Unexpected Kindness

*Ana* 

As I slowly come to, something groans underneath. I vaguely realize it's one of the faded yellow camelback sofas in the room. My room. 

A wash of relief overcomes the realization. 

Mykhol made it in time. But just as I could let out a sigh, my throat scratched. I cough, setting my head to spin around, dizzy. My throat feels so dry- but I can't even suck up spit. I have nothing. 

Beside me, I hear water slush against something metallic and hollow. 

"Naska?" I turn from my neck, not sure if it's wise to lift my head right now. She's here. 

I see her- she's on the floor with her muslin tunic bunched around her waist. It's rolled up to show the thin underwear cloth between her legs. 

Naska is ringing out a cloth dirty in red water into the bucket. The water splashes onto her dress a little. It's soaked through. She looks to have been cleaning for a long time. 

Naska stands, leaning over my chest. It feels wet- she's cleaning my skin. The cloth feels rough and hard against me, but it does its job. The blood is rubbing off. 

"You shouldn't need to feed just yet." Naska goes, still wiping, her pale red eyes watching her work carefully."But if you do before Lord Mykhol is back, I'll feed you-" 

"Mykhol?"My chest immediately tightened at the thought. 

"Where did he go?" My eyes dart over the room quickly, but he's not there. My claws clench as my heart goes faster.

"I want him-" 

"Shh," Naska cuts me off, gently pressing the rag over my lips. 

"It's okay. He just went to get cleaned up." 

I blink up at her but my mind is already moving to something else. Setting me to fidget, and grow dizzy anew. 

Nicoli. No, everyone. 

I swallowed in a hard gasp, my voice trembled as I had to ask. "Did I…?" 

"Attack anyone?" Naska guessed. She smirked then, with a fang a moment but shook her head with a slight sigh. 

"No." 

She moved to ring out the cloth to splash and piddle into the bucket before coming back."Lord Mykhol got you out just in time." 

Naska went to scrub my arms now, pushing up the dress. She dipped the cloth back into the water. It rang out red. The smell of iron wafting and mixing with the dirty water, made me scrunch my nose back. I turn my head back to stuff it into the pillow. But Naska tutted. 

"I know. But I gotta clean your face. " Naska gently turned my head back, surprisingly gentle. She moved the cloth over my cheeks, lightly dabbing. So different from how she usually would. 

As she does, I watch the candle flames dance over the ceiling. The shadows move and shutter against any small breeze.

"Why did this have to happen now?" Why did it have to be when I finally returned to Dawny? I just returned together with Nicoli, and Father has forgiven me. It was a cruel joke. How could my luck be so bad? 

But that wasn't even the worst part. 

I won't be able to see Nicoli like this. I suck in my lip as I feel tears burn from the side of my eyes. Not when I am now at the risk of blood lust. 

While I ponder, Naska moves to rub my arms once more. Carefully scrubbing between each finger. It's surprising how gentle she's being. I don't think I've ever felt her be so...considerate.

It reminds me of Maddie. I swallow then and lick my lips, before watching her dip the rag back into the pail and squeeze before I manage to speak. 

"I don't think I like being an adult so far."

 Naska laughs. "You say that now, but I promise you'll change your mind later." And she moves to brush back some of the soaked curls from my forehead. Again, I find the act strange- to have her treat me with care. 

"Bruno, you mean." I sneak a peek at her bare stomach. Her stretch marks are visible —thin lines of grey-purple on her white skin. 

Naska tensed up when I did. But just as quickly, she was back to cleaning. 

"Yes." She answered at last, helping me to half sit up so she could scrub my chest. "Having children is one of them."

While sitting up, I can't resist looking over her. Naska's long lips are turned down at the side to make a lop-sided line. Her thick hair brushes my arms as she moves. A slight sweat formed around her hairline. She's so focused on cleaning that she doesn't speak again. 

Only the sound of scrubbing skin and the occasional dunk of water fills the room. Otherwise, it's silent. 

I swallow, sucking in my lip again, before flexing my fingers. 

"Naska," I start as it feels like maybe I can ask now. The burning question- the one I've always wanted to answer. Will Naska tell me now? In this rare moment that I feel her guard is down, will she? 

"Who is Bruno's father?" 

"This is stained beyond hope"

Naska's up and standing, and yanking my arms up. She unbuttons the back quickly before pulling it up and off me. A sticky slurp breaks through the room as she peels it off.

