All Rise the Last Empress

*Nicoli*

"Ah," Nicoli groaned for what must be the umpteenth time, unable to disguise his boredom, and quickly found the instant backlash for it. The penalty? A quick feeling of sharp nails digging into his shoulder, of course.

"Straighten up, my darling," Belinda spoke, smiling, but he wasn't fool enough to buy it. No, his mother was growing annoyed. Annoyed and…dangerous, Nicoli knew.

Better not push it. Nicoli resigned himself and obeyed. It was that, or feel more of her wrath. Neither of which, was a better option though.

"My suit's too tight," Nicoli grumbled and moved his arms to feel them pinched. "I can't move my arms right," and his chest felt too big, pulling at the jacket's shoulders, making him slightly slouch forward. "Mom…"

"I told you.." His mother only returned, "But you refused to let the tailor do his job." And with that, she sighed, "Now bear with it, and behave."

"But…" Nicoli frowned at her. Yes, she was right, but that didn't change how uncomfortable he was now. But the suit was the least of his problems. 

No, Nicoli had more on his plate. Suit or not. Not when he kept perking up to look over, hoping, but just finding someone else instead.

I was sure this would work. Nicoli thought. This time, she'd have to…but yet again, Nicoli couldn't help but feel he was missing something, always failing to hit the mark. 

Perhaps I was a little hasty sending it? Nicoli tried to consider. Maybe it offended her? I know they're strange about portraits. I might have.

"Uhg!" Nicoli groaned, frustrated. And thinking about it just made his mind go into circles. But what else could he do? 

Maybe Ana's mad? Because I took so long to write? Nicoli thought miserably. Should I… apologize?

"Ah," Nicoli couldn't help but sigh aloud, just as the next guest approached. 

"Nicoli," Belinda tapped, gently urging him to stop whatever he was doing and focus. Nicoli closed his mouth at that and straightened up. Just in time to see the new girl curtsey.

"Good tidings to your majesties." The petite blond smiled brightly. 

"Good afternoon. I am so pleased you made it to Nicoli's party." Belinda went and pointedly paused, as a cue for Nicoli to jump in. But Nicoli didn't notice, and Belinda had to tighten her smile.

"Nicoli?" Belinda prompted again, with a less gentle tap on his shoulder. "Darling, what do we say?"

"Huh? Oh," Nicoli stumbled but quickly managed a polite but short smile. "Yeah, hello." And Nicoli was already looking over again, making Belinda almost frown.

"Nicoli," Belinda squeezed his shoulder a bit tighter, but it seemed the girl took no offense, rather, she seemed to only smile after Nicoli.

"Thank you for inviting me, your majesty and Prince Nicoli." She curtsied, not before fluttering her eyes at Nicoli. 

"Is something in your eye?" Nicoli asked, point blank.

"That, uh…" The girl choked, her attempt completely missed, but she recovered. "I… hope this marks the beginning of a long friendship together." She went before holding her hand. Something which Nicoli looked at, then at her, confused.

"Take her hand and kiss it, Nicoli." Belinda prompted, which Nicoli furrowed his brows, looking back at her. 

"Do I-" But the look on his mother's face gave no room for question. So he did.

Yuck, Nicoli grimaced, just as the next girl moved up.

"Too obvious," Belinda muttered to herself. "No to her."

"No to what?" Nicoli looked up, but his mother was motioning for Julia to whisper.

"Candidate…to plain… handsome grandkids…off the list." Nicoli could only catch little tidbits of the sentence. It made no sense to him at all, but it must have to her. 

"Understood, your Highness." Julia nodded and stepped back to her spot. Whatever that was about, it flew right over his head. But he thought the both of them were acting strange. Strange, but…it didn't bother him long.

"Ah," Nicoli sighed again, distracted. He didn't bother to look up as the next girl approached, or two, not that he cared who it was. If it wasn't Ana, he had no interest.

His mother, however, immediately stood up at the sight and motioned for Julia.

"Who is this?" Belinda asked looking over, with Julia following suit.

"I believe the first one is Lady Pole. You invited her."

"No, not that one." Belinda rushed quickly, "THe other, the taller one, with the sunflower hair in thick breads, and great green eyes."

"Her…" Julia stalled furrowing her brows. "I…am not sure." She confessed.

"Well, whoever she is, she's rich." Belinda went looking closer, "Why, look at her dress." She pointed out. "That's rich in silk and pearls. It looks as expensive as one of my own."

"That's rare for anyone to reach such a height," Julia confessed to which Belinda seemed to grow more firm.

