*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,
*Mykhol*“Do you have anything a bit more- bloody?” Mykhol pointed to the cut roast. But the servant shook his head.“Apologies, my lord. It’s been cooked well.”“All of the meats?” Mykhol motioned to the rest of the table. It was quite a spread of beef and red meat. Yet he smelt no blood from any of it. Again the servant bowed apologetically.“Queen Belinda ordered all the meat be cooked well-done in case the sight and smell put off the little ladies.”“Really?” Mykhol lowered his brows. He felt his fangs sharpen. She did, did she? Mykhol turned to side-eye the platform. There he found Queen Belinda sitting beside her husband. She didn’t notice Mykhol glare at her.But Mykhol stopped. It wasn’t like he could change anything. This wasn’t his court. He was only a guest. So Mykhol relented and lifted the plate.“Then just make sure you put plenty of the drippings on it.” At least then Ana won’t find it too dry. Mykhol thought, but still, he felt a little peeved. Here he was, trying t
Naska stared at the cup instead of taking it, more shocked than surprised at the motion. Someone poured her drink? It was indeed a first. No one had ever done anything for her. She was so used to doing everything for herself. And glancing up, the sight of who did, only made her more confused.It was one of the veiled women—a Bulgeon, a human. Her eyes lined in that inky black shadow seemed to regard her in silence just as she did. Her hand lifted the cup, steady, as if she were still waiting. Naska, not knowing what else to do, took the cup. But her eyes remained glued to the woman. Because of the veil, she couldn’t know what expression the woman was making. Was it friendly? Bitter? What did her face even look like under the cloth?Watching her, the mysterious woman moved with grace. She poured another ladle of blood, not wine, to steam against the glass. Her thin fingers peeked out of her sleeve to swipe a slice of meat to dip in, and she moved to eat under the cloth. Naska raised
*Naska*“What a joke of a party,” Naska muttered, baring her fangs as she leaned against the wall. ”Mine will be so much better.” Her pale red eyes flickered over blue and gold streamers hanging from the center of the high ceiling with a sneer. Ugly colors, she immediately found it stupid. But not as stupid as having to sniffle every other minute. Her nose was irritated and starting to run from all the damn pine scent in the room. Each breath was like choking on a bottle of soap. From the platform near the far wall, the gentle strains of stringed instruments played a song too delicate and indistinct for her to recognize. It filled the air like perfume—pleasant to some, she supposed, but meaningless to her. Light laughter floated between the nobles, punctuated now and then by the sharp clink of crystal goblets. Beneath the noise, however, the pressure in the room was thick. Everyone waited for Her Empress to return. The tension curled under the music like smoke, unseen but unmistakab
*Johan*As he entered the banquet hall, Johan quickly noticed quite a few things. The first was that King Alexander was nowhere to be seen, though Johan expected that. He must have still been talking with Queen Bratha.What surprised him, though, was that others were missing—two, to be exact. The handsome brunette prince was not in the banquet hall as he thought he would be, considering he did not see him in the lobby or even the line. He was gone, and neither was Ana. Who he did see was just Hidi.The giant queen stood out among the partygoers- not just because of her size. Her very presence seemed to overpower anyone who dared draw near. Those who attempted to pass her either darted their eyes down or weakly bowed before hightailing it inside. Johan could see that even that old coot kept a safe distance if anyone wanted to try to talk to her, like the ever-eager Sir Celbest.The blonde was not pleased about something, and Johan could easily see it. The girl had never been one to hi
*Nicoli*Nicoli held onto Ana like a man gripping the edge of a cliff—tight, unyielding, unwilling to let go for even a second. The very idea of releasing her, even to their father, was absurd. No. Absolutely not.He had waited too long, ached too much, spent years longing for this moment. And now that she was finally by his side again, he refused to let anything—anyone—take her away. Not tonight. Not ever. So be it if he had to fight off the entire court to keep her close. Vampire, noble, or king, he didn’t care. He’d take them all on.She was his Anastasia. And now that they were together, everything felt right again.A rare, genuine grin tugged at his lips—one that wasn’t for show, unlike the practiced smiles he wore in Dawny. This was different. This was real.But as they moved through the white halls, his excitement warred with Ana’s slow, deliberate steps. Too slow. She still walked like an old lady.Nicoli’s muscles twitched with pent-up energy, his entire body screaming to mo
