A Fresh WInd

Chapter 89 A Fresh Wind

*Hidi* 

As the carriage rocked hitting the limestone pathway, a fresh blast of cool autumn air filled the cabin. It smelt sweet and salty– the smell of sand. She realized. Pausing from her letter to lift her gaze to the glass window. 

Her peridot eyes narrowed in on the side of the looming structure of white stone against the mounds of yellow sand. The only structure to be seen for miles. Apart from the scattering of small villages built sporadically.

So this is Nochten. She tapped the letter to her lower lip, feeling the edge press in, almost cutting. But not quite. She didn't think it was a good idea to show up in front of a court of vampires, bleeding..

Not that they could do anything to the likes of her. 

She grinned darkly before returning her attention to the letter.

"It's good I have something to keep myself busy." She turned the paper to read the back. A smirk spreading over her lips.

It wavered when she flicked her eyes up at the gray maid. 

"Because you certainly have been no help at all." 

"I- I'm sorry, your majesty." The human servant bowed her head. Apologizing once again.

Hidi just blew a hiss through her teeth.. 

She flapped her hand. "Oh, shut it."

All she does is apologize. It was gross. 

The maid bowed her choppy ponytail to fall over her face as she bowed low again.

"I'm sorry-" 

"You must want your tongue cut out, ja?" 

 Hidi smirked, seeing the nameless servant pale and look down. Not even bothering to defend herself. 

Not that it would help her any. But Hidi found she liked the woman's complacency. It helped take the edge off as she was already wound up. At the brink of boredom, dealing with a stubborn person was the last thing the gaint Queen wanted to deal with.

Hidi crossed her legs, looking over the woman. She was human, one of the few in the Almony kingdom. There were even less there than the empire of Vampires. But that was why Hidi picked her specifically. 

Out of the rest of the nameless attendants in the castle—she looked the most like her friend, Lady Poole. Even acted like her, so much that Hidi felt almost heartbroken that it wasn't. 

Of course, Hidi would prefer the real thing. But alas, Lady Poole was curiously 'occupied' when asked to join her. 

Perhaps a visit to the land of vampires doesn't suit her palate? Hidi had to giggle. 

The first blood must have traumatized her more than I thought. "What a little mouse."Humans are such funny, scared little things." Hidi chuckled darkly. 

But not Nicoli, of course. That, she could find an exception for. 

She clicked her tongue, moving to the next letter.

"Your majesty?" The maid blinked with confusion. "A mouse?" She looked around the carriage. "Did you see a mouse?"

The servant was too slow for her standards. Hidi only shook her head.

But Mama insisted she bring someone. And even if the maid was slow as rocks, it was a body. 

"I don't think I've seen him write so much." Hidi mused, returning to her beloved letter. It was more than three pages long. But she was glad to see it.

 It gave her something to do during the journey. 

Besides having a poor companion with little conversation skills, she narrowed her eyes at the servant before flickering back down to the letter. 

Though the travel between the Almony and Nochten was only three days, it was still too long. The mountains were the worst part. They made the carriage rock and jerk, and they lost one horse to a ledge. 

But because of the letter, Hidi didn't mind. 

Much.

It gave her just enough time to muse over the letter. 

She re-read it three times now. And each time was a new delight. Better than the first time she read it. 

It was beautiful to see Nicoli write this much. Or write in general. He tended to write sparsely back. And little at that.

So she was happy. Mostly. 

Even if most of the letter doesn't involve me, Hidi pouted. It did annoy her that he seemed more curious about anything but her first. 

The letter was more about Ana. How was she? How does she look? When will she write again? Is she super busy? When can she come back to Dawny? And so on. 

And so on…

"So many questions," she tapped the letter to her knee. Why, if Hidi decided to count, would she say Ana's name was mentioned maybe 20 or 30 times? 

But nothing about me? Hidi tapped the letter to her knee again.

She should have known he'd be excited to talk about her over anything. Nicoli was so devoted to Ana, after all. She'd been there. Saw how he doted on her in Dawny. 

