*Naska*
Why is it so awkward now? Naska could barely keep still, not liking this. Wanting to talk, wanting to hear Mykhol talk. Anything really, to break this strange quiet that seemed to fall over the both of them since Ana left.
Which was growing a little long. Not that Naska cared though. She could take as much time as she wanted, hell, she could fall right in and drown if it were up to…
"Haa," Mykhol shifted in his seat, crossing his legs, before giving a dull look over the room. His eyes lingered on the plants above them as if considering whether to like them or not. In the end, he just shifted in his seat again, letting out another loud sigh.
That's it, I can't take this anymore. The quiet waiting was getting to be too much, and she found her arm to put the cup down.
"My lord," Naska asked, tentatively."You've… yet to try the tea." And Naska looked down at the cup.
It sat neatly on a saucer, the steam still curling up, still hot, but the moments were dragging. And soon it would grow too cold. For some reason, that bothered her.
"Please," Naska gestured with her hand. "Have some…"
"Have it if you want, then." Mykhol cut off before shifting to cross his legs from left to right and lean back. Shifting his gaze, to fall directly on the door, and stay. "I'm not thirsty."
"You're not?" But just a moment ago you were begging for her to make you a cup. Naska shivered just thinking about what she just witnessed.
How Mykhol leaned over her, kissing her fingers, it was… Naska's stomach turned brushing it away. No, she had to step in and make it herself less she had to watch more than that. Whatever that was.
She had to stop it.
"Won't you…even try it?" Naska asked, be it, much quieter. "Just a sip?" A sip wouldn't hurt, right? But Mykhol seemed to only focus on the door.
"Like I said, I don't like tea." Mykhol delivered flatly.
"But you wanted her Empress to make you a cup, didn't you? Just before?" Naska looked up at him, trying to understand. "So why not try mine?"
She wanted him to try it. She made it just for him. He should at least do that for her, right? For her sake?
"Lord Mykhol?"
"I DON'T WANT THE DAMN TEA, NASKA!" Mykhol snapped, "So shut up about it. I'm not in the mood."
"That…yes…" Naska sank, moving for her cup again, whimpering. She hadn't meant to make him angry, far from it. She just wanted him to try…
The sound of a crack made Naska look down. A delicate thin line had formed in the middle of the cup. She didn't realize she was squeezing that hard.
"Oh," Naska forced her hand to relax, sloshing the tea in the process. The splash was an oddly welcoming sound, right now. Giving her something to listen to, as they both just fell back to silence.
But the silence couldn't last long, as once again, Naska had to find herself to speak. Needing to break the tension by chatting about something, anything, that could come to mind first.
"Bruno...is growing so fast" Naska started, clearing her throat. Her voice was so harsh at the moment, what was she even doing? Just bringing up Bruno like that? It was silly of her, she knew, but it was the first thought that came to mind.
Her sweet boy was likely in bed at this time of night. Hugging his pillow, wishing for her to come home. The familiar image helped calm her down to talk, giving her something to say. Something to break Mykhol from just staring after the door, as if waiting.
"You should see him more often." Naska went on, leaning in, trying to get his eye."You know what they say. Children grow so fast. You might just miss everything.
Naska stopped then, to register Mykhol's reaction. Trying to decipher his quiet expression. Was he angry? Indifferent? Or was he something else? Sometimes, she did find him hard to read. And Naska couldn't help but lick her lips, anxiously.
"I mean," Naska felt herself quickly follow up, "if you have the time, my lord."
"The time?" Mykhol seemed to lift his eye at that, making Naska immediately brighten,
"Yes, the time." Naska nodded, happy to see he was talking to her, and not yelling. "It…Bruno would certainly like the attention." Or she would, but, it worked for the both of them. "If you have the time, it would really…"
"Bring him to the palace, then." Mykhol went easily, picking something off his burgundy gown as if that was the obvious answer.
"The palace!" Naska reeled, nearly jumping at the idea. The palace? He wanted them to both be…she was already seeing the potential of it. "Oh yes! I will! Then you can see-"
"He should be old enough to work the kitchen, I think." Mykhol uncrossed his legs turning back at the door. "I'll see him here and there." He then looked over to her, for the first time, really giving her attention, since coming in the room. His blood-red eyes popped in contrast to the soft natural hues of the room. "That should work just fine for me."
"Oh…" Naska faltered, but only slightly, before catching herself. "I see." Naska nodded, trying to smile, her eyes dropping down to her now very cold tea. "That's…what you meant. "
The soft scuff filled the room, making Naska flinch.
"What else would I mean?" Mykhol smirked. "That's what you wanted right?"
"I…" I wanted you to want to see your son. But Naska stopped short of saying that out loud, already knowing it would just upset him. And she didn't want that. Not when she was already feeling like this.
