*Hidi*Hidi had to keep her laughter to a minimum, lest she laughed and never stopped. And if she did that, she would miss anything Nicoli would say. But Nicoli was the one making her want to laugh.Because the boy was not trying to hide his lackluster attitude, his voice became as dull as his expression. And Hidi could barely stop from killing over. Watching Nicoli was just that fun. At that moment, Nicoli stopped to point. Hidi looked in that direction. It was a bush.“And here is a bush.” “Ah, yes. A nice bush.” Hidi nodded and smiled. Nicoli took two more steps to stop again. He pointed to a tree.“And that’s a tree.”“Quality tree.” Hidi nodded eagerly. She had to wipe a tear from her eye. She was having a lot of fun.He looks so miserable right now. Hidi beamed to herself. She could feel another giggle dangerously close. She so much wanted to laugh.But then Nicoli would stop, wouldn’t he? And Hidi didn’t want that to happen just yet. She wanted to enjoy this. Milk it for all
*Hidi*Inside Hidi’s room, Hidi’s heart twitched with excitement. It was terrible of her, too, but Hidi couldn’t help but relish that Nicoli was in her room. Nicoli had followed her in all the way voluntarily. He’s so trusting. Hidi thought as she worked on the contraption. But shouldn’t the boy know better? If we were just a little older, this would have been such a scandal. Hidi again tried the knot. It pulled out of the base again. No good, she would have to fix that. He would have to marry me if that happened. To save my reputation- Hidi continued with a giggle. It would with any other girl, Hidi was sure. She’d see how all the others looked at him—a bunch of hopeful optimists. It was a good thing they were all scared off. Hidi was again grateful for Ana. Her First Blood helped clear the room as to speak. And it allowed Hidi to use it to get closer to him.And besides, Hidi didn’t need to play off that scenario. Seeing Nicoli follow her was just a perk- but she didn’t need
*Johan*Johan looked over the wing quietly. He was careful to hold his thoughts lest someone were to hear. One never knew who could be listening. The Queen's spies were just as prevalent as the kings.So Johan took great caution to keep himself observant yet passive. But there were moments that even he felt tempted like he was now. He again felt his tongue twitch as he noted the lackluster hallway. Not a shred of decor or decorum. Johan thought and felt the back of his neck stiffen. The hall was almost lonely compared to the rest of the castle. It's not at all fit for guests usually. How convenient that there were no other rooms available save here. Johan twitched his lips to give a sarcastic smile. He couldn’t help but find it petty. The Queen needn't stoop so low. But Johan quickly dropped the thought as his real business came to light. He had been waiting for the royal captain’s report. And he could see the burly man finally bound up at last. His little meeting with his subordin
*Naska*Naska lifted her head as she heard the sound at the door. Someone had stopped to try the knob. It instantly made Naska frown out of reflex.What do they want now? Naska had just finished talking with the royal captain, an insufferable exchange, from her point of view. It annoyed her greatly how all the humans kept bugging them, always coming back up to ask more questions about the Empress.Can’t they go away? Naska growled before seeing the door open. Her back straightened as she expected to see the same human again. But immediately, she felt her face drop. It wasn’t him- it was none other than Mykhol.“My lord.” Naska immediately brightened at the sight of him. Mykhol nodded slightly before closing the door. Naska could see he had changed yet again. He wore a thin cotton gown- more for the Nochten summer heat, but it sufficed in Dawny.“Have you bathed-” Naska was about to ask, hoping to use the chance to sneak away with him. But Mykhol nodded again. He didn’t want to talk-
*Nicoli*Nicoli could hear the sound of footsteps crunching down the pavement. He looked up but wasn’t surprised to see who it was. It could only be three people- well, four if he included Thomas.But Nicoli never liked to include Thomas. The man was never something to consider in Nicoli's eyes. And Thomas, no doubt, felt the same. But that was neither here nor there.Watching them come up, Nicoli only turned back to the cup in his hands. He gently tested the string. It was yanked taunt, so it should work. But yet, the line remained silent this whole time.I guess she isn’t awake yet. Nicoli gave a hearty sigh.Nicoli had been waiting since the mid-afternoon till the early evening. And things were starting to grow dark. But still, Nicoli held the cup obediently. With a periodic check to see if it was still quiet, and it was. Nicoli looked back up to the window above- Ana’s window. It looked dark inside. Was everyone else asleep?“How long do you plan to stay out like this?” Johan voi
*Ana*“Hmmn?” I stir at the strange sound. It’s a sort of insect buzz that fills the room. “Wha-” I try to speak, but my tongue is dry and stupid. I need to snap my mouth a few times to get the saliva working before I try again.“Crickets? Why?” I slowly open my eyes as the sound drones on. I see the canopy of the bed above me. Just as I thought, I was still in my room. But why do I still hear those damn crickets?“Hmm,” I scrunch my nose as I feel a rush. The light hurts and gives a light throb above my right eye. I wince before blinking a few more times to wake up. I must have been asleep for quite some time.“Good morning, sleepy head-” A voice calls. It’s close. Closer than I expected anyone to be.“Cousin?” I groan as my eyes focus. I find a face looming over me. Mykhol is next to me on the bed. “What time is it?” I get up to rub my eyes and peer around for Naska. She doesn’t appear to be in the room. Did she go to get more blood? Or take a break? I doubt she will be gone for
