*Maddie*
"Still out like a rock, huh?" Maddie joked as she came back into the room. It was now the third time since she first came to check on Ana.
She sure must be exhausted. Maddie thought as she stole a glance from the clock back to Ana. The girl was still in bed and fast asleep, though it was already growing late into the morning.
Well, thanks to someone, she went to bed late last night. Maddie frowned, remembering.
"That little punk," Maddie tsked with a roll of her eyes but let it go. None of it mattered right now. The morning was growing late, and Maddie had to decide enough was enough.
"You're gonna miss everything if you keep sleeping, hun." Maddie went at last. It was time to wake the sleeping beauty.
"Atti-up, kiddo!" Maddie pulled the covers from the bed.
"Hmph!" Ana immediately groaned as the icy air stabbed through her nightgown. Her body curled up to conserve the heat as Maddie went to open the curtains. Ana immediately turned to bury her face into the pillow to hide from the sun.
"I need more sleep," Ana whined. "Just a few more hours, please."
A few more hours? Maddie stole a look at the clock. It was already getting late into the morning.
"Na-uh," Maddie leaned over to slap her butt playfully. "It's time for you to get up!"
"Come on." Maddie beamed. She was in a good mood. From the window, Maddie could tell today would be bright and beautiful.
"Get up," Maddie went again. She shook Ana's leg to make her groan. The girl curled up. She did not want to move.
"Just a little longer," Ana mumbled into the pillow.
"Sleepyhead," Maddie dismissed and went to pick up the dress. It was picked by herself this morning. It was a rare event, but as Mykhol had yet to show up, Maddie could. So, of course, Maddie took the chance. It was a blessing to have a free moment from the imposing teen.
Especially after what I saw last night. Maddie thought darkly. But the shadow was gone as quickly as it came, and Maddie smiled again.
"If you don't hurry, you'll miss breakfast." Maddie went, but Ana remained motionless. It seemed the food was not tempting enough. But Maddie was already prepared for that.
See if you can sleep through this, then. Maddie thought with something else up her sleeve.
"Prince Nicoli's already having his breakfast-"
"Brother Nicoli?" Ana popped up. Her silver hair stuck up in all directions as she lifted her head. But her eyes were excited at the mere mention of him.
"Brother? He's up?" Ana licked her lips from a dry morning mouth.
"Yessiree," Maddie almost patted herself on the back for guessing right. "He's already downstairs having breakfast in the Hall."
"Why didn't you say so!" Ana sprang up. She hopped onto her feet and went for the door. Her mind singularly focused on seeing Nicoli.
"Oh no, you don't!" Maddie snagged her arm. She pulled Ana back to see her look stunned.
"Maddie, let go-'' But before Ana could protest, Maddie shook her head. She had to laugh. The girl was not fully awake yet.
"Child, where are you just about to walk out without shoes and hair all a mess?" Maddie chuckled with a look down at her gown."And in just a sheer cotton nightgown?"
"Oh?" Ana's eyes widened before her face grew pale. She crossed her arms over her chest and looked down; enthusiasm cut down a peg.
"Oh...I…" Ana's face began to turn red. "I don't- I wasn't thinking-"
"Nope," Maddie moved to pat Ana's head tenderly."Your head's as empty as a cracked egg right now."
"So, let's get you dressed first, okay?" Maddie winked.
"Oh, uh, yes." Ana nodded with some embarrassment.
"Come and sit." Maddie motioned, and Ana sat down at the vanity obediently. Maddie moved to take up the hair oil to work into her hands.
"Your hair's sure tangled today." Maddie had to comment as the room filled with the smell of sandalwood. "It might take me a minute to work it through."
"Ah, yes." Ana nodded, watching Maddie begin to finger through the long tendrils.
"You must have had a good night, I'll take it." Maddie mused as she worked on a knot. "Get enough sleep?"
"I-kinda." Ana sheepishly looked down at her hands. A slight blush crossed her cheeks as she seemed to think of something.
