*Maddie*
Maddie made it through the empty halls without incident. Not that she had a worry she would. It was clear knowledge that no other servant wanted to be so close to Ana's wing. Let alone freely walk around it at night.
Maddie had gathered that much over her months of being here. Hence she could move around now freely. No fear of being seen or caught.
"Still kinda creepy, though." Maddie had to confess to herself. Maddie shivered at the thought. It was quite something to be moving around in such a prominent place, chock full of vampires.
No wonder the halls feel so eerie.
But Maddie kept walking until she reached Ana's study. Before stepping in, Maddie turned the gas higher to brighten the room. Unlike Ana, Maddie was only human. She needed light to see.
"It's right near a wonder I can get around at all right now. Damn, near as dark as outside around here. If I didn't know my way, I'd be lost."
"Let there be light, then." Maddie clicked the knob.
Illuminated, Maddie could see the marble floors and white arched ceilings. In front of the grand window lay Ana's desk. Maddie could see her inkwells left out.
But none of this was exciting. It was like that since the morning. So instead, she glanced over them to her main target. It was the lone portrait she aimed for.
"Nasty fella, ain't ya," Maddie remarked, looking up at the vampire. She wasn't keen on Nochten history to know who he was. But he must have done something.
Vampires don't do portraits. They're too superstitious—only the important ones are made as exceptions.
Whatever you did, Maddie didn't care. Instead, she stuck her tongue out at him.
"Don't mind me, Grumpy-Pants." So Maddie went and pulled the frame.
At the pull, something inside clicked. The structure began to open on hinges. Maddie moved to swing it open wider. It opened to reveal a cupboard.
Maddie went to reach in for the golden box. She opened it to set the newest letter atop the others. The pile seemed to keep growing.
"Glad to see it," Maddie whispered. While she closed the painting, the person hiding in the doorway shifted out of sight.
It would seem that they had seen more than enough to be satisfied.
*Ana*
The following day it started like all the days before it.
Just before dawn, I bathe and get dressed. After that, it's a quick breakfast. Maddie gives two helpings of sweetbreads and coffee before shooing me off to the first hiding spot.
"You'll be in the library this morning," Maddie explains.
"Don't move till you hear my signal."
"Understand?" She looks down at me as if I were unruly. But, of course, I am not.
"Yes, Maddie." I nod. But if not unruly- I admit I'm starting to grow distracted.
Perhaps it is from how successful we are that I've grown comfortable. Without the presence of Mykhol looming over me- I am finding myself back to my old ways of life.
For example, I already moving through the selections in my head. What will be the books I will gather to read today? Perhaps fiction? Or review some more history?
I know. I'll re-read the history of Almony. I plan it out.
I really should. It's been quite a while since I've last touched on that subject. Almony is a bit of a complicated history for a country.
I struggled to keep up with all the different queens. I can still recall. I last touched the book when I was younger. That might have not helped. I was too young to grasp the concepts of Matriarchal societies.
But maybe I will have a better time with it.
Today would make a perfect opportunity to test it. I may also use the day to practice my pronunciation of Almony names. They are a little tricky. Almony is a very throaty-sounding language.
And after that, I will revisit my chemistry lessons.
I am busy making my day plans. A curriculum, as you will. And I seem to be adding more subjects to my list.
And if time allows, I'm sure I'll find something else. Perhaps some biology?
I smile. Today will be quite a studious time. All of it will be uninterrupted.
I can't wait.
And so it is.
I spend a good chunk of the morning and afternoons alone. No interruptions. Not even by the head librarian who is- again, absent from his post. That, or Aunt Funda fired him without telling me.
But I know the way around my library quite well. I easily find my books and move through my subjects. I make it all the way to the history and chemistry lessons before finding myself growing drowsy.
Perhaps it's from me being up so early? Or is it the smell of aged paper that has a lulling effect? I know I am falling prey to weariness.
But just as I am tempted to slump my head and take a nap in the corner, I hear it. The sound rouses my senses, and I'm up with a start. The signal.
"Cock-doodle-doo!" The call has me up and on my feet. I rush to return the books to their spots as if I were never here. And I climb out through the window.
My feet carefully scoot across the ledge as my hands grab the white limestone brick to climb. It's freezing with the wind, but I keep my head tucked down as I scuttle closer to my goal. Ahead I see the open window.
"How's it today?" I ask while I climb in. The open window is the one for my study. I can feel it's already warm. Maddie started the fire ahead of time. I'm grateful.
I rub my hands to warm them as Maddie moves a blanket around me. She rubs my shoulders to warm me. I wasn't out for long- but today is especially cold.
"Has my cousin already come yet?"
"The coast is clear, Empress." Maddie returns, lifting me from the sill and to the floor. But I notice something is wrong. Maddie doesn't seem to be in a cheery mood.
"Maddie? Is something wrong?" I ask to see her stiffen a little. Instead, she smiles, but it does not meet her eyes. Instead, she seems thoughtful for a moment.
"I don't know….He's reticent today," Maddie notes.
