Chapter 8 Uncle and the Family Business

*Uncle*

Ana’s Uncle did not enjoy change. He was a systematic man with a tendency to habit. It was a quality that he and his niece seemed to share. But each for different reasons.

Where Ana followed routines to fight her isolation, Uncle preferred it.

Uncle was a slow speaker and could not keep up with banter. He was not clever or had a way for pretty words. He was the sort of man you would forget after the meeting.

Though Uncle knew himself to be this way, he never saw it as a nuisance. Instead, it was pretty beneficial as he was talented in other areas- areas like money.

Uncle had made himself known as a man for numbers. He was called proficient when it came to them. So much so that he was elected by the court to take on the empire’s treasury.

A title he took great pride in- as it made it so much easier to rob the coffers blind. 

Even if there were suspicions, no one would talk if they did. Uncle relaxed at the sight of his future in comfort and luxury.

Being both related to the ruler and acting regent made him immediately free of suspicion. And if there were any to make such accusations, their fate would be sealed. It would be seen as an act of treason against the crown itself.

Uncle could not have asked for a better chance at life. 

At that very moment, he was just in the middle of doing another transfer. A neat sum was being skimmed off from one of his nieces’ charities. It was a considerably more significant chunk than he would usually move, but he had already planned what excuse to use.

“Expenditures,” Uncle voiced as he wrote into the account log when the door of his study flew open.

Not expecting company, the man looked up with a start. His heart only dampened at seeing the familiar figure of the tall woman enter. He could see from his wife that she was upset over something. 

What was it now? Uncle sighed. 

Funda was more emotional than he. Her emotions could be too overwhelming at times for the grounded man. She was prone to moods. But Funda was manageable. It was why he had decided to make do with her overall. 

She was the easier sister of the two, after all. Initially, Uncle had once pined for her sister, Empress Parsul. But the woman had proven to be too much of a hurdle for his abilities.

Empress Parsul was too sharp for his soft tongue and too willful for his predictability. Her presence demanded attention and praise wherever she went. Like the sun that could burn the Nochten sands, she intimidated everyone around her.

So, eventually, Uncle found himself no match for her. Thus, Uncle played a safer route. He wooed and married her sister. 

A marriage, which over time has turned out to be quite a financial gain. Uncle was glad to see. He chose the better half and was grateful. The woman’s emotions were but a trifle of annoyance.

He could handle them.

“Wife, what brings you now? I am in the middle of my work-“ Uncle started and lowered his quill. He knew until Funda left, Uncle was not to get any work done.

“I must talk with you.” Aunt Funda was dire and closed the door. The knob clicked to lock. To lock the door meant they would be having one of their more ‘serious’ conversations.

Uncle waited for his wife to gather her thoughts. Instead, she seemed to be in a state of panic and began to pace the room. Her arms folded over herself as her eyes shifted from one spot to the next.

“There’s a letter from Dawny,” Aunt Funda began. Uncle frowned at the news.

“Dawny?”

Aunt Funda nodded at his question.

“The King has invited her to visit. He wants her to meet the Prince.” Aunt Funda shook her head. Uncle felt stunned at the words.

“Invite?” Uncle breathed the foreign word.

“And what is her answer?”

“She plans to go. I’m tasked with luggage and setting plans for the coaches.” Her eyes darted. She went around the room before stopping on her husband. The short, plump vampire deepened his frown.

“I don’t follow. Why is the King suddenly inviting her? What brought on this change?” Uncle voiced, trying to see the logical line. He was more than aware that no letters had been sent before. The negligent father had been silent since his niece's arrival. Years had passed between then and now.

“When did this all start?”

“I don’t know, myself,” 

“But it must have something to do with that new maid. The human.” Aunt Funda fumed.

“She’s influencing the girl somehow. I saw how she made the child laugh just before-“

“Laugh?” Uncle reeled back.

“Our niece? Are you sure?” 

Could she laugh?

“She is changing, and that maid is to blame.” Aunt Funda looked at her hands. Her tiny crescent cuts were red in her palm.

“I hadn’t noticed till now, or I would have stopped it.” She lifted to lick the dried blood.

“I should have eaten the human when I was given a chance then. just look at us!” 

Aunt Funda to her husband and leaned over. Her hands gripped the sides of his desk to make the wood creak with pressure. Uncle and her locked eyes. Her wild eyes bounced against his own steady but worried ones.

“This is the end of us.” 

“We won’t be able to continue our plans. He will see right through and have everything undone- she’ll be untouchable.” Aunt Funda cried at the severity of it. 

“All we’ve set in motion will be for nothing. A waste!” 

Uncle kept his eyes firmly on her turbulent expression. Funda was distraught, and he understood perfectly why. But he lacked the sensitivity to soothe her mood.

Instead, he needed to think. So his mind processed the situation, trying to see it at all angles.

Perhaps…, a thought came to Uncle then. 

“Let us not drop to conclusions, dear wife.” Uncle voiced evenly, trying not to provoke her.

“This may be nothing but smoke.” 

“Smoke?” Aunt Funda cried with disbelief.

“Are you fool enough to think us safe when there is such a clear threat? If the King supports her-“ Uncle moved to place his hand over the woman. He gave her a steady look.

“He may not have any more intention than that of a negligent father to an unwanted child.” Uncle voiced evenly to see his wife soften a little. The sight made him relax in his chair. 

