Chapter 11: Au revior

A/N: Hey, everyone, I'm back again. Long time no see; have you all miss me a lot? As I was quite busy recently, so I am delayed in updating the next chapter. Once again, I have received some help from my friend (Countess Carmilla) while I am writing this chapter, and also I would like to thank all of you for waiting for me. Hope you would enjoy this chapter!

Silence and stillness filled the entire hall while the gaze of everyone were focused on the hunter, shocked and surprised at the moment due to his sudden appearance at the ceremony, when suddenly he spoke, which immediately broke the quiet atmosphere of the hall.

"Why would you want to be with him?" Gabriel asked softly in disbelieve while the count watched in amusement and stepped forward.

"Anna, tell him whom you chose to be with…" he whispered and nodded mockingly. Anna remained where she was, unsure of what to say.

"I…" she began, trying her best not to stutter as she looked down onto the ground.

"Tell me Anna! Why?" Gabriel asked, his tone rose as his patient grew thin.

"You have a choice, Anna… I'm not forcing you to be with me if you're unwilling," the count spoke, directing his gaze towards Gabriel with a slight smirk. Anna followed Dracula's gaze and saw Gabriel's angry eyes staring fiercely at her.

"I… I won't go with you," Anna replied softly at last and turned her head away when Gabriel eyes had a look of shock in them while she recalled he had not trusted her that day before she left with the count and how Dracula had treated you during the days when she stayed with him in the castle.

"No, you're lying to me…" Gabriel murmured softly under his breath while he retreated a few steps, toward the door, laughing to himself.

Dracula laughed as well, his laughter which drowned Gabriel's out. Gabriel stopped laughing as if he had just waked from a trance.

"Well, well… Gabriel," Dracula slowly approached Anna from behind and slipped his arms around her waist, embracing her. Anna tensed, but allowed it, her gaze quickly wandering on the ground, avoiding Gabriel's.

"Now that you have heard what Anna had said…" the count smiled and pulled Anna back to the dance just as the music resumed at his cue.

'You may join in if you wish, friend," he shouted and laughed as he led Anna within the crowd of dancers, instantly, he disappeared from his sight.

Gabriel watched mildly in despair while sorrow and regret filled him and left soon after. The count led Anna towards a stage where a vampire could be seen standing before an altar.

He snapped his finger and everybody's attention were on them while the music ceased. " I want to announce to you that Anna and I will be married and now I want you to witness this grand ceremony! The count cried and applauses sounded everywhere, leading him to smile.

Anna stared in awe at the crowd clapping and saw the arrogant look on Dracula's face, which disgusted her greatly. He saw the look on her face, but ignored it and grabbed her roughly forward.

"Let it begin!"

"Miss Anna Valerious, are you willing to be Count Vladislaus Dracula's wife forever and serve him with knowledge that he will be your husband"

"…Yes…I do"

"Count Vladislaus Dracula, are you willing to take Miss Anna Valerious as you wife?"

"Yes I do," the count replied as happiness and excitement emanated from him while he put on the ring onto her finger and placed a kiss on her cheeks as he carried her up in a bridal style and towards his chamber.

Everybody watched as the count left, bowing after him respectfully.

Anna stared at him as he carried her, allowing herself to be led by him. Dracula smiled, entering the chamber and placed Anna on the bed and sat down beside her.

"Anna," he whispered softly but rather seductively at her ear while his hand slipped around her waist as he licked her neck.

Sensing what the count's intention was, she moved slightly away from him immediately and turned her head towards the other direction for she did not wish to meet his questioning eyes.

"Anna... Why? Why did you refuse me? We are husband and wife now, so there is no reason you should…" he asked, stopping without finishing his sentence as he looked at Anna, and suddenly, he smiled foolishly to himself, seeming to know an answer to it.

"Are you still thinking of Gabriel? Have you accept my proposal just as to make him angry and regret for what he had done to you, and also jealous about it?" he asked again, his tone rose while anger and a sense of betrayal filled him.

Upon hearing his words, Anna turned around and looked at him with a pair of disappointed eyes while she spoke, "you don't trust me? You suspected me just like what Gabriel did to me?"

"No… Anna, I didn't. It is just that I don't really understand why you…" he explained while he placed his hand on her cheeks, caressing them.

"Why I refuse you? The only reason is that I am not mentally prepared yet to born you a child," Anna answered, explaining as she looked down onto the ground.

"…If it is like this, I will respect your decision as I will always. If you feel prepared at anytime, please tell me as I will always wait for you," Dracula spoke, watching her with a look of concern in his gaze while he embraced her into his chests, smelling the fragrance of her hair.

Meanwhile, Gabriel was seen sitting at the fireplace, in the Valerious mansion, pondering.

"It's all my fault!" he bellowed, regret and remorse were present in his tone as he threw the chair across the room, hitting the wall near the door and walked towards the window, collapsing to the ground as he blamed himself.

At the same time, the same familiar dark figure was seen hiding in some corner, chuckling. What exactly was his motive, no one knows, nor either did they know he was there, secretly looking at them…

TBC