*Ana* It’s vaguely clear I am drinking. I can feel the smooth glass in my hand. It’s warm, thanks to the water. But the blood tastes like nothing. I keep sipping until I realize the glass is empty.“Oh?” I pull back, a little embarrassed. But it doesn’t last before I grow distracted again. My eyes stare back out the window. All to see the chance that he may be back.Where did he go? And Why? How long will he be? I wish I had asked at that moment.“It's quiet…” I mutter as I listen to the insects. Mykhol says something here, but I don’t catch it. I’m sure it wasn’t necessary. I should have asked. I sink into my couch and cradle the glass. I want another but don’t at the same time. “Do you think he left…for the night?” I turn to find Mykhol taking the cushion beside me. His arm rests behind my head, and he lets out a puff of his cologne. “It is late-” Mykhol leans over me. He takes the glass from my hand to finger the remains. It’s surprising to see because Mykhol has never been one
*Mykhol*Mykhol closed the door but lingered on the threshold. Any minute now, he expected the door to open. Ana would come bursting out any moment. Ana will be worried about me; Mykhol knew she saw him bleeding. So, of course, she would be concerned. Mykhol smiled at the idea of Ana coming to his aide. She was so small, so what could she do? Give him a bandage? Kiss his cuts?“Kiss them?” Mykhol thought of her lips. How gently would it be? A kiss from her could cure any pain he had. And then some. Mykhol could feel himself fidgeting with the idea. So Mykhol stayed, waiting for the sound of feet. But the longer he stood, the more he felt guards turn to him.“What is he doing?” Someone whispered. Mykhol could feel more eyes turn to him. “Idiots.” Mykhol turned to block out the annoying pests. Mykhol wished they could mind their business. But even then, he felt his gut tighten. Again, he expected to see the door open, and Ana burst out in a fret. ‘Your bleeding,’ She would say. ‘H
“Hidi?” But before I can have a chance to ask any further, Hidi only taps my arm, her fingertips pressing just a fraction too firmly against my sleeve."But we will talk later, as for now—" Her green eyes immediately shift to Nicoli and brighten, like lamps suddenly lit from within. The strange expression suddenly disappeared again, replaced with a mask, so perfectly that I wondered if I had seen anything at all. Her smile is bright and full, with blunt white teeth again, but something about it feels rehearsed, a performance she's put on countless times. Her attention was solely on him, her body angling toward his like a flower turning to the sun."Nicoli, did you see that? Look how helpful I am to our dear Ana." She beams, as if nothing were wrong at all, stepping slightly closer to him than necessary, her arm brushing against his in a casual gesture that somehow feels deliberate. "Our dear Ana" sits strangely in my ears, as if I'm a shared possession rather than a friend. Her voice
Ana*“Please, everyone, if you would just-” But it's clear no one is listening. My voice is swallowed up by the cacophony of string instruments and the colliding conversations surging around us like crashing waves. The air thickens with perfumes and colognes—spiced amber, midnight jasmine, and something metallic that clings to the back of my throat. If I ever felt overwhelmed before a court of nobles shouting over each other after some new decree, it's nothing compared to the suffocating pressure closing in now. Actually, I think I'd prefer that over this.I don't even think my coronation was this bad. I recall that, being just a bit more orderly, the crowd maintained a respectful distance that allowed my lungs to fill properly. But then again, Mykhol was pushing them along so I could eat, right? It's a delayed shock of wisdom to realize that it was indeed helpful. I feel ashamed now that I ever thought he was being haughty at the time. He wasn't. His curt dismissals created a buffe
Naska stared at the cup instead of taking it, more shocked than surprised at the motion. Someone poured her drink? It was indeed a first. No one had ever done anything for her. She was so used to doing everything for herself. And glancing up, the sight of who did, only made her more confused.It was one of the veiled women—a Bulgeon, a human. Her eyes lined in that inky black shadow seemed to regard her in silence just as she did. Her hand lifted the cup, steady, as if she were still waiting. Naska, not knowing what else to do, took the cup. But her eyes remained glued to the woman. Because of the veil, she couldn’t know what expression the woman was making. Was it friendly? Bitter? What did her face even look like under the cloth?Watching her, the mysterious woman moved with grace. She poured another ladle of blood, not wine, to steam against the glass. Her thin fingers peeked out of her sleeve to swipe a slice of meat to dip in, and she moved to eat under the cloth. Naska raised
