*Ana*
I don't think we've had such a cold day like this before. If we did, I don't remember. But it is.
It's cold, dark, and windy outside. It's so windy that I can hear it howl against the window. It sounds angry and upset that we dare keep it outside. But of course we do. And Maddie is doing her best to keep it that way.
Thanks to her, the room is toasty. She has made a good fire and has been diligently keeping it stocked. I do not have to fear the cold today since she works so hard.
"Ah?" I look up from my book at the sudden sound. I see the fire has swallowed up another log. It cracks and snaps as the flames run through it, and I watch it momentarily. But soon enough, my eyes wander again. I found myself turning to find Mykhol.
Mykhol is on his couch. He has another book in his hand, but he seems to be reading it this time. I look at the title. It's a military book. I have to cringe a little at that. It's one of the few subjects I am not so fond of reading. But outside of the book choice, I find no other fault.
It is quite nice. I find myself surprised. Who would ever have guessed I would think such a thing around Mykhol? But it's true.
I watch Mykhol turn a page. He seems focused on what he's reading and doesn't notice me. That's rare for him. He is usually hyper-focused on me for some odd reason.
But right now, he is distracted. So, of course, I take my chance. I openly study him. In particular, I look over at his face.
He is handsome. I quickly find I have to agree.
No wonder all the girls look at him.
Mykhol's skin is clear and even-toned. And his blood-red hair complements his pale complexion. He is also fit as he is tall.
They would think he is what Maddie would call an 'absolute dreamboat.' I recall the word. But just as I think about it, I almost laugh. I find it absurd.
Mykhol is just Mykhol. I can never see him in any other way.
Even with those strange rumors, I keep hearing.
I can't help but recall the latest bit of gossip. Something about us 'pairing together'. Whatever that means.
But the rumors should end soon, just like all the other ones. So I am not bothered and dismiss them like I do all the others.
Instead, I turned to check back on Maddie. She is working on binding the curtains together or trying to.
It does not seem to be going well for her. They keep untying. And Maddie appears to be growing frustrated. I can hear her cursing under her breath.
"Damn things!"She goes, and I find myself letting out a laugh.
"Is something funny, cousin?" Mykhol's focus breaks. He looks up at me with interest.
"I was watching Maddie try to with the curtains- "I don't even get to finish as Maddie explodes.
"Bollocks!"
Madie has lost her patience. Instead of tying them, she pushes them roughly to one side. Her cheeks are flushed red.
"I should just burn you." Maddie threatens, still unaware that we are watching her. I have to look back at Mykhol in shock, and he looks at me. Then, suddenly, we both burst into laughter.
"Hmm?" Maddie turns, still unaware that we've been watching. But we don't let on. We both quickly hide our smiles and turn to our books. But I find my eye lifted off the page, and I'm again surprised to see Mykhol do the same.
He gives me a smile that I give back just as quickly. Another laugh comes out, be it quieter. But I suddenly feel my cheeks grow warmer.
Today, indeed, is very lovely. I feel that warmth tickle my cheeks. I itch them with my shoulder as a sudden knock makes me freeze.
"Oh?" I look up with surprise. Someone is here?
"You're Empress." The voice has me sit straight.
"It's Aunt Funda."
What is she doing here? I can't help but furrow my brows.
"Mykhol?" I look over to him, thinking she has come for him. But the look on Mykhol's face shows he is just as surprised. He seems not to know why she is here either.
A surprise, then? I wonder what it could be.
"Maddie," I motioned to her.
"Coming!" Maddie chirps. Her angry face is long gone for a smile. She is so quick to change like that.
"Lady Funda," Maddie swiftly opened the door to let the vampiress in.
"To what do we owe the pleasure-" But Aunt Fudna doesn't wait for Maddie to finish. She storms past her without a word or glance. As she moves, I can see she is holding the mail tray.
Mail? I feel I must lift my brows.
"But Today is not mail day." Mykhol shoots a glance of confusion at Aunt Funda.
"It, yes." She fumbles with her mouth as if wanting to say something but can't.
"Who is it from?" I lift my head to see.
"You have a letter from Dawny, your Empress." Aunt Funda moves to set the letter on the table.
"Another?" I glance at Maddie. It has piqued her interest because she walked over. She gives a curious smile as I feel my own grow.
How lucky am I? I can't help but find myself happy.
Brother has sent two this week.
"I wonder what my brother could have written." I trail off as I quickly open it to read. But I have to stop. My eyes blink as I suddenly find myself looking at something most unexpected.
This script isn't Nicoli's handwriting.
I have seen this before. I feel my breath catch as I vaguely recall something. But that couldn't be right.
Why would he- I don't even have to finish the question. Aunt Funda is already answering it.
