*Lord Charles*
Lord Charles did not enjoy change. He was a systematic man with a tendency to habit. And he was the sort you would forget after the meeting.
He was, however, very good with money. Hence, he quite enjoyed his job as the empire's royal treasurer .A title he took great pride in- as it made it so much easier to rob the coffers blind.
And no one was the wiser.
Even if there were, Being both related to the ruler and acting regent made him immediately free of suspicion.
So, Uncle Charles could relax in comfort and luxury at the sight of his future.
In fact, at the very moment, he was just in the middle of doing another transfer.
"Expenditures," Charles voiced as he wrote into the account log when the door of his study flew open.
"Who-" Not expecting company, the man looked up with a start. His heart only dampened at seeing the familiar figure.
And one look on her face could tell it all. She was upset about something. Again.
He sighed.
There were times, where Charles regretted marrying Funda. Funda was more emotional and could be too overwhelming at times.
But Funda was still more manageable compared to her sister.
Empress Parsul was too sharp for his soft tongue and too willful for his predictability. Her presence demanded attention and praise wherever she went.
Like the sun that could burn the Nochten sands, she intimidated all those around her.
Thus, Uncle played a safer route. He wooed and married her sister.
A marriage, which over time has turned out to be quite a financial gain. Charles was glad to see. He chose the better half and was grateful. The woman's emotions were but a trifle annoyance.
He could handle them.
"Wife, what brings you now? I am in the middle of my work."
"I must talk with you." Funda lost the door. The knob clicked to lock.
To lock the door meant they would be having one of their more 'serious' conversations.
"There's a letter from Dawny,"
"Dawny?" Charles frowned at the news.
"The King has invited her to visit. He wants her to stay a fortnight."
"Invite?" Uncle breathed the foreign word.
"And what is her answer?"
"She plans to go. I'm tasked with luggage and setting plans for the coaches."
"I don't follow. Why is the King suddenly inviting her?" Uncle voiced, trying to see the logical line. He was more than aware that no letters had been sent before. The negligent father had been silent since his niece's arrival.
Years had passed between then and now.
"When did this all start?"
"I don't know, myself," Funda confessed before growing sharp.
"But it must have something to do with that new maid. The human."
"The new maid?"
"Yes, I think she's influencing the girl somehow. I saw how she made the child laugh just before-"
"Laugh?" Uncle reeled back.
"Our niece? Are you sure?"
Could she laugh?
"She is changing, and that maid is to blame." Aunt Funda looked at her hands. Her tiny crescent cuts were red in her palm.
"I hadn't noticed till now, or I would have stopped it." She lifted to lick the dried blood.
"I should have eaten the human when I was given a chance then. Just look at us!"
Aunt Funda went to her husband and leaned over. Her hands gripped the sides of his desk to make the wood creak with pressure.
"This is the end of us."
"We won't be able to continue our plans. He will see right through and have everything undone- she'll be untouchable." Aunt Funda was losing herself in panic.
"All we've set in motion will be for nothing. A waste!"
"Wife," Charles kept his eyes firmly on her turbulent expression. Funda was distraught, and he understood perfectly why. But he lacked the sensitivity to soothe her mood.
Instead, he needed to think. So, his mind processed the situation, trying to see it from all angles.
Perhaps…, a thought came to Uncle then.
"Let us not drop to conclusions, dear wife." Uncle voiced evenly, trying not to provoke her.
"This may be nothing but smoke."
"Smoke?" Aunt Funda cried with disbelief.
"Are you fool enough to think us safe when there is such a clear threat? If the King supports her-"
Charles moved to place his hand over the woman. He gave her a steady look.
"He may not have any more intention than that of a negligent father to an unwanted child." Uncle voiced evenly to see his wife soften a little.
"This could be an act of guilt on his part. After forgetting our niece for so long, he must feel ashamed. But he doesn't really intend it to go further."
"Like an act of penance, you mean?"
