Ingeras: "The Turks never conquered the capitals of Europe. Prince Vlad Dracula was a hero. His sacrifice taught me that even after the darkest night, the sun will rise again...for if the heart is strong enough, the soul is reborn in each new day. In life after life. Age after age...forever."
After the castle was repaired, in the aftermath of Mirena's death, the day came that Sarai was crowned the new queen of Transylvania. It should've been a day of celebration, but as Sarai faced her subjects from her new throne, her heavy heart bore down painfully on her young face. This wasn't what she wanted! Vlad's mind went back to the night before the Turks ambushed the monastery, when he and his daughter had shared a serious conversation about the future. Vlad remembered her words all too well now, he remembered how adamantly and hurtfully Sarai had declared to him that she didn't want to be queen. Because, in order for her to become queen, Mirena would have to be deceased. He relived how badly she had shuddered as the words had escaped her lips, and Sarai crying that they couldn't possibly live without Mirena! At the time, He'd had no idea that that deep, troubling moment with her would become their harsh reality!
Ingeras had declared Vlad's heroism to their people when they'd returned home. He wanted everyone to understand Vlad's deep love for those he cared about. But on this day, Sarai wanted to pay tribute to Mirena. "Our mother, Mirena, Queen of Transylvania, wife of Vlad Tepes III, mother to Prince Ingeras and Princess Sarai myself, was a grand lady." Sarai began. "Beloved by all, she led her people with immense generosity, dedicated compassion, and a most gracious hand. The devoted, loving wife of Prince Vlad, she stood by her prince with encouragement, love, and sweet words. And I can tell you, as her daughter, that she was the best mother in the world, always ready to offer comfort, and a kind word.
'Princess Mirena was beautiful to the eye, fair on the inside and out. Speaking for all of Transylvania, in the words of her faithfully tender husband, she was as brave as she was beautiful. Princess Mirena fought alongside her husband and her people to keep them safe. And she died for it. She will always be honored in our hearts, and her memory will burn bright as long as I am queen.'" Sarai finished, hanging her head as the people hailed her.
When they finally had some quiet time to themselves, Sarai stood beneath her mother's life-sized portrait. The painting was very well captured, but in Mirena's family's eyes, it didn't do her justice, now more than ever. It was cloudy outside now, so Vlad slowly came behind Sarai, holding Ingeras's hand. They stood with her and both gazed endlessly up at the beautiful woman they had adored, and whose eternal absence was leaving a searing hole in their lives. Ingeras looked over at Sarai. "How does it feel to be queen?" He asked lightly, trying to cheer her up although he didn't feel good about it either.
Sarai pulled her royal crown off, and stared down at it with tears in her eyes and her lips quivered. She glanced up at her mother, then back down at the crown, running her fingers over it. "It hurts." She wept, clasping it close to herself like an infant. Vlad wrapped his arm around her and the other around Ingeras who hugged his waist. Vlad kissed the top of Sarai's head, his own eyes misty.
"You spoke very well, darling." He said kindly. "I'm proud of you."
Adjusting
Ingeras and Sarai had seen their father's powers, and his frightening behavior of having others drink his blood. He finally sat down with the two of them and told them the truth about his immortal state, as he couldn't hide it from them anymore. He was honest with them, and tried to emphasize how much he regretted being a vampire, but also that it was the best option he could think of at the time of the Turkish threat to protect his loved ones. But now, he didn't have a choice. His son and daughter forgave him. However, Vlad left out the fact about him drinking their mother's blood. So far, his children were both very kind, though disturbed at the hopeless news that he would always be like this. But killing their mother? NO! They must never know. It would shatter them the rest of their lives.
Ingeras and Sarai embraced Vlad, thanking him for his honest heart. He shed tears, overwhelmed at their generous, nurturing natures. They asked him questions about his 'condition', what to expect, what to stay aware of, what to do if he felt a craving, and what was a threat to his safety. Both children were sorrowful that he was no longer normal, but together they strived to cope with it and help their father live as normal a life as possible. And they wanted to keep him safe. They were still a family, and wanted to stay that way.
