*Ana*
"Look! I can see the cakes from here."Nicoli announces, and that's more than enough incentive for him to pick up the pace.
"Let's go!" He insists with another pull, yanking me along.
"Nicoli," hold on. But I bite back the urge as his tanned hand grips mine firmly. He seems utterly transfixed on acquiring his sugary prize. Deaf to everything around him.
Just like he doesn't notice everyone watching us, but I unfortunately do. Unable to avoid the hawklike fixation as we pass tables. Each girl paused in mid-sip or bite to gawk at us.
"Is that her?" Someone asks their friend.
"Empress Anastasia?" Another follows, eyes following me before another leans over.
"That's the half-sister?" Another remarks. "From his majesties first marriage?"
"A vampire?"
"Look at her red eyes."
"But I thought her hair is supposed to be silver?" A girl points to their head for another to nod.
"I think it is. She's just got that funny red thing over her head." Someone answers.
"Boo." A girl shakes her head. "It's all covered up."
"But I wanted to see it!" A few whine together.
Want to see it? I must look over in disbelief at that. But this only adds to the confusion coursing through me, as I meet eager faces looking back in curiosity.
But why? But the thought is pushed aside as Nicoli's pace slows down. I take a trembling breath and cautiously lift my gaze, noticing why. We are nearing the great table.
And I can already see sapphire eyes waiting for me.
Father! My insides tighten instinctively before I remember to breathe. I force out a breath and then take another, and again.
Just breathe, I tell myself. You will be alright.
I was invited. I flex my fingers over Nicoli's as if that was proof enough.
I'm wanted here. See? It's going to be okay. I'm going to be fine.
It's going to be…
It takes all my strength not to just scream when Father is suddenly up from his chair. He's standing there as if he is waiting. He looks calm enough, but his eyes are still on me. Staring at me so hard that it feels like staring into a fire.
It's so intense that I cave and turn my attention anywhere but on him. Eyes dart by Stepmother's perfect but still impassive face and the mystery blond's excitable eyes before finding a spot in the middle. Staring right at those bushes.
I have to admit, the thought of running away and throwing myself into said shrubbery did cross my mind. The idea of hiding in a place where no one could see is alluring since I feel so exposed under the weight of Father's unrelenting gaze.
"Nicoli," I whisper under my breath, gripping his hand tighter with nervous energy just as we stop.
"Hmm?" Nicoli, meanwhile, glances back, lifting a full brow, "Ana? What's wrong?" But Father is already starting.
"Welcome!" Father rings out clearly, eyes sparkling as he lifts his large hand toward us as if in greeting. "My son, and my-" But before I can even tense up, when his blue eyes shift to mine, a yellow and pink blur springs out of her chair, green eyes locking onto me.
"You are so cute!" The blond booms, bending around the table in one fluid motion before I know what's happening. Her large arms are out, and I'm in the air.
"She's so light!" The blond squeals before spinning us both on her heels. "Like a little doll." She spins again.
"Little head and big eyes!"
"Uh-" What is this? I barely cry as the giant blond has me up and twirls again. But it's too fast and turns my stomach to see green.
"Stop~," Or I shall puke. I push at her arms weakly, but I'm more concentrated on just not getting sick than breaking free. Not that it matters, as she doesn't hear me and keeps spinning.
"I've never seen a pretty girl like you!" The giant giggles before pulling me to her chest to wrap her arms around me. The size easily swallowing me up in her sea of pink toul.
"You are like a precious jewel." She goes again before rocking on her heels to stop, lowering me down.
I breathe out, instantly feeling my stomach cry in relief when I find the sweet solid ground under my feet again. But before I can think it's over, the giant is back and leaning over me again. Crowning her head down until I'm met with two emerald eyes that sparkle back at me mischievously.
"What say you?" Her voice purrs. "shall we marry?"
I blink blankly.
"Uh, sorry?"
"Well?" The giant blond prompts again with a wicked grin filling her face, inching closer. Her nose hovering over mine, making her eyes twinkle. "What say you?"
"Uh…what do I…?" But before I can even register the question, two people rush at once.
"No way!" Nicoli shakes his head, curls bouncing as Father is not far behind.
"No!" Father booms, crossing and uncrossing his arms.
"Ah, but I will take good care of her." The blond coos, pulling me into her arms before winking. "See?"
"I can make her a good little wife." The blond teases, lifting the corners of her grin even higher.
"But what do you think? She poses, leaning so close I could count her blond lashes. "You want to make me a good wife?"
"Uh…?" I'm completely bewildered. I have no idea who this girl is or why she's holding onto me. I am utterly lost and confused now.
"Hidi, please." Belinda, meanwhile, cuts over softly, "Enough." And as if realizing we have an audience, Belinda has her perfect smile back on.
