*Ana*
Any minute, I expect Mykhol will change his mind. He will change his mind and follow me. I even hold my breath as I wait to hear the footsteps.
Huh? But to my surprise, they don't. Isn't he going to change his mind?
Is he going to leave me to myself? Now? Here? I don't believe it.
I see him go to a table instead. He sits amongst a group of boys. All of them look happy to see him. They seem excited to have him- like it's an honor.
Mykhol, whether he is as excited, keeps a measured smile. His eyes flash up at me, but he only looks at me. He doesn't make another motion of acknowledgment.
Is he letting me go on my own? I think before I feel a spark in my stomach.
If that's the case… I slowly turn my head back. If he is going to leave on my own, then- I feel myself skip a step.
Quickly! I pull up my skirt to help. This is my chance!
I charge across the floor and between the tables. It must be a right because people turn their heads. But no one bothers me. I'm allowed to take a seat under a tree in peace.
It was just as I thought. I find The chair is indeed cooler. I kick my legs up with a soft squeal of joy.
This is wonderful.
My day has now improved in a way I never expected. Mykhol will not bother me. I can finally enjoy a meal- for who knows how long.
Finally! I bask in the joy of solitude. But just as quickly, I feel it fall. Maddie is not with me to enjoy it. I am alone today.
If only Maddie were here. I can't help but feel it is a sad waste. The one time I can be alone, and Maddie isn't even here to share it with me.
Maddie is back at the palace- she was forced to stay. Because Mykhol reasoned she wouldn't be needed. That there'd be enough attendants.
"One less maid won't hurt you." Were his words. And I listened then. I thought his judgment was sound.
But now I wish I had put my foot down. I look at the empty chairs at my table. How easy it would have been to have Maddie here with me?
I should have just brought her anyway. I think before sighing. Again, I feel the moment go to waste. Maddie would have loved this.
"I'll bring back some cake for her. " I go as a way of reparation. It's the next best thing I can do besides being here.
And if I get enough, we can eat it together tonight. I can already see us enjoying the dessert back in my room. We'll have it right before bed.
I'm already looking forward to it. So It is decided. I will do so. But I have some myself - and I take a spoonful and swallow. A quick gasp of delight follows as I taste the icing.
"It's delicious!" It's almost as good as the ones from the palace kitchens. I have to take another bite. Again, I am impressed.
Lady Kata has a good cook alongside a beautiful greenhouse. How lucky. I hope she appreciates them. Because if not, I might take them for my own as Empress.
A joke, of course. I would do such a thing. It would be an abuse of power. And I will never be that kind of leader. I will be righteous and without everyone to the same standard.
But if I weren't- I giggle. The idea is tempting, especially after I recall how Lady Kata looked at me.
But no. I still won't. I decide. I won't stoop to that level.
I will enjoy my cake in this time of peace, which I do. I quickly finish the cake in mere bites. But it's not satisfying.
I am still ravenous.
It was so good. I need more- what should I try next? I muse as I turn to eye the table. I find the plate of coconut cake.
Good, it's still there. But the line behind it seems to say it won't last long. - lady Kata better pay her to cook well. They earned it. I need to hurry.
I hope there will still be some by the time I get there. I pick up my plate before standing. Already, I see someone else has taken another piece. The cake is growing smaller. And the line is still as long.
I should go now and-
"Um, your Empress?" I did not see them arrive. I was so busy meandering over the cake that I almost missed them. But the small voice has me freezing on the spot.
When did he get there? I am surprised. But I make no motion to show it. Rather I quietly regard him.
It is the small boy from before. I observe his mushroom haircut split down the middle. His hair is a muddy red tone. He is holding a plate of different desserts. I spy the other choices and feel my mouth water.
They all look good. He has good taste.
"Your Empress?" The boy seems to notice where I am staring. He motions them up.
"I…made you a plate."
"You…for me?"I can't help but look up at him. Why would he do such a thing? I expect he will explain himself, but he doesn't. Rather, he lifts the plate higher.
"I…yes, your Empress." The boy stutters slightly.
"Oh…" Do I take it? I look back at the plate. Would it be rude to say no? But I have no time to answer as my stomach gives a loud growl.
"The cake…" I remember and turn to the table. I see my lovely coconut cake is gone. The plate is empty.
"Oh…" I feel myself drop. I didn't even get a chance.
"My cake…" I frown before I see movement. The boy is lifting the plate.
"Your Empress…?" a flash of uncertainty crosses his face. I suddenly find myself feeling guilty for it. He must think I'm ignoring him.
That's not it, but I can't just say I'm disappointed with the cake. It would sound so silly. So I find myself unable to refuse.
"Thank you-" I take it but pause. I realize I don't know his name or him. I've not seen him in court.
Who is he? But what's more, the trouble is, How do I find out?
"I…um.." I stumble over myself, finding it a block.
How does one ask for a name? I've never met someone I didn't already know. My social circle is just that small.
How do you ask for names naturally? What do I even say? I don't know, and I fear I must look foolish or arrogant by standing around.
