*Ana*
"Your Majesties," I speak clearly, giving a respectful curtsy to the table. Midbow, I twirl my toes to find something peculiar. My feet were cold before, but now they are freezing.
Odd? I can't help but think maybe something is wrong with the shoes. Is there a hole? There shouldn't be. The shoes should be new. Perhaps the socks are too thin?
But I quickly dismiss it as nothing serious. It will be something for Maddie to handle. Right now, I have more important things to worry about. I stand up and find Father is the first to catch my eye.
"Empress Anastasia," Father greets with the warmest tone. It instantly makes me want to relax, but I won't. I can't. Not when Stepmother is sitting but a few feet from me.
"Empress." Queen Belinda lifts her eyes over me to investigate my dress. She presses her lips slightly as if looking for something. She resorts to smiling lightly before turning her head.
"Anyway, as I say, Lady Patterson," Stepmother intends to continue her conversation with another table while I'm still here. I feel myself flinch a little at the slight insult. It's not proper. But it makes me partly glad she is.
I don't want to talk to her. I realize with a bit of relief. I am glad she is distracted. Nicoli, however, seems to be practically bouncing in his chair.
"Ana, good morning!" Nicoli waves aggressively and accidentally smacks his mother.
"Nicoli," Stepmother snaps before going back to her conversation.
"Sorry," Nicoli hunches in before returning to me, still eager. "Hi! Did you sleep well?"
"I- not really." I have to be honest. I have dark circles under my eyes, but so does Nicoli. It is surprising, however, that Nicoli is somehow more chipper. He seems to be handling the night of no sleep better than I am.
Or, Maybe because I'm here? I dare to think and feel my cheeks warm up. It's a contrast to my still cold feet.
"You look lovely today." Father praises me and shows appreciation for my dress. His blue eyes stop as he notices my hair. "Ah, your hair-"
"My-" I reach up and freeze. Oh, my shawl! Immediately, I reel back. "Sorry, I forgot to wear my-"
"Dawny's fashion suits you." Father cuts with a broader smile. "I'd like to see you wear it more often."
"Do you think it suits me?" My breath catches in my throat. Getting a compliment is so rare that I quickly dart my eyes away. I don't want to show how pink my cheeks are turning.
"I, thank you." I manage with a light bow to help hide my face.
I'm glad he likes it. I am sorry for being late, but now I am so happy Maddie stopped me so I could get dressed.
Thank you, Maddie. Even if I did make you rush, it all turned out well in the end.
"Doesn't she, Wife?" Meanwhile, Father turns to raise his voice. It's loud enough to cut off Belinda's conversation with Lady Patterson. "What say you, my dear dove?" Father went again to have more heads pop look over.
"Doesn't OUR daughter look pretty?"
*Queen Belinda*
Our daughter? Belinda silently twitched but hid her frown. She was more than acutely aware that the room was watching them. It was best to play along.
"Yes, dear husband," Belinda replied and took an obligated glance over the said child again. She carefully scanned the girl from head to toe with more care.
Disgusting. The sight of silver hair made Belinda feel noxious. All that silver was enough to make anyone sick, in her opinion, even if styled neatly. But the dress was adequate. Belinda couldn't see fault in that.
"The color suits you, your Empress." Belinda managed the compliment to see the girl stiffly nod.
"Thank you, your majesty."
There, now I've given a compliment. Queen Belinda found it more than sufficient to go back. She didn't need to say anything more.
But as Belinda turned her head to return to Lady Patterson, she noticed some flash of color by the hem. Queen Belinda paused to check the hem. What was that- oh, there it is again.
There is an odd flash of pink, slightly poking out the edge. Queen Belinda found her gaze grow suspicious.
"Yes, the dress is quite fine." Queen Belinda complimented. But while smiling, her eyes again looked down. "But I wonder."
"You wonder?" Alexander perked up at the odd pause.
"What shoe would match the color?" Queen Belinda smiled innocently. "Purple can be quite tricky. So, I am curious. What shoe did you pair with, your Empress-?"
"Do you wanna play after breakfast!" Nicoli rushed up and nearly toppled his chair. He seemed to be unable to contain himself any longer. "I'm bored! Wanna go?"
"Yes, I would love nothing better- Ahh," Ana yawned.
"Ahh- no fair."Nicoli followed right after with a yawn of his own. Belinda raised an eyebrow at both of them. Alexander, however, only laughed.
"I see you two must have worn yourselves down from yesterday." King Alexander rustled Nicoli's hair. Nicoli quickly sputtered.
"Dad- stop!" But Alexander just laughed again.
"This one threw up such a stink getting up this morning, too."
"Hey!" Nicoli snapped and batted off his hand. Alexander ignored him, winked, and made the girl giggle. Belinda needed to refrain from scrunching her nose. The sight of them was too much. But Belinda seemed to be the only one suffering.
