*King Alexander*
"Ha," King Alexander dropped the quill altogether. It was pointless. He couldn't focus. He couldn't for the past few days. His mind kept wandering off to think.
Ana's going to miss the whole thing. Today was the last day for the circus. But Ana still did not leave her room. She hadn't for days.
I would have thought she would by now. Alexander had hoped. He had trusted Ana to be curious enough to come out, at least, for the circus. Alexander remembered the excited faces on both of his children.
Alexander recalled that they had even planned to stay up to wait for it just days before, but he had underestimated even that much.
What am I to do? Alexander fumbled with his fingers. Time was running out, and Ana would leave soon. But things weren't any better than before.
Should I see her? But the thought scared him. What would he find if he did?
What if she doesn't? It left Alexander stuck and useless. What then?
How do I fix this? Again, Alexander was stuck.
"Your majesty? Supper is beginning." Johan walked through to see King Alexander remain at his desk.
"Did she?" King Alexander lifted his eyes. Johan shook his head.
"Empress Anastasia did not leave her room today," Johan answered to make King Alexander sigh. He swiped his brown hair back from his eyes.
"Very well," Alexander stood finally. He pushed away from the desk to cross the room, stopping just before the door to turn to Johan.
"Any new developments?"
"No, Sire," Johan replied. "There has been no new evidence. The maid knows nothing."
"Keep prodding, Johan." Alexander directed. Johan nodded and turned out, likely to work on just that. But it meant Alexander would have to walk the great hall alone.
But perhaps that was for the best; Alexander didn't feel like his jovial self to be talkative. For once, he found the silence a welcomed change. It gave him a moment to review the events once more.
But each time, Alexander only left with the same feeling. Something was amiss. And that something made him keep going into endless circles of questions.
How could the maid even get into Nicoli's room? That was the first question. It should have been impossible. He couldn't see how.
The maid seems just as unaware as we are. King Alexander frowned. Even under interrogation, things were unclear. Johan wasn't getting anywhere with the vampiress.
You expect me to believe a lowly maid can sneak past royal guards? Undetected?
"Impossible." Alexander wouldn't buy it. It was laughable. The sheer audacity of it all was just too much.
"This wasn't some breach of security." King Alexander felt his gut turn. Something more is at play.
Or someone.
"But who?" King Alexander pondered as he entered the great hall.
"Good evening," King Alexander waved as he moved down the aisle to their table. Not wanting to alert his guests to his inner thoughts, he played up his joy as if nothing were wrong.
But as Alexander grew closer, his eyes couldn't help but check her table. It wasn't empty. Someone was sitting there. But it was not the one he wanted to see. Her chair remained empty. Ana was going to miss out on another meal.
But not Mykhol. King Alexander's smile slipped at the fact. The teen made it a point to show up at every meal.
On purpose, maybe? Alexander's blue eyes met the teens' red. The boy seemed unbothered by the stare.
Worse, he smiled back at him.
"You," King Alexander clenched his hand. The sight made him feel sick.
I would carry Ana in myself and sit here right beside me. Alexander riled. He wanted to. But he couldn't. And it was too late. He was already at the table.
"Hello, Daddy." Nicoli voiced, but his eyes shifted. They stared after the door as if waiting for someone to arrive. King Alexander could only assume who that could be and felt even worse. But he managed his face enough to hide it.
"Evening." Alexander took his chair. He went for his fork but immediately wanted to put it down. He had not eaten, and the food looked dull and grey.
In truth, Alexander had felt little hunger for the past few days. The only reason he came down was out of mere obligation. And showing up for supper was the least he could do for his subjects, even if it meant sitting next to her and smiling.
"Here, try this husband."Speaking of her, Queen Belinda offered a plate of sweets. "They are your favorites."
Alexander looked at them and not here. They were his favorites. Were.
"No, thank you."
"But it's your-" Queen Belinda paused with the plate in hand but quickly moved on as if it never happened.
"Try the beef, then. It's cooked with-"
"I've mind enough to feed myself, dear." Alexander moved past her hands. He could see her smile lessened but never fell. She again riled back.
"Husband, you should eat something." Belinda motioned to the food. "You haven't been eating."
"I will." King Alexander took a drink of wine. It was the only thing he could stomach. "Later."
"And when would that be?"
Alexander swirled the wine in his goblet. He could see his face reflect against the dark liquid. It looked old and sad.
"Is my husband throwing another tantrum?" As he stared, Queen Belinda tapped her finger on the table.
"You would know."
"Alexander-" Queen Belinda lightly scuffed under her breath.
"It's been days. Most everyone has forgotten already. Stop sulking."
