*Ana*
This shawl is magic! It's the only way I can describe it. Otherwise, I don't know. Could I say it's witchcraft? That Maddie is a powerful witch in disguise this entire time?
No, that would be too silly. I could never entertain such a childish notion.
But I will say this. That there is something special about it. Behind the obvious flash of red and gold, there is something I can not see but can feel.
Maddie's new shawl seems to harbor some power within it.
Since putting it on, I have not had a single incident. I still get the customary stare, but it's more to do with me suddenly wearing it. Otherwise, I've had no issues. No one has brought it up.
Both the whispers and nasty looks have stopped.
Dare I even say, when I catch them in a stare, it's different. Almost as if they are disappointed. That or they have nothing to talk about anymore.
Even Mykhol keeps quiet. It seems to have also created some effect on him.
I pause from my reading to look up. It is now past noon, and we both are in my study. The fire is crackling as we have both taken opposite couches. Mykhol is idle as his feet rest on the coffee table.
I see him hold his book, but I doubt he is reading. He flips pages mindlessly. Probably to look at the pictures, I assume. And when he isn't, I can see his eyes start to sag.
If he's sleepy, he should go and nap. I can't help but complain. I return to my book.
Unlike him, I've picked something of interest. It's a book on different customs around the world. While I start another chapter, I give the shawl a quick squeeze.
I'm never taking this off now. I vow happily. Life is so much easier with it on.
Why didn't I do this sooner? I beam to myself.
Maddie is brilliant.
Thinking of her, I have to look up again. I find Maddie nearby. She stands in the corner with the poker, ready to stroke the fire again.
When she sees me watching, she stops to give me a wink.
Maybe Maddie truly is a witch? I'm starting to believe it. She is rather unworldly at times.
Or could she be a guardian angel? I weigh my options. My life has gotten better with her around. But just as I imagine her with wings, I find it absurd.
No, a witch sounds more fitting for her.
"Your Empress," Aunt Funda's voice calls to stir Mykhol awake. He opens his eyes to yawn and stretch as Maddie opens the door.
"Mail, your Empress." Aunt Funda steps in to stop before me. I observe the tray for any sign of blue.
"Is there anything from Prince Nicoli?"
"There is," Aunt Funda twitches with a glance at Mykhol. Mykhol only shifts in his seat. His eyes are focused, though. He watches Aunt Funda lower the tray onto the coffee table.
"Ah!" I practically jumped up to take it. I tear up the top to quickly pull out the parchment. My eyes run over the first few lines before I realize Mykhol is watching me.
"Ana-" Maddie is about to ask something when Mykhol clears his throat.
"Read it aloud, Anastasia."
"Huh?" I feel my smile shrink as I remember him.
"Be nice and share, cousin." Mykhol lifts his gaze. He shoots a pointed look at the Emperor's portrait—where all my letters are still stored. It's a not-so-subtle hint of a threat: read them, or I'll read them at court.
I swallow as something shifts inside. I had almost forgotten. But it doesn't take much to remember.
"You may go, Aunt Funda."
"But I-"
"What?" I look up to see Aunt Funda take a look at her son. But Mykhol flatly looks back at her. This seems to make her sink.
"Good day, your Empress." Aunt Funda farewells. She shoots one final beseeching glance to Mykhol before leaving, but again, he looks back at her indifferently. What he does is come up after she closes the door.
"And what does our dear Prince write this time?" Mykhol sits a little too close to my side. I have to frown at the disturbance. Why did he sit next to me?
He can hear the letter over there. But I keep my thoughts in as Mykhol carries on.
"Did he like our last letter?"Mykhol smiles knowingly. He means HIS letter.
"No." I don't try to pretend to be nice to him.
"He says I sound funny."
"How mean," Mykhol playfully pouts. He dares to move in closer. Now, his leg presses against me, and I must stiffen.
"Cousin- must you be so close?" I pipe, but this only makes him lean over to see the letter in my hands.
"And what else does he say?"
I have to try hard not to show my discomfort. That might entice him to do something else. So, instead, I turn back to the letter.
"He's doing better with his lessons. And father-"
"You mean the king." Mykhol corrects. I feel my mouth stall. I must take a breath before I continue back again.
"Yes, King Alexander- he's promised Nicoli a circus to come to court if he tests well before his birthday-"
His birthday. I chew on the word.
That's right. He was born around this time. I recall the distant memory of that snowy day.
Nicoli was born shortly after that, wasn't he?
"So it looks like the Prince is having a birthday," Mykhol says flatly. He sounds annoyed for some reason.
"How riveting."
Suddenly, Mykhol sits back and crosses his arms. He gives an awful look at the letter as if sour. I don't understand, but I overlooked it as I have something more meaningful in mind.
"Nicoli's birthday is coming." I turn to see Maddie smile.
"My, it is already that time?" Maddie goes, and I return to the letter.
"I can't wait to celebrate. He said there might be a circus- I've never seen one." I'm speaking out loud.
"What will I get him?"
Perhaps another toy? No- maybe something different?
While pondering new ideas, I can't help but hear a snort. It's Mykhol. He seems amused and smirks to himself.
"What makes you laugh, cousin?"
"At you,"
"Me?" I look at him as if he just uttered the most ridiculous thing. But it must not be as Mykhol carries on.