They gradually learned how to deal with Vlad's vampire ways: though it was nowhere near the same as what he was destined to do, Vlad tried hard to nourish his hunger with the blood of dead animals instead of people; if Vlad felt a craving that was getting too strong for him to resist-while in the presence of his children or others-, he'd walk away, mostly using the excuse for "the need for some air", or "I'm going for a walk"; when Vlad "needed some air" or he was "going for a walk", Ingeras and Sarai knew to back off and leave him be, until he returned or managed to solve his problem with something rather than human blood; they found ways to cope with his engrained methods, and eventually they all knew the routine, and tried to just be grateful that they still had each other. Sometimes, just by looking at his countenance, they knew he was struggling and wished they could do something to end his constant struggle not to harm the ones he loved. But one look into his gray, disheartened eyes, and they knew that he loved them too much to ever go after them. Vlad would've killed himself first. Sometimes he wished he could!
The most difficult part of this was Vlad's inability to venture into sunlight. On sunny days that should've been used for riding in the fields together, or strolls through the flower gardens, or picnics as a family, Vlad remained inside the castle somewhere, or at least in the deep shade outside. Before, the children hadn't enjoyed rainy days-except Sarai, for it was perfect writing weather-, but now they looked forward to the days where the sun did not come out but was cloudy and damp. These were the kind of days that Vlad could go do things with them outdoors, without him constantly having to find a spot of shade to hide under for survival. The overcast days became their new favorites, because it meant they could all spend time together as a family. Ingeras and Sarai never took for granted their days in the sun again after that, realizing how precious they truly were!
Lucien, as a man of God, still feared for Vlad's temptations, afraid one day he wouldn't be able to resist and would go after his own children. But every time he remembered Vlad's moment with Ingeras back in the Turkish camp, he felt guilty. He still kept a sharp eye on the royal children though. But he also saw how Vlad treated his people, when he was able to mingle among them. He was still the same caring prince, but a prince with a dark secret that would live inside him for all time. Lucien still disapproved of Vlad's new lifestyle, but it was irreversible except by death, and he had grown to accept that the prince still wanted peace as much as possible. And he saw how happy the children were to have their father, especially after losing Mirena. He constantly prayed for them though.
Night Terrors
For weeks, Ingeras and his sister were plagued with horrible flashback nightmares of the invasion and all the pain it had caused them and their people. Their precious little sleep was frequently interrupted in the night by the terrible things they'd been forced to witness. Vlad tried his hardest, the best he could to comfort them. It tore at him see his children so tormented, and he unable to spare them from it. He prayed for them, he held them and cried with them as they grieved over the devastation. He prayed dauntlessly that these horrible night terrors wouldn't last forever!
The worst one was on a Sunday night. It had been exactly six months since the day Vlad had drank his wife's blood, and he still hadn't told them about that. Ingeras was trembling and crying from the most terrible bad dream he'd ever had. Horribly frightened, he ran to his sister's room. He jumped on her bed and tried to shake her awake, too disoriented to realize that she too was wailing and shaking in her sleep. She woke with a start and shrieked in fright. "Ohh, Ingeras!" She cried. "I just had the most horrible dream!"
"So did I!" Ingeras wept. "It was about Momma."
"Mine was too!" Sarai sat up, shaking. Ingeras crawled into her arms, and they held each other tightly, sobbing sharply.
Vlad had heard their terrified cries and had bolted out of the great hall to rush to their sides. He stopped inside the doorway, trying to assess the situation. "What is the matter, my loves?" He asked with fatherly concern. Both children went silent, except for their uneven breathing and sniffles. Vlad grimaced at their dejected, frightened manner. He slowly came to them and sat on the edge of the bed. Ingeras curled into his lap and Sarai crawled next to him, laying her head on his thigh. "Can you tell me what is wrong?" Vlad asked slowly, trying to calm them.
