All Rise the Last Empress

*Ana*

"You can't be serious." Mykhol goes again, pacing back and forth. I have never seen him so… disturbed? Would that be the word? 

Maybe. But I can say, this is the first time I've seen him act like this. So very out of character. His smile is gone, and his hair is in disarray, having run his hand through it too many times.

Why, if there were any other time, I would laugh. It is so rare to see Mykhol out of sorts like this, Any other time, it would be funny. But not now.

After deciding to use what was still left of the morning, I decided to head out to the garden. It wasn't going to be long, what with the hotter time approaching, the noon sun coming. But I wanted to savor the cooler time with a walk, dare it, and even dwell on my new revelations until Mykhol arrived. And since then, it's been him constantly talking.

How did he know already? The question does come to mind, but just as quickly, I let go. Regardless of how Mykhol would know. Everyone would, later on. I suppose some things just meet one's ear faster than others.

Not that I think it a problem. I go, looking over some ripe roses. My eye catches sight of a particular white one and finds it occupied. A small bumble bee crawls out to fly up. Its heavy body is a mystery how it can. 

I didn't know Nicoli was scared of bees. I smile, watching on. What a funny thing to be afraid of.

"Anastasia," Mykhol stomps his foot, standing in front of me. "Are you even listening to me?" He turns to kick a bush of roses, making a burst of red petals fly into the air, littering the ground. 

Must he have to take it on the flowers? I frown at the pointless destruction. They've done nothing. But it doesn't look like Mykhol will calm down, not unless I give him his due. So, I quietly bid farewell to a small moment of peace, and turn to him at last.

"You look to be in high spirits this morning, Cousin." I finally acknowledge, and move to cup one such bloom. The rose bursting with petals, strong enough that I could already smell it without effort. It's been a good year for them, I see.

"That's a joke, right Anastasia?" Mykhol snaps, his eyes glaring at me. Again, strikingly different than his usual smiles. He really must be put up by the idea. And I don't need to wait to hear him confirm it.

"You don't mean to go back." Mykhol goes again. "You don't want to."

"But I do." 

"You," Mykhol stops as he is with that, a slight shift of his jaw, almost rendered lost by it. But he is quick and back to shaking his head. " No, absolutely not. I forbid it." Mykhol stumps his foot as if to make a point. "You can't go." 

And who is supposed to be the older one again? I can't help but muse, noting Mykhol's tantrum, 

Why, he must be so upset, he didn't even dress himself properly. I take in his disheveled gown and strange color combination. Now that I think about it, it is rather early for him to be up. Mykhol would normally still be asleep at this hour.

Less someone woke him. 

I steal a look over, to find Naska. She has been standing by, finding me shortly before Mykhol. And suddenly seems to find an interest in staring down at the grass, her cheeks a light pink, as if she were running before.

Ah, so that's it. I realize with a soft sigh. It suddenly clear how Mykhol not only found out but could find me so quickly. And, oddly, I'm not that disappointed by it. 

Naska is like any of the other servants and ladies in court. All trying so hard to get his attention. I've seen it far too much to be shocked.

Though, I never can see why. In truth, sometimes, I wish I could have less of it. But that would upset Mykhol if he knew, I'm sure. Funny.

"Say you won't go, Anastasia." Mykhol moves to take my hands. "Say you won't." He holds my hands, leaning in till he is looking into my eyes. "Do it for me."

"I was invited." What did any of this have to do with him? "I'm going." And I must turn my head first, pulling my hands back. "I shouldn't have to repeat myself."

"But," Mykhol lingers, his hands still up, before shaking his head. "But this is childish!" 

"Childish?" I now must raise a brow. "Are you sure you should be the one telling me that?" It is you who is throwing a tantrum." No. I don't think so, cousin. I think I'm quite mature." 

Mature enough to know better than to rub it in at the moment, and do my best to hide my slight smirk. Lucky enough, it seems to fly over Mykhol's head. He just too upset to see the insult. 

More so, the funnier. I will be just a little naughty and laugh.

"Well, you can't run off because they invited you to some damn party." Mykhol follows and collects himself, and he is coming with a vengeance. "You're not a child. You have duties to perform. You can't just leave and neglect-"

"And when have I shown such shortcomings?" I throw back, looking directly at him. But it wasn't really him I was talking to now. It felt like I was talking past him at this point. To all those who whispered nasty things about me. Always saying I am foolish or doing something wrong. Even Aunt Funda and Uncle Charles do, at times. 

It's always what I do wrong. They never speak of anything I do right. 

"I am performing my duties perfectly" As much as I can, still not officially Empress. I do try."But you say I lack?" Where? In what way? "How? Why am I missing, cousin?"

"No, Anastasia, I…" Mykhol stops there, as he looks after me, his face seeming to calm down from his tantrum. Then, finally, he is calm, managing himself, his face turning to something I'm more familiar with. 

"I mean, the timing is wrong." Mykhol clarifies, suddenly mature, like the 19-year-old he should be. "We should be focusing on the situation in the colonies first."

"You…the colonies?" I ask to see him nod, suddenly seeming more concerned, and now it made sense. He is worried for them, but of course, no wonder. I can't help but ease at that.

