*Ana*
What is he doing out here? I find myself turning to spy on someone I least expected.
He has no reason to be out here, I know. He should be inside the palace, but there he is standing by the stables. And what's more, he's looking directly at me as if waiting to get my attention.
I can't help but be compelled. I turn the horse back over to find him immediately step up as soon as I'm close enough.
"Your Empress," Admiral Nugen bows. As he stands, his eyes dart over my bare thighs. But whatever judgment he has, he mentions nothing. Instead, he cast his gaze back up to me. "I was hoping to have a moment of your time."
"Admiral Nugen." I greet, eyeing the stoic man's face. He does not rain compliments down on me, nor does he start with small talk. Quite different compared to the others in court.
Admiral Nugen seems the straightforward type. I am learning, but it makes me grow a little fonder for him. But still, why is he standing out in the growing heat?
"What brings you to my stables?" I ask in reply.
"My horse, your Empress." Admiral Nugen motions to a horse the servants are working on. "She needs a new set. So I've dropped her off."
I nod, seeing his answers as reasonable. But I can feel his eyes still on me. He seems to be waiting to start so I oblige.
"How goes the investigation?" I prompt to see his face darken.
"It's worse than expected, Your Empress. The Bulgeons are moving up. They've been spotted on the borderline of Dawny, your Empress."
"Dawny?" I flinch at the name but quickly push down any other reaction. "This is nothing new. They like to move up the coast."
But the man shook his head.
"I don't think that's all they are doing, Your Empress." His tone made something tighten in my chest again.
"Then, what are they doing?" I ask back.
"They are spreading inland. They are building homes."
"Homes?" I repeat as a shadow falls over our heads thanks to a heavy cloud.
"This…is not something the Bulgeons have done before." I feel something in my gut tighten at the news. "Admiral, continue looking into this. And see if any Bulgeons are turning back to Blechard."
"Yes, your Empress. I will look into it." Nugen bows. His face is serious at my words. I have to smile after him. It was a pleasant shock to have anyone simply do as I asked.
Not try to argue with me. Or look to Aunt and Uncle first for approval. I realize that that has grown to be my expectation now. But not with him.
It makes me find Nugen even better for it.
"You take your work seriously." I compliment him. "I like that."
"I-I only do as I can, your Empress." Admiral Nugen stammers. His ruddy cheeks were pink with embarrassment. It's a humble reaction but all the more to make me smile. The more I spend with him, the more I find I have to like him.
"And I thank you," I go on, unaware of the eyes watching us. I am solely focused on Nugen now as I note something else. A connection.
It is vague but there. A strange connection I feel between us. Like a line connecting us together, as if I've known him for a long time.
Suppose it feels like I'm talking to my father. I wonder. It does feel similar, like when we first met, and long before that terrible day. And it prompts me to want to know more about him.
"You have been in service a long time, Admiral Nugen,"
"I have. Since late Empress Parsul reigned, I've been here." Admiral Nugen pauses. He seems to linger a moment on something. His hand then moves over his heart in respect of the dead.
"You worked for my mother?" I look at him with hope.
"I have, your Empress."
"How did you find her? Was she a good Empress?" I ask, a touch more eager than I want. But there was so little I knew of her. And few will break the taboo and talk about her.
But maybe he will? Nugen is human, after all. And he might not have the same superstitions. He could talk about her if he wanted.
"Tell me?" Who was my mother? Please, answer.
"It is bad to speak of the deceased, your Empress." Admiral Nugen returns.
So he won't, either. It is hard but I try my best to hide the disappointment. It shouldn't have been a surprise. This is the way in Nochten.
"Forgive me, Admiral." I admit "It was wrong to ask." I go and think it over. But I am surprised to hear the softest of laughs come out of him. And when I look up, I find him smiling.
"But I will say this. She would be proud of you." Admiral Nugen speaks softly. I find myself staring wide-eyed.
Was he joking? But the look on his face seems so sincere. And he has been honest so far. And Admiral Nugen gained nothing to exaggerate.
"Would she?" I take a breath. "Do you…do you think so?"
"She would, Your Empress. You are on your way to becoming an even greater Empress. Only-" Here Admiral Nugen stopped and turned sharply to peer behind him.
"Admiral?" I follow his gaze to see Mykhol come our way.
It's only Cousin. I see and already dismiss. He must have grown impatient waiting for me. I assume not seeing anything more.
