*Ana* The entire time, Maddie tries her best to stay cheerful. She smiles. Maddie jokes. She even goes so far as to squeeze my fingers and rub my back, but it goes nowhere. It doesn’t shift me from my mood. “And there we are." Maddie smiles again as she finishes the last button. I am standing in a new dress to match the latest shoes- we had to redress because my other shoes to match are not here. So, we had to start from scratch. I now stand in a large grey gown with blue embroidery. The color is appropriate. I feel like the color grey. My tongue and throat are grey. If I open my mouth, grey dust will fall over the room. It makes speaking difficult, and I must swallow it back down. "All done." Maddie squeezes my shoulders before standing to turn me around to face the mirror. “What do you think?” “It’s,” I open my mouth to taste the ash and struggle back a swallow. My eyes burn, but I won’t cry anymore. It won’t help anything. I end up just nodding with approval. The dress, like
*Ana* “Ah!”I let out a sharp cry, short of panic rather than fear. I don’t feel them move, but I blink, and my arms are out. My hand is pushing back whatever is on me. My vampiric strength knocks and smacks into a wall of meat. “Umphf!” whoever exclaims before I hear them tither and fall back as if I knock the air out. But even there, I am still reeling. “Who do you think you are to touch me!” I turn, ready to face this interloper. Whoever it is, they will not go unscathed. I will give them the most severe reprimand they will endure for such foolishness. “I am the Empress of Nochten, you can not-” At least, I think I will until I turn to look down. All at once, my anger dies like a candle blown out as I see someone I least expect. My breath stops as I take what must be the same kind of shock on his face. “Nicoli?” My voice finally finds a path out of my stutter. It’s Nicoli? Is he the one? “Why are you-” the words drop as Nicoli groans. “Ow,” Nicoli sits up. A quick shot of pain
*Mykhol* The king’s wing was rather far, on the castle's other side. It would be quite the walk to get back to their rooms. But that might have been a good thing. Mykhol found the long walk to give him a chance to uncoil. And by the time he passed the main stairs, his mind was clear. He could think of things in a less passionate tone. And he needed it because what just happened shouldn’t have. “King Alexander,” Mykhol thought, recalling the sting of the sword on his throat. The cut was long gone and healed. But Mykhol would not forget it. It awakened a deep anger that Mykhol would not forget. And he never would for as long as he lived. Or as long as King Alexander does. Mykhol mused as he heard the voices ahead. Quickly, Mykhol hid the dark thought beneath a smile. “Hello, Ladies,” Mykhol smiled as easy as the day to the maids. “Working hard, I see.” “L-lord Mykhol,” They bowed in return. The blushes on their faces were evident. Mykhol could feel them dart their eyes to thei
*Ana* “Oh!” I cover my mouth as Nicoli drops the lantern with a harsh clang. The sound is so loud that I can't believe no one heard us. Or worse, what if the lantern broke? I hurried and checked, but it was not. It was a surprise with how hard Nicoli dropped it. But still, I have to frown. “Nicoli, be more careful.” I don't care for his careless treatment of objects. Someone needs to correct him. “ You could have broken that- ah!” Nicoli yanks me forward. “Nicoli-” But his smile steals my anger. Nicoli smiles from ear to ear. And the lantern’s light only warms his face with a soft glow. His blue eyes sparkle in the light. “Don’t be so slow. Come on.” Nicoli pulls again. And suddenly, I remember his hands again. They're warm. I shift my eyes to my shoes. “Ana?” Nicoli smiles, be it a little confused. But he quickly gets back to it. Nicoli pulls me to the center of the round rug before letting go. “Stay right there,” Nicoli orders and marches off. “I’ll be right back.” “Oh,
*Belinda* After breakfast, Queen Belinda gathered her fellow ladies to have tea in her favorite room. The room was one filled with long windows that overlooked the gardens. It was a pleasant spot that Queen Belinda had always found enjoyable. And today was no exception. Surrounded by her ladies, Queen Belinda’s mood improved significantly. She was now in the midst of a conversation. Each was overlapping the next. Everyone was busy talking over who wore what and who did that. It’s all trivial nonsense. Queen Belinda was no fool. But still, it was sweet on her ears. It helped almost erase all that went on just before. Almost. Queen Belinda clenched her dress under the table. It still irked her. I am Queen here. Queen Belinda could feel the sting of being abandoned by both husband and son resurface. It was worse by how quick they were to leave. She ought to have deserved better than this. Not that unwanted thing! Queen Belinda quivered with quiet rage. She forced a sip of tea
*Nicoli* “This should be it.” Nicoli stopped at the door. He put down the lamp with more care this time, mindful of Ana. She's so funny about these things, Nicoli mused. It was just a lantern, but it upset Ana, so he would be careful. “There's no knob?” Ana spoke out to see Nicoli nod. “It's over there.” Nicoli pointed nonchalantly to where he left it. Nicoli didn't know how old the hallways were, but it was old. It was older than him. And knobs falling off doors happened. So he wasn't too surprised when the knob broke. He just pushed it to the side like the others. “Is it broken?” Ana started again before furrowing her brows. “Then, how will we get in?” “Like this.” Nicoli didn't miss a beat as he went for the door. He pushed to give a low creak. As it opened, both could feel a heat wave flood in. It felt delicious in the cold hall. But there was something even better. What luck! Nicoli could recognize the smell. Something was baking in the oven. And it was heavy and sweet.
