Memories of Midnight

Part 20 *Vixen*

"Pick up your arms Midnight!"

"I'm trying! And it's Vixen, not Midnight!"

I raised my arms up just in time to block an attack from Masami. Masami Waters was a Kitsune that nate had rescued a little after Ophelia had died. She was a year younger than me with squinty brown eyes. She had a small orange tail and tiny orange fox ears. She was amazing in combat, but not very talkative. I quickly brought my sword down and knocked Masami's weapon across the floor.

She looked up at me shocked and then smiled.

"Wow Mid- I mean Vixen. You're getting so strong."

I smiled and handed her the weapon. She gave me a small hug and walked out of the training room, leaving Nate and I alone.

"Midnight you need to be quicker. If you can't move faster than Miracle you'll never win."

I looked at him closely.

"Why do you keep calling me Midnight?"

He looked at me then toward the wall behind me. On the wall was a large picture of Ophelia sparing with Nate. Her long, curly black hair was pulled up into a high ponytail. Her usual black gown replaced with training gear and 'Midnight' in her hand. She looked so fierce, but still mesmerizing.

"Because...I miss hearing Ophelia say that name..."

I looked at the ground and a tear landed on my training gear. Everyone knew and remembered her, everyone but me. I looked back up at the painting and realized that I was Ophelia's daughter who used to be a princess. If I was a princess then the heir was going to have to take over after Miracle was destroyed. A girl named Vixen was not going to be able to take the throne. I bowed in front of Nate.

"Don't worry, Midnight will take care of everything."

Nate hugged me and pulled away.

"Midnight Vixen...it suits you."

I smiled as we walked out of the training room and toward the dining hall. The room was empty and only two plate settings were out. I looked around to notice that everyone else was running around the castle doing other things. I grew irritated and yelled out.

"Hey! Hey everyone!"

No one listened and continued their running about. I slammed my fist against the table and threw my head back in a howl. Everyone stopped and covered their ears in pain, including Nate. I looked around at everyone and made sure they were looking at me.

"Alright, now that I have everyone's attention."

I sat down and placed my napkin across my lap.

"I know everyone is preparing for Miracle's downfall, but now that I'm here there are going to be some changes."

I looked toward Nate across the table to see if he would disapprove of my actions, but instead he was nodding his head urging me on.

"When dinner is prepared everyone is to join Nate and myself, including guards and cooks. Then after 12 a.m. all labs and libraries will be closed so you can all get some rest."

Everyone looked around at each other and began to smile. They sat their papers on the nearest table to them and sat at the dining table. The cooks hurried back to the kitchen to prepare plates while maids ran around the castle rounding up the guards. Nate looked at me and smiled.

"Spoken like a true Queen."