*ANA*
"Why is my cat here?" I can't stop myself from looking back. What compensation? I am confused. And the kitten only makes me feel lost. What is he doing here?
When I left, he was in my room. He looked so warm and happy there. But now, the kitten seems anything but happy.
"Cousin?" I feel Mykhol's arm. He is oddly tense, as if aware of something I am not. And Abina cowers closer to his legs.
"What is going on?" I ask, but Mykhol does not mean my eyes. He is looking straight ahead.
"Mew!" Nicoli II shifted uncomfortably in the maid's hands. His tail flips from side to side. And his ears are sideways as he leans away from the other maid with the bucket.
"The bucket?" What is that for? I look after the maid. But before I can even think of asking, Stepmother continues.
"I respect your wish to handle your servant." Queen Belinda starts up again, and I force myself to look back at her. She has a sharp smile on her face."But the fact remains that our crown prince was within danger's reach. You have breached our trust. In doing so. Punishing that maid will not be enough."
"Not enough? Then what will you-" I start, but Stepmother ignores me to bark at her maid.
Julia lifts the kitten on cue as the other maid moves the bucket. The kitten dangles over the water. His little legs kick up as it tries to climb out of her hands.
They aren't- "Wait, you're not going to?" My voice cuts off as it happens.
"No!" I scream as I see Julia plunge the kitten straight into the water. The kitten's head disappears under with a splash before she lifts him back out. Nicoli II yowls instantly and spits up as she holds him back into the same spot over the bucket.
"Why are you doing this?" I cry and turn, but Mykhol grabs my waist.
"Let me go-" I look at him to meet oddly cold eyes.
"Ana, don't," Mykhol whispers under his breath. His voice was tight as his eyes scanned the room. He seems to notice the crowd with a frown. I can see why. Their disdain is so apparent that I could laugh at the change.
"Cousin?" I breathe out, feeling my throat burn. "Let me-" I don't understand, but I let it go for more significant issues. I turn on the maids before looking at Queen Belinda. "I need to stop them." Mykhol holds me tighter.
"You can't." His voice is sadder than I've ever heard, but he won't let go. I pushed at his hands, but he won't budge. But I can't stop. I try again and kick at his legs, anything to break free.
"Let go of my cat!" I cry out and turn to the room.
"Please," I looked at them in desperation. Please, someone, anyone, help. But I met impassive stares. No one will step in.
Are they just going to stand and watch this? My breath freezes in my chest. No, it can't be. It is too cruel.
Nicoli or Father- I look back to them with hope. Indeed, they will step in. I can't imagine either of them would stand for this brutality.
Please? Nicoli? I see my hope fall as Nicoli turns away from me. He buried his face into their father's leg. His puffy eyes are closed, and he covers his ears. Nicoli won't listen or hear what is happening.
"Why are you doing this? Father?" I look up to see my father only stiffen. He won't meet my eyes. He dropped his hands from Belinda, who stiffened as well.
"Once more, Julia. Make sure he's dripping wet."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Julia nodded before lifting the cat again to dunk him.
"Please, don't! You're scaring him!" I cry as she shoves the kitten back into the water. She holds him down for longer this time. When she pulls him back up, the kitten pants and spits. His meow is getting quicker and strained. He was scared.
"I said stop." I feel my stomach squeeze in as my body trembles. "Please," I try to find Father's eyes, but he stares ahead. He won't look at me.
Queen Belindas raised her hand again. "Julia,"
"Your majesty," At her cue, Julia stopped. She lifted the kitten away from the water. Nicoli II yowled, but I was grateful.
It's over. I feel so relieved.
"Thank you, Mother-" In my relief, I misspoke. The word slipped from my tongue without a thought, but I instantly regretted it. I covered my mouth as if I could swallow, but it was over. I could see the change take place on Belinda's face.
"Mother?" Queen Belinda's lip twitched. A dead silence seemed to come over the room. Her eyes then sharpened.
What have I done? A shiver rolled down my back as my eyes widened. I watched, horrified, as the woman's expression became unreadable. But I knew I had done something even more impeccable.
The memory of that cold fall day is back in my head. And I can feel the phantom nails scratching my hands. I freeze in fear as I know I just worsened the situation.
"No, please." The words catch in my throat. "I didn't mean to Queen Belinda. I apologize. I wasn't thinking-. " But no matter what I say, it will be useless. I HAVE DONE THE UNTHINKABLE.
"Now," Queen Belinda's words pooled out. She took note of how soaking wet the kitten was now. She could see it shiver. Her lips curled up at that.
"Take it outside."
"Outside!?" Father's voice overpowers me. He has turned on Belinda.
"Wife, this is too-''
"It will be over soon." Queen Belinda steeled her voice to make Father tense up. Something wordless seemed to exchange between them before he had to look away.
"Then do it." Father turns his back from Stepmother to hold Nicoli even closer. The two seem to cling to each other desperately.
"Father?" I reach out only to drop my hand. He will not turn to look at me. Nicoli will not look at me. Stepmother is the only one who will meet my eyes. And she seems to hold something in them. It looks both like pain and something more complex.
*Queen Belinda*
"Alexander," Queen Belinda called softly. But she knew it was a waste. Belinda knew the consequences of what would happen when she started, but still, she couldn't help but fall back.
Belinda lifted her eyes to meet her husband. What she found was not surprising. Belinda could see the disgust and anger evident on his face. His beautiful blue eyes, which she loved, now looked like daggers aimed at her.
It was painful to see. Belinda wished that it didn't have to come to this. She would never again have to see those eyes look at her this way. But it wouldn't be the end if she didn't end it first.
She couldn't.
One day, you'll understand. Belinda hoped for the day.
I only do this to protect you. Queen Bellinda wouldn't let this child interfere with their lives anymore. She wouldn't let this girl spread that infectious disease like her mother.
Belinda was going to end it once and for all. That damn vampiress was no longer going to haunt her. She wasn't going to have her way.
Empress Parsul was dead. And she'd make it as if Anastasia would be too. Never again.
"Father?" Belinda flinched at the girl's last squeak. Her voice dripped with desperation, but she could hear the telltale sign of something more. It was something Belinda was hoping for.
It was the reason they chose to handle it this way. Once it was done, there would be no going back. And Belinda would see it done. All she needed to do was put the final nail in the coffin.
One day, you will forgive me. Belinda closed her eyes. When she opened them, she was ready. IT WAS TIME.
"Take it outside to freeze to death in the snow."