Grape Vein

Chapter 77 Grape vein

*Hidi*

"I thought you'd be happier with the news, Nicoli?" Hidi tilted her head, brows furrowing as she studied him. His reaction wasn't what she had expected.

Who doesn't like a good war? The scent of cannon fire, the thrill of watching new weapons tested right before her eyes–it all excited her. Her mother, brothers, and sisters felt the same. War was a family pastime in Almony, a lucrative one at that.

It was always a delight for her. So of course, as a boy, Nicoli should surely…

But something was wrong. Instead of lightening up with excitement, Nicoli sat frozen. His blue eyes darkened, fixed on the rug, his jaw clenched tight–holding something back.

If she had known he'd react this way…she wouldn't have said anything. She had rushed to find him the moment she left his mother, eager to share what she had heard, thinking he'd be happy.

It was why they were back in her room - making it twice now. Twice getting the prince inside her room. Willingly. A soft victory, which made her hold in a smile as she sat across him. Things were picking up between them. 

We're so much closer now, Hidi thought, sipping her tea. And in just a few days. She'd have to thank Ana for that.

 With her in quarantine, the two had more time together, but most of it still revolved around the vampire. What Nicoli insisted on doing, most everything with her involved, games, reading. Even rushing to eat through his food to go back to her. A bit annoying for her, as she never had enough to eat with the baby portions the humans used, but she made do for him. If it meant spending time together with the boy, she could forego a few meals. Small sacrifice in the name of love and all.

But that was still an opportunity, and she relished it. Taking the chance to learn about her future husband to be. How he liked to cheat at cards, or how he was easy to laugh. A sweet sound that drifted through the back of her mind. How she wished to hear it again.

They were on better terms, friendly even. And she assumed things would only be on the up and up from there. And that was why she was eager to share what she had learned. Thinking it just another reason to get closer.

But then, what was this reaction? Hidi didn't know what to make of the still quiet boy. Only finding his silence all the more unnerving as he just stared at the floor, his tea untouched and cooling. The weight of no one speaking weighed heavily in the room. Save for the light shuffle of the maid's stiff dress as she moved to fix a pillow.

 Speaking of her audience, Hidi paused to gaze over. The queen's maid, an old woman with a severe grey bun, Julia, stood apart from the other maids. She was not here for mindless work or to take care of the refreshments like the rest. No, Julia was here for one reason only–to act as a chaperone. But it was just for show, and Hidi knew it. 

She smirked, watching the old maid stiffen in response. A slight sour expression followed before the maid looked away. 

 You don't like me, do you? Hidi found her reaction tempting. It made her want to do more. It would be a fun game to take the proud maid down a peg or two.

 But later, she had to resit for now. Hidi flicked her gaze back to Nicoi. He was unnervingly still. Too quiet. More than she had ever seen before.

 I didn't expect him to take it so seriously. She thought and adjusted Belinda's broach. She had decided to wear it today as a sort of lucky charm. And it seemed to be already working. 

 "These Bulgeons- the pirates." Nicoli broke his silence to look up at her. 

 "Oh, yes." Hidi was slightly surprised by the sudden interruption. "Yes, the Bulgeons are a problem now." 

 "And that's why Ana has to go?" Nicoli started again. His blue eyes seemed to shake as he spoke. " Ana will need to return to Nochten now?"

 "Ana needs to return to her kingdom." Hidi answered, "She needs to take back control." She did not see a need to sugarcoat it. "People are dead."

 "But…" Nicoli looked around, looking for something to say, but couldn't find it. Instead, he seemed to sink into his cushion.his hands clenched into his pants.

 "Does she have to?" His words came out quietly.

"Ana is Empress now." Of course, she needs to. Hidi went as if that would explain everything. "This she must do." 

Nicoli's little mouth wavered before he stared down at his hands. His breath coming out shallow as if struggling to fight off his disappointment."But I don't like it." 

"Don't like it?"Hidi thought, bewildered. She didn't see the problem. It was just how things were. She accepted it without even blinking.

 "Ana is Empress now. It is her role." 

Nicoli shot to his feet, knocking his chair back. "But why now?"

 "Nicoli?" Hidi watched with growing confusion. The boy was getting more upset. But why? 

 "I mean- does she have to?" Nicoli's face was growing red as if he was battling something inside. "I've been waiting for her to be better- But now she has to leave?" 