Nicoli seemed to put her first, like on a pedestal. 

Hidi shifted her jaw. 

It wasn't like she was jealous or anything. No, she couldn't be. No, not towards her. Ana wasn't a threat.

She was just as interested in Ana. In fact, this could work in her favor. 

Hidi turned back to the letter grinning.

"It can be something we have in common, ja?" She perked up to her maid. "Though, I wonder why he'd need me? He can see for himself." 

She folded the letter back into the envelope. 

Surely he could check for himself how things were going. He would see Ana when he came. Unless he couldn't–

No, of course, he will come. Hidi was sure. He wouldn't miss anything that involved precious little Ana. Hidi was certain. Nicoli was too devoted. 

 Everything he did involved her. Even when it should have been about me- 

Hidi turned to look out the window to spy on the white palace. It was growing closer. She could see the blue domes jutting up with their antenas.

"We've made it in good time." She felt the carriage began to slow as it reached the inner road to the palace. 

 A curl of excitement filled her belly. Finally, the ride was coming to an end. 

Her legs were hurting to stretch and move. It would be delicious to get out.

And see Ana. The thought warmed her. In truth, she found herself missing the petite vampire. Which was rare. She usually got tired of things and people quickly. 

But she found the little empress funny. She liked how severe and to the point she could be. And for no reason. A personality that set off so poorly with her cute little frame. 

Maybe that's why she found her so cute? Like a rabbit that learned how to bite.

Another burst of cool air had her back and looking at the window.

"This will be my first time in Nochten," she went, tapping the window. 

She turned to look back at the human curiously "What about you? Have you ever been before?" 

The maid shook her head immediately.

"No, I—" the maid began. She was already reaching for the door.

"Well, you are now." Hidi cut her off and didn't wait for the carriage to rock to a full stop before just getting out. 

The servant cried in shock at Hidi, "Your majesty, please wait! The doorman hasn't even-" The maid scampered, but she waved a hand right into her face.

Hidi climbed down to click her heels against the limestone. The carriage groaned behind her, readjusting to the sudden change of weight.

She stretched her arms over her head and took a deep breath. "So this is it." The smell of salt and earth filling her lungs again, making her pause. It wasn't unpleasant. But it did leave a soft aftertaste on the back of her tongue. 

A taste like lavender or some other clean flower. Hidi swallowed.

 No, it smelt like Ana. It smelt like that hair oil she liked to use–Sandalwood, wasn't it? Hidi breathed again as the carriage rocked behind her. 

The maid was out and clambering quickly to her side. Bothering her lower lip before she spoke. 

"Your majesty, if you stay a moment, I can alert the staff-" 

"Oh?" Hidi blinked, straightening to her full height. "Where is my welcoming party?" She peered around, expectantly but was met by the odd sight of a vacant and empty entrance. 

More than sparse, it looked like no one had even swept the area in advance. Noting the leaves scattered over the runner. Her blonde brow flicked up at that.

"Where are the servants?" She turned. "Why are they not here to take in my luggage?" This was a completely new experience for her. Finding herself somewhere where no one was waiting for her. 

"This is the Empress Palace, is it not?" Hidi looked back to her attendant, who only seemed to crumble with a nod. 

"It is," She swallowed, wearing her lower lip again. Hidi only narrowed her eyes looking back. 

Then, why was no one here– Hidi stiffened at the sound of footsteps coming up from the side of the Palace. It was a guard dressed in the bat and crescent moon symbol–one of Nochtens. And he froze midstep as soon as he saw her. His red eyes widened immediately. And suddenly–

He was turning away as if she didn't just see him. Running away. 

"Wait, come back-" Hidi was aghast to see the guard rush inside, leaving them alone again. 

Hidi blinked. Once. Twice. Before she scuffed more bewildered than offended. 

"Where is everyone?" 

She paused again, waiting, before the frown pulled her lips. A prickle of unease settled up her skin. 

