*Ana*
"Alright, alright, enough, you two." Mr. Brown's voice booms over us. "Settle down."
"Oh!" Nicoli and I stop our attacks to gasp together with delight. Mr. Brown does not disappoint. We are to have a feast! There are slices of cheesecake and strawberries topped with whipped cream.
The only downfall is that Mr. Brown provides an accompanying saucer of tea. At the smell, my stomach tightens on reflex. But I don't get to dwell on it long over Mr. Brown.
"There we are." Mr. Brown announces with a puff of pride in his chest. "The usual." The plates are set out with the tea before Mr. Brown gives both of us a firm look as if to say the most important thing.
"Don't let it spoil your dinner." Mr. Brown then breaks into a wink and turns abruptly to return to his duties.
"Thank you-" I start but nearly choke as a strawberry shoves into my mouth. I almost fall out of my chair from the near-fatal attack.
"Nicoli-" I spit out the strawberry and take a haggard breath. "Nicoli, why did you just-"
"Try the strawberries." Nicoli laughs and throws one into his mouth."They're good."
"Try the Oh, yes." Out of shock, I didn't get to taste it the first time. I watch Nicoli take up another before I follow suit. I gingerly bite into the strawberry to find it sweet. The strawberries are good and ripe.
"It's…good." I swallow with a gasp, and Nicoli nods in affirmation.
"Told'ya." Nicoli voices easily. He then moves to pick up a spoonful of the cake. "Here, wait until you try this." He holds the spoon in front of my lips.
"Nicoli? You don't have to - I can eat-" I look at the spoon before seeing his face.
Does he mean for me to eat like this? But this is a little improper- but my thoughts subside as I see him. Nicoli looks so eager, with his blue eyes dead set on me. I get the feeling he won't stop until I do.
I guess…I should. My heart quickens, and I need to quiet my nerves. I lean forward to take the cake. I chew with my cheeks growing warm at the idea of Nicoli feeding me.
"Good, right?" Nicoli chirps, pulling the spoon out. " Mr. Brown's desserts are always tasty. I sneak in there all the time for them."
"Sneak in?" I swallow and look after Nicoli. "So I was right." I go and snicker.
"What's so funny?" Nicoli asks obliviously. But this only makes me laugh more.
"You." I wipe my lips with the napkin, smiling.
"Me?"
"One of the first things I thought when I saw you," I folded the napkin back in place as I reminisced. "Was that you'd get secret treats from all the servants."
"You did?" Nicoli looks at me, surprised.
"Yeah." And I was right. I look around the kitchen. A few chefs and cooks look over and smile. I don't think I've seen this many friendly servants in Nochten.
It almost feels like we are meant to be here or that I am. My smile softens as I grow warmer. It's like my heart is whole and, at the same time, heavier.
Is this…am I happy right now? Is that what it is? I pause at the unfamiliar feeling. Is this what being truly happy is like?
Have I ever been this happy before? I soften at the thought.
Nicoli… My heart thumps against my ribs. It hurts but feels good simultaneously, like a muscle that hasn't stretched in a long time. It compels me to do something I've wanted but never had the chance to do.
"Nicoli…thank you for inviting me." I take Nicoli's hand and hold it. "You didn't have to, but thank you."
"Of course. Why wouldn't I?" Nicoli looks at me as if it were foolish to say. " You're my sister, after all."
"No, I mean," It's not just that. Nicoli doesn't understand, but that's alright. He doesn't need to because I do. And I muster up the courage and press his hand tighter.
"That night…I thought I scared you." I close my eyes to open them again to find them blurry.
No, why am I crying now? I don't mean to cry now. Not when I'm the happiest I have ever been. But yet, the tears find me.
"I thought you wouldn't…." A tear betrays me and falls down my cheek, but I only feel my lips curl up as I smile. I must look so silly, crying like a child. I can't help but feel a little foolish.
"You don't know how much this means to me." I go on and wipe my face with the back of my hand. "I'm so happy."
"You cry when you're happy?" Nicoli pouts after seeing me. "Don't do that. I feel bothered when you cry."
"Oh? Sorry, I didn't mean to." I turn away to hide my face. Look at what I did now. It's the last thing I want to do. I've upset him.
I don't know why I'm even doing this. I was crying like a child when I should have been laughing. What is wrong with me? I can only berate myself as I wipe away another tear.
"I'm sorry. I'll stop-"
"I won't allow it."
"Nicoli?" I turn to see Nicoli suddenly pulling me into his arms. For being so small, his grip is firm. His little arms circle and squeeze me tightly.
"Nicoli-" I struggle, feeling the sudden closure suffocating. But then I force myself to relax. I still feel unused to such things as hugs.
"Such a crybaby." Nicoli plays it off with a light laugh.