The dress was off. She threw it into the bucket. A heavy splash. I can't help but frown at the gesture, feeling pity for it.

But she's right. I see all the white lace, the fur, it's spoiled. I can never wear it again. 

And it's not just the dress. Blood has stained more layers underneath, more things ruined by red. 

Naska undresses me silently, taking off the hoop skirt, and the corset last. A rush of air suddenly surges through me when she does. I hadn't realized how tight it was until it was off. Tears prickle my eyes with relief as she leaves to come back with a fresh white nightgown to pull over me.

Seeing her carry on in silence again, makes my mind drift once more. And my eyes fall back to those thin lines on her stomach. But instead of thinking of questioning her again, a new idea comes to mind. An idea that I quickly find I like. 

"About Bruno,"

"What about him?" Naska stiffens on reflexve. Her jaw clenched as if she was getting annoyed that I was going to ask again. But I'm not. Not this time. 

"I was thinking when we returned home, I'd like to have him start working in the palace." 

"You- ?" Naska jerks to a stop. Her eyes widened as she lifted both brows. Her jaw cracked open a moment, but then it was down. Naska tsks putting her hands on her hips to stand feet over me. Her eyebrow cocked. 

"I don't want him in the kitchen if that's what you're offering." She snarked with one fang. 

At that, I let out a soft puff of laughter. "Neither do I." 

"You don't…?"Naska drops her jaw a moment, swallowing. Her brows pushed in as if to regard me a moment longer, not sure what I meant. 

 I think I managed to nod my head. 

"I want Bruno to help me. He can become my footman." 

Naska opens her mouth wide to that, showing all her teeth. She blinks once, twice. And then closes it. Her lips waver between a smile and a scowl. And then to something I don't know. But she turns back to study me for a long moment.

At last, crossing her arms, she asked. 

"Are you sure?" 

I nod again. "Yes. I mean it." 

And I meet her gaze and keep it, seeing her slightly widen hers once more, but I don't break away. 

"Since I am currently a full-fledged adult, now. That means I am officially Empress. And I plan to keep my word." 

Ever since I was little, I wanted to be that kind of ruler. The one who would stick to her values. Never making promises I wouldn't keep. And the first I want to do with my new power is this.

I affirm with a little smile, never breaking her gaze. "As my first real order as Empress. I want Bruno to be with us." 

"You…" Naska's jaw drops once more, her eyes looking after me. Her brows pushed together as if not believing me. But in the end, she sucked in her lip before turning back to the bucket.

Naska kept her eyes down as she twisted the cloth dry before letting it fall into the bucket. She watched it push and splash against the tin sides silently for a moment. Her eyes were dark with some thought. Before she lifted her gaze again.

"You'd be more comfortable in the bed." And Naska was up, lifting me to my feet, mindful not to make me dizzy, before we moved.

She made no sound as she helped guide me into the covers. Despite the heat, the soft cotton blanket felt delicious against my skin. And the pillows felt like a cloud. 

"The bleeding and feeding take a lot out of you." Naska prompted on her own, her eyes regarding my hands. "You're gonna nap a lot in the coming days. Between feedings" 

Naska leaned over to pull a curl from my eye. And I suddenly found myself needing to laugh.

Naska immediately frowned at me.

"What's so funny?" 

"Nothing. You're just being very caring right now." 

"Ah…well." Naska sat back, crossing her arms. She kept her eyes anywhere but to meet mine.

But I had to smile when I noticed she didn't deny it. She was being kind. And I felt myself warm up at that. It felt nice. 

"Thank you," Is one of the last things I remember my lips forming before I drift off. Deep darkness pulled over me once again. Lost to the world. 

*Naska* 

Naska got up from the bed slowly. Her eyes watched carefully to make sure she didn't disturb the girl. But she needn't worry. Ana was sound asleep. Exhausted. Lost to her need to rest, the girl could only succumb. 

Naska took a moment to regard the frail girl. She usually hated the sight of her. Sickened by her hair, but right now, she could not help but find her eyes following each spiral. 

They looked like some kind of halo. Framing her heart-shaped face like a serene vision. Even her breathing seemed peaceful. Her chest gently rose and fell in a tranquil rhythm. 

She looked…pretty. Naska couldn't help but feel her stomach twist then. 

