*Nicoli*
"Oh, my?" Nicoli could hear his mother whisper.
"That's not good."
"No, it's not." Nicoli could feel his Father stiffening. The man seemed stunned as the crowd began to start up again. Nicoli could see them shift with worry. But no one was doing anything save to stare or whisper.
What are they doing!? Nicoli shot a look up to his Father.
"Ana is hurt."
"Nicoli, I-" But Nicoli didn't hear him as he was already moving.
"She needs help." Nicoli could see Ana sit up and hold her hands. She was looking at the crowd.
Why wasn't anyone helping her? Nicoli was shocked. Why was everyone standing by? He couldn't understand. It frustrated him, and he couldn't stay a moment longer.
"Ana!" Nicoli cried and forgot everything around him. No crowd was around them, his parents or even the guards. The only thing that existed was Ana.
She's hurt! Nicoli thought again with a rush of blood to his ears.
Without considering himself, Nicoli let go of his Father's hand and was away. Nicoli raced down the steps. He jumped over entire rows in one go. Snow flew up as he landed hard with a crunch.
It was a daring feat in itself, but Nicoli didn't stop to gloat. He rushed past the onlookers to get to Ana. Nicoli knelt to throw his arms around Ana and pull her close.
"Please don't cry, Ana!" Nicoli squeezed. Even though she was older, holding her in his arms was easy as she was the same size as him. He pulled back enough to cup her face.
"Anything but that." Nicoli pleaded like his whole life depended on it.
"I don't want you crying. Please. It's okay."
*Ana*
In a flash of a moment, I find myself again in a new shock. And it has left me speechless. I find myself suddenly being held. Nicoli is right in front of me and sounds worried.
"Don't cry," He goes.
"It's okay, here, let me kiss-" Nicoli turns to kiss my hands, but there's no need. I've healed. Dried blood remains where I was hurt.
"Huh?" Nicoli is confused. But he isn't the only one.
"How did you-" I slowly turn my head up to the platform. He was just there half a second ago, wasn't he?
How did he get over here? I see the empty spot where Nicoli was. He was just there. Did he run over? I still can't follow.
Did he run over me because he thought I was hurt?
"Ana, are you alright?" I heard my name called and looked back. Nicoli is in front of me again. I can see directly into his bright blue eyes. His face is inches from me, and I can feel his breath. It's warm despite the cold air. It hits my cheeks in little puffs.
"Brother Nicoli?" I barely manage a whisper as the last tears fall. I'm still crying but not out of pain. It's more like I still have tears that need to go.
"Are you hurt?" Nicoli is desperately looking at my hands again. He moves to touch the dried blood. It rubs off easily. I'm not hurt. I'm fine. But Nicoli is suddenly on a different tangent.
"No! I won't have you crying. Not again!" Nicoli shouts with anger before turning his head. He is yelling up at the platform.
"Daddy! Help make Ana stop crying!"
Nicoli's voice cuts through the silence, and I can feel something. A shift has begun in the crowd. They look from us to the platform in awe. They are waiting for something. What is going to happen now?
What are you going to do? I peek over Nicoli's shoulder to find him. I watch for a sign. I'm not sure what Father will do. So far, he is only looking down at us.
Could he be considering whether he should help or not? I think, and my heart sinks with an unpleasant memory. It is just like before. Will he do nothing again?
Please, not again. I think and sniffle. The cold air hurts my nose, but that doesn't explain the tears returning. My vision is getting blurry again. But I don't want to cry. I need to stop, but I can't help but find myself foolish all over again.
It was all just some big mistake. I should have never come back.
I should return to the carriage and-
"Look!" The shrill cry stops my thoughts. The crowd is suddenly looking up, and I follow their gaze. It takes me a moment to understand what I see.
King Alexander is on the move. He climbs down the stairs with significant, firm steps. The expression on his face remains smooth and unchanged. But he is looking at me, making me shrink where I am. I'm suddenly afraid of him.
Will he yell at me? I can't help but expect it. Will he tell me I've ruined everything? Will he ask me to go back? I am too afraid to keep my eyes open. I shut them but can't shut out Mykhol's words in the carriage.
'Humans see us as monsters.' Mykhol's voice echoes.
But I'm not. I try to talk back, but Mykhol's voice repeats. It goes on again.
'Monster monster monster monster.' The word is repeating and getting louder.
"I'm not." I move to cover my ears.
"I'm not."
"Ana, you're shaking." Nicoli notices, and I feel him pull me close. But it doesn't stop. I feel my teeth chatter.
"Dad!" Nicoli seems to be yelling back.
"Hurry!"
