All Chapters of Will Bear the Moon: Chapter 81 - Chapter 90

Chapter 82 Mute*ANA*“Why is my cat here?” I can’t stop myself from looking back. What compensation? I am confused. And the kitten only makes me feel lost. What is he doing here? When I left, he was in my room. He looked so warm and happy there. But now, the kitten seems anything but happy.“Cousin?” I feel Mykhol’s arm. He is oddly tense, as if aware of something I am not. And Abina cowers closer to his legs.“What is going on?” I ask, but Mykhol does not mean my eyes. He is looking straight ahead.“Mew!” Nicoli II shifted uncomfortably in the maid's hands. His tail flips from side to side. And his ears are sideways as he leans away from the other maid with the bucket.“The bucket?” What is that for? I look after the maid. But before I can even think of asking, Stepmother continues. “I respect your wish to handle your servant.” Queen Belinda starts up again, and I force myself to look back at her. She has a sharp smile on her face.“But the fact remains that our crown prince was wi

Chapter 84 On Deaf Ears(reviewed & edited 5.27.24)*Mykhol*Mykhol stood by as the royal family passed them. Queen Belinda met his eye but no more. But he didn’t expect there to be any reaction. Our business is over. Mykhol thought. They both got what they wanted. They wouldn't need each other anymore.It was fun while it lasted. Mykhol had to admit. Mykhol thought he was good. But Queen Belinda's performance was unworldly. I shouldn’t ever make an enemy out of that woman. Mykhol had to shiver. She was formidable.Even for humans, Mykhol had to give credit. But it was a comfort to know that that wouldn’t happen now. Their work here was done. It was now just a matter of tying off the stray pieces.Speaking of which, Mykhol looked over at Ana. She was still kneeling. And her hair was a mess of wild curls.It was jarring to see all that silver where red should be. Mykhol wanted to reach out and grab a fistful. But again, Mykhol also wanted to curl the strands around his fingers.In t

Chapter 86 The Aftermath*King Alexander*“Ha,” King Alexander dropped the quill altogether. It was pointless. He couldn’t focus. He couldn’t for the past few days. His mind kept wandering off to think. Ana’s going to miss the whole thing. Today was the last day for the circus. But Ana still did not leave her room. She hadn’t for days. I would have thought she would by now. Alexander had hoped. He had trusted Ana to be curious enough to come out, at least, for the circus. Alexander remembered the excited faces on both of his children. Alexander recalled that they had even planned to stay up to wait for it just days before, but he had underestimated even that much.What am I to do? Alexander fumbled with his fingers. Time was running out, and Ana would leave soon. But things weren’t any better than before. Should I see her? But the thought scared him. What would he find if he did? What if she doesn’t? It left Alexander stuck and useless. What then? How do I fix this? Again, Alex

(Edited & reviewed 7/1/24)*Ana*I can do this. I tell myself. Just keep your head up. Keep your face still.You are almost there. The carriage is just ahead. And then I won’t have to pretend. Just keep it in, and you’ll be fine.“Ana?” Maddie whispers. Her eyes were big and searching. “Ana, are you alright?” She moves to take my hand, but I have to shoo it away. “Let’s go,” I breathe as the grand doors open. The cold wind busts through to throw back my shawl. It’s freezing, but I can’t stop.It’s time.I start the walk down the path. Maddie close behind me. I wish I could just run but that wouldn’t do. Empresses don’t run away. So I can’t. I must walk as the trumpets blare and the crowd throws rose petals. "Goodbye, Empress Anastasia." Some call out in sweet voices."Safe travels." Others throw more petals."Come back to us again."But between their cheers, I can hear the whispers. My ears are too open to ignore them. Sharper words pass between the smiles."Did you hear what ha

*Queen Belinda* “Nicoli,” Belinda forced her smile to be extra warm. It had to be. It was the only thing that seemed to work on him nowadays.Otherwise, the boy was barely there.“Eat some.” She pushed the plate towards Nicoli.“It’s your favorite. I had it specially made for our tea time.”Nicoli glanced at the cake, but it didn’t spark any reaction. Instead, he looked back to the toy in his hands.He had brought it along again today. Nicoli was never attached to his other toys. But the little bear was different. It held some particular importance. However, Belinda didn’t have the energy to guess whatever it was. It was already tiring enough to do with him as it was. “Ah,” Belinda sighed and leaned back. It was undoubtedly a trial to deal with him nowadays. She loved Nicoli dearly, but enough was enough. Her patience was running out.“Nicoli, do you want to return to your room?.” “Yes, please.” Nicoli quickly left his chair and ran up to kiss her on the cheek before retreating.