* King Alexander*
When King Alexander returned, he felt himself bursting with excitement.
"Johan!" King Alexander barely undressed from his armor as he began calling for the butler. He was smiling from ear to ear.
"Johan! Where is Anastasia right now?" King Alexander boomed as the older man made his way into his chamber.
King Alexander had yet to notice the solemn look on his face. He was too happy thinking of Ana.
"I didn't see her." King Alexander spoke while another servant boy pulled the armor over his head. The boy shot a confused look at Johan.
Johan shook his head.
"Go, boy." Johan nodded toward the door, and the boy quickly jumped down. He carried the armor plate with him and dashed from the room.
Johan could see the relieved look on his face as he did. The boy knew he was lucky to get to leave. If only Johan could do the same.
But someone had to tell the king.
And if anyone, it would have to be him.
"Your Majesty," Johan began, but his words seemed lost in King Alexander's joy.
"So," King Alexander continued as he untied his shin guards. His voice was breathy from almost laughing.
"Where is my baby girl?"
"Is she with Nicoli, I hope?" King Alexander then laughed.
"I bet they are. Aren't they? They must be like two peas in a pod, I bet."
King Alexander finished untying himself to fall into his chair. He was feeling a bit flushed from having to change.
But it was all too exciting.
Finally, I have my daughter home. King Alexander couldn't help but beam. It was more than anything he could ask for.
I'm the happiest man in the world.
I'm going to wrap my arms around her as soon as I see her and-
As King Alexander planned what to do, he looked up to Johan. He noticed the older man's face wasn't smiling. Immediately it put him on edge.
Something was wrong.
"Johan," King Alexander lessened his smile.
"Where is my daughter?"
"Your majesty," Johan bowed deeply. King Alexander stiffened in his chair at the sight. His smile grew even smaller.
"Empress Anastasia is-"
*Queen Belinda*
"What a sweet bear this is." Queen Belinda directed her interest at the bear Nicoli seemed to be playing with.
Nicoli looked up from his spot in the playroom. He smiled at her.
"Thank you," Nicoli replied shortly and returned to his games.
"..." Queen Belinda smiled as her eyes narrowed on the bear.
It was a cute little thing with a tastefully colored bow that matched his eyes. She found it to be a wonderful touch. But that bear was a foreigner to his usual arsenal.
She had never given him such a toy.
Alexander must have, then. Queen Belinda dismissed. If not for her husband, then she would have been told so. Even if it were just a toy, Queen Belinda would be informed.
Anything and everything about Nicoli was brought to her attention. The maids and servants knew better than to hide secrets from her.
Or else they'll find out why. So Queen Belinda thought when the door opened. Instantly her face soured.
"I said I wanted to be undisturbed-" Queen Belinda began to sharpen her voice before she saw who it was.
"Ah, Julia." Queen Belinda relaxed at the sight of her. She motioned for her to come in.
"What is it?"
"Your majesty," Julia stepped closer.
"The king has returned."
"Oh." Queen Belinda slightly flinched. She had expected at least another day before his return.
Not that it matters, Queen Belinda tried to relax.
Someone was going to break the news anyway.
And besides, Queen Belinda leaned into her chair.
I've already gotten what I wanted.
The girl was gone.
"And how is his majesty?" The queen posed the question. Julia shuddered.
"Not pleased, your majesty. The king's on his way now. "
Queen Belinda straightened her back. It looks like someone already had.
Damn.
At the mention of his father, Nicoli popped up his head.
"Daddy's back?" Nicoli looked over to his mother. The queen nodded.
"He is, my sweet. And he's coming to see us now." Queen Belinda smiled.
"Hurray!" Nicoli yelped with joy.
"..." Queen Belinda could only keep her smile. She was less excited to see him. Not when she knew what was coming her way. But she maintained her composure as she heard footsteps echo outside the door. Someone was coming. And shortly after, a knock followed.
Julia moved to answer.
"His Majesty, King Alexander is here," Julia said, stepping aside to allow King Alexander in.
King Alexander stepped into the playroom quietly. His eyes went directly to glare at her.
"My queen," King Alexander spoke with a familiar voice. Queen Belinda felt herself slightly tremble at his voice. His response was not surprising.
But my hands are clean. Queen Belinda took comfort.
Ask any other servants; you will hear not a word. Queen Belinda had made sure of it.
No one else but Julia was there that day. Queen Belinda had sent all the other servants away under the pretense of needing privacy for the family. So Julia would be the only one who knew about their 'conversation.'
And Julia will never talk. Queen Belinda knew. She had covered her tracks well.
"My king," Queen Belinda returned as Nicoli got up. The boy raised his arms.
"Daddy! "Nicoli exclaimed, delighted to see his father back. The queen smiled at him.
"Go and give your father a warm welcome home, Nicoli,"
Nicoli moved without hesitation and rushed over with open arms.
"Welcome home, Daddy! "Nicoli shouted with a toothy smile. King Alexander knelt to take him up.
