*Mykhol*
"Good Morning, Lord Mykhol." Maddie greeted while fixing the bed. She was calm despite Mykhol bursting in without so much as a knock.
"Your Empress…" Mykhol stood at the door. His red eyes darted over everything. It was early morning- so he had expected to find her still asleep. But it wasn't so. She wasn't in bed. Or sitting at the vanity getting herself ready for the day.
Ana wasn't even here.
"She's…not here." Mykhol voiced quietly before narrowing his eyes at the maid. He didn't need to hide the irritation. The human just smiled at him stupidly.
Mykhol felt his stomach turn at the sight of her and turned his head to look elsewhere.
How could she already be gone? That's what he wanted to know.
Looking over the room, Mykhol found the envelope on Ana's bed. He could see the blue wax. It was a letter from Dawny.
Was. Mykhol noted. The letter was gone alongside the reader. And to where was the choice question?
They both seemed to have disappeared entirely. Mykhol frowned after the empty envelope. Maddie continued to fold with a slight curl in her smile.
"How quaint you come now, Lord Mykhol." Maddie began as she folded the bedsheet.
"Why, Lady Funda was just here to deliver the letter. She left not a moment before."
"Did you see her on your way to us?" Maddie's voice seemed to lift at the end as if she had to hold back a laugh. Mykhol could only flick his tongue over his fang as he swallowed a light curse at the human.
He didn't know if the maid was stupid, but she had noticed that much. How quickly it took for Mykhol to come up after his mother was gone.
He practically sprinted to come in in time. But it seemed to be for nothing. Both Ana and the letter were gone.
Mykhol couldn't find out what was inside.
Damn it. He cursed. If only his mother had stayed to stall for longer.
I'll ask her to do that next time. Mykhol planned.
"Where is my cousin this morning?" Mykhol spoke to Maddie—the first since he had entered the room.
Maddie blinked up at him.
"Oh? Empress Anastasia, you mean?" Maddie shook out a sheet purposely to block the bed. Then, she carefully snatched the envelope into her pocket.
"You just missed her,"
Missed her? Mykhol flinched.
"That's a shame. I thought she would be here since it was so early" Mykhol narrowed his eyes.
"How odd."
"Maybe you're just unlucky, my lord." Maddie shrugged with a chuckle under her breath. Mykhol raked a hand through his blood-red hair. He half wished he didn't spend the early hours to make it ready- because it was becoming waste.
Ana wasn't even here to see it. Mykhol pouted at the thought. Mykhol took great care of his image- because it held such an effect on others.
But that only worked if they could see him.
And Ana was nowhere.
To where could she even go right now? So Mykhol thought with an unsettled feeling.
"Luck, maybe. But I don't think that's the problem." Mykhol turned back to study the maid. A frumpy middle-aged woman with greying brunette hair and blunt-cut bangs. Her eyes were the color of mud- She was nothing he would call attractive.
Wherever did his cousin keep someone like her around? Mykhol would have never. At least he would pick something pleasant to look at.
Maybe he should have his mother fire her in place of someone nicer? Younger?
Maddie, unknowing of his harsh criticism, continued folding the bedsheet.
"Do you know where she could be?"
"Lavatories, maybe?" Maddie mused, but Mykhol shook his head.
"I just passed through that way. I did not see her." Mykhol replied with a steady gaze.
Maddie only shrugged, again, clueless.
"Perhaps she went to the study or library?" Maddie offered. Mykhol quietly observed Maddie before smirking.
"What kind of servant doesn't know where their master is?" Mykhol tapped his fingers over his arm.
"Maybe you are not fit for this kind of job-"
Just then, Maddie groaned.
"Ah, my poor old bones." Maddie wailed with another groan.
"It's just so hard for me to keep up with the young Empress. Her legs are so much younger and faster. I'm not as fast as I used to."
Maddie purposely moved to rub her back and let out another groan.
"Ah, and my poor back's been sore this morning." Maddie went on. She felt the teen stare daggers at her. But what could he do?
Disgusting. Mykhol's eye twitched. The human complaint only made him more annoyed on top of missing Ana.
If he stayed here any longer- Mykhol didn't see the point. Staying here only made him more irritable.
I don't have time for this nonsense. Mykhol huffed. No wonder his mother left as soon as she did. She probably couldn't stomach her.
