The morning of the wedding was spent preparing for that evening, and I had awoken thinking about what I was to wear. It had just occurred to me that I had no wedding gown, and certainly no time for one to be fitted and made.
As I was pacing the floor of my chamber wondering what to do my father came in, along with two of my servants. They were carrying a large thin box, which my father had them put on my bed. I looked at it curiously, and then at him.
"Open it, my dear. I think you'll find that you can put it to good use."
I pulled the lid off of the box quickly, and was amazed by what was inside. It had to be the most beautiful gown I had ever seen, of a flowing silvery-white material. I lifted it up out of the box, unable to speak.
It was intricately detailed, with what appeared to be jewels sewn into the bodice. The top was of a corseted fashion, with detailed lacing up the back.
My father had been watching my reaction with a smile on his face. "Well, will it do?"
I looked up at him grinning. "It's gorgeous. Where did you find it?"
"It was your mother's. She wore it at our wedding. I'm sure she'd want you to have it now."
I laid the dress down on the bed and walked over to him, giving him a hug. "Thank you father. It's wonderful."
After my father left I simply admired the dress for some time, then I had my servants run up a hot bath. I learned from them that the rest of the household had been very busy all morning preparing food and decorations, and that our rarely used ballroom had been transformed into a magnificent spectacle.
The afternoon came quickly, and soon there were servants bustling all around me preparing me for the ceremony.
It was nearing time for the wedding to begin when my father came for me. I was already dressed in my mother's gown, my long hair swept up and pinned on top of my head. Surprisingly the dress was a perfect fit; my mother must have been the same size that I was when she married.
I was sitting in front of my mirror, looking at my reflection, when my father entered.
Smiling, he walked over to me and laid his hand on my shoulder. "You look lovely, my dear."
I did not answer him, but continued to look at my reflection in the mirror.
"It's almost time for the ceremony to begin. Are you ready to marry the count?"
I looked up at him in the mirror. "I suppose I am."
"Don't worry, Katrina. You will be happy together, I promise you. The count loves you, I can tell he does."
I stared at my father. "He does? How do you know?" He smiled again. "You can see it in his eyes, in the way he looks at you. He does love you, Katrina."
I looked down at my dress, feeling relieved somehow but nervous.
"It is time, Katrina," my father said, holding out his hand to me. I took it, and together we made our way to where several hundred people, and the count, waited.
The ceremony passed much more quickly than I thought it would. My father escorted me down the aisle of the enormous cathedral to where the count stood waiting.
He was extremely handsome, dressed in a fancy black uniform, his hair pulled back neatly. He smiled as we made our way to him, and took my hand from my father when we reached him.
As the priest performed the ceremony, I found that I could not take my eyes off of the count. I thought about what my father had said about him loving me, and as we looked at each other I realized just how obvious it was.
I had said when I was younger that I would never marry a man that did not love me, and I kept that promise.
At last we exchanged vows, and a kiss that seemed to last forever. Smiling at each other, we made our way back down the aisle and to the grand feast that had been prepared.
The feast was by far the largest I had ever been to. The great dining hall had been wonderfully decorated, and every type of food I could imagine was served. Afterwards we sat in conversation for some time, the count and I unable to take our eyes off of each other.
Finally it was time for the grand ball to begin. It truly was a magnificent spectacle, and as the count led me into the ballroom I was unable to speak. I stared around in disbelief; all of it must have cost a fortune. The count was watching me and smiled.
"I thought that you would like it."
I looked at him questioningly. "You had all of this done for me?" He smiled again and nodded, just as music started to play.
He held out his hand to me. "I believe that this dance is for us."
Smiling, I took his hand and we began to dance. The music was lovely as we glided smoothly across the dance floor, paying attention only to each other. The count was an excellent dancer, and he spun me around the ballroom with ease.
"I don't think I have had the chance to tell you, but you look very beautiful tonight," he said looking into my eyes. "That dress looks very lovely on you."
I smiled. "Thank you, my lord. It was my mother's gown."
We continued dancing as the song ended and another began. Other couples filled the ballroom and began dancing around us. It was a wonderful sensation; I felt like my feet were barely touching the floor as the count twirled and dipped me.
After the song ended the count and I were a bit out of breath, and we made our way over to where Van Helsing stood alone, watching the dance.
