Share

Will Bear the Moon
Will Bear the Moon
Author: bluemorose

Prelude

Author: bluemorose
last update Last Updated: 2021-07-31 09:32:03

-Prelude-

*Ana*

“I don’t wanna go,” I look up. “Please, I’ll be good for Stepmother, ” But the nursemaid only smiles down at me.

“You’ll be happy in Nochten, Princess Anastasia." She tries to smile. But it gets ruined between the tears. “You will be back with your kind.”

My kind? 

I keep hearing that, my kind this and my kind that, over and over. But what does that mean? I don’t understand.

“Please, I swear-” But the cold, snowy wind blows us back in a hard push. 

Behind me, something breaks.

My hair- the bands snapped, and my hair is dancing in the air. It blinds my whole vision in a solid color of silver.

Silver- I haven’t seen anyone else with that color Father once called it special—proof of the love between him and my mother.

But I don’t know her. She died when I was a baby. And I don’t want it because it makes me have to leave. 

I want to go back inside where it’s warm- to go back to Papa.

"Don’t make me go,” I scratch at the nurse's hand. “Let me go!”

“Your Highness,” She winces but still keeps pulling on.

“Please!!”  I yell between tears. “Why are you doing this!?” But she won’t look at me. Ahead, the doorman jumps down to open the carriage door.

Inside, I can see it’s full of blankets and pillows. All to make the long ride easier. But it just makes me even more afraid now. 

“No!” I bite her.

“Humph,” The nursemaid cries in pain. But she doesn’t let go.

“They’ll take care of you and love you.” She goes on between tears. She even tries to smile down at me as I let go. Her hand has two tiny red points but no blood. 

I’m happy she isn’t bleeding, but now what?

“Papa-“ I look behind her. “Where is Papa?”

There he is! I see him.  Papa and Stepmother are standing inside. Papa stands tall while Stepmother moves her hands over her swollen belly. 

“Papa!” I call again to catch his eye. “Papa, I don’t want to go-” But something is wrong. Papa isn’t smiling. He’s looking at me as if he can’t see me.

“Papa?” I call again before he turns away. And I can’t see him anymore. He’s gone. 

“Yes, they will love you so much, Princess Anastasia,” The nursemaid lifts me up. 

“You won’t ever feel unloved ever again.” The nursemaid backs away with a crumbling smile. Her eyes and cheeks are shiny with tears. Yet, even in such a state, she can still smile. 

“Be good.” She farewells as the door closes. Above me, a whip cracks before the carriage jerks forward. We start moving, and gradually, the castle disappears into the snow.

  -x-

It is a week before the carriage slows again. I am hot and tired, but I still manage to sit up.  Even exhausted, I guess I can still be curious. And I am.

I want to see my new home.

“Nochten, “ I whisper, looking out at the palace. Its white stone walls and golden domes shine against the yellow sand. Outside of the building, a fountain gushes water before the grand doorway. 

And behind the fountain, there is a line of people. It’s big enough to see it from even this far. They must have come to welcome me. 

I sink back in the chair. I’m no longer curious about what's outside.

 I just want to go home. I close my eyes as the carriage stops. 

When I wake up again, please let me be home. I make a wish and hold my breath. 

Please- 

But the door opening sounds before I feel it. The desert heat slaps my face before assaulting my nose. Its foreign smells instantly turn my stomach.

 I feel sick and cover my mouth as the coachman climbs down.

“Your Majesty?”He holds his hand out to help me down. But something is moving behind him. Three people approach, each with red hair and eyes.

The woman is the tallest. She holds hands with a portly, bald, and short man. The third is a boy some years older than me. He looks to be a combination of the two but handsome. 

Are they my new family? 

“Your Majesty?”

“Yes? Oh.” I see the coachman still waiting. 

I gingerly take the coachman's hand and step down, but just as my feet hit the sand, I can’t do it. I don’t want to let go. 

“Take me back,” I whimper and pull closer. 

“Your Majesty?” He looks at me curiously, but I don’t get to speak as everyone suddenly cries.

“All praise to Empress Anastasia!” And everyone goes to kneel at once with a hand over their heart. 

Why are they doing that? I don’t know, but it's scarier, and I pull myself closer to the coachman.

If I didn't want to let go before, I definitely don’t want to let go now.

“your Empress.” The tall woman goes to stand first, followed by the rest. Immediately, I feel them stare at me. 

No, It’s not at me. They are looking at my hair.

“Welcome to Nochten, the empire of vampires-” 

“I wanna go home.” I don't even let her finish before I go back to the coachman.

“Please, take me back.” I look up at the coachman in desperation.

“Your Highness,” The coachman frowns.

“Please!” I squeeze his hand tighter, but the coachman seems to be stuck. And the tall woman steps up.

“Empress Anastasia?” But I don’t want to look at her.

“Take me with you.” I pull on his arm. “Please, I don’t want to be here-”

“Your majesty?” He looks after me.

“Ahem,” The tall woman clears her throat, breaking the spell. The coachman pulls away.

“I must go.” 

“No, don’t-” I grasp out for him, but he’s back in the carriage.