"Ah, but that's not what I wanted to discuss." King Alexander boomed. He finally left Nicoli to reach for Ana. "I have news. About the circus-"
"The CIRCUS!" Both children squealed. Again, Belinda twitched. She didn't mind Nicoli's high screams, but it was grating to hear the girl's.
"Ha, I see you are both invested in the topic." Alexander only laughed again at their excitement. But he managed to calm down enough to speak again. "They are expected to arrive late tonight and be set up tomorrow morning."
"We need to stay up tonight and see them!" Nicoli loudly whispered across the table.
"Oh, yes, that would be a good idea." Ana nodded, already on board with the idea. It was at this point Belinda lost her composure.
"You will do no such thing." Queen Belinda's cold voice sliced through. The idea of them together at night was deeply unsettling.
What is Alexander thinking!? Belinda couldn't help but shoot a stern glance at her husband. Did he not just hear it? The children would play together at night, which was wrong on many levels.
"Are you listening to this?" Belinda went on, but again, Alexander didn't seem phased. Or did he see nothing wrong with it?
"Perhaps I should stay up too?" Alexander winked to have Belinda drop her smile slightly.
"It's not proper." Belinda strained to stay composed. "They are children. They shouldn't be staying up at night." With each other, but Belinda didn't say the last part out loud. She seemed to be the only one finding the issue.
"I forbid it." Belinda hardened her tone. "End of discussion.
"But mom-" Nicoli cried, but Ana stiffened at the response. Her face paled as if remembering something.
"Ana?" Nicoli asked, unphased by his mother. "What's wrong?"
"Oh." Ana crafted a quick smile, but her eyes carefully avoided the woman.
"Her majesty is right," Ana conceded, shrinking back a step. "Brother shouldn't ignore his guests,"
"Ana, but-" Nicoli began to protest, but it was too late.
*Ana*
She scares me. I suddenly feel numb from head to toe as her icy gray eyes watch my every move. Just Like that day, I still remember.
The woman is still terrifying. I can't withstand it anymore. My feet are icicles, thanks to just standing there.
I'm sorry, Nicoli. I feel so ashamed of myself. I want to stay, but not now. Not with her staring at me like that.
I have to draw back. I need to go where it's safe. I think and dart my eyes back to the table. Maddie is back with Mykhol. They both seem so far away.
"If that's all, I'll return to my table now." I excuse and bow. I pull my skirt up, about to turn, when I feel a rush of wind on my feet. It's even colder.
Why are my feet so- It doesn't matter. I need to go.
"Enjoy your breakfast," I said farewell, ready to return to the table. My eyes are already searching for comforting faces. Mykhol sticks out keenly as the only redhead in the room.
Mykhol has a bored expression on his face. But when he sees me, he immediately brightens. A quick smile pulls up his face, and it's not the one he uses for everyone. It's a warmer smile.
He looks like he's missed me. I can't help but smile a little at ease. I look over to find Maddie. She stands at the wall with a quick 'come on over' look on her face.
Yes, I'll go for now, but later- I plan to. I can meet with Nicoli after breakfast. We could do something.
Perhaps we'll go back to the maze again?
"Empress Anastasia?" Stepmother's voice freezes me into place. My heart stops and sticks to the edge of my spine, hearing her call my name. Stepmother looked down at my hem before smiling.
But why- My eyes prickle with nervous tears. I was leaving. Why can't I go?
"Yes, Your Highness?" I cringe when I turn to see that smile she makes. It looks so pleasant and pretty, but it makes me feel worse. Her gray eyes are sharp like knives as she looks up from my hem.
"Did you forget something?" Stepmother raises her voice enough to be heard. Other Nobel's look over at with curiosity.
"Pardon?" I try to stay composed. "What did I-?" I look over myself but see nothing. I don't need to bring a purse; my dress is appropriately buttoned. What could she be saying?
"No, I-" I am about to refute her when Stepmother motions down her eyes. She is pointing to my hem.
Why? What's wrong with my dress? Is there a string? I am bewildered. "Your majesty, I don't understand-"
"Aren't you feeling cold?" Stepmother goes, and I feel my throat tighten.
"How did you-" How did she know I was cold? I stare at her, baffled, as she taps the table with only a long fingernail.
"Without shoes, maybe?"
"But I am wearing-" I lift my skirt to cut off my breathing. There, underneath the hem, are two pink and bare feet standing on the cold stone.
I was in such a hurry this morning that I - I assumed I was numb because of Stepmother. My feet were cold because- but just as I deny the sight, I know it's too late.
"Oh, no." I cry under my breath. But I already know I couldn't have made a more significant mistake. I have committed the biggest faux pas in Dawny.