Chapter 61 Are You Drunk
*Ana*
What did he mean he needed many things? I blink after Mykhol's strange comment. Was Mykhol lacking in something? Ithink as I look over. Mykhol is dressed as nicely as ever today in his Nocthen gown.
Maybe it's something I can't see? I ponder. Or perhaps it is just him repeating strange things? But even as I considered it, I felt my lips pull up to a grin.
"Cousin," I laugh softly and shake my head. "I think you are still drunk."
"If only I were," Mykhol sighs with a touch of his head. "My head is killing me right now."
"Oh no," I can't help but grow concerned. "I'm sorry, where does it hurt?" I lean over to touch his head. "Is it here? Or the other side?" I look up to see his answer.
"I- both," Mykhol says with a surprised look. "Both sides hurt."
"Perhaps you should go back and sleep it off?" I lower my hands, but Mykhol gathers them back up.
"No, keep them there." Mykhol goes and holds my hands to his head. "It feels better." Mykhol makes a small smile. "You must have a healing touch. My head feels all but cured now."
"Cousin," I try to move my hands, but it makes him press down, so I can't escape. "Cousin, I need my hands." I pout, but Mykhol shakes his head.
"No," he goes, smiling mischievously. " I think I'll keep them."
"Keep my hands?" I look after him with disbelief. Mykhol is just being childish now.
"Cousin," I go again, " I can't eat like this."
"That's not a problem." Mykhol is oddly cheery. "I can feed you. Here, open your mouth." Mykhol frees a hand to take a spoonful of oatmeal up. "Say Ah," He smiles.
"Cousin, that's-" I look from him to the spoon. I can't begin to describe how outlandish this all feels. "I can feed myself. Just let me have my hand-"
"Here comes the bird-" Mykhol says as he moves the spoon closer. I want to pull back, but my hand prevents me.
"Say AAAH-" Mykhol is going as we suddenly hear someone clear their throat. We both stop in place to find an older man suddenly by our table. He bows curtly before standing perfectly straight.
"Empress Anastasia," The man begins, looking only at me with a small but firm smile." King Alexander would like a word. If you'll follow me." He motioned to the main table to have me look over in curiosity.
"Father wants me- the king wants a word?" I repeat with surprise, looking to see Father give a light wave. 'Come,' He mouths as Nicoli shifts in his seat just as eager.
"Oh, then," My heart skips at the thought. "I should-" I make to stand, but Mykhol suddenly pulls me back down.
"What for, praytell?" Mykhol turns on the older man. He's smiling, but I don't think he means it. The older man, however, only continues to look after me.
"If you'll follow me, your Empress," The old man repeats.
"Did you-"Mykhol drops his smile as if shocked by the man's refusal to answer.
"I-" What does Father want to talk about? I can't help but grow curious. Have I done something?
I look back to the table. At that moment, Father is busy talking to someone across a table. But Nicoli is still alert and catches my eye with another smile.
'Come on!' Nicoli mouths with a quick wave of his hand. He looks about ready to burst from impatience. It makes me smile as I suddenly feel the same rush. My heart flips, and my breath grows short.
"Nicoli," I smile back, nodding.
"Anastasia?" Mykhol's fingers curl over my hand, holding it tighter. He frowns after me before hissing.
"My head- Of all the times," Mykhol grumbles in pain before shooting a look at the man. He stares at him momentarily as if deciding something and then stands.
"Very well, then." A smile stretches thinly over his lips as he rubs his head again. He lets go of me only to extend his arm out. I barely register that he wants me to take it, and I stumble, keenly feeling the difference in our height.
"Ah," Mykhol hisses with his fangs out.
"Cousin Mykhol?" Is he really in that much pain? "Cousin, you should rest-" But Mykhol places a hand over mine to give a gentle pat.
"I'm fine." He whispers to me before looking back at the man.
"We best not keep his majesty waiting, right?" Mykhol voices with effort.
"Oh, yes, we-" I nodded slightly, happy to see he was obliging now. "Yes, let's-" But the old man throws a hand at Mykhol.
"I'm sorry." The man begins with a professional voice as if rehearsed many times before. "But I mean for just her Empress."
"Surely not-" Mykhol starts with a light laugh, but the old man shakes his head.
"Just Empress Anastasia." The man repeats, and I see Mykhol's forced smile slip. A genuine look of displeasure crosses his face.
"You don't expect me just to sit here alone, do you?" Mykhol's tone is sharper, but the man seems unmoved.
"Lord Mykhol, please enjoy your breakfast." The man curtly bows as if to say this is the end of the discussion.
"Empress Anastasia, shall we?" He immediately turns to extend his arm out for me.
"Oh?" I squeak, a little startled by the sudden change. I can't help but glance at Mykhol. I notice Mykhol grow very quiet and still. His hand feels very cold over mine.
Does he want to go? I partially wondered if it was a good idea to leave. Or should I insist he comes with me? Would that make him feel better?
"Cousin, do you-" I start, but the old man becomes more urgent.
"His Majesty is waiting, your Empress," He goes with some pressure. It makes me feel that I must quickly decide whether to stay.
"I- yes." I find the words fall out of my mouth. "Of course, let's go." I drop my hand to step away from Mykhol.
