Thanks for the wait here is an awaited chapter 2 ! Please enjoy ^^

Daniel: Enjoy? Do you even know what do you put me through?!

Me: Oh...Daniel... if you only had an idea... *grins evilly*

Daniel: Wha... why are you smiling like that? it's creepy !

Alexander: hehehe

Daniel: I'm going insane ;_;

Disclaimer: Not mine tralalala

The rain was softly beating on the window of a small black carriage. The road was tricky so they were moving quite slowly. It was an early afternoon but with clouds covering the sky and tall trees around the road it seemed like it was night already. Horses were uneasy , they knew the darkness here was not natural. Their frightened eyes were wide , and spiked with panic whenever a lightning hit some tree nearby. The man inside a carriage fought the sleepiness that overwhelmed him . It was a long trip and he felt exhausted. So far Prussia didn't make a great impression on him. It was depressing and the only thing positive was the lack of Shadows activity. Truth, Daniel could glimpse it from time to time. But it was only watching him curiously. Sometimes he thought he could sense it's eagerness. That was confusing him even further so he decided to not dwell on it any more.

His thoughts went then to the baron who he'll be seeing soon. He didn't learn much from the letter he got. Just that the baron is adequate in the studies of paranormal things, is ready to help any time and that he lives in a castle. He wondered though why does he wish to help him. If Daniel really sent him a message about himself the baron should know he does not have much to offer. Nothing at all really if you take into consideration Alexander's status.

Another lightning struck startling Daniel awake from his thoughts. He looked out through the window and saw the massive that was –as he suspected- Brennenburg.. It was huge to Daniel who never had a chance to be in such places. Ruins ? Camps? Universities? Museums? Sure. But balls and high class societies were too much out of his line of work.

Finally they came to a stop before a great iron gate. The man that brought him here opened his doors .

"I ain't takin' you any further sir. Folk here say the place is cursed." He lowered his voice for additional effect. Daniel noted the still heavy rain and lack of an umbrella.

"Are you sure ? It seems to be quite far to the castle and the storm doesn't seem to stop. Surely –"

The man shook his head negatively. "Sorry sir, I never go this far from the city." He motioned for Daniel to go out.

"From what I know sir, it's not a long road. Just a ten minute walk I reckon."

Daniel wanted to point that he said before he doesn't go here so he can't know that but decided to drop the subject and got out of the carriage with a tired sigh. He took his belongings and said goodbye to the man who was already urging the horses back.

Daniel looked briefly at the enormous castle noting few lighted windows. He started going in the direction of the majestic building. The walk surely took him more than ten minutes. More like half an hour probably. Well he did stop often looking around , trying to see anything in the darkness that surrounded him. He could swear he heard some strange noises in the woods.

Being thoroughly soaked Daniel finally arrived to the great wooden doors with a carved rose sign in the middle. He knocked few times hoping the baron won't be angry for his lateness. What could he do about people scared of their own shadow?

After a few more minutes the door opened showing Daniel a tired looking servant. He motioned him inside. When Daniel went in he felt a sudden wave of unnatural warmth and he almost wanted to say : "I'm home." Where did that thought come from tough? He had no idea. He will be staying only long enough for baron to help him. That is if he'll be able to at all.

Daniel was left quite speechless by the grandeur of the place he was in. Everything shouted of riches. And it was only a hall! He swept through the portraits as he was led by the servant to the library to see the baron. He decided he'd ask master of Brenneburg to let him study the history of that place and his family someday.

When they stopped before the quite simple door with a latin inscription "library" above them the servant knocked three times and from inside they heard a quiet:

"Enter"

The servant opened the door and came in to announce Daniel.

"Master, Mr Daniel from England is here to see you."

"Very well." There came a sound of closing book. "Let him in and leave us alone."

The servant bowed with respect and started to back out.

"As you wish , Master."

Daniel looked after the leaving man and then turned back around and entered the warm room.

He saw a middle aged man with long white hair and golden eyes sitting in a red armchair before a fireplace. His features were sharp , he seemed both very young and very old. Young because of his physique and old because of those eyes that pierced through Daniel with intensity as if studying his very soul. He had an impression he's seen those eyes before. But he had no idea where or when.

The baron smiled slightly and motioned for Daniel to sit in another armchair next to his own.

"At last we meet Daniel. I hope the journey didn't tire you too much."

Daniel sat carefully and took off his coat. He winced feeling that all of his clothes were wet.

"The travel? No sir. It was quite good till it lasted. I had to walk quite long in the rain though."

"Ah yes. The people from the city fear this magic place for reasons unknown to me." Daniel wondered if he'd really heard amusement in the baron's voice.

"But where are my manners." He stood up and offered his hand to Daniel. "As you probably guessed I'm Alexander von Brennenburg, a baron of those lands you crossed."

Daniel hesitantly took the offered hand not minding the heat that suddenly spread through him. He looked into the golden eyes that suddenly brightened feeling as if they took claim of him and dragged him across to another dimension.

Suddenly he came back to himself and quickly dropped the warm hand of the baron. He could feel a slight blush on his cheeks. What happened to him? He was already embarrassing himself. What will the baron think of his rude behaviour? Staring at him like..

"I'll show you your room where you can wash and change into something more…" Baron took in the look of the wet creature before him. "-comfortable."

"Thank you very much baron." He smiled genuinely. He'd give very much to get rid of those clothes sticking to him.

"Please call me Alexander , Daniel. I think it's better if we talk about other matters tomorrow. You can unpack and make yourself accustomed to the castle. If you have any questions feel free to ask the servants. They will provide you with anything you might need."

I nodded and walked out after him. We were sharing the silence but I couldn't help but admire his strong back. I blushed some more. How stupid can you be Daniel ! It'd be better if you stopped those ridiculous thoughts. He never felt like that before. He had really no idea what has changed. He always desired women and now he acknowledged the allure of men? No.. maybe …after all the baron was quite handsome . So.. he was only stating a fact wasn't he? It didn't mean he liked the same gender in that way. Yes, that's right. Nothing to worry about.

They stopped before another door with a rose crest. There were lots of them , Daniel thought. It might have to have some part in this family history.

Alexander opened the door and told Daniel to walk in. He did and almost gasped.

"But…b-baro-, Alexander … it's too much . Surely I don't need such grand accommodations."

"It's nothing grand , really."

Nothing grand ? Daniel took in the dark wood furnitures, gold linings, huge four poster bed with satin laying on it and only waiting to take you into dreams. And that great window showing the wide forests below them. He wondered if the sun rises from that side of a castle..

"I'll leave you now to your own devices." Daniel still a bit dazed by this- his- room barely noticed when baron stopped before him and took his hand. He only thought about strange German customs when his palm was kissed with gentle lips. And again he got captivated when white hair head raised and he met those eyes straight on.

"I'll meet you at the supper Daniel. Please enjoy your stay."

Daniel only nodded , his mind still absent and his heart busy digesting all the emotions twirling inside of him.

When the door closed Daniel finally got himself in order. He used the adjoining bathroom- marveling at the bright stones decorating the walls- and redressed into new dry clothes.

When he went out he decided he was too tired for anything right now and lied down on the bed.

Soon enough a peaceful sleep claimed him for the first time in a month.

Anyone feel that the ending seemed a bit rushed? Well... I just was so tired.. please forgive meh? :O I'll be good I promise !

Daniel: You deserved it ! I was all wet becaose of you !

Me: Alexandder surely didn't mind though :3

Alex nods.

Daniel blushes and turns away : stupid perverted barons .