The sound of snow crunching grows louder. And then it stops. I hold my breath as I prepare myself for what is to come.
Will he yell at me? Is he angry? He must be furious.
It's all I think about as I hear the shift of clothes. My body stiffens despite Nicoli trying to hold me. I'm scared of what is going to happen.
Why did I have to go and fall? Why did I? But no matter how I blame myself. I have nothing to do but wait. And I do what feels like a long moment.
Why isn't he speaking? I dare to open one eye to see him. I'm surprised to see he is not standing over us. He is kneeling in the snow next to Nicoli. He seems to be looking at me, unsure of something. And then I see him move.
"You'll catch a cold like that," King Alexander rests his hand on my head.
"Ah?" I open my other eye to peer up at him. What is this? I'm confused. My confusion only grows stronger as I see he isn't scowling. He's smiling.
He's Smiling? The sight is bewildering. Why would he be? He shouldn't be smiling. I know he shouldn't be. I just ruined everything- the grand entrance, it's ruined.
He should be furious. I think, but still, I see that smile. He doesn't look angry. On the contrary, he makes a big, warm smile. It crinkles his eyes when he does and almost erases the blue. But I still can make out his eyes, and I shudder when I find they are looking into mine.
They are just like I remembered. My breath freezes in my throat. They are just the same as Nicoli's. Beautiful blue eyes that look so warm and gentle that I can't help but be mesmerized by them.
"Aren't you mad?" I squeak out. I see Father blink a moment as if not sure what I mean.
"Did I not just ruin the grand entrance?" I go again, and he still doesn't seem to get it. He only smiles with a slight tilt of his head. Did he not hear me? Was I too quiet?
"Father?" I test a little louder and see the man's smile soften.
"Come, daughter." King Alexander drops his hand. I expect him to get up, but he does something else. He shifts Nicoli to the side to cup his hands under my armpits. And in a flash, I am lifted. He effortlessly lifts me and holds me in his arms.
"Oh, what?" Why is he- but I have no time to think as I find our faces are a hand width away from each other. It's suddenly too warm and close for what I'm used to. I reel back and ready myself to fall. I expect he will drop me back down.
But King Alexander doesn't do that either. He adjusts his arms to catch me back up. I find his face again and only stare in confusion.
"Father?" I try again, a little louder.
"You can put me down now." I look down to the ground.
"I'm more than capable of walking."
"Ha, are you?" King Alexander burst into a laugh. I feel his chest shake as he does. King Alexander laughs for a good moment before finally calming back down. But he still didn't move to put me down. Instead, he pulls me closer.
"Sweet girl." King Alexander kisses my cheek.
"What?" Did he just- but we are already turning? King Alexander is carrying me back as he talks to the crowd.
"Looks like someone needs a nap." King Alexander wiggles his brows, which makes the crowd laugh. They seem to take his jest in kind and lighten up like before.
"Oh, poor thing." Someone exclaims.
"I'd be tired too after such a journey." Others go.
"Nochten is quite far."
"She's just a child."
"This…" I stumble to find words as I watch the crowd suddenly do a 180 in temperament. I can hear the public grow cheerful as people smile and nod at me. Others began to cheer my name again like before.
I didn't mess up? I think as I watch the abrupt change. It's so fast it makes me dizzy. How can they be so easily swayed?
And why is he still carrying me? I shift as my cheeks grow hot with embarrassment. I am not a child. I don't need to be held.
I am an Empress. I think with a little sting to my pride.
How must this look to everyone?
"Your majesty," I make my voice severe.
"I can walk by myself. Please put me down."
"Haha," King Alexander laughs.
"So considerate of you, daughter. You think of my poor arms." King Alexander beams. He moves to pull me closer to him.
'That's not what I- Ah," I cry in panic and suddenly need to move my arms around his neck. He has me so close that I must cling to him or be squashed.
I look even worse! I can't help but panic. Why won't Father put me down?
"Your majesty, please-"
But King Alexander doesn't want to listen. He laughs and turns on his heel. His chest shakes me every time as it pounds my ears. I can't get a word in because I can't hear myself. He is so loud.
"If only my son would be so thoughtful." King Alexander continues to the crowd as he takes the stairs.
"He often tricks me to pick him up or cries like some wild beast." I hear the crowd burst into laughter at this. I look over at the group in surprise.
Are they laughing? But why? Aren't they making fun of Nicoli? But it doesn't feel cruel.
It's nothing like it is in Nochten. I can't wrap my head around it. I've seen this before.
"Your Majesty?" I look at him, confused by just everything now. But Nicoli seems to be keeping up with things. He doesn't seem bothered at all like I am. He is walking beside us.
