Chapter 7: A leap of faith

-Courage don't desert me, don't turn back now that we are here.

Sarah was standing in front of the Von Krolock castle, surrounded by her baggage. The last time here somehow the sight of it was very enchanting, but now, it scared her. Didn't she notice how dark the castle seemed to be the other time? Or fear was blurring up her vision now?

-I can't! I'm going back.

She turned back to run, but once she turned around she was face to face with Der Tod.

-You can't give up now. You haven't come this far only to run away as a scared little girl. Why are you frightened?

-Because now I don't have anything the Count wants, so maybe things can go really bad from here.

-Silliness.

She gave quick steps to try to run away but Der Tod held her.

-Let me go.

-I promise I won't let anything happen to you.

He pushed her and made Sarah spin to face the castle again, holding both of her arms with his hands.

-Look at it. You are not the helpless girl who entered here one night, you are strong on your own now and you can face it.

Der Tod knew it wasn't the castle or the Count Von Krolock that scared her. It was herself. One thing is to think of him as heartless far away from him, but once she was near him things could change, after all she was involved by his charm when she was a young human girl. If she needed encouragement, Tod would give her.

-And isn't it exciting? To save the Empress of Austria from the vampire lord.

-So now I'm Alfred.

She didn't seem distressed anymore and he let go of her. She was now looking confident and ready.

-Remember you promised to help me in that train.

-Alright…

They were interrupted by the noise of gates opening. Sarah looked around and saw Koukol carrying a torch.

-AAhhh.

He looked very surprised to see her. And she was surprised he still remembered her.


-And as I was saying, Elisabeth, just because a study is controversial doesn't mean it is invalid.

The conversation between Count and Elisabeth was taking place in one of the castle main halls, they have been walking around all night sharing ideas about their cultural tastes. But it was disrupted abruptly.

-Dad!

The Count turned to face his son and the expression in his face was reprehending Herbert for screaming in the presence of a guest. But Herbert was running down the stairs. He seemed very concerned and surprised. Something important must have happened.

-We have a new guest.

Herbert was very nervous, that was unusual.

-I don't remember inviting anyone else to our castle. This is very rude to your Majesty, send who ever this is away.

-You don't understand what I'm saying. It is… it is…

-Be careful! There are very important things in this bag. Can you just stop for a moment?

Count knew this voice!

-It cannot be!

He left Elisabeth with Herbert without a word, not even excusing himself. His steps were a bit faster than they should. He could not believe it; maybe it was just his mind playing tricks on him. How many times he thought he had heard her voice?

-Grr…

Yes, it was true! Sarah was there having some kind of disagreement with Koukol, he was trying to take her bags and she was trying to make him stop. Count had to control himself to not seem so surprised.

-You listen to me! I cannot I arrive like this. First I need…

And then Sarah looked at him, after 20 years, this was the first time she saw him after the ball. He was still the same. The same eyes… She had completely forgot about her baggage and Koukol.

-Sarah…

No! She had to be strong, and she would. Time for her acting skills.

-Your Excellency.

She said in a very casual and cold tune, in a very indifferent posture, like it was no big deal to be there.

-Please forgive me for arriving in such rude way, but as you see your servant has taken my bags inside without my permission.

She looked like Sarah, she didn't act like Sarah.

-And coming here without a preview notice shows such lack of manners of my part.

She moved in a much more graceful way than the last time he saw her. She looked like an artificial noble lady. Sarah was very well dressed, he wondered how she became this rich. But the thing that most bothered him was her smile, so arrogant, nothing like the sweet smile he remembered.

-And what brings you to these lands, Miss Chagal?

If she was going to be this formal so was he.

-Baroness De Lake, if I may do corrections. I no longer use my family's name.

She actually had a noble title now? Maybe she was married…

-As for the motive, I'm extremely ashamed of asking to take advantage on your hospitality. I could use some days of rest before moving on with my trip, and I hope Your Excellency to concede the kindness to let me stay here once more.

She felt horrible by the way she was acting, this wasn't her at all. But so far she was doing a great actress job, maybe she should consider the career.

-It is not a favor to help my own kind. Koukol take the Baroness baggage to the same room she stayed the other time, and take a coffin there too. After all a lady like herself won't settle for a crypt.

Was he being sarcastic over her?

