*Ana*“Ha,” When Father finally stops twirling, he is breathing hard. He puts me down, and instantly, I thank the stars that I can feel on the ground. “Ah,” I wobble a little, thanks to dizziness.“Easy,” Father takes my hand to help. My legs stabilize, and I can stand.“Ah, thank you.” I go to see him and smile.“Well then,” Father raises his hair and removes his mask. He’s red in the face- and thin lines are imprinted on his skin from the mask. His skin shines with little beads of sweat. “How did you like your first dance?”“It wasn’t dancing- you carried me.” I point out to have him burst into a laugh.“Yes, I guess you’re right.” He squeezes my hand before letting go to rake back his hair again.“But you did have fun.”“Perhaps.” I shrug with a smile.“You little- are you acting impish now, too?” “What, no-” I look up to see him move over to rub my head. His big hand feels hot through my scarf.“It’s fine. I was joking.” His voice is much softer than I expected. “It’s fine to
*Naska* “I hate this damn country.” Naska hissed as she had to figure the way to the ballroom alone. “They are a bunch of stuck-up nobodies.” Naska sneered, remembering their blank expressions when she asked for help from the other servants. They just looked at her like she was some idiot. Well, they are idiots! Naska lashed back. They all were. Just no good stupid humans- Especially that blond. Doxy was her name! How could Naska forget? She nearly pushed the stupid blond maid down after she refused to show her the way. She even dared to say I wasn’t allowed in as none of the servants were. I’m not some servant. Naska felt the bile sneak up her throat again. She was both hurt and offended. I’m not some servant- I’m Lord Mykhol’s lover. And I will go where I please. And if she wanted to go to the ball, she would go. Not that she gave one good damn about a dance. It was Mykhol she wanted. Where could he be? And as Naska charged past the guards to storm into the room, she imme
*Mykhol*As soon as the song was over, Mykhol wasted no time. He strolled through the crowd swiftly. His long legs carried him over the marble floor in little time. “Lord Mykhol?” Hidi calmly noted him while still holding Ana in the air.“Your majesty,” Mykhol barely managed a bow before turning.“I got your food, Anastasia.” Mykhol lifted the plate to see the girl’s eyes widen. “Ah, Cousin.” Ana’s cheeks pinked as he expected they would.“Are you hungry yet?” You must be. But Mykhol didn’t need to say it. Her hunger was evident on her cute little face.You must be famished. “I thought you’d like to take a break after all this dancing.” With everyone else but me. But Mykhol, again, kept that thought to himself. Instead, he only smiled.“Should we go and eat?” “Oh, yes. I- er?” Ana suddenly seemed to remember she was being held up in the air.“Um? Hidi?” “Oh, Ja, food is a good idea.” Hidi set her back down before taking her hand.“I hope you enjoyed yourself, my dear Anastasia.”
*Ana*“Why-” The breath is knocked out of me as I look at my stained fingers. The red color is spreading thinly over my hands as I stare on.Why is there blood? I touch my nose again to find more- it’s bleeding.Am I having a nosebleed? But that can’t be possible- Vampires don’t unless-Mykhol! I look up to my cousin for answers, but his hands freeze in place. His face is pale. He looks as lost as I am.“Mykhol, something is-!” The pain rips through me again. It’s not my stomach anymore. My whole body is on fire. My skin feels like it’s tearing open.What’s happening!?“It hurts!” I can’t even stand. My legs wobble as I feel my strength leave me. I’m going to fall.“Ana, hold onto me.” Mykhol is quick at my side. I squirm against the feeling of his arms around me. The touch hurts. Everything hurts.“I-” I barely gasp as I find a pause between the throbbing. I look at Mykhol, looking down on me with a woeful look. But it’s no longer a surprise. It’s like he knows what it means.So do I
*Nicoli*“Ana!” Nicoli cried as he reached out his arm toward her. They were leaving the room.No, I can’t- I must follow! Nicoli moved to try to catch up to them. But just as he was about to lift his foot, he could feel an arm around. And then he was being held back as they grew tighter. “Mama!?” Nicoli turned to find it, none other than his mother. “Stay back, baby.” Queen Belinda swiveled to turn away from the door. She buried her face into his neck before letting out a quick sob. “My god-” Nicoli could hear the distress in her voice. She was shaking as she held him. The sight had shocked her as much as everyone else.But Ana-Nicole turned his head to look back. They were gone out the door. Only a line of blood trailed behind them. Blood… Nicoli looked down at the drops that stained the white marble. There was so much of it. It was in pools.Ana’s bleeding? Nicoli barely collected himself from the sight on the balcony. Her white dress was no longer white. It was stained red.