"No, I don't. Don't lie." Nicoli looks at me.
"Don't believe him, Ana."
"Uh-huh, sure." King Alexander smirks, and the crowd laughs again.
"What is this?" I look around.
How is everyone laughing? Why does everyone feel so? Is carefree the right word? I don't know. But I am not used to this at all. None of this makes sense. I was lost and couldn't seem to follow. But instead of answering, Father leans in to whisper.
"Hold on tight, lest you wish to fall."
"Fall?" I repeat, but the man winks at me. I can't help but think it best to follow. I obediently clung tighter to his neck.
"Good girl." King Alexander smiles before turning towards Nicoli.
"You too, son." King Alexander shifts me to one side so he can reach down. Nicoli takes his hand in complete trust as if he already knows.
"Ah, there we have it." King Alexander kisses my temple. I blink at the relatively gentle touch but don't understand what he is doing. But Father doesn't explain. He only pulls back to look after me in a soft way like Maddie does. Yet, it's not quite the same.
Where Maddie looks tender, I see something else in his gaze. There is a twinkle in his eyes. They are wet. Are those tears?
But why? I furrow my brows at the confusing sight. But I soften in his arms. The man is less stern than I first thought.
He's gentle. I realize by the way he holds me. I have no fear of being dropped, yet he doesn't squeeze me too hard. It's just right.
"I have both my children back home." King Alexander beams, turning to the crowd. I hear them gently chuckle.
"Ha?" I find myself letting out a small laugh. I'm unsure what calls for laughter, but it helps ease me further.
"Now brace yourselves." King Alexander turns to make a devilish grin.
"What are we- Ah!" I cry as I feel the wind hit my face. We are lurching forward into a run. Father is flying up the stairs with me and Nicoli in tow.
"Faster! Faster!" Nicoli is giggling behind me. He is smiling and laughing and enjoying himself. His laughter fills my ears. He looks so happy.
Wait, it's not him. I realize. I am laughing, too.
"ha-ah-haha!" I gasp and laugh as Father moves faster. The wind is like a cold splash of water on my face. It runs fingers through my hair. I close my eyes and dig my head into his neck to cling tighter.
In moments, we reach the platform. But King Alexander doesn't stop. He keeps going. We are rushing through the doors of the castle. We are inside. I blink open my eyes to suddenly find myself in the familiar sights.
Everything looks almost the same. I find nothing changed, At least not the foyer. It's like I never left.
I'm home.
*Queen Belinda*
Queen Belinda held a smile as she was left behind. It twitched at the corners but didn't falter. She was skilled in the art of expression due to years of society. Thanks to it, no one would know how she truly felt.
"Insufferable dolt," Belinda spoke under her breath and forced a swallow. She couldn't leave. She had to wait here. There was still one more to greet at the party. Queen Belinda smiled at the last two.
"Welcome to our home." Queen Belinda went eyeing the last visitors. She noted the middle-aged maid as human—a curious choice for a country full of vampires. But she was unimportant, and Belinda quickly dismissed her.
It was the other she needed to mind. And with that, Queen Belinda quickly turned her attention toward him. The teen vampire bowed before meeting her eyes. Queen Belinda couldn't help but feel a little flushed seeing his face.
Just at this age, she could see the shape of his jaw and how piercing his eyes were, as if they could undress you on the spot. Queen Belinda knew off the bat that this boy was going to be a serial heartbreaker.
Thank god I don't have daughters. Queen Belinda relaxed. As she watched the teen smile, her eyes caught how his lips curled over his fangs. The sight made her blush.
"Your Majesty." Mykhol moved to kiss her hand. Queen Belinda felt his eyes. It was more than curiosity. The boy seemed to be considering her carefully.
"I heard you treated my dear cousin very well last time."
Last time? Queen Belinda narrowed her eyes on the boy.
"Yes, though it was a short visit." Queen Belinda spoke wearily.
"I hope you will do the same this time." Mykhol winked before letting go. Queen Belinda started after the boy.
"What-" Queen Belinda stopped as it dawned on her.
"Is that right?"Queen Belinda straightened up to give the vampire another look over. He met her stare with one just as appreciating.
Well, this is somewhat unexpected. But Queen Belinda found herself smiling. It was subtle. It's fine enough that you wouldn't notice it from the crowd. But it was readable if you were standing before her. And Mykhol seemed to crack a knowing smile of his own.
"I'll be looking forward to our stay, Your Majesty." His red eyes seemed to glisten mischievously. A sight that made Queen Belinda smile fully now.
What a delightful surprise. Queen Belinda suddenly found herself in a much better mood.
"The pleasure, Lord Mykhol, is all mine."