They walked to the next hall, and then Sarah could see Herbert and a very gorgeous woman. She must be Elisabeth! Sarah hoped to contain her excitement. The Count stopped and so did she, while Koukol carried her baggage upstairs.

-Well, you already know my son. And if I might introduce you to Her Majesty The Empress of Austria Elisabeth.

Sarah looked dazzled. This woman already had intrigued her only by Der Tod's words, but seing her face to face was very fascinating.

-I feel very honored indeed, Your Majesty.

Sarah did a reverence.

-And this is Sarah, I mean, Baroness De Lake now.

-Nice to meet you too.

Elisabeth was intrigued, Count always had such a controlled temper, but once he heard that girl's voice he forget his manners towards her. This girl must be really important, maybe the owner of that stole.

-Now if you excuse us, I might show Sarah her room.

Himself was going to show the room? This wasn't the lord of the castle responsibility. Now Sisi was sure this girl wasn't anyone.

-There is no need, Excellency. I think I know the way.

-I insist.

Sarah and the Count went upstairs, leaving once again Elisabeth to the company of Herbert.

-You already arranged the pieces of the puzzled, right?

The Empress nodded.


Sarah was scared of this. He insisted to be alone with her. What were his intentions? The walk was silent. He didn't look back to her. Gosh, these halls took forever to end.

-And here it is.

He opened the door for her and gestured her to get in.

-It looks the same.

She passed through him and entered the room, but she stopped to look around and he got closer to her, although he was facing her back. Physically she looked the same, only her skin was paler. Did she really change in the inside like she was showing? Her hair was still full of brown curls. He wanted to touch her, to make sure she was really there. His hand reached to touch her hair, but then Sarah was turning around and he quickly took his hand back.

-I hope it is at your taste.

-It is still my taste.

She smiled a little. And that was her smile, a genuinely Sarah smile. It wasn't a big one, but still a smile.

-Must I wonder where your husband is?

-I do not have a husband, I'm only engaged. To Alfred.

She emphasized the last part.

-The student. And why didn't he escort you? If I may ask.

-He is busy with his studies. And I'm perfectly able to travel alone, I'm free now.

-You are, indeed.

This was a very uncomfortable atmosphere for both.

-Thank you for letting me stay, but if you excuse me, I'm exhausted.

She needed to be alone, to process this all. She could not relax under his gaze.

-Farewell, I will leave you to rest.

He left the room, but one step out, he turned around and looked at her, expecting her to somehow react. She walked closer.

-See you tomorrow.

And closed her door.

How could they act like this? Like they were strangers, that need to be the most polite possible to each other. It was all so fake, it hurted. How could she pretend that she doesn't care about the fact that he let her go? The pains of formality.

She leaned in the door and her entire body relaxed. This meeting had such effect on her, that she felt very tired. She was able to keep strong, and she hoped to endure this. But it was hard to keep all the things she wanted to say to him inside of her. Sarah didn't even know what she wanted to say…

-Bravo!

She jumped from surprise to see Der Tod laying in the bed.

-I would clap, but that would bring attention.

-I cannot believe I signed for this.


Answering reviews

Dark Gotham

And you changed username again. Thank you! I liked it a lot too, I think it is nice for him to keep her stole. And sorry for the huge delay, hope you are stil, reading and let me know if you liked this chapter.

Wolfs bane wicked

Sorry for keep you waiting! Thank you! I think they must have a very good father and son relationship, and I think Herbert is worried about his dad, but has no idea what to do. And yes, the stole part was a detail I long had planned, I really think he would keep it, and it will be very important for the fic this. Thanks so much reviewing!

queenmedesa

Hi. Well it would not be wise at all, but Herbert didn't do this consciously, he got a bit hysterical cause he was fangirling over Sisi, and by own experience you get so nervous you don't know what you are saying. She is kind his idol, and at the same time he was trying to help his dad, he had to deal with the admiration he felt for her. And yes! Good you realized that, the tittle is Ich's song in Rebecca, love that musical too ;)


First of all, I need to apologize to spend so much time without writing this. But I had so many stuff to do lately that I did not had the time, so sorry. But I will never abandon the fic, I assure you that.

If you are still reading, thank you so much, and I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please do review, let me know what you think, ask anything, and any suggestions are more than welcome.

Again so sorry for taking this long to write.