"No." Ingeras whimpered, hiding his face. Sarai shook her head. Vlad bit his lip, trying to figure out the best thing to do.
"Did you have another bad dream?" He prodded gently.
"Mmm-hmm." Ingeras nodded.
"It was the worst one I've ever had." Sarai sniffled, still not looking up at him. Vlad lovingly touched her shoulder.
"Me too." Ingeras said.
"I'm so sorry." Vlad told them sympathetically. He kissed Ingeras's temple. Both children were terribly shaken. It took them a while to even begin to calm down. Vlad wanted them to share their trouble with him, but they were holding back. He had a sinking feeling that that was a bad sign. He tried to be patient. "Won't you tell me what has troubled you so?" He asked again. "I don't like to see my children afraid. I want to help you."
Sarai began to cry again. But she finally looked up at him. "P-Papa?" She squeaked.
"Yes, my princess?" Vlad smiled.
"Mother...Mother died from her fall, didn't she?" Sarai asked emphatically. Vlad stiffened and his face fell. Why would she ask him such a question? Unless…
"Your mother had a fatal fall, yes." Vlad nodded slowly.
"Papa, you would never hurt her." Ingeras spoke. It was more of a question than a statement.
"No!" Vlad declared. "I loved Mirena with all that I am and more. Your mother was an angel."
"I dreamed about when Mother fell." Sarai finally said. Vlad grimaced when he heard that. He looked at his son who nodded.
"I'm sorry." Vlad whispered softly.
"You were holding her, trying to keep her alive." Sarai sniffled.
"She noticed the sun rising and told you there was still a way you could stop the Turks." Ingeras added. Vlad's heart broke as he would forever remember those awful moments.
"She...she said...she told you to...Papa, I know you would never do it! You loved Mother! You'd never want to hurt her!" Sarai wailed, looking up her father anxiously.
"Momma wanted you to...she said...she..." Ingeras wept too.
"I'm listening." Vlad said quietly, swallowing hard.
"Mother asked you to drink her blood!" Both children blurted out at the same time. Their shoulders shook with deep sobs. Vlad's chest tightened as if he had been stabbed. Now he wished he had! He wanted to kill himself right now. "She said that she was already too far gone, but that it was the only way for you to save me." Ingeras said.
"You didn't want to hurt Mother, Papa! You didn't!" Sarai continued. "But she begged and begged you. You didn't want to, but..."
"But you...did." Ingeras hung his head, crying. Vlad was shattered. He'd wanted his children to learn to live their lives free and innocent again, without ever knowing that he had taken their mother's life! Now not only was it etched in his identity, but now his children knew! They knew! How could they ever forgive him now? He'd lost Mirena, not her heart, but her marital companionship. But now he'd lost both in his children!
"Papa, that is what happened, isn't it?" Sarai looked up at him, her eyes reddened. "That's how you became a vampire."
"Yes." Vlad hung his head. "I didn't want to!" He wept. "I'm sorry, I'm so very sorry, my children! I would never, ever, ever dream of hurting your mother, my wife! I never dreamed of ever doing such a thing. And I wouldn't have! I would've spared her..."
"But she insisted, because she wanted you to save me." Ingeras finished for him.
"Yes." Vlad firmly held his children close to himself, expecting them to push him away any second. "I am so sorry! I miss her every day too. If there was any way in the world that I could bring her back or go back and preserve her life, I would! In a heartbeat. I know you must hate me now, and you should. I know I became a horrible creature after what I did, and I will hate myself for it the rest of my existence. If you want to banish me forever, I will go so that you won't have to face me ever again. But I only pray that you both will try to understand how much I really will always love you!"
"Papa..." Ingeras buried his face in Vlad's chest, weeping. Sarai sat up and leaned her head on his shoulder. They both held onto him. He cried with them. Along with their sobs, their pounding heartbeats rang in his ears.
"Papa, do you have bad dreams about it too?" Sarai asked.
"Yes. Only it isn't a dream." Vlad muttered.
"I miss Momma." Ingeras whimpered.
