My Lady Wants Red

*Mykhol*

"Do you have anything a bit more bloody?" Mykhol lifted his clawed hand to motion lightly to the rest of the table. It was quite a spread of beef, chicken, and other cold meats. Yet he smelt not a single drop of blood from any of it. But that couldn't be right, could it?

Mykhol didn't think so. But as he saw the human servant shake his head, his stomach fell.

"You're joking."

"Queen Belinda ordered all the meat be well done in case the smell put off the little ladies."

"The little ladies?" Mykhol felt his fangs sharpen with annoyance. Again, finding this is another petty move from the brunette queen. 

Mykhol groaned lowly in the back of his throat. This was supposed to be a simple task. And yet, he couldn't even do that?

I said I would get her some REAL food. Not this slop. Mykhol rolled his eyes, clenching his fangs. 

"Then," Mykhol had to swallow back the urge to scream at the servant. "Could you put plenty of the drippings on it." 

At least then Ana won't find it too dry. It was something, not the best. It would do, but still, he felt a little peeved looking across the table filled with towering cakes and delicate sweets. 

Children's food. Mykhol sneered before stealing a glance at the little cretins. The sea of little girls was like a plague on the ballroom floor. Each dressed in a more unconventionally noxious costume than the last. Stealing up all the room with their cotton puff and fabric. Blind to anything but themselves, happily piling their plates full of sugar and carbs with metabolic abandon.

The sight of it was enough to turn the vampire's stomach all over again before he felt the servant's gaze.

"Here you are, m'lord." 

Mykhol took the sad grey slice of beef. Again, feeling his stomach flip and fall poorly.

What kind of monster cooks meat well? Mykhol shook his head at the outrage of it all. But again, this was better than nothing. At the very least, he managed to get some protein. That was a start. 

Poor little Ana. Mykhol frowned, feeling sorry for his cousin. This was by no means proper food for a growing vampires.

If she gets her blood soon, this wouldn't cut it. Not by a long shot. It lacked the necessary vitamins like Iron. She wouldn't replenish her strength with food like this. She would have to get her needs met elsewhere.

Not that I will mind volunteering. Mykhol smiled, touching his fangs to his lower lip. No, he wouldn't mind it one bit. 

What else is family good for, right? Mykhol's fangs sharpened as he turned back. 

Mykhol looked up to spy the door where he left his albino Empress. His red eyes scanned among the girls, looking for her starch white gown. But it didn't take long to see she wasn't by the door. 

"Where did she-" Just before the words could leave his lips, he found her. And immediately, he saw red.

"You little piece of-" She's been stolen again! 

He had barely been gone for more than a moment, but it was enough. Ana was on the marble dance floor. She was dancing with none other than the very Prince himself.

You got to be kidding me! Mykhol gripped the plate to make a squeak, almost snapping it in half. He was beyond furious. And listening to the children carelessly chatter beside him only furthered that rage.

"Look, Prince Nicoli is dancing with her Empress." One of the girls nearest him gasped with a smile. 

"They look so cute together."

"He is so kind to do that."

"Right? Who else would dance with her otherwise?"

Mykhol twitched at that. What did she mean, no one else? 

There's me! 

Mykhol shot a hot glare at the girl, stupid enough to utter it. His crimson eyes nearly cut right through the freckled child. She quickly ducked her head before scurrying away from the table. But watching her retreat gave Mykhol no joy.

No, he was still livid. 

"Stupid Humans. Stupid Ball." Mykhol hissed under his breath. Why were they even doing this? Nochten didn't do dances.

I wouldn't have bothered to leave my room if Ana didn't want to dance. Mykhol vented with a slight tremble. But his hands were tied. And that made it all the worse.

Again, it was like he was the afterthought. HIM.

"Damn it all!" Mykhol cursed again, spinning on his way to make his way from the table. Not caring where he'd go. Just so that he could keep watching the petite girl dance and wait as the violins shirlled in his ears like cats fighting.

