All Rise the Last Empress

*Queen Belinda*

"Mama, this is torture," Nicoli went again, pouting and huffing, pulling Belinda from her thoughts.

"Hmm?" Belinda lifted her head, "Torture?" She turned her grey eyes on the tailor.

"Oh, uh, no, I haven't," The tailor quickly shook his head, exposing his hands, as if to say, he's done nothing. Knowing full well, that if he had, even so much as scratched her son with a pin, he'd pay for it.

As long as you know that. Belinda mused, turning back to flip through the catalog of new potential styles. 

Fashion certainly changes quickly, doesn't it? Belinda noted, looking over the pages. All the more reason why it was a good thing she decided to make a new suit. She didn't want her darling boy to be out of the loop.

Girls are such visual creatures after all, and Belinda wanted to make it easy, having them come fall prey to his charms if they didn't already, and all come, begging for Nicoli's hand. Or, at least, their parents would. 

And from there, well, it was all about how good the dowries would be, wouldn't it? Belinda was not going to just give her son away to any little girl, after all. She'd have to be rich and from a good family, to start with, on top of meeting her very high standards.

"Mama!" Nicoli, meanwhile, perked up again, still wanting her attention. " I don't need another suit. I have enough." He made a soft whine, as the tailor stretched the measuring tape over his chest. 

Enough, he says. Oh, my dear boy, but Belinda let go, seeing Nicoli was growing flush and irritated, and, to be fair, it wasn't hard to understand why. Nicoli was measuring for a new suit, a tiring adventure as the tailor had to start from scratch, thanks to his growth spurt.

Belinda had to soften with sympathy.

"Wouldn't you like something nice to wear to your party?" Belinda returned. 

"My party?" Nicoli brightened immediately. "I'm having a party?"

"Oh no, I spoke too soon." Belinda artfully threw a hand over her mouth, "It was meant to be a surprise." 

"A surprise party for me!?" Nicoli bounced up at the idea. "I get a party!?"

"Yes, my dear." Belinda couldn't be more pleased, quickly seeing her little 'slip' have the desired effect. Nicoli was no longer bored or complaining. "It will be a tea party," Belinda continued.

"A tea party?" Nicoli repeated, a fraction less enthusiastic, but Belinda went on.

"Yes, a tea party," Belinda nodded, "and with some very nice girls, from very good families," All marriage material, but Belinda didn't add that part, not that Nicoli would hear it.

"Girls? What girls?" Nicoli frowned at the word. "I don't want any girls," His smile completely fell, " I want Philp and Tommy, oh, and Lord Paulish." Nicoli held up his fingers as if listing off names. "I want them, instead,"

"Nicoli," Belinda held up her hand, already seeing where this would go."These girls," Belinda continued, "Are from established families and nobility. I promise you will learn to like them."

"Pfft, no way." Nicoli crossed his arms, disrupting the tailor's measuring. "I don't want a party full of dumb girls."

"Nicoli," Belinda clicked her tongue, not liking his rude words. "It's already in the works, darling." Belinda said, "You are to have the party."

"But Mom," Nicoli whined, "I don't want to have a party. Not with a bunch of, Wait! "Nicoli shot up, looking earnestly at her. "Girls, you said?"

"Yes, girls." Belinda nodded, "I wanted you to make some friends with girls."

"Right," Nicoli nodded, seeming to grow with a smile, some thought occurring. "And…who are you inviting?"

My? Is he interested now? Belinda smiled, pleased to see Nicoli now taking an interest. Perhaps he was already warming up to the idea?

"Fine young ladies" Belinda answered, enjoying Nicoli's new interest, wanting to feed it. " with noble births and established families."

"Nobles, you said?" Nicoli asked again. 

"Yes, my sweet. Nobles." Belinda smiled. "I'm sure you've met some here at other parties. So it can be like a reunion,"

"Like Ana?" 

"Yes, like," Belinda stopped herself before registering what Nicoli asked, her mouth growing dry with air, making her cough a soft and confused, "Ah-what?" 

"Is Ana coming?" Nicoli asked again, looking up with his bright blue eyes as if waiting, holding his breath. "You invited her, right?"

"I…" Belinda, for the first time in her life, honestly felt so unprepared, "I… have not sent an invitation to Nochten." That was all Belinda could manage, holding back from twitching. Just hearing the name was enough to turn her stomach.

But Belinda was at least able to hold herself together, in mind that they weren't alone. The tailor was still here, busy with his tape. But Belinda couldn't assume. He was not one of her servants, and thus, not one to trust.

He could be listening. Belinda narrowed her eyes and regarded the room. The maids helping today, were of hers, of course, but not the footmen. And just like the tailor, anything and everything that happened, could be reported later.

Especially in regards to that child, Belinda didn't even pretend that wasn't what perked their interests now, clearly waiting to hear her next words.

"No, I haven't." Belinda, mindful, opened her fan, able to hide the sneer, before controlling her face again. 

"Make sure to invite Ana." Nicoli went with certainty. "I want her there."

"Nicoli," Belinda twitched the side of her mouth, at hearing the name again. " I don't know if that would be a good idea right now."

"Invite her," Nicoli repeated.

"Nicoli…It's just," Belinda tried to reason, "It's a bit late. She would have no time to reply." 

