*Ana*
Despite Nicoli's best efforts to stay ahead, and he does try, weaving in and around corners and hallways, it's no use. Maddie eventually corners us and drags me away. We return to my room, where Maddie gets to work getting me ready.
"I won't have enough time to restyle your hair," Maddie grumbles as she tries to tuck the loose strands back into my braid. "If you stayed put-" Maddie stops. "How did you get past me?"
"I- I just did," I say, trying to avoid her eyes. It's a lie, and I can't help but feel guilty. It feels wrong to lie to Maddie, but I shouldn't tell her about the hallway.
Nicoli won't be able to use it if I do. I can't help but find that worse. I don't want him not to come. I had fun today because of him—sneaking through the halls, eating in the kitchen, and then trying to run away! It was the most fun since I don't know when.
I don't want to be the reason it stops. My eyes dart to the tapestry to see nothing amiss. But just looking at it makes me think of Nicoli. I grow warm, and my heart flutters.
"All done." Maddie goes, taking a step back. She looks me up and down. "It's the best I can do for the time being." But as Maddie says this, I can see the proud smile on her face.
"Maddie, I look—" I look at myself in the mirror and lose my words. I don't know if I am, but the gown is beautiful. The dress is a rich shade of royal blue silk with tiny yellow diamonds etched around the bottom to look like stars. It is the most dazzling of all my gowns. I can't help but admire it, speechless.
But as I look over the dress, trying to devise words to give Maddie, I can see the clock. Is that the actual time? I immediately sink.
"Maddie!" I cry. Did it take that long to change out of all those layers? Dinner is about to start?"Maddie, Dinner is beginning-"
"Whoa there, cowboy." Maddie only chuckles. She doesn't look distressed by the time. "I'm well aware of what time it is."
"Then Maddie-"I go from clock to her and back. How can she be so collected? I am in a panic."I don't want to miss Dinner-"
"Have no fear. Maddie is here." Maddie winks before picking me up with a short cry.
"Maddie?!" I start, but she moves her arms underneath my legs. She laughs as she begins to carry me out.
"Maddie, what if someone sees us?" I start by looking around. No one is in the hallway, but I'm not too fond of the risk.
"This isn't dignified." I go, trying to push her arms off." I should walk. I'm the Empress-"
"Your scrawny little legs won't get there in time." Maddie bops my nose before picking up speed.
"Maddie put me-"
"Hold on." Maddie picks up speed. I have to do as she says because we are moving now. The hall is quickly behind us, and Maddie is still going. She is going so fast that the wind lifts my shawl.
"I'll let you down just before we get there so you can walk in." Maddie winks. She sounds confident.
"Very well." I force out a sigh. It seems I can do nothing but give in. But as we move past another hall, the thought hits me.
"Wait, what if Cousin sees this?" I sit up. Mykhol would be appalled by the sight."I'm sure he'll lecture me-" But Maddie suddenly bursts into a laugh.
"Oh, I think he'll be too busy mending his hurt pride to care about you, Ana."
"Hurt pride?" I blink in confusion, but Maddie says nothing more. She only gives a secretive smile and keeps going.
Perhaps it's just one of Maddie's strange jokes? I consider it. Maddie is sometimes an odd woman; was this another one of those moments?
It must be. And I dismiss it to focus on being carried. True to Maddie's word, Maddie does let me down before the doors.
"Go get'em, tiger." Maddie winks.
"Tiger?" I bulk. Was this another new nickname of hers? But just as quickly, I dismissed it again.
At least no one saw us. I am thankful for that. I am also grateful that I can walk in and find my seat instead of being announced like before. I steal a quick look around the room. Tables are bustling with people, nobles and servants alike. Many are smiling, and others are laughing.
I see it amongst the crowd. There he is, I think, as I find the only flash of red hair. Mykhol is already waiting at their table.
Mykhol's face, however, is not as triumphant as the others. Instead, he has an unreadable expression. Compared to everyone else, he sits perfectly still. Only his red eyes move. But as they look around, they seem to gloss over everything with disinterest.
Has he just been sitting there? That seems a bit abnormal. I've only known Cousin to be social. He always talks to the maids and Nobles back home. Mykhol has something to say to everyone.
Unless he doesn't want to, but I shake the thought as too silly. Why wouldn't he?
Everyone here is friendly. I know. Even the cooks are welcoming here.
Perhaps Mykhol wants to be quiet and observe? I assume as I walk over.
"Cousin," I start, and Mykhol smiles brightly.
"Anastasia, good evening." Mykhol is up to pull out my chair. "I was wondering when you'd come."
"You're wearing another robe, I see," His gown tonight is more refined than the others. Mykhol chose to dress up for the night's occasion.
Perhaps he is looking forward to Nicoli's birthday after all? And I smile. It would be nice if the two got along.
"It looks nice."
"You think so?" Mykhol asks with a bit of pride. He beams at the compliment as he helps me into my seat. I smile at him while thinking of what it would be like with the three of us together.
They would get along, I smile again at the thought. Of course, they would; Nicoli and Mykhol are more social than I am. Everyone loves them. They seem to fit in everywhere. I can see them being the best of friends.
*Mykhol*
Mykhol caught Ana's smile and felt his heart flutter. But he said nothing as he moved to sit at her side. Instead, he tried to scoot his chair closer, hoping his leg would brush onto hers. But instead of feeling her leg, he found the steel cage of the hoop skirt.