*Ana* “Alright, alright, enough, you two.” Mr. Brown's voice booms over us. “Settle down.” “Oh!” Nicoli and I stop our attacks to gasp together with delight. Mr. Brown does not disappoint. We are to have a feast! There are slices of cheesecake and strawberries topped with whipped cream. The only downfall is that Mr. Brown provides an accompanying saucer of tea. At the smell, my stomach tightens on reflex. But I don’t get to dwell on it long over Mr. Brown. “There we are.” Mr. Brown announces with a puff of pride in his chest. “The usual.” The plates are set out with the tea before Mr. Brown gives both of us a firm look as if to say the most important thing. “Don’t let it spoil your dinner.” Mr. Brown then breaks into a wink and turns abruptly to return to his duties. “Thank you-” I start but nearly choke as a strawberry shoves into my mouth. I almost fall out of my chair from the near-fatal attack. “Nicoli-” I spit out the strawberry and take a haggard breath. “Nicoli, why did
*Ana* Despite Nicoli’s best efforts to stay ahead, and he does try, weaving in and around corners and hallways, it’s no use. Maddie eventually corners us and drags me away. We return to my room, where Maddie gets to work getting me ready. “I won’t have enough time to restyle your hair,” Maddie grumbles as she tries to tuck the loose strands back into my braid. “If you stayed put-” Maddie stops. “How did you get past me?” “I- I just did,” I say, trying to avoid her eyes. It’s a lie, and I can’t help but feel guilty. It feels wrong to lie to Maddie, but I shouldn’t tell her about the hallway. Nicoli won’t be able to use it if I do. I can’t help but find that worse. I don’t want him not to come. I had fun today because of him—sneaking through the halls, eating in the kitchen, and then trying to run away! It was the most fun I have had since I don’t know when. I don’t want to be the reason it stops. My eyes dart to the tapestry to see nothing amiss. But just looking at it makes me thi
*Ana*“It will take some time, but as long as we keep an open communication,” I pause on habit, turning crimson eyes from the map, half expecting to find the Bulgeon chief either dozing off or distracted. Thanks to my less-than-lustrous experiences in court, creating a low bar for many. However, instead of finding the king of pirates inattentive, I am met with an unwavering gaze of chocolate brown eyes. Amul smiles at me from across the table, bronze-calloused hands folded over the other, still in the same pose he first took when we began three hours ago. He tilts his head, shifting beads of bone to clink against the metal chains, before lifting his bushy eyebrows as if expectant, unaware of anything but just following along.“Open communication?” Amul prompts. “You were saying, Empress?” “I-yes,” I come back to it with a slight laugh. “Sorry, I- it’s not often I have someone listen without interruptions. And for this long,”. “They speak when you speak?” Amul’s brown lips dip down
*Hidi*“Mama!” Hidi exclaimed in billowing steam before digging heels to clack against the limestone pathway. The yellow sigil of Almony on the carriage's black door stuck out like a beacon of hope against the ashen skies ripe with snow. The door swung out seamlessly just in time for Hidi to reach out for her hand. Intending to help her mother down. But the elder blond slapped her hand away with a stinging clap, insistent on getting down on her own. Even now, refusing to give her daughter even the smallest admittance to her declining age.Instead, Bratha rose to her staggering height of eight feet on thick but confident legs before reeling back her lips to pinch her nose as if shocked by a horrible odor.“I forgot how much sand stinks.” She grumbled. Hidi had to giggle.“Mama, be kind.” Hidi looped her arm into her mother's as the servants bobbed their redheads, faces ruddy from waiting in the cold, to make for her luggage. Which, Hidi noted, was not much. Mama does not mean to sta
