*Ana*
When the carriage enters the town, the wheels clack and wobble on the cobbled roads. Our journey is finally coming to an end.
The Dawny castle should be just ahead. My heart jumps up my throat, and I swing to the window to peer out.
"About time," Maddie relaxes. "It'll be great to get out of the carriage for a while."
"Mmn," I can barely answer. I'm so distracted by the window and what I see- Although it's not that late in the day, I find the sun ready to set. The days are short here.
Dawny's Autumn is much different than Nochten's. I catch sight of a colored leaf. It drops and catches into the air. I watch it fly over.
"I don't remember it being this cold." I pull my hands under my pits and shiver.
"Is it always like this?"
Maddie moves a blanket over me.
"You're just used to the heat," Maddie replies knowingly.
"It's been some time since you've been back."
"Oh. Right." But just before I can think why, I see something ahead. It's growing in the distance- and it's tall.
"I think I see the castle," I lean into the window. "Do you think...anyone will be waiting for me?
"What a silly thought," Maddie laughs.
"Is it that funny?"
"I joke. Of course, they are." Maddie smiles at me. "You wait and see. Everyone will come. You will have the biggest welcome."
I'm not sure if I can't take her word seriously.
But sure enough, Maddie is right.
There is a procession even from this distance. It's considerably larger than what I had in Nochten. I'm already in awe.
So many people are here. I see servants in black and white dresses. The nobles are dressed in rich and puffy outfits.
Past them, I find the grand stairs.
Atop, a woman stands alone. I already know who she. It's Stepmother. And she wears an immaculate dress of large white puffs and blue velvet bows. Her cape cascades down the steps as her gold crown shines in the setting suns rays.
But I only see her.
Are they standing back a bit? They must be.
"Are all these people for me?" I ask, and the carriage comes to a halt. The coachman jumps to open the door.
A cool autumn breeze sneaks through the cabin to have me shiver again.
"What do you think?" Maddie chirps. I look back to the crowd. They are smiling.
I'm not used to that.
"But why?"
"Because you're the King's daughter," Maddie answers simply.
"Your Empress," The red-haired coachman holds out his hand. He is not unfriendly, but I feel his hand stiffen with my touch. He doesn't meet my eye the entire time as I step down.
"Welcome, Empress Anastasia, to Dawny!" The nearby servants cheer and bow.
"Welcome to our kingdom,"
"Oh!" I nearly jumped at the sudden noise. Maddie grabs my shoulder.
'You're doing fine,' Maddie mouths with a gentle push to my back.
"Right," I swallow down my nervousness.
If you say so, I take a shaky breath before I venture another shaky step before it happens again.
"Your Empress," The Nobels bow their heads. "Welcome,"
"Oh?" I blink with shock. I did not expect any kind of welcome such as this. If anything, I'd expected the opposite.
Everyone's expressions are inviting; no, they look genuinely friendly.
I am not prepared for this at all.
But seeing it gives me some courage. I'm able to lift my head and step faster. I attempt to look at the stage more thoroughly.
Because I want to see them.
I want to see my father and brother- I actually want to see my stepmother.
It's an overwhelming sensation that makes my heart skip.
I'm really back in Dawny.
My excitement slows as I come closer. Because I can see something I couldn't from below. Three really is just one person.
Are they inside? I don't see them at all. I only dart my eyes around the platform.
"Greetings, Mother." I greet first. Maddie stops just shy of stepping up. I feel her warm hands let go with a slight rush of panic. But I hide my unease.
"Empress Anastasia, "Queen Belinda slightly twitches her mouth. But her pleasant features return.
" welcome you to Dawny. I hope your trip was pleasant." She curtsies, and I mirror the same.
But Why is it only Stepmother?
"Is father inside?"
Queen Belinda tightens her smile.
"The King had to step away on short notice. So I am to entertain you until his return. Hopefully, it won't take long." She explains without a rise in her voice.
"I see.". I try not to be disappointed. I have to be understanding.