*Naska*“What a joke of a party,” Naska muttered, baring her fangs as she leaned against the wall. ”Mine will be so much better.” Her pale red eyes flickered over blue and gold streamers hanging from the center of the high ceiling with a sneer. Ugly colors, she immediately found it stupid. But not as stupid as having to sniffle every other minute. Her nose was irritated and starting to run from all the damn pine scent in the room. Each breath was like choking on a bottle of soap. From the platform near the far wall, the gentle strains of stringed instruments played a song too delicate and indistinct for her to recognize. It filled the air like perfume—pleasant to some, she supposed, but meaningless to her. Light laughter floated between the nobles, punctuated now and then by the sharp clink of crystal goblets. Beneath the noise, however, the pressure in the room was thick. Everyone waited for Her Empress to return. The tension curled under the music like smoke, unseen but unmistakab
*Johan*As he entered the banquet hall, Johan quickly noticed quite a few things. The first was that King Alexander was nowhere to be seen, though Johan expected that. He must have still been talking with Queen Bratha.What surprised him, though, was that others were missing—two, to be exact. The handsome brunette prince was not in the banquet hall as he thought he would be, considering he did not see him in the lobby or even the line. He was gone, and neither was Ana. Who he did see was just Hidi.The giant queen stood out among the partygoers- not just because of her size. Her very presence seemed to overpower anyone who dared draw near. Those who attempted to pass her either darted their eyes down or weakly bowed before hightailing it inside. Johan could see that even that old coot kept a safe distance if anyone wanted to try to talk to her, like the ever-eager Sir Celbest.The blonde was not pleased about something, and Johan could easily see it. The girl had never been one to hi
*Nicoli*Nicoli held onto Ana like a man gripping the edge of a cliff—tight, unyielding, unwilling to let go for even a second. The very idea of releasing her, even to their father, was absurd. No. Absolutely not.He had waited too long, ached too much, spent years longing for this moment. And now that she was finally by his side again, he refused to let anything—anyone—take her away. Not tonight. Not ever. So be it if he had to fight off the entire court to keep her close. Vampire, noble, or king, he didn’t care. He’d take them all on.She was his Anastasia. And now that they were together, everything felt right again.A rare, genuine grin tugged at his lips—one that wasn’t for show, unlike the practiced smiles he wore in Dawny. This was different. This was real.But as they moved through the white halls, his excitement warred with Ana’s slow, deliberate steps. Too slow. She still walked like an old lady.Nicoli’s muscles twitched with pent-up energy, his entire body screaming to mo
*Ana*My body freezes, every muscle locked in place as Nicoli leans in closer. His face is inches from mine, and I feel my breath catch, a whirlwind of confusion and anticipation racing through my mind. What is he doing? Is…he going to kiss me?But we can’t—we shouldn’t. We aren’t children anymore.As children, it was innocent. Nicoli used to kiss me on the lips, but it was always affectionate—nothing more, just like when he would hold my hand or offer a playful hug. It was natural to him, something that didn’t feel strange, something I expected from him without question. But that was then.Now, we’re adults. And that changes everything.We can’t– I try to tell myself that, but something in me hesitates, unsure whether I want him to stop or... not. I’m paralyzed, my heart beating so loudly I can hear it in my ears. As his face nears mine, I feel the world shrinks, the air around us thick with tension. A strange eagerness stirs in my chest—a warmth I don’t understand. It coils through
*Ana*“Nicoli–” He’s going the wrong way again. I shake my head, the soft chime of my gold chains punctuating my amusement. But he insists on leading, judging by the stubborn set of his shoulders. He’s determined to get somewhere despite having absolutely no idea where that is.For the past twenty minutes, Nicoli has forged ahead with all the confidence in the world, only to crumble in confusion when we inevitably hit another dead end or loop back to the same hall. Left, then right, then left again. Each turn is taken with steadfast determination — and each time, I have to stifle a new laugh as we encounter yet another wall.“Nicoli, just let me show you–” I try, though I’m already bracing for him to ignore me. It would be far easier if he let me lead, though. This is my palace, after all. I know the twists and turns, the subtle variations in the endless white corridors. But he seems lost in his resolve. As if doing this out of spite at the challenge and not wanting it to get the bett
*Hidi*“But, what about me–” For once in Hidi’s life, her voice was too soft to hear—lost, swallowed under the sound of laughter. Their laughter. Hidi froze, her breath caught in her chest, her words useless in the space they left behind. Her eyes only widened as she stared after them, watching–watching, but not moving in disbelief.The two of them were running, laughing, hands clasped like children lost in their own world. And she was still standing here.She blinked. Did they really just… leave me?The air seemed too still while everything else moved too fast. Nicoli had been right there. Right there. She could have reached out, close enough to brush her fingers against his sleeve. But he hadn’t even looked at her. Didn’t even voice a hello.Not once.His sapphire-blue eyes had locked onto Ana, and nothing else had mattered.For the second time.A cool flick of irritation ran beneath her ribs, lodging itself somewhere deep inside her. She knew this was their grand reunion, knew th