*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* It was as if he was compelled to revisit it, wondering despite the cold. Nothing seemed to stop him from ending up at the spot. Once again, Nicoli found himself coming to the same place.The last place he saw her.I wish I could forget it. Nicoli thought, but the memory was etched inside now. Every detail was vivid and haunting. And it kept playing back over and over.The sky was colored white in snowfall, but Ana's red shawl stood out. It was blinding against the white sky while her silver hair danced and coiled against the wind. And Anas' eyes were bright and clear as they met. "Nicoli-" Her little hand reached for him expectantly. As they had the other times before. Her lips broke into a hardy smile.But Nicoli did not smile. He didn’t reach back. No, he was a coward.He turned and ran. He was running, running so fast and hard that his heart was beating through his chest. He pushed his feet hard into the slippery snow. His mind spinning as if desperate to get away as soon
*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*Mykhol didn’t return until late the following day. And as if it came naturally to him, 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. It looked 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.
*Belinda*Belinda tapped her quill on the desk as she looked at the letter. It was somewhat of a little feat to retrieve it off of Post Master Nettle without anyone the wiser. But of course, Julia had managed. Belinda could count on her for things like this.But getting the letter into her hands was one thing. Now was the question of what could be done with it. What was Belinda going to do? Briefly, she regarded Nicoli’s hand script on the envelope. It had improved.Even I can see that. Belinda had to admit. But the reason it had to do with that bastard child, only soured her mood further. Belinda tapped her quill with more force. She was practically stabbing into the desk’s wood now. The quill’s nip got duller as small chunks of wood came up.“My Queen,” Julia broke the silence at last. “We can no longer delay the letter. They will check and wonder why it hasn’t been sent.”“I’m well aware of the time frame, Julia.” Belinda glanced over at her. Julia bowed with a quick apology. But
*Ana*Another week of nothing from Nicoli. I don’t mean to but I find my thoughts fall back to it. It’s going to be another week of nothing from Dawny.At some point, I’ll need to stop counting. I know. If anything, to help clear my thoughts. I know I should stop wasting my energy on this.I know I should but-I need to study. I tell myself. It’s not the time to be distracted. Things move on. And so must I.I make to start reading my book once more before I hear the sound of a soft snore.“Cousin?” I cannot help but look over my book to find Mykhol. I can’t help but roll my eyes at the sight, as sure enough, he is doing it again.If it’s that boring, he should leave. I watch his head drop off his hand as if about to sleep only to jolt himself awake again and sit up. He moves to shift the book onto his lap as if to read, but it’s clear he’s not.And I find his insistence to pretend almost laughable.“You could go if you wanted, Cousin,” I say, breaking the silence. “I’m fine by myself.”
*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
*Julia*“Your Majesty.” Julia piped up, although she knew it was hopeless, that Belinda was already set in her ways. And sure enough, Belinda proved her right.“He wants to go,” Belinda went, her grey eyes watching both her beloved men step into the carriage. “You know, I can’t stop him.” Belinda went on, seeing Nicoli move for the carriage, his excitement clear to see, even from where they stood on the platform. Nicoli lingered to give one last wave and blow of a kiss. Belinda cracked a little, but quickly defaulted back to her icy demeanor as it was now Alexander’s turn.He looks even worse than when he first came back to Dawny some weeks ago. Julia thought with a sinking feeling. Alexander’s face had changed in his short stay, it was sunken to show his cheekbones, and his tan skin was losing color. Even his eyes were different, the blue shine was gone and dull.Alexander had stopped coughing shortly after a few days rest, but now new ailments attacked him, a shortness of breath, an
*Hidi*“Don’t be a pussy, Mama.” Hidi sighed with a roll of her eyes. But really, it wasn’t like she was asking for much. So why did she have to be so obstinate? Hidi pouted.It was one thing for her to be stubborn, but that was different. She was queen now, but even before, Hidi was always that way, never letting up, until she got exactly what she wanted, which she always did. But it was quite something else to have someone treat her the same.No, it’s worse. Hidi thought looking over to her mother, dressed in her thick bear fur coat. No, it was, because Bratha was so much worse. If Hidi was stubborn, Bratha was the main source. She oozed defiance, down to her bones, set in her ways, a queen to the very end, even still, in her older age. But, perhaps it wasn’t just because of her natural stubbornness. Bratha didn’t fear Hidi as everyone else did. No, Bratha didn’t fear anyone. And it was because of that, she had no problem refusing Ana’s invitation now. Even with Hidi’s insistence