"Empress Anastasia seems quite attached to Lord Mykhol as of late." A maid spoke to her master during court.
"Yes, I seem to see them together quite a lot today." The noble agreed.
"I saw them together in the library just this morning." A manservant interjected.
"And they had breakfast together too."
"Well, I've seen them in the garden." Another maid went. More turned in the crowd hearing the outburst.
"Well, it's clear to say our Empress enjoys Lord Mykhol's presence." Another laughed.
"More like clinging to him. I mean, look now. Look how Ana has him standing right at her side." He spoke loud enough for all to hear below.
Hearing this, Ana flinched on her throne. It was slight and easily overlooked if one didn't know. But if they did, they could also tell the disturbed look that pushed in her brows.
Mykhol, however, reveled in the attention. It was precisely what he had hoped for. And to further his ego, he made a show of taking Ana's hand and holding it.
"Mykhol?!" Ana strained with surprise looking over at him. But Mykhol paid her no mind. His eyes and smile were directed to the court.
"Empress Anastasia has grown so fond of me that she wants me at her side."
At his joke, both servants and nobles laughed together. Everyone seemed to find it in good humor. They smiled and nodded to each other with affirmations.
"Ah, yes"
"Quite right."
"Who wouldn't be with Lord Mykhol?"
"I couldn't blame her, Empress. I would do the same myself." A noble fanned herself as her husband pouted.
"Honey," He groaned, making a new round of laughter. Everyone seemed to be in good spirits. Everyone but Ana, that was.
Ana could only sit there as she felt them glance up at her. Their eyes looked hungry as they greedily took in the sight of them. They were fascinated by Mykhol and herself. But the attention made her sink a little further in her seat.
*Ana*
I feel sick.
Even despite the colder winter air, it feels stiffening. The room feels hot and humid- or is that Mykhol's hand? His skin feels clammy on mine.
And I still have to sit here stuck in my chair.
Mykhol, however, does not seem to notice. He looks perfectly fine and natural as he stands before the onlookers. It's almost like he enjoys the attention.
But I don't see how. I don't like anything about this. I wish I could be elsewhere right now.
"Smile." Mykhol's voice is low. He squeezes my hand a little harder. I manage to twitch my lips. It's not a smile- but something.
"You call that a smile?" Mykhol doesn't seem to be pleased. I try again, but it's weaker. I don't want to smile. I barely do normally- so it's hard to force one.
"Yes."
"Heh," Mykhol sighs quietly with a rush of air. I feel his fingers flex over mine.
"Must I do everything?"And then he goes back to court all smiles.
"Isn't that right, Anastasia?"
I feel my head tear up at my name. Behind me, A great gasp comes from the court. And just as quickly, their tongues are wagging.
"He calls her by name?" Nobles are exchanging quickly- everyone is in shock or surprise. More eyes look up at us.
"How informal,"
"What could you think that means?"
"Do you think-"
"Oh, most certainly."
"It wouldn't be such a bad idea if they were…."
I feel frozen in my chair as I now feel their stares change. They are no longer curious about us but for some other reason. They now smile and nod to each other.
But I find their smiles sicken me. They feel wrong. It's something I can't begin to understand.
Worse, I can see it from my side. Aunt Funda and Uncle themselves share a smirk between them. They look so content.
Why? I don't understand. But I like it even less. I don't want any of it.
But again, Mykhol fails to notice. All he seems concerned about is the court.
"We are very close, right?" Mykhol teases with a wink. He makes that smile of his that makes a few girls gasp. I only look at him.
"Right?"Mykhol's smile flinches.
"Yes," is all I muster. This seems to be the right choice, Mykhol nods.
"Good girl." He smiles more naturally and motions to the room. I understand the cue.
"That will be all for today." I raise my hand to close the meeting.
"You are all dismissed."
I stay seated as the crowd scatters. Finally, people can return to where they need to be. But not before I catch more of what is said.
"It really would be beneficial if they were too," A maid by Maddie voiced below.
"But how can anyone stomach seeing that hair!"
"Excuse me?" Maddie narrows her eyes at them. But just as she walks toward them, the maids scuttle off. They seemed frightened of her.
But Maddie looked after them as if ready to follow.
"Maddie, it's fine." My voice has her look back up at me. This I can smile- but more for her than myself.
"It doesn't bother me."
"Bullshit." Maddie scuffs, but a look from Mykhol has her top her head down. She seems to bite her lower lip. Her brown eyes dart up at me with concern.
I'm sure she's noticed the change, but I have yet a chance to tell her. I haven't had a moment to be alone with her yet. And I'm starting to think he's doing that on purpose.
Maddie…
I look down at her sadly. She must be so confused. Because up until yesterday, we were busy working together to avoid him.
But now-
"Anastasia?" Mykhol tested his fingers over my hand.
"Are you ready to go?"
I open my mouth to speak- but the look he gives me has me close it again. I know I can't refuse him.
"Yes," Is all I say, and I get up from the throne. Mykhol wasted no time hanging my hand on his arm, making me stretch mine awkwardly.
"Now, where should we go now? The study? The library?" Mykhol beams as we walk. I see Aunt Fudna and Uncle come in behind us. They are nodding along with that little smile.
Poor Maddie follows a step behind in the back. I see her give me another worried look- but she's too far. I can't do anything but what is happening now.
"Anything you like to do will be fine, cousin." I only go. My voice sounds so defeated.
*Maddie*
Maddie felt her hand clench as she again wanted to cry out. The scene before her was horrific. And Ana was suffering.
What the hell is going on? That was what Maddie wanted to know. What the hell was all this?
Because up until yesterday, Ana had been avoiding the teen. And with her help, it looked like things would carry on like this. Everything was running just fine.
