back to terrorizing those poor creatures again.” King Alexander shook his head but peered over his to look down the window.

Below, the four-year-old with curly brunette hair and blue eyes moved to pick up a pile of leaves. He threw them up above with another roar of laughter.

“He should be with his tutors right now,” King Alexander frowned. But he wasn’t all disappointed. He skipped many classes at his age.

It was the next person with him, however, that made King Alexander grow cold. 

Queen Belinda walked a few steps behind the boy. She was dressed in a white layered garden gown. Her black curls were pulled up neatly to cascade over one side of her head and frame her face and gray eyes.

The queen’s expression was an equal measure of admiration and patience as she watched on. A motherly smile crossed her face. That is until she was directly under the window.

As if already aware, Queen Belinda looked up with expectation. The smile on her face lessened to something softer, and she bowed.

“What a coincidence that Her Majesty would want to take a walk now.” Johan went, but both men knew it was anything but.

“Do you think she knows?” 

“It would only be a matter of time before she would.” King Alexander wasn’t surprised. The only surprise was how fast it took. 

Faster than both of them expected, apparently. 

“Her spies must be quite busy.”

“It doesn’t matter.” King Alexander turned away from his desk to open the drawer. A piece of fresh parchment was pulled out with ink and quills.

 “She won’t have it her way again. Not this time.” Four years was long enough.

King Alexander took a seat, dipping the quill in fresh ink.

“Johan, send for the postmaster. I want this sent with no delay.” 

“Your Majesty,” Johan bowed and turned out.

“It’s about time I fix my mistake, right, my love?’ King Alexander looked up at the portrait.

The painted woman smiled at him. Her fangs slightly showed under her full upper lip. Her red hair was pulled back with gold chains and crowns to better show off how large her red eyes were. 

It was quite a feat to get her to agree to the painting. King Alexander remembered how he had to beg. The vampire was naturally reluctant to her Nochten superstitions. But he had been glad of his persistence.

The painting had turned out to be his second most treasured thing. But it was time he got his first. And King Alexander was determined.

“It’s time I get my daughter back home.”

-x-

*Nicoli*

 “Mommy, look!” The young boy lifted the pretty feather to show her. 

“It’s blue-” Your favorite. But Nicoli could see his mother was already distracted.

Her maid, Julia, was coming from inside. She leaned to whisper something. Whatever it was, it looked important. His mother’s usual smile dropped for a moment. 

But it came back just as quickly.

“Is that what he’s planning to do?” his mother laughed. “After all this time?” 

 Julia nodded.

“He seems set on it, Your Majesty.”

“I’m sure he would be.” His mother sighed, looking back at the castle. “He always gets sentimental this time of year.”

“But What if she does come back, Your Majesty?” 

“Julia, you sound more concerned than I am.” She laughed. But the smile thinned.

“I just- I know this must hurt you,” Julia confessed.

“It does.” 

“Then, Your Majesty-”

“Do you really think I will let it happen?” 

“What happened?” Nicoli dropped the feather behind to come closer. What was happening?

“What’s happening, mommy?”

Both women turned with a slight start at the boy being so close. Julia bowed, averting her eyes. But his mother grew sweet again.

“Nothing, sweetie.” She cooed and motioned for him. Nicoli gladly came over. Her hand played with his curls tenderly.

It felt good. Nicoli liked having his head touched. He pressed closer to her leg as she continued.

It was also nice to be with Mommy. She was so nice and warm. Nicoli could feel his eyes droop. 

“What will you do, your majesty?” Julia, meanwhile, asked again.  Her face pulled thin with worry.

“IF she comes back-”

“Julia,” His mother widened her smile to show all her teeth. “How dare you doubt me.”

“I got rid of her once.” His mother stopped to take Nicoli’s hand. She turned to guide him back inside. Their random little walk was over. 

“I can do it again.”