* Mykhol?*Mykhol left Naska on the sofa so he could dress. And he went to the mirror and pulled his gown on. Behind him, Naska stretched. Her naked body was free to see in the mirror.“Do you plan to keep lying there?” Mykhol went counting the bite marks he left on her. He had left many since he was quite hungry. My thirst seems to be on the rise lately. So Mykhol thought with vague notice. It just seemed never to be enough.No. Mykhol corrected himself.That wasn’t it.I’m not getting blood from the one I want, is all. Mykhol rationalized. But he knew that would ramify when he did for both his lust for blood and ‘other’ things.All would be well then. “Where are you off to so quickly?” Naska purred from the sofa. She sat up to stretch her arms over her head. Her bare breast sagged slightly from breastfeeding. But they were still plump.And as if to give more affection to her frame, Naska wiggled her shoulders to allow them to wobble. All to entice Mykhol back to the sofa. And for
*Mykhol*Mykhol watched Ana’s face change from shock to her usual stoic expression in real time. After that, she only lifted her eyes to look behind him as if expecting someone. Mykhol couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed that her excitement for him was so short. But he managed to keep his expression as well. “Where’s Naska?” Ana was on her tippy toes to see over his shoulder. Mykhol felt this annoy him and purposely moved to shift in front of her view. “I don’t know.” Mykhol shrugged. This only made Ana frown.“She went to see if you needed help.”“Oh, that’s right.” Mykhol walked in further. Something he immediately appreciated as the closer he came, the more detail he could see.Ana was maturing quite nicely. Mykhol thought and threw up his hand.“I supposed she’s hiding out in my room.”“Hiding in your-” Ana blinked. She then furrowed her brows. It seemed she didn’t even want to start with the questions. Instead, she became more direct.“Do you know when she will be ba
*Hidi*Hidi looked around the richly decorated room, from its painted ceilings to the furniture. But it did not give the impression of an invitation. This was not a room meant to bring guests of any kind.This room seemed more private, with the desk in front of the window. This must be Belinda’s study. So Hidi concluded as it was undoubtedly no sitting room. This was a room most would never get the chance to see.So why was she here?As Hidi looked over the paintings on the wall, the door opened to reveal the maid. Julia was carrying a box rimmed in gold. Belinda seemed to brighten at the sight of it.“My apologies, my lady.” Julia bowed before holding the box up. Belinda unclasped the lock and opened the box. Inside, there were jewels and jewelry that glittered in the light.For a moment, she seemed lost to look over them. A special spark rested in her eye as if lost for a moment. But she managed to get out of it as if remembering she was not alone.“This has been in my family for g
*Ana*Is this what it feels like when they say ‘third wheel’? I can’t help but think as I feel myself being one. I must say. It’s a strange feeling.What else could I call this? It feels like I don’t belong. Walking between Father to my left and Mykhol to my right is almost absurd.The combination feels so odd- like strong forces pushing each other. I don’t think I’ve ever had to be between them like this. It feels like I’m going by the wrong side of a magnet, a discovery I just read about.Or is that because everyone is so quiet? Yes, that might be another cause. Everyone is quiet- no one has spoken since we started to walk. And I find myself feeling out of sorts by it.I’ve never seen Mykhol so quiet before.My usually debonair cousin was so forthcoming just before. What happened? It’s like he is lost in thought.But he doesn’t look it. Mykhol looks fine. He’s just walking forward. Is it only me who feels like this? I wonder. But Mykhol is not the only one whose being quiet. What
*Ana*Mykhol lets out another laugh. He seems to be enjoying this. But he is the only one, as Father and I silently stand by. What’s so funny?I’m too shocked right now to respond. As for Father, I don’t know. But I don’t think he likes the joke. Neither do I.I don’t get it.“Don’t you see?” Mykhol continues. He takes in a rasp of air before bellowing out another laugh. “He’s the invisible man.”“Invisible?” I repeat.How could Father be invisible- he is standing next to us? I can see him.He’s standing right there. I look at Father as if to get his take. But the man is dead silent. Strange darkness is crossing his eyes.“Invisible, you say,” Father speaks slowly. Mykhol nods.“Yep.” He straightens up to cover his mouth. He’s still smiling with his fangs.Is cousin drunk or something? Because I don't understand him at all right now. And I have to look at him to check. He seems fine- and I don't smell any wine on his breath.But that leaves me stumped all over again. “Cousin, I d
*Ana*As we make our long trudge down the hall, I can’t help but feel it takes forever. We are barely out of our own hall when I feel the sweat drip down my back. And it intensifies as the steal skirt cage sways as I walk. It hits my hips with each step. And my shoes are pinching my feet.But they are not heels. Not like Hidi’s or Belinda’s, thank god. I don’t think I could walk in heels on top of everything. I might fall over.“Haa,” I breathe as we start into the new hall. This one has more decoration. But it’s still sparse. Most of the walls are still bare. The main difference is that there are more rugs used here. But that still is barely enough to say it is a fine establishment.More like the rugs were just extra pieces with nowhere else to go because they are mismatched and looked a bit old for wear and tear. Leftovers probably, I assume, from rulers' past. They are still too nice to let go but they have no place in my stepmother's pristinely decorated castle. Hence they got th
*Nicoli*This should be it. Nicoli thought, finding the door. It had taken him nearly an hour to get here- what with moving through all those spider webs and getting lost once or twice. But Nicoli never gave up. The thought of seeing Ana kept him motivated. And the idea of showing his new costume to her and how impressed she would be.Which she would be, of course. Nicoli had no doubt. Ana would not disappoint. Again, Nicoli couldn’t be more proud of himself for getting the idea.I know she’ll love it. And Nicoli wasted no more time. He pushed open the door- which stuck thanks to years of dust- but he managed. The door finally opened, and Nicoli immediately found his vision filled with light.For a moment, Nicoli could see nothing but the spots over his eyes, thanks to walking in the near dark for so long. But as his eyes adjusted, he felt more confident. And he could see he had chosen right. He had made it at last. This must have been Ana's room!“Ana?” Nicoli popped his head out
*Ana*I can hear the sound of strings even before we are at the door, and it only grows louder as we make our way up. Two knights guard the entrance. They glare quietly at Mykhol, but upon seeing me, they brighten. They bow with a smile directed at me.“Your Empress, Lord Mykhol.” They greet me in unison and stay smiling as they look up at me. The sight catches me off guard, and I find myself smiling back. It’s a reflex, but Mykhol doesn’t seem to like it. Mykhol taps his foot before holding my hand closer.“Well?” Mykhol goes with a measured stare between the two.“Aren’t you going to announce us?”“Oh-I, yes, m’lord.” And the enormous knight turns to cup his hands over his mouth.“Announcing Empress Ana-”“Wait,” I move on my own. I take his hand on reflex. “Your Empress?” The servant immediately looks back at me with wonder.So does Mykkhol.“Ana?”“Can we…not be announced?” I ask, but both look at me as if I’ve said something foolish. Mykhol shakes his head at me.“But cousin,