"Invite her," Nicoli just flatly shook his head. "or I'm not going." 

"Not go? " Belinda opened her mouth, in disbelief at what she just heard. "How- the party is being held here. How could you not go?"

"I'll be sick." 

"You.. plan to be sick?" Belinda blinked.

"Yup."

"Nicoli," Belinda could feel her head begin to strain, fighting between her own anxiety to keep in control, and Nicoli being obstinate and childish, taxing her to be irritated. " I went through all this trouble to invite those girls. I have already replied."

"I'll get the flu."

"Nicoli!" Belinda snapped. "Stop this at once. You are acting like a child."

"I will puke all over the table- and the girls." Nicoli crossed his arms, meeting his mother's clear irritation, making Belinda snap her fan closed.

"That is enough. You are nine years old. This is not how you behave."

"I." Nicoli jumped." Want." and jumped." Ana!" 

Nicoli jumped down so hard, that the chair nearly fell over, not that he cared. He seemed to just stare down at her, unwavering.

Oh, what an unruly child I have. Belinda could feel her anger subside, his stubborn behavior proving to be too much, and she could see this was going nowhere. Being angry would only exacerbate things, and, she couldn't be angry at him. Not for long.

"It would be a waste, Nicoli." Belinda went instead, trying to appease him with logic. "She might not come."

"That," Nicoli paused there, his tantrum subsiding with a somber shift. But his own resolve was quick to bounce back. "You don't know unless you try it." 

"Nicoli…" Belinda rubbed her eyes. He was being too stubborn. Belinda sighed seeing her hands tied.

"Empress Anastasia has never written back in all these years, Nicoli." 

"That," At her words, Belinda could see Nicoli's face darken, and look down, hitting him deeply. "That may be but…" She could see tears form in Nicoli's eyes. It was painful to watch. 

"Oh, honey," Belinda had to move, unable to stop her need to comfort him. 

I'm sorry, but you gave me no choice, my love. Belinda held him to her bosom. It hurt to see him this way, she didn't want him like this, but if he was to press, so would she.

"Nicoli, you understand you're not a child." Belinda grabbed his shoulders to make him look up at her. "You're setting yourself up to be let down. It's time you let go." Let go, and move on. Belinda wished they all could.

Only then could she finally feel at ease. And then, they could finally be the family she always longed for. Just the three of them. 

"Oh Nicoli, I know it-" 

"No," Nicoli rubbed at his eyes, drying the tears, and looked up with new determination."It doesn't matter." Nicoli stepped back, speaking as if much older, calmer, and certain. "Still send one."

"Nicoli, but-" Belinda lost her words as Nicoli hopped down and left the room. 

"Invite Ana," Nicoli went without looking back, or saying goodbye as he left.

"Your Royal Highness" The poor tailor, meanwhile, looked up, lost and confused. He looked from Nicoli, who was walking away, back to the queen, Belinda, however, did not hear him.

She was still holding her arms out, in disbelief. Shocked by Nicoli's new and unpredictable behavior. Again, finding herself unprepared.

Since when did Nicoli ever turn me down? 

"Your majesty?" The tailor, meanwhile, prompted again, stepping forward. He tried to hide the awkwardness. But it was hard. After witnessing such a scene, what else could he do? Nicoli was now gone. 

So where did that leave him? The tailor looked to his fellow servants for advice. They only looked at each other at a loss.

 "Um…about the measurements?"

"The…"Belinda, slowly came back, growing aware of the stares of the servants, triggering her need to take a breath and collect herself.

"Refer to the last set of measurements," Belinda instructed, feigning a calm response, as if nothing were wrong. 

"As you wish, your majesty."The tailor immediately bowed, relief evident on his face.

"You're dismissed." Belinda voiced, and the tailor bowed, quickly gathering up his things, and taking off. But not before she noted the exchange of smiles between the servants, amused to have seen such a sight.

Damn it. Belinda's mood soured just by that alone, not that she was in a good place anyway. But she could do nothing now. Not with little beady eyes watching her every move. 

I either have to give in and hope the little bastard is still afraid and won't come. Or risk having my husband hear of this and take it upon himself to send the invitations.

Which is worse? Belinda thought bitterly, both being barely better. But in the end, Belinda felt it the safer option to do it herself, and with that, she left the room and its prying eyes. On the way out, Belinda thought she heard the sound of footsteps. One of the footmen, likely, was on his way to tell the king.

Like my hand isn't already being forced as is, Belinda grimaced but kept her head high. There was nothing for it but to go on and calmly walk back to her wing. 

"My queen," Upon coming in, Julia was there to see Belinda drop her pretense, exposing her worn-out expression. It immediately alerted Julia to close the door behind her. 

"Did something happen at the fitting?" Julia started as Belinda moved to her desk, pulling out a quill and ink, and then just sat back, staring.

"My queen?" Julia prompted again to make Belinda wince.

"Oh, Julia," Belinda sighed wearily. "Why must I endure such trials?" When was it ever going to end?

"My queen?"

"Fetch an invitation." Belinda sat forward, seeing no point in prolonging it any longer. "I have need for another one."

"Oh?" Julia, meanwhile brightened, moving to return with another. "We have another guest?"

"Hopefully not," Belinda grumbled, taking the card, and forcing out a weary breath, before beginning to write what would be Ana's invitation.