*Nicoli*God, he is persistent. Nicoli bit his lip. But they were almost there. “Your Majesty!?” Thomas breathed between running. “Please wait-”No way. Nicoli sped up a little more. He pulled Hidi’s hand closer as they made another turn.“Ha, this is fun!” Hidi giggled, thoroughly enjoying herself. She was grinning and not even haggard. “I love a game of tag.”“Tag?” What did she think this was?Just keep running. Nicoli decided whatever Hidi was thinking, or, better, not, it didn’t matter. He just needed to be the one to keep moving.There it is! His bedroom was now in sight. But could he get there before Thomas? “Your Majesty!?” Thomas called again just before the bump in the rug. A sharp cry ripped from his throat as he fell over.“Your Majesty?” Thomas groaned with pain. But he still tried to push himself up. “Please, let me assist-”“We’re fine!” Nicoli yelled back, taking the last steps. His hand immediately shot for the knob and pulled both of them inside.“Your majesty!”
*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
*Aunt Funda* Aunt Funda could feel all the blood drain from her cheeks as the initial shock transmitted to outright dread. What is the meaning of this? Her mind raced as her eyes again read over the envelope. Somewhere, she hoped that it was her mistake. A trick of the light or her eyes had turned sour. Anything would be satisfying if it were to help say she had been mistaken. As long as it wasn’t this. Surely this can not be. Aunt Funda refused to believe. It wasn’t real. She was convinced it wasn’t. But try as she may to pretend it wasn’t there, the letter remained the same. It was undeniable. The letter was stamped from the kingdom of Dawny and addressed by the very King Alexander himself. It even bore his royal stamp- a blue wax declared it an official letter from the foreign kingdom. And it was addressed to none other than her niece. "This has to be some joke." Aunt Funda growled, still resisting what she held in her hands and cursing under her breath. She wanted to rip i
*Ana* “Dear Empress Anastasia of Nochten, Princess of Dawny, my daughter-“ And I have to stop as the word lingers on my lips. He…called me daughter? I feel like the wind is kicked out of me. “Go on,” Maddie chirps, leaning over my shoulder. I find myself looking to Aunt Funda. She stands at the opposite side of the desk. She nods in agreement to keep going. There is a clear look of interest in her eyes. “How wonderful to see you take the initiative to reconcile with me. But don’t be hard on yourself, It’s my fault as much as it is for you.“ Do you mean that? I pause again as my head spins. He is not mad at me? “Ah-hem.” Aunt Funda clears her throat loudly. “Your Empress,” Her eyes target the letter. "Oh, I- yes," Embarrassed, I quickly return to reading. “I hope that this will also mark a beginning between us. We can become a warm family once more. I have longed to reconnect with you. And it pleases me to see you reach out first. As I can’t help but worry for you. As any