 "Why are you getting upset?" Hidi found herself at odds now. He shouldn't be getting so riled up."Nicoli, this is normal. I don't understand." 

"But she just got here again." Nicoli threw up his hands. "I've been waiting for so many- why does she have to keep going away?" Nicoli's eyes began to tear up.

 "It isn't fair!" 

 "Fair?" What did this have to do with being fair or not? Hidi was bewildered at how Nicoli was acting. "Nicoli, Ana needs to go, but you still have-" but she didn't get to say it. 

 "You wouldn't understand." Nicoli stomped his foot hard enough to shake the coffee table between them. It made one of the tea cups tilt over to spill. Instantly, Nicoli paled.

 "Oh, I-" But just as quickly, his anger returned. He turned on his heel. "None of you understand!" 

 "Nicoli? Wait, where are you going?" Hidi got up.

 "Nicoli, come back. I haven't even told you the rest." I haven't told you the best part! But Hidi found herself missing the chance as Nicoli wasn't stopping. He went straight for the door. 

 "I need to talk to her." Nicoli threw a hand before pulling open the door himself. Outside, his manservant, Thomas, was waiting.

 "Prince Nicoli, what's-" The balding man began, but Nicoli stormed past him.

 "Move!" Nicoli charged through into the hall. His face was red, with shiny tears in his eyes.

 "Prince Nicoli?" Thomas gave a quick look over the room before turning to follow. "Prince Nicoli? Why are you upset? Has something happened?" 

But Nicoli ignored him.

 "Wait, Nicoli, hold on-" Hidi rushed over, but it was too late. Both Nicoli and his servant were out of sight. The hall was empty except for a guard who quickly looked away after seeing the outburst. 

 I can't go after him. Hidi felt her cheeks warm. It would be too embarrassing to go after them now.

 "I don't understand." She dropped her shoulders. "Prince Nicoli?"She was so confused. 

 It wasn't how I expected things to go at all. Hidi felt herself in dismay. Nicoli was supposed to be excited. We would talk about the war, and Hidi had already thought about how things would go. But again, it all spoiled in front of her eyes.

 It's exactly like with the cups, she couldn't help but remember. That time, too, Nicoli burst out instead of how she planned. It was supposed to bring them closer.

 But why am I left behind again? 

 "This was supposed to turn out so much differently." Hidi couldn't help but whisper in shock. 

 What did I do wrong?

 "Ha," the soft sound of a stifled laugh made Hidi look back. Her green eyes found the old maid. She had a slight curve on her lips.

 "Good evening, your majesty Hildenberg." she bowed and moved to leave, having no more reason to stay now.

 "You-" Hidi narrowed her eyes as she passed her. Bile stretched up her throat as she realized Julia had seen everything. She had seen how badly she failed.

 She will tell Belinda everything. Hidi could feel the old maid already laughing at her. How dare she? It wasn't fair. She hadn't really started yet. 

I'm still trying. We've only just met. And I still have yet to show Nicoli how much I can be - Hidi clenched her jaw to hear something pop. 

 "What do you think you are doing?!" Hidi felt eyes on the back of her head and turned to find the other servants. On their part, they knew better and instantly looked down. But all the same, she felt her anger curl up.

 They, too, had seen everything.

 "Leave," Hidi ordered, and they quickly scattered. The maids kept their eyes down and departed without another word. Now alone, she turned back to the coffee table.

"This wasn't how it was supposed to go." Hidi picked up the fallen cup, gripping it tight. No. This was wrong. Nicoli was supposed to be happy. They were getting closer—weren't they?

Then why was she always left behind? Why did he keep running? She was smiling, listening, doing everything right. Didn't he see that?

Yet, the moment I mention Ana, he–

 "This-!" The word barely left her lips before she hurled the cup. It shattered against the wall in a spray of procealin shards.

 It immediately brought a maid back in.

 "Y-your majesty?" She seemed horrified, whether to see the cup smashed or Hidi's evident anger. 

 Hidi lifted a brow, "Well?" 

The maid bowed and quickly hurried to pick up the shards i. 

 Hidi watched her clean it up as her hand found the broach. The smooth opal felt cool against her hands. Grounding.

It was just a fluke. She traced the opal, steadying herself.

There was still time. Years.

"Patience, Hidi." 

He would be hers. He had to be. In the end, he'd see there was no other way.