"You did, huh?" Maddie mused, working out the other knots. They were being rather stubborn. "Have any good dreams?"
"I- it did feel like a dream." Ana smiled a little. "I was with Nicoli. We were dancing all night."
"Well, what a nice dream." Maddie chuckled, finding it cute. Ana was dreaming of dancing with her little brother. How adorable was that?
Those two are getting along so well. Maddie thought and felt herself warm up. It did her good to see things were moving along so smoothly.
Compared to other things, Maddie thought again about what she saw. But Maddie pushed the unsettling memory away as Ana yawned loudly.
"Whew!" Immediately, Maddie moved to wave her hand at the smell. "Oh, honey.That morning breath."
"I- is it that bad?" Ana moved to check her breath before immediately looking back at Maddie. "You fibber. It is not that awful."
"To you, maybe." Maddie winked, and Ana rolled her eyes.
"Maddie," Ana shook her head before looking over to stiffen up suddenly. "It's already this late?" Ana pointed to the clock in horror. "Maddie- how long was I asleep?"
"It is." Maddie went before pinching Ana's cheek. "But here you were just asking me for another hour or two."
"On Maddie!" Ana shifted in her seat with another anxious look at the clock. "I didn't know it was already so late, though."
"Well, you went to bed quite late last night." Maddie chuckled with a shake of her head. "I thought you could sleep in a little."
"But not this late." Ana pouted, clearly upset. "I didn't want to sleep that much. You should have woken me."
"And so I have," Maddie closed the oil jar. "You're awake, aren't you?"
"Maddie, that's not-" Ana pouted but again threw another anxious look at the clock. Maddie could already guess why.
"Worried you'll miss him, hun?" And Ana nodded.
"I- yes," Ana began to fidget in her chair. "What if he already finished eating? It would help if you had woken me earlier. What if I miss-"
"Okay-okay." Maddie chuckled. "I get it. You want to see him-" Maddie had to roll her eyes. The girl is undoubtedly determined to see her brother, isn't she? But again, Maddie found it cute.
"Just hold your horses a second. Let me get you ready."
"Yes, but Maddie, can you hurry?" Ana spoke with more urgency.
"Then stop moving about." Maddie tapped her nose. "I can't do a thing if you keep bouncing around, right?"
"I, fine," Ana looked down. "But please-"
"Yeah, yeah, I know." Maddie separated Ana's hair down the middle. Then, turning to her left, she braided a thin section before rolling it up. Or try to.
"Ana," Maddie spoke with a tone. She glanced down at her legs with eyebrows raised. Ana was kicking back and forth in her seat.
"Sorry." Ana apologized and stopped. "It's just- the thought of seeing Nicoli has me all jittery."
"I can see that." Maddie went back to pushing pins into her hair. When she finished, Maddie went to the opposite side. But again, she could feel Ana fidget. Maddie decided it was better to distract her. Or else her hair would never get done.
"So tell me," Maddie started weaving the braid, "You must have done much with Prince Nicoli yesterday. What did you all get into?"
"Oh, Maddie!" Ana gasped. She smiled clearly and brightened. "We had so much fun."
"Yeah?" Maddie hummed with satisfaction. Her hands worked to tie up the braid. She began to roll this one up. "Are you happy to be with your brother, then?"
"I...yes," Ana flushed with a smile. "I've never been so happy as I am now." Ana caught her face in the mirror."I- I love Nicoli very much."
"You don't say?"Meanwhile, Maddie finished her hair before moving on. She took up the dress she picked. It was certainly not something Mykhol would approve of. Again, Maddie only felt more triumphant getting the chance.
One look at this, and that punk would be spinning. Maddie smirked with mischief. Well, that's what he gets for making Ana stay up so late. Maddie gloated.
It deserves him, right? Maddie was glad Mykhol would hate the dress. It was everything he disliked in one go. It was a thick velvet plum with a collar and sleeve of peachy lace. And it was embroidered with suns and moons on the hem.
That's all the more reason I have to pick it since he's not here. Maddie broadened her smile.
