I was going to update sooner guys, but as you know, all the alerts and stuff went down and I didn't think it was worth it. But now the problem is fixed, I'm updating again! This is dedicated to my newest reviewer hughfan, thanks for the reviews; I hope you enjoy this chapter!! Why do I always end with, Enjoy this chapter, or something like that? I'll try and think of something else next time, for fear of sounding boring :P
It was early morning in Vaseria and a thick layer of snow covered every surface in sight. Anna and Velkan were busy getting ready for another day at school, whilst Boris and Helena were downstairs, talking about the recent telegram.
"Surely it wouldn't be bad for Anna to start looking for a husband? Her carrying on this hunt for Dracula seems quite pointless; you know it would make her chances of finding a husband decrease severely?" Helena challenged Boris across the table in the kitchen. Boris shook his head.
"You know full well that she will not like it Helena. She is a very independent young woman."
"All the more reason to help her swallow her pride and look for a husband. She will come round Boris; I'll make sure of it." There was still a lot of doubt in Boris' mind as to whether his daughter would go for the idea. After all, Helena had only just re-bonded with her; could this destroy the fragile relationship they had managed to restore?
"If anything My Dear, Anna is stubborn, are you prepared to fight with her on this?" Helena smiled.
"Of course I am Boris, as you well know, it isn't proper for a princess to be over sixteen and not be married or looking for a husband. She needs to start behaving like the young lady she really is."
"As long as you know that she won't be very taken with the idea…but you do what you think is best."
"Thank you, I intent on doing just that. She needs this opportunity—"
"What opportunity Mama?" Helena stopped abruptly as Anna walked into the kitchen.
"Nothing you need fret about my dear, you must go now or you'll be late!"
The day passed quickly for both Velkan and Anna. For once, Velkan had gotten out of school on time, and was accompanying Anna on her walk home. Aleera and Ash were with them.
"So boys," Anna began. "How are your classes going?" Velkan smiled at Ash, who bit his lip. "What?" Anna asked.
"We scared the first year boys out of their wits today. One of them brought their sister along—but she didn't need to learn combat so we had to turn her down."
"And let's just say she wasn't very happy about it…" Ash carried on. Aleera looked at Ash puzzled.
"I'm not even going to ask." She replied. She didn't even try and look at Velkan, as soon as she did; she would start to blush. Aleera was jealous of Anna for that reason. She hid her attraction to Ash very well; no-one would ever notice she had one. Aleera on the other hand… They came to Valerious manor and Velkan and Anna said goodbye to their friends, making their way up the path and into the house
The pair entered the manor, and were greeted by the sounds of hushed whispers. Velkan slammed the door deliberately; in case their parents were talking about something confidential. Helena opened the door to the study, and looked at them. Her stared then fixed on Anna.
"Anna, can we have a word with you please?" Giving Velkan a perplexed look, Anna walked cautiously towards into the study. Her father was stood at the back of the room, his arms folded securely across his chest. It wasn't often that Anna saw her father looking extremely uncomfortable, but this was an exception. Whatever was about to be said, Anna had a feeling she wouldn't like it. She walked into the centre of the room, in the middle of her mother and father and looked into Helena's eyes. Helena held her curious gaze with one of authority and care, before breaking the silence.
"Why don't you sit down, Anna?" Anna began to think it might've been a better idea to stand up against a wall, the centre of the room seemed almost intimidating; she felt exposed. Not budging, she cleared her throat.
"What's all this about Mama?" Helena shifted her weight apprehensively, preparing herself for what she was about to say.
"I think it's time that you found yourself a husband. Some princes from Rome have shown an interest in you and I think it would be wise for you to meet them. They are respectable suitors Anna; you'd do well with them." Suddenly, Anna let out a low chuckle.
"Very funny Mama…why did you really bring me here? As funny as this joke was—"
"It's no joke, Anna. I received a telegram yesterday about it." Anna stepped back slightly, her mouth agape. Never in a million years would she be forced into marriage—not with someone she didn't know.
"You can't be serious, I don't want to marry, you know that!" Helena gave Anna a stern look.
"It's a good idea, Anna. You won't get anywhere in life without someone to protect you—"
"I don't need anyone's protection! How do you think I've been surviving these past few years? I can look after myself!" Anna raged.
"I don't care Anna, it isn't right for you to not have a husband. Your father and I were married at your age!" Anna scowled.
"As I recall it was arranged and you both hated each other at first" She countered spitefully.
"How dare you say that? At first things were rocky, but look at us now. You will meet those princes young lady!"
"No. I won't let you do this to me! I won't see any of them." Helena walked up to Anna, looking at her.
"You have no choice Anna, they're coming whether you like it or not." Trying one last tactic, Anna turned to her father.
"Papa?" Boris shook his head, indicating that it was her mother's decision. His yes were soft; he hated seeing his daughter like this. In his heart of hearts he knew this wasn't what she wanted, that he should be stopping it, but he didn't feel it was his place to say so. Anna's eyes grew fierce, angry tears started to build in her eyes. She moved towards the door, turning her head to face her father one last time. She whispered. "I thought I could trust you!" Giving him a betrayed look, she ran up to her bedroom, where she sat, crying, until the next day.
I know I suck, it was a short chapter, but I'm building up for what's to come next. I was experimenting with the ruler tool; it's only just decided it wants to work again so I hope it showed up...
So what did you think, loved it? Hated it? Please let me know! I've had over 700 hits on this story and at least 8 different reviewers at one time or another, so there must be more of you out there that are reading this! Please let me know if you are! I love hearing from you, anonymous or not. Even if it's only a couple of words! To my actual reviewers, I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please keep it up, I like hearing your theories, yes, Charmes Malheureux, I'm talking about you :D
Note to Vicky: Thanks again for your review. I'm replying here because my e-mail is kinda temperamental right now, I'm only just managing to reply to my reviewers who are members on here. I do have plans for what happens to Aleera in this story, and it's no where near finished yet! Don't you worry!