As we approached him I noticed that his eyes were on me, not his friend. But the count took no notice.
"Gabriel, won't you dance? It's a shame for you to spend the entire evening merely watching," the count teased him smiling.
"Maybe later, Vladislaus," Van Helsing answered.
For some time we spoke to guests, who offered their congratulations again and again. At last Van Helsing and I stood talking, the count busy speaking with a man that seemed to be another good friend of his.
A song ended and another began, and Van Helsing looked at me. "Would you like to dance, my lady? If your husband doesn't mind, of course," he said smiling and glancing at the count.
"I don't think that he would mind. I would ask, but he seems to be very deep in conversation at the moment." I smiled. "So yes, my lord, I would like to dance."
Van Helsing led me onto the dance floor where the dance was just beginning. We began to dance, and I found that he was, like the count, a very good dancer. As he spun me around the ballroom I became caught in his eyes, which seemed so deep and gentle. Finally, feeling a bit embarrassed, I pulled my eyes away from his. I glanced into the crowd of people that stood watching the dance, and my eyes fell upon the count.
He was no longer in conversation, but stood watching us intently. He had a strange expression on his face, one that I had never seen him wear. I could not place what it was; surprise, perhaps?
He passed out of my line of vision, and for a few moments I could not spot him in the crowd. Then I caught sight of him again, and this time his expression was clear to me: jealousy.
It caught me by surprise, and then I became afraid that I had angered him. Van Helsing must have noticed my fear, asking if I was well. I answered that I was, and as soon as the song ended I made my way back towards the count, followed by Van Helsing.
He was watching me carefully as we reached where he was standing, and I gave him a smile. He returned the smile, but I noticed that it did not reach his eyes, which seemed almost cold.
"I see that you finally got Gabriel to dance," he said calmly.
"Yes, I did. You seemed to be a bit busy, I didn't think you would mind."
He gave me a small, almost sad smile. "Well, my dear Katrina, I believe that it is getting a little late. Perhaps we should retire for the night."
I nodded, a little nervous about the count's behavior. He didn't seem to be angry, but then again I had never seen him angry before. We said goodnight to Van Helsing, my father, and a few others before leaving the ballroom. We made our way through the castle halls for several minutes in silence, and then the count stopped and turned to me.
For a moment he simply looked at me, then he took me into his arms and kissed me like he had never done before. I returned his passionate kisses, my arms around his neck.
Suddenly he stopped and pulled away from me. "No, no, not yet my dear." Taking my hand he led me up a staircase, and I realized where we were going: to one of the large towers that was rarely used. I had thought that perhaps we would be staying in my own chamber, or perhaps one closer to my father or the guests.
We finally reached the large door to the tower chamber, and the count opened it, allowing me to enter first.
I did so, and I heard the door close behind me. The room was enormous, and included a huge, elaborately carved four-poster bed, a desk, and many other pieces of large furniture. The room had been decorated for our wedding night, with candles glowing around the room and wreaths of flowers here and there.
I turned to face the count, who now stood watching me. "You….?" I asked, gesturing to the decorations around us.
He smiled. "Yes," he said, walking toward me.
"It's beautiful."
"I thought that it would be to your liking," he said. I turned around to look at the room, admiring the soft glow of the candles.
I felt his presence close behind me, and my heartbeat sped up as I felt his fingers trail down my arm. He then began to kiss my neck, softly at first and then with greater passion. I felt his hands slide down my waist and to my hips, then he began loosening the lacing of my gown.
He seemed very good at this, for soon I felt the dress loosen completely. Taking his hands, he slowly and gently pushed the shoulders of the dress down over my arms. I felt the dress slide off onto the floor, and slowly I turned to face him.
He caressed my face with his hand, letting it trail down my neck. "God you're beautiful," he whispered.
Smiling, I reached up and took the pins out of my hair, allowing it to fall down my shoulders and back. For a moment he simply stared at me, with what seemed to be a look of amazement. Then our lips met again in a kiss even more passionate than before.
As I felt the count's mouth on my neck, my arms wrapped around him, I smiled to myself. Perhaps being married wouldn't be nearly as bad as I had thought. It might even be enjoyable.