"How could you just…" Naska sucked in her lips, feeling that knot in her stomach turn a little tighter. 

Mykhol wouldn't even do that for me. She clenched her hands into her dress before turning at the sound of footsteps. 

The door opened shortly after. And she immediately brightened upon seeing crimson eyes. 

"My lord!" 

Mykhol closed the door softly behind him. Naska could see he was now in clean clothes. His tunic was red with gold thread trim. And he looked to have run some water over his face and hair. 

"Is she asleep?" 

"Yes. Her Empress passed out just a bit ago" Naska answered, clasping her hands in front of her. 

"I've cleaned her up like you told me." 

Mykhol only glanced at her briefly before looking past. His head turned to stop at the bed. Naska clenched her hands tighter, trying to push the feeling back down to her stomach.

"I did good, didn't I?" Naska prompted stepping u,p wanting to reach him.

"It was hard work, my lord-" 

Mykhol threw up a hand to stop her from stepping closer. 

"Don't. You will get me dirty."

"My lord?" Naska felt her throat tighten up. 

Mykhol walked over to stop beside the bed. Looking down at her a moment as if to watch her, he then moved. His fingers crawled up to trace the outline of her lips before he pressed down. They gently pulled the flesh up to show her fangs. At the motion, Ana stirred and turned with a groan. Mykhol's smile widened.

Naska felt a strange pull at the sight. 

"My lord?" 

"She'll be hungry when she wakes up." Mykhol was already pulling back the covers to climb in. He lifted Ana to curl into his chest, guiding her head into the crook of his neck. Almost identical to before. 

When he let her feed off of him. Naska felt something shake down to her core thinking about the sight again.

No, He only did it because he had to. The situation was- she had to quickly shake it away. It was nothing. He didn't actually want to do it. She knew that. 

But Naska couldn't help but feel a pull again as his fingers moved. He was caressing the sleeping girl's cheek. He seemed to have forgotten Naska was still there. 

"Lord Mykhol? " 

Mykhol twitched. A look of annoyance quickly crossed his face. But then relaxed. 

"Yes?"

Naska stole a look from him back to the defenseless girl. Her stomach tightened again but she forced out a choppy breath.

"I can go and fetch some blood since she's asleep."

Mykhol paused for a moment before pushing out a sigh.

"Then go." 

"I will be quick." Naska bowed, grateful. 

But as she meant to leave, she couldn't help but linger. Her eyes were on Mykhol for a long moment. So long that he had to lift his head at her and lift a brow.

Naska moved to hold her hands. 

"Her Empress has decided to take Bruno in as a footman." Naska bit her lower lip feeling a slight lift of joy at the news. 

Mykhol cocked a brow back at her before looking down at the petite girl quizzically. He then nodded. A smile was pulling up his long lips to show the tips of canines.

"This will be a good advantage for us, then. He can act as another set of eyes." 

"I-" Naska felt the words stick in her throat. She was happy, a second ago. It was the best news she could have hoped for. 

But now… 

"I, yes." Naska's voice fell at the end and she swallowed again. A deep pressure pushed against her chest as she turned for the door.

"Lord Mykhol?" She whispered back. But Mykhol must not have heard her. He remained as he was. 

Naska frowned but closed the door to immediately find herself finding a sword pointed at her.

"What's your business?" One of the guards boomed, holding the tip of the blade to her. But Naska just scuffed. 

"Where do you think? I'm going to the kitchen to get blood." And she didn't wait for a response, just pushing past him.

As she did, she wiped a tear from her eye. It burned and she could feel another fall. She hated that. She didn't want the damn humans to see her cry. 

Not to mention other things that made her confused right now. Like Ana's kindness, whilst Mykhol-

"Stupid Empress," Naska blamed while walking faster. She wiped another angry tear on the back of her hand. 

There is no way. Not her- She would never be grateful for anything that girl did. Because she was the obstacle. She was the very reason Mykhol couldn't be with her. 

He didn't mean what he said before. He couldn't. Naska clenched her jaw tighter. 

It was her. Ana was the problem.

"Mykhol loves me." He doesn't care about her at all. He loves us- Ana was nothing. 

I am the one Mykhol loves. Naska simply refused to see it any other way. Even as her heart clenched, she wouldn't accept anything else as her footsteps echoed down the hall.