*Nicoli* “Oh, my?” Nicoli could hear his mother whisper. “That’s not good.” “No, it's not.” Nicoli could feel his Father stiffening. The man seemed stunned as the crowd began to start up again. Nicoli could see them shift with worry. But no one was doing anything save to stare or whisper. What are they doing!? Nicoli shot a look up to his Father. “Ana is hurt.” “Nicoli, I-” But Nicoli didn't hear him as he was already moving. “She needs help.” Nicoli could see Ana sit up and hold her hands. She was looking at the crowd. Why wasn’t anyone helping her? Nicoli was shocked. Why was everyone standing by? He couldn't understand. It frustrated him, and he couldn't stay a moment longer. “Ana!” Nicoli cried and forgot everything around him. No crowd was around them, his parents or even the guards. The only thing that existed was Ana. She’s hurt! Nicoli thought again with a rush of blood to his ears. Without considering himself, Nicoli let go of his Father’s hand and was awa
*Ana* Once inside, I can see the grand crystal chandelier hanging over us. The light hits the crystals, splits into a thousand mini rainbows, and colors the ceiling. While I find the sight beautiful, I can’t help the sensation of old dread come back. My body flinches as I’m carried directly under it. “Still afraid of the chandelier, I see.” King Alexander laughs softly with a knowing look up. “You know I-? How did you know?”I blinked with astonishment that he knew. But Father seems unsurprised. “Even as a baby, you never seemed to like it.” King Alexander continued to watch the chandelier as we passed. His eyes softened while he went on. “You’d cling to the walls because you didn’t want to go under it. And you’d cry for me to help.” “Did I?” Ana spoke, still trying to picture it. How old was I then? I follow his gaze. “I don’t remember that.” “I do.” King Alexander nudges me a little closer. “I remember everything.” Everything? I look back to see him give me a strange smi
*Queen Belinda* Queen Belinda stared into the pair of red eyes. Even though Mykhol was exceptionally handsome, the hue of red warned Belinda to be wary. Even Lucifer was said to be beautiful. Thus, Queen Belinda was simultaneously intrigued and sickened by him. It could be worse. Queen Belinda relented with a sip of tea. She could withstand a thousand of these blood-red eyes if it meant a minute less of staring into her eyes. Half-blooded bastard of a child. Queen Belinda hid a sneer as she drank. Why must I endure this all over again? It was a shame and a waste in her eyes. Belinda had thought she had gotten the point across last time. But apparently, she didn’t account for Anastasia’s optimism. Again, Belinda made a face as she drank. It would have been God's mercy if she’d just died alongside her mother. How sweet would life be? Belinda mused. But alas, he must not have been listening that day. What a pity. Speaking of pity, Queen Belinda finally acknowledged the teen with a
*Ana* “Please, no more!” I squeal between tears. My sides are burning from laughing hard, and I can barely breathe. But this doesn’t stop Nicoli. He ignores my pleas for mercy and carries on his assault. “Bombs away!” Nicoli throws another snowball to explode over my back. “Ah!” The shock of ice-cold snow burrows underneath my collar. It's so cold that it almost burns. I immediately try to swat it out, but the snow seems to travel further. It's down too deep; I can’t get it. I must stand and suffer until it melts. Snow is so mean! I shiver as the snow again finds my skin. It sinks through my clothes like sand. The icy burn reminds me of the hot summer sand in Nochten. “It’s too cold,” my nose drips an icy snot before I peer back at him. “I want to go back inside.” “No way!” Nicoli blows a raspberry and is bent over. He gathers more snow in his gloved hands. “Not until you eat one- now, come here!” Nicoli charges at me. “No!” I threw up my arms and caught his hand. “Let go!
*Ana* The cup of cocoa is still hot in my hands, but I have yet to taste it. My mind can’t seem to focus, and Maddie quickly diverts me. I can’t help but get lost in her hands. It is mesmerizing to watch her at work. She makes it look so effortless. I halfway realize It’s comforting to watch her. Something so mundane can help me forget my thoughts. Thoughts that I would gladly forget because I don’t understand, and it scares me. “You’re rather quiet, Ana.” Maddie goes suddenly. She is still working on my hair, but I can see her brown eyes shift on me. “Penny for your thoughts?” “I-Where did you learn all this?” I can’t help but marvel after her. Maddie can even braid my hair without looking down. “How did you get so good?” “My mother taught me,” Maddie chuckles and finishes the knot. She steps back to check over the braid. “Your mother?” I repeat, and Maddie nods before smiling as if she approves her work. She moves for my headdress. “Uh-huh. Mama taught me and my sisters
*Ana* As we enter the great hall, I immediately dash my eyes around the room. There are many tables full of new faces. Many have come to celebrate Nicoli’s fifth birthday. But to my dismay, I can’t find the two people I want to see most. “They aren’t here yet?” I meant to whisper, but Mykhol must have heard me as he leaned. “Who’s not here?” Mykhol went with a look to the room. “Are you looking for someone?” “I- yes, the main table.” It is where the royal family should sit. I realize with a look at the room. It’s the only table that remains bare. “It’s empty.” “Oh them,” Mykhol immediately scoots his chair up to me. “I’m sure they’ll be coming.” Mykhol goes with a wave of his hand. He is so calm despite everything. I envy how he can be so composed at a time like this. I wish I could be because I am anything but. I feel as though I am on pins and needles. My breath seems to keep catching in my throat. I must tell myself to breathe and stay steady. But that’s easier said a
*Ana* “My good people,” Father’s voice booms to quiet the room. Immediately, people turn in their seats to look his way as Father lifts his glass. On cue, everyone moves to raise theirs. I lift mine as Mykhol refills his before doing the same. It must be pretty good for him to drink so much so quickly. I note that this must be Mykhol’s third glass. I wonder what it tastes like. Is it sweet? I hope so. I move to try a sip before I stop myself at the sensation. Someone is watching. I look up in time to see Stepmother wrap her arm around father. Queen Belinda looks utterly content just being at his side. While poor Nicoli, though, seems to grow impatient. He jitters a little in his seat, looking up at Father. “We are gathering here to celebrate my son and future heir to Dawny, Prince Nicoli.” King Alexander takes the chance to look over the room. “Though it seems just yesterday I was chasing this scamp about the palace with him butt naked-” “Hey!” Nicoli snaps in offense. His chee
Chapter # Drunkard (Edited and reviewed 11.7.23) *Maddie* “Don’t you think you should ease up on the wine, m’lord?” Maddie couldn’t hold back this time as she repoured what must have been; honestly, she had stopped counting by now. The teen didn’t seem bothered enough to keep track, either. Mykhol had been drinking non-stop since they returned—cup after cup emptied in minutes. If he gets sick and vomits, I swear to god- Maddie clenched her teeth. Even if this was part of the job, Maddie was not keen on mopping up human slop. Especially from the likes of him. Not that Mykhol cared at all. Mykhol was fully drunk now. His cheeks were flushed as his clothes became sloppy. In this state, Mykhol alluded to a casual aura that could come across as sex appeal. Any girl would swoon if they saw him right now, with his hair disheveled and his chest bare. Except for one, thank heaven. Ana’s oblivious nature relieved Maddie to no end. It was a godsend that the girl didn’t notice. His charms w