Lahat ng Kabanata ng Will Bear the Moon: Kabanata 161 - Kabanata 170

*Ana*As we make our long trudge down the hall, I can’t help but feel it takes forever. We are barely out of our own hall when I feel the sweat drip down my back. And it intensifies as the steal skirt cage sways as I walk. It hits my hips with each step. And my shoes are pinching my feet.But they are not heels. Not like Hidi’s or Belinda’s, thank god. I don’t think I could walk in heels on top of everything. I might fall over.“Haa,” I breathe as we start into the new hall. This one has more decoration. But it’s still sparse. Most of the walls are still bare. The main difference is that there are more rugs used here. But that still is barely enough to say it is a fine establishment.More like the rugs were just extra pieces with nowhere else to go because they are mismatched and looked a bit old for wear and tear. Leftovers probably, I assume, from rulers' past. They are still too nice to let go but they have no place in my stepmother's pristinely decorated castle. Hence they got th

*Ana*I can hear the sound of strings even before we are at the door, and it only grows louder as we make our way up. Two knights guard the entrance. They glare quietly at Mykhol, but upon seeing me, they brighten. They bow with a smile directed at me.“Your Empress, Lord Mykhol.” They greet me in unison and stay smiling as they look up at me. The sight catches me off guard, and I find myself smiling back. It’s a reflex, but Mykhol doesn’t seem to like it. Mykhol taps his foot before holding my hand closer.“Well?” Mykhol goes with a measured stare between the two.“Aren’t you going to announce us?”“Oh-I, yes, m’lord.” And the enormous knight turns to cup his hands over his mouth.“Announcing Empress Ana-”“Wait,” I move on my own. I take his hand on reflex. “Your Empress?” The servant immediately looks back at me with wonder.So does Mykkhol.“Ana?”“Can we…not be announced?” I ask, but both look at me as if I’ve said something foolish. Mykhol shakes his head at me.“But cousin,

*Nicoli*Finally! After waiting for what seemed like forever- they were together. And Nicoli couldn’t be happier.We are going to dance the whole night! Nicoli decided. And he was determined to see to it. He would make sure to get his way because Nicoli was already aware of the dangers. Ana was in high demand, and if he were to leave her alone, even for a second, someone would swoop down to take her away.And who knows how long I will have to wait again. Nicoli thought with a puff of breath. And for good measure, he took the chance to eye the room.Oh yes. Nicoli could see those so-called dangers. Lord Mykhol stood to the side with a plate on one side of the ballroom. And Hidi was not too far off. She was by the entrance. Both were looking after them.Hidi smiled when she noticed Nicoli looking over. She even made to wave. Mykhol was not as friendly in his response- he only shrugged with the plate. I’ll keep dancing with Ana- I won’t let go of her hand. It looked like the only opti

*Ana*I get twirled as soon as Nicoli leaves. Father is eager to start the dance. But there is a problem. Our height- Father is so much higher than me. My arm nearly pulls out of my socket as I struggle to keep my hand in his.“Uh,” I almost trip over my skirt.“Easy,” Father’s voice is calm before I feel his steps slow. I use the chance to find my feet with relief. “Thank you- oh?” I am all the more surprised that he now lowers his shoulders. His hand is now easier to grasp. I immediately feel grateful that he has modified the distance.Behind us, the song is finishing. It will be time to change partners again. I can’t say that I’m not relieved. I feel so bound up-and I know why. “I thank you, your majesty-” I go- my hands work themselves out of his grasp. I step back as the song ends.As if knowing, I feel someone watching. I look over to find a familiar pair of red eyes- the only other pair in the room. Mykhol holds a plate and smiles at me with a comforting grin. Mykhol. I am

*Naska* “I hate this damn country.” Naska hissed as she had to figure the way to the ballroom alone. “They are a bunch of stuck-up nobodies.” Naska sneered, remembering their blank expressions when she asked for help from the other servants. They just looked at her like she was some idiot. Well, they are idiots! Naska lashed back. They all were. Just no good stupid humans- Especially that blond. Doxy was her name! How could Naska forget? She nearly pushed the stupid blond maid down after she refused to show her the way. She even dared to say I wasn’t allowed in as none of the servants were. I’m not some servant. Naska felt the bile sneak up her throat again. She was both hurt and offended. I’m not some servant- I’m Lord Mykhol’s lover. And I will go where I please. And if she wanted to go to the ball, she would go. Not that she gave one good damn about a dance. It was Mykhol she wanted. Where could he be? And as Naska charged past the guards to storm into the room, she imme