*Mykhol*
Upon hearing Ana enter, Mykhol read aloud. His fingers flicked the edge of the parchment like a rhythmic beat. It added background support to his cadence.
"- I wish I was there with you. But I have boring lessons. I want to cry." Mykhol read. He stopped there to now look up at Ana. She was standing perfectly still.
Like a doll, Mykhol thought as he lingered on the image. It made him smile with his fangs.
"My, does Prince Nicoli not like his lessons that much?" Mykhol posed, sounding innocent.
"What are you doing?" Ana's eyes were wide and shifted from him to the letter. Mykhol just smiled at her.
"Good day, dear cousin," Mykhol replied. He looked behind her to see the girl alone. Her maid was out of sight.
About time. Mykhol had been waiting for the chance. He had to smile at his luck.
"We finally meet after so long."
Mykhol folded the letter to put it back on top of the others. His finger lingered on the golden box before dipping back in. Then, his hand moved to take another letter.
He fingered the edge as he mused up another smile. His eyes flashed back to see Ana flinch. This made his fangs tingle.
"I missed you."
"Missed…" Ana's words drew out quietly as she seemed to stop breathing. And then, all at once- the passion was back in her. Her red eyes blared a brilliant glow as she suddenly found her voice to yell out.
"Those are mine!" Ana rushed over with her little hands outstretched.
"You can't read them-"
"Are you sure about that?" Mykhol lifted the letter above his head.
"What-"
"I said." Mykhol could feel his words purr as he saw doubt start in Ana's eyes.
"Are you sure?"
"I…" Ana stopped mid-step to meet Mykhol. His eyes met hers to see her flinch. The doubt was growing stronger on her face.
"But …" Tears of frustration came up, but Ana seemed to fight them down. It would seem the girl was capable of that. Mykhol couldn't help but be impressed.
For someone so young as her.
But that was where his sympathy ended. Mykhol lowered the letter to look at the envelope. The writing was poor.
Who could even read this? Mykhol shook his head as Ana lifted hers.
"Those are my private property, cousin Mykhol. And I have given you no permission to read them." Ana's voice was firm, like she was growing confident.
But Mykhol only smiled. He found the attempt cute- but foolish.
"As Empress, I command you-"
"As empress, you would turn over any exchanges between yourself and the prince to the court," Mykhol spoke evenly. His finger dragged over the golden lid.
"The court?" Ana flinched and closed her mouth. She again froze up. Mykhol smirked as he saw the bravado dry up on her face.
Little mouse. Mykhol mused. All squeak, but the teeth won't break the skin.
"It'd be helpful to maintain foreign relations, you see." Mykhol curled the sides of his lips.
"I- Yes, but-" Ana tried to push back. This only spurred a more significant smile from Mykhol.
"Then you know?"
"These letters are a diplomatic affair?" Mykhol reiterated. His smile was turning to gloat.
Mykhol could see more color drain out of Ana's face. It was getting as pale as her hair. She looked unearthly.
Like the moon.
But Mykhol tossed the thought aside. It was just a strange notion—nothing he needed to dwell on.
"No, I- these aren't like that. - They're only letters between children. There's nothing important…." Ana's voice began to quiver.
"Letters between children, huh?" Mykhol repeated.
His smile sharpened. His fangs slightly cut a layer of his lip. It drew up a faint taste of blood.
"Like how you went into detail on how you purposely avoided me?" Mykhol tapped the golden box again.
"Secret codes? Climbing out the window?"
"That's…" Ana tried to look down at her hands. Mykhol chuckled softly. It was fun to see her caught red-handed.
What excuse could you use now? Mykhol sat back in his seat. He was waiting for her next move.
Your move, little girl-
"We're just practicing for his writing. It's for brother Nicoli to learn." Ana tried to sound solid and sure.
"Practice?"Mykhol nodded as if he was considering her words. He rolled his tongue over his fangs mindfully.
Practice, she says.
"How thoughtful of you. Such a sweet cousin, I have." Mykhol tilted his head. His eyes never left her.
"What a big help you must be to 'brother Nicoli,'" Mykhol spoke with a slight rise at the end. But as he said it, Ana lifted her head again.
"I hope I am," Ana spoke and smiled earnestly. At her smile, Mykhol felt something shift inwardly. It made the bite in his resolve lessen.
Maybe it was how she smiled at him- since when could she smile like that? Mykhol looked after her for a moment.
Could she always smile like this? Mykhol thought. It was mesmerizing to see firsthand.
She…has a beautiful smile.
Mykhol absently lowered his hand. Ana must have become hopeful seeing him do so as she made to reach for the box.
