Chapter 75 Vanilia Or Chocolate (Reviewed & edited 3/24/23) *Ana* The cake is so pretty. But just as I am in awe of it, I can’t help but notice something wrong. It is the number of candles. Aren’t there too many? Isn’t the tradition supposed to be a candle for each year? I try to remember a book I read in the past as a reference. I can't say for sure, as I can’t remember having any birthdays, let alone cakes. Since I lived in Nochten, we don’t celebrate. If I did have any, it would have been when I was three or younger, and that is rather difficult for me to remember for some reason. I bet Father wanted more candles. I look up to my father. He is smiling and happy right now, but he looks like he is about to burst. I can’t help but smile before something shifts beside me. It’s Mykhol. He is pouting. “It’s just a cake,” I hear Mykhol scuff again before crossing his arms and sitting back. “You can have cake anytime, but look at how dumb the King is, smiling like he just invented i
*Belinda* “Wife?” Belinda could feel Alexander looking at her without turning. And no doubt he was making a face that matched his sweet but measured tone. “What did you do?” Belinda only smiled at him. She wasn’t about to reveal anything and wanted to enjoy the moment. Her heart bounced in excitement as Belinda looked around the room at all watching. No one had any idea what she was about to do. Well, almost no one, Belinda noted, spying on the teen. Aside from Julia, Mykhol was the only one to watch on as if waiting. His eyes seemed to shine just as brightly as hers. “To honor our King’s wish for Dawny and Nochten to coincide in peace," Queen Belinda paused to make a bashful laugh on cue. Immediately, the room gave an equal reaction. They were pulled into her act like always. They were eating in the palm of her hand. Belinda moistened her lips before continuing. "I want to present a token of goodwill.” And with that, she motioned to Julia. Julia stepped forward and wordlessly p
*Ana* “But Maddie,” I start again, returning to the door. “I’m not that sleepy. I can still stay up, and,” I yawn. When I yawn, I find the taste of the blue frosting on my tongue. How do I still have cake in my mouth? The party is over now, and we are back in my room, but somehow, I still taste it. It’s sweet but doesn’t taste as good now. The sugar tastes more salty, as if it's off. But I still swallow it down. “What’s that now?” Maddie, meanwhile, smirks after me. “You say you're not sleepy? Are you sure about that?”She then shakes her head and looks at the clock. “Even if you say so, it is late to everyone else. Everyone is going to be in bed.” Maddie rolls her eyes. “What do you think you’ll be doing so late?” “It’s not that late.” I try again. “And I’m not that tired. And I’m sure Nicoli is too-” “The Prince should be asleep even more than you are now.” Maddie goes, cutting me down with a look. “Ana, you can’t win this over on me. Plead and beg all you want, but it is tim
Chapter 78 Silent Mourning *Ana* What a strange dream! I flutter my eyes. Surprisingly, I feel well-rested. I needed more sleep than I realized. “I thought Nicoli came in here.” I start with a look to my side. Of course, it is empty, not that I was expecting him to be here still. It’s just my wishful thinking that someone would still be sleeping there. Of course not. I laugh at my only silliness. It’s just a dream. Why would he come to my room? The idea was too far-fetched, even for me. I want to see him, that is all. I dismiss with an easy smile, even in my dreams. “It was a nice dream, though.” I shift to the side of my pillow to see my silver hair stretch out. I touch it absently. It’s smooth but cold, like the room. I drop my hand to stare at it. Sometimes, it doesn’t feel like it's a part of me. It feels odd how something like that comes from me as my own. The color is just so strange. My hair seems to cause more harm than good. It brings pain and isolation. I shift my he
Chapter 79 The Morning Wail (reviewed & edited 4/17/24) *Ana* As the courtroom doors come into view, I can hear something. Someone is crying. No, it's not just crying; they are sobbing deep, shaking sobs. And they sound young. Who’s crying? My chest tightens as we come closer. The sobs echo and have a lingering pull of desperation to them. Whoever is crying, it must be for something important or something terrible. Someone starts to speak. I recognize it instantly because it sends a shiver down my back. Only one person can initiate such a reaction of fear from me. I feel my breath catch as we stop to open the door. “This is not about a break of customs. This is about trust.” Queen Belinda turns her head when the doors open. There is no announcement, but everyone is waiting for me because they look over at once. Immediately, I can feel the air freeze. Eyes upon eyes are watching me. The crowd roams eyes over me and my uncovered hair distantly. It's like I am something foreign.
*Ana* Who is screaming? I vaguely recognize it. Someone was screaming. The voice was high and shook. It sounded horrified and unhinged. Make it stop. The screaming is too loud. It hurts my ears. Why won’t anyone make her stop screaming? I cover my ears, but it does nothing. It still sounds so loud. My hands can barely block the sound. It’s muffled, but like I put my head underwater. "Ana-" The scream suddenly stops when a hand wraps over my mouth. I feel their other hand circle my waist and pull me in. The arm tightens, and I shudder. I looked up and found it was Mykhol. He’s looking down at me. “Cousin,” My voice is soft and almost lost as a broken whimper shakes my chest. My legs lose form, and I lean against him as my eyes turn back. “No, don’t look,” Mykhol tries to cover my eyes now, but moving from my mouth just gives me the chance to scream again. “Ah!” I scream. I scream from the very bottom of my stomach as tears flow down my cheeks. I don’t need to see it because t
Chapter 81 CRESCENDO*Ana*“No, it-” My voice falls as something in my throat makes breathing hard. And in that moment, the kitten's still and lifeless eyes flash back at me.Suddenly, the eyes change. The dead, cold eyes are now a bright blue. Two beautiful eyes look back at me from the box.They are Nicoli’s eyes. I choke and cover my mouth.“Your Empress! “ Abina turns back to me, still pleading for help. “Please, no-” and reaches for my dress. “I didn’t-”“What have you done?” I step back, almost sick to my stomach. I can’t even bring my eyes to look at Abina. I’m angry with her, but I’m also angry with myself. It could be Nicoli looking at me from the box, Nicoli’s beautiful blue eyes. I might as well have been the one to kill the kitten. I shudder and suck my tongue to the roof of my mouth to stop a scream. “Take her away." Queen Belinda’s words cut through like breaking ice. “What, wait?” Abina lets go, but her eyes flash from me to the guards who move for her. “Wait, no- li
Chapter 82 Mute*ANA*“Why is my cat here?” I can’t stop myself from looking back. What compensation? I am confused. And the kitten only makes me feel lost. What is he doing here? When I left, he was in my room. He looked so warm and happy there. But now, the kitten seems anything but happy.“Cousin?” I feel Mykhol’s arm. He is oddly tense, as if aware of something I am not. And Abina cowers closer to his legs.“What is going on?” I ask, but Mykhol does not mean my eyes. He is looking straight ahead.“Mew!” Nicoli II shifted uncomfortably in the maid's hands. His tail flips from side to side. And his ears are sideways as he leans away from the other maid with the bucket.“The bucket?” What is that for? I look after the maid. But before I can even think of asking, Stepmother continues. “I respect your wish to handle your servant.” Queen Belinda starts up again, and I force myself to look back at her. She has a sharp smile on her face.“But the fact remains that our crown prince was wi