"I…yes." Naska went at last trying to stay appreciative. "I…he will like that very much." Naska lied, but it was a small one. It would probably do the boy some good, to get out. She had to leave him alone in the room so much.
A little exposure would be…good for him. Naska held her hands together, before stealing a look back up. Not able to resist the temptation of admiring him. He was so handsome, even now, after travel. His short hair, tasseled by running his hands through it, the light smell of sweat coming off of him. He looked like a god to her.
But how could he act so cold? It was difficult when he became like this. As if something set him off, something, no, she knew what it was.
Damn you, Empress Anastasia. Naska cursed. This was all her fault. How DARE she come between them? She should know not to temp what isn't hers. Mykhol was Naska's. He was the father of their child. He loved her.
He can't show it, not now, because of our ranks. But Naska knew well. He loved her.
And still loves me. Naska felt a need to suddenly touch him, if not, to get closer. As if touching could reassure the bond, the love, they have. And with that, she leaned over, gingerly, touching his fingers.
"You... don't mean what you said back in the carriage, right?" Naska asked, tenderly, looking up at him, wanting just some confirmation. "You don't really want to marry her Empress…"
"What are you thinking?!" Mykhol suddenly barked, pulling away, holding his hand as if she burned him.
"My lord, what did I..?" Naska froze her hand in place, not sure what she did.
"You stupid…What if Ana suddenly came in?" Mykhol shot a heated look after her. "Control yourself." He went on. "We are not in Nochten. And I've no time for these feminine antics."
Antics? Naska felt something crawl up her throat. Did he think that's what this was?
"I…just…" Naska struggled to stay composed, but it was difficult. And Mykhol's lack of an answer wasn't helping. Her mind wouldn't still until she heard he wouldn't. He couldn't.
"Just say you aren't," Naska went, tightly. "Just say you weren't really going to marry her-" But she was cut off by a hard laugh.
"OF course I'm going to marry Ana." Mykhol cut over, giving her a scuff. "Who else?" And here he stopped to raise a brow at Naska. "Did you think I would marry you? A lowly Maid?" Mykhol laughed again. "Have you lost your senses?"
"I…" Naska choked. "I…I know, but…I didn't think you would marry someone else."
"You knew from the start what my plans were." Mykhol only retorted, as if annoyed. "Why else did my mother agree to keep you on? You were to spy on Ana. You've been reporting everything this whole time." Mykhol shook his head, in disbelief at her. "So there is no reason for these theatrics."
"But…"
"Just do your job, Naska." Mykhol turned back to watch the door. "I don't require any other service."
"But…" Naska choked again. She felt the need to cry come up. "But our son-"
"All the more to keep your head down," Mykhol answered. "An unmarried mother… can be quickly replaced in the palace." Mykhol then paused, pressing his lips. "Be thankful, though, my cousin is compassionate in nature."
"Her Empress?" Naska felt her fangs sharpen. "Why should I ever…"
"If it were me," Mykhol cut over. "I'd have tossed you both into the streets."
"Into the…"Naska grew pale at his words, a sick feeling in her stomach. The words were so cruel. So unbelievable.
"Mykhol, you wouldn't." Naska refused to believe him. Mykhol would never- because he loves me. He loves us. "Why would you such a harsh…"
" Hush," Mykhol perked up, eyes narrowing on the door. "Someone is coming."
"Someone?"Naska perked up her ears to now hear the footsteps, too. They were headed this way. But it did not sound like the steps of a small child. These steps were heavier. And they clicked as they hit the floor. As if the wearer were wearing heels. Something Naska knew Ana did not today.
"It's not her," Naska whispered and got to her feet as the door opened. Finding them both see the old maid back, who bowed and threw her arms out to present the next person.
"Queen Belinda," Julia announced and Naska dropped her jaw at the sight of the beautiful woman. She never saw someone so gorgeous and covered in so much finery.
So pretty! Naska flushed, amazed that any human could be so attractive.
"Queen Belinda," Mykhol, meanwhile, stood to bow. Naska quickly followed suit with a messy curtsy before scooting to stand behind him.
"Good evening," Queen Belinda greeted, before scanning the room. But the pleasant smile she had on, slipped momentarily, revealing an unbelievable sight.
The woman's pretty face… had morphed into something. Something ugly and full of malice. Her grey eyes turned suddenly sharp like knives. And then, like that, it was gone.
"Tell me, now " Queen Belinda began, her voice as sweet as her smile again. Almost as if it never happened, that what Naska saw wasn't real. But when those grey eyes fell back to them, Naska couldn't help but shiver. Shiver and stepped a little closer to Mykhol, afraid, as she finished.
"Where…is Empress Anastasia?"