"I'm home," King Alexander returned with a measure of happiness. He was furious, Queen Belinda was no fool, but she knew he wouldn't go and expose it in front of their child.
He only shot another look at her as he held his son. Queen Belinda gave another smile.
"I'm so glad to see Nicoli doing much better now. He felt ill right after you left."
"Ill?" King Alexander softened. He looked with genuine concern at his child.
Queen Belinda nodded.
"A fever. I've had to have him on strict bed rest entirely till now. He's been in his room till just before."
"Ah," King Alexander nodded before something dawned on him. But when it did, his face hardened.
"You… " King Alexander had to control his temper. Nicoli stirred in his arms.
"Daddy?" Nicoli pipped. His eyes were wide enough to drink up every word.
"Nicoli has been in his room the entire time?" King Alexander strained a smile as he noticed how Nicoli was listening.
"Yes, dear husband. He's only just come out now. Since he feels much better." Queen Belinda curled her words.
"I wouldn't want to risk him being exposed to something new."
"You… didn't even have them meet?"
"Dear husband, don't you know how I feel about strangers meeting my son?" Queen Belinda feigned a confused look.
"She is his sister." King Alexander began to darken in face.
"I couldn't risk our son's health. You must understand." Queen Belinda casually excused. She could see him tense his arms.
Nicoli could feel them stiffening and shot a look between both of them. Something silent was going on between them. Nicoli could notice that much.
"Look what I got, " Nicoli interjected to show his new teddy bear. King Alexander still quietly glared at her. But he heard his son and broke away.
He smiled, seeing the bear.
"What a handsome fellow. " King Alexander voiced. Nicoli beamed and made to show off his new friend.
"A fairy gave it to me." Nicoli added.
"Ha," Queen Belinda laughed. She found Nicoli's imagination cute.
"How inventive, Nicoli."
King Alexander kept a smile.
"What a nice fairy he is."
"She, " Nicoli corrected and then leaned in to whisper to him.
"She was beautiful. Her eyes were like rubies, and her hair shined like the moon."
Nicoli then leaned closer to whisper.
"Her name was Anatasia. But she said to call her Ana"
At the boy's words, King Alexander lifted a brow. Then, he pulled him back to study the child. A knowing smile then formed on his lips.
"Did you see this Fairy?" King Alexander tested and Nicoli winked.
"Sure did. She came in the middle of the night when everyone else was asleep."
"I see; what an INTERESTING fairy." King Alexander winked to have Nicoli flashback again.
"Isn't she?"
"And did you have a good talk with your fairy? "King Alexander played on. But his ears were earnest for the answer. Nicoli, however, dropped his eyes.
"No, she left." Nicoli sighed heavily.
"Ah," King Alexander nodded with understanding. But already, his mind was working.
The King looked at the bear with a new smile. His mood had shifted immediately.
"My king?" Queen Belinda noticed the change and narrowed her eyes suspiciously.
"Would you like to talk to your fairy again? " King Alexander asked his son. Nicoli nodded vigorously.
"I do."
"Hmm," King Alexander pushed out his lips in thought.
Queen Belinda just blinked at both of them with confusion.
Why are they talking about fairies? Queen Belinda felt she was missing something vital to the conversation.
"My husband, Nicoli-"
"Then, how is your writing? "King Alexander asked. Immediately, Nicoli twisted his face with disgust.
"Hate it. "Nicoli almost spat out.
"Ahaha." King Alexander laughed out right before placing Nicoli back down. He smiled down at his son before soberly looking back at her.
"We'll talk later."
"I'll look forward to it." Queen Belinda returned with a slight lift of her head.
"..." King Alexander only shook his head before giving Nicoli one final head rub. He then parted without another word. Johan quietly followed behind.
Queen Belinda sank a little in her chair when they left.
Things had gone as well as she had hoped. Even at the cost of making her dear husband mad. It was done. That pest was gone.
And he'll forgive me. Queen Belinda told herself. He had to.
Queen Belinda turned to reach for Nicoli. She moved to touch his hair, but Nicoli stepped back.
"I'm gonna go back to playing." Nicoli turned and hugged the bear closer.
"Oh, alright then."
"I love you." Queen Belinda spoke out as Nicoli returned to his spot on the floor.
"Love you too," Nicoli responded with half interest as he again brought up the bear to play.
"..." Queen Belinda slumped further in her chair before turning to Julia. Julia instantly went to her side.
"My queen, your crying-"
But Queen Belinda slapped her straight in the face.
"Don't." Queen Belinda hissed bitterly. Her grey eyes glossed with tears, but she glared at her maid. Julia instantly bowed down.
"Your majesty."
Julia turned on her heel to leave quickly. When she opened the door, she turned to catch a tear falling down the woman's cheek. Another tear followed shortly after.
"Tea, Julia." Queen Belinda swiftly wiped her cheek with her sleeve. Julia bowed again.
"Right away, your majesty."