*Hidi*As the music continued to play, Hidi could see the verifiable change amongst the attendees. The once enthusiastic girls now merely moved through the motions. Hidi doubted anyone was enjoying it. No one in the room even wanted to be there. But with Queen Belinda ever present, they didn’t want to come off as rude. So, the dance moved on. Though their faces no longer smiled and were drawn with worry and quick whispers.“Do you think it's safe?” One girl whispered near them.“The King said they had it under control.” Another followed. However, as much as they tried to assure themselves, it didn't seem to stick. Girls nervously looked over their puffed-sleeved shoulders to the door. They appeared almost expectant that someone, likely Ana, would come running in.Stupid girls. Hidi could only look down on them. They were silly, with small heads and tiny brains. Hidi held no such fear. Even if Hidi were afraid, she'd still have no reason to because she was a giant. And Giants natur
*Mykhol*Why did that damn queen have to throw us so far away from the center- it was taking him forever to get back. Mykhol cursed every step he had to endure. Mykhol gritted his teeth as he tried to press harder. His arms pulled Ana closer. She passed out by now. Thankfully.She wouldn’t have to scream in pain as he had to make the long journey back. But when she wakes up, it will be the real problem. Mykhol needed to get her back pronto.“I’ll take it from here,” Mykhol shouted over his shoulder. The guards following behind him nodded and stopped as he turned the corner. He could see their rooms just ahead.But despite his claim, he could still feel the man follow. Worse, the man was determined to keep up with him. Mykhol felt a growl rip in his throat. “I said, I got it- go back!” Mykhol spat at King Alexander. His fangs were on full display.“But-” King Alexander moved his hand as if to reach out. He was still trying to keep up. But this only made Mykhol angrier.Why must he
*King Alexander*It was some time into the night when the door clicked in the hall. King Alexander shifted back to his feet at full alert as he watched for the door. It was an opening for someone to step out.“Your Majesty?” One of the guards behind him, shifted by King Alexander, threw back his hand.“It’s alright.” He spoke evenly. No trace of fear could be heard or seen from the man because he wasn’t.“Ana?” King Alexander gently called and took a step forward. He could hear someone shift in the doorway. Was it her? King Alexander tried to lean closer before he heard the guards shift. He couldn’t move any closer without them following.King Alexander worried that the sight of them might frighten Ana back into her room. And she might not come out again. King Alexander needed to be careful. So he stopped where he was. But his eyes focused on the door.“Ana, baby? Are you okay?” King Alexander called again, this time a little louder. Besides, he heard something move.Is she afraid to
*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
*King Alexander“Your Majesty, we’re here,” Johan’s voice woke Alexander from his sleep.“Are we?”Alexander grumbled, shifting up in his seat. He blinked a few times to help adjust his sight before looking out the window to see if it was true.“How long was I asleep?” It surprised him he even could. Alexander barely slept the entire ride. He should have though, because now his eyes cursed him.“Not long,” Johan answered as the door opened. The familiar smell of sand immediately washed over them. Alexander took in a deep breath and closed his eyes nostalgically.It’s good to be back. Alexander relaxed as everything flooded back to him. Though he loved his country, something about Nochten weighed in his heart.Maybe it was because of their past, or it was Parsul’s home. But now, he had other reasons. But that twisted his stomach thinking of her.“I hope we aren’t too late.” Alexander got up first. “They’ve made themselves quite busy with me gone.”But it was better to know this now. Ale