"Ana-" Mykhol shoots me a look as if in disbelief, but I feel I have no options. It's either I stay or go to my Father and Nicoli.
And speaking of Nicoli, I can't help but dart my eyes back to the table. Nicoli immediately finds me to lift his hand. He is beckoning me over.
'Stop dragging your feet.' He mouths, and I feel my heart shift. Nicoli is waiting for me, and I shouldn't keep him longer. I want to see him.
"Anastasia?" Mykhol speaks a little louder, and I hear something heavy in his voice. But my attention is on Nicoli as he continues to wave.
I want to go to him. My chest was pulling me to the table before I noticed I was taking the older man's arm. He is also taller but leans down to help adjust the height. It makes it easier for us to walk.
"I will be back. " I only give a fleeting glance to Mykhol to instantly regret it. Mykhol looks after me as if I wound him, choosing the servant instead. But why?
I push the thought aside as I see both pairs of blue eyes looking after me. The visible warmth can be seen even from how far I am. It makes me grow warm just meeting them. Save for my feet, strangely. They feel cool.
But I push the thought aside as we make our way over.
*Mykhol*
"You're leaving me?" Mykhol whispered under his breath in a mix of disbelief and pain. His head still throbbed, but this pain was coming from within his chest. The center felt like a deep hole was eating into the meat.
Mykhol helplessly fell back into his chair as his eyes followed Ana. She seemed focused on the table ahead without giving a single look back. If she did, would she be surprised by what she saw? Because Mykhol was undoubtedly shocked.
"Ha," Mykhol bitterly laughed as he sucked in air. He couldn't believe it himself. It was hard to think that he could feel hurt that Ana would choose them over him.
No one's ever done that before. Mykhol moved to swallow a loud chug of water. Maybe that was it? Was it because it hurt his pride? Mykhol had to assume so. And it only stung at the fact that Ana looked happier leaving him.
"Whatever," Mykhol grumbled to himself. He could feel something sour on his tongue as he watched. Something about it all seemed unfair somehow.
I get here, and they are already taking her away from me. Again. Mykhol thought and soured further. But that was only half the problem, as Mykhol couldn't help but follow Ana's attention on her half-brother.
Can you smile like that? Mykhol thought, seeing it on her face. Ana was smiling. It was a smile that Mykhol had not seen before. It both pleased and bothered him to see it at the same time.
Since when? And why just for him? Mykhol couldn't help but feel a sting in his chest. It would be best if you smiled like that for me.
"I'm way better," Mykhol grumbled under his breath. He was handsome, taller, and smarter.
I'm the perfect catch. Mykhol didn't even try to be humble. Yet here Ana was, smiling like some damn fool for a human, no less?
"What a waste." Mykhol was a far better choice. But as much as he felt sure of his value, Mykhol couldn't do anything. He could only sit and wait for her to come back.
But not alone, Mykhol sank a little as he spotted the maid. From the side, he could see Maddie. She was bounding up with an unmistakable look of displeasure. It would seem the feeling was mutual.
I'm sick of this. Mykhol quietly clenched the shoes in his hand. And I'm sick of all these humans. Mykhol looked down at the boots. It suddenly felt so stupid for taking them in the first place.
Look at me just sitting here like some fool. Mykhol narrowed his eyes as he spied Nicoli. The sight of the tiny human made him want to rush over and push the brat down.
I'd hammer my fists into those blue eyes of his. Mykhol smirked bitterly. And He'd keep punching until they permanently bruised shut.
That'd be wonderful. Mykhol mused at the thought before glancing up. Belinda was not looking at him directly. She was looking at Ana. And briefly, Mykhol could catch a slight change in the woman's expression. It was quick, but Myckhol caught the pressed lips, and a flash of disgust crossed her face.
"Heh," Mykhol laughed at how quickly she hid it. Belinda was as annoyed at seeing Ana come over as he was seeing her leave.
But just as Mykhol began to fall back to a bored state, waiting for Ana to return, he noticed something he hadn't before.
"Are you color blind? Why did you pick pink shoes-" Mykhol was about to snark at Maddie as she took her spot at the wall before Mykhol looked back again. And suddenly, it dawned on him.
"So that's why." Mykhol looked back at the shoes. "Ha"
"What's so funny?" Maddie asked, but Mykhol only shrugged.
"Nothing," Mykhol carefully moved the shoes out of sight. "I was just admiring Ana's dress. You picked it, didn't you?" Mykhol beamed a smile that was only growing wider as the anticipation grew.
"Well, you weren't there, so I had to make a choice." Maddie barely returned.
"So you did," Mykhol couldn't help but squeeze the shoes. His attention was now on Ana and then Belinda. Ana had yet to notice something important was missing in all her fancy Dawy costume.
Should I intervene? Mykhol considered getting up. He could have given her the shoes if he had caught Ana in time. Mykhol could avert the crisis.
I could be a hero, and Ana will surely be grateful. But Mykhol remembered the sting in his chest.
No, she can find out on her own. Mykhol sat down again, moving the shoes to his lap. The pain in his chest twisted like the smile on his face. It was a perfect opportunity for another lesson.
Let's see how quickly you'll regret leaving me behind, my dearest cousin.