*Ana*
"So, this is a party." I can't help myself from saying as we arrive.
We are late- thanks to Mykhol, but we are not the only ones. People are coming up behind us. It must be common because the servants don't look disturbed. They move to take our coats before moving to the next group.
Behind us, I can hear excited whispers. And it is not long before I feel the oh-so-familiar feeling of eyes. We are being watched.
"Lord Mykhol," I hear one call out from behind. It's a boy, younger than Mykhol but older than me. He moves to bow as if to introduce himself.
"Hello," Mykhol smiles at them but doesn't move from my side. The boy looks disappointed but quickly retreats into his group. There are no others brave enough to speak. But surely they will spread the word we are here.
"So," Mykhol begins, and I break my gaze. I turn in time to see him gesture outward.
"What do you think? Is this what you had in mind?"
"No," I answer, and Mykhol laughs.
"Sorry to disappoint."
"No, it's not-" I stall on the words. In truth, I didn't have any experience with parties. So I had little expectation. But I was already forgetting about the party.
The party is being held in the greenhouse. A questionable choice at first, but now I know why. It's quite spacious and exquisite.
The plants alone make up for the lackluster wintery day. They are so bright and colorful. Most of the plants here are not native to Nochten.
They put my mother's roses to shame. I am envious. If only I could take some of these back with me. I would much like to grow them in our gardens.
I crouch down to investigate one particular flower. It has a strong scent, and the color is bright. I reach to touch it.
"It's waxy?" I move my fingers back. It's not clean and smooth like the rose petals. How interesting.
"I wonder what this flower is called?" My view is suddenly darker. Mykhol's shadow looms over me.
"You do like flowers, don't you, cousin?" He goes, and I can feel his hand take mine. I inwardly sink as I feel his fingers weave through
"I…what makes you think that?" I voluntarily test his hand. Sure enough, it won't budge. Not that I am that surprised.
"You always go to the rose garden,"
"Oh, that's because-" because I can be left alone there. But I don't say it. I feel like I shouldn't.
"Yes, I like them." I go.
"But for botanical reasons."
"Botanical?" Mykhol muses, but he doesn't press further. Which I am glad for. I'd rather not say more than I need to.
Instead, I peer around the party. My eyes are searching for something I have been looking forward to. And I immediately brighten when I see it.
The cake. I think and feel my stomach gurgle. I can see it from the entrance. There's a whole table of desserts.
It's not just cake. I see pastel macaroons, white frosted cream puffs, cucumber sandwiches, and others lining the long table. It's an entire spread.
It all looks so tasty from here. My stomach must agree with me as it gives another growl. It's loud and full of anticipation. Fear not, little tummy. I will stuff myself full.
But I must get to the table first. I think and find myself with a new problem. The table is crowded.
I see children surrounded by all four sides. It's a sea of redheads. And their pale hands are hungrily piling up their plates full of confections.
To my quick dismay, I can see plates grow empty in real-time. The children are taking everything. And more children are coming up.
I didn't think so many would attend. I expected to see others. But not at this volume. The sheer number of them intimidates me.
Where have they been? I've never seen so many before, all at once. I didn't think there were so many other noble children.
Who are all of you people? I blink. I find myself in a crowd of strangers.
Feeling uncomfortable, I incidentally lean toward Mykhol. I must be overwhelmed right now. I'm not used to seeing so many new faces.
"You look terrified." Mykhol's words have me look up. He seems to be watching me. For how long, I don't know. But I feel his hand pull me closer before he smiles.
It's not the strange smile he usually makes. This one is smaller. And he isn't looking to anyone else. I'm the only one who can see it.
"If you are, then-"
Whatever Mykhol was going to say is stopped as we both turn at the sound of feet. Someone, a girl, is coming toward us. And she seems to be walking confidently.
"Long reign Empress Anastasia." A young girl about Mykhol's age steps forward to drop to a low curtsey. I see her dressed in a bright yellow skirt and top lined with crystals and silver thread.
As she rises, she turns to look not at me but Mykhol. Her eyes seem to run up and down him quickly. She giggles before turning a little pink in the cheeks.
This seems to put Mykhol in a good mood as he turns to smile at her. It's the smile he usually makes. And it instantly makes the girl giggle again.
"Ah, Lady Kata." Mykhol bows his head to receive yet another giggle from her.