But then she suddenly wanted to stop today. And Mykhol has taken no time to hang all over her.
Did she have a change of heart? Maddie tried to recheck Ana. No, it didn't feel like that at all. Ana looked as uncomfortable as she was walking.
Why was he making her walk like that- didn't he know? Ana looked like she was straining herself with each step. It felt painful to watch.
Maddie took a moment to throw a suspicious look at the teen. He had combed his short brick-red hair to one side to show off the golden earrings in his pointed ears.
He called her by name too. Maddie only narrowed her eyes further. And right in front of the whole court.
Maddie couldn't help but feel her eyes narrow even further. That seemed rather well-timed- like a lot of things the teen seemed to do. Since when did they get so close?
But Maddie could only watch where she was. Because, as of yet, the girl hadn't protested. She seemed to be going along with it.
So Maddie could yet decide if this was her choice or not. But one thing was for sure. Ana didn't look alright.
If I could talk to Ana, I could ask her.
But it didn't look like that would happen today. She needed Ana alone, but Mykhol was stubborn. He had yet to leave her side all day.
Maddie glared at the teen bitterly.
Just back off, will you?
Feeling eyes on him, Mykhol spotted Maddie.
"Come, Anastasia." Mykhol smiled to bare his fangs. On the outside, it was meant to be a smile. But Maddie didn't think it felt that way.
No, he looked like he was enjoying this. Maddie pulled up a smile while mentally cursing at the boy.
*Ana*
At supper that evening, I found myself across from Mykhol. Both Aunt Funda and Uncle have chosen not to join us. But this is nothing new. They always said the same thing to me before.
They always say they are 'busy' with regent work.
So I've grown reasonably used to eating alone at the big table.
But not today. I can't seem to stop looking up at my cousin. He looks content in his meal.
Mykhol has a rare steak and greens with a fresh cup of rabbit blood. And it must be good because he seemed to be enjoying himself immensely. I can hear him hum while he chews. Only stopping here and there to sip up the blood from his cup.
"Not hungry, Anastasia?" Mykhol asks after taking a sip. I only look down at the pasta. I haven't even picked up my fork.
The Alfredo sauce is clumpy and white as it stares back at me. It makes me want it even less. I gently push it to the side.
"Perhaps later,"
When I turn my head to the side, I catch Maddie. She is watching me. Her warm brown eyes look concerned.
'You okay, honey?' She moves, but I can't even answer. Not witch Mykhol right there.
Maddie- I call out her name silently. She's in the room with us but really miles away. I feel so isolated at the table, even though I am not alone.
But wait! Of course!
Suddenly I remember. It strikes me as the best thought I've had all day. It even fills me with hope.
I look up to find Mykhol finishing his glass. He seems to drink a lot. While I wait for him to put it down, he makes another motion to lick his lips before motioning to Maddie.
"The rabbit tastes pure this time." Mykhol smiles with his fangs.
"Is that right?" Maddie only returns flatly.
"Would you like to try some?" Mykhol lifts the glass to offer with a chuckle.
"You've been eye me all night. I assumed you wanted some."
"Is that right?" Maddie narrowed her eyes at him.
"Hmm." Mykhol nodded before I could get his attention again.
"Cousin?" I perk up.
"Yes, Anastasia?" Mykhol smiles at me, not like how he does with Maddie. It's less fang and more straightforward.
"You're on winter break right now," I state more than ask.
"…I am," Mykhol takes his time in answering. He cuts his steak.
"And when the break ends, you will return to university, right?" I go on.
"My break…" Mykhol pauses his knife.
Mykhol lifts his head to regard me quietly. He looks over my braids- they are different today. I have three—one in the middle and two at the sides to frame my heart-shaped face.
Mykhol moves to lick his finger.
"Yes." He finally answers.
"I am on break."
"When do you go back?" I can't hold back my curiosity.
"When does school begin again-"
"So that's your question." Mykhol moves to eat again. As he chews, I see him smile. Something is funny to him. But what that could be, I don't know. I only wait for him to answer.
"Yes, when do you-"
"I'm not." For a moment, I second-guess his words.
"You're…not?" I feel myself grow dumbfounded.
"No," Mykhol chews and swallows. Then, finally, he pats the napkin to his lips.
"I've decided it beneficial to stay and experience court life."
"you're...staying?" I feel my heart drop into my stomach.
"I tried to tell you earlier, but-" Mykhol pauses to meet Maddie's eyes. Maddie seems to puff up her chest a little but does not respond.
"Anyways," Mykhol looks back at me.
"We kept 'missing' each other."
I flush at the meaning. It is a challenge to keep a calm face, but I do.
"I see." I can only say.
Mykhol takes this opportunity to lean back into his chair. He seems to study momentarily as if trying to weigh me out. I can't help but feel like I am under the gaze of a predator. I don't like it at all.
"You know," Mykhol continues.
"Yes?" I slowly raise my head to see his mouth widen into a toothy grin.
"You still have yet to reply to Prince Nicoli yesterday."
"Nicoli's - '' I feel the wind knock out of me as Maddie gasps. I can feel her snap her head in my direction, but I can't bear to make eye contact.
I don't think I need to. Because just as Maddie is shocked, she quickly gathers his meaning. Maddie moves to cough into her hand.
"Yes, that one." Mykhol voiced as he watched Maddie's reaction with a light of amusement in his eyes. He was then back to look at me. Inwardly I could almost feel a visible hand curl around me as he did.. I can feel that invisible hand tighten all the more. But where I think terrified, Mykhol seems entirely at ease.
It was as if he was enjoying this.
"How about we finish that?"