"Yes, you." Mykhol pulls my hand with the letter. He reads it quietly before dropping me.
"You make it sound like you're invited." Mykhol shakes his head.
"But I don't see any invitation."
"No-" I start. Of course not. But now my eyes are on the letter. I read the same thing from before but with new insight.
Mykhol is right. I find it's true. There is mention of a party. But there is no invite.
"I just thought-" I was just speaking out loud without thinking. I didn't mean to imply anything. But sure enough, Mykhol is sharp. He sees my fault.
"Has the king sent you an invitation beforehand?" Mykhol presses on. His red eyes look up to find me.
"No."I feel my throat tighten.
"So, why did you think you could attend?" Mykhol smiles to make me close my mouth.
"I…wasn't trying- I was only saying that…" My words fall over themselves before I have to close my mouth. I feel my cheeks grow hot where I sit.
I must sound very foolish, don't I?
"Cousin, you shouldn't get ahead of yourself." Mykhol leans back and finds the hem of the shawl. He fingers the edge before scratching the embroidery.
I can feel each scratch like a bell knoll. But I have nothing to say. I have nothing to counter him.
He's right. That is all I can think of. The only thing I can muster is finding the bottom of the letter. Nicoli has left another of his doodles.
They were at a table. The bear, the brown splotch, and the purple were all wearing party hats. A cake with candles was on the table. I touched the brown figure.
"I…just wanted to see the circus."
"Oh, cousin," Mykhol chuckles and pulls my shawl. The gold chains that held it shifted. A shock of silver hair breaks free.
"Didn't you know?" Mykhol leans closer. His eyes focus on the sliver of silver peeping through the red.
"The circus never visits Nochten."
"Why?" I find my voice much quieter now.
"Why would you think?" Mykhol makes a show as if to bite down.
"Oh-" I feel my heart fall before Maddie is up from the corner.
"Empress Anastasia- will be late for court soon." Maddie steps forward to take the letter. But Mykhol doesn't move. He doesn't pay her any mind at all.
I suddenly find Mykhol looming closer. His hand is holding my chin. It makes me cringe in surprise. But he doesn't let go.
For a moment, I see his expression change. It turns into something I haven't seen him do before. He looks at me with pity.
"Cousin…" But he says nothing after. He stares at me as if changing his mind.
"Mykhol?"
"Stop reaching for things you can't have," Mykhol whispers. Again, I feel my shawl shift. More silver hair is falling out.
As the hair slips, Mykhol's eyes seem to grow unfocused. He looks over it quietly. Slowly, his hand lets go of me to take a strand. He wraps it around his fingers.
"Even when you cover your hair, we still know what you are." Mykhol takes it up to press his lips.
"Stop chasing after what isn't yours and start taking what is,"
"Mykhol?" I feel myself lost in his words.
Take what? I don't understand what he means.
"My lord, the court is starting." Maddie steps in. Her hand moves protectively to pull my hair back.
"Oh, your shawl moved." Maddie is suddenly stepping in front of Mykhol.
"Let me fix that, your Empress."
Mykhol strains his smile as he has to lean back. I see him scrunch up his nose at her, but he seems to hold his temper. But all the same, he lightens back up as if amused.
"You're right." Mykhol stands. I see him smile about something.
"Let us be off, Anastasia." Mykhol extends his hand.
"Oh?" I halt as I share a look with Maddie. Maddie is still fixing my hair but has to stop. I take his hand to feel him pull up to my feet without strain.
"I guess…we should get going?" I turn to Maddie, and she bows.
"I'll be right there- just gotta tidy up here." She motions to the letter. It means she is going to put it with the others.
"Very well." I nod with a little smile. At least Maddie still stores them for me, whereas I must follow Mykhol.
"Come, Anastasia," I feel Mykhol's hand slightly tighten. He sounds eager to go.
Does he like court? I can't help but feel it is odd. He seems eager to go, though.
But I don't let it stir me. I follow, be it struggling to keep up with his steps. His legs are still too long. It makes me almost have to sprint to keep pace with him.
For a brief moment, I stare at his legs as if I could watch them trip. How funny that would be? I hide my quick smile at the thought.
It is a naughty thought that I will share with Maddie later. I can already imagine her laughing at it.
"Such a mischievous little imp." She will call me later and kiss my cheeks.
*Maddie*
Maddie watched them leave before closing the door. After that, she didn't waste another moment. She rushed back to the table.
Taking up the discarded envelope, she pulled back the stamp. Underneath, Maddie could find the drawing. It was an eagle holding a snake in its talons. The sight sent a wave of relief through her.
"Oh god, about time." Maddie couldn't help but feel herself cry a little. These past days have proved the most difficult.
They've gotten the message. Thank god. Maddie could dance for joy.
The eagle was moving.
"And the faster, the better," Maddie confessed.
That boy…Maddie had to narrow her eyes.
"I've severely underestimated him."
Mykhol was not some simple teen like she had hoped. No, of course not. Life was never going to be that simple for a girl like Ana.
"She's surrounded by vultures and ghouls here." That's all Maddie could see. And if Mykhol were anything like she expected, he would be a real obstacle.
If he continues unchecked, things will only get worse. Maddie could already feel her gut turn.
"He needs to hurry." Ana was not safe anymore.