*King Alexander/Johan *“Oh, happy day,” Alexander sang as he traversed the halls with Johan in tow. Johan only shook his head at the apparent display of joy. Alexander was on the brink of bursting by this point. “As old as you are, you never learned to be subtle, did you?” Johan remarked as soon as they were back in the room. But even as he said it, he receded.“But I suppose your good mood is warranted.” “Of course it is!” Alexander laughed and took a spot on his couch. Then he was up on his feet. He couldn’t sit down if he wanted to. I need to do something- dance, sing- whatever. Energy and joy were surging through him. “Any father would be over the moon!” Alexander put his hands in his pockets to pull them back out again.“If I could just replay that moment, Johan, it was amazing.” Alexander moved to the small desk provided in the room. The chair squeaked as he sat, only to get up again. “It felt so damn good to see all those faces fall at once!” “It was.” Johan relished in
*Nicoli*It must be today. Nicoli thought before involuntarily shivering. Despite it not snowing for some time, the air was still freezing. Sitting next to the window proved quite the task, but Nicoli refused to budge. He was determined to stay at his post. “Nicoli, if you are cold, come away from the window,” Belinda called, but Nicoli curled up his legs.“Not until the post comes.” Nicoli went with his eyes piercing down the path. “Nicoli,” Belinda called again. “Nicoli, listen to your mother for once.” But again, Nicoli shook his head. “No,”“Nicoli,” Belinda sighed, not having the strength to fight him today. Another problem had arisen the night before, swamping Belinda with work. The paper stack was even taller than yesterday.“Julia?” Without needing a word, the maid knew what to do. Nicoli felt the blanket draped around him.“Ah, thank-” Nicoli looked up, but the maid was already gone and by his mother’s side. She always was, Nicoli noted. I wonder how Mom doesn’t get tire
*Belinda*“Of all the things he could do.” Belinda clenched her teeth to stop herself from yelling. The fury and disappointment were welling over, but servants were still running about. What if they were to hear her?Worse, what would they report back to Alexander? Belinda could already imagine how eager they would be to report the smallest of infractions. And it made Belinda’s stomach turn. Belinda, like always, could never let her guard down. Whatever happened in this room would never meet the light of day. Julia would be the only confidant Belinda could afford.“Your Majesty?” Julia, meanwhile, patiently moved closer. “Your majesty, what made you so upset?”“Julia,” Belinda closed her eyes. But it made no difference; the words burned under her eyelids. She couldn’t get away from them.“I feel sick. I might throw up.” Belinda's throat tightened. “No, I might cry.” But there were no tears in her eyes as she opened them to see the letter before her again—both of them. Hidi and her h
*Ana* “You’ll be happy in Nochten, Princess Anastasia.” The nursemaid repeats, but I’m too young to understand. She’s crying. Big chubby tears strip down her wrinkled face. But she smiles down at me. “You will be back with your kind.” My kind? I shiver as a cold wind throws back my loose hair. It’s silver- a hair color I haven’t seen anyone else have. Father once called it special—proof of the love between himself and my deceased mother. Ahead, the horse's nicker. They must be cold too. I realize it’s too cold to be out, beast or man. Snow will soon fall. I can feel it in the air. It will be the first of this year in the Kingdom of Dawny. I don’t like this anymore. I decide. I want to go back inside where it’s warm- to go back to Papa. “I don’t wanna go,” I look up. “Please, I’ll be good for Stepmother, ” My nose begins to run with a thin snot. I lick it away for more to drip down. I pull on my nursemaid’s arm. “Please, I swear-” But I grow afraid when she pulls us clo
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 Bustlie
*Ana* She talks a lot. This is the first thing I notice about my new human maid. She seems to have something to say about just everything. Like now, she finds something to talk about. “You have quite the routine for someone so young,” Maddie braids my hair. It’s a strange feeling. I only nod to her, not sure what to add. I’ve never had someone this talkative- not with me. Especially when they seemed to want me to talk back. I’m not used to someone being interested in me. I don’t know what to do. I don’t even know if I like it or not. I do find that I like to hear the woman speak. Her voice is warm- though she speaks informally with me. That’s a big change compared to everyone else. Even my Aunt and Uncle only talk to me when necessary. I can’t remember when someone just came to talk to me. For fun and not as Empress. Yet here, she does so naturally. I look up at the maid. It feels nice. “What are you starting on now, Maddie?” I shudder as a chill runs up my spine. It’s b
*Ana* “Have you ever considered taking a pen pal, Ana?” Maddie uses my nickname to grab my attention. We are walking through the rose garden. It’s the garden of the late Empress Pasul, my mother. It’s the only remains of her reign. Everything else was destroyed, as is the custom in Nochten to purge anything of the dead. Maybe it’s because of that superstition that no one visits this place. It stays deserted save for when I come. I guess no one else finds the roses pretty. Well, except for Maddie. She seems to like them as much as I do. “Penpal?” I repeat. Maddie is holding up a rose to investigate. She acts like she doesn’t hear me. What are you going on about now? I am curious. It’s grown into a month now since Maddie joined me. But it doesn’t feel like much time has passed. Everything seems fresh and serene- and Maddie is still odd. She never seems to run out of questions. Maddie always has something for me. If she isn’t talking, she has questions. And they are strange on
*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 forgi