"Papa? You won't leave us, will you?" Sarai begged. "All we have left is each other. We can't lose you too!"
"Papa, please don't go away!" Ingeras pleaded. "You promised to never leave me again, remember?"
"Yes, yes I do." Vlad nodded.
"I know you would never hurt Mother, even if your life depended on it, Papa." Sarai told him. "I hate that this happened! But it was Mother's choice. She's the one who initiated it. I wish she never did, but...we need you, Papa. Remember who you are!" Vlad clasped her hand tightly.
"Papa, please stay with us." Ingeras added. "You're our father. We can't live without you! Please don't leave us."
"I will never leave you, my loves. Never! Unless you ask me to." Vlad told them.
"You promise, Papa?" Ingeras looked up at him with puppy dog eyes.
"I promise." Vlad declared.
The Return of Caligula
Vlad had stayed with his children till their tears dried up and they finally fell asleep. He prayed that they would have a peaceful slumber. Once he was sure they were sound asleep, he went outside. He dejectedly walked around the entire grounds, till he came to Mirena's tomb. He knelt before it, running his hands over the tender words. "This was the one thing I had hoped to keep them from, Mirena." He whispered. "They've been through enough without having to understand how cruel a monster their father really is! They are so forgiving. That was your doing, my beloved one. You nurtured them and gave them comfort. How I wish you could do that for me at this moment! You will always be my angel." He pressed a kiss to the stone and leaned his head against it, tears dripping down his face.
"Imagine that? A monster with a real heart and soul." An unexpected, ancient, chilling voice spoke behind him, greatly startling Vlad. Vlad tensed, clenching his fists. "Such a sentimental type. What a pity you can't have what it is you crave so insatiably."
"What do you want?" Vlad asked in an unfriendly voice. "You're not welcome here."
"I am your master. The time has come for you to serve me." The former master vampire said.
Vlad stood up, still not facing him. "I owe you nothing." He said firmly.
"That was part of the deal. You become what I was, granted with dark powers, and in time you would do as I say." The master vampire said.
"That was one part I never agreed to." Vlad retorted.
"You owe me. I can make you fulfill your role if I have to."
Vlad finally turned to face him. His face was no longer deathly pale, and wrinkled from centuries of confinement. He looked like man, not a creature. But he still had the same red demonic eyes, and the same foreboding, know-it-all manner with a voice to match. "I never did this for you! This wasn't about you becoming free." Vlad told him adamantly. "I only did it for my kingdom and my family! Nothing more. Now get out!"
"We are the same." Caligula told him.
"I am now what you were, but we are NOT the same." Vlad growled. "I am a vampire, a monster for all the rest of eternity. It is a branding that I will always carry with me. But the likes of you is an abomination in my kingdom. Now leave!"
"As you wish." Caligula shrugged. He turned into a swarm of bats and flew threw the darkness.
Vlad was stunned. There was something off about the way Caligula had just given up. That wasn't his style. He was up to something! Vlad felt it with every vibe in his body. "Ingeras...Sarai!" Suddenly, his heart quivered and he too turned into a swarm of bats and charged his castle as fast as he could.
Vlad prayed desperately that he was wrong, but his instincts knew better as raced through his enormous castle and found the dreaded, evil monster lurking in the hallway, about to enter Ingeras's room! Without making a peep, Vlad lunged for him and collided him onto the floor.
"I told you to get out!" Vlad snarled. Caligula shoved him off and rose to his feet.
"Foolish prince." He sneered. "Do you honestly believe that an immortal can live his life in close-knit ties with the mortal? No. We drink their blood. It's a matter of survival. They don't matter. Nothing matters, but us and what they can give us. I told you, if you don't obey as I had commanded, I would make you do it. So, what's it going to be? You become my servant, or I take your son from you?"
Vlad's eyes widened in outraged horror. He clenched the beast by the collar and pinned him up against the wall. "You will never touch my children! Not my daughter, nor my son. Leave them be! I am their father, and I will not hesitate to protect them evil." Vlad seethed.