"This is from King Alexander of Dawny, your Empress." Aunt Funda announces.
"The King?" Mykhol shoots his mother for another look.
"The king." Aunt Funda gives a tight nod.
"Empress?" I feel Maddie's hand on my shoulders. I feel her give me a reassuring squeeze. I nervously swallow. My heart feels erratic because I'm confused.
Why would he write to me?
Since the visit, I've only had one letter from him. And that was to ask to write back to Nicoli. We haven't spoken much after.
Oh no! I suddenly realized with dread.
I was supposed to write to him as well, wasn't I? I've entirely forgotten.
I even gave my word. How could I have been so absent-minded?
I feel a hole form in the pit of my stomach. I suddenly think, apprehensive about what could be inside. Should I even open it?
What if he is mad at me? Or worse, what if he says I can't write to Nicoli anymore?
I can't- that would be too terrible! Now I don't want to open the letter. I'm afraid to see what's inside.
"Perhaps this can wait-" I try to pass it off, but I have no such luck.
"Open it, cousin." Mykhol cuts in. I can see him smile as his eyes are dead set on me.
"I'm curious to hear what the king could say."
"I…um." I find myself unable to get out of his stare. He is pinning me in place so much that I can't leave. I'm stuck.
"I, yes, that I will." I only swallow down my agony. I can't excuse myself from this. He won't let me.
I can only lower my eyes back to the letter in my hands. I can see the elegant handwriting. The script is dark with bold strokes.
Fathers' penmanship, I take a breath.
Please let me be wrong. I repeat in my head. Please let it be something else: anything but that.
Just don't take away Nicoli-
"Anastasia?" Mykhol chirps again. He is looking at the letter then me. His eyes are flashing a 'don't make me take it out of your hands to read it aloud' look. I have no choice. I must read it.
I feel myself sink a little but hold myself back up. I can't avoid this. I silently make a prayer before I start to read aloud.
"Dear Empress Anastasia Brokenoff of Nochten and daughter of mine, I hope this letter finds you well and in good health. Though, I am saddened to see you yet write to me-"
"Oh," I slightly flinch but take another breath.
He's angry with me. I am right. But I have to resume.
"I am gladdened by how fast you have taken to write to Prince Nicoli. What a dutiful sister you are. You must already see that Nicoli has dramatically improved his writing. Your exchanges have been a tremendous contribution to his skills. So again, I can not give more thanks.
Nicoli speaks nothing but of you. Each letter you send, he takes great care to read. And he gives me the synapsis after each one, like a soldier reporting. You are indeed a blessing to my son, and I hope you will consider this invitation-"
"Invitation?" Aunt Funda gasps so loudly that I must stop and look at her.
"Mother," Mykhol growled at her interruption before he cleared his throat.
"Go on, Anastasia," Mykhol nods with encouragement. I can only nod back before I go on.
"Please consider joining us for Nicoli's fifth birthday. Your presence will make the best gift for him if you attend. He would be delighted to have you. And I will, furthermore, like an audience with you and bestow my appreciation for your generosity.
Celebrate and receive what is due to you. I have also taken it upon myself to invite the circus to court. I don't believe you have gotten to see one before. Your mother loved them. She always enjoyed the tigers-"
"I'm...invited?" My eyes go around the room. I look at them as if to verify it.
"So it seems." Mykhol gives a polite smile, but Aunt Funda isn't as skilled. Her face falls and pales before she can pull herself together.
"You're…invited."
"I'm invited!" I turn to Maddie to see her beam.
"I'm invited, cousin! They do want me to come!" I was right- they do want me there! The words almost slipped my mouth, but I kept myself in check.
There is no longer any reason to act petty. Things between us are no longer sour. He is not my enemy.
He must be happy for me. I can only believe it because I am. And I have to smile at Aunt Funda before looking past her to Maddie.
"I'm going- I can go to Nicoli's birthday- There will be a circus- Oh, Maddie!" My mind is racing from one thought to the next. I can't seem to focus.
"I'm so happy to hear it, Ana!" Maddie rushes up to throw her arms around me. I feel her hug me tight and quickly move to hug her back. We both laugh together at the news.
"This is wonderful!"
*Mykhol*
"Wonderful?" Mykhol twitched at the word. He looked to his mother to see her share in his feelings. She looked just as unsettled.
It was anything but wonderful.
Dreadful, unexpected, horrid, maybe?
But Mykhol managed to keep his mouth shut. He knew better than to voice it. But the sight before him was testing his patience. Their little hug was making his skin crawl.
Mykhol regarded the human with new distaste.
This is too much. Mykhol thought and growled. It was low enough that only his mother heard it. But it wasn't like he had to worry. Maddie and Ana were far too busy being swept up by the excitement.