Don’t leave me with these strangers. 

But he will not look at me again. Instead, he cracks the whip to make the horses start. They neigh before kicking off to pull the carriage away into the distance. 

I am now all alone. 

“Your Empress,” The tall woman, meanwhile, steps forward. 

“I am Funda, your mother’s sister.” The tall lady starts. “And this, your Uncle Charles. And our son Mykhol, your cousin.” 

“Until you’re first blood, your uncle and I will act as regents for the empire.” Aunt Funda takes another step but stops as if unsure about something.

“Tomorrow will be the beginning of your lessons. Today, let us take you on a tour to help you navigate your new home.”

Aunt Funda turns, her husband and son following, to lead back to the palace. Their footsteps move in sync as if rehearsed. 

“We will first take you to your room to wash. After that, you will be dressed in our Nochten gowns-“ Aunt Funda goes on before she looks over her shoulder to see me still standing. 

“Your Empress?”Aunt Funda raises her brow. “Your Empress, you need to follow me.“  

“No.” 

“What was that, your Empress?” 

“Take me back!” I shout and throw myself down. I fall onto hard little stones in the sand. They cut into my knees and made me cry out.

“I don’t want to be here. I wanna go home.” I cry. “I want Papa.” 

 I don’t care about my kind or how nice they are supposed to be. I don’t like it here at all. It’s too hot, and the people look scary.

Why was I sent here? 

I don’t know, and it makes me cry even harder.

“I want-” I cry, expecting someone to come over. I want someone to pick me up, hug me, and tell me it will be okay.

But no one is moving. 

Aunt Funda makes a strained face before looking at her husband and son. They shake their heads. All three then look back at me, unsure what to do. It's the same for the rest of the crowd. 

Around me, the crowd makes glances to each other, but no one dares go father than that. It’s almost like they don’t want to. In the end, they just decide to do nothing and return to watch me. 

It’s not everyone. Some do look after me worried, but they won’t even move. I make out one man, a human with a deep scar over his eyebrow. He seems most upset, but he doesn’t move even then.

Why isn’t anyone coming? I feel the thought shake me.

Didn’t my nursemaid say this is my kind? I remember and roll my eyes over the crowd. 

Didn’t she say I would be happy and that they would love me?

But I don’t see anything like that here. I don’t see a gentle expression or warm smile among any of them. I just see them stare at me. 

No, they stare at my hair. I move to touch it, suddenly conscious that I am sticking out even more here in all this red. 

“Your Empress, Aunt Funda, meanwhile, repeats with a hollow smile. “let us freshen you up before the tour.” 

 “Yes, er- Aunt Funda.” I nod and push myself up. My knees burn from the rocks, and my dress is stained with sand. But still, no one comes to help.

The three stand by and wait until I’m done. 

“This way,” Aunt Funda says, and, again, the three turn like one. They step effortlessly toward the doors.

“Wait-” I struggle to pull up my heavy skirt. “I can’t keep up.”  My legs are small, and they walk too quickly.

“Please- slow down.” But they must not hear me because they keep walking.

“She’s so weak.” Someone snickers around me.

“That’s what you get for a halfling.” Another chimes in.

“Half?” I stop to look up, but I don’t know who said it. 

I can't tell any of them apart. I just see red eyes and red hair everywhere. Everyone looks so similar. Everyone looks like they belong, except for me. 

But that doesn't make sense.

Aren’t they ‘my kind?”

“Empress Anastasia?” It’s Aunt Funda again. “What is the delay?”

“my dress-” I start,” it's too heavy. Can someone carry me?”

“Is something wrong with your legs?”.

“Er- no, but-” 

“Then use them.” And she returns to the two. They walk on. But the Youngest lingers back.

“Cousin?”Does he want to help me? 

“Could you-”  I lift my hand toward him. 

“Slowpoke.” He smirks and turns to join his parents. He doesn’t look back after me again. None of them do. It’s as if I’m not even here. 

Or maybe they don’t want me to be?

She lied to me, didn't she? I realized right there. 

She lied when she said Nochten would be better.

“It is worse.” But even if it's a lie. What can I do?

I am no longer Princess Anastasia anymore. I am an Empress. 

And Nochten is my new home now.

Continue to read this book for free
Scan code to download App

Latest chapter

  • Will Bear the Moon   Chapter 42 Fangless Warrior

    *Pendwick*"What could ALL of you possibly be doing with my dear assistant?"The words hung in the air like frost crystallizing on glass. Pendwick immediately saw the effect. It was astonishing. No, this was the power of a king. The nobles who had been so boldly aggressive moments before didn't just retreat; they withered.Lord Halric's face drained of color so rapidly that Pendwick could trace the path of it—first his cheeks hollowing, then his lips blanching to the pallor of a corpse. His mouth worked silently, a desperate fish gasping on dry land, the tendons in his neck straining visibly beneath paper-thin skin.Duke Serevan's jowls quivered like custard, the flaccid flesh rippling with each panicked breath. His backward step sent a discordant squeak across the polished marble, the sound sharp as a needle in the sudden silence. The heavy brocade of his coat rustled as he nearly toppled, the weight of his own fear disrupting his balance.Pendwick watched in mute fascination as a be