*Ana*“Am I… “ I blink, gobsmacked, as my mind can not quite process what I just heard. That, or maybe fight it? The sheer audacity that anyone would even think to ask such a question, let alone someone ask me, is unthinkable.“Am…I?” I try again before Amul nods, his brownish-black eyes glinting with amusement and interest, before spreading his beard thin to betray a toothy grin.“Are you a virgin?” Amul repeats slowly but clearly. As if he thought I might not have heard him correctly the first time, before tilting his head to one side quizzically and shifting a sun-bleached dreadlock off his shoulder.“I asked if you have laid with another man before.” “I…?”The words squeaked out of my chattering teeth before stalling on my tongue, again in disbelief that this was happening.But it is. Amul just asked me if I am a…I look back at him, wide-eyed and not sure how to even start to react to such an off-putting question.Should I be angry? Upset? Disgusted? I don’t know. Or maybe this wa
*Ana*At least…everyone is quick to assemble on short notice. I shiver as another gust of wind blows over us, making even me flinch, and pull up my cloak, before stealing a glance back.On the platform, wrapped up tightly in thick cloaks, Aunt Funda and Uncle Charles miserably stand together against the cold on the left side. Underneath the cloak’s hems, I can spy the hint of blue of the matching gown sets I had ordered made for them. Something Aunt Funda insists is too plain, what with not having jewels sewn in or metallic threads used. But Sir Celbest is always quick to remind her of the budget restraints. Or threaten her that she won’t get any new gowns. Something which seems always to make her grow quiet again. Which is quite impressive on its own, but that just proves Sir Celbest making a good treasurer.Better than Uncle, even. I think with a look over to the crowd and find them both together. Both of them, Pendwick and his maternal grandfather, Sir Celbest, stand in the front
*Naska*“She…turned him down?” Lady Funda was still processing between disbelief and joy at the news, but it didn’t take long before her lips lifted to show a fanged smile. With a smile, Naska was quick to pick up.“Oh, yes. She turned him down, alright.” Naska repeated. “It’s a pity you couldn’t have been there to see it with your own eyes.” Naska went on, and Funda laughed, clearly taken in by the thought.“It would have been grand if I could,” Funda admitted. “To see her, shoot him down like that.” She chuckled again, touching her rings, before turning with a smile.” My, good work, Naska. You’ve done wonderfully.” “I have, haven’t I?” Naska beamed, pleased beyond measure how quickly her work was being praised. But of course, Naska knew she would be.Maybe, Lady Funda will give me another of her pretty necklaces again? She hoped so, reminded of the necklace Lady Funda had just given her the other day. Lady Funda liked her so much more now. Her affection was clear by all the gifts
*Ana*“A confession?” What could Pendwick possibly have to confess to me? I must say, it is quite a surprise to hear, coming from him, of all people.Pendwick is the most forthcoming person I know. He may be shy in his words, yes, but he is candid with me. So, it’s quite a surprise to hear we had secrets between us.Though, he did mention something like this before, didn’t he? Back in the garden the other morning? Perhaps this is referring to that?“Pendwick? What is this confession?” I curiously look down at our hands, his cupping over mine, before looking back up. “Have you..done something?”“Done..?” Pendwick flinches, his hands slightly shaking over mine a moment, but takes in a shaky breath, before calming down. “It’s.. not something I wanted to do.” Pendwick lowers his eyes then. “Not intentionally.”Not intentionally he says? “Then, Pendwick, what is it?” I press because now I am starting to feel my stomach tighten, a bit confused. What could he be confessing about? And… what
*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