"What about the evil inside you?" Caligula arched his eyebrows. "Wasn't it you, who took their mother away from them?"
Vlad's eyes widened, and his grip loosened. He stepped back and turned away from the old man. "Y-yes." Vlad said in a shaky voice. "She was already dying, but I..."
"You finished her off."
"I finished her off." Vlad winced.
"You would be lying if you said that you are not ever tempted with thirst when you are close to them. Sometimes their veins full of your nourishment are staring you right in the face, taunting you mercilessly. Am I right?" Caligula asked.
"I...I love my children." Vlad sniffled.
"Yes, that makes it worse, doesn't it? You know you want to do it, but it would make you a murderer. You must give in some time, or you will lose control."
"I would never kill my own children!" Vlad blurted out defensively. "I would kill myself first."
"Did you not say the same about your precious wife? Where is she now? She is not here. She will never return, and whose doing is that?"
"M-mine." Vlad whimpered.
"Yes. I will spare your precious son and daughter, if you will take the life of another for me."
"You are deranged." Vlad growled. "I will not needlessly commit innocent bloodshed just to satisfy your ego. I hunt only to survive, nothing more. I feel like such a monster when I do." Then he turned to face down his tormentor again. "But you will NOT touch my children! Or I will kill you myself."
"I wouldn't touch them for the world. They are too innocent."
"Then what do you want? I've had enough of you."
"I will not be the one to take their lives. You will!"
Vlad was mortified. "Never! With God as my witness, I will not!" He refused.
"Haven't they suffered enough? It's bad enough that they lose their mother and their friends. Now you will force them to live with the knowledge that their father is a cold and heartless animal? Ending their misery if the most merciful thing you can do about it. You won't have to look them in the eyes every morning, knowing that it was you who killed you wife, knowing that you will never be free from the powers darkness, and knowing you could sink your teeth into their flesh at minute."
"S-spare me your ravings." Vlad tried to say angrily, but inwardly he was acutely feeling the haunting reality of Caligula's manipulation. He truly did hate being a monster that his loved ones could never free him from. He truly did hate himself for drinking Mirena's blood. He hated his children having to make sacrifices on his account, just to try and live a 'normal' life. If he-God forbid!-if he was to drink their blood, their troubles would be over. They wouldn't have to be plagued anymore by their tragedy. They wouldn't have to look at him with questioning eyes, wondering if he was tempted to kill them! If he could put an end to that, it would mean peace. Or if Sarai and Ingeras chose to be like him, then they could be vampires together and have something in common, something they presently could not possibly comprehend, no matter how hard they tried.
But then he remembered the dauntless guilt and sickening remorse he felt every single day about the loss of his beautiful Mirena. Could he really live with added guilt? Did he love his son and daughter? Yes! Would he die for them? In a heartbeat! Then Mirena's parting words flew back to him, "Remember who you are."
Then it struck him! Ever since Mirena had died, when his children had told him that sentence, he'd kept thinking, "I don't have to remember! I know who I am, what I am: a monster, a vile creature of darkness that takes the lives of others just to keep himself alive." But now, he saw it in a whole new light. Mirena had known about his impaler past, and she had still chosen to love him and be his wife, and help him put his monstrous upbringing aside. Every time it had crept up on him, she'd always told him to remember who he was...on the inside! Ingeras and Sarai were still telling him that too! Now Vlad understood! They weren't telling him to live with the guilt every day that he was a man of blood. They had been telling him the whole time, to remember who he was at heart: husband, father, prince, guardian...protector! They were disappointed with his foolish choices, but they saw him for who he was on the inside.
Vlad held his head up high and faced Caligula. He knew his choice! "So, are you going to play this game by my rules?" Caligula asked.
"This is not a game! I told you that before." Vlad snarled. "I will not do as you say. You are not master of my life!"
"So be it." Caligula shrugged. "But I warn you, their blood will be on your head." He was about to enter Ingeras's room.