A/N: I know, I know…it was going so nicely wasn't it? Sorry to disappoint, but I said I was going to keep this at PG13, so there you have it. So just imagine the rest of the scene on your own, it won't be that hard. ;)
As I was pacing the floor of my chamber wondering what to do my father came in, along with two of my servants. They were carrying a large thin box, which my father had them put on my bed. I looked at it curiously, and then at him.
"Open it, my dear. I think you'll find that you can put it to good use."
I pulled the lid off of the box quickly, and was amazed by what was inside. It had to be the most beautiful gown I had ever seen, of a flowing silvery-white material. I lifted it up out of the box, unable to speak.
It was intricately detailed, with what appeared to be jewels sewn into the bodice. The top was of a corseted fashion, with detailed lacing up the back.
My father had been watching my reaction with a smile on his face. "Well, will it do?"
I looked up at him grinning. "It's gorgeous. Where did you find it?"
"It was your mother's. She wore it at our wedding. I'm sure she'd want you to have it now."
I laid the dress down on the bed and walked over to him, giving him a hug. "Thank you father. It's wonderful."
After my father left I simply admired the dress for some time, then I had my servants run up a hot bath. I learned from them that the rest of the household had been very busy all morning preparing food and decorations, and that our rarely used ballroom had been transformed into a magnificent spectacle.
The afternoon came quickly, and soon there were servants bustling all around me preparing me for the ceremony.
It was nearing time for the wedding to begin when my father came for me. I was already dressed in my mother's gown, my long hair swept up and pinned on top of my head. Surprisingly the dress was a perfect fit; my mother must have been the same size that I was when she married.
I was sitting in front of my mirror, looking at my reflection, when my father entered.
Smiling, he walked over to me and laid his hand on my shoulder. "You look lovely, my dear."
I did not answer him, but continued to look at my reflection in the mirror.
"It's almost time for the ceremony to begin. Are you ready to marry the count?"
I looked up at him in the mirror. "I suppose I am."
"Don't worry, Katrina. You will be happy together, I promise you. The count loves you, I can tell he does."
I stared at my father. "He does? How do you know?" He smiled again. "You can see it in his eyes, in the way he looks at you. He does love you, Katrina."
I looked down at my dress, feeling relieved somehow but nervous.
"It is time, Katrina," my father said, holding out his hand to me. I took it, and together we made our way to where several hundred people, and the count, waited.
The ceremony passed much more quickly than I thought it would. My father escorted me down the aisle of the enormous cathedral to where the count stood waiting.
He was extremely handsome, dressed in a fancy black uniform, his hair pulled back neatly. He smiled as we made our way to him, and took my hand from my father when we reached him.
As the priest performed the ceremony, I found that I could not take my eyes off of the count. I thought about what my father had said about him loving me, and as we looked at each other I realized just how obvious it was.
I had said when I was younger that I would never marry a man that did not love me, and I kept that promise.
At last we exchanged vows, and a kiss that seemed to last forever. Smiling at each other, we made our way back down the aisle and to the grand feast that had been prepared.
The feast was by far the largest I had ever been to. The great dining hall had been wonderfully decorated, and every type of food I could imagine was served. Afterwards we sat in conversation for some time, the count and I unable to take our eyes off of each other.
Finally it was time for the grand ball to begin. It truly was a magnificent spectacle, and as the count led me into the ballroom I was unable to speak. I stared around in disbelief; all of it must have cost a fortune. The count was watching me and smiled.
"I thought that you would like it."
I looked at him questioningly. "You had all of this done for me?" He smiled again and nodded, just as music started to play.
He held out his hand to me. "I believe that this dance is for us."
Smiling, I took his hand and we began to dance. The music was lovely as we glided smoothly across the dance floor, paying attention only to each other. The count was an excellent dancer, and he spun me around the ballroom with ease.
"I don't think I have had the chance to tell you, but you look very beautiful tonight," he said looking into my eyes. "That dress looks very lovely on you."
I smiled. "Thank you, my lord. It was my mother's gown."
We continued dancing as the song ended and another began. Other couples filled the ballroom and began dancing around us. It was a wonderful sensation; I felt like my feet were barely touching the floor as the count twirled and dipped me.
After the song ended the count and I were a bit out of breath, and we made our way over to where Van Helsing stood alone, watching the dance.
As we approached him I noticed that his eyes were on me, not his friend. But the count took no notice.
