Dance with Her All Night

*Alexander*

The bearded king couldn't hide the everglow staining his bronze cheeks. And why would he? This happiness was a long time coming.

"I'll dance the whole night with her." Alexander laughed, spinning on his booted heel, arms out like a ballerina. The excitement sparked through his veins anew by imagining what the night would bring. 

"Your Majesty?" 

Alexander didn't need to look behind to know his old servant and friend, Johan, was lightly scowling between his wrinkles. No doubt unimpressed by the sight of his flamboyant display. But he could still pretend to be clueless, couldn't he? Or that his hearing was suddenly terrible enough to hear it?

Not that Johan believed that for a second, that the king was suddenly deaf. He crossed his wiry arms over his black suit, waiting with mild annoyance for him to be done.

"The whole night?"

Alexander slowed his spin to finally meet eyes with his somber, trusted confidant.

"Well, who else will dance with her?" He said and winked. But Johan didn't seem to be phased by it.

"She has Prince Nicoli." 

"Ah, right. My son." And Alexander paused to hold his bearded chin, scratching between the thick chestnut hairs. 

"Hmm." His fingers continued to rake thoughtfully until, at last, he stopped as if inspired.

Alexander held up one finger.

 "He may have one dance."

"Just one, Your Majesty?" Johan returned with a knowing brow. Again, Alexander could feel his judgment. So he had to slip a little.

"Maybe…two?"

"Your Majesty," Johan sighed with a shake. But Alexander pouted.

"Baah, let me be." Alexander tutted and returned to walk. They were making the long trudge to the east side of the castle. A considerable distance from his wing and rooms, but the length did not weigh down on him. If anything, the long walk only made his anticipation stronger. 

Because he knew it would all be worth it once he was there. After all these years of waiting, Ana was home where she belonged. And if it was only a long walk to the other side of the castle to see her, why, he could do that much surely. Alexander was more than willing.

"I haven't seen her till now. And my baby is growing up." Alexander beamed another smile, exposing all his white teeth.

"Don't you think so, Johan?"

Johan gave a silent nod, but his brow did not smooth out. He seemed ever the more serious one, like usual.

"You'll upset your wife if you dance with her too much."

Alexander felt his mood drop abruptly, remembering her. 

"Yes, Belinda." Alexander slowed his step to a drifting stop. His smile dried on his lips, frozen in an in-between, as his eyes shadowed over.

In all his excitement over the ball, Alexander had nearly let it slip. But now it was back in his mind. And it only tightened the cold feeling in his chest. 

"Johan, that day- " Alexander paused to check the hall was empty. When it was, he lowered his voice cautiously.

"Day, sir?" Johan prompted immediately, becoming sharper. His face seemed to grow even more wrinkles as Alexander watched. But it was a welcomed sight. 

Johan had switched from humoring to taking him seriously. A switch not many knew to make when dealing with him. Most found Alexander silly and light-hearted.

But that was only to the untrained eye. Johan, however, was different. He had been with Alexander long enough to know when to humor and when to listen.

And he certainly did now.

"What day, your majesty?"

"Do you remember the first letter Nicoli sent after the incident?" 

"I do, sir. It was to apologize." Johan recalled.

"Something was wrong. There was a delay that day, wasn't there?" 

"In the letter, Your Majesty? Yes, I think there was. But it was still sent out." Johan recalled. 

Alexander nodded, but his brows only furrowed. Something wasn't adding up. 

"We checked for signs of tampering?"

"Yes, sir. The seal was intact." Johan returned confidently.

"It was only delayed. Why do you ask?"

"Something Ana spoke of." Alexander turned to look down the hall. He could see things growing more sparse the further they went. But it made sense.

This was the older part of the castle. It was used for storage nowadays. So, it had no call for fine paintings or rich carpets. 

But how odd it is that they were put in this wing? Alexander could not help but grow weary. This was not where he would have put any guest. Were there no other rooms in the castle? Nothing closer? 