"Reticent?" It's a word I'm surprised she knows. I don't think Aunt Funda knows what it means. So it's funny Maddie would.
"Lord Mykhol has yet to come at all today." She tucks my chin. I smile, but Maddie doesn't seem to share my feelings. She looks worried.
"Is there something keeping him, I wonder?"
"He might have some business with Uncle." I turn to my desk. It's a logical thought. I know how much his parents dote on him.
It's a severe contrast to how they approach me. I didn't think they could be so affectionate. But it's clear he is a favorite.
They talk about him enough. It's how I've learned so much about him. And it's probably the only time I've seen Uncle over-talk Aunt Funda. They have so much to say about him.
But they barely even speak with me. But then again, I wouldn't have much to say either.
"I'm going to start my letter," I announce. Since I've left the library, I'm no longer tired and want to use my time wisely. I can feel my fingers itching to write the next installment.
"Can I get some paper?"
Maddie smiles and takes up some parchment from a drawer.
"Perhaps he's given up?" Maddie gives me the paper. It's decorated with little bears. A special order I made- I'm sure Nicoli will love it.
"I wouldn't have to hide if he did." I open the ink jar.
"Oh?" I stop.
"It won't open?"
"Yeah?" Maddie leans over to see.
"Some ink's dried in the cap. Here, let me open that." Maddie offers, ready to take it.
"No-I, I got it, Maddie." I turn it harder. It's just a cap. I should be able to open it. I can even feel it start to shift.
"It's just about loosening-!"
The cap has opened. But so has everything else. Ink splashes onto my top and skirt.
"Oh!" I sit frozen and speechless. The black ink is sinking into my clothes.
"Ana," Maddie shakes her head before taking the ink pot from me. What's left, she closes the seal to preserve.
"Accidents happen," Maddie sighs. She eyes my clothes warily. I know what's going through her head.
She only just cleaned me up, and now I'm covered in ink.
"Maddie- I'm sorry." I didn't think this would happen. But Maddie waves her hand. I think she doesn't want to express how upset she is.
"Come," Maddie goes and takes my hand.
"Let's get you cleaned up."
"Maddie," I open my mouth to apologize again, but Maddie just pulls us to the door. She stops to listen for the cost to be clear.
"We should hurry." Maddie goes, and we move. We bound down the hall back to my room. I get dressed quickly into a clean blue skirt and top with gold trim. Maddie then gathers up the stained bundle.
"I'll be taking this down to the laundry. My friend should get these stains out."
"Don't go anywhere till I'm back, alright?" Maddie throws me a look.
"Promise me?"
"Yes, Maddie."I nod. This seems to ease Maddie as she smiles at me after a long time.
"Good. I'll be right back." And Maddie leaves outside.
Alone, I find myself just standing around. So I move to sit on my bed. My stomach grows- What time is it?
I look at the clock to see it was past noon. It's about time for lunch.
I hope Maddie remembers to bring food.
Maybe more of those sweetbreads? I think and feel my mouth water. They were fluffy and drizzled with honey on top. Maybe the kitchen made extra?
I hope so. I could go for it now. That and a hot cup of coffee to warm me up. Or maybe some hot chocolate?
I seem to be wanting a lot of sweets today.
They should. I realize. The kitchen would only have to cook for me as no other children are in the palace. So no one else could eat them save for me.
"I think I will miss eating sweets the most after I get my first blood." I go and kick my feet.
I watch it move. My blue skirt rises and falls. So I do it again. It's starting to look like a giant wave in the ocean.
At least, I think it does. In truth, I've never been. I've not seen an ocean or a lake. Just sand.
"I wonder if Nicoli has?" I muse and then brighten.
"I wonder if he's been on a boat?" The idea spurs me with curiosity.
I should ask him.
I smile, feeling proud of coming up with such a good question. I'm sure it will interest Nicoli. I should get to it and write now- lest I forget later.
With that, though, I jump down and scurry to the door.
The study should still be safe. I have to assume. I know Maddie told me to stay, but I don't think I need to be that careful.
I mean, I was just there.
Feeling secure, I open the door to look both ways and dash out. I make my way to the study in a short time. It's so fast. I'm impressed I could move so quickly.
But this only makes me grow more confident.
I'm just too fast for my cousin. I giggle and open the door.
He couldn't catch me if he tried-
I turn the knob and step in to close it behind me. It gives a good click before I turn back to face the room.
I will write to Nicoli and ask him- I'm in mid-thought trying to plan out the new letter. I don't notice something I should have done as soon as I came in.
I wish I had.
But I won't until it's too late.
I don't notice until I'm well into the room. It's so obvious now. I thought I was sneaky enough- I thought I was so fast.
I wasn't at all.
Or maybe he was already here? Waiting for me?
I will never know.
What I do know is that my heart stops as I see I am not alone. The portrait of Nochten's first Emperor is hanging open to my side. The secret shelf is exposed to the room. It's empty because all of it is with Mykhol.
"Hello, cousin." Mykhol greets me from my desk.
"Long time no see."