"Yes. And when it's done, everything will go back as before. He will ignore her again."
"But how can you be so sure?"
Uncle smiled before taking up Funda's hand to kiss it.
"Because the King has a son. And what do Kings care for more than to have an heir to the throne?" Uncle spoke logically.
"Empress Anastasia is nothing but a token of a failed marriage. She has no value and will be forgotten again soon enough." Uncle went on.
"That may be," Aunt Funda returned and moved to lace her fingers through his.
"But what if we are wrong? He may still grow attached and care for her."
Uncle moved to kiss them gently.
"We'll monitor the situation. Allow things to play out, dear wife." Uncle gently let go of her.
"We'll react when there is something to react to."
Aunt Funda moved to touch his cheek.
"Perhaps I was too hasty to start panicking," Funda confessed. She moved to kiss the top of her husband's bald head.
"The King could end up abandoning her all over again."
"He did it before." Charles went moving to kiss her on the lips. A soft, chaste kiss reserved for the long-married.
"I wouldn't see why it should change. Things will still go our way. Nothing lost, dear." Seeing Funda tame again. Charles turned to take up his quill.
"You are always so calm."Funda turned to leave before it occurred to her.
"That's right, Winter break is coming. "
"Oh?" Charles popped up to quickly catch on to her meaning.
"Do you think he's ready?"
Aunt Funda nodded. A smile then grew to show fangs.
"I think it's about time we move onto phase 2 of our plans."
*Ana*
The cool desert air kisses my cheeks and pushes my hair back to tickle my neck. It feels refreshing because everything is still warm from all the laughing and dancing this afternoon.
Who'd imagine I would be the one to do that? I smirk to myself before closing my eyes. The whole afternoon was such a rise of emotions.
And Maddie seemed just as happy about the news as I was.
Luckily, I knew better than to overwhelm myself. As for Maddie-
I check to see her passed out on the couch. A loud snore rips from her lips, and I cover my mouth so as not to laugh. When the room grows quiet again, I can focus again.
There is an urge to scream- I think it's from excitement. The idea is that I can see my brother and father. But something still nags in the back of my mind.
A warning bell rings in my head. It says not to trust it. That somehow I will be punished for reaching too far.
I should be careful.
So I will be. But I'll allow myself just to be a little happy- just a small smile at the moon. She can be my only witness.
I still can't believe this is happening,
The idea still throws me into a spin. I am doubtful one minute and hopeful the next. And the hope is growing over time. I can see my father. And I will meet my new brother.
I'm going to have a family again. A real one. The one that's warm like Maddie's hands.
I'm going back home.
A tear breaks free, and I quickly wiped it off. There are just a lot things swirling in my chest. Things I thought I would never have.
But this is happening. I remind myself. I'm going to Dawny after so many years.
"Nicoli," I test the name. My lips tingle at the pronunciation.
"Nicoli," I scrunch up my nose as it starts to tickle.
"I'm coming to see you, Nicoli," I look back to the moon. When I do, an idea pops up.
Perhaps I should bring gifts? Maddie said I should. My brother is still small. How old would he be?
"Three or four?" So He would certainly appreciate them.
But what does a four-year-old want?
I have no experience with little boys. And I am not one. I don't know what they would like.
Perhaps Maddie will? I look over at the sleeping woman.
As if some supernatural force unseen to make the maid know my thoughts, Maddie begins to mutter in sleep.
"No…not the bears again. They…can't fit the dress." She flops over to lie on her stomach. Another loud snort follows.
"Bears?" I repeat.
A bear? Like a- oh, that can work. I smile at the sleeping woman.
"Thank you, Maddie,"
Inspired, I leave to go for some paper and a quill in my study.
"I'll send for a toymaker tomorrow to get it started." I conjure up the design.
I hope this will make him smile. My heart flutters, but I don't even know what he looks like. Maybe he looks just a little more like me?
I hope so.
"Good night, Father, little brother,"
I will see you soon.