Why Hello There Stranger Danger

*Hidi*

It didn't strike Hidi at first. She confidently strode ahead down the grand halls, following the red runner over the polished oak floors. Absently noting the rug growing thinner and threadbare the further she followed. Turning around yet another corner to find walls even sparser, fewer paintings, and old, absent decor. 

She held her head high, eyes bright, and diligently followed the red as if she knew exactly where to go. But that was the thing. She didn't.

Hidi didn't know the first thing about the layout of the Dawny castle, let alone where Ana was inside. She just burst through the door and straight to it, without thinking. Always a lover of action over logic, an Almony trait, and not one to stop and plan but do instead.

 It was why Almony was as rich as they were as a kingdom. Queen Bratha, her mother, was a lover of sword first, and peace talks…not often. It was a prosperous philosophy in Hidi's regard, and thus, she sought to always follow it.

But now, blinking peridot eyes around, it was very evident. She was in the middle of nowhere.

Perhaps I should have a maid show me the way? Hidi thought offhandedly, glancing over the puff of her bubblegum pink sleeve as if to manifest a servant to appear just as she needed her. But it was no such luck. There was no one.

Worse, she doubted she could even find the way back. No, of course, she couldn't. Hidi didn't think to pay attention to such things. That was something she'd have Lucy do instead. 

But no worries. Hidi thought, easily relaxing her shoulders. Sure enough, someone should come along. And they could show her the way.

The only downside to that plan. It was how long that would be.

"I hate waiting." Hidi clicked her tongue against her blunt teeth with a deep frown before distracting herself with a look at her large fingers. Absently inspecting them for any chips in the red polish. There were none.

But I've already grown bored of the color. Hidi thought, spreading her fingers in a fan to twirl in the air with a sigh. 

When she'd get back, she'd have Lucy change it. Perhaps it should match the color of the costume?

Or Prince Nicoli's eyes? Hidi giggled, feeling the warmth spread up her cheeks in thought.

Hidi heard a door open from deer into the hall. And she brightened like a candle at the sound of footsteps. Why, someone was coming here. Wonderful.

"Thank god." Hidi exhaled with relish, finding the dreadful wait wasn't to last long.

Now I'll just have them take me to Ana-

Hidi's thoughts paused as the person sauntering up her path came into view. They were down her horizon, yes, but Hidi could already see that tell-tale hair color without so much as needed to focus. Red. 

A vampire? Hidi felt her spine steel reflexively at the parasitic creature. But she managed to calm the frown, daring to pull her lips. Red hair could have meant anything. Humans could have red hair, though rare- the Bulgeons, for example, because of all the mixed breeding, could. 

So it didn't mean initially they were.

However, Hidi didn't finish the thought as the person coming up must have spotted her because his step quickened. He seemed to become excited at the sight. His long black tunic, etched in some kind of metallic string, flew up behind his long legs as he pranced forward. 

 "Your Majesty," The handsome redhead appealed with a curt bow at the waist. As he uncoiled back, his long lips stretched thinner into a congenial smile. The light point of elongated canines jutting just over his bottom lip 

Fangs. Hidi noted, solving that question. 

"You must be with Ana's entourage," Hidi stated dryly. Why else would another vampire be here? In Dawny? 

"I am." The vampire answered, moving to stand with his chest high and his posture proud. He was already at the height Hidi was. But he looked older. Somewhere in his later teens? Between 18 and 20, maybe?

"We did not have the time to meet before. I saw you sitting at the table with her Empress and the royal family." 

"Oh?" Hidi mildly lifted a brow with some surprise. Were there vampires at the party? She hadn't noticed. Not that she was looking. 

I had my eyes on Nicoli and Ana. Hidi thought but was already growing bored. Why was he still talking?

I want to see Ana. Not humor a vampire.

"Vampire, show me where your-" 

"I am Mykhol, her Empress's cousin. I am honored to be in your presence, my queen." And Mykhol moved to bow on one knee with a hand over his heart. The form of ultimate respect in Nochten.

Cousin? So, he is not just a servant? Was he royalty?

Hidi noticed his robes again. Of course, he had to be. They were rich with fine silks and gold thread. Not at all like what the servants wore.

Hidi shifted her jaw slightly as she recanted. This vampire was a relation of Anastasia. It would be wise to treat him with some respect. Not for his sake, but Ana.

"A pleasure, Lord Mykhol." Hidi tilted her head slightly, keeping her tone light but neutral in greeting. 

"What brings you to this side of the castle, Your Majesty?" Mykhol moved his hand to show off the hall. 

She hadn't realized the state of the halls here was even less glamorous than hers. There were fewer paintings and statues. And it was far from the center stairway. Almost as if someone had tried to tuck them away.

Tried or wanted to. Hidi flicked a thought back to the brunette queen. But just as quickly, the thought passed, leading back to the vampire.

"I don't believe you stay here." Mykhol continued. "I would have seen you before." 

Mykhol smiled anew. The way he smiled was quite attractive to his features. Complimenting his deep vermillion eyes set in a high and broad forehead, his nose perfect and straight. He was attractive, yes, even from Hidi's point of view. 

Judging by the way he smiled, she could tell he knew it too. Worse, he knew how to be clever with it. It made her grow weary instantly. She did not like tricky men. It was best she moved this along quickly.

"I have news I wanted to bring to Ana." Hidi looked past him, reflecting on what door he came from.