"You're right. That is still a concern." I agree.

"Then," Mykhol looks up, ready to start but I cut him off.

"Rescue ships have already been sent." I go, seeing Mykhol furrow his brows,

"I…wasn't aware of that…" Mykhol returns slowly, to which I only nod.

"I will also monitor the situation while on my stay." I finish. "Admiral Nugen is overseeing the affairs in Pave." 

"Admiral Nugen?" Mykhol scrunches his face, slightly at the name, as if tasting something bad. But it passes, and he is on to something else. "But for a monarch to leave the throne would not look well, Anastasia." Mykhol insists. "You aren't even official, yet. How will this look?"

"It's done often, Cousin," I reply. " Royals aren't chained to their thrones." I must shake my head at him. "And you told me to mingle more often. So I am."

"But Ana-"

"There are no buts. I'm going."

For a moment, Mykhol just stares after me, unable to speak. A variety of expressions seem to cross his face before falling to one. And that quickly disappears, drawing himself to be composed, and standing upright again.

"Cousin," Mykhol starts softly. "It's only that I am concerned about what happened the last time."

"The…"And with that, I do shrink a little, already seeing it all in my head again, the terrible day, my cat, and then the snow…

"That…" I move to touch a rose, mindful of the petal, seeking comfort in it. " ...won't happen again."

"I see," Mykhol can only reply, He seems to fall quiet now with me, his eyes regarding the rose, before he goes on, softer. "I don't like seeing you hurt, ya know." 

"I won't be," I give a short gasp, a cold rush of air filling my lungs. Making me flinch as if I can taste snow, even in the summer Nochten heat. But it's just a memory. Just the past. And the past can't hurt me.

I won't let it. Not anymore. 

"I'm wiser now," I say, letting go of the petal. "I won't get hurt again." And turn to meet his eyes. "It will be better this time." I'll be better.

"We'll see, "At this, Mykhol smiles, but not in his usual way. No, this wasn't the smile he used at court or the one he used to make girls blush. This was a strange one.

"So you're set then on going," Mykhol speaks up at the sky, staring after a lazy cloud, before sucking in air. His shoulders dropped, as if deciding something, and he dropped his gaze back down, to smile at me.

"Then, I'll just have to go with you." Mykhol moves to take up my hand. "It'll put my mind at ease." He goes on, curling his fingers over mine. "I'll be your escort." And then he moves. 

"Oh!" I can't help the shocked gasp, before looking up as he leans back from my hand, the smile on his face,

"You kissed…?" 

"You should get used to being kissed, Ana." Mykhol smiles wider, clearly enjoying my shock. "I expect you will be kissed much and often in the future." 

"I…but not now." I manage, pulling my hand free and close to my chest. The idea of getting kissed, being touched in such a way…it's quite beyond me. And certainly not by Mykhol.

It feels… slimy. I frown a little, quietly whipping my hand on my skirt. 

"Oh Ana," Mykhol scuffs at my response, but he finds it more funny than anything. And it leaves him in a better mood.

"And forgive me for earlier. I - well, I was just worried." Mykhol goes on. "I don't… want you hurt again. You are the most precious thing to me." Mykhol reaches out, stealing up some of my hair to weave into his fingers. "I care about you solely and-"

"Ow!" I cry as another mysterious pain hits me, making me bend over, and clench my stomach.

"Cousin?" Mykhol, is immediately up, worried, His eyes looking over me, just as I feel my fangs pop free, pressing on my lip. "Ana…your fangs are…" Mykhol looks over to Naska for some reason. Naska shook her head at the silent question.

But, regardless, Mykhol smiled wider, looking back at me. As if seeing something I didn't. Making him grow happier.

"Yes, well," Mykhol moves to help me back up, "let's have a GRAND time, my dear cousin."He goes on before finding my wrist, and rubbing it with his finger.

"Mhn," I frown, not liking that at all, and pull away. The strange pain has ceased, but I feel overly sensitive again. And I do not like the idea of being touched.

"Then go and pack." I only voiced, turning my head back inside. Not wanting to wait. And…I feel myself slightly overwhelmed. 

"Naska," I go, before flinching again, as the pain is back, making me stoop a little, but keep walking. What was causing this pain? I wish I knew.

Perhaps I'll lie down first. I can only think, and walk back inside. I just hope that will help.

*Mykhol*

As Ana charged on heading back to the palace. Naska stole back a moment to exchange a look with Mykhol. He was smiling wider.

"Since when?" He was curious.

"It started a few days ago," Naska replied. "I told her, but she didn't think it was."

"Did she?" Mykhol only smiled on. " How very typical of her." He then motioned his hand. 

"Continue keeping an eye on her, Naska." Mykhol went, seeing Naska nod, "And I want any and all updates to our Empress's….condition, got it?"

"Yes, m'lord." Naska nodded before turning back to follow after. 

"Good girl," Mykhol watched her go before lifting his eyes up and back to the palace. From there, he needed little help in finding the window he wanted. Ana's room was his sole target and he couldn't help but smile with anticipation.