*Ana*
What a strange dream! I flutter my eyes. Surprisingly, I feel well-rested. I needed more sleep than I realized.
"I thought Nicoli came in here." I start with a look to my side. Of course, it is empty, not that I was expecting him to be here still. It's just my wishful thinking that someone would still be sleeping there.
Of course not. I laugh at my only silliness. It's just a dream. Why would he come to my room? The idea was too far-fetched, even for me.
I want to see him, that is all. I dismiss with an easy smile, even in my dreams.
"It was a nice dream, though." I shift to the side of my pillow to see my silver hair stretch out. I touch it absently. It's smooth but cold, like the room. I drop my hand to stare at it.
Sometimes, it doesn't feel like it's a part of me. It feels odd how something like that comes from me as my own. The color is just so strange.
My hair seems to cause more harm than good. It brings pain and isolation. I shift my head to the other side to break sight of the cruel color. But I can't escape something that's attached to me. It only moves when I do. It crawls over the pillow like a spider.
"But it proves that I'm a part of Nicoli," I say into the empty room. My hair, if anything, proves we share a father.
That's one good thing, I suppose. I roll on my back to stare up at the canopy. In the semi-light room, its white curtain looks like a cloud.
"I should get up. " I decide it's not the best use of my time to lie in bed anymore. Things are happening today. The circus should already be here. I don't want to miss it.
I hope Nicoli isn't too upset. I sit up and look at the tapestry. Again, my dream might have been more than just a dream. But that can't be.
If Nicoli stayed with me, he would miss the circus. That is enough proof that I am hopeful. Nicoli likely went ahead and saw the circus for himself, and I'm glad he did.
If the circus is anything like my expectations, Nicoli will love it. He should belong to such a world of bright colors and fun. As for me- I stall to feel the icy air hit me as I push the covers off.
How odd! I'm surprised to see Maddie didn't keep the fire. I don't even see her. Where could she have gone?
Could she have gone to get more wood? I pose the question before I eat it. The bucket is full. We need no more wood.
So then, where is Maddie? It's not like her to be out of sight.
"Strange?" I say as I check the room. But nothing looks to be out of place. Maddie was here; my dress was out for the morning. The only thing off would be that Maddie is not there.
"Maddie?" I call and wait, but I never get an answer. It means that Maddie isn't outside the door, either. She isn't even in earshot.
Is she still sleeping? I grow unsettled but try to swallow the feeling. I listen again with my vampiric hearing to any possible footsteps. There's nothing. The only thing moving is the clock. It ticks quietly.
"I still need to get up," I force myself out of bed.
"Yawl." The kitten's scream makes my heart jump. But just as quickly, I calm down. It's only Nicoli II. He blinks his eyes and moves to sit up. He looks at me with bored interest.
"Have you seen Maddie?" I ask and scratch behind his ear. Nicoli II curls back up into a ball and closes his eyes.
I didn't expect his answer, but I'm a little disheartened by how uninvested he is at the same measure. But his sleeping face gives a sense of ease. I'm relieved and feel better.
"I'll…just get ready." Even though Maddie isn't here, I still have to get up. I decided to get into something warm quickly. I pulled the blanket off the chair and wrapped it around my shoulders before I started my routine.
Though I am used to Maddie's help, I'm no stranger to getting dressed alone. It wasn't that long ago that I used to expect it. No one would come to help me, and I would make do with my tiny order.
First is the face; I splash water over my cheeks and eyes to rub out any mess I made, then my hands. The water was freezing; a thin layer of ice capped over until I broke it. But as best I rub, I still shiver. Half of me wants to crawl back into bed. But I can't. I owe it to Nicoli.
I will feel better after I dress. I tell myself. If anything, I look forward to all the layers. Dawny fashion is well suited for their winters. So I will be nice and toasty in the dress.