It was almost like they had forgotten the two were still there.
"But Empress," Maddie pulled away first to speak.
"There's so much to do!"
"Is there?" Ana gasped.
"Oh, yes! So much. Firstly, we have to consider clothing. Dawny's winter is much colder." Maddie looked at her clothes.
"Nochten's gowns are far too thin. You remember the last time?"
"Yes, you're right." Ana voiced firmly. A look of determination crossed her face as she swiveled over to look at his mother.
"Aunt Funda," Ana pointed to her.
"Alert the royal tailor. I will need clothes for Dawny." Ana paused in thought as if remembering something.
"And make them after Dawny's fashion. I want velvets and furs-" Ana was giving orders when she gasped as if something else just came to mind.
"But Maddie, it will be Nicoli's fifth birthday."
"Oh, right!" The maid agreed, seeming to understand. Mykhol could only lift a brow at both of them.
"Yes- that's what the letter said-" Mykhol was about to agree, but Ana was suddenly up from the couch.
"What about the gift?"
"Yes, a gift. It is his Majesty's birthday." Maddie nodded, and again, Mykhol felt himself twitch.
"Yes, a gift would be suitable-" Mykhol was about to speak again as Ana walked past him.
"Maybe something with a bear again?"
"Ana-" Mykhol blinked as he watched Ana go to the desk.
"I got you, hold on!" Without having to ask, Maddie began to pull out some paper.
"Oh, excellent idea, Maddie." Ana took a seat as Maddie set up her quills. In moments, Ana was drawing.
"Perhaps something like this?" Ana motioned for Maddie to look. Maddie slightly bit her lower lip in thought.
"No, your Empress. What about this?" Maddie began to point.
"Anastasia?" Mykhol watched the two in disbelief.
Was I just…ignored? Mykhol felt his jaw open slightly.
"They do that." Aunt Funda bent down to pick up the silver tray.
"They go off and talk to each other like no one else is here." Aunt Funda shook her head.
"It's pointless to try to talk to them now."
"Is that right?" Mykhol thinned his smile as he watched them. It did seem to be the case.
Mykhol remained quiet as he listened to them speak to each other. Half-talking in sentences and building on top of the other's ideas. Again, it made his skin crawl.
"I don't like it," Mykhol growled softly, to which Aunt Funda could only shrug. She seemed used to it. But Mykhol wasn't. And the more he watched, the more upset it made him.
It bothered him to see Ana with someone other than him. How could she easily smile and talk like that? And with that human?
I don't like it at all. Mykhol felt his hands clench the couch. He suddenly couldn't stand the sight. He wanted to stop it. He wanted to push the human away from her.
It's wrong. It was profoundly and utterly wrong. Mykhol thought and clenched his teeth before his hand went to his mother's.
"Cousin, do you mind if I go with my mother to the tailor? I shouldn't be long," Mykhol asked but almost regretted it immediately because Ana didn't hear him. She didn't even turn to look at him. She was busy drawing something on paper.
"What do you think? I could have the eyes be rubies." Ana asked Maddie.
"No, make them sapphires," Maddie interjected to incite a nod from Ana.
"Of course, they'll match his eyes. Well done, Maddie." Ana voiced before drawing again.
Did you not hear me? Mykhol's smile flattened slightly.
"Cousin?" Mykhol again pulled up another smile.
"Oh?" Ana lifted her head with a disinterested look. Mykhol had to bite back his urge to yell, feeling her expression anger him even more.
"Is it fine if I go? If not, I could help-"
"Yes, go." Ana brushed them away with a wave of her hand
"Ah," Mykhol twitched.
"You…"Mykhol felt his fangs sharpen but managed to swallow down his anger enough to smile.
"Then, good afternoon, Ana." Mykhol voiced, testing her name. But Ana did not notice and continued to work.
"Afternoon," She bid farewell, again too busy to look up.
"Afternoon, Lord Mykhol, Lady Funda." It was Maddie who looked up. She seemed to narrow her eyes on Mykhol. But she then went back to the page Ana was working on.
It seemed no one was sad to see him go.
"I'll.. see you later, Ana." Mykhol bowed before taking his mother's hand into his arm. He turned to lead the way out with his back straight. But as soon as the door was closed, Aunt Fudna stirred.
"Mykhol-" Aunt Funda didn't waste a moment. Her face pales in panic.
"Mykhol, that letter- She's been invited. She will go back to Dawny. We can't let this happen-"
"Be well, Mother." But Mykhol expected that and squeezed her hand to calm her.
"Father will be in his study," Mykhol interjected.
"Ah, yes." Aunt Funda nodded with understanding. Mykhol again squeezed her hand to calm her.
"Then, I think It's time we had a family meeting,"