Chapter 2 Three Years Later

Three years later...

*Aunt Funda*

“Are you sure you want this… position?

Aunt Funda found the human off-putting. She was stubbornly resisting attempts to back down.

What human willingly wants to work with vampires? Aunt Funda couldn't fathom. It was unheard of. But the human persisted.

"I still want the position." The mature woman with strips of grey strips of hair cut above her shoulders repeated. 

When would the human stop? Aunt Funda inwardly groaned. 

She doesn’t seem phased by anything I’ve told her. Aunt Funda reeled. The human didn’t bat an eye even when she told her her niece was mixed. 

Is she right in the head? Perhaps a few screws were loose on the inside? 

Aunt Funda had to assume so.

"But you do know the Empress's temperament? She's not a sweet child. You'll deal with a girl who never smiles and talks even less. Surely you'll want a master more lively and gentle?"  

Or Human. Aunt Fund thought, looking over the maid who had introduced herself as Madeline Bustlier. 

On top of being human- she's foreign. Aunt Funda was sure.

Her accent was clear. She was no native and didn’t try to hide it. If Aunt Funda had to describe it, she’d say she was from Dawny. But that matched her letter of recommendation- something that was thorough and well-praised. 

That same golden recommendation letter was the sole reason Aunt Funda was tempted to interview the human in the first place. Compared to the inexperienced maids who applied for the rich salary- the human had expertise. She was precisely who should qualify for the position. 

Human or not.

But still…

 Aunt Funda was hesitant. 

The maid seemed to pick up on her hesitance because she smiled confidently.

"That is what I am looking for.” She started and crossed her legs. They bunched up the uniform she showed up in. 

“I've been in search of a quiet child for some time. Someone who will be easy on my nerves, you see. " 

"Like a nice retirement." The maid beamed.

"I see." Aunt Funda relented. 

It seemed valid a point, if any, to her. With raising only her son, Aunt Funda could personally testify that a quiet child was what any mother would wish for. But still, the vampiress wasn't confident.

"Ms. Bustlier-"

"Maddie, if you please." She corrected with a smile. 

"Mrs. Bustlier was my mother's name. And that woman's been dead for far too long to start calling on now." Maddie joked. 

“To speak of the dead so casually,”  Aunt Funda cleared her throat. Her face grew pale.

“Clearly, you are not from Nochten.” 

“I never claimed I was.” The maid smiled. 

She is more than qualified. Aunt Funda looked back to the list of references. The list was long, with well-named families. 

And she does look the part. Aunt Funda checked the woman’s dress. It was the traditional servant wear of Dawny- a black dress with a white apron. It somehow made her more appealing- like she already knew her role in the palace. 

As if she were already employed.

"Perhaps I should sweeten the offer to make it more enticing?" 

Maddie clapped her hands. 

"Introduce me to the Empress. If she takes to me, I'll start working right away. But if she doesn't-" Maddie moved to drag a finger across her neck. 

"Consider me a tasty snack." Maddie winked, and the vampiress stiffened. The woman's informality was a stark contrast to her letter. And Aunt Funda found her lack of decorum off-putting. It was not the way of Nocthen.

But still, the offer interested her. Either way was beneficial. 

She’ll either have a new maid for her troublesome niece. Or something to nibble on later. 

Aunt Funda smiled as her red eyes spied the woman's neck.

"I suppose the request is not unreasonable."

*Ana*

I sit on the couch with the thick volume in my lap. It’s heavy and crushes my scrawny, pale legs to the point of leaving red lines. But I forget the pain when I look back at the picture.

It’s an etching of a snowstorm. 

I trace it with my finger and feel another wet drop. My clothes are accumulating sweat and growing heavy. The sun is rising. It won’t be long till noon. 

Yet no comes for me. I look up at the door. I’ve been here since after receiving breakfast- just left alone in my apartments like I’ve been forgotten again. 

I might have.

Because no one has come to give me my customary bathe or undress me for the afternoon nap.

It may have happened. I half expect this, but still, I sit here waiting. It’s not like I have anything else to do. I look back to the illustration. 

Yesterday, the last maid quit in front of me. She was loud when she did- yelling profanity and saying how my hair grossed her out. That was the final straw for her. 

But I expected someone else to come. Aunt Funda always found someone- no matter how bad they were to me, there was always someone.

“Maybe we’ve run out?” I ask to the picture. Does no one else want to be my maid? Have we finally hit that point?

“Then what am I to do?” 

If no one comes, then what? Do I have to? Can I do it myself?

