*Ana*“Where is she?” I can’t help but look up from the book to check the clock. Bad idea. It only makes me more aware of the time.It’s already morning. I should already be bathed and dressed. At the very least, I should have had my breakfast by now.But I am still alone. Maddie never came back last night.“Surely, it doesn’t take this long to deliver a letter.” Did Maddie get lost or something? Or did she fall into some gossip?“Maddie,” I shake my head. I swear if she got caught up gossiping with the laundry girls again-“Maddie, You are going to get quite an earful.” And then some, I return to the book. Silly Maddie, but it does seem likely though. Maddie does get distracted.And if that’s the case, I’m sure she’ll tell me all about it soon enough. Any minute now, she will come bursting in.‘Ana, guess what I heard. You won’t believe it, but-’ She will go and excitedly gush over all the details. And I will just have to sit and listen. Until she tires herself out, she won’t stop.
*Ana*“Maddie?”I blink, taking in the sight of her. It is Maddie. But then again, at the same time, it’s like looking at a stranger.This Maddie is different from the one I know. She’s changed overnight. Her smiles are long gone, and her constant chatter is dead silent. Even those bright brown eyes are now just a shadow of what they once were.And they won’t look up at me.“Maddie?” I call again softly. How could they do this to you?They beat her severely. Enough for a bruise to bloom over an eye, and her lip is cut and swollen. There's dried blood caked up under her nose.“Your Empress,” Someone speaks. It’s Mykhol. I didn’t even feel him come to my side. But I see him now.He is not looking at Maddie but at something in the crowd.“We found something.”Mykhol gestures from the side for someone to step up. The crowd separates to allow a man to pass through. He holds something in his hands. My letter. I recognize it almost immediately as he comes closer. It blares brightly against
*Mykhol*“Not so big-mouthed, are we?” Mykhol whispered under his breath, enjoying the sight. But as good as it was to see Maddie dragged away, he couldn't help but be disappointed. Was this it? No kicking or screaming? No last pleas for mercy? Mykhol thought she would at least try something. Use some excuse or story to save herself.But no? Nothing? Maddie was dead silent. She didn't fight. She wouldn't even look at Ana. Not that it would change anything. Mykhol knew the maid was good as gone now. Her fate was sealed. Speaking of which, Mykhol relished the moment with a secret smile. It was time to finish the show. “Her Empress has been a victim of her youthful naivety. But fear not.” Mykhol paused to bow.“We have rooted out the traitor, and our Empress is safe again.”Mykhol ended with one of his smiles. It instantly worked. The room lit up with blushes from the girls and cheers from the men. “Good, good.” One noble went to her maid and blushed.“Thank god Lord Mykhol was he
*ANA*“It’s time,” Mykhol leans down to meet me. I see him put on a sad smile as if he understands.But I don’t think he can. I don’t think any of them will. All they see is a human who was caught. They don’t know her like I do.They won’t miss her laugh or her smiles or her- I have to stop myself there before I turn sick. A new wave of pain runs up my chest, beating hard into my heart. I flinch but breathe. I quickly blink back the hot tears.No, I won’t cry. I refuse to. It’s the one thing I can still manage on my own today. I swallow before daring my eyes to look ahead to see the most difficult thing.Uncle Charles was right when he said it would take a day to build. The scaffold looms over the courtyard with a sinister presence. Its shadow stretches out like a skeleton's hand, grasping for its next victim.I hate it. I immediately want to strike it down as it is. I hope never to see it again. But that’s only half of it. It’s seeing the person on top that cuts me the deepest.As
Nicoli found himself wondering again. Despite the cold, he still ended up at the spot. It was where he last saw Ana. I wish I could forget it. So Nicoli thought but knew it was useless. The memory was etched into his mind. Every detail was vivid and haunting. And it kept repeating itself. The day was snowing. Ana's red shawl was blinding against the white sky. And her silver hair was dancing in the wind. Anas' eyes brightened when she saw him. Her little hand reached him expectantly like it were any other time. Her lips broke into a hardy smile. "Nicoli-" And Nicoli was running so fast and hard that his heart was beating through his chest. He pushed his feet hard into the slippery snow. His mind spun in fear and shock. Why did I run? Nicoli thought. He wished he knew to explain, if not to her, at least to himself. It was the first time he got to see her. "I should have stayed." I could have talked to her. I could have apologized. Nicoli lamented. It was the whole reason he had
*Naska*“Your food’s gonna get cold.” the new maid, Naska, went to move the plate. Shifting the pool of blood almost to spill over. The meat was practically raw save for a few charred edges.“Look, I picked up the best meat from the cook.”But despite what Naska thought looked savory, the girl just paled.“I can’t eat this.” Ana turned away from the plate for her book. “Take it back.” “You can’t-” Naska’s mouth fell open, suddenly left holding the plate like an idiot. The girl was not being easy at all. “This little bitch.” Naska cursed. She meant it to be quiet, but she underestimated Ana’s hearing.“What did you say?” Ana’s head popped up with a clear glance. “Nothing, your Empress.” Naska lied, but inside, she was only growing angrier.Spoiled brat! Naska cursed silently. She quickly found out that Ana was not an easy master. Naska seemed to have her hands full. Regardless of how nice I am, she is still an ungrateful bitch.Naska looked to the door with a longing stare. If only
*Alexander*“How’s it going, champ?” King Alexander watched Nicoli drag the crayon over.Nicoli was wholly focused on his creation. Probably concerned with showing off to Ana how his drawings were improving since the last time. A child's drawing was not something to trifle with, Alexander learned. Therefore, Alexander gave the boy ample space to achieve his artistic goals and humored him.As long as the letter is done. Alexander had no other worries. “Quite the little artists you are, my boy.” Alexander admired his passionate resolve but wondered who it sourced from. It was certainly not from him.Perhaps the queen?But the thought of Belinda made Alexander frown. Despite the month passing, the events of that morning still did not sit well with him. And he did not know what to think of her at the moment.“All done!” Nicoli lifted the paper with pride.“Er…how lovely….” Alexander narrowed his eyes. “What a nice…mouse?”“Bear! It’s a bear!”“A bear!?” Is that what this terrifying creatu
Mykhol didn’t return until late the following day. And without a second thought, and by nature, he went directly to see Ana. Naska blushed as she let him in. “L-lord Mykhol.” Naska curtsied low to show off her cleavage. Mykhol noted her speak quietly. It didn’t take him long to see why. Ana was still asleep. Her hair was unbraided and spilled over the pillows like cobwebs. And her cherry lips puffed as she gently snored. “She’s going to be quite a beauty when she’s older,” Mykhol spoke. “Just like her mother.” “Lord Mykhol?” Naska blinked up, confused, but Mykhol didn’t explain. Instead, he left to come to her bedside. No, she’ll be better. Mykhol smiled with his fangs. Mykhol pulled open the covers and crawled in. He was careful not to disturb Ana. He did not want her to awaken just yet. Mykhol ventured further and scooped her into his arms. He pulled her close to his chest. Closer, he was able to smell her. Her sandalwood filled his nose with intoxication. I missed this. My