"Lady Kata?" I repeat, and Mykhol nods.
"Lord Mykhol, thank you for coming to my party." I catch her quickly dart a look at me. And then it's not at me. Her eyes linger on my hair with a quick grimace. Her eyes return to Mykhol, and she brightens.
"Lord Mykhol, can I offer you some cake?" Lady Kata starts up again. Is it me, or is her voice even sweeter? Why do girls become like this? I don't know.
But Lady Kata is not the only one. Not so far off, I can see a gaggle of girls. They lean in and whisper to each other before giggling. I see some even blush.
The boys are also affected. No one is immune. I see them turn to give Mykhol a nod or a bow. Everyone seems to gravitate their attention to Mykhol. And they remain with him.
But I catch a few breakaway. They look over at me quickly. And then at my hair. I can see the familiar expression of disgust follow shortly after. A part of me wants to shrink on the spot when I see it.
But the other part of me is used to it. Not because I like it, but it's an expectation. Either way, I feel my stomach grumble again. It helps me remember I have better things to do.
"I'm getting cake." I declare abruptly and break away. I make a mad dash for the table.
"Cousin?" I hear his voice, but I don't stop. I power ahead. I only take a second to look over my shoulder to see him still stuck with Lady Kata.
But he doesn't look too happy. His face is scrunched up in a quick frown. It's so different from his smile just before.
I told you I was hungry. I silently speak. And I won't stand there while you talk away with her.
I am hungry, and I will eat. I turn with a light smile of victory. It feels good to break away from him for once.
I hope they stay and talk for a good long while. He and Lady Kata could talk all night for all I care as long as I can eat. I don't mind.
With that, I beeline for the table. The table is still crowded, but my eyes are already darting over what remains. I am trying to decide who will be my first sugary victim.
I can try the cake first, or maybe I should take some pie-
"Ah!" I cry as I suddenly feel a yank back. I would have nearly fallen over without another hand gripping my shoulder.
"Who-" I turn to find Mykhol behind me. How did he get over here so quickly?
"Cousin?" I speak, but Mykhol doesn't look at me. His normal smile is back on.
"Excuse us, my lady. Anastasia needs help with the refreshments." Mykhol makes excuses to Lady Kata.
Need help? I look back at Mykhol with disbelief.
"That's- I am more than capable-" I try to retort, but Lady Kata laughs suddenly
"Oh, of course. We know how reliant Empress Anastasia is on you." Lady Kata replies. Her shock is over, and I see her eyes turn to me. It is as if she is glaring at me with a challenge.
It's not like I asked him to help. I feel myself cry. It's the opposite. I was trying to break away. But it's no use. I feel my stomach growl again.
"If you'll excuse us." Mykhol goes pleasantly with another smile that has Lady Kata coo. I feel then dragged forward.
"Did you see that?" I hear a whisper as we move.
"She made Lord Mykhol stop to get her food."
"How childish."
"No, that's-" I open my mouth, but Mykhol cuts me off.
"That's what?" Mykhol smiles.
"That's-" I try again and turn my eyes toward the talkers, but they are turning their heads. They seem to be not listening again. Or rather, they don't care to see the whole picture- just what they want to.
"What?" Mykhol goes again.
"I- it's nothing." I feel myself sink. It is suddenly pointless to try.
No doubt there will be rumors of this tomorrow in court. I think wearily. Another wild story of me acting selfish and spoiled and poor Mykhol unable to refuse. And it will get to Maddie- then Maddie be mad, if not madder than I am now.
I…let's eat. I dismiss. I'm too hungry to care now. It seems pointless, anyway.
They will say whatever they want, even if it doesn't make sense. They don't even know the facts.
But they don't want to either. I am slowly growing aware that they seem to like to paint me in a negative light. Maybe because it's fun for them?
I think it's a bit childish. But I don't dwell on it. It will be something I'll have to prove otherwise when I'm older. When I'm Empress, I'll show them how to eat those words.
But for now, I'll endure.
As we head for the table together, I see heads pop up. Suddenly everyone is brighter as they see us- or more, see Mykhol. They speak over each other as we pass.
"Long reign Empress Anastasia."
"Hello, Lord Mykhol,"
"Pleasant weather. Lord Mykhol."
"How are you today, Lord Mykhol."
"Will you sit with us today, Lord Mykhol?"
