Mouse in the Wall

*Nicoli*

"Your Majesty," The balding man could barely hide the edge from creeping out of his tone. 

"Hmm?" Nicoli chimed, innocently fumbling with his half-buttoned vest. Something which Thomas had barely been able to put on alone from his wiggling.

Thomas took a breath, as willing himself not to snap as it was at the child. "Can you stay still for just a minute more?" 

Thomas tried to smile. But it came off all wrong. And Nicoli could see it in the mirror. The man was getting annoyed. 

Just a little more. Nicoli thought, tucking back a grin. Just a bit more...

"What's taking so long?" Nicoli moved again to undo the button to his collar, finding it too tight. His shirt was a cherry red, like the vest and the pants he wore. Even his shoes were in a polished tone, making him one solid block of color. A part to his costume, save for the best part, of course. 

"Well, My lord, if you stop moving, I can finish." 

"Can you?" Nicoli ventured, blinking oceanic eyes back at him with an innocent smile, just like the one he used on his mom and all the maids. 

This made Thomas stiffen. His usually stoic face was turning splotchy and red at the sides.

Almost there. Nicoli thought again. Thomas was just needing one push, and he'd be free. 

"Sorry." Nicoli fluttered his lashes. Another thing that worked well with the maids. They seemed to melt every time he did. 

"I am just excited about the ball." 

And Nicoli raised his arms out so Thomas could finish the buttons on his cuffs. The manservant sighed, wrinkles forming over his forehead, but he took the offering as it was. And quickly snapped them together before turning back to the vanity to take up the final piece to his costume. 

"Now the horns and-" 

"You mean these?" Nicoli snatched the little painted wood chips off the vanity before the balding man could even blink. He made to give them to Thomas, but just as he opened his hand, there was a twitch, and the pieces bounced off his palm. 

"No!" Thomas widened his eyes as both froze, watching them drop, bounce, and fumble onto the wood floor. A distinct snap could be heard as they settled. The hairpin had detached from one of the pieces.

"I'm sorry!" Nicoli covered his mouth wide-eyed, quickly looking up. "I didn't mean to drop it."

As Nicoli stole a look up to catch Thomas's expression. The man's face was white around his lips as if he was pulling in a scowl while holding a frustrated scream. A scream that Nicoli could guess had a likely few choice curse words. Yet his manservant said nothing. He trembled with fists held tight at his sides as he stared at the broken accessory.

"I…will get the glue," Thomas rose stiffly to his knees.

"I'm sorry." Nicoli went again, batting his eyes and pouting as if truly heartbroken. But Thomas said nothing. The man only turned stiffly on his heel with a raspy breath. 

"Just a moment, Your Royal Highness." 

And with that, Thomas was in and out the door. His footsteps seemed to drag as he walked down the hall. Either out of exhaustion or frustration, Nicoli could imagine both.

But either, it worked. He had done it. Victory at last!

"Finally." Nicoli exhaled. "I thought he'd never leave." 

But now he was gone. And that meant one thing. It was time to make his getaway.

"I have to hurry." Nicoli went and moved, not wanting to miss the chance. Thomas was gone, but he couldn't risk lingering. The man could be back sooner than later.

Like clockwork, Nicoli grabbed a light candlestick before heading to the hidden door. It opened quickly, the creak almost mute, thanks to so many times he'd used it.

But I'm not heading to the kitchen this time or avoiding Thomas. Nicoli thought and felt himself have to smile. No, he was going to see someone immensely better.

I'm going to see Ana! 

Nicoli stepped into the doorway but felt something nag him. Something didn't feel right. But what? He patted his clothes. He had his costume on. And Thomas was gone. So what else could-

"My horns!" Nicoli touched his mop of curls before laughing warmly.

Of course! 

"I almost forgot." And Nicoli stepped back to the fallen wood chips. He passed over the broken one, not bothering, and took up the one still intact. He deftly clipped it to one side of his head before checking the mirror.

Looks good! Nicoli beamed a smile at the bronze boy as if pleased to get his approval. His costume was now complete. Well, save for missing a horn.

But Ana's smart. He knew she'd get it if anyone would. And with that, he was satisfied. 

Nicoli turned back to head into the hidden path, double-checking that the door was closed behind him. He lifted the candle to illuminate the cluttered hall. A place forgotten by most and used by even less.

For a moment, he paused to consider which route to take. The inside was rather like a spider web. There were many ways to get there. But some took longer than others.

"She should be this way." Nicoli decided on the best one and made for the direction. He turned the corner to find the path he wanted. 

It was easy as cake for him now to traverse the catacomb-like hallways at this point. Nicoli was, by now, an expert, after all, using them so often. Thus, it didn't take much for him to figure out the path leading to Ana's rooms. 

But there was a glaring problem. 

Ana's rooms were not close to his at all. No, they were quite far in the east part of the castle. Practically tucked into the very back where the older stuff was piled up to be stored out of sight.

Why did Mom put Ana so far back? Nicoli couldn't understand. He would have Ana in the same room if it were up to him.

