Chapter 5 Introudcing King Alexander and Queen Belinda

*King Alexander*

(Bold Italics means it’s in a letter)

“To his majesty, King of Dawny, Alexander Brokenoff,

Before I begin, I would first like to apologize. I am guilty of not fulfilling the duties that would be owed to you. I have gone years without writing and see it as inexcusable. But I have matured enough to understand that I am at fault. I seek your forgiveness and hope that we can move forward from this. 

This will mark a new beginning between us as we rekindle our family relations. And with it, we renew a line of communication that is frequent.

And secondly, I, Anastasia Brokenoff, Empress of Nochten, would like to impose a request. Will it be possible for me to meet my half-brother, Prince Nicoli, as his sister?

I understand this is abrupt, as this comes after years of silence. Again, that is my fault and it may seem impertinent to ask. Your reluctance is not uncalled for.

However, if this can be seen as a form of penance, I wish to correct my wrongs and earn your forgiveness by taking a more active role.

If you accept my apology, I hope that one day I may share the same favor and open my doors to you, and we both tighten family bonds.

I respectfully await your response as a dutiful daughter,

Empress Anastasia Brokenoff.”   

“A seven-year-old wrote this?” King Alexander finished before laughing.

“It’s like a contract.”

“It seems that way, m’lord.” Johan, his butler, nodded. The old man had only wisps of white hair on his head at this point. But King Alexander could still remember his full head of hair. Johan had served his side since King Alexander was a child.

Thus, with such a long span of time, King Alexander could speak to him candidly.

“But they say she’s quite the pupil. She studies every day.” Johan returned. 

King Alexander couldn’t help but smile at the news.

"Then she takes more after her mother. I was a terror to my tutors.” 

“I remember, your majesty.” Johan shook his head. 

King Alexander shot a quick look at the old man. 

"Old coot."

Johan shrugs, unhurt by the remark. 

“You were a devil in class.”

The old man remembers too much, sometimes… King Alexander tsked.

“Still, It’s a bit too formal for one so young, don’t you think?” The King regarded the letter. He was at his desk inside his private study. Behind him, a large window overlooked the hedge maze below. He could hear the birds chirping softly through the glass.

“I worry when I see a child so adult-like.” Alexander felt a bit torn at the moment.

Alexander was, firstly, elated to hear from his distant daughter finally. He couldn’t ask for more. It had been years of waiting and missing opportunities to have a breakthrough finally. 

Yet the king thought the woman managed in just a short few months. He mentally noted to make sure to give her a raise.

Perhaps even a title of her own.

Because it looked like she couldn’t have come any sooner. King Alexander was grateful he had managed to send over such a competent spy when he did because it looked dire.

Alexander couldn’t stop himself from imagining his little Ana locked inside- reading all day. And no one to play with. 

Such serious children make great students but sad adults. King Alexander had learned. It was a tragic sight.

“It is written elegantly, your Majesty.” Johan went again.

 “Indeed, even her handwriting is worthy of praise.” The King noted, eyeing the script.

"Her first letter is quite impressive. She seems quite capable for her age." King Alexander marveld. 

"Ana must be quite the student indeed."

So much like you, my love. Alexander sighed with lament.

“Ah, if only I could say the same for my son,” 

“He takes too much after you.” Johan returned. King Alexander nodded.

"I know." 

Speaking of the devil, Alexander heard a startled cry. The birds suddenly fly sporadically. A mass flutter of wings flew up the window in panic. A child’s laughter followed. 

“The prince seems in bright spirits today,” Johan noted, hearing the boy’s laughter. Another burst of giggles came up. The child started to scream with excitement.

“Back to terrorizing those poor birds again.” King Alexander shook his head but still smiled. He peered over his shoulder to look down the window.

Below, the four-year-old with curly brunette hair and blue eyes moved to pick up a pile of autumn leaves. He threw them above his head to fall and stick to his hair. Before they were all settled, he went down to repeat the process. Another roar of laughter followed.

“Nicoli is supposed to be with his tutors now,” Alexander grimaced. But not for long. He couldn’t fault the boy for skipping class. He did just the same at his age.

It took him to be a teenager actually to become more serious.

Perhaps, Nicoli will do the same?

“Her majesty seems to have taken to walking as well,” Johan caught sight of the other party.

With his words, King Alexander noted Nicoli’s partner.

Queen Belinda walked a few steps behind. She dressed in a layered garden gown of white. Her black curls were pulled up neatly to cascade over one side of her head and frame her face and gray eyes.

The queen’s expression was an equal measure of admiration and patience directed to the boy in front. Her eyes focused solely on him as a motherly smile crossed her face. And she continued to watch him protectively until they crossed under the window. 

At the junction, Queen Belinda looked up with expectation. Her eyes met his. The smile on her face lessened to a softer curl. She bowed as if teasing him.

“With the letter, it seems the mission is a success, your majesty.” Johan went on.

"Hmm." King Alexander remarked but was distracted. His eyes remained on the queen as she passed. Regarding her carefully.

King Alexander had been married to Belinda long enough to notice when she was up to something. And she was now. A fact solidified by how she had purposely dressed to go out in the gardens just to happen to stop at his window.

She knows about the letter. Alexander wasn’t surprised. It would only be a matter of time before she would. She seemed to have good informants and never delayed in anything.

Queen Belinda, if not nothing else, was a sharp woman.

Like a knife.

“I will call it a success when I have my daughter back home. It is not done until I can hold my daughter and son together.” King Alexander exhaled and turned. He looked across Johan to a portrait. 

The painted woman secretly smiled at him. Her fangs slightly showed under her full upper lip. Her red hair was pulled back with gold chains and crowns to show better how large her red eyes were. The eyes were lined thickly with lashes.

King Alexander remembered how he had to beg her to agree to such a portrait. The woman was naturally reluctant from her Nochten superstitions. But he had been glad of his persistence.

The painting had turned out to be his most treasured. 

But this marks a start, the King thought and smiled at the painted woman. 

Isn’t that right, my love?

King Alexander returned to look at Johan with a straight face.

“Fetch my quills, Johan. And make sure Postmaster Nettle is ready. I will want no delay once I finish.” Alexander voiced and moved to pull a parchment from the drawer.

“This letter is of great importance.”