She's insufferable. Mykhol deemed.
"How tragic," Mykhol spoke apathetically. He then turned to leave without a word.
"Lord Mykhol," Maddie still curtsied farewell.
"Ay-ish," Maddie hissed and rubbed her knees.
Disgusting hag. Mykhol just rolled his eyes and slammed the door closed. Maddie waited to hear his feet grow quiet as he left before she rose. She straightened up to flip back her hair, quite proud of herself.
"I should've been an actress." Maddie beamed.
"It's so evident that I've chosen the wrong profession."
"I could have been famous by now." Maddie sighed wistfully. A devilish smile then grew over her lips.
"But I can't deny how entertaining this all is."
With that, Maddie picked up her skirt and skipped to the window. Finally, it was open to let in the cooler winter breeze. Maddie leaned out to stretch her arms over her hand.
"Yahoo~" Maddie bellowed. She paused to watch down below for movement. It didn't take long.
*Ana*
I am reading Nicoli's new letter when I hear it—Maddie's signal.
Mykhol is gone- the coast is clear!
As practiced, I pop up my head from the bush I've been hiding in. I cup my hands over my mouth. My fingers feel so cold even with the gloves.
"Yada yada," I call out. It's now her turn. I listen for what to do next. I can only wait obediently in my hiding spot until she does.
Sure enough, she makes the next signal.
"What a fine day to be inside." Maddie stretches her arms as if to yawn. She leaves the window open as she turns.
I must be quick! I dart to another bush. Pause. Then I make a run for the tree. I pop my head around to spy the window.
Soon enough, a rope tied of sheets slowly snakes down to the ground. Maddie is holding the opposite end. I make a mad dash to take it. I quickly tie it around my waist.
"Ready," I call and tug at the makeshift rope. It then grows taught. The cord is being pulled in, and I help climb the wall. It's a strain, but I make it to my room.
"Hello there, Ana." Maddie huffs with a final pull. I see the sweat on her brows. Her hands are also red from the rope.
"Did you get to read it all?" Maddie huffs. She pushes a stray hair behind her ear.
"Yes, I did." I nod and crawl the last feet in. I can now stand on the ground again. Our little procedure has been a success. Hopefully, we will have more to come.
I pull out to show Nicoli's drawing in the spirit of optimism.
"He drew us swimming under the sea with the bear." I beam a smile. I think it is very imaginative for him.
"Quite the artist, isn't he?" Maddie chuckles, sounding still winded. But she moves to ruffle my hair. It makes me giggle, and I lean into her hand. It's so warm on my cold head.
"Maddie-"I go a little louder, but Maddie quickly hushes me.
Oh. I realize and pull in my lips. I'm being too loud. She needs me to be quiet.
'Sorry.' I mouth. Maddie taps my nose before winking.
"Anything for you, sweetheart," Maddie whispers warmly.
Another nickname? I linger before shrugging it off.
"Maddie," I motion so I can whisper to her. Maddie obliges to lean over.
"Yes, sweetie?"
"I'd like some ink and paper."
"Writing another reply so soon?" Maddie smiles.
I nod.
-x-
"He says he wishes he was with us." It is another of Nicoli's letters. He replied the following week.
I'm glad he's replied so quickly. That is my first thought. And my second is how relieved I am to find that he has no qualms with the situation.
Nicoli has now been made aware of our plans to avoid Mykhol. He seems pretty supportive of it with the letter.
I'm reading it before bed- as it was a little harder this time to keep Mykhol away. What with Aunt Funda staying with us uncharacteristically long- just talking about nonsense? And then Mykhol was with us.
I had no chance to even open the letter till now. But now couldn't be any more perfect as it is the time when Mykhol can't barge in.
We are in my room. The fire burns to warm the room, and Maddie rubs my feet to keep them soft. She hums while rubbing.
Her hands feel nice and warm, but they distract me a little. It makes me want to fall asleep. So I have to put in more effort to read.
"We could run so far away. Just the two of us. That way, he can get away from these boring lessons!" I read, and Maddie laughs.
"Isn't that sweet?" Maddie goes and continues to rub.
I, however, don't see anything sweet about it.
"He needs to take his lessons seriously." I huff. Why is he so stubborn about it? I feel bad for his teachers. They must have their work cut out for them.
