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"There is no need to be nervous." Dracula whispered in her ear as he helped Agatha step from their chauffeur driven car. "You will be the most beautiful woman here."

A sentiment Agatha couldn't help but scoff at as she took in the somewhat modest entrance, and the procession of cars behind them that were waiting for their turn to drop off the own illustrious guests.

"I mean it, just remember who you are my Agatha, remember your power and your incorruptibility. I believe in you, your sisters believe in you, you only need to believe in yourself…"

"Did you just decide to look up giving a pep talk on your phone? Might I suggest next time you avoid taking tips from buzz-feed, it doesn't work for you." Agatha couldn't help but remark, enjoying the almost affronted look that graced her companion's face for a moment, before a self-satisfied smirk drove it away.

"Well I thought it worth a try…" Dracula offered, hardly offended by Agatha's Dutch directness, even if he was a little annoyed, she thought he was bullshitting about being the most beautiful, as in his eyes no one else ever came close.

"Well in future do try harder to resist that urge."

"As my lady commands…"

"Good, you keep that in mind, and don't leave my side all night, and we might just make it through this evening." Agatha sighed, her hand tightening on Dracula's arm as they stepped through the entrance foyer and into a large open-air courtyard.

There were already many of their kin milling about, little clusters of acquaintances deep in conversation. A few heads lifted to take note of their arrival but not in anyway that made Agatha uneasy; it was more noting of a new face, a moment of scrutiny that passed quickly, when her lack of striking looks allowed her to fade into the background.

"Well this is almost boringly normal." Dracula muttered for her benefit, Agatha turning her head slightly to catch the twitch of a smile about his lips.

"Why what were you expecting? A drum roll, a firing squad, a quartet of semi-clad nymphs singing your praises..."

"Your mind is a terrifying place beloved…although your last suggestion has some merit." Dracula didn't attempt to hide his amusement this time, despite being on the look out for threats, there was something almost comfortable about attending a social event with Agatha on his arm. He would at least never be bored.

"Oh Count Dracula…"

Groaning Dracula took a breath he didn't need, his hand tightening on Agatha's arm.

"Count Dracula…oh and this must be your 'gossip'…"

Turning at hearing his name called Dracula did his best remain polite, accepting the hand that was offered and placing a chaste kiss to her gloved knuckles. "Madam such a pleasure to see you again so soon."

"Please Count I do recall asking you to call me Veronica." The vision in peach silk and taffeta insisted, before turning her dark gaze on the slender vampire at the Count's side. "Would you do me the honour of introducing me?"

Barely suppressing the urge to grimace Dracula resigned himself to having to make introductions, this was why they were here after all, for vampire society to meet Agatha and for Agatha to get her introduction to the snake pit…and there were worse people to start off with.

"Agatha may I introduce Madam de Franco…Madam…Veronica…" He corrected himself with barely a hesitation. "This is Agatha Van Helsing…" Soon to be Countess Dracula, Vlad added in the privacy of his own mind, as he didn't expect Agatha would appreciate him actually saying it out loud, considering she still hadn't agreed to wed him; even if it would be the best deterrent from this flirty courtesans.

"My dear it is such a delight to finally make your acquaintance, I have heard so many things about you…" At Agatha's coolly raised eyebrow, Veronica was surprisingly flustered, or at least she put on a good act at being. "All good of course. I mean even before our dear Count's return; I had heard tales about the talented young vampiress doing important work to find and retrieve our vulnerable young. I have always had a keen interest in those of us who can show up the males of our species."

"I am afraid you have the advantage Madam."

"Ah not telling tales out of school then Count, I knew there was a reason I took a liking to you." Veronica simpered, batting her eyelashes at the Romanian Count, her delight only growing when he looked moderately annoyed by her attentions. It really was delightful to have her suspicions confirmed.

When she had first heard about Count Dracula, Veronica had heard about his charm of course, and about how he seemingly had little preference about who he used that charm on. Yet here he was barely a year later, and it was like a different man stood before her, the power love had to affect even the most committed bachelor. Agatha Van Helsing would be a powerful ally to cultivate, and Veronica was determined to do so, even if it was in the face of her future husband's objections.

"You two look good together, your children will be quite striking...and tall…" Veronica noted decidedly, savouring the sudden about face her comments created, now it was Agatha's turn to look uncomfortable, whereas the Count…well Count Dracula could barely contain his grin.

"Yes, they will be won't they."

"Vlad…" Agatha hissed, yet the moment to contain the situation had passed.

"Now now beloved you should learn to take a compliment; you will be contributing 50% of their genetics."

