All Rise the Last Empress

*Ana*

"Please make yourselves comfortable." Julia stops to open the door revealing a garden-like room, painted with leaves and potted plants hanging from the ceiling. The same soft colors are used in the couches and throw pillows.

"You will be notified when the rooms are ready." Julia curtsies, saying her farewell, before turning out. 

Mykhol frowns after her. 

"They simply leave us here?" Mykhol can't hide his shock, looking around the room, then at me. "With nothing to do, but wait?"

"I," I open my mouth but quickly close it again, not sure what to say. "I'm sure they have their reasons." I go at last, before catching sight of the coffee table. "At least… they've prepared us with food." 

The coffee table is heavily lined with sweets. It is an assort of pastries I am unfamiliar with, but, they look good, regardless. And, alongside cakes and pastries, there is a tea set. The gentle steam curls out of the spout, indicating it's still piping hot. Freshly made.

"Either way," I go moving over to take my seat. "we should make ourselves comfortable, in the meantime." I finish, my eye drifting back to the cake, moving to take it just before…

"So," Naska abruptly plops down on the other couch. "That's tea?"She pouted to the pot. 

"It is." I immediately brighten. "Is this your first time, Naska?"

"Pfft, of course, it is." Naska snarks. "When else would I get tea, you dumb," Naska stops, speaking with a glance over at Mykhol. "I mean," She sits up and clears her throat. "Yes, your Empress. It is."

"Oh! Then you must have some." I go, quickly moving. "Here, I can make you a cup."

"Make me a…" Naska widens her eyes at the offer. 

"What are you doing, Anastasia?" Mykhol tsks, shaking his head, "Who's the Empress here, anyway? Absurd." Mykhol scuffs." You really should stop being so nice to the servants, Ana." Mykhol moves to take a seat beside me. "They're not here to be friends."

"Friends or not," I go. "The tea will go to waste if neither of us plans to drink it," I continue with a pointed stare up at him. "Didn't you say you also disliked tea?"

"No, I…"Mykhol laughs, caught off guard. "No, Ana, you're not wrong, I don't."

"Then," I continue, "Naska will." I return, locating the jar of sugar."And, how much cream and sugar would you like, Naska?" I pause, waiting.

"I…? Sugar?" Naska looks over to Mykhol, lost. her cheeks growing red.

"Ana," Mykhol only shakes his head again."Have you suddenly forgotten? Sugar is a luxury." Mykhol sighs, looking back at the sweets. "Naska wouldn't know how much, let alone, have a preference."

"That, oh…" I quickly dampen, turning back, realizing my stupid error. "Naska, I didn't mean to."

But Naska, for her part, just looks at her hands. Her face still as red as her hair. And I don't seem to be helping the more I talk.

"I…here," I go at last, just adding a splash of cream, before holding it on a saucer. I smile when Naska takes it, seeing she'll still try. 

Naska takes a sip before reeling back, showing a fang.

"It's hot." 

"Oh, sorry." I falter again. "I should have mentioned they serve tea very hot." I go. "You must blow on it first, like this." I move down to press my lips together and blow. 

"Ow," Naska frowns, taking another sip, before immediately putting it down. "No, this is too much trouble."

"Naska, just let it cool first." I try to encourage."You haven't tasted it yet."

"No, I'm good." Naska just crosses her arms and sits back, clearly showing she wants nothing more to do with it.

"Naska, that's…"But who am I to try? I don't even like it very much myself, and sink with dismay. I fear I did a lot more harm with the sugar. And now Naska's pride is hurt. And when that happens, Naska is rather obstinate.

But I didn't mean to. I can't help but dwell, I just wanted to show her something new and got carried away and…

"Ah, Cousin." Mykhol begins to laugh, looking after me. "Really, now." And he just laughs louder. "You look so sad."

"Cousin?" I turned up just as Mykhol sighed, moving.