"Do not go in there." Vlad warned him. The beast didn't listen. "Don't touch him!" The master vampire didn't listen. Feeling his incredible strength fill in, Vlad snatched him above the floor and running into the great hall, he tossed the ancient monster to the floor. "I told you, don't touch my son!" He bared his fangs.
"Foolhardy sentimental mouse." Caligula shook his head. "You think you can throw me around like a wooden beam? You forget, I have the same strength that you do. We are the same."
"We...are...NOT...the same!" Vlad howled. The two vampires charged at each other, bracing themselves against the other's strength, both aiming for the other's jugular vein in the neck. They tussled around, both growling like ferocious lions. They dug their finger nails, or rather claws, into the other's arms, pinching the skin. Then the master vampire had Vlad pinned on his back, holding him to the floor.
"You're a fool." Caligula told him. "The deal was serve me, or pay the price. Now you will pay the price with your life. When you are gone, then I will rip your children to pieces, and you won't be able to protect them."
Out of the corner of his eyes, Vlad saw it. He turned into a swarm of bats and flipped the guy over. Then he returned to his human looks, and ripping a wooden beam off the table with his bare hands, he thrust it straight through Caligula. Vlad's eyes darkened as he watched the guy shake and struggle to breathe. "A...wise choice...Lord Impaler." Caligula mocked scornfully. Then his whole being disintegrated until there was nothing left of him but specks of dust flying through the air.
Vlad wash shaking, and dropped to his knees, panting heavily. He was emotionally and mentally fatigued after all that had occurred tonight. But he was at least thankful that he'd been able to spare his children. If only he could say the same for Mirena. He glanced up at her portrait. She was smiling her sweet, encouraging smile. Vlad's heart lifted just by looking into her gentle face. He returned to Sarai's room and found her and Ingeras exactly as he had left them: slumbering away in her bed with their backs toward each other, curled up cozily under the heavy covers. At last, they looked so peaceful. Vlad sat on the edge of the bed. "Lord, please always look after them, even when I cannot!" He prayed.
It was sunny outside, so Vlad stayed in the shadows of his and Mirena's bedroom while his son and daughter ventured outdoors. He glanced down at his wedding band in the heart of his palm that was stinging his skin. When the burn became unbearable, he let it slip from his hand. His thoughts went back to the day before the Easter Feast, when he and Mirena had had an intimate, playful rendezvous in her rose garden. That was when everything had been perfect, when everything had been beautiful and peaceful, just before everything had changed when Vlad had discovered the Turks sneaking into his land!
It was a sunny day, absolutely perfect. Mirena was kneeling in her rose garden, plucking the most vivid blossoms. She was wearing her blue cloak. Birds were singing in the distance. She hummed contentedly as she plucked away. But then, she thought she'd heard something and turned back to see what it had been. A rabbit perhaps? No, it had sounded more like a foot step! Clearing her throat, but glancing around suspiciously, she tried to go back to her work to distract herself from feeling spooked.
She saw a tall shadow slowly approach and looked up. Oh, it's only him. Naturally, she thought to herself, chiding herself for having let him get to her nerves so easily. She looked up and saw a tall, rugged, slick, very handsome figure standing above her.
"I'm sorry. Did I scare you?" Vlad whispered, smirking at her quick reaction when she'd noticed him.
Mirena rolled her eyes. She refused to give him the satisfaction for having snuck up on her. "You flatter yourself." She muttered and went back to her work. Vlad grinned at her feisty response and knelt down beside her.
"The flowers, for your husband?" He asked playfully.
Mirena tried not to smile back but it was nearly impossible. "The feast for tomorrow." She corrected him.
"Oh. But there is a husband?" Vlad persisted.
"There is..." Mirena began and scooted closer to him. She could play this game too if he wanted to have some fun. "But he maintains little interest in flowers." She pretended to scold, but was bringing her nose only inches away from his.
"I'm surprised." Vlad gaped, his voice smooth with pretend sympathy. He removed her hood so he could admire her golden hair painted so beautifully in the sunlight. "He obviously has a keen appreciation for beauty." Mirena stared at him. Vlad suddenly kissed her mouth, hard. Mirena gave into his affection and sat up straighter. They fell back into the flowers.