Could that be where Ana was? Hidi could find out. But she needed to get past him first-

"Empress Anastasia? What about?" Mykhol perked up curiously, but something had changed in his expression. A little guarded now. 

"A change in plans," Hidi said. "They say now for a costume ball." 

 Mykhol widened his eyes with a start.

"A costume party? My, how capricious these Dawny nobles are." Mykhol ended with a soft laugh. It was light-hearted enough that Hidi had to agree.

"Indeed. But fun."

"I suppose it's good we've met, then. Otherwise, I would not have known and made a poor choice." Mykhol laughed again, pointing to his robes.

Here Hidi found herself laughing along. He was surprisingly easy to talk with. But not so much that she wanted to hang around a hallway, though. Her eyes darted back to the hall behind him, already feeling the pull in her feet to move again.

"I go now to see Ana and tell her. Her rooms there?" 

"Oh no, I'll take you." Mykhol insisted, holding his arm for her. Hidi stared at his arm for a spare second before taking it. She could feel his hand wrap over hers. Inwardly she cringed.

Vampires. But Hidi maintained her face in honor of Ana more than anything. 

He is Ana's cousin. She needed to behave then.

As they began to walk, Mykhol seemed to become more lively. His smile was back, and his voice light as if well rehearsed in the art of conversation.

"I didn't think to find you here. But what a pleasure." He repeated with good grace.

"It is good we have met."

"Yes, very." Hidi voiced but meant nothing for it. She didn't care at all. She could have gone the rest of her life without meeting another vampire-

"Now we will be more familiar with each other."

"Familiar?" Hidi raised a brow. Mykhol seemed to look over one of the paintings they were passing.

"We should know each other, don't you think? As we will be the ones to maintain the peace between our borders."

"I would say so." Hidi voiced but felt something curl in her stomach by the tone of it.

"It is good that we will get along," Mykhol added, turning to catch her gaze.

"I plan that we have strong relations in the future. Between Almony and Nochten, I mean."

"You? Not her Empress?"

"Ah, no. I wouldn't impose. I only meant as a representative to Nochten." And Mykhol lowered his head as if embarrassed.

"I am a bit of an opportunist. I like to think ahead."

"I see." 

"Once Anastasia has bled, I plan to work alongside her Empress." Mykhol again lifted his head. A strange glimmer shined across his almond eyes.

"How loyal." 

"It's much deeper than loyalty, your highness." 

"Deeper?" Hidi repeated, but Mykhol could not explain further as the door ahead opened.

"Lord Mykhol!?" A busty girl called out. She looked around before spotting them. 

"Lord Mykhol, there you are!" And the girl was moving. Hidi noted her unbound, thick, flat red hair and her plain muslin tunic. Vampire, yes. Noble, no. Just a servant. 

But the way she looked back at Hidi was anything but the attitude of one. As she drew closer, Hidi could feel those ashy red eyes regard her like a cat watching a goldfish from atop a shelf as if Hidi was the one below them.

"Naska, hello." Mykhol sighed before pulling a tight, polite smile.

"Is her Empress done changing?"

"Who knows." And Naska stole another haughty glare at Hidi before scuffing. 

"Who's this?"

Hidi lifted her brow.

"Naska, mind yourself." Mykhol let go to stand next to her.

"This is Her Majesty,"

"Majesty?" Naska blinked. Mykhol seemed to tighten his smile as if trying not to yell.

"Of Almony." 

"Oh-OH!" Naska stared blankly. 

"Naska," Mykhol's voice tightened. "Bow."

"Oh-ah, yeah." And Naska made a half-assed curtsy- still trying to sneak a peak at her.

"Your majesty."

"Come on, Naska." Mykhol pulled her back by the arm, turning only to bow again at the waist to Hidi, his face winsome.

"I'll see you tonight. I hope we may talk again." 

"Wait- talk about what?" Naska blurted to make the teens smile twitch. He gave Naska a quiet look before turning to smile at Hidi anew.

"Good afternoon, Your Highness." 

"Afternoon, Lord Mykhol." Hidi shifted her head slightly, observing the scene with some smirk as the teen turned sharply to yank the maid along. 

"Wait, what are you two talking about-" 

"Quiet, Naska." Mykhol hissed as they went further into the hall to disappear around a corner.

"How wild." Hidi chuckled deep within her chest as if not sure what to make of it. The maid was ridiculous. The blatant disrespect in her eyes? Remarkable.

I hope Ana has more competent maids with her than that one. Hidi pitied with another laugh.

"Perhaps something is wrong with that one's head?" Hidi mused, stopping her heels at the door to rap a sharp knock with her knuckles once.

"Come in." The delicate voice called forth, and Hidi needed no more prompt. Her heels clicked as she stepped inside.

How cute. Hidi immediately gushed, finding the petite albino-like girl standing in front of her vanity. She looked smaller than a doll even.

But where is everyone? Hidi looked about the room but saw no one. Just Ana. And she was standing in her pantaloons and undershirt. Her hoop skirt was yet to be tied on.

That maid. Hidi turned to look down the hall again. 

Does she just leave her master like this? A curl of heat danced in her great chest at the audacity. It was unheard of. In Almony, her mother would have cut off both her hands for the slight before taking her head- 

A small gasp made Hidi turn back to see large, round, crimson eyes blink after her. Blinking once. Twice. Before uttering something so low under her breath, it was no louder than a kitten's tone. 

And again, Hidi had to smile. She was just too adorable, wasn't she?

"How goes the dressing?" Hidi stepped in, closing the door behind her.