*Ana*My body freezes, every muscle locked in place as Nicoli leans in closer. His face is inches from mine, and I feel my breath catch, a whirlwind of confusion and anticipation racing through my mind. What is he doing? Is…he going to kiss me?But we can’t—we shouldn’t. We aren’t children anymore.As children, it was innocent. Nicoli used to kiss me on the lips, but it was always affectionate—nothing more, just like when he would hold my hand or offer a playful hug. It was natural to him, something that didn’t feel strange, something I expected from him without question. But that was then.Now, we’re adults. And that changes everything.We can’t– I try to tell myself that, but something in me hesitates, unsure whether I want him to stop or... not. I’m paralyzed, my heart beating so loudly I can hear it in my ears. As his face nears mine, I feel the world shrinks, the air around us thick with tension. A strange eagerness stirs in my chest—a warmth I don’t understand. It coils through
*Ana*“Nicoli–” He’s going the wrong way again. I shake my head, the soft chime of my gold chains punctuating my amusement. But he insists on leading, judging by the stubborn set of his shoulders. He’s determined to get somewhere despite having absolutely no idea where that is.For the past twenty minutes, Nicoli has forged ahead with all the confidence in the world, only to crumble in confusion when we inevitably hit another dead end or loop back to the same hall. Left, then right, then left again. Each turn is taken with steadfast determination — and each time, I have to stifle a new laugh as we encounter yet another wall.“Nicoli, just let me show you–” I try, though I’m already bracing for him to ignore me. It would be far easier if he let me lead, though. This is my palace, after all. I know the twists and turns, the subtle variations in the endless white corridors. But he seems lost in his resolve. As if doing this out of spite at the challenge and not wanting it to get the bett
*Hidi*“But, what about me–” For once in Hidi’s life, her voice was too soft to hear—lost, swallowed under the sound of laughter. Their laughter. Hidi froze, her breath caught in her chest, her words useless in the space they left behind. Her eyes only widened as she stared after them, watching–watching, but not moving in disbelief.The two of them were running, laughing, hands clasped like children lost in their own world. And she was still standing here.She blinked. Did they really just… leave me?The air seemed too still while everything else moved too fast. Nicoli had been right there. Right there. She could have reached out, close enough to brush her fingers against his sleeve. But he hadn’t even looked at her. Didn’t even voice a hello.Not once.His sapphire-blue eyes had locked onto Ana, and nothing else had mattered.For the second time.A cool flick of irritation ran beneath her ribs, lodging itself somewhere deep inside her. She knew this was their grand reunion, knew th
*Ana*Standing between my aunt and uncle in the banquet hall, I must appreciate everyone’s hard work for the party. They really put in a lot of effort.The banquet hall is beautifully decorated with blue and gold streamers cascading down to the center of the high ceiling. Each arched window features a garland of fir and pine, filling the room with a clean yet sweet reminder of the winter outside. The candelabras are all set and lit with fresh beeswax candles, brightening the room and causing the windows to fog up slightly. The tables that line the walls are adorned with an assortment of cakes, meats, and double boilers filled with various types of blood for those who prefer.It’s everything I could have hoped for. And I swell with pride. So far, I think my first real celebration is going well. I gaze over the steady stream of new guests. Once again, I have to note that most of those arriving are unaccompanied men I spot yet another group. They put on a show by bowing or smiling at m
*Nicoli*“So… this is Nochten,” Nicoli whispered, his breath barely stirring the cold air. He paused at the threshold, eyes sweeping across the grand lobby. He wasn’t sure what to expect, but it was certainly different from home.His gaze traveled upward, taking in the domed ceiling overhead, the polished stone walls that gleamed in the candlelight. Beneath his feet, a mosaic of a bat soaring toward the moon—Nochten’s national symbol—stood in sharp contrast against the pristine white stone. The palace lacked the excessive paintings and portraits he was used to. Instead of gold trim and plush fabric, there was only carved stone and painted walls. Even the flooring was a departure from what he knew. No wood, only cold, solid stone.Nicoli's eyes caught the mosaic again, its intricate details holding him transfixed. Slowly, a small smile pulled at his lips.It suits her. He thought. Yes, it most definitely did. This was most definitely Ana’s home. But, where was Ana?He stepped further