I doubt it as I look at my arms and legs. Everything about me is small. Even though I am only seven, I can tell I am smaller than all the other children in court.  

I bet they always have someone to help them. I know they do. 

Why can’t  I have help, too?

I look around as if I can ask someone, but I don’t have anyone. I never do. But that’s not new. 

I seem to always be by myself. And I’m starting to expect it. That’s why I’m not entirely angry that no one has come. I just wish someone would have told me. 

That would have been nice if someone popped in to tell me. I wish that much. If they did, I would have been grateful. 

I wouldn’t even ask them to stay. Though, I don’t think they would if I did.

No one wants to stay around me for long. I can’t recall any particular maid’s face- they leave just as soon as they come. And Aunt and Uncle have no time for me- they are always busy.

“Ah,” 

I look back to the book. I work up a memory of what snow felt like. How cold was it? How did it taste? 

I try to bring up my last memory, but it feels impossible. Maybe I don’t know anymore.

I am almost sure it was a dream.

I hear a knock before my door opens. I close my book and drop it to the side as I see something unexpected. It’s not Aunt Funda in her usual gold chains and high hairdo. It’s the stranger. 

Aunt Funda musters half a smile with her fangs as she motions to the older-looking woman. She has grey hair- 

Grey hair? I do a double-take. It’s true. She doesn’t have the charismatic red hair or eyes of a vampire. 

She’s human? 

I can feel my face change with surprise. 

"Empress Anastasia," Aunt Funda starts. The human, who looks older than Aunt Funda, something into her middle ages, courtesies to me before standing up.

I see how her brown eyes warm up as they look at me. I lean back into the sofa; my skin sticks to the leather. I’m not used to such an open expression. 

It almost looks friendly.

"Who's this?" I gauge the human. She’s dressed in some kind of uniform- but it’s not after Nochten fashion. It’s different and puffy. 

I give a sharp look to Aunt Funda to see her jolt slightly.

“Why did you bring a human into my room?”

"Your Empress, this is Madeline Bustlier.” Aunt Funda pushes her red curls behind her ear to collect her composure. 

“She’s a candidate for your handmaid."

"A pleasure, Empress Anastasia." The maid bows before I see a smile on her face. 

Why is she smiling at me? I can’t help but feel tense. I don’t see people smile at me often. 

It makes my stomach tighten with weariness.

"She's human." I go. 

“She is.” Aunt Funda nods. Her hair slightly shifts out of her updo as she does. A quick frown crosses her face before she puts it back in place. It does not stay.

I watch it slip back down and curl over with no apology. It sticks to the sweat starting to bead on her forehead. Aunt Funda looks to be wilting as it grows hotter. 

I’m surprised she isn’t already bathed for her afternoon nap. 

"She comes quite qualified, your Empress." Aunt Funda goes again. She looks strangely at her neck before her fangs flash as if she’s hungry.

I look back at the human as if I could now find these ‘qualities.’ But I only see the smile on her face.

"Why?" I ask. 

"Why, your Empress?" The maid returns.

"Why do you want to work for me?" I am careful with my words. I watch to see if her smile lessens or not.

Because I can’t see why she is still smiling, it can’t be for me. So what else could there-

"Because I like you." 

“Because you- “ I drop my jaw. The simple answer leaves me lost. 

“Because you like me?” I ask again, checking her expression.

“Yup.” The woman nods with an ease that twists my heart. 

I look at her with a new taste of fear. Never in my life did I think I would hear that. But I find myself lean forward to see her better.

“You like me?” 

“Sure do.” 

I feel my heart quick as she smiles wider. It’s warm, like her brown eyes. 

Can anyone smile like that? I can’t remember anyone smiling like that- not to me, anyway.

While I stare at the woman gobsmacked, Aunt Funda shuffles in place. The heat is finally getting to her. She is sweating more now and it’s drenching her gown.

"Well, your Empress. We'll be leaving now." Aunt Funda snakes her arm around the human’s shoulders. She begins to pull her away. A weird excitement crosses her face as she pulls them to the door. 

Almost as if she is happy to leave. 

My feet move before my mouth as I feel myself stand up.

"Help me in the bath, Ms.-"

"Maddie is fine, your Empress." Maddie yanks her arm free. A triumphant smile is on her face as she throws a look at Aunt Funda. 

Aunt Funda seems to be in shock as she looks from her to me and then shakes her head. 

“Your Empress?” Aunt Funda chokes.

"Help me in the bath, Maddie." I turn for her to follow out to the hall where the connecting bathroom is.

"My Lady," Maddie farewells to Aunt Funda, who now has her mouth half open. She is quick to follow behind me.