What do I do?
"Thank you…um-?"
"Pendrick, your Empress." The boy bows. When he stands, I see the missing fang in his smile. I have to wonder if it's a congenital disease.
How sad. Fangs are important in the vampire world. It is a source of pride. So missing a fang is almost as bad as having silver hair. Almost. I find our situations a little different. Pendrick, even without a fang, is still better off than myself.
"Thank you, Sir Pendrick." I return to my seat. I look down at my plate before I notice him. He still stands by.
Why hasn't he left yet? I watch him shift on his feet as if waiting. Was he not just giving me the plate?
Is there something else?
"Yes?" I look up, again expectant.
"um…" Pendrick fidgets a moment with his fingers. I wait for him to speak, but he turns pink. His cheeks start to look like the color of strawberries.
Is he getting sun sick? I see he is standing in the direct light. Though winter, the sun is rather harsh, even through the glass. It could happen. Some vampires were more prone to it than others.
I don't want him to get sick. I can't help but be concerned.
"Your Empress?" Pendrick starts up again.
"Yes?" I sit up straight, ready to hear what he has to say.
"Can I…" Pendrick looks down at his hands. His face even grows redder.
"Can I sit with you?"
Sit with me? I feel myself blown away by the question. Why would he want to sit here?
"Have you not a table of your own?" I steal a look around. I see enough tables with empty chairs. He could sit anywhere.
They don't want to sit with him. The thought does occur to me. Because of his fang, they might not like him at their tables.
He might not have anywhere to sit. I feel myself growing pity for him. I know the feeling well. If I were not the Empress, I can only imagine how they would treat me.
"No, I-" Pendrick, meanwhile, grows redder. I can't help but feel more concerned.
He looks like he's being cooked alive. I see his red cheeks. He's almost as red as a lobster.
He'll die at this rate. I can't afford to see him be put through anymore. He already has enough of his plight. I can't just watch him suffer.
"Sit here, then." I get up from the shade. I take the next seat. I feel warm in the sun. But it's a necessary sacrifice. Pendrick needs it more than me.
"You've been in the sun too long." I pat the chair's back.
"Sit."
"T-thank you, your Empress," Pendrick almost jumps, running over. He quickly moves to sit. I see a great smile stretch over his face.
For someone missing a fang, he sure does smile often. I think I was impressed. He is confident- more than me. It's like he forgets it's missing altogether. I feel envious of him.
If only I could do the same.
"You should feel better soon enough."
"Huh?" Pendrick looks confused, but I don't pay him mind. My hands are going for the plate.
I decided to go with a pink macaroon first. It looks the most promising. And I'm about to pop it into my mouth before I stop as I notice him. Pendrick is watching me.
"Hm?" I shift to see him, not even trying to hide it. He is staring at me most earnestly.
Or is it this? I look at the pink sweet in my hand. Does he want this?
Perhaps Pendrick only grabbed a plate for me? Nothing for himself? He didn't bring two- just one.
It would be rather unfair for me to eat. I realize. He should have his share. That's only right.
It's only fair. I ignore the growl of my stomach. She has no say in this. What's right is right.
"Have some, Sir Pendrick. It'll be too much for me."
It's a lie. I know I can finish the whole thing by myself. But I hide my hunger for his sake. He should eat too.
He did go out of his way to bring me all these sweets. I reason. And look, There should be enough for the two of us. One less macaroon won't hurt me.
"Thank you, your Empress," Pendrick replies and moves to pick up a strawberry tart.
Good. I'm happy to see him eat. I can now throw the macaroon in my mouth and chew without guilt. Its soft sweet taste fills my mouth. But it is not enough.
I'm still famished. I go for a lady's finger next. Again, I feel those red eyes. Pendrick is back to staring.
Does he want this one too? I wonder with my hand hovering.
"Did you want to try this one too?" I don't want to take it if he does.
"Try what?"
"You're staring at it." I motion to the pastry, and Pendrick looks flushed all over again. He looks down at his lap.
"No, I- I'm sorry." Pendrick turns over his hands.
"I wasn't staring at that…" his voice lingers.
"So…" my hand is still hanging over.
"You don't want the pastry?"
"No, I- that wasn't what I was staring at."
"Oh, alright." Then don't mind if I do. If he doesn't want the lady's finger, I'll gladly take it. I have no problems with that.
"I didn't think it'd be so pretty."
I finish chewing and swallowing before I speak.
"What's pretty?"I ask.
Is the ladyfinger pretty? Is that what he is talking about-
"You-" Pendrick takes this chance to meet my eyes for the first real-time. His eyes are a pale red like his hair. But they feel warm.
"Your hair is pretty." Pendrick goes.
"You think…My hair?" I can't help but grab a strand to check- it's still silver.
"You…do?" I can't help but check to see Pendrick nod. But he doesn't stop there.
To my surprise, he leans toward me. His hand moves up. I see him look hard on my hair.
"Can I…touch it?"