*Ana*
As we enter the great hall, I immediately dash my eyes around the room. There are many tables full of new faces. Many have come to celebrate Nicoli's fifth birthday. But to my dismay, I can't find the two people I want to see most.
"They aren't here yet?" I meant to whisper, but Mykhol must have heard me as he leaned.
"Who's not here?" Mykhol went with a look to the room. "Are you looking for someone?"
"I- yes, the main table." It is where the royal family should sit. I realize with a look at the room. It's the only table that remains bare.
"It's empty."
"Oh them," Mykhol immediately scoots his chair up to me.
"I'm sure they'll be coming." Mykhol goes with a wave of his hand. He is so calm despite everything. I envy how he can be so composed at a time like this. I wish I could be because I am anything but.
I feel as though I am on pins and needles. My breath seems to keep catching in my throat. I must tell myself to breathe and stay steady. But that's easier said and done.
Quick, find some distraction—anything to keep me off these thoughts. I must find some diversion as I look over the room. I can see the rest of the tables are quickly filling up. And it seems like everyone has brought a gift.
Look at all their presents. I note the vast amounts piled up on the tables. Some are odd shapes, and others look big. They look bigger than Nicoli and I combined.
Everyone has brought so many. I didn't think so many would have got gifts. I know it's Nicoli's birthday, but seeing the piles makes me shrink.
What if it's too simple? I think of my own. What if I should have done more? Again, I steal another look over the gifts. There are so many. Did people bring more than one?
Why are they so big? I narrow my eyes at the biggest one. It looks as big as a horse.
What could be that big to give to a five-year-old?
Is it a horse? I scrutinize the packages, trying to guess what they could be. No, that wouldn't make sense. But it's big. It is certainly bigger than mine.
But that doesn't mean it's better. I try to tell myself. I squeeze my fingers over my box as a couple approaches our table.
"Good evening, Empress Anastasia and Lord Mykhol." A noblewoman in black velvet curtsies.
"Evening," The gray man bows right after.
"Oh, good evening-" I lift my head with a start, but I quickly gather myself back.
"Countess Vaselli and Duke Bartlow?" I test to see if I am right because they immediately brighten.
"Ah, yes, you remember us?" The woman seems more visibly pleased than the man, but his eyes shine.
"It's been too long, your Empress." The lady looks over me warmly.
"It has." The man agrees before turning to look back to Mykhol.
"Good evening," Mykhol nods stiffly, but I feel his glance at me.
"Enjoy yourselves." I went to see the woman smile wide as both went to bow. They linked arms to depart together. But I see they are not alone. Another couple is drawing up.
There's more? I am surprised to see that there seems to be some line forming.
I assumed they would pay respect when due. But I would never have thought that many would do so willingly.
I am not used to this attention. I sit up in my chair, a little uncomfortable. Anyone optionally seeking me out is relatively new.
But despite how unfamiliar the feeling is, I manage to smile as the next couple steps up. It's another couple and much older than the last. The couple's faces are full of wrinkles, but their eyes seem very warm.
"Good evening, Empress Anastasia." They speak in unison. They did this by accident, or it's that rare phenomenon where you are married so long you start to think like your spouse. Either way, I find it charming and must smile a little more.
"Hello-" I pause as I try to remember all the names. "Lady Waters and Sir Waters, good evening."
"She remembered us!" They smile at each other in surprise.
"Hello," Mykhol barely greets them before throwing me a look. His brow lifts as if in question.
"Do you know everyone here, Anastasia?" Mykhol waits for them to leave before he reaches for his glass. I see it's a deep red color.
"Yes," I answer to see Mykhol jolt slightly.
"Do you?"Mykhol straightens his lips before moving to take a sip. "How's that?" Mykhol takes a longer sip before looking over the cup.
"I don't know these…humans." Mykhol scrunches his face at the word as if tasting something terrible.
"But, you seem to. How? I don't remember you ever studying around me-"
"Before bed, m'lord." Maddie chirps as she moves to pour more wine into his cup.
"We have been going over the family trees in Dawny." Maddie finished pouring and then winked at me.
"We've been going over it every night since the invite. So Ana would be prepared."
"Prepared?" Mykhol snaps under his breath. His eyes shift from Maddie's back to me. "Is that right?"
"I wanted to make a good impression." I nod with a look at my gift.
"Good impression, you say," Mykhol repeats before he looks at me more carefully.
"Your dress…" Mykhol motions to my gown. It is another made in the Dawny style. This one is white and lined with fur.
Mykhol pulls the cup back for another drink before whipping his mouth. He seems thirsty suddenly as I see him finish the cup again. He moves to put the glass himself this time. He nearly spills it as he takes to throw back another cup.
"Don't you think it's a bit desperate?"
"Desperate?" I sink a little.
"You look like a try-hard." Mykhol motions to the dress.
"Try hard?" I look over at myself. "What do you mean?" I turn to Maddie to answer.
"No, Empress, you don't-" Maddie starts before Mykhol scuffs.
"Don't bother with her. She'll say what she wants. But to me, it's obvious."
"Am I?" I grow cold where I sit and look over my gown. "Am I a 'try hard'?" The question rings in my ears.
"I only wanted to present myself." I didn't want to look desperate or try hard. No, that wasn't what I wanted at all.
"If I didn't know better," Mykhol sharpens his tone. "I'd think you're begging like some penniless wretch. Trying her damndest to win their acceptance." Mykhol slushes the cup to spill some of the contents. It stains the tablecloth with red droplets.