"Perhaps if we wait, more will come?" the maid sheepishly perked up. We are early, after all. We might have caught them off guard." 

"Off guard?" Hidi looked back at her maid and then at the palace. But just as before, they seemed to be alone. Again, this was unsettling. And that did not sit well with her at all.

It was annoying. Hidi scrunched her nose just hearing the soft conversation coming up from a different path. This time, she didn't mince words, taking a step straight up to them. Her heels slamming against the limestone as she caught the two servants. 

A vampire and human maid seemed to stop frozen in place, eyes wide in horror before remembering themselves. They moved to bow, shifting their shawls as they did. The taller one, with a thin nose, and dull red hair, dared to glance up, first to the maid and then to her. The smaller human servant stuck closer to her.

Hidi met her stare, her peridot eyes cold and sharp. Annoyed at this poor welcome alone.But swallowing it down, just for now. Wanting to just get things going.

Her maid shuffled up to meet them.

"Tell her Empress, Queen Hildenberg has arrived." She informed."And send out your welcome party to receive our luggage." 

"Queen?! You mean of Almony- Oh, yes, right." The tallest maid nearly cried, before rashly grabbing her friend's hand, and pulling her back. As the two left, they nervously looked over their shoulders to catch another glance. They did not hide their curiosity. 

Hidi shifted her jaw. 

"I thought Nochten was more organized." Mama droned on about how vampires loved their etiquette and decorum. So what was this? They didn't even look prepared to take one guest, let alone take in a queen. 

Hidi furrowed her brows. "This is not like anything I expected." 

Is this how Nochten's run now?  If it is, she couldn't help but wonder against Ana's judgment. 

This was not how to run a kingdom. 

Hidi turned sharply to her maid. "Where is my escort?" 

"Your majesty, if you'll let me—" the maid tried to think, but her hesitation only annoyed Hidi. She should have been heading inside, not standing around like some fool. 

"Very well," She huffed. Patience already thin as it was. This was the last straw. 

"I'll just do it then." 

"Your majesty, wait, this is- please," the maid stumbled, trying to follow after as she charged past the fountain and directly for the silver and glass doors. 

"You there!" Hidi snapped as soon as another servant came into view. "Inform your Empress I will meet her inside."

She beamed a smile seeing the servant nervously nod before scampering away. Good. It made it feel like they were doing something. She seemed more frightened of Hidi than concerned about helping. 

So did the other servants. She noted as she walked. Now they were coming out to the carriage. Curious eyes were turning on her as she walked through. 

While they passed, she couldn't help but remark at all their red hair. Most if not all were full blooded vampires. It was like a sea of red hair. 

She'd stick out like a sore thumb. The thought flicked across her mind. 

Could that be why she wears that funny thing on her head? 

Hidi let the thought pass again as she saw the servant scurried past to throw open the door for her to step in. 

That was better. Hidi tucked in her grin, taking a quick step into the large lobby. 

"Ah, look how small everyone is." She mused, watching the maid slink back. Her grin only grew wider.

 "Though they aren't as small as Ana. She is like a little doll. It'd be so nice to keep her." 

Her servant paled at the suggestion. "Your majesty, your mother would never-"

But Hidi just waved her off again. Already over it. Her eyes shifted around the lobby, noting the mosaic floor before the plain white walls. Clean but plain in her opinion.

Not that she was here to critique one's tastes. Hidi shifted around as more vampires were starting to fill the space. Lord and Ladies, it looked like. But none of them were Ana.

She tsked. 

"Now, where can Ana be?" Did she need to tear down the whole palace to find her? She was far over waiting at this point for her to come.

And a good walk should be just the trick. Hidi clicked her heel with a good thud against the tile, turning her hoop skirt. 

"Should we try here or go over–" 

Hidi's eye caught the fabulous color coming from the side. Its brilliant hue was more than enough to tell her she didn't need to wait another moment. 

Found you.  And like a cat spotting her prey, she moved, charging directly for her.