*Chapter 2: Lady Maria*
One morning, there is a lovely young hedgehog named Maria Robotnik. She has yellow fur, gold hair, and blue eyes. She lives in a manor with her grandfather who is a old hedgehog with a gray mustache and glasses. He is a retired scientist and the only family member he has left is his granddaughter. After Maria has turned 19, she must find a husband to marry. A rich mobian. Gerald knew the time has come for his granddaughter to be married, yet he didn't want to lose her. He didn't want to be alone. Still, he must do what is right.
"Sir?" A voice asked. Gerald blinked and turn to see a young fox with twin tails holding the tray of tea. "Sorry, but here is your tea." The fox said.
"Oh. Thank you, Tails. You know you don't have to do this. You have a free day." Gerald said. Tails sat next to him with a smile.
"I know, but I like to come and help you. I like to study. You're like a teacher to me." He said. "And in return, I want to help you. Sure the servants come around to help, but I can be your only assistance." Gerald chuckled at the young fox. Coming in the room is Maria. She is wearing a blue dress with long sleeves. Her long hair is down in curls.
"Good morning, grandfather. Good morning, Tails." She greeted with a smile. She sat across from them.
"Good morning, Lady Maria." Tails said with a bow of his head.
"My dear, if you wish, you may go into town." Gerald offered. "But do not forget about tomorrow's dinner at Antoine's manor. He is eager to meet you in person after a letter we received yesterday." Maria nodded.
"Yes. Well, I must be ready to go into town." She said. "Maybe I could find a dress for tomorrow." She got up and return upstairs to her room to gather her money to bring. Gerald sighed sadly. Tails noticed his expression.
"Are you alright, sir?" He asked.
"Yes, but...I wish there is more time for us to spend together." Gerald said. "Maria is growing up too fast. Since her family died, I'd do anything to protect her and do what is right. Of course, she is at the age to marry. What if things go wrong?"
"If things don't work out, Maria will find somebody else. But I hear Antoine is loaded." Tails said. "He is a nice guy, but can be strict at times. But, I'm sure he'll like Maria." Gerald nodded a bit.
XX
Maria is up in her room, gathering her bag of money and place a hat on her head since it's sunny outside. She looked at herself in the mirror and smiled. Chirping is heard outside of her window. Maria walked towards her window and open it to see a blue bird on the branch of a tree, chirping in a melody tune. Maria smiled and let out a whistle. The bird hears this and flew down to land on Maria's finger.
"Hello there." Maria greeted as she gently strokes the bird's chest.
"Lady Marianella!" A voice spoke from the doorway. The bird flew away from Maria's finger as the yellow hedgehog turn back to see her servant. "Oh. I'm sorry, my lady." The male armadillo spoke.
"Oh, it's alright, Mighty. I am ready to go into town." Maria said, straightening her dress. The armadillo nodded and offered to take her to town. Whenever Maria wants to go to town, a servant must escort her for safety reasons. There could be thieves in the town, or gypsies. "I only need a few things for tomorrow." Maria said to her servant.
"Of course, my lady. At least it's early to go out. Less dangerous." Mighty said. "Still, if anyone tried to rob us, I will fight them off to protect you. Not everyone is friendly, my lady."
"It will be alright, Mighty. We will be fine." Maria told him.
They walk towards the doors, telling Gerald that they will be back soon and be careful. After they left, Gerald picked up the paper and see a photo of a vampire spotted outside of Transylvania. Tails sees this and look at the old hedgehog with worry.
"Those damn creatures." Gerald uttered under his breath. "I really hope those hunters could find one around here and kill it."
"Well, this one was found outside where we live. And there is no vampire activity for months." Tails told him. "Maybe the vampires left our town."
"Maybe you are right. I worry too much." Gerald said. "I can trust the hunters. They were trained to spot a vampire at night. Yet, vampires are tricky. They do anything to get their prey." He coughed a bit before drinking his tea.
Maria and Mighty are in town surrounded by mobians and the stands that sell. It is a bright sunny day. The mobians are strolling by, and those who sell yell out products. Maria turned to see Knuckles talking to a purple chameleon. Maria figured that they could be talking about their own business and vampires. Maria had never seen a vampire once. She was aware that they live out there somewhere.
"My lady, what is it we need to get?" Mighty asked.
"Oh. I need to find myself a dress and necklace to match with. And my grandfather needs...his medicine." Maria said with a small frown. "Mighty, can you fetch me his medicine? I will be at the shop to find a dress."
"Of course, my lady. Stay safe." Mighty said with a nod and walk away from her. Maria puts away her list and slowly walk through the streets. Gerald has been very sick lately. He has been coughing up blood. He is too stubborn to go visit with the doctor, and rather take his medication. Maria remembered one night that he was coughing so much, there was so much blood on the tissue. Gerald could die with this sickness. But he is fighting it. Still, Maria is worried about his health.
"I wonder how much time he has left." Maria said to herself.
XX
"No sign of them?" Espio asked the red echidna. "It's been 4 months. Something must be up."
"Nothing at all. I don't see bats or see anything on rooftops." Knuckles replied. "Hard to believe that there is no vampire on sight. If we leave, they come around. I think that's what they want."
"There is one sighted outside our town." Espio said. "It's in the papers."
"I'm aware." Knuckles said with a nod. "But we ain't moving. It's too risky to leave town just because a vampire is attacking elsewhere." Espio nodded. "Well, nice to talking to you, old friend. Stay safe." Knuckles said, tipping his hat before walking away from the chameleon. Espio walked down the streets to return to his office where his team awaits.
"My goodness, Lady Maria. That dress looks gorgeous on you." Rosie spoke as she helps Maria with a red dress. Maria looks at herself in the mirror wearing a red gown. It made her look thin.
"I guess, but...I think it's tight on me. You sure you found me a right size, Miss Rosie?" The old chipmunk looks at the yellow hedgehog in silent. The dress is beautiful, but the size isn't right.
"That is the only size I have left for you. Unless you want to look for another dress? Another color?" Rosie asked.
"Well, maybe I'll wear light blue. I'm happy wearing blue." Maria said with a smile. "Unless Lord Antoine wants to see me in a different color dress."
"Oh, nonsense, dear." Rosie said with a wave. "Let us search for a perfect dress." They walk away from the mirror to find another dress.
"Wait a minute! You mean to tell me that we can go out in the sunlight with jewelry?!" Rouge asked after Shadow told her what Sonic said about Nicole last night. "Splendid! I'm tired of sleeping all day and come around at night! I want to find us some new attire!" Rouge said.
"Rouge, we have to wait till tonight. I send Sonic a letter and he will meet us here when the sun goes down." Shadow said. "I really hope Nicole could trust us."
"She better. I do want to feel the warm sun on my skin." Rouge said, touching her face. "I know we can't see our reflections, but I know I look so pale. Do I look pale to you?"
"We are pale. We're vampires, remember? We never go out in the sun." Shadow said with his eyes half lidded. "But we will once we have the magic jewelry. You can wear a ring or necklace."
"Oh, this is so exciting! We can be out in a daylight! No more sleeping during the day!" Rouge praised. Shadow rolled his eyes and return to his bed chamber.
Shadow rests in his coffin, looking up at the empty ceiling in silent. Maybe he could find his bride during the day. He won't know until tomorrow. Shadow closes his eyes and slept some more.