The Revolution (WMMAP reader insert/OC)

Part 16

Anastasia's Perspective

It felt like such a long time since Athy and I came back to our Ruby Palace—actually, it's been exactly 48 days. Even though I've had plenty of rest here with Papa, I still feel exhausted. I don't know about Athy, but I'm pretty sure her tiredness comes from having to deal with Lucas and his talks—much to her displeasure.

During our private chats, she kept spouting ridiculous things about Lucas that honestly made me laugh my ass off.

Right now, I'm in my room, working on some drawings and battling boredom. The natural light and fresh air flowing in from my open balcony door give me a moment of peace.

At least... until a bird suddenly swoops in like it owns the place.

Looking up from my drawing, I see this beautiful bird standing on my desk, staring down at my work.

I keep calling it "it," which kinda bugs me—I don't even know if this bird's a boy or a girl.

"Are you a boy or a girl?" I asked the bird, probably sounding like a crazy bish talking to a dumb bird. Great.

"Ack!!"

"Hey!!" I start swatting at the air as the bird flies above me and starts pecking my head hard.

"Stop it!" But it totally ignores me, and I end up crying comically. Did I just slip up and call this dumb bird dumb out loud?!

An angry vein popped on my forehead as I tried to keep my temper in check. Ah... this is giving me a headache. Slowly, the bird stopped pecking and—wait—sat (?) back down on my desk.

I pointed at it. "If you're not dumb, then answer my question with these nuts!"

I was snacking on walnuts while drawing earlier, and now I had three in my hand. I separated two nuts and placed them on my right, and one nut on my left.

"Alright, take the one nut if you're a male, or if you're a female, take the two nuts."

The bird tilted its head and then picked up the two nuts. I gasped in delight, thinking, Yes! Now I know its gender! —only to have the excitement drop when it grabbed the other nut too.

I glared at it. "I don't know if you're saying you're gay—which I don't mind—or if you're just an ordinary dumb bird."

"Ow!"

I once again comically cried as I held my hand with my index raised because of the throbbing pain. "Stop pecking me!"

Fluttering its way out, it flew out of my room through the balcony doors. I sighed in relief before I closed my sketch pad and walked out of my room. On my way to Athy's, I greeted some of the maids and acted childish along my way. Besides, I have a lot of stamina for a kid like me. Physically.

I looked ahead and spotted two familiar figures—Papa and Felix. I called out, "Papa! Felix!"

Rushing toward them, I noticed the emperor slightly bending down. Without thinking, I launched myself into his arms and wrapped them tightly around his neck.

"You shouldn't be running down the halls," he said gently, and I beamed. "I just missed you so much, Papa!"

Imagine blooming flowers and radiant colors swirling around us as I saw him look at me with his usual stern expression, softened and more relaxed this time. He lifted me effortlessly into his arms.

He moved forward before asking, "Where were you heading earlier?"

I pointed toward Athy's door and said, "Ana is on her way to sis's room!"