*Belinda*
Belinda felt her smile thinning at the edges, waiting. But the wait was proving too long for her liking, or maybe it was the sight of two red eyes staring up at her, vampires, that made her want to rush things.
"I said," Belinda's rouged lips softly pressed together before continuing. "Where is your Empress?"
Because she was clearly NOT in the room. And Belinda flicked her eyes back on the male vampire, quietly demanding he speak. And, inadvertently making the maid, cling closer to him, nervously.
"Her empress is…" Mykhol hesitated for just a hair of a second, his eyes slightly wavering, before stretching up into a charming smile. "My cousin has gone to the lavatories."
"The lavatories?" Belinda raised a perfectly arched brow, needing to say no more, as Julia caught the subtle command.
"I will see how the Empress is fairing." Julia bowed her head, but not before shooting a heated glare at the vampire maid. The glare was enough to make the tall vampiress tilt her face down and shift closer to her master, seeking protection.
Much good that would do, though. Belinda smirked inwardly, dwelling on all the juicy little details both happened to overhear before stopping at the door. Juicy, yes, but for now, she had more important matters to deal with.
"Don't be long, Julia." Belinda pressed on, having the old woman nod before curtly leaving. She didn't need to, of course. Julia wouldn't.
But if it meant sparing one more second of not having to dwell in two vampires' presence, well, she couldn't help herself.
"Your majesty, please." Mykhol, meanwhile took his cue to stand properly, turning a hand over to her before guiding her to the empty couch. "Would you like some tea?" He offered.
"Tea?" Belinda's voice cracked at the last vowel, pulling in a soft pocket of air, not sure what to say. Until the child appeared, she would have to remain, wouldn't she?
And endure them, by default. Belinda flicked her eyes back up to him, still holding out his hand, waiting, unable to do anything else until she answered.
"Yes, Your Majesty."A quick flash of unease crossed his face, making that usually confident smile of his shift ever so slightly at the edges
"Perhaps…" Belinda lightly tilted the corners of her lips up again. "I should take a seat." And without any more hesitation, Belinda clicked her heels against the wooden floor, before lowering herself. Artfully tilting her hoop skirt to one side.
"She really…"The maid, Naska, if Belinda remembered from listening, seemed to be quite taken aback by the feat.
"Naska," Mykhol reminded with a soft hiss through his fangs. "Stop staring."
"Oh, I…yes m'lord." Naska stuttered and quickly bowed her head, folding her hands in front of her, as Mykhol moved to take the seat opposite Belinda. Allowing her greys to now be level with his red. The sight of his red orbs made what little food Belinda had in her stomach turn noxiously.
But, aside from his eyes, she found the rest of him admirable enough.
His face is still good. Belinda noted along with his height. The male vampire had grown a good few feet since they last met. He must have been close to six feet, give or take.
And he might still grow taller. But that didn't matter, and she was already pushing the subject aside.
"The tea?" Belinda lightly tapped her fingers on her lap with an expectant look.
"Yes, of course." Mykhol smiled quickly, before lifting his right hand to snap at the maid.
"O-oh!" Naska woke out from some kind of stupor and moved. She quickly darted to the coffee table. Her hands shook as she held over the teapot, pouring hot liquid to splash into the china,
"Y-your majesty." Naska held the cup over, jiggling the china slightly as she did. The nervous expression was clear to read on her face as she darted her red eyes to the floor as she waited for Belinda to take it.
Belinda only stared at her before slowly looking back to Mykhol.
"On the table, Naska." Mykhol hissed lightly through his teeth. "Put it down, first."
"Uh-oh, sorry!" Naska choked, scampering to clink the china down to the coffee table before jumping back as if trying her damndest to get as much distance as she could from Belinda. Making Mykhol flinch at her poorly disguised avoidance.
Not just stupid but a poor maid, as well. Belinda tsked into her cup, as she daintly took a sip and allowed the tea to sit to savor the flavor. The tea was of a good quality, thank goodness, and immediately helped calm her irritation. But she doubted that would last long, considering things.
"It is nice we meet again, Lord Mykhol." Belinda began lowering her cup back to the table. "After so much time has passed." She paused there to lift her gaze back up to stare after him coldly. "How many years is it?"
"Five," Mykhol, if he felt the heat in her eyes, showed nothing. He only crafted that smile back up as he crossed his legs. "It's been five years, Your Majesty."
"Five?" Belinda sighed softly, reaching for her cup again. "Such a spread of time." Belinda lifted the cup to her lips to sip, catching Mykhol's subtle flinch at the stab.
"Absence…" Mykhol only smiled back, moving to switch his legs. "...does make the heart grow fonder, they say."
"Or forgetful," Belinda replied, sipping her tea again. "That's what it was supposed to be, anyway."
"Funny you mention that," Mykhol lightly hummed, leaning back, thoughtfully. "Perhaps, that's why I was surprised to find you sent my dear cousin an invite to this little-" Mykhol waved his hand around in a circle.
"Party?"
"It was a whim of my sons. " Belinda explained. "However," She moved the cup back up to pause and smile again. "I never expected her Empress to be so… eager to come on short notice."
"I think she might have gotten a strong impression that you wanted her to." Mykhol went back narrowing his eyes back to her accusingly. "The miniature of your son, perhaps, might have had something to do with it."
"That…"Belinda stiffened at the mention of it. "Was…another of his ideas." But now she could see the fault in it. But it was too late. Both of them could see that.