*Mykhol* Now, standing left behind on the platform with Ana gone along with Admiral Nugen and Sir Pendwick, Mykhol breathed out. He hadn’t realized he was holding his breath till now. “How did he…get the book?” Mykhol dropped his smile by inches until it was fully gone to a straight line.That, Mykhol hated to admit, could have turned out much much worse. Despite his planning, the idea of the book falling into the wrong hands had never occurred to him.And in the very hands of Admiral Nugen of all people. However, it had, somehow, someway. Mykhol again felt something shift under his skin as things were adding up. Someone took that from Father’s safe. Someone knew they had it. Moreover, they knew the lock combination to get it out.Something which, as far as Mykhol was aware, should have only been three people: Father, Mother, and himself.So it seems we have a little mouse on our hands. Mykhol smirked as he glanced back to the corner. But the corner was already empty. The silent b
*Ana*“It’s because of me.” Mykhol steps forward. “I did it.”“Cousin?” My breath crawls out as I, Admiral Nugen, no, the whole room is shocked into silence. What did he just say? Did he just admit that he is-? No, it can’t be- I breathe to catch myself again. Mykhol wouldn’t do that. He would never- No, I shake my head. It can’t be. Mykhol is family. And families wouldn’t betray each other.I have to have misheard. But Mykhol doesn’t look back at me. He is stepping down the platform. And meets Admiral Nugen at his side. “Lord Mykhol?” Admiral Nugen stiffens “What is the meaning of this?” Mykhol however, does not look at him, instead he turns to face the room.“You heard correctly. I am responsible.” Mykhol goes with a stronger voice. “I have failed you all.” “What is he talking about?” Someone whispers.“Responsible for what?” More start to perk up.“Mykhol?” Aunt Funda, meanwhile, steps up. Her hands are clenched up at her chest, her face dead white. “Honey, what are you doing
*Ana* “Your Empress?” Aunt Funda coughed to make me blink awake again. I can suddenly make her out.“Are you…alright?”“That-yes,” I say but in truth I am not sure. How long was I just sitting there? Staring off into nothing? By looking over the room, it might have been a good long time. Because now, everyone is looking at me. I have their attention.That’s a rarity on its own. That’s right, we are in court. I suddenly remember as if my mind was slowly unthawing. I was holding a meeting today. Because Admiral Nugen has- My thoughts stop again. But their stares prompt me to need to do something.Yes. I think sluggishly. I should speak, shouldn’t I? “I-” But just as quickly as I make a sound, it closes. My mouth clamps shut and I swallow. The words seem too big to force out.What I want to say and what I’m trying not to say seem to mix up. I have to use more effort to push out something logical. It has to be, logical, I mean. I don’t want to let my emotions get the better of me.I
*Mykhol*“Mother, Father,” Mykhol greeted, feeling eyes on him almost immediately as he entered the courtroom. It was almost like everyone was waiting more for him. Maybe they are, especially the women. Mykhol smiled at no one in particular. The action set more than a few women to react. Mykhol could hear the soft dreamy sighs and underlining lust for him. It helped swell his pride.They were so easy. But they were not what held his attention as he lifted a brow at the startling discovery. “Is she still not here?” Mykhol noted the throne was empty. Ana was nowhere to be seen.When I’m already this late? How very unlike her. It wasn’t like Ana to break habit. But Mykhol relaxed. If she wasn’t here, all the better. She wouldn’t notice he was tardy too. Though it would be a bit funny if she did. Because then she would want to know why. And wouldn’t that be a fun surprise? Something caught in his chest at the idea. How would she react if I told her what I was just doing? Hearing al