Most of the conversations are directed toward Mykhol. I seem to be less noticed. But it doesn't irk me. My mind is one-tracked at the moment, anyway.
I want cake. I think, and my stomach growls. The cake is the only thing important now.
We continue past more groups who stop to greet us, making us slower, but we finally make it. We reach the table. And I take no time to step up the line, even with Mykhol still holding onto me.
"Your Empress," A small boy stutters as he notices me. He is missing a tooth- one of his fangs.
"I- forgive me." The boy goes quickly and steps out of line.
"Oh, no, you don't have to," I call out, but he is gone. I only see his little back disappear into the sea of tables.
I was going to wait in line. I wasn't going to-
I sigh. It seems I have a rather negative effect today. And it only continues as I see more people in line do the same. They notice me and quickly jump out of the way. All are looking after me in apology.
"Your Empress."
"Empress Anastasia."
"My apologies, your Empress." They go as I watch the crowded table clear for me. I am now the only one at the table.
"Ah," I sigh silently as I suddenly feel myself burdened. I didn't intend for them to all leave like that. I was going to wait.
But now they are standing back as if waiting. I feel them give a good hard stare at my hair. I try not to frown at the feeling.
Just get the cake. I can only console myself as someone walks toward us.
"Lord Mykhol-" Another teen girl is speaking. She smiles from ear to ear.
Another one? I think. He sure is popular.
No doubt, this one will want to talk-, But to my surprise, Mykhol doesn't. He turns from her completely to instead take up a plate. He grabs one while looking over the table.
"Lord Mykhol?" The teen goes again a little louder, but Mykhol still doesn't pay her mind. Instead, he looks at me.
"And what would you like, Anastasia?" Mykhol asks.
"Me?" I ask, a little taken aback.
"Yes, what are you hungry for?" Mykhol asks again as I see the teen girl grow pale behind us. She turns to head back to where she came from. I watch her go before turning back to see Mykhol smiling at me. He looks like he doesn't know that he just snubbed her.
"Perhaps I'll just start grabbing some for you?" Mykhol goes with his big smile, and I feel something inside me snap.
"I am not a child."I yank my hand free. I move to take my plate.
"You act like I can't manage to get my food."
I stretch over to reach for the first choice- pudding. But alas, it is just out of reach. Beside me, I hear a small laugh.
"Here," Mykhol cuts a slice and sticks a coconut cake onto my plate.
"That-" I open my mouth to protest, but Mykhol softens his smile.
"You like coconut cake, don't you?" Mykhol speaks easily. He then moves to take a slice for himself.
"…Yes," He is right. I do not fight him for helping me. But I am not happy about either.
"Would you like anything else? Perhaps coffee? Tell me, and I'll get it-"
First, he won't let me pick my dress. And my hair- Now it's cake? I can only handle so much.
"Why must you make it seem like I need you?" I wait for Mykhol to explain himself. At the very least, admit whether he knows what he's doing. But I see him smile at me. I can't help but think he finds this rather amusing to see me this upset.
"Try the coffee, cousin." Mykhol begins to add extra cream and sugar into one without a word.
"For you." He holds it out to me. I take it, but again feel frustrated.
"Thank…you." I go begrudgingly. But my stomach wins over my pride, and I can't resist. I blow on the cup before sipping.
It tastes divine- especially since it's the first cup I've had today. I quietly sip for a moment. I want to savor the flavor. And Mykhol doesn't speak again until I am done.
"Is it so bad if you did need me?" Mykhol asks.
Mid-sip, I catch the small boy.- the one from the line. He looks about my age, be it taller. But then, most kids are taller than me. I smile politely at him, and the boy quickly looks to the side.
Does he not like it? I feel a little foolish.
"I don't," I turn to spy a table off on its own. It's near some hedges where no one else seems to be sitting. My eyes pick the perfect chair in the shade. Though it was winter, the sun is still relentless in Nochten. I can feel the heat through the glass above us.
Perhaps I can sit there? My eyes linger on the chair. It does look like the perfect spot to sit.
"Really?" Mykhol sounds amused.
"Then please," Mykhol speaks as he looks ahead of me. He seems to notice the spying children as well. His smile sharpens a little at the sight. A little laugh escapes his lips before he speaks again.
"Enjoy your cake."
And with that, I see him turn from me and head toward the tables himself.