"Gabriel, won't you dance? It's a shame for you to spend the entire evening merely watching," the count teased him smiling.
"Maybe later, Vladislaus," Van Helsing answered.
For some time we spoke to guests, who offered their congratulations again and again. At last Van Helsing and I stood talking, the count busy speaking with a man that seemed to be another good friend of his.
A song ended and another began, and Van Helsing looked at me. "Would you like to dance, my lady? If your husband doesn't mind, of course," he said smiling and glancing at the count.
"I don't think that he would mind. I would ask, but he seems to be very deep in conversation at the moment." I smiled. "So yes, my lord, I would like to dance."
Van Helsing led me onto the dance floor where the dance was just beginning. We began to dance, and I found that he was, like the count, a very good dancer. As he spun me around the ballroom I became caught in his eyes, which seemed so deep and gentle. Finally, feeling a bit embarrassed, I pulled my eyes away from his. I glanced into the crowd of people that stood watching the dance, and my eyes fell upon the count.
He was no longer in conversation, but stood watching us intently. He had a strange expression on his face, one that I had never seen him wear. I could not place what it was; surprise, perhaps?
He passed out of my line of vision, and for a few moments I could not spot him in the crowd. Then I caught sight of him again, and this time his expression was clear to me: jealousy.
It caught me by surprise, and then I became afraid that I had angered him. Van Helsing must have noticed my fear, asking if I was well. I answered that I was, and as soon as the song ended I made my way back towards the count, followed by Van Helsing.
He was watching me carefully as we reached where he was standing, and I gave him a smile. He returned the smile, but I noticed that it did not reach his eyes, which seemed almost cold.
"I see that you finally got Gabriel to dance," he said calmly.
"Yes, I did. You seemed to be a bit busy, I didn't think you would mind."
He gave me a small, almost sad smile. "Well, my dear Katrina, I believe that it is getting a little late. Perhaps we should retire for the night."
I nodded, a little nervous about the count's behavior. He didn't seem to be angry, but then again I had never seen him angry before. We said goodnight to Van Helsing, my father, and a few others before leaving the ballroom. We made our way through the castle halls for several minutes in silence, and then the count stopped and turned to me.
For a moment he simply looked at me, then he took me into his arms and kissed me like he had never done before. I returned his passionate kisses, my arms around his neck.
Suddenly he stopped and pulled away from me. "No, no, not yet my dear." Taking my hand he led me up a staircase, and I realized where we were going: to one of the large towers that was rarely used. I had thought that perhaps we would be staying in my own chamber, or perhaps one closer to my father or the guests.
We finally reached the large door to the tower chamber, and the count opened it, allowing me to enter first.
I did so, and I heard the door close behind me. The room was enormous, and included a huge, elaborately carved four-poster bed, a desk, and many other pieces of large furniture. The room had been decorated for our wedding night, with candles glowing around the room and wreaths of flowers here and there.
I turned to face the count, who now stood watching me. "You….?" I asked, gesturing to the decorations around us.
He smiled. "Yes," he said, walking toward me.
"It's beautiful."
"I thought that it would be to your liking," he said. I turned around to look at the room, admiring the soft glow of the candles.
I felt his presence close behind me, and my heartbeat sped up as I felt his fingers trail down my arm. He then began to kiss my neck, softly at first and then with greater passion. I felt his hands slide down my waist and to my hips, then he began loosening the lacing of my gown.
He seemed very good at this, for soon I felt the dress loosen completely. Taking his hands, he slowly and gently pushed the shoulders of the dress down over my arms. I felt the dress slide off onto the floor, and slowly I turned to face him.
He caressed my face with his hand, letting it trail down my neck. "God you're beautiful," he whispered.
Smiling, I reached up and took the pins out of my hair, allowing it to fall down my shoulders and back. For a moment he simply stared at me, with what seemed to be a look of amazement. Then our lips met again in a kiss even more passionate than before.
As I felt the count's mouth on my neck, my arms wrapped around him, I smiled to myself. Perhaps being married wouldn't be nearly as bad as I had thought. It might even be enjoyable.
A/N: I know, I know…it was going so nicely wasn't it? Sorry to disappoint, but I said I was going to keep this at PG13, so there you have it. So just imagine the rest of the scene on your own, it won't be that hard. ;)