"Yes, not many…"But her words dropped off as she seemed to get a better look at the said girl's face. "Oh, my." Belinda held her throat and immediately straightened up. "Had I known she'd come?" Belinda lightened up and quickly whispered something to Julia, who seemed to grow excited with her.

"Is it?" Julia rushed back and Belinda nodded with a quick smile.

Nicoli, meanwhile, didn't see the reason for the excitement. In truth, he didn't know any of these girls. They were mostly strangers.

So one could pass for another to him, and when Nicoli looked from the regular-greyish-looking girl to the tall blond, he didn't feel anything. She was just tall. That's all he noticed, and already was trying to look past them. 

A line of girls chained behind them. Each dressed up and looking eager. But in all the eager faces, Nicoli didn't see the one he wanted.

She's not here. Nicoli sank. All these girls and not one that he wanted to see. 

"Didn't you send the invitation, Mom?" Nicoli asked, looking back. Belinda, however, did not hear it. Too busy + smiling her best smile in anticipation of the approaching blond.

"Mom," Nicoli didn't like being ignored." I said, did you invite Ana?"

"Nicoli," Belinda sweetened her voice. "pay attention please." And she looked forward at the approaching two. The only time she didn't was to give directions to Julia.

"I want the best accommodations used for her. And find out what her food preferences are. And use the best servants to wait on her." Belinda listed, which Julia nodded along.

"I think she'll like the Opal suite." Belinda went on. "Her status demands the highest standards. If I had known, I would have altered the meal courses tonight. But, oh well," Belinda ended with a sigh. She suddenly looked anxious yet inspired.

Meanwhile, Nicoli only grew frustrated.

"Mama, are you listening to me?" Nicoli pressed again. "Why didn't you send an invitation? I said I wanted her here!"

"Who?" Belinda seemed to finally notice him, blinking down quickly. "What are you going on about, my darling?"

She really wasn't listening! Nicoli had to pout, annoyed.

"Anastasia." Nicoli clarified, but this seemed to throw his mother into a further spin.

"What?" Belinda blinked, with a slight flinch. "Why are you bringing her up?" 

"I told you." If you would just listen to me. Nicoli sighed with frustration. "I wanted her to come. But you didn't invite her."

"Nicoli," Belinda had to look down, a quick look of vexation running over her face. Her eyes darted up to find the two were approaching and almost in earshot. "This is not a time for this-"

"Why didn't you?" Nicoli insisted and stomped and threw a finger out at the guests. "I don't want these strangers. I don't know any of them. I want Ana." Nicoli was growing louder. "So, why did you not do what I asked? Why didn't you invite,"

"I DID" Belinda snapped, losing her peace for a slight second, before pulling back in. "I did, honey." Belinda took a short breath, before coming back to smile, her voice softer. "I sent it the very day you asked."

"You…" Nicoli sank a little as the words came in. "You…you did?"

"Yes," Belinda nodded, managing her smile. "I did." 

"Then," Nicoli looked back, curving around the two to see the line. In the very back, Nicoli could make out another new carriage pull-up. Of course, the guests were still arriving. 

Maybe….that's it? Nicoli thought and lifted.

"She must still be on her way." Of course, Nicoli smiled, looking at the carriages. And just so, another had pulled up behind the first. Perhaps it was her? Or the next? Or the one after that?

Right, of course. Nicoli smiled looking on, staring after the carriages. He was so focused on the next to arrive, that he missed how the line of girls began to blush and whisper. Clearly affected by his presence.

"Nicoli, you," Belinda could see how Nicoli affected them all. But this was not the time to take pride in it. "Possibly." Belinda finally quipped but shoved the idea aside as the time had finally arrived. And Belinda curtsied. Her hand snaked to pull Nicoli to bow with her.

"Ow," Nicoli was about to complain but Belinda shushed him before going on.

"Your Majesty Hildenberg, Lady Pole. Thank you for coming to Nicoli's party." Belinda spoke with the utmost respect, before rising. Her smile being mismatched by Nicoli's wided-eyed expression as he took in the blond next to the mousy girl.

She's…huge! Nicoli blinked, Why, the blond easily towered him. A fact, the blond seemed to notice, and smile at, on her accord.

"A pleasure to finally meet you, Prince Nicoli," Hildenberg began, her green eyes looking over Nicoli. "I am Queen Hildenberg of Almony." And she moved, holding her hand out. Again making Nicoli flinch at the sight. 

It's as big as an adult! Nicoli blinked up. When he did, he found her eyes to be just as big and green. 

"Oh?"Hildenberg flinched at his stare but quickly found her face warming up, and cheeks turning pink. She seemed to keep staring after him a moment, before breaking into a great smile.

"But please," She went with a soft laugh, almost surprised by something, but liking it. "Call me Hidi."