Could Belidna have chosen anywhere that wasn't so far and isolated from everyone?

It's like she's hiding her away. Alexander sucked in his lower lip. But he did not muse long as Johan broke his trance.

"Something, sir?"

"There was a letter." Alexander returned. 

"Yes, from Prince Nicoli." 

But Alexander shook his head.

"It was in my hand."

"Your hand, Your Majesty? But you haven't written to Empress Anastasia since-"

Johan widened his eyes as something came to mind. 

"Are you suggesting someone might have forged a letter? "Johan crossed his arms. His mind was busy with the implications. 

"This could be for political reasons." Johan considered after a moment in the wash of possibilities.

"There are those… in our court that don't share a vision of Dawny and Nochten at peace."

"The same could be said for Nochten." Alexander returned with a slight chuckle, but not because it was funny.

"I hate to say it, but I see many enemies around my daughter. At both sides."

"This makes for much to investigate, my king." Johan voiced with great care, but his old brown eyes only grew sharper.

"But it will be done."

"Yes, I know you will see to its end." Alexander went. He did not doubt it. He could trust Johan.

But something still nagged him. Something he didn't want but couldn't deny it any longer.

It could be. Alexander accepted the dark thought.

It could just be.

"Sir, I will start an investigation into the court-" Johan, meanwhile, was about to turn, but Alexander raised his hand.

"Is there a chance that you think this may have been done for more…personal reasons?"

"Personal, my lord?" Johan seemed taken aback. And for a moment, it didn't seem to register what Alexander might mean.

But Alexander's bleak expression and weary eye betrayed his inner feelings. And Johan was quick to read the clue. But it didn't leave him any less shocked.

"Are you suggesting- " Johan dropped it. But he didn't lose himself. Instead, he seemed to come back to check again.

"My lord, I understand this is a touchy subject in the marriage, but I can not see it going as far as"

"I'd like to think it doesn't." Alexander rubbed his hand over his eyes, taking a small relief at the calloused fingers. It helped. A little. 

"But things are starting to add up. And I'm not sure I like the math."

I'm tired. Alexander realized. But it wasn't on the outside. He was still young enough in his late 30's, and in good health. But this was a different type of strain.

This was coming from within. And he didn't want to see it, but it was becoming too much. Everything was becoming too convenient. How could there be so many coincidences? And all of them trail back to just one person.

But still…

Alexander had hope. He wanted to be wrong.

"My lord?" Johan grabbed his thick forearm for Alexander to break his thoughts. 

"Find out who did this, Johan. " 

"Yes, my lord." Johan nodded, but Alexander could feel the heat rise in his stomach. 

He was angry again. Frustrated for all the years lost. All the years that he could have been there.

That I should have been there. Alexander lifted his head and turned to walk again.

"Find out the one responsible for taking my daughter from me." Alexander didn't need to look back to see Johan nod. He knew he would. Johan was just as driven to see an end to it as he was.

It is time to end this for good.

Alexander only willed himself to be ready for the outcome. Whatever it was.

Whoever it is. Alexander thought as he walked on. He tried to maintain his resolve as he strolled through the increasingly neglected halls. 

By the time he had to make another turn, even he could feel himself grow exhausted. It was as far away from the castle's center as possible. And Alexander could feel his shoes begin to bite raw into his heel.

However, when he could make her wooden door with the chipped cream paint, Alexander nearly started to clap. He almost made for kissing the board he was that overjoyed.

"Finally!" Alexander sighed with tears.

Who knew the walk would be so…taxing.

But it's over. I am here. Alexander beamed. He made it.

"Now I can-" But it was here Alexander noticed something. Or rather a lack of something.

Where are the maids? Alexander looked about. He could see no one waiting out the door. But that wasn't right. He knew there should have been. 

Perhaps they left to use the bathroom? Or fetch something? Alexander thought with optimism. He lingered a moment to wait. Hoping to see a maid or manservant walk up as if they had just left a moment.