  • Will Bear the Moon   Chapter 41 Always The Nice Guy

    *Pendwick*"Until you return," Pendwick murmured under his breath, but she did not hear him over the crescendo of the strings, the cheerful music mocking him with its brightness. Each note stabbed like tiny daggers as he yet again had to watch her go. It always seemed to happen that way—too late, too slow, too soft.Always out of his reach, running.Pendwick could only watch as Ana reached the silver glass doors. When she pulled them back, a sharp and bitter snap of wind knifed through, sweeping back into the great hall and extinguishing the nearest candles with violent puffs of smoke. The intrusive cold sent her shawl billowing with a melodic click of chains and crown, lifting the veil of perpetual red to reveal the true beauty underneath. Her bundled coils of silver hair—neatly braided and gleaming like moonrays against the black sea—caught the remaining light. The rush of air carried the tang of salt and ice from outside mingled with something sweeter, something uniquely Ana—sandal

  • Will Bear the Moon   Chapter 40 Daggers And Dances

    *Anastasia* "Sir Pendwick," I manage, steadying my voice even as my stomach plummets like a stone dropped from the palace tower. The muscles in my face move by habit, not ease—a mask I've worn countless times sliding into place. I force the corners of my mouth to lift, polite but not too warm—just enough. My voice rings hollow in my own ears as I shape it into something graceful, something imperial."You would like a dance?""Ah, um, if you don't mind? I mean, if it's not too much trouble." Pendwick steps forward, his face flushed—not just with color, but with a slick sheen, as though the very air around him burns hotter than the rest of the ballroom. His palm brushes his jacket's hem—then halts mid-motion as if caught in a forbidden act. He stiffens with a swallow that bobs visibly in his throat, eyes flicking once, nervously, to my hands."Of course he does, Ana!" Father bellows with a slap to Pendwick's back, the sound cracking through the air like summer thunder, drowning the mus

  • Will Bear the Moon   Chapter 39 Just One Person Too Many Masks

    *Ana*My feet throb with each step, twelve dances already behind me and who knows how many still to come. I press my painted smile wider as Lord Arden finally releases my hand."Please," I say, the muscles in my cheeks aching from hours of practiced pleasantries. "Enjoy the party, Lord Arden."My fingertips tingle unpleasantly as I pull them from his iron grasp, pressing them against the front of my gown before he can snatch them up again. I've endured so many wet kisses tonight that my skin feels coated in a film that makes me want to scrub my hands raw. But an Empress does not flee to the nearest washing basin, no matter how tempting. Duty first. Always duty.Lord Arden finally bows, a wafting smell of old cedar and stale perfume rising as he turns. But not before his pale red eyes travel from my face to the single rebellious curl that has escaped from beneath my crown—that telltale sign of my half-blood status. The familiar look of subtle disdain crosses his face before he retreats

  • Will Bear the Moon   Chapter 38: Disillusionment And Mystery Part 2

    A honeyed whisper sliced through the ballroom noise, landing against the shell of his ear. "You’re so mean, to keep leaving me behind to deal with all these vampires, Nicoli." The words dripped sweetness enough to gag, a playful lilt barely masking the sting beneath. Possessive, triumphant, and just the tiniest bit petulant—all very much like her. "I might just have to punish you."Like she actually would, Nicoli suppressed a sigh, resisting the urge to roll his eyes as if she'd ever follow through with any of her threats. The giant just liked to tease. And she liked it even more when he rose to it. Nine years together had all but made that clear.And he knew the game by heart."Hello, Hidi," Nicoli said without turning, his princely smile tampered slightly but still on. Settling into their usual routine of push and pull.Her fingers slid into the crook of his arm, landing in their usual spot with the same easy certainty as sunrise. The sharp scent of lemon soap cut through the heavy

  • Will Bear the Moon   Chapter 37 Disillusionment And Mystery Part 1

    *Nicoli*Nicoli's practiced smile finally wavered as they left, the muscles in his face aching from the strain of maintaining such brilliant artifice. The tension he'd been holding in his shoulders released in a subtle drop, and he exhaled slowly, tasting the lingering scent of pine smoke mixed with the cloying perfumes of the vampire nobility.After the stiff, cold interaction with Ana's supposed family, Nicoli couldn’t shake the unsettling feeling that all the things Ana had left unsaid were now painfully clear. Lady Funda and Lord Charles' hollow politeness, their icy demeanor, and the way their presence seemed to further freeze the already cold palace air compounded his growing sense of discomfort.If Nicoli held any fragile hope that perhaps her own family would be different compared to what he had seen so far, it waned like an ember dying against the chill the moment his father introduced him to Lady Funda and Lord Charles."Are they always like that?" he asked quietly, turning

More Chapters
Explore and read good novels for free
Free access to a vast number of good novels on GoodNovel app. Download the books you like and read anywhere & anytime.
Read books for free on the app
SCAN CODE TO READ ON APP
DMCA.com Protection Status