"What a considerate gesture to make." Mykhol, meanwhile, shifted his smile to one side, almost, but not quite, sneering back at her. "Since dear Ana has not seen the prince in YEARS."
"It was my son's idea," Belinda repeated with a slightly sharp bite in her tone. "As I've said. I am a doting MOTHER." Belinda glared back willing him to step down.
"Doting, yes. It's hard when children are so…willful." Mykhol's smile only sharpened.
"Children are, indeed." Belinda returned, suddenly remembering before. "Speaking of which, I overheard your 'little conversation.'" And she made a pointed look over to linger over Naska.
Mykhol's smile shifted lightly at that.
"Did you?" Mykhol, in the barest of moments, broke his gaze to follow her, slightly draining the color from his face. "And…what was that?"
"Many things," Belinda pressed her lips softly before breaking into a warm grin, turning back to him. "I think it a splendid idea."
"Splendid?"
"Yes," Belinda leaned back in the chair, eyes on him. "It will clear up any accession issues."
"Accession?" Mykhol dropped the last of his suspicion, looking lost now. "What are you..?"
"For the throne." Belinda prompted, smiling just a little wider. "Your mother was meant to be next, right?" Belinda noted, going on. "When Empress Parsul dropped her title to become 'queen.' That ought to make you next as the only male blood."
"Ah…" Mykhol nodded slowly. "That's…what you meant."
"Of course, that's what I meant." Belinda stole a smile back to Naska. "What other marriage could there be?"
"You," Naska snapped up her head, suddenly realizing. "No, he's not. He's going," But Mykhol stopped her with his hand.
"But my lord- "Naska simpered, but Mykhol just growled, making the girl whimper and look down. Her face was crushed as she seemed to shrink on the spot as she was told to be quiet. Belinda couldn't help but enjoy the show. Smiling just a touch higher, before slowly turning.
"Tell me." Belinda's grey eyes found Mykhol, again. "Is the Empress an adult now? Has she... had first blood?"
"There are symptoms." Mykhol began, slightly glancing up at Naska before coming back to her. "But no, not yet."
"So, she hasn't, then?" Belinda frowned, not enjoying that news, but then again, not caring either way. Mykhol nodded again.
"But she should, soon." Mykhol followed with a little curve of his smile as if thinking of it. "It's just a matter of time."
"What do you mean by soon?"Belinda stiffened as the words took hold, narrowing her eyes on him. "Are you to say…she might have her first blood here?"
"You let her come here." Mykhol reminded her as if, it was her, and not him at fault. "But, I assure you," He went on, waving a hand as if it were all nothing. "I have it under control. I'll supervise her personally and-"
"Like you are now!?" Belinda could feel the heat rising in her voice, making it boom through the room, revealing her panicked anger.
"LIKE SHE IS!?" Belinda snapped looking at Naska. "What are you even still doing here!?" She growled. "What kind of maid doesn't even follow their Empress?"
"Hey, I did try-" Naska was about to defend but that only made Belinda scuff.
"And she talks back!?" Belinda tsked turning back to him with clear disapproval. "Lord Mykhol, if she's only good for one thing, keep her in your room. But have another maid who IS capable with you, at least!"
"Excuse me?!" Naska now snapped, her fangs coming out. "What did you just say!?"
"NASKA!" Mykhol bellowed, throwing up his hand again at her. "Remember yourself."
"But she just called me a-"
"Whore?" Belinda mockingly fluttered her lashes.
"You-" Naska snarled, whirling back at her, fangs clearly out now. "How dare you-"
"Quiet." Belinda cut over as the door opened, having them all stop to see Julia return.
"Ah, Julia. Your back." Belinda smiled with relief, "You were gone longer than expected."
But she is here now, and that means so would… But Belinda's voice caught in her throat as she turned, expecting to find a small girl. But that was not who stood behind Julia. No, this was a man, a man with sapphire eyes, who was looking directly back at her.
"Husband!" Belinda gasped, standing up immediately, trying to compose herself quickly. "Good...Good evening,"
"Your majesty," Behind her, Mykhol was already bowing, saying his greetings but the man brushed that off too and steeped further in. His eyes quietly searched from one corner to the other.
"Hmm," Alexander hummed softly, shifting, then, to scratch his beard, as if pondering something. Before finally turning back to look at them all. "So…?" He asked at last. "Where is she?"
"Where is who- "Belinda dropped the question as the faint yelp had everyone stop. Making all four turns towards the direction it came.The source of the yelp coming from outside the window.
"What's this, then?"Alexander cocked his head, curiously walking over. "Is someone outside in the maze?" He asked quizically, scratching his beard again as his sapphire eyes peered down.
"I wonder who would be out this late…oh."And he then stopped, the words frozen on his lips before he suddenly smiled, a grin pulling wide to show all his white teeth. "Well, now." He then laughed to himself breathily. "I'll be damned."
"Darling?"Belinda, meanwhile, perked up, curious by his grin. "What is it?" She asked, moving closer.
"Who is it? Who is down in the maze at this hour?" Belinda asked again, but she didn't need to ask.
Because Belinda already knew. Somehow, she just knew, even before coming up to his side to peer down through the window. She knew what she would see. She would see what should have been the last thing she'd ever have to see.
But she did. She saw it. And just as quickly, Belinda was rushing out to the hall first, soon joined by the running footsteps of the others, all heading the same way.