But the longer he paused, the more he felt a pull. There was no sound of footsteps. Or doors closing. It was quiet, as if no one else was in the area. 

Alexander felt his chest tighten but stayed at that. He needed to be cheerful. This was not the time to be upset. 

The last thing he wanted to do was give Ana any new reason to think he wasn't happy to see her. What when she seemed, now more skittish than ever.

So Alexander puffed up his chest, pulling his buttons against the muscle, and knocked on the door. An excellent, sturdy knock sounded out into the hall. And then he waited with held breath before he heard footsteps. 

Shortly after, the knob turned. The door pulled open.

"King Alexander?" The petite voice matched its owner as she peeped up in confusion. Crimson-colored eyes, the size of saucers, grew even wider in confused shock at finding him at her door. But if she were at a loss, Alexander only felt his cheeks warm at the sight of her. All his concerns and fears melted away in that instant.

All at once, he could only see his beloved daughter and could hardly contain himself.

"It's Father." Alexander rushed without a beat. "Or you can still call me Papa. Since you are my baby girl," He winked, joking lightheartedly to offset the mood. He quickly darted his eyes to her costume.

Ana was dressed in white. Her dress was in the Dawny fashion, a hoopskirt, princess cut, and puffed sleeves. But she wore a sheer white scarf over her hair. The only thing, besides her red eyes, to note that she was not a native.

But there was hope, as the scarf on her head was sheer. Alexander could see her silver hair had been braided into a thick, neat rope. It was tasteful and suited her well, allowing them to show off her sweet, tapered chin.

"Papa?" Ana blinked twice. And then quickly shook her head. "No, I could never-"

"What are you supposed to be?" Alexander ignored the protest, not letting her get a word to dissuade him. 

"Are you a ghost?"

"No!" Ana quickly bulked. Unmistakable fright was on her face, but the reaction made Alexander laugh. It seemed even his precious little girl was not immune to Nocthen superstition.

Unfortunately, she did not share his sentiment. This only seemed to panic her more.

"No, I would never- that would be.." 

But Alexander only laughed again.

"How clever!" He went on, throwing up a proud smile. 

"A vampire dressed as a ghost. Extraordinary! My daughter is so clever." And Alexander moved. He meant to touch her head.

"Daughter, you look-" radiant, Beautiful- Alexander was ready to lavish all his compliments as he ruffled her hair just like with her brother.

But just as his mind began to reel through the adjectives. It halted to a grinding stop as another sound stole his attention. 

Not a sound. It was a voice. Something which Alexander could feel like an icy finger running through his spine.

"That would be rather tasteless." They chided, an air of pride bordering arrogance poisoning his tone. 

Alexander could see the door widen to find the vampire. He was standing next to Ana. His tall frame easily dwarfed her less than 4ft stature. But he seemed perfectly comfortable with that, as if standing so close to her was normal.

"As we are Nochten's." Mykhol continued, his voice edging with a sharp tone that matched his narrowed gaze. But even then, his face remained pleasant. That superficial smile glued onto his lips.

Only his eyes seemed to betray his expression. They sharpened as he looked back at him. 

"But I'm sure you jest, your Majesty." Mykhol made to tip his head, the hat shifting lightly as he moved. Not low enough to show genuine respect but enough not to be rude. A chosen move.

"As you always do. So we won't take offense." Mykhol lifted his head. His voice never betrayed a change in tone.

"But you must excuse us." Mykhol moved to wrap his arm around Ana's. Pulling her to his hip. Making the hoop skirt slant in the opposite direction.

And as if to goat him further, Mykhol stretched his thin lips wide. His fangs sharpened out to full display. They looked sharper from use and white as snow.

Alexander stiffened his jaw at the sight of his teeth. The unspoken threat flashed over his eyes. The teen crinkled as if enjoying his discomfort. Amused as, he shuffled her just a little closer. 

"We were just heading to the ballroom."