*Belinda*
"Philpé?" Belinda waited for Philpé, the royal artist, to finish his bow. "I didn't know you were coming," Belinda noted the bag and supplies for his work. Then, to see his assistant struggle to get up, almost dropping the easel and paints.
"Are you here to do one of my ladies' portraits?"
"Ah, no, your majesty." Philpé shook his head. "I'm here to paint a miniature of his highness."
"A miniature?" Belinda raised a brow. He was here to paint his majesty? She never heard Alexander mention it before.
Perhaps he's making it for me? Belinda thought then with delight. Of course. Belinda had her heart flutter then. It had been quite the time since she last had his miniature, back when they first married.
What a wonderful surprise! Belinda thought instantly giddy at the idea.
"Then, here, I will escort you there, myself." Belinda beamed. "Come, he should be in his study now."
"Oh no, my lady." Philpé purred back, matching her energy." I could never ask you too-"
"Oh hush, Philpé." Queen Belinda giggled, "It will be my pleasure. After all, you are doing a great service to paint the king."
"The King?" Philpé lessened his smile with slight confusion. Belinda only nodded.
"Yes, and I will take you to him, come." I so much hate to wait. Belinda smiled, already thinking of where to put the new miniature once it was done. Her own plans distracting her from Philpé's small frown.
"My Queen?" Philpé started again, " I am not here to paint King Alexander."
"You're not?" Belinda blinked after him, confused. "But you said 'his majesty,' did you not?"
"I did, my Queen," Philpé nodded," but-"
"But what, Philpé?" Belinda sharpened her tone growing irritated by this confusion. "If you're not here to paint my husband, who are you-"
"You're here!" Nicoli shouted from up the stairs before running down. His feet pounding down the steps and past his mother to stop before them. "I've been waiting all day!"
"Your Royal Highness," Philpé and his assistant bowed. "We are here."
"Then, where should we start?" Nicoli spoke in a rush.
"Nicoli?" Belinda blinked with more confusion.
"Anywhere with natural light is best, Your Royal Highness," Philpé noted.
"Ah, I see." Nicoli looked off, thinking of places until one came to mind."The maze!" He announced. "It's super sunny in the morning."
"A good idea, my lord." Philpé nodded to his assistant, who only gave a thin smile back, seemingly tired of carrying all the paint and supplies already.
"Come on." Nicoli, meanwhile, jumped again, passing his mother. It seemed both had forgotten she was standing right there. But Belinda had had her fill by now.
No, I will not be ignored. She stepped right in front to block him.
"Nicoli, what do you think you are doing?" Belinda moved her hands to her hips. Her voice was cold and stern offsetting her usual gentle look on her face.
"Why are you kidnaping Philpé? He has important work to do."
"I know, mama." Nicoli pulled up a big childish smile. "He's painting me."
"He is?" Belinda felt herself shift at the sight. It was such a sweet smile. And very hard to be stern without caving just a little.
"He is!" Nicoli went without wavering.
Perhaps Alexander commissioned this as a surprise? Belinda couldn't help but stir. Is he apologizing? How thoughtful.
Belinda couldn't be more pleased. It was even better than she thought.
Instead of a miniature of my husband, I'll get one of Nicoli. She had no miniature of him yet. So it was perfect.
"Oh, wonderful." Belinda felt so pleased that she twirled in her puffy dress."What a nice surprise for your mother."
"Not you, silly." Nicoli laughed.
"No?" Queen laughed back. Surely, Nicoli was teasing. If so, Belinda decided to play along.
"Then who else could it be for?" Belinda asked sweetly and held her breath for Nicoli to finish his little joke. But what Nicoli said next left her took the air out of her lungs.
"It's for Anastasia." Nicoli went easily, "Come on, Philpé." And he waved the duo to follow and pass Belinda.
"Your majesty." Philpé and his assistant bowed to her before taking up after Nicoli. Leaving Belinda alone.