"I'm surprised, my dear." King Alexander took up another drink. "I would have thought you'd be more concerned."
"Concerned?" Belinda fluttered her eyes. Alexander nodded and put down his goblet. His eyes ran over to Nicoli. The boy was pushing food around with a fork. He, too, looked disinterested and unhungry.
He must miss her too. King Alexander smiled sadly.
"I can't seem to overlook that a mere maid could slip past our guards. Like you said." King Alexander leaned back in his chair to meet her gaze.
"Things could have been 'much worse."
"Vampires are stealthy little creatures." Queen Belinda picked up her forkful of food.
"You, of all people, should know that." She spoke before eating the morsel."You married one before, remember?"
"I did. So what?"
"Alexander," Queen Belinda dropped her fork on the plate with a clatter. The sound brought forth some onlookers, but she smiled calmly. But underneath her smile, Alexander saw her hands shake beneath the table.
"I am your wife." Belinda clenched her dress. "I am the mother of your child. Therefore, I am only doing what I think is best."
"Like taking my only daughter from me? Again?" Alexander cracked a bitter smile. It made Belinda stiffen but never drop that composed smile of hers. Belinda, instead, wiped her mouth with her napkin.
"I've done nothing. My hands are clean."
"Perhaps they are." King Alexander stiffened his grin."But perhaps not."
"Do you mean to say I did this?" Belinda almost dropped her napkin from shaking. She looked furious but swallowed it back just in time.
"Prove me otherwise, then."
"You're crueler than I imagined."
"Cruel?" Alexander could see the word hit deep. Belinda's anger subsided immediately, like popping a balloon. Finally, she lowered her napkin to her lap to look at her plate.
"Everything I do…is out of love for you." King Alexander lessened his smile at her somber stare.
"It makes it hard to love you when you do this. " King Alexander squeezed her hand for emphasis.
"Stop, Belinda. Please."
"Did you ever love me?"
"Belinda, why- of course I-"
Belinda lifted her head to show her eyes glossy with tears.
"If you did leave that girl alone."
"Belinda," Alexander lost his smile and dropped his hand from hers. It made Belinda pale, but Alexander couldn't help.
"Forgive me." Alexander excused and stood up from his chair. "I have urgent business." And he quickly left, unable to console anyone.
*Queen Belinda*
Queen Belinda watched Alexander leave as if running away. He was running away, like a child running away from his problems. But even then, Belinda forgave him.
The warmth of his hand was already fading from her skin. She felt so lonely without him, and it hurt. Again, her hand shook under the table, but her face stayed calm and beautiful.
Instead, Belinda went to the second love of her life. She turned to Nicoli at her side.
"How are we feeling tonight, my baby?" She kissed his head. Nicoli continued to push the broccoli on his plate. He wasn't eating.
"Sweetie, not hungry?" Belinda went to touch his forehead. "Are you unwell?" But Nicoli turned to give a beautiful smile.
"No, Mommy, I'm well." Nicoli beamed, and Belinda could feel any stress dissolve. His sweet smile could melt any heart.
My boy. Belinda had to lean down and kiss his cheek.
"Then make sure you eat well. I want you to be as tall as your father one day."
"Okay, mommy." Nicoli voiced with a glance at the door. Belinda followed his gaze curiously.
"Are you waiting for someone?" Belinda asked, generally curious. "One of your friends?" She began to look around, but it didn't seem like anyone was missing. The Davish twins were here and eating, as were the others.
"No, Mommy," Nicoli shook his head. "Just looking." And he again went to look at his plate.
"I love you, Nicoli."
"I love you too, mommy." And Nicoli took up a forkful.
Belinda smiled, seeing him eat. It was good to see someone was. But Belinda was sure Alexander would get out of his mood and eat again soon enough.
I just need to wait it out. Belinda knew before feeling someone's eyes. She glanced up to catch them.
Mykhol softly smiled into the cup of wine. Belinda could see the satisfied look on his face. He seemed content on sitting alone.
So am I. Belinda gave the softest of nods back. They were both happy in the aftermath. Ana was out of sight, and the clock was ticking. There were only days left before they were due to depart.
And If things remain this way, I will have no more worries. Queen Belinda moved to stroke Nicoli's brown curls. They felt soft and calmed her restless heart.
With her gone, everything will be right again. Queen Belinda noted the empty chair beside her.
Yes, everything would be right. Belinda went again. Once the last remnants of that woman are gone, she will be free. Belinda would, at last, be able to step out of the shadow the great Empress Parsul had left and get what she truly deserved.
Until then, I will bear this much. Queen Belinda kissed Nicoli's head one final time.