Chapter 3: To win the heart of the Princess

A/N: Thanks to all reviewers and sorry to all of you, for I have taken such a long time to have chapter 3 posted up. I will try to make my story longer...and once again, thanks to my friend, Sinister-darkness for helping me to write the first few portions of the story

Upon reaching the buried place, Gabriel found out that the earth has been dug and the crystal glass gone. It was then corroborate that his rival was back, Count Vladislaus Dracula. He had taken Anna's ash.... which means that Dracula would try to resurrect her.... and claim her as his bride. With an angry cry, he kicked his horse into a gallop, straight toward Castle Dracula.... he would get Anna back, be her dead or alive.

"Anna..... Don't be afraid...." the count cooed, taking a step toward the cornered princess.

"Be my bride, Anna. I promise I will love you..."

The princess's eyes glared at him with fury, "You are hollow! You will not be able to love!"

"Oh, but I can.... if you be my bride..."

"Never," She spat right into his eyes as he advanced upon her.

He snarled and pinned her to the wall, his fangs bared, eyes glowed blue, "Never has anyone refused me, never!" he hissed.

Anna remained calm and refused to give in to her fear that was crawling through her body, but stared right back into his face. Dracula gave an astonished look and chuckled, regaining his equanimity.

"You are strong and gorgeous, Anna," he continued, running a finger down her jaw.

The count lowered his head to kiss Anna while his arms stretched to touch her back, embracing her into his chest. His lips continued to move closer to Anna's, who pushed him away just before his lips touched hers. Dracula hissed angrily as the feelings of being refused surged up inside him.

The push of Anna's was so forceful that it caused Dracula to stumble backward, knocking against the door. He regained his composure and stared furiously straight into Anna's eyes, which made her shiver hysterically.

Anna, who was now terrified, was beginning to move further away from Dracula, for his glare was kind of sinister that has made her skin crawl. Anna stopped to retreat as her back touched another corner of the room. She glimpsed back at Dracula and noticed that his canines were longer and sharper than just now.

Dracula walked with a sudden smile etched on his face, towards the place where Anna was. Anna, who was now rigid with fear, was unable to move or control her body. Dracula continued to advance and stopped until he was standing in front of Anna once again. He bowed before Anna and stretched out his hand as his face creased with a smirk.

"Come, let us dine" he spoke in a charming tone of his.

Despite of the fear, Anna gave her hand to Dracula's, and followed him out of the room, to the dining hall

The dining hall was cavernous and well-lilted with chandeliers and was decorated in a style which seemed to be specially designed for rich and influential people.

"Sit, my dear Anna," Dracula spoke politely and warmly as he pulled out a chair from the table, and invited Anna to be seated. He clapped his hands together and immediately, at the door, appeared a figure of a human. A short elf-like creature dressed in normal clothe that was a bit torn and tattered, came scampering toward the Count, bowing before him.

"Yes, master, you call for me?" he spoke in a low and humble voice.

"Serve the food for this lady of mine, Tobi" Dracula commanded.

He bowed once against before retreating into the kitchen.

"I'm not yours, Dracula" Anna hissed with anger.

"Don't be angry, my dear," Dracula coaxed. "Don't be too sure that you will not be mine," Dracula spoke confidently.

Anna glared at him with silence and anger and waited. As if by cue, the servant returned with a tray of food and two glasses of liquid, both filled with crimson to the brim. Tobi placed the thicker crimson one before Dracula and the less crimson and clearer one before Anna.

"Eat, my love, you should be hungry by now," Dracula spoke caring as he placed the tray of food in front of Anna.

"I'M AM NOT YOUR LOVE, DRACULA!" Anna bellowed as she cast an angry look towards the Count. Dracula looked at her with love and joy filled his eyes. He grinned at Anna while sipping some of the Crimson liquid into his mouth.

Just then, black smoke began to rise from the ground. Three figures could be seen rising from the circle of black smoke and Dracula could only stare when he realized that they were his brides.

"Master," called a flirty and familiar voice as red head rushed towards Dracula. Dracula stared once again as Aleera rushed towards him and sat on his lap with her arms around his neck, licking him at the corner of his mouth that was stained with the blood he drank from the glass.

Dracula was shocked to see her three brides, did the devil freed their souls or did devil send them back for something in return, such as a mission to be complete.

"Master, we are back to serve you. But the devil ordered you to killed Van Helsing with the help of ours. Failure is not an excuse. He will make sure you stay in hell if you die again. You won't be given another chance," Marishka explained.

Anna looked at Aleera in disgust as well as Dracula, who gave a smile and gently pushed Aleera away, saying, "don't be like this, Aleera, someone is jealous."

Aleera pouted and moved off his laps, but not before casting a glare toward Anna. Dracula stood up from the chair and murmured something to his brides. They glided away from the dinning hall, leaving the two of them.

"Anna, it is time for you to rest and for me as well...the sun will be up soon. " the count told her, grabbing hold of her hands and leading her out of the hall.

Anna flinched at his icy touch, but let herself to be led by him. They walked down the corridor and Dracula stopped before a door. He opened and led her inside. The room was filled with fragrant and there was a bathroom, vanity, four poster bed-with candelabras burning warmly in one corner.

Dracula smiled and led her to the bed, but Anna refused, thinking that he had an evil motive. "Relax, Anna. Be at peace and sleep, it is getting late, don't think of such dirty things," the count chided her, seeing the image formed in her mind. "But that time will come soon...." He whispered, pulling her forcefully to her bed and covered her with the comforter. Anna had no choice but to sleep as his spell took over her.

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TBC

A/N: Is this story long? Too long?

In respond to Kay-sama, the story is 'the last of the valerious', by sinister-darkness. Is this what you are asking?