"For…" Belinda could barely bring herself to say it aloud. Her shock overwhelmed her for a moment to be still.
It wasn't until they were gone that Belinda dropped her composed expression. Her pleasant features were now twisted into a snarl.
Without a word, Belinda turned on her heel to trample upstairs, headed to the only place that made sense.
*King Alexander*
"So, Philpé has arrived at last, then?" Alexander mused at the news. He then laughed to himself. "Finally, we'll have some peace."
"Nicoli has certainly been restless waiting for Philpé to arrive." Johan went." What with him walking and talking nonstop? Even you found it taxing."
"Aye, But now it is over." Alexander went again, leaning back in his chair.
"Nicoli must be excited." Johan went. "He will likely tire out even Philpé."
"Aye, but can you blame him?" Alexander mused." In truth, I am too. I am curious to see how this will go. Sending her a portrait out of the blue?"
"We shall know soon enough, Your Majesty." Johan went simply but Alexander only smiled with a thought.
"What do you suppose she looks like now?"
"Who?" Johan blinked. "You mean her Empress? She's twelve now, is she not? She's still growing."
"She is, but still," Alexander wondered aloud. "Do you think she'll take after you, my dear?" Alexander looked over to Parsul's portrait. His eyes took in her frozen smile with a sad tone.
Johan met his gaze and only gave a solemn nod.
"Perhaps," Johan answered. Alexander only smiled after the portrait. His eyes grew soft and distant in memory.
"I do hope so."
A knock interrupted his words. Both men were surprised by the sudden arrival. But Johan still did his duty and opened the door.
"The Queen, my lord," Johan announced and barely stepped aside as Belinda strolled in. Her silence and cold stare already revealing her to be in some mood.
What could it be now? Alexander thought glumly.
"Husband," Belinda walked in. She glanced at Johan with a raised brow. Johan, however, checked with Alexander first.
Alexander nodded, and Johan left them.
He will just be a casualty if he stays. Alexander knew. And he didn't wish that on anyone. Even himself, but that wasn't going to happen. So Alexander resigned himself and got up.
"Wife, you look in good spirits."Alexander kissed her hello. "There's the color to your cheeks."
"Thank you, husband." Belinda batted her lashes. "I've just come from greeting Philpé." Her voice sweet. "I was unaware you commissioned his work."
"Yes, I sent for them." Alexander stayed brief. "Philpé will make a miniature."
"I know." Belinda had a lift in her voice, "Of our Nicoli. Quite the surprise. I had no idea."
"Yes, well, I thought that-" But Alexander was cut short by Belinda again.
"And Nicoli told me it is for Empress Anastasia?"
"Ah, so you know." Alexander stepped back then like an intelligent man. Allowing space between his angry wife. He regarded Belinda from a distance.
She was calm, on the outside, but Alexander could see her twitch underneath that pretty expression. And he took another small step back for safety.
"A common gift for royals, my dear."Alexander tried to sell the idea." to promote family and affluence, as is done, you know."
"To the Empress?" Belinda asked with a tighter smile. "Just her?"
"Why not? She is the Nochten Empress. A royal and monarch."
"Is that the reason?" Belinda kept her smile but only just. "It's not…some scheme to get her to write back, is it?"
"Scheme?"Alexander stiffened at the attack. But he breathed and forced himself to relax. "No, she is Nicoli's sister."
"You can't refer to the same child who has been snubbing our Nicoli, right?" Belinda stepped forward."Surely not?" Belinda stepped closer."How many years has it been with no reply?"
"You sound like you've been keeping count, my dear."Alexander smiled tightly.
"Of course. What kind of mother would I be to let my son throw himself to the wolves?" Belinda lowered her tone. "To let him associate with a filthy-blood-sucking-bastard-of-a-whore."
"That is my daughter you speak of, Belinda!" Alexander snapped with the barest of anger. But if she pressed, he would be angry soon." Watch how you speak."