“This could be an act of guilt on his part. After forgetting our niece for so long, he must feel ashamed. But this is only to ease his conscience. He doesn’t really intend it to go further.” 

“Like an act of penance, you mean?” Aunt Funda voiced much more softly than before. She had begun to calm down at his voice. Uncle nodded. 

“Yes. And when it's done, all will go back to before. He will ignore her again.” 

“But how can you be so sure?” Aunt Funda asked, but her voice was calm. The vampiress had softened up by her husband's gaze. He was oddly calming to her. 

Once, she had found the man ugly and dull, but that was then. She was young and did not know the value of such qualities. However, Uncle had proven himself to be more than just a fine husband through the years.

You chose poorly, dear sister. So Aunt Funda thought and looked lovingly at him. She could not stop appreciating how solid and reliable he was.

Uncle smiled before taking up Funda’s hand to kiss it.

“Because the King has a son. And what do Kings care for more than to have an heir to the throne?” Uncle spoke logically, and Funda nodded.

“Empress Anastasia is nothing but a token of a failed marriage. She has no value and will be forgotten again soon enough.” Uncle went on. 

Aunt Funda could see his logic and returned a smile. 

“That may be,” Aunt Funda returned and moved to lace her fingers through his.

“But what if we are wrong? He may still grow attached and care for her.”

Uncle moved to kiss them gently. 

“We’ll monitor the situation. Allow things to play out, dear wife.” Uncle gently let go of her.

“We’ll react when there is something to react to.” 

Aunt Funda moved to touch his cheek. She inwardly felt a little ashamed. She had been too hasty to start panicking.  

The King would still end up abandoning her again. He did it before, so why change now? Things could still go their way. Nothing lost. Aunt Funda thought. She moved to kiss the top of her husband’s bald head.

Uncle moved to kiss her on the lips before moving to take up the quill. He already wanted to return to his numbers. 

“Winter break is coming.” Aunt Funda stopped. Uncle popped up his head from the papers. He was first annoyed at being interrupted but then softened. Finally, he smiled, knowing what she meant. 

“Perhaps Mykhol shall pay a visit?” Uncle spoke knowingly. Aunt Funda nodded. A smile grew to show fangs followed by a dark laugh.

“How nice to have the family back together again.” The thought left them both in a devilishly better mood. 

*Ana*

I see the moon out my window. The cool desert air kisses my cheeks. They are still warm from all the laughing and dancing from this afternoon. 

Who’d imagine I would be the one to do that? I smirk to myself before closing my eyes. The breeze pushes my hair back to tickle my neck.

I’m still basking in the wave of events. The whole afternoon was such a rise of emotions. And Maddie seemed just as happy about the news as I was. 

Luckily I knew better than to overwhelm myself. As for Maddie- 

I check to see her passed out on the couch. She wore herself out from dancing and was now fast asleep. 

A loud snore rips from her lips, and I cover my mouth not to laugh. When the room grows quiet again, I can focus on myself. 

There is an urge to scream- I think it’s from excitement. The idea that I can go and see my brother and how father wants me still- But I also feel a part say that I shouldn't be so quick to enjoy things.

I can hear a warning bell in my head. It says not to trust it. That somehow I will be punished for reaching too far.

I need to be careful.

So I am. I allow myself just to be a little happy- just a small smile with the moon as my only witness. I know she won’t tell. The moon can keep secrets. 

I can even feel a strange veil of protection fall over me as I sit in her pale light.

I still can’t believe this is happening,

The idea still throws me into a spin. I am doubtful one minute and hopeful the next. And the hope is growing over time. I can see my father. And I will meet my new brother.

I’m going to have a family again. A real one. The one that’s warm like Maddie’s hands.

I’m going back home. 

A tear breaks free, and I quickly wipe it off with the back of my hand. There are just a lot of feelings swirling in my chest. Feelings I thought I would never have.

But this is happening. I remind myself. Things won’t be the same. I’m going to leave Nochten for the first time in four years.

“Nicoli,” I test the name. My lips tingle at the pronunciation. 

“Nicoli,” I scrunch up my nose as it tickles.

“I’m coming to see you, Nicoli,” I look back to the moon. When I do, an idea pops up.

Perhaps I should bring gifts? My brother will still be small. He would certainly appreciate them. 

But what does a four-year-old want?

I have no experience with little boys. And I am not one. I don’t know what they would like.

Perhaps Maddie will? I look over at the sleeping woman.     

As if some supernatural force unseen to make the maid know my thoughts, Maddie begins to mutter in sleep.

“No…not the bears again. They…can’t fit the dress.” She flops over to lie on her stomach. Another loud snort follows.

“Bears?” I repeat. 

A bear? Like a- oh, that can work. I smile at the sleeping woman.

“Thank you, Maddie,”

Inspired, I leave to go for some paper and a quill in my study. I start to conjure up what I think of. Once satisfied with the design, I stepped up to now stand over my work.

“I’ll send for a toymaker tomorrow to get it started.” I am happy with my work. 

I hope this will make him smile. My heart flutters, but I don’t even know what he looks like. Maybe he looks just a little more like me?

I hope so.

This shall be the first gift I will give you. I turn to check back on the moon. She smiles back at me to show I can trust her. I do.

“Good night, little brother,” I whisper with thoughts of what he will look like.