"Vlad, this is foolishness!" Mirena squealed.
Vlad let out an arrogant chuckle. "So indiscreet." He commented flirtatiously.
"What if someone sees us?" Mirena asked, trying to push him away.
"Lucky them." Vlad shrugged casually, pulling her lips closer into his. Mirena didn't fight back.
"Ahem!" Dimitru announced his arrival. Mirena's eyes widened and she quickly got up and went back to her flowers, trying to act casual. Vlad just lay there pouting. Why this moment of all moments? "Is, uh, this a bad time?" Dimitru asked in a teasing tone.
"It is now!" Vlad answered bluntly. He wasn't going to let his friend off the hook easily for this one.
"It's perfectly fine, Dimitru." Mirena said, unable to hide her blushing cheeks.
Vlad grimaced and groaned loudly as he sat up. Dimitru gave him a knowing look, I know what you've been up to, my friend.
"This better be important." Vlad warned him with a smirk. You'd better have a VERY good reason for interrupting us!
Dimitru gave a small smile, then grew serious. "I'm afraid it is." He said.
And that had been their last innocent day together. Vlad wished he could be outdoors today, as it was so much like that perfect one. He wanted nothing more than to pluck those very roses then take them to Mirena's tomb. But he'd have to wait for an overcast day. Tears filled his eyes. Unless he died, he would never hold her in his arms again. Never get to kiss her lips , play with her hair, or hug her close again. Vlad's heart ached for his wife as he leaned his head back on the edge of the bed.
The royal Tepes family was beyond grateful that it was heavily overcast today, for they wanted to celebrate this particular day together! Sarai was getting married! She had been sought after by many male suitors, but only one her father had approved of. He was a decent man, a tinsmith, hardworking, kind and thoughtful. While others had admired the young queen for her looks, this simple, lowly gentleman had sought to win her heart and had gained it with Vlad and Ingeras's blessing!
Ingeras had grown so much. He was tall like his father, with blonde hair and blue eyes. He had a brave countenance with a small mustache growing for him. He was strong, caring, and brave. He had a most winning smile, just like his father, which had not hurt him in wooing a lovely young lady, Elise, a governess into becoming his wife! Even though they were both adults now, Ingeras had kept a protective eye on his big sister, especially when Vlad wasn't around to do so. He'd wanted to make sure she would be cherished by someone who would love her the same way Vlad had adored their mother. And the man Sarai had chosen to give her heart to felt like the brother Ingeras had never had.
Sarai was being prepared as a stunning princess bride. Vlad had put on his best clothes. He was very proud of this day, and he was honored to be part of it. He finally knocked on his daughter's door. "All ready, Your Highness." One of the maids smiled at him as they all left the bed chamber so he could be alone with his daughter. Vlad took a deep breath and marched inside.
Sarai was breathtaking in her long, white bridal gown and her long, chocolate locks resting lovingly along her shoulders. Sarai's veil was topped off with Mirena's pearl tiara. On this wonderful day, she wore it proudly, not sorrowfully. Vlad smiled proudly and tears filled his eyes. "Hello, Papa." Sarai smiled, cocking her head.
Vlad came to her side. "My darling," He said fondly, taking her hands in his, "you look dazzling." He kissed her cheek.
"Thank you." Sarai smiled up at him. "You look very handsome!"
"You are positively radiant, my dear. Are you happy?"
"Yes, Papa. Very happy." Sarai nodded. "My only regret is that Mother isn't here to share this day with us." She began to sniffle.
"I know. I know!" Vlad agreed, tenderly stroking her face. "But she is here, Sarai. Although we miss her terribly all the time, her spirit is still in this place. And right now she's smiling down on us. And I know she'd be so proud of you. You've carried on in her footsteps beautifully." He kissed her temple and held her close.
"Thank you, Papa." Sarai wept on his chest.