You snooze, you lose. Maddie sang in her head triumphantly.
"Well, I'm happy to hear our Empress loves the Prince." Maddie finally turned with the dress to see Ana.
"Oh?" Maddie was surprised to see the severe look on Ana's face. It seemed wrong for someone so young to make. "Ana, something on your mind?"
"No, I- sorry." Ana denied it and moved to get off her seat. "Is that the dress?" Ana went, and Maddie immediately beamed.
"Sure is." And Maddie moved to shake the dress. She expected to see Ana smile when she saw the color. But again, Ana seemed to be distracted.
"Ana? Are you being shy now?" Maddie asked, tying her pantaloons. Something was going on with the girl. Maddie could see Ana bite into her lower lip.
"It's normal, right?" Ana started after a moment.
"What is?" Maddie tied the back of her hoop skirt. Ana's hips slightly dipped from the added weight but made no complaint. She was too distracted to notice.
"To love someone this much?" Ana continued. "Is that okay?"
"OH, that," Maddie just snorted. "Of course it is, you ninny. Such a question." Maddie moved to hug her.
This poor girl, Maddie, could only feel her chest pull. She moved to kiss Ana's head before pulling back to look over her.
"It is?" Ana seemed to be hanging on her every word. Again, Maddie had to comfort her. She cupped Ana's face and kissed her forehead.
"It's fine to love him. Love him all you want."
"I can?" Ana asked breathlessly.
"Yes, honey." Maddie rubbed her cheeks before letting go.
"Oh, good," Ana smiled with relief. "I was so worried. Thank you, Maddie." Ana moved to squeeze her hand.
"I needed to hear that." Ana smiled, and Maddie pushed her hair to the side. Ana raised her arms to help slip on the dress.
"Oh yeah?" Maddie played along. She began to tie the bottom skirt. "You were worried?"
Ana nodded.
"Yes, I was sick before." Ana voiced, which had Maddie blink up at her.
"Sick?" Maddie was confused. Did Ana get sick? When? "Honey? What do you mean-" but Ana ignored the question.
"I was sick then, but I'm better now." Ana moved to rest her hands on her chest. "And everything else will be too, Maddie." Ana looked over her shoulder as Maddie finished the buttons. Her dress was now on.
"Glad to hear it?" Maddie could only say. She had no idea what Ana was going on about. But Maddie didn't see the point in worrying about it if it was already resolved.
All's well that ends well, right? Maddie dismissed and turned to have Ana face the mirror. Ana gasped at the sight.
"It looks so pretty!" Ana cooed, finally noticing. "The dress, the color, my hair- It all fits together well." Ana turned to Maddie with genuine appreciation. "Maddie, you're a genius."
"A genius? Me? Psssh," Maddie feigned humility but inwardly beamed with pride. The dress she chose was indeed a hit.
"It's just a good color on you, is all," Maddie remarked, but Ana only smiled. She moved to sway her hips. The dress shifted on the hoop.
"Maddie, thank you-" Ana said as her eyes returned to the clock.
"The time!" Ana's smile fell with a gasp. "We've spent too much time getting ready!?"
"It's not that late-" Maddie watched as Ana cried.
"Nononono!" Ana quickly turned to rush past Maddie. "I'm so very late! Nicoli must surely be. I have to hurry!"
"Ana, hold on," Maddie called, but it was too late. Ana was out the door. She must have been so distracted that she completely forgot about Maddie.
"Ana- oh lord," Maddie sighed with a shake. Her eyes looked at what was left behind. The red blanket was still on the vanity, alongside something more critical.
"You silly dolt," Maddie could only laugh. But she wasn't upset by the girl for being so forgetful.
She's just a girl. Maddie could excuse her for forgetting the essentials in her excitement. It was why she was here, after all.
"A good thing, too." Maddie sighed and bent down to pull up the forgotten shoes.
I wonder how long she'll go without realizing she forgot them? Maddie chuckled. Perhaps she should make a bet?
"Oh, Ana," Maddie carried the shoes with her.