"Alexander?" Belinda looked at him, slightly taken back. But the disbelief left, her own anger coming up.
"Must you keep pushing our son into danger? You know what vampires do. What if she were to have her first blood by Nicoli? She would rip him apart and-"
"You think from the dark ages, woman!" Alexander could not believe his ears. "Anastasia is my daughter. She would never-"
"And I speak for my son. Our son." Belinda raised her voice, her hand clenching the middle of her chest. " Do you forget who bore and raised him? I only wish to protect him and see him safe. How can you be so blind to the danger of these monsters-"
"Enough!" Alexander boomed, his patience with her mood thinning. "If you are angry at me, that is one thing. But I will not let you speak ill of my daughter or her!"
"But Alexander-"
"Another word, Belinda," Alexander darkened." and I will lock you away for dishonoring me." He meant it.
"Darling, that-" But Alexander's glare made her lower her gaze. She seemed to soften after a moment in the silence before touching her brow. Her expression was tired now as if at her wit's end.
"This tires me, husband." Belinda began softer. "I am tired of these fights."
Belinda lifted her eyes to the portrait. The vampiress's mysterious smile contrasted with her sinking expression.
"You will still do anything for her, won't you?" Belinda spoke quietly, almost resigned. "After her death, I hoped, after so many years together, after I bore you a son, you would let go." She turned to meet Alexander.
"But I see you still cling to her." Belinda laughed softly then. It was a hollow sound. "Can you not follow a simple wish from your wife, husband?" Belinda let one tear fall down her cheek. "Can you not give me this much? For our son's sake?"
"I have."Alexander couldn't help but soften at the sincere pain in her voice. "Once. I sent her away. Like you asked, long ago."
"But the danger hasn't changed, Alexander." Belinda went on. "Alexander, please-"
"Belinda," Alexander felt his heart sink. But he already sacrificed more than enough. He couldn't give her this.
"There will come a day where a king must override his Queen." Alexander returned. He now just felt as weary as she looked. "I can not give you this too."
"I see." Belinda bowed with an unreadable expression." This is your answer, then."And Belinda grew quiet for a moment.
And then, just as quickly, walked over to kiss Alexander's cheek. Alexander felt the kiss stiff, but at least it was affectionate. It seemed Belinda was calmer. And as she pulled back, King Alexander softened as she crafted a new smile.
"What is this?" He asked curious. "Are you no longer angry with me?"
"No, that," Belinda went, "I was thinking of something."
"Thinking? Of what?" Alexander couldn't help but be curious. Belinda's mood abruptly changed, sure, but if she wasn't yelling at him, Alexander would take it.
"Tell me, my sweet?" He pressed on. "Please?"
"Oh, it's nothing really," Belinda smiled. "Just a silly thought. It'd be rather too much to ask for."
"No, please," Now Alexander had to be compelled. "What is it? What do you want?"
Belinda smiled a bit more then. Something shifting behind her eyes.
"How would you feel having a tea party? For Nicoli?"
"A tea party?" Alexander asked. "For him?"
"Yes, I was wanting to invite noble girls." Belinda nodded. "Nicoli should have experience with the finer sexes." Belinda went on with a thoughtful expression. "I was aiming for noble girls. With marriage potential?"
"With marriage potential, eh?" Alexander laughed at the suddenness. It was abrupt, but Alexander found the topic light-hearted and a good change.
And if having a little party meant burying the axe, Alexander saw the chance.
"That sounds good, my dear. A party for Nicoli will do him good." Though I think he's already charming for any woman. Alexander could see how easily he could wrap Belinda around his finger.
"Please proceed."Alexander went on. "Set up the party and guests as you like. I will leave it in your hands." Alexander took her hand to kiss. "You are so good with those things."
"Oh. I am." Belinda smiled with a dark twist before letting Johan open the door. "I'll take care of everything."And with that, she left.