"He's going to be the next ruler of Dawny. He can't be shrugging his duties." I go. It's common sense. I don't.
I always attend my lessons- or I study.
"It will be bad for him to be so carefree."
"Ah, Ana." Maddie only sighs with a look at me.
"He's a babe- just four."
"I had to do it." I don't let that be a plausible excuse.
"Aunt Funda had me in class as soon as I came here. I was three."
"Ana, that's-" But whatever Maddie is about to say, she changes her mind. Instead, she makes to lean up and peers at the letter.
"His cursives' been much better lately."
"It has," I agree with pride.
"I can almost read it." Maddie laughs.
"Maddie!" I gasp before I lower my brows. I feel offended, for Nicoli's sake. The cursive is much better than that. But I know, I've seen it before.
"Maddie, that's mean."
And to make a point, I pull away my feet. They burry themselves into the blankets. The oil will likely stain the sheets, but I can't undo the damage. It was a rather foolish decision, but I've done it.
"Ana," Maddie shrugs. She moves to fall halfway over the bed. Then, on her back, she looks up at the ceiling.
"I was joking."
"I know. I just …don't be so mean." I go. But I'm not mad anymore. Instead, I'm taking in the sense of ease that's now fallen. It feels so comfortable with just us together.
I want to enjoy it as these moments are becoming few and far between.
It'd be nice if things were always like this.
But I don't have much control over that. I only see Maddie nod to the letter.
"Pray to tell what's this week's piece?"
Ah, yes. I realize with a smile. I turn the page over to show her. I make to translate the contents as though Nicoli's writing has improved. Is his artwork…more abstract in style?
"Brother has drawn (mostly) a bear dancing. He (this brown figure here) and I (the purple figure here) are cooking popcorn." I lift the page to point to it.
Maddie takes one long look before bursting into laughter and kicking her legs.
"Ah! Boy! That's a keeper!" Maddie bellows loudly. She even wipes a tear of laughter from her eye.
"I just love'em- how can you tell it's even a bear?"
"Maddie," I must shape my tone. Did I not say to be mean?
Maddie sighs and waves her hand dismissively.
"I know- I know. 'Stop being mean." Maddie returns.
Good. I only shake my head at her. At least she understands. I return to study the picture. This time, I have to laugh.
"Brother Nicoli…is not much for realism." I'm trying to compliment. But it doesn't come off as clearly as I'd like.
"But I think things are getting…more identifiable?"
"You sure?" Maddie lifts a brow. I only stare at her.
"Sorry, sorry. I know." And Maddie moves to close her mouth like a key.
I move the letter over. She looks at it before taking it. She seems to know what I mean.
"Want this one with the others?" Maddie still asks. I nod.
"Thank you, Maddie." I yawn. Maddie stands up with the letter. She steals a look at the clock.
"Looks pretty late. Best get some sleep now, kiddo." Maddie hums.
"Kiddo?" I repeat with some questions.
"What kind of nickname is-"
I break into a laugh.
"Maddie, you are so silly sometimes."
"Eh? Nah, I keep things fresh, is all." Maddie excuses placing a hand on my head. She ruffles my hair until I cry and swat her hand. But I'm not hurt as I giggle as her hand lightly plays back to get at me.
"Sleep well, little empress," Maddie speaks softly. I move to lie down. My heads fall into the pillows, and Maddie shifts my long hair to the side. It's been growing better now that it doesn't get yanked out like it used to.
My hair looks a little nicer. Almost normal.- Save the color.
"I think I'll write to my brother tomorrow," I announce my next plan before a yawn rips through me. I am tired now. Today's adventure of avoiding Mykhol had proved fun but tricky.
I wonder if we should change tactics soon. So I think as I close my eyes. Just in case he starts to catch on.
I'll talk about it tomorrow with Maddie. I yawn again.
"Of course, Ana," Maddie whispers gently. I snuggle into the pillows.
"Good night, Maddie." I take a deep breath and feel myself slip.
"Good night, Ana." Maddie kisses my forehead before going to dial down the gas lamps. I quietly hear the door close behind her.
I wish I talked to her then because I was right about Mykhol. But I won't learn that until it's too late. And Mykhol has me right where he wants me.