*Johan*Johan looked over the wing quietly. He was careful to hold his thoughts lest someone were to hear. One never knew who could be listening. The Queen's spies were just as prevalent as the kings.So Johan took great caution to keep himself observant yet passive. But there were moments that even he felt tempted like he was now. He again felt his tongue twitch as he noted the lackluster hallway. Not a shred of decor or decorum. Johan thought and felt the back of his neck stiffen. The hall was almost lonely compared to the rest of the castle. It's not at all fit for guests usually. How convenient that there were no other rooms available save here. Johan twitched his lips to give a sarcastic smile. He couldn’t help but find it petty. The Queen needn't stoop so low. But Johan quickly dropped the thought as his real business came to light. He had been waiting for the royal captain’s report. And he could see the burly man finally bound up at last. His little meeting with his subordin
*Naska*Naska lifted her head as she heard the sound at the door. Someone had stopped to try the knob. It instantly made Naska frown out of reflex.What do they want now? Naska had just finished talking with the royal captain, an insufferable exchange, from her point of view. It annoyed her greatly how all the humans kept bugging them, always coming back up to ask more questions about the Empress.Can’t they go away? Naska growled before seeing the door open. Her back straightened as she expected to see the same human again. But immediately, she felt her face drop. It wasn’t him- it was none other than Mykhol.“My lord.” Naska immediately brightened at the sight of him. Mykhol nodded slightly before closing the door. Naska could see he had changed yet again. He wore a thin cotton gown- more for the Nochten summer heat, but it sufficed in Dawny.“Have you bathed-” Naska was about to ask, hoping to use the chance to sneak away with him. But Mykhol nodded again. He didn’t want to talk-
*Nicoli*Nicoli could hear the sound of footsteps crunching down the pavement. He looked up but wasn’t surprised to see who it was. It could only be three people- well, four if he included Thomas.But Nicoli never liked to include Thomas. The man was never something to consider in Nicoli's eyes. And Thomas, no doubt, felt the same. But that was neither here nor there.Watching them come up, Nicoli only turned back to the cup in his hands. He gently tested the string. It was yanked taunt, so it should work. But yet, the line remained silent this whole time.I guess she isn’t awake yet. Nicoli gave a hearty sigh.Nicoli had been waiting since the mid-afternoon till the early evening. And things were starting to grow dark. But still, Nicoli held the cup obediently. With a periodic check to see if it was still quiet, and it was. Nicoli looked back up to the window above- Ana’s window. It looked dark inside. Was everyone else asleep?“How long do you plan to stay out like this?” Johan voi
*Ana*“Hmmn?” I stir at the strange sound. It’s a sort of insect buzz that fills the room. “Wha-” I try to speak, but my tongue is dry and stupid. I need to snap my mouth a few times to get the saliva working before I try again.“Crickets? Why?” I slowly open my eyes as the sound drones on. I see the canopy of the bed above me. Just as I thought, I was still in my room. But why do I still hear those damn crickets?“Hmm,” I scrunch my nose as I feel a rush. The light hurts and gives a light throb above my right eye. I wince before blinking a few more times to wake up. I must have been asleep for quite some time.“Good morning, sleepy head-” A voice calls. It’s close. Closer than I expected anyone to be.“Cousin?” I groan as my eyes focus. I find a face looming over me. Mykhol is next to me on the bed. “What time is it?” I get up to rub my eyes and peer around for Naska. She doesn’t appear to be in the room. Did she go to get more blood? Or take a break? I doubt she will be gone for
*Ana* It’s vaguely clear I am drinking. I can feel the smooth glass in my hand. It’s warm, thanks to the water. But the blood tastes like nothing. I keep sipping until I realize the glass is empty.“Oh?” I pull back, a little embarrassed. But it doesn’t last before I grow distracted again. My eyes stare back out the window. All to see the chance that he may be back.Where did he go? And Why? How long will he be? I wish I had asked at that moment.“It's quiet…” I mutter as I listen to the insects. Mykhol says something here, but I don’t catch it. I’m sure it wasn’t necessary. I should have asked. I sink into my couch and cradle the glass. I want another but don’t at the same time. “Do you think he left…for the night?” I turn to find Mykhol taking the cushion beside me. His arm rests behind my head, and he lets out a puff of his cologne. “It is late-” Mykhol leans over me. He takes the glass from my hand to finger the remains. It’s surprising to see because Mykhol has never been one
*Mykhol*Mykhol closed the door but lingered on the threshold. Any minute now, he expected the door to open. Ana would come bursting out any moment. Ana will be worried about me; Mykhol knew she saw him bleeding. So, of course, she would be concerned. Mykhol smiled at the idea of Ana coming to his aide. She was so small, so what could she do? Give him a bandage? Kiss his cuts?“Kiss them?” Mykhol thought of her lips. How gently would it be? A kiss from her could cure any pain he had. And then some. Mykhol could feel himself fidgeting with the idea. So Mykhol stayed, waiting for the sound of feet. But the longer he stood, the more he felt guards turn to him.“What is he doing?” Someone whispered. Mykhol could feel more eyes turn to him. “Idiots.” Mykhol turned to block out the annoying pests. Mykhol wished they could mind their business. But even then, he felt his gut tighten. Again, he expected to see the door open, and Ana burst out in a fret. ‘Your bleeding,’ She would say. ‘H
*Ana*It is another hot day, and the sun warms my skin. It breaks my constant chill. A chill I can’t seem to shake no matter how much I drink. I still can’t keep a decent temperature.But even as I enjoy the sun, I must be careful. Sunsickness is still a risk, even if Dawny is cooler. So, I must take caution and pull up my shawl. It’s better to be cautious. I am wise for my age. But I see I am not the only one. Someone has ensured Nicoli and Hidi do the same with a white tent below the window. The tent is also furnished, like a small house. Carpets spread over the grassy ground with a table and chairs. And the maids take rotation around the clock. I see them come in with trays of refreshments; most of the plates seem to be of pastries and sweets.All those sweets. I think before my chest sharpens with a dull pain. If it were only a week before, I would have been excited to see such cakes or cinnamon rolls come steaming fresh from the ovens. Now, though, I feel nothing. They don’t l
*Nicoli*“Ah, you can’t?” Nicoli didn’t try to hide his disappointment. It was the worst thing he could hear all day. And he had been looking so forward to it- he even ate fast so he could come back.I even got hiccups. Nicoli kicked the ground before throwing on the most prominent pout. It seemed to move Ana, but not enough to change her mind. “I’m sorry.” Ana’s voice vibrated into the cup. It did sound remorseful, but Nicoli didn’t want an apology.I want to play!“Boo!” Nicoli watched Ana close the window and step away. And with that, she was gone. They would not play for the rest of the day.Because she wants alone time, Nicoli repeated with a pause. What does that even mean? Nicoli didn’t need alone time- not when Ana was back.I still want to play. Nicoli kicked a dandelion to throw up the seeds. The seeds threw up into the air and to Hidi’s face. She moved to blow on them.“Come, Nicoli, we can still play.” Hidi was still in good spirits. But Nicoli refused.“It’s no fun with