"You know very well that's not…" Agatha broke off, they were providing too much amusement for their audience who seemed to delight in their bickering banter. "Forgive us Madam de Franco…"

"Veronica please, I do insist." She insisted before turning back to the Count. "So tell me Elder Dracula, have you heard the rumours, I mean everyone is talking about it, but no one knows anything for certain, but you must have heard something about what happened to Elder Pazi…the whole clan seems to have gone into seclusion, we don't even know if his daughter will make her curtsey tonight as planned."

"I am just as perplexed by the situation as everyone else." Dracula insisted, his eyes wide in guileless innocence. "Perhaps we will hear more this evening? I imagine if the Conti family attend, they will be keen to clear themselves of any blame." Dracula deflected. "In the meantime, I think it is best not to speculate."

"Veronica…" Agatha could capitulate on that small point, as despite the beauty in front of her being a flirt and a gossip, there didn't seem to be any malice in it. "Would you tell me about your clan, since my escort is more interested in embarrassing me than guiding me like he is supposed to."

His free hand now clasped to his chest as if taking a blow there, Dracula feigned outrage, before slipping back into a charming smile.

"I am a member of the Contarini clan, a lessor member. I'm afraid I am considered something of a rebel, and far too outspoken to be given a position on the grand council." Veronica conceded with grace and barely a tinge of bitterness, her darks eyes alighting on Agatha's face, watching as the younger vampire seemed to ponder that statement.

"From Venice?"

"Originally, although some of the clan has spread to Sicily, Venice remains the home of our clan and my own, have you ever visited?"

"No, I never had that pleasure." Agatha could only shake her head, despite once being well travelled for her gender and the age she lived in, Agatha couldn't claim to have spent much of her immortal life anywhere other than England. "I once made up part of a pilgrimage to St Peter's Basilica, we took a ship from Rotterdam to Cititavecchia, and as I was to join a convent in Budapest, we travelled over land by post breaking our trip in the convents we passed, but I am afraid there was little time for sightseeing."

"Well I insist you visit soon; you can be my guests. I confess my little villa is nothing compared to the splendours my Elder enjoys but I think you will enjoy my circle of friends a little more." Veronica added with a wink. "I would think you would enjoy finding that not all of us are quite so set in the past and can recognise that a woman's brain is even more alluring than her beauty."

Sharing a glance with Dracula who seemed to be enjoying taking the back seat and allowing her to carry the weight of the conversation, Agatha could only nod politely. "That is a wonderful offer thank you, we will have to check our plans and let you know."

Veronica could at least recognise a polite deferral when she heard it, and was well mannered enough not to press, slow and steady would be the approach with this couple.

"I am sure you are keen to begin mingling so I shouldn't hogg your time…I will head down soon to secure a good spot to watch your presentation. It will be quite a spectacle this evening, I understand we have had some unexpected special guests fly in, you are all quite honoured to be making your curtsey before Elder Honshū, I understand he hasn't left Japan since the fifteenth century."

The smile on Agatha's face froze slightly, internally her mind was whirling, and she knew her lover well enough to see the tension in his shoulders even as outwardly Dracula expressed delight.

"Perhaps we should head down with you, I really should find where I am supposed to be."

"Oh I would be happy to guide you…have you visited the villa before? If you find the time you really should take the time to look through the Cardinal's rooms, some of the murals there are spectacular…"

Following in Veronica's wake as she easily traversed the crowd, Agatha tried her best to appear to be relaxed and interested in the beautiful surroundings. Yet the mention of Pazi and the appearance of other Elders flying in when they weren't expected, only piled on the pressure she was feeling. A pressure that didn't go away as the debutant coordinator flapped around, casting his critical eye over her attire and merely clucking as he shooed them into position; only Dracula's presence as her escort was keeping him civil.

In front of them was a long terrace, the presiding Elders were set up on a raised platform to the left. The debutants were to precede in order, be announced and take their curtsey in front of the assembled Elders, speak if spoken to, and then proceed into the painted hall that was doubling as the ballroom. Then the opening dance would take place, a waltz, when the debutants would be on display like cattle at some sort of auction. After the opening waltz the dancing would open to all the guests and eligible young men would come around, sniffing about the new blood, like hounds after a fox.

It was upon them before Agatha was ready, the crowds had gathered, and necks were craned in their direction. The other debutants appeared to be simmering with excitement, but Agatha could only pray for the event to be over soon. She was only distracted from her own nerves by the sight of Isabella slipping in at the last moment…on the arm of Baron de Rais.

"There is a story there." Dracula muttered for her hearing only, feigning a smile as he nodded towards his fellow Elder.

Agatha was more interested in watching Isabella, who in a blue dress so pale it was almost white, looked like a fragile doll, and whose gaze was firmly fixed on the floor. The interested stares and less than friendly whispers were clearly unnerving her, and Agatha felt her heart go out to the once naïve young vampire. Isabella had been sheltered by her parents to such a degree that the loss of her father and this sudden scrutiny, well Agatha didn't know how she had found the courage to come tonight…so she had consider the fact that Isabella probably hadn't been given much of a choice.

