All Chapters of Will Bear the Moon: Chapter 91 - Chapter 100

*Ana*“No, I can’t do this.” I crumble the paper and toss it on the ground. It lands amongst the others.“Maybe I should give up?” Why is this so hard to do? “What was wrong with this one, Ana?” Maddie picks it up to unfold and read. “This one looks fine.” “It’s not.” It’s bad; they all are. There are balls of paper all over the floor. All rejects that weren’t good. I just can’t seem to get it right.“It’s too hard.” I clench my hands. “I’m just not good at this.”“I think we should just pretend this never happened and-” Just carry on like before, but Maddie is spreading the paper out before me.“Maddie-”“I’m telling you, this one is fine.” Maddie steps back. “I mean it. Let’s use this one.”“But Maddie. It’s not-” But Maddie is shaking her head.“You are being too critical of yourself. It is fine. Here, I’ll even read it out loud.”“No, please don’t-” But I’m too late as Maddie starts.“To Prince Nicoli,” “Maddie-” But she throws up her hand at me. “I hope you will find this l

*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.

*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

*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

*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