As soon as the song is over, I will charge right over and take her-

While glaring and plotting his immediate retrieval of his dear cousin, Mykhol happened to spy a great bright tower standing off to the side. It was the giant queen. She was standing dressed in all yellow from top to bottom with sunflowers in her hair. Standing alone.

Alone? Mykhol's brow flicked up with curiosity as he continued to watch her. The Almony queen was slightly swaying to the melody on her yellow heels. Her green eyes were fixated on the dancefloor, specifically on them. She seemed transfixed as she fiddled with her thick braid.

Mykhol sighed, stealing one look to the floor at the dancers. And then shrugged.

It wouldn't hurt. Mykhol could at least take this as an opportunity. It was, after all, part of their plan. And he lifted his silk slippers to walk over.

*Hidi*

"Your majesty," Hidi felt more than saw the vampire, Lord Mykhol, come up. And immediately, she rolled her eyes.

Must you. But Hidi kept her annoyance underneath her skin as the teen came to a stop and bowed.

As the vampire raised his head, Hidi could see that expression on his face once again. It was the same he had worn when they met earlier in the hall. A smile that was trained to look neat yet rugged. More so, thanks to the shadow of his large-brimmed hat. It colored in a more devious shade if that was possible.

Hidi felt herself twitch underneath the yellow tulle at that. It made a soft rustle before she breathed.

"You again," Hidi responded dryly, her accent thick. She gave him just the barest of glances to take in his custom and makeup before turning to her real passion, which was easy to decipher amongst the crowd. The two stood out as the most handsome.

But as Ana twirled again in the boy's hands, Hidi felt her eyes crinkle. The doubt from before was creeping up. Making her question how she felt all over again. 

Ana…Hidi swallowed, dwelling back on Belinda's words about what happened between them. She clenched her jaw and swallowed again as if that could help ease some of the tension. 

"Lord Mykhol."

 Mykhol prompted, standing back up. There was a slight edge to his voice, easy to miss if one didn't think to look. He still smiled. But Hidi didn't miss how his shoulders stiffed at the careless greeting.

Lord Mykhol didn't seem to like being forgotten. But Hidi didn't like being interrupted. So it was fair game.

"I remembered," Hidi said evenly but was back to the dancers. Her eyes glued ahead, again hoping he'd take the hint and leave her be.

But either the vampire was stupid and couldn't take a clue. Or he was stubborn. Because he did not back off. No, instead, he moved to stand beside her. And took a moment to look at the dancers as well.

Just at that moment, Ana was being twirled again. Her long silver braid lifted up like a tail as they moved. Both of the king's children were caught up in each other, laughing and moving with a little disarray the further they danced. 

"Not very graceful, are they?" Mykhol remarked before scuffing through his fangs.

"But they are still children. Perhaps I am too harsh?"

"They are not that young." Hidi countered, somewhat attacked by his comment. Whether it was against Nicoli or them both, Hidi wasn't sure.

But she felt a knee-jerk reaction to defend them. 

"They are just enjoying themselves, Lord Mykhol."

Mykhol nodded, but his grin thinned.

"I wonder if we would do the same, Your Majesty." 

"We?"

 Hidi turned to see the vampire stare after them with an expression she wasn't familiar with. But for the moment, he didn't mind her. His scarlet eyes glittered between the candle flames, watching them dance. His gaze following Ana closely.

After a moment, his expression was gone. A smile was back on his face.

"I guess this will have to wait." Mykhol lifted the plate. 

"Is that for her Empress?"

"Yes, but it seems the Prince has struck again." 

Mykhol sighed as if the plate were heavy in his arms.

"My dear cousin gets so easily swept away when it comes to him."

"Prince Nicoli is fond of his sister."

"Nuh-uh." Mykhol waved a finger.

"Half-sister, your majesty. And I sometimes wonder if that is such a good thing."