"Only what, Admiral?" I turn back to curious. "You were saying?"
Admiral Nugen, however, sucks his lower lip as if considering something. It took him a moment before his face stiffened. His tone resolved when he spoke again.
"Only, I fear the people surrounding you do not want it so." Admiral Nugen spoke quietly as Mykhol drew near.
"Are what, Admiral Nugen?" Mykhol stopped between the horse and him."I didn't catch that. What you were saying to my Ana?" He made to smile.
"Your…what?" Nugen stiffened after him.
"I do so hate being left out, right, Ana?" He looked up to me widening your smile.
"Excuse me, your Empress." Nugen immediately steps back to make a bow. "I just remembered a pressing matter."
"Oh?" I am a little taken aback but lift my hand. "of course, thank you for the update, Admiral." I go and watch Nugen turn and speed off toward the palace. His speed is surprisingly quick just to be human.
Odd. I watch on. For some reason, I feel he had more to say. Something about the people?
I wonder what about? I dwell on it. But my thoughts are broken as something shifts on me. Something falls over my legs.
"Cousin?" I look down to see Mykhol's wrap. It is draped across my exposed thighs.
"So you don't have sunburn," Mykhol explains before patting my covered thigh. A flick of an odd expression crosses his face before it's gone. "Now scoot up. Seeing you ride has made me jealous."
"Jealous?" I shake my head. "You could wait till I'm finished or have another. There are plenty. We haven't seen them all." I voice but Mykhol is already decided. He climbs up on the horse behind me.
"But I want to ride now on this one." Mykhol reaches over to take the reins. His chest pressing into my back. I grimaced at the added heat.
Must he act so childish? I lament. Did he have to hijack my horse? But as soon as I think of it I let go, seeing no point in protesting.
Just bear with it. It is too hot to fight. And Cousin will do as he does.
"There, see? Not so bad?" Mykhol, meanwhile, smiles. Seemingly happy and not at all bothered by the heat. Instead, he seems to only frown looking over.
"Admiral Nugen, hmm?" Mykhol starts. "You too seemed to be talking quite a bit." Mykhol turns the horse to start prancing. "Anything I should know?" I can feel his eyes shift from him back to me.
"Just more reports about the Bulgeons." I go simply. "They are spotted around Dawny now."
"Oh, is that right?" Mykhol nods and pauses a moment. His eyes flicked from the horse back to me. "That's all you two talked about?"
"Of course," I find myself having to raise a brow after him. "What else would we talk about?"
Mykhol only keeps his smile for a moment.
"No, you're right. I was just curious." Mykhol pulls the reins to have us turn again, this time, seeming to want to go toward the rose gardens. "Perhaps we should take a detour?" Mykhol goes. I pout.
"If we must." I sigh and resign myself again, finding him making his decisions at my expense.
"We must." Mykhol insists before turning his head to look back one last time. "Just the two of us. No one else."
*Admiral Nugen*
Admiral Nugen felt eyes on his back. But he didn't bother to look and see who it was. It was obvious.
But Nugen refused to be goated. He knew it wouldn't help. Fighting the teen would only get him in trouble, and removed from court.
They'll say I disrespected a noble. Nugen knew that much. He had seen it before.
Anyone who stepped out of the line of what was happening would be dealt with. Admiral Nugen had seen it all. Even before Ana. Back when Parsul was in power.
But Nugen was not going to let things move along this time.
No. I will fight. Nugen vowed. I refuse to watch history repeat itself.
Admiral Nugen climbed the steps. His mind was clouded with the past. Back then, he was young and scared. He failed to see the unrest and growing influence of the other factions.
But that was then, and he had learned.
Admiral Nugen turned to peer across the open court. Below, he found Ana. She was riding a horse with Mykhol. The sight thinned Nugen's lips.
This time I will protect her. I will not let her fall prey to those vultures like Parsul. If he had to taste failure the first time, he wanted to be a teacher at least the next.
"It will not happen again."Admiral Nugen kept watching when Mykhol looked up once more. Their eyes met, and a smile stretched on his face. Nugen felt it mocked him.
But this would be a battle of will, not fists. Nugen was smarter now. He knew he couldn't just fight outright. Instead, he had to play their way.
I'll protect you, Anastasia. I will save you from the same fate.
"Even if I die doing it." I have to atone for what I could not do before.
"Only then will she forgive me., Nugen whispered solemnly as he turned to walk back inside. Only then would he rest.