But what about him?
"And brother Nicoli? Where is he?"
Belinda's eye twitches at the question. But she is back to another sweet expression.
"I had hoped to meet him. I have a " I touch the small box in my pocket.
"Empress Anastasia." Belinda moves swiftly to catch my arm in her loop. I feel myself almost dragged up because she is so tall. But she leans lower to make up the difference.
Her hand pats mine before resting over it.
"Prince Nicoli has caught a fever and is resting."
"A fever? " Is he going to be okay? A sudden well of concern comes over me. But I must be easy to read as she gives me a pat.
"Not to worry. It's but a mild one. Children often get them. He needs a strict bedrest." Her voice is calm and I feel myself having to relax.
With that, we walk toward the castle. But it isn't a smooth transition. My legs are short, and I struggle to keep up my pace. It would be fine if she let go, but when I shift my arm, she pulls me closer.
She beams a smile down at me, and I feel myself trapped. I have to just try to put up with it.
Ahead, the castle doors open. Inside is the foyer with the chandelier. I instantly recall the dread I've had about it.
It still hangs.
I was always scared it would fall on me. I still am. The fear is not gone.
"I hope brother Nicoli will be better soon," I try to ignore the swinging death rock.
Behind me, I feel Maddie. She's picking up my skirt. I check on her to see her beam a smile back. It's much warmer than Stepmothers.
"Nasty habit."
"What is?"
"Ah, your ears. I forgot." Queen Belinda laughs softly.
I feel her nails dig in. It doesn't hurt, but I can't help but want to pull myself away. That doesn't seem like an option, though.
"Have you ever had tea, Empress Anastasia?" Queen Belinda carries on.
"No, we don't drink tea in Nochten; we have coffee sent in from the colonies."
Queen Belinda smirks for some reason. I feel her long nails graze my skin a bit more. It still doesn't hurt, but I shiver.
"Then I think it best to have a taste. I shall have something set up for you." Queen Belinda goes.
"We'll have a nice, private tea. Just for us."
"For us?" I look behind me to Maddie. She is smiling, but her eyebrows are starting to bunch up.
"We can catch up.".
"Ah," It sounds reasonable.
"Then let's do that."
"Wonderful." Queen Belinda curls her lips into a new kind of smile. It's kind of sharp looking.
How odd. I think, but toss the thought aside, already looking forward to the event.
*Nicoli*
As they walked on, a pair of blue eyes peeked down from between the banister above. He was in awe of the girl's silver hair.
It was like nothing he had seen before.
So, of course, he had to consider the owner with more care. The first thing he could
I thought she was supposed to be older. Nicoli noted how frail she looked with her thin arms and legs
She's no bigger than me-
"Your majesty, there you are!" One young blond maid whispered upon spotting the stole away.
"You are supposed to be in bed!" The maid went to help the boy up.
"What are you thinking just to sneak out? If the queen finds you out here, there goes my head,"
"I only wanted to see her," Nicoli took her hand.
"Aye, you are just curious." The maid went and threw a glimpse to catch the supposed guest. Sure enough, she could see the telltale mark of her silver hair.
"The great failure of Dawny." was what Queen Belinda's maids referred to her as. But the maid couldn't see such a thing. She thought the girl looked quite the opposite.
"She's much prettier than I thought she'd be. Ain't she?"
"So pretty." Nicoli nodded . His blue eyes glued to the girl who walked with his mother. "She's the prettiest girl ever."
"But we can't stay here, your majesty." The maid again remembered herself.
"It's the queen's orders. So now, let's get back to her before she finds out, okay?" The maid gently squeezed his hand, and they began to walk.
"Okay," Nicoli chirped with a practiced smile, making the girl coo again.
"But I'm not staying," Nicoli whispered, waiting till the maid looked ahead to take his chance. He swiftly lifted the skeleton key from the servant's pocket and shoved it into his sleeve.
"We will meet again, pretty girl."