"Oh, well..." I stiffened up a little on reflex and looked away. You're right, I am. Sorry." I could only return, but Nicoli didn't want an excuse. I could feel him watching me for a moment.
"I wish you could always be with me." Nicoli lets go and looks me over. He pauses on my face, no doubt looking over my eyes. I bet they look puffy from the tears.
"Really?" I blink after him, unsure."Do you mean that?"
"I want to be with sister Ana forever." Nicoli nods firmly and moves to wipe my cheek with his sleeve.
"Aww," A few cooks snicker in the background, hearing it. "So cute."
"Oh?" I suddenly remember we aren't alone.
How long have they been watching us? I can see most of the kitchen looking our way. But this seems to fly over Nicoli's head as he carries on till I'm good and dry.
"Me..me too." I find my cheeks burning at the end from more than just his sleeve. Does Nicoli want to be with me? Forever? My heart quickens at the thought.
"I…I want to be with Brother Nicoli, too." I confess.
"Then it's settled," Nicoli lifts his head with conviction."We'll always be together then."
"Look at them, now," I hear cooks giggling at Nicoli's vow.
"Nicoli-" I reach for Nicoli's cheek when someone bursts through the kitchen doors.
"Ana!" The sound of a shrill woman somewhat exacerbated cries out.
"Maddie?" I see Maddie march through—her graying hair arrayed and out of order. I'm stunned by the sight. "What are you-"
"Do you know how LONG I've been looking for you?" Maddie huffs, stopping right in front of us. "I thought you fell in a hole or something."
"A hole, no?" I shake my head, still trying to collect what's happening. "I've just been with brother-"
"Hush." Nicoli winks, taking my hand.
Huh? I look after him curiously, but Nicoli is smiling at Maddie. A smile that does little to charm Maddie because she is too angry.
"I can see that. Now, come here. Dinner's starting soon, and you need to redress-" Maddie starts as Nicoli spurs into action.
"Run!" The loud cry echoes through the kitchen as Nicoli jumps from his stool. And just as he hits the floor, he darts a look at me.
"Hurry before she catches you!" Nicoli throws out his hand.
"Ah!" I gasped, suddenly put up on the spot. My eyes darted in quick shock between Maddie and him. Who do I pick? Where do I—but I already knew.
I'm sorry, Maddie. I took Nicoli's hand and found the wind suddenly rushing around us. Nicoli is leading us out a side door.
"Oh no, you don't!" Maddie huffs and pulls up her skirt. I give a short cry as I know what that means. Maddie is going to chase us down.
"Nicoli! Hurry!" I cry, but Nicoli laughs as we run into the hall.
"She'll never catch us!" Nicoli throws me the biggest smile, shaking me. I have never seen anyone smile so freely before. But as my heart thumps at the sight, I can't help but laugh.
I never had so much fun.
*King Alexander*
King Alexander and Johan were musing over things as they both heard the commotion below. Curious of the sudden yelling, both men stopped to peer over the railing in time to find Ana and Nicoli flying out like two bats from hell, with Maddie close behind them.
"Get back here! Now!" Maddie cried as they turned a corner.
"That's from the kitchen, isn't it?" King Alexander mused as Johan nodded.
"It is. And it seems like they're making Maddie work hard." Johan voiced as they saw Maddie lose all composure. The woman was wholly absorbed in the chase.
"Perhaps I should give her another raise?" King Alexander piped up with a significant smile.
"It's the least you could do, your majesty." Johan retorted, which provoked another laugh. Finally, King Alexander slapped the man's back and turned to walk on.
"Come. We should prepare for dinner."
"Should you not stop your son first?" Johan went, but King Alexander only shrugged.
"Not really." King Alexander went where Johan only shook his head.
"You are awful, your majesty." But this only made King Alexander chuckle again.
"Like father, like son." Johan went, but he, too, had to smile at the sight.
*Mykhol*
Now, this is a sight not many can see, Mykhol mused as he looked up from hearing the commotion from the other end of the hall. Mykhol was glad he turned when he did because otherwise, he would have missed it. Seeing the children chased by Ana's maid was already amusing for Mykhol to see on its own, but this was far better.
Queen Belinda's carefully crafted composure had slipped in the rare moment. The frown on her face seemed to etch out every wrinkle Belinda had or would have. It was like she had aged twenty years in a second.
"How cute!" Mykhol smiled, and Belinda immediately pulled back her composure. She glared at him for a moment, but that was all. She seemed to be using all her strength to maintain her image.
"Until dinner, then." Mykhol bowed to leave. Queen Belinda barely noted him with a weak wave of her hand. She seemed too struck hard by the sight to respond.
"Yes, until then." Queen Belinda barely uttered as she turned to her rooms. Behind her, her faithful maid, Julia, followed with a basket that mewed softly as she walked.