I take up the gown Maddie has set over the armoire. This time, Maddie chose a less provocative dress. It's a simple grey lace and black velvet piece with no trace of purple. I already know my cousin will be pleased.
As if I still doubt myself, I finger the texture. The dress is thick and heavy. It will be warm.
Good. I smile. But this is not the daunting task at hand. I still have to deal with the primer layers first. I am honestly not as confident about them, but I have no choice.
I am right when I say the dress is warm—almost too warm. At this rate, I might start to sweat, and I am physically exhausted.
I managed to get on the hoop skirt and bottom layers, but not before putting on my shoes and socks; I will never make that mistake again. It was reasonable enough, but now I work on the more complex layers.
No wonder Maddie takes forever to dress me. I shake my head as I discover more buttons and knots. At this point, I don't even think they do anything except look expensive.
I instantly dislike it. I don't believe any piece of clothing should be impractical. But I have no one to complain to but myself, so I swallow my grievances.
"I didn't realize how tedious this is," I'm growing frustrated.
I attempt another tie but half scream as it tangles with another loose end. It is too cumbersome. And my fingers are becoming numb from the cold.
"Oh, I give up." I throw up my hands and groan. "Maddie will just have to finish the rest of them."
I won't do it anymore. My fingers are getting dumb, and my arms sting and burn. I just got up, and I am tired.
Maddie will have to finish the last of the buttons. It will do for now. The dress, though shabbily put on, is on.
And it wasn't like it mattered. Maddie would be back soon. And she would fix it.
Perhaps she's already on her way. I take the cue to sneak over to the door. I'm at least appropriate enough to go into the hall, even though I'm not in my nightgown.
"Maddie? Are you out there?" I whisper and lightly open the door with a crack. Through the gap, I find the hall. It's empty. I was right. Maddie wasn't anywhere.
But where are the other servants? The question shivers down my spine. Why was it so empty?
"Hello?" I open the door a bit further. "Is anyone here?" I listen to the hall being just as silent as my room.
I don't like this. I swallow down my renewed unease. Something isn't right. It shouldn't be this quiet.
"Where is everyone?" I look back at the sleeping kitten. Nicoli II stirs as the sound of footsteps approaches. Whoever they are, they are coming our way.
"Your Empress," I instantly lightened at the familiar voice.
"Maddie, where have you been-" I stop as I turn to see that Maddie isn't alone.
Maddie walks with two guards. Each on either side of her. The Dawny knights hold blank expressions as they stare ahead.
Maddie, however, looks quite distraught. Her eyes are puffy and irritated. And her cheeks look patchy.
"Maddie?"Something shifted inside. Has Maddie been crying? But what could make her cry like that? I don't think Maddie is capable of it.
I suddenly grow colder in the doorway. No one is speaking, and I feel a heaviness hang over us. It stiffens my back.
Something is wrong. The wise voice in my head warns. It wants me to run, but I can't do that.
"What's happened?"
Maddie bites her lower lip before looking at each knight. They exchange silent glances. They nod before stepping back to give each other some space.
"Ana," Maddie bends down to take my hands. I feel their warmth, but it doesn't ease my feelings inside. Instead, it only makes me grow uneasy.
"Maddie?" I breathe. I feel her heart thump in my hands. That's another bad sign. "Has something-"
"There's been an incident," Maddie says in a tight voice. We need to follow these knights to the courtroom." Maddie's hands are slightly trembling.
"Incident?" I repeat before shooting a look over. I notice how the knights carry their swords. Their straps are open to allow easy access if needed.
They'll only do that if something serious happens, like a threat to the royal family. My heart catches in my throat.
Nicoli? My breath hitches in fear at the thought. I swallow it back and steady myself.
"Very well." I look back to the knights. My heart hurts from thumping against my chest, but breathing doesn't help. I feel there isn't enough air to fill my lungs.
"Let's go." I tighten my hand over Maddie. She gives a weak smile but says nothing. We start to walk.