But Mom would throw another fit if I did that. Nicoli pouted. Why was his mother so against her? He wished he knew.

"Either way," Nicoli shrugged. "I have a bit of a walk ahead." 

But Nicoli didn't feel down about it. On the contrary, the long walk through the dark and humid halls only gave him a chance to think. And the 9-year-old could already imagine what tonight's events would be like together.

I'll dance with Ana. Nicoli was firm on that point. They'd dance. They would dance the whole while and have so much fun.

Like last time, Nicoli remembered glowing at the memory of sneaking out 5 years ago. He didn't know back then that Ana could dance. So he was caught off guard.

But not this time. Nicoli beamed a proud smile, making a fist in the air. 

I'm a much better dancer now. She may need to catch up with me this time. 

Nicoli could feel his chest swell with pride at the idea. Yes, He would show her. And he would make her spin and spin all around the polished floor. She'd spin so that her pretty hair would fly around like it did back then. 

And everyone will see it and give her so many compliments. Nicoli picked up his feet, already imagining how happy that would make her. 

She'll be the prettiest girl there. And we'll match. Nicoli felt himself pat his vest. He had chosen to wear the red for a reason. It was the same color as her shawl.

"Ana is going to be so excited when she sees it! I can't wait to show her what I-" Nicoli's voice cut out as his ears perked. Talking- many people were talking just ahead.

Girls. Nicoli was able to recognize the high pitches. They must have been guests at the party. 

I bet they're talking about dresses or something else that's dull. Nicoli rolled his eyes. How boring.

Again, Nicoli wished his mother had invited his friends instead. Boys were just better at having fun.

And girls are so simple-minded. Save Ana, of course. She was not a girl. She was his sister.

So that made her immune to the rule.

"Huh?" Nicoli dropped his jaw as he heard an excited giggle ripple from outside the hall. Whatever they were talking about was making them grow loud and chatty. 

Maybe they're talking their dumb little hats or- And then he heard his name come up.

"Prince Nicoli is much more handsome than I thought." A girl's voice rang through the wall. 

"He is so cute." Another went.

"I hope I can get more than one dance with him tonight." 

A dance? Nicoli repeated before frowning. The idea of dancing with someone besides Ana didn't even cross his mind.

I don't want to dance with them- but once again, Nicoli felt himself stop as the next voice chimed.

"I don't know about that."

"What do you mean?"

Yeah, what do you mean? Nicoli couldn't help but be curious about the mystic message. And he nudged a small frame aside to reveal a small hole.

 It was tiny and almost invisible to the outside hall. But it gave him a view of who was talking. And Nicoli could spy on a group of girls from the party. They were now dressed in what looked like their version of costumes. 

Their expressions seemed dark and conspiratorial for only nine-year-olds.

"Have you forgotten about her majesty? Queen Hildenberg?" 

"The giant?" Another sounded less sure.

"Well, Her Majesty seems to have taken her as a favorite."

"I wouldn't say that."

"She's been with Her Majesty this whole time. They even sat at the same table this morning-"

"That's because she's a royal. And it wasn't just her. Her Empress was also at the table."

"Barely," A girl in blue and pearls spoke. But another shushed her. A strange look was exchanged between them. As worried to be overheard as if divulging conspiracies.

"I think it's because Queen Belinda is so close to Queen Bratha."

Nicoli could see most of the girls nod. But then there was a sigh. After that, everyone seemed even more pale and down by it.

"So then, it's decided?" A girl weakly toned.

"Her majesty does seem to embrace Hildenberg more than us." Another added to the growing sighs.

"So, She's picked her favorite, then."

"But that's just her, ladies." one girl, someone in green with a strange pointed hat, lifted her head. 

"We still have the Prince."

"Yes, the Prince!" And the girls suddenly became more starry-eyed, clasping hands atop their chests.

"There is still a chance, then?"

"We can do it at the ball." One spoke with more excitement.

"Yes, and get a dance with him."

"Imagine a dance with his majesty."

"Not just a dance." And the girl winked. A giggle rounded with the girls.

"That's what we are here for." Another nudged her friend. Again, a giggle erupted from the group.

The girls continued their giggles and whispers as Nicoli moved the frame back in place. The hallway was now darker again, save for his candle. But even out of sight, Nicoli could hear their voices through the wall.

"Prince Nicoli-" this and "Prince Nicoli" that. The girls seemed to have no end to how to bring up his name.

But each time they mentioned it, Nicoli felt less interested. Because it was now clear, even if Nicoli was only a boy of nine, he could grasp that much. 

And he didn't want to listen anymore.

I'm wasting time. Nicoli thought again and turned away from the still-talking girls. Their voices echoed as he moved down the hall. Becoming fainter and more squirely.

Eventually, he couldn't hear anything at all. Just footsteps and the flicker of the candle as he moved. It was still a fair walk until he was there. But he refused to let it get to him. 

Instead, he turned to distract himself in the best way he knew how.

"I wonder what Ana's wearing?" Nicoli asked to the dark, musing all the kinds of possibilities. It helped to ease the time as a fun deterrent as he walked on deeper into the forgotten maze.