Hey guys. I know this chapter is shorter than the last few, so I apologize in advance for that. Please enjoy!

The years passed and the love Verona felt for Vlad never grew dim, it only became greater. Vlad on the other hand was starting to grow tired of how it was only the two of them in the castle. He started spending less and less time with her and more in his study. Once this started to occur, Verona found things started to change in a very dramatic way.

Verona noticed how she started become hungry all the time. She would go down to the village and drain the blood of three people a month, which was more that she would ever do in twice the amount of time. After one night of hunting, she went to go ask Vlad if there were something he could do.

"Vladislaus?"

"What is it my dear?" he said in a sort of annoyed voice.

"I think there is something wrong with me. I haven't been my normal self lately." Vald put the book he was reading down.

"What seems to be different?"

"I have been feeding much more than I should have to."

"How often?"

"Three times a month," she admitted quietly.

"Interesting," Vlad got up from his chair and walked over to his bride. He felt her forehead to see if he could feel anything, but nothing was wrong. Then he felt her neck, same as before. He then walked behind her and put his head on top of hers, with his arms around her waist. He then felt something slightly shift, but knew that Verona hadn't moved an inch. He spun her around and looked at her with joy in his eyes.

"I know what the problem is!"

"You do?"

"Yes," he placed her hand on her stomach. Her face lit up, she then embraced Vlad's neck and started crying.

"You should be happy," Vlad said.

"I am. I just never imagined that it would happen." The two stood there for a long while in a very tight embrace.

A few months passed, and Vlad noticed that Verona's body didn't change at all like a normal mother's would. Late one night, while Vlad was strolling along the castle corridors, he felt that Verona was in an intense pain. He then ran through out the castle looking for her. When he found her, she was on the ceiling in the grand hall standing next to a hundred green slime covered sacks. Dracula ran up to his bride. She was crying, with her face in her hands.

Vlad then understood why he was feeling an intense pain, it was her sorrow. He then looked at one of the sacks that was next to him. He opened it up and saw that there was one of his children, lifeless and still. He turned to comfort Verona, but she was already out of the room, but her cries could be heard all through out the castle.

She stayed in her room for the next month. She started to grow weak, and Vlad finally forced her to go feed. While she was gone, Vlad figured they should get out of the country for a while. He was hoping the change of scenery would help raise her spirits. When she returned, Vlad was standing in her room.

"How about we get away for a while?"

"What?"

"You need to see something new. I was thinking why not spend a month or two in my summer castle in Budapest? I will have my servants ready the carriage and we will leave tonight."

She simply looked down at the ground and didn't say a word. Vlad then snapped his fingers and a servant entered the room.

"Ready the carriage. Load the coffins and be ready in half an hour."

"Yes my lord."

Vlad then held Verona in his arms, while stroking her long hair. When the same servant entered the room again a few minutes later, he nodded to Dracula who waved him away. Vlad then lifted Verona's head so that she was looking at him.

"It is time to leave my dear."

They then left the castle and went to where the carriage was waiting for them. Vlad told the driver to head to the summer palace. Vlad then opened the carriage door. Once they were inside, Vlad opened his coffin. As he was getting in, he noticed that Verona was looking outside the window at the castle. He then waited till she turned around. He motioned to her to join him. Once she was in, Vlad closed the lid and pulled Verona next to him. She leaned up against his shoulder and fell asleep.

Once they arrived in Budapest, Vlad led Verona into the castle. He gave her a tour of the place. The new atmosphere seemed to relieve her of her sorrows, for she was acting as she had before. She had the same glow on her face and soon started to smile. He then led her on a tour of the surrounding area. He then took her to his favorite spot to feed. When the descended down on the village, Vlad was surprised that they were ready for them. He figured that they had seen their carriage on the way to the castle. He swerved in front of Verona to shield her from the silver spikes that were headed straight at her. When they went into his body, he felt extreme pain, but he soon pulled them out of his flesh. He flew at the villagers, closely followed by Verona who was now furious at the villagers.

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