"Damn skirt." Mykhol quietly cursed low enough that Ana couldn't hear. He frowned slightly and tried not to show his irritation. But it wasn't easy. He did not like having her so close yet unable to touch her.
"Fuck." Mykhol cursed again. Still frustrated, Mykhol took a drink of his wine. The taste reminded him of his headache. The threat of it made him lower his cup.
Perhaps it would be better if he held back tonight, especially with the upcoming show. Mykhol smiled with a fang out. It was hard to contain his excitement. But he had to try.
Instead, Mykhol glanced over to check on Maddie. She stood obediently by the wall, ready and waiting to be called.
'What?' Maddie mouthed as her face steeled, looking at him. Mykhol only widened his smile before turning to Ana.
"My sweet cousin, I hope your day's been well. I missed you dearly. I barely got to see you," Mykhol said as the trumpets erupted. Shortly after, they announced the King's arrival.
When the grand doors opened, the room immediately stood up. Ana lowered her head respectfully as they passed. Her father and Queen Belinda were walking arm in arm together. But as soon as they passed, Ana opened her eyes in time to catch Nicoli's.
'Ana!' The boy waved excitedly before Queen Belinda snatched his hand. Nicoli frowned but didn't fight. He followed along but rolled his eyes.
"So silly." Ana chuckled softly and shook her head.
"Silly?"Mykhol watched Ana chuckle again before frowning. Since when did she look like that? For some reason, the sight bothered him. So, when everyone was seated, Mykhol immediately moved. He found Ana's hand and held it to his leg.
"Cousin?" Ana perked up as Mykhol tightened his fingers around her. But not to be painful, Mykhol wanted to hold her tight enough so she couldn't pull away. Ana seemed to have the constant problem of never staying in one spot. Someone kept stealing her away. And by now, Mykhol couldn't help but feel his frustration.
"Cousin, why are you?" Ana looked at him curiously.
"Stay by me tonight," Mykhol spoke in a tight voice. It was odd to even his ears, but Mykhol couldn't stop it. Something about all this was making him anxious. He could only look at her quietly.
Is it because I haven't seen her all day? Mykhol studied Ana's dress. She looked somewhat silly wearing the red shawl with her blue dress, but otherwise, she looked pretty.
Pretty? Mykhol stopped at the word with a slight hitch in his breath. Is that what he thought? Do I think Ana is pretty?
No, I'm just lonely. Mykhol tried to calm himself. He didn't see Ana all day and had no one else to talk to. Without Ana, Mykhol was isolated, and he did not like the feeling.
I'm just lonely, is all. Mykhol dismissed the thought. Even Mykhol would crave Ana's attention if left in a foreign country. It wasn't odd at all.
"Oh?" Ana went more quietly, looking down at his hand. And to Mykhol's surprise, he felt her squeeze back.
"Ana?" Mykhol looked back, shocked to find her smile at him. It was a sweet smile that left him breathless for just a second.
"Of course, Cousin," Ana answered, and Mykhol felt something break. Something seemed to shatter within him.
She's smiling just for me. Ana was smiling at him, Just him, not the prince or that bastard King. Ana was smiling at him alone. And it was a sweet smile. Mykhol suddenly felt his fingers itch.
"Anastasia," Mykhol moved to touch her face. He completely forgot where they were and who could see them. Mykhol was lost entirely to what was in front of him.
"You-" Mykhol held his hand inches from her cheek before King Alexander's voice boomed over. And Ana turned her head away from him, forgetting Mykhol entirely.
"Ana," Mykhol dropped his hand to his lap. A flash of anger filled his eyes, and he could barely contain himself.
What now? Mykhol was frustrated. His fingers still felt itchy, and they longed for Ana's soft skin, but he had to contain himself.
Mykhol begrudgingly looked up to see where the King was. King Alexander was standing at the table. King Alexander narrowed his eyes at the teen and looked peeved over something.
"Everyone, the caravans arrive tonight, and tomorrow will be exciting. For some, this is their first time with a circus." King Alexander paused to look around the young children in the room. They chirped with excitement and shifted in their seats.
He then turned to Ana specifically. It was apparent he was referring to her. Queen Belinda narrowed her eyes as she watched on from her seat.
"Husband, the cake."Queen Belinda prompted. King Alexander gasped, then scratched his head, a little embarrassed.
"Ah, yes, sorry." King Alexander apologized, finding himself distracted.
His absent-mindedness only emitted a light laugh from the room. A few glanced over to smile at Ana. They seemed to understand why the King would have forgotten.
"For tonight," King Alexander went again. His eyes found Ana as he touched Nicoli's head."Let's celebrate the best tradition of anyone's birthday!"
At his word, the grand doors opened again on a signal. Mr. Brown came through pushing a cart. Ana's eyes widened at the sight. The blue cake was on the cart, piled high with layers of colored candles sticking out. Each candle burned bright.
"It looks like stars." Ana gasped under her breath."It's beautiful!"
"It's just a cake," Mykhol said lowly. If Ana liked cakes so much, Mykhol could get her a hundred, no, make it a thousand cakes. But Ana must not have heard him. She was too excited by the cake and all the candles.
"I present to all of you to honor my son's birthday cake to mark his fifth year!"