"I would have thought Conti would present her." Dracula added, his brows gather in a frown.

Still there was little time to ponder it further as the couples in front of them began to move. They were being presented in alphabetical clan order which meant Agatha Van Helsing from Clan Dracula was among the earlier to be presented.

"It will be over soon my love, head up, smile and pretend no one else is here, no matter what you hear said, you pretend you are a goddess and the opinions of the rabble mere mortals who are beneath your notice."

"What did I tell you about your pep talks." Agatha hissed between gritted teeth, as she tried her best to maintain a serene smile and glide forward like Monsieur had drilled into her.

"Ah you're no fun."

"You're not helping in the slightest."

"Yes, but while you are annoyed with me you aren't whittling about your footwork."

"No instead I am wondering whether it would be worth the damage to the Clan's reputation to kick you in the shins." Agatha countered, whilst nodding a greeting to Mycroft whose familiar face stood out in the crowd. No matter their current difficulties, it was good to see one familiar face.

"Ah my love you wouldn't hurt me…now be a good girl and curtsey."

Resisting the urge to bite her lip, or shoot Dracula a scathing glance, Agatha held her head up high, meeting the piercing dark gaze of a slim powerful Japanese vampire who was seated front and centre.

"Presenting Agatha Van Helsing of Clan Dracula."

Sinking into a graceful curtsey Agatha kept her back straight, feeling the reassuring strength of Dracula's arm under her palm as she held the curtsey until she was bid to stand…something that seemed to go on forever…but finally the Elder nodded and waved her to her feet.

It was like a weight had been lifted, and Agatha fairly floated the rest of the way into the painted hall, letting out the breath she had been holding as she fell into Dracula's familiar embrace as they joined the couples already dancing around the room.

"Well done my darling, the worst is over…" Dracula whispered in her ear, his face fairly bursting with pride.

And Agatha wanted to believe he was right, there was something wonderful about waltzing to the sound the small orchestra, Dracula's arms around her, his gaze looking down on her in obvious pride. Perhaps this evening wouldn't be the terrible experience they had worried it would?

"Hmm the only thing that could make this anymore romantic would be a proposal." Dracula teased, yet whilst his tone was light and teasing, his eyes hinted that he was not really being as flippant as he was pretending to be.

Swallowing down the feeling of her heart in her throat, Agatha knew this moment was a crossroad. She could dismiss his words, pretend she didn't realise just what Dracula was hinting at, what he was hoping for…to finally have her permission to ask. Agatha could feign ignorance and Dracula wouldn't press her, he would swallow down the words his heart longed to ask, and they would go on just as they had been. Or she could take that leap…could give that sign Dracula was waiting for and allow him to ask the question that would change their lives forever…

"Yes…yes it would be a perfect time for one…very romantic…" Agatha offered watching the joy blossomed on Dracula's face as he brought them to a pause near the centre of the room, the other couples continued to spin on around them both.

"Agatha Van Helsing, there are no words to explain just how much you mean to me, I am a warrior not a poet, but will you do the great honour of accepting my hand in marriage…" Dracula paused, bringing her hands to his lips, pressing a kiss to her fingertips. "Say you will be my wife."

Smiling up at him Agatha could feel the prick of tears at the back of her eyes. "I…."

"Elder Dracula, Miss Van Helsing, such a delight to see you here, you are looking quite lovely this evening…of course you both known Mis Pazi."

It took every measure of control Dracula had not to turn around and rip Giles de Rais throat out. Plastering a rigid smile on his face Dracula turned to bow slightly in Isabella's direction. "Baron de Rais…If you will exc…"

But then out of the blue.

"Miss Van Helsing may I have the honour of this dance?"

If Dracula had wanted to murder Giles before, now he wanted to eviscerate him, to pound him into mincemeat and set him on fire for good measure.

"Baron we were in the middle of a dance…"

"Oh forgive me you appeared to have stopped. And besides you couldn't deny me the chance to dance and bestow my best wishes on the first blooming flower of your clan…now could you Elder Dracula?" Giles grin was wide, his blue eyes glinting within glee, knowing that Dracula wanted nothing more than to refuse, to keep his precious little vampiress safe in his arms, and also knowing that refuse so generous an offer would not only appear rude but suspicious.

His hand extended expectantly Giles held it there, waiting his hand suspended, refusing to back down as Dracula glared down his nose at the Frenchman.

"Just a short dance." Dracula grudgingly conceded, conveying with his gaze, that he would be back to reclaim his beloved the moment it was over, and that he would be watching their every move.

Which was just as Giles wanted…let him watch…let them all watch…

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