"Now, now. We can't have the loveliest bride in all of Transylvania look all red-eyed, now can we?" Vlad smiled, handing her his handkerchief. Sarai blew her nose then calmed down. She smiled widely. "That's it. That's my princess." Vlad traced his finger on her face. "Oh, Sarai. This is one of the best days of my life."
"Mine too."
"I know that Andrew will take very good care of you. Your mother would've liked him. I pray that you'll both have all the happiness you deserve in this life!"
"Thank you, Papa. And I pray that you'll find peace." Sarai told him seriously.
Vlad swallowed to keep from choking up again. "Thank you, my love. I'm trying to." He said. "You look so beautiful, my dear, just like your mother. I can't believe you're a woman now. But you'll always be my little girl. I love you, my little princess." Vlad said tenderly.
"I love you too, Papa." Sarai said. They tightly embraced each other, then slowly broke away when they heard the steeple bells.
"Well, it's time." Vlad grinned widely. "Are you ready, Sarai?"
"Yes, I am." Sarai smiled back, holding her head high. She picked up her bouquet of Mirena's roses. Vlad offered his arm and she took it.
"Shall we?"
"Yes!" As Vlad and Sarai calmly walked down the aisle, they and Ingeras were filled with joy. But their thoughts were all with Mirena. They could sense her love between the three of them.
It was an overcast day, the gray clouds painting a soft background against the tall skyscrapers. Vlad had found ways to adjust to the new century of extreme technology. His children were long gone, and now he was alone in the world though he kept an eye on his descendants. He thought of his wonderful wife every day. He walked along the city sidewalk, observing the people, trying to think of what their lives at home were like to distract himself from thinking of how much blood they had.
He was passing the flower vendor when he heard a sweet voice. A dear, familiar voice that he'd thought he'd never hear again! He looked back and saw a lovely woman standing at the flower vendor, giggling with a friend that walked away. Vlad slowly walked around her. She was the exact image of Mirena! Her hair was much, much shorter and she wore a tan overcoat and wore black high heels. But even so, she had the same sweet smile, the same kind sense of humor, and the same vibrant blue eyes! It had to be her! Vlad couldn't take his eyes off her. He just had to speak to her!
The woman's friend left and Vlad saw his chance. "Beautiful." He said softly, gazing at her. She turned and stared at him curiously in surprise. "The flowers, my lady." Vlad told her, though his eyes were on her and far from the flowers.
"My lady?" The lady smiled in amusement. "Where are you from?"
"A long way from here." Vlad grinned.
"Oh. Well, goodnight." The woman said and began to depart. Vlad couldn't let her get away!
"Why think separately of this life and the next, when one is born from the last?" He quoted. The lady stopped and gaped at him.
"That's my favorite poem!" She exclaimed.
Vlad smiled. "It speaks to you of yearning, of one soul pleading for another." He said.
The woman gazed thoughtfully at him. She felt confused, but not afraid; intrigued, but not on guard; curious. Who was this guy? Surely she had never met this man before, yet...there was something warm, very tender, and familiar about him! She looked into his gray eyes. A deep history ran through them, like a river of many channels. She was lost in them, yet they felt so welcoming, so...like they had been friends all their lives. "I'm Mina." She said quietly.
"Vlad." Vlad replied. He gently took her hand and softly kissed it. Mina smiled.
"Would you like to walk with me?" Mina suggested. "Perhaps we could talk some more. I'm very interested in learning where you are from! Would you like to?"
"Very much." Vlad said, struggling not to show his ecstasy. He wanted to hear all about her, he wanted to be with her, he wanted to know about her.
"Come along then." Mina cocked her head. Vlad more than gladly fell in step beside her. It felt wonderful, absolutely blissful, pure, to be with her again! He had no idea where this road would take them, but Vlad prayed and hoped with all of his heart that it was the brink of a new beginning!
THE END
There! Because this one was based on the movie, I included the tragedy. But my other ones I intend to be happy! I have other ones pending. Thank you for reading, and reviewing!