"But our Empress would never stoop so low. Right?" Mykhol stops to smirk at me.
"Not my dear Anastasia, right?"
"Is that true? Am I being vulgar?"I barely hide my concern, looking for Maddie.
"Maddie, should I change?"
"At least our Empress is TRYING. Unlike yourself." Maddie snaps.
"Trying?" Mykhol scuffs.
"I don't see why I'd change into something less comfortable." Mykhol leans back in his chair
"Oh?" I gap as something grabs my hand. I look down to see it's Mykhol. His fingers lace through mine.
"Cousin-" I stop as I meet Mykhol's stare.
"Even if I did, it wouldn't change what I am." Mykhol lifts his lip to show a fang.
"Like I told you. Humans see us as we are. So what's the use of hiding it?"
He means we're monsters. I understand what he means. But even if it's a warning, I can't help but want to counter him because it doesn't ring true as I look around the room.
They were nice- they greeted us. It doesn't make sense.
Would they be that nice if they were afraid of us? I can't help but be doubtful.
"Cousin," I open my mouth as a blare of trumpets sound. At the racket, the whole room rises. I quickly stumble to my feet, with Mykhol shortly following.
It's time! I hold my breath as the main doors open. A heavy-set guard steps forward first. He takes a deep breath before making the announcement.
"Queen Belinda and Prince Nicoli of Dawny have arrived."
"Your Majesties," The room immediately drops to courtesy. Mykhol and I do the same as the pair proceed to make their way down the aisle.
It's- My eyes darted up in time to catch Nicoli.
"Ana-" Nicoli staggers at our table before Stepmother yanks him up.
"Nicoli, don't doddle." Belinda's voice is sweet but stern.
"Fine."Nicoli huffs but carries on. They move past to make their way. Shortly after, the room and we follow to take ours.
Nicoli! I immediately look up and over. My eyes go straight to the table. I find Nicoli.
He's changed. I can see Nicoli is in a white suit. And his unruly hair has been neatly combed down and gelled to one side. It appeals to him, but I wonder how long it will last.
I'm sure Nicoli doesn't like it. It looks too stuffy. It isn't long before I observe him sneak a hand up to itch his head. He gives a good scratch and already displaces some hair.
"Nicoli, what did I say? " Belinda takes his hand to put on the table. Immediately, Nicoli pouts and looks to the side. But just as quickly, he lifts his eyes to find me.
"Hi," I see his mouth with a quick wave.
"Hey," I briefly wave back before putting my hand back down. But that seems to be all Nicoli needs to light up. His blue eyes shine while he smiles with all his teeth.
"One sec," Nicoli mouths before he pushes away from the table to stand.
"Nicoli?" My heart skips at the sight. Does he mean to come over?
Nicoli, no, that's not- but even as I know what is proper, I can't help but feel my legs equally itch. I want to run over to him, too.
"Ana-" Nicoli calls first before Queen Belinda strikes. She quickly snatches him by the wrist to pull him back.
"Mama! I wanna sit with-" Nicoli turns to complain as Belinda pulls him again.
"You will do no such thing." Queen Belinda cuts off before leaning in. Whatever she whispers makes Nicoli grow pale. He nods and sits, not seeming to try to move again.
Queen Belinda, seeing Nicoli sit, turns to catch me. I jolt up in my chair as I see her make a smile. But it's not a warm smile like Nicoli's or father's. Her lips curl into something sharp. The sight of it makes me want to sink under the table.
But then I won't see Nicoli. I regret finding myself torn.
To see him, I need to stand up to my Stepmother. A scary thought in and of itself. But what other choice do I have?
No, I must endure. I am determined. I won't let stepmother scare me.
I am resolved to stay and even dare to sneak a peek back and find myself finding his blue eyes. Nicoli is doing the same and immediately gives a secret smile.
'Later.' Nicoli mouths.
'What?' I mouth back.
'I'll be back.' Nicoli mouths again, but I shake my head.
'I don't understand?' I don't understand what he means. Nicoli immediately pouts at me.
'The hall-' Nicoli opens his mouth to speak as the grand doors open again. Immediately, the room rises to his feet, and I miss what Nicoli tries to say as my eyes turn to the door.
"His Majesty, King Alexander of Dawny, has arrived." The same guard bellows before I see something shuffle forward.
"Your Majesty." I fell into a curtsy like the rest. My eyes stay on the floor as I hear feet shuffling. They grow louder as they make their way by our table.
Huh? My breath catches as the sound suddenly stops. I curiously lift my eyes to stop immediately. Father is standing right in front of me.
"G- good evening, your majesty." I quickly greet him, trying to recover from the shock of suddenly seeing him.
"Hn," Father pushes up his beard to smile before he taps the table and turns.
Huh? I blink.
Why did he stop? I don't see a reason.
How very strange. I can only say as Father sits down next to his wife. The room follows to take their seat as well, as custom.
"Cousin?" I turn to notice Mykhol still standing.
"Cousin, you can sit down now."
"Right," Mykhol flops into his seat.
*Mykhol*
What the hell was that?! Mykhol darted his eyes up to Queen Belinda. Queen Belinda smiled, but Mykhol could see her jaw tighten. She was just as uncomfortable as he was. She only hid it better.
Mykhol forced himself to breathe. It was essential to stay calm. It was nothing to get upset over. Because it wouldn't last, things would change soon enough.
And hopefully, Mykhol thought, for good.