"A good thing?" Hidi turned toward him.

"I seem to be left empty-handed quite a bit these days." Mykhol made a show of holding the plate. And then he tilted his head to her.

"But then again- aren't you going to dance?" 

"I will go in a bit." Hidi looked at her feet. 

"A bit, huh?" Mykhol flicked his eyes from the prince back to her. A knowing smirk stretched over his thin lips before his eyes lingered on her.

"By the way, your majesty. What a lovely broach."

"Thank you, it's a gift." 

"A gift, hmm?" Mykhol nodded, looking deeper at the opal. 

"You and the queen seem to have similar tastes, then." 

"Uh-yes." Hidi flinched at the comment but quietly relaxed her shoulders.

Mykhol made a soft hum in his throat, pleased by something, but he lifted his plate once more.

"Speaking of which, I should make my way." Mykhol looked over, and Hidi followed his stare. He seemed to be looking over to the King and Queen. 

King Alexander was now standing as Queen Belinda tried to pull his arm. Maybe to make him sit back down? But he only pushed her aside. 

Queen Belinda pouted, saying something after him too low to hear before noticing their gaze. She smiled at Hidi with grace. But the smile thinned at Mykhol.

"She looks like she has her hands full," Mykhol remarked.

"What do you mean by that?" 

"She seems to be losing control of both of them." 

"Control of who?"

"I wonder." And Mykhol bowed from his waist to her.

"Enjoy the dance, your highness." 

"I will." Hidi sounded sure, but Mykhol again made a strange expression. 

"I'm sure you will." 

Mykhol held the plate out as he made his way around. Hidi watched him step to check himself in one of the mirrors. He smiled at it, tilting his hat.

He's a clever one. Hidi surmised. Clever but troublesome.

Mama always said never to play with the clever ones. And Hidi was not going to question that golden advice. It was better to avoid him. His way of speaking made her feel complicated.

And I have enough on my plate. Hidi turned her attention back to the checkered floor. The flood of girls was rather a sight on their own. What with their puffed dresses and paper masks, they fluttered as they moved. Only breaking out in rupture of excited giggles and chatter between the dancing.

But in the middle of their escapades, Hidi could find them standing alone. Dancing with them, but not. They didn't seem to be a part of the group. 

They seem to be in their little world. Hidi thought, watching on. 

Nicoli and Ana danced as if by a different time signature. Caught up in some noteless song, each looked at the other as though they were the only other one to exist. Shared in smiles and secrets.

For a moment, Hidi felt a shiver run up her back. The sight scared her in a way because it was someplace she didn't know. Couldn't reach. That little world of theirs was something she wasn't a part of. And she could never be even if she tried. 

No, don't think like that. Hidi chided quickly. They were only dancing. It was a children's game.

But again, Hidi drifted her eyes back to now see Nicoli. How Happy he looked as he danced. He seemed so carefree, with his cheeks pink from laughing. 

But how could he overlook what happened? Hidi couldn't understand and pinched her braid, confusion festering in her chest. 

How can he still love her and not be afraid?

As the strings pulled longer, Hidi felt the song was coming to an end. Giving her some relief that she could now take her chance. She didn't wait for the song to finish before clicking across the floor to make her way over. 

Yes, the dance. Hidi reminded herself. She needed to stop with these doubts.

Doubts were pointless to her. Hidi was a queen. She didn't doubt anything as she shifted back to Ana. She looked so pretty in the white dress. The veil made her look like she was floating, lifting like wings as she twirled.

Like an angel.

But could angels do that? To a kitten?

Again, Hidi felt conflicted by what she saw and what Belinda told her. It was hard to fix where she stood on it. 

But regardless of what Belinda may have thought, Hidi could be sure of one thing. She wouldn't let it hold her back. Hidi was no coward. And she would make her own decision.

She would decide for herself whether Ana would be a friend or an enemy.