"Everyone, Her Majesty jokes." Belinda smiles at each of the tables. "Just some Almony humor, Nothing more." Belinda shrugs nonchalantly and waves her hand. "She doesn't mean to marry. So, Hidi, please?" Belinda turns to nudge the blond gently with a soft look. "Tell them it's just a joke so we can get back to the party, won't you?"
But before Hidi can respond, Father abruptly stands up and marches around the table.
"Hildenberg," Father's voice booms, stopping dead in front of her. "Put my daughter down at once." His blue eyes burn up at the blond, inches taller than him, but it might as well have been nothing because Father doesn't waver for one second as he commands.
"Now!" His voice is hard and sure, eyeballing up at her. And for a moment, something flickers over her eyes, a shadow that pulls in her brows as if realizing she might actually have done something wrong.
But just as quickly as she does, she sighs through the side of her mouth.
"No need to be so serious." Hidi tsks, "It was just a joke." She dismisses lightly but not before turning to me with a pout.
"But you are cute." She whispers, lowering her large arms from me to step back. " I think we shall make friends, ja?"
"That-" But the words dry on the tip of my tongue before Nicoli is back.
"Don't you come near her!" Nicoli orders, swinging his arm around my shoulders to pull me tight to him before glaring after her. "I'm warning you!"
"So serious," Hidi shakes her head before rolling her eyes with a wave of her hand to him and to Father, still standing with us.
"It's a joke." Hidi repeats, moving to pick up a cookie to snap its head off with her blunt teeth."Lighten up all of you." She tosses the cookie to the plate with a clink.
"Right, Little Empress?" She winks.
"Hey!" Nicoli snaps, provoked again, and pushes me behind him.
"Don't you even think to-?" But the blond waves her hand, dismissing him before patting the table.
"Come, Little Empress." Hidi smiles up at me as if nothing just happened, her green eyes sparkling. "Sit."
"Oh, no." Belinda tones instantly. "she is not sitting here. She will have her own table."
"Oh?" Hidi raises a brow, blinking blankly. "But is this not the best table, though?"
"Er, well, I- I," Belinda thins her smile a little. "I…"
"I'm not sitting here without Ana," Nicoli interjects, standing to take my hand in his before looking back to Belinda. "Why can't she sit here?'
"Nicoli, lower your voice." Belinda tightened her jaw before her grey eyes took note that everyone was watching again. "You…are not behaving."
"I'm not sitting without Ana."
"Nicoli…"Belinda squints her eyes a moment before falling to me, making an icy chill run down my back as it always does. As if this is my fault, before turning to smile after Nicoli.
"The table is set for four. That would make five. My sweet, there isn't even a chair for,"
"Ask for another chair, then," Father interjects with a smile to Nicoli before finding me again. I straighten up at that, not sure what it means while Nicoli just nods.
"Yeah, let's get another chair!" Nicoli cheers.
"But husband," Belinda turns with a start just as Father gestures for his manservant to come over.
"Johan, Another chair."
"Yes, Your Majesty." The old manservant nods, bowing his head before moving off at remarkable speed.
"But the table will be crowed-" Stepmother stammers, her grey eyes flickering around as if in a complete loss. But Father is turning to direct Johan back with the chair.
"Well then," Father now returns to me with a smile, pushing up his full beard as he shows all his teeth. "Where would you like to sit?"
"Sit?" My breath hitches as I meet his gaze. "I- I don't need to sit-"
"Here," Father holds out his hand. "Sit next to me."
"Sit next to…?" I can feel my very blood freeze, looking after his hand.
"I-" No, I can't. I begin to shake my head. It's already enough that we are talking. I'm not ready. I thought I was, but I'm not.
"I'm sorry, but…"
"No, sit here, next to me." Hidi pulls the chair over to her side before patting the seat, a friendly smile on her face to show all her large teeth. "Let's get to know each other, ja?"
"Um…" I flicker my eye to the seat and then back to her grinning face. The sight making me falter a bit more.
"Um…I'm not sure that's…"
"No!" Nicoli snaps up, "She wants to sit here!" Nicoli charges over to move the chair to his side of the seat before snapping bright eyes at me.
"Sit next to me, Ana!" Nicoli insists with a grin.
"But Nicoli…" But that would mean sitting right next to Father if I do. I sink when he looks up with an expectant smile. As if curiously waiting.
But If I don't sit next to him and choose Hidi, that will mean sitting next to…Stepmother's icy grey eyes are already on me as if aware of the same problem. But unlike Father, her smile isn't as inviting as she stares down.
That option… isn't much better. I know, shifting under her gaze before grabbing for the hem of my shawl to twist it between my fingers.
But then, what do I do? I twist tighter, darting my eyes between the spots. I'm not sure what's better. Which one should I choose?
What do I do?