*Ana*
"Queen is how I'd prefer you call me, if you don't mind. Since we are not related, after all." Queen Belinda smiles to thin out her lips. Her blunt white teeth look sharp even though she is human. She doesn't have fangs, but I feel like if she did- she would be lashing out with them.
But why? I look at her, so confused. My head starts to shake before I even know it is.
Why are you looking at me like this?
"But, we're family-"
"Empress Anastasia," She again addresses by title.
"I've been in society long enough to recognize those of talent. You, my dear, I can validate. You may do great things one day." Queen Belinda motions for Julia.
The maid pours more tea into my still-full cup. I see it begin to overflow and stain the tablecloth. It grows up to the table's edge and threatens to spill over. I have to quickly switch away, less it drips and burns me.
"What are you-" I look to Julia, but Queen Belinda demands my attention.
"You have no mother and will never know how it is to be loved by one." Her words steal me back. I look at the woman in horror as well as shock.
"What did you just-"
Queen Belinda moves to bite into the head of a cookie.
"But I do, as I am to my son. And I find, as a mother, we will do anything to protect our children."
What are you going on about? I throw up my hands defensively.
"Mother, I don't follow what you are saying-"
"Be it by word or sword, I would eliminate any potential threat looming over him." Queen Belinda continues. Her eyes meet mine. Those grey eyes look so icy that I can't believe these were the same ones that were smiling at me before. It's like I'm speaking to a demon now.
The sight of them makes me recoil.
"Do you enjoy riddles, Empress?" Queen Belinda starts again.
I nod, but what does that have to do with anything?
"Would you care for one now?" She asks, but I don't get to answer. She starts right then.
"Who should be the one mad when a cat kills a bird whose cage was left open in an empty room?"
"I don't….." I'm lost. I'm not following any of this at all.
"Should we be mad at the bird for being unable to close the cage?"
She pauses for me to answer. I find myself slowly shaking my head a 'no.'
"Then, should we be mad at the cat?" Queen Belinda asked.
I slowly nodded a 'yes.' But Stepmother tsks.
"No, that's not right." She retorts with a swift kick under the table. The cloth covers the incident, but I feel the blow. It hits hard into my already half-frozen shin. I suck in the air as pain-filled tears come up.
"Mother-" I choke in shock at the attack.
"Why did you kick-"
Queen Belinda only laughs softly into her hand.
"No, we don't. For the cat is only a creature of its nature. Just as humans are and VAMPIRES are….."
Queen Belinda lets her last words linger a moment before speaking again.
"It can only be expected that it would do in its nature."
She pauses to fluff up her fur shawl with a pointed gesture. I see how rosy her cheeks are becoming. She seems to be quite comfortable and warm despite the cold air.
Meanwhile, my teeth start to chatter.
"So," Queen Belinda continues.
"Who should I be angry with?"
"I...?" I find myself at a loss for words.
"I don't know?"
"I should be angry at myself." Queen Belinda answers and lowers her tone.
"Because I trusted this cat despite knowing her true nature."
Queen Belinda then leaned over to place her hand over mine. I recoil at the sudden touch, but the queen only firms her grip. Her finger pats the top of my thumb.
"Our nature can not fault us as the cat is to the bird. As I am. And you are." Queen Belinda oozes out the sentence to the point of making it sting.
Again, I try to pull away. This time, Queen Belinda lets go.
"You- you think I will hurt him?" I find the words, but the shock is too much.
Does she think that I could? I gasp with my ribs caving in.
"NO! I would never-" I start passionately. Tears are in my eyes as I've been thoroughly wronged. But she doesn't seem to care about my protests.
"My brother- I would never-"
"You say brother so lightly," Queen Belinda retorts. Her words are colder than the air.
"But I think you should reconsider."
"To my husband, yes, you are his. But, you are mistaken to think that you share anything more with my family." Queen Belinda pauses to reach over and take up a strand of one of my braids.
Queen Belinda stares after the color for a moment. She then weaves it between her fingers before giving a sharp yank.
"Ah," I cry, but I am frozen in place otherwise. Her words- what she is referring to are all too clear.
My hair... The silver hair that marks me being only half-human. Of course, one-half comes from Father. But only half. My other half is-
"But, I am his sister-" I try again. But I receive another sharp yank for my outburst.
"Ah!" I whimper and try to pull my hair away. But her grip is firm. She won't let go until she decides to.
"A daughter is not something I have. My only child is a boy." Queen Belinda growls with another yank. Again I let out a cry.
"Please stop-" I pull at the braid. I think she laughs at my attempt.
"My son. And as I mentioned, I will do anything to benefit and protect him." Queen Belinda draws a softer voice. She then lets go. I quickly pull my braid close to me as if damaging my arm.
"How-" But I lose my voice as she snatches my hand back. She wastes no time scratching my skin lightly. But I know she means to say she could do much harder.
"And if that means drowning a curious cat, regardless if she can even understand the nature of things, I will not hesitate."
Stepmother then clenches her fingers to squeeze my hand until I feel something pop. Her knuckles are white as she squeezes the harder she can. I can't breathe as I am in shock and pain.
Just as suddenly as she grabs my hand, it relaxes. I breathe out shallowlly but my mouth is mute. I could not scream. I can only pull my hand into my chest.
"Wh…" My mouth wobbles to form words, but I give up. I press my hand tighter to my chest.
Queen Belinda stands to look up at the darkened sky.
"My, how the days grow shorter. I expect winter will come early this year."
Queen Belinda takes in a dramatic breath as if enjoying herself. She then smiles down at me as if she didn't just try to break my hand. Her grey eyes seem to be glowing with joy.
I quickly pull into myself and dart my face away from her gaze. Hot tears stream down my cheeks as I tremble.
"Good night, Empress Anastasia." Queen Belinda gives a slight curtsy before turning to her maid.
"Julia?"
"Yes, your majesty." The maid speaks for the first time since. Her voice is dry as her skin.
"Send for someone to clean this mess." Queen Belinda looks right at me with the word 'mess.' The maid nods.
"Yes, your majesty."
Queen Belinda leaves with Julia in tow but stops passing the table.
"Oh, and one more thing." Queen Belinda softly chuckles with a triumphant smile.
"I wouldn't expect to see his majesty coming home anytime soon. He's quite the busy man and does not have much free time to oblige any stray who wanders through his doors."
"Even if it's for unwanted daughters." Queen Belinda laughs softly and walks on past. She leaves me alone at the table.
"Sweet dreams." Queen Belinda shuffles her fur shawl tighter.
*Nicoli*
As Queen Belinda ascended the stairs up to the castle, she failed to notice someone had stolen into the hedge maze.
Nicoli was well hidden so as not to be spotted. But it seemed he had arrived too late. The tea was over now. Only the small girl remained in her chair. His blue eyes caught the tears falling down her cheeks.
But the girl was silent.
"Is she hurt?" Nicoli whispered, looking for a wound. He couldn't find any but couldn't help but feel like something had hurt her.
Seeing her cry made him curious. He wanted to ask if she was okay. But if he did, that would mean getting caught. Right now wasn't a good time.
But later would be?
Nicoli smiled as he felt the key in his pocket. It was a good thing he had stolen it. Then, he only needed to find what room she was staying in.
"That'll be easy." Nicoli smiled, already knowing what maid to charm. Some were very weak to his smile. All he needed to do was show them a grin, and they would do almost anything.
Nicoli had caught on to that little fact already at the age of four.
With the thought, Nicoli turned to head back- leaving the pretty crying girl still in her chair.