"Cousin Mykhol, can I-" As Ana moved, her eyes left Mykhol's to touch the box. She could almost grab the box when- As soon as Ana looked away, the spell over Mykhol broke. Mykhol snapped back to his senses to pull the box to him.
"I can not fault you, dear cousin. You are young and surely meant good intentions." Mykhol closed the box with a click.
"But this could have caused a severe complication. Therefore, such correspondence needs to be reviewed by the court."
"As Empress, you can not forgo procedure for the sentiment. Regardless of your ages." Mykhol lifted the box in his hands. Ana widened her eyes at him, confused.
"What are you-?"
"But fear not, cousin Anastasia. Now that I am here, I will handle such problems." Mykhol stood up with the box.
"Cousin Mykhol-"
Mykhol smiled to show all his teeth.
"I will personally present these to the court in your stead."
"Wait, please!" Ana choked.
Mykhol only smiled down at her. Then, he began to carry the box and himself to the door. His long legs were taking little effort to traverse the distance.
Behind him, he heard Ana running after him.
"NO, please!" Ana's voice was short with panic.
"Don't take them!"
And to Mykhol's surprise, Ana lunged herself forward to stop him. Her little arms wrapped around him desperately and her into his robes.
"…" Mykhol paused to peer down at the distraught Ana. Ana took to look up at him. Her eyes filled with tears.
"Please, Mykhol," Ana dropped titles.
"Don't take them."
Ana's voice broke as tears began. Mykhol felt her tears stain his silk gown. She seemed to slow as she sobbed.
Do these mean that much to her? Mykhol lifted a brow.
Why? It's only a human-
But Mykhol quieted his thoughts as he watched the proud girl break before him. She acted so mature and distant just before- and now she was a sobbing mess.
Ana was finally acting like a seven-year-old.
"I will do anything," Ana choked between tears. Her large red eyes looked up at him beseechingly.
"…" Mykhol looked quietly down at her.
He couldn't help but find her much more petite at this moment. Her arms could barely wrap around his waist. It would be so easy to push her off and go.
But Mykhol could only smile inwardly seeing her like this. To see the child peer up at him so desperately made his heart thump. Even the sight of her tears filled him with relish. Because he had done it- he had made her this way.
She looks cute like this. Mykhol admired quietly. He flickered at her braid- the hair was beginning to fall out. It pooled around her face.
Even with all her silver hair- Mykhol didn't mind the sight.
"Do they mean so much to you?" Mykhol asked, moving to lift Ana by the chin. The girl responded with a nod. She sniffled.
"They mean everything," Ana spoke, husky from crying.
"Because they are from brother."
"Brother…"
Mykhol sucked in his lower lip. He felt his heart skip again. The way she looked at him now made him want more. He liked having her look at him like this.
But this wasn't the plan. Mykhol was aware.
I am supposed to expose everything. That way, Mother and Father can monitor the letters and control them.
But, Mykhol thought with a smile, there are other ways to skin a cat, aren't there?
"Do you mean that?" Mykhol rubbed away tears with his thumb. Her cheek felt so soft. Ana nodded, still in his hand.
" I do."
If that's so, Mykhol thought with delight. He leaned down to have his face just in front of hers.
"Then, let's make a deal, Anastasia." Mykhol found saying her name surprisingly delicious.
Ana stiffened in his hand. But she kept eye contact.
"Alright."
"Promise that you'll stop this foolish hiding and avoiding me. I've grown quite disheartened having you so reclusive towards me." Mykhol began.
Ana sucked in her lip but nodded. This she could do. But Mykhol was only starting.
"And-" Mykhol went on to move toward her hair. His fingers worked through her braid to loosen another strand. It surprised him to find how silky it felt.
I thought it would be as disgusting as it looks- but he was wrong. The silver was like the softest silk he'd ever touched. Fine and thin and shiny with the barest lighting.
"From now on, we'll read each new letter you receive from Prince Nicoli together. I'll also take part in how you'll reply." Mykhol finished unraveling more of her braid.
He smiled at the sight of the hair falling apart. All by his hands. The carefully crafted braid was nothing he could undo.
Like everything else, he would get his hands on and destroy them to make into his preference. Her hair would be the start of what would come.
"Have we an understanding, Anastasia?"
"Yes, cousin." Ana could speak. But it wasn't like she could voice differently. Because Mykhol knew he had trapped her.
And to make it more obvious, Mykhol closed his fingers on her hair. A strange little feeling came up as he did. Was it a relief that he had finally taken control? Was it something else?
Mykhol did not know. He only knew it felt delicious to have the girl right where he wanted her. And he'd like to keep it that way.