"If it really means that much to you," Mykhol takes a cup before holding it over to me. "Make a cup for me as well."

"For you?" I have to sit up at the idea. "Why should I make you one?"I push the cup back. "You are more than capable of making one yourself, I'm sure."

"Cousin, I'm hurt." Mykhol fakes a pout. "Did you not just offer to make one for your maid, not just before?" He goes on, putting it right in front of me. "Can't you make one for me, too?"

"I only did because Naska never had tea before." I return. "She wouldn't know how to prepare it. But you do." And I push the cup back. "Make your own."

"Ah, but you make it look so tasty." Mykhol pushes the cup back over."Be sweet, Cousin, and make one for me? Like a good girl."

"Good girl?" I frown at the name. No, I do not like that at all.

"All I did was add cream." I push the cup back. "So make it," yourself but I didn't finish before Mykhol caught my hands in his. Pulling them together to draw up to his lips, kissing the knuckles. "Mykhol-" 

"But your touch makes everything taste better, didn't you know?" Mykhol cuts over, speaking with an oddly deeper tone. "Please?"

"Cousin," I try to pull back, but Mykhol only tightens his grip. Staring harder after me.

"Pretty please?" He keeps staring as if to make me submit out of sheer exhaustion. 

"But you can very much just make your own cup." I go. "Now, let go-" I try once more, but his grip is just as tight. "Cousin," I try again, but he's not budging.

Honestly. I mentally roll my eyes. It's almost too much trouble to deal with him when he is like this. 

It might just be easier if I just…

"My lord!" Naska springs up. "Let me make you a cup." And she's off, moving to pour, the hot water gushing into the cup.

"That…"Mykhol stops, forgetting me, and I take my chance, glad for the distraction.

Cousin takes his jokes much too far. I shift back, with good measure, to be out of reach, not giving him a chance to be grabby again. And, not wanting to meet his stare, I look around the room, trying to find something interesting, and finally fall to the windows.

With the couches positioned where they are, we have a clear view down the window. Below, there are thick bushes trimmed up to form some kind of wall. Why, it's the maze, I realize after a moment. It's just below us. 

It took me a moment to recognize it because, the last I saw it, everything was covered in snow. But it's not now. I look up, wondering. 

It would be nice to see the fountain again. I look on. How nice would that be? It'd certainly be better than just staying here, waiting for the rooms. 

If I could just leave to check… I quietly look over at Mykhol and Naska. Both seemed to settle into their seats, preparing to wait. 

It'd just be a quick step out.  I consider. Why, they might still not be even finished by the time I come back. No one would know.

Besides, this might be my only chance to see it again…

"I'm… going to freshen up." I excuse myself, heading for the door, right before I hear the couch shift.

"Yes, Your Empress," Naska groans and gets up to follow. 

"Wait no," I quickly wave my hand in a flash of panic."No, I… I mean, I can go. Just me." 

"But your Empress," Naska starts, looking at me as if I just grew another head.

"Ana," Mykhol, meanwhile, frowns. "I'm not sure I like the idea of you going off on your own." And gets up. "If you don't want Naska with you, then let me."

"No, really." I insist, going for the door."I'm more than able to,"

"Ah!" The passing servant lets out a scream, clearly surprised to have the door suddenly open on him. But he quickly takes to bow. "Your Empress," 

"You, there" I waste no time. "You, guide me to the lavatory," I say, making the servant stall again.

"The…?"

"The lavatory, please," I go clearly."It's urgent." I make sure to meet his eyes. "So, if you can? Now?"

"I… Yes," The servant bows again, catching himself. "I, this way, my- your Empress."

"Good," I exhale, not daring to take a look behind me. Not wanting to know just what expressions, Naska, let alone Mykhol must be making after me.

I know they mean well, but I know I will be back soon. I go, reassuring myself. Why, I will be so quick, no one will even know I left. It will be easy enough.

I mean, it's not like anyone else will be out there, this late, right? No, that would just be silly.