Chapter 2

Lydia

Well, I decided to go to the gipsy band, which was in the valley not far from my father's castle. Maybe it's because my curios, but I didn't think so at that moment. I have just wanted to know my destiny as every normal girl. Night was calm, and cool wind blew. I was alone, but I wasn't afraid at all! In fact gipsy band situated on my family's lands, so I knew, that no one would touch me. I saw their campfire and their covered wagons. One aging gipsy woman came to me and as I want someone to fortunetelling me on cards, she led me to covered wagon, which was richer than others. I came in, and saw a gipsy girl. She was nice. Her hair was curly and raven black, her grey eyes shone brightly on her tan skin. She wore red dress and many embellishments. Inside her covered wagon were a lot of interesting things, collected while traveling. The girl smiled to me and offered to sit opposite her on cushions.

"My name is Lydia," - said the girl and started distributing cards.

First two minutes she kept silence and then looked at me:

"You destiny is so strange … Cards tell, that you will have very long life but without love …"

"So I would never be happy, right?"

"Not only you…" – whispered Lydia and became sad. -

"Come, young mistress. We, gypsies, nomadic folk, we slake sorrow in music and dances. Maybe you will become better, too! "

With these words she led me to the campfire. I sat on the flat stone and looked at the girl. Lydia gave a sign for musicians to start and raised hands to the starry sky. She danced so fast, that she looked like a curl. Her embellishments were ringing as silver bells. It seemed that she became a part of the flame and the night. I cheered up and taped leg in tact to music. At that moment I saw, Lydia was smiling to somebody. I turned around and noticed a tall man clad in black coat for riding. I recognized Dracula. Well, Gabriel had told me the truth about Count. I have felt the thread which was connecting them. Lydia danced for him. And he looked at her gently. After the dance the girl came to Dracula. As they were standing for my back, I heard every word and sometimes turned to look at them. Because of my curios, or just because I envied them a little. They seemed so happy! Vlad stroked her curly hair, and Lydia snuggled to his strong body.

"Maybe you are fairy? You bewitched me with your dance. " – said Vladislaus.

"You shouldn't come here again, Count!" – The gipsy girl became sad.

"You really want me to go away?"

"No … but … You heart me … you will find another woman, someone noble like you …" – Lydia started crying. I know that master hates seeing women crying. Vlad licked her tears and said:

"Why are those tears for, my love? You are my princess. "

"Princess of gypsies? Just a street fortuneteller…" – she said miserably.

"No, princess of my heart, Lydia. I want you to be my wife! "

"But your father wont let you!"

"My father? I am not a child to do what he wants, dear! He must give in with my choice! " – he said firmly.

"You really will marry me?"

"Oh, Lydia! I have never been so certain! But if you want of course…"

"Yes! I love you Vladislaus! "

He kissed her and I thought that it was the happiest night for them. Even I smiled and quietly left the gipsy band.

I had my own problems. I wasn't superstitious but I worried about Lydia's words. How right she was! Well, that time I didn't expect it. Old gipsy woman told me, that Count had come to the gipsy band every evening to meet Lydia. She was really a princess. Her father was a gipsy baron and he was glad to see Dracula and his daughter together. But I don't think Dracula's father wanted Lydia to become his son's wife. In fact it's easy to explain why. Vlad's brother married Olga –lady from the noble family. He had two children, and when he died, Valerie Senior took care of them. Old knight hoped that his younger son would do the same. But Vladislaus was too wide and independent; at the same time he loved and respected his father. Maybe he had lost.

Dracula came to his father on the next day. Old knight hadn't expected that the reason of his son's visit was Lydia.

"What's the reason of your visit, my son?" – asked Valerie Senior.

"I decided to marry, father."

"Finally! Who is this girl that has melted your heart? "

"You know her. Lydia. " – said Dracula and looked at his father's reaction. Valerie Senior was shocked.

"What!"

"You have understood me, Father."

"Is it a joke!" – Old knight couldn't believe his ears.

"No, father."

"You won't marry this … this … gipsy wench!"

"I will!" – Vlad was still calm, but his cool voice became tremulous.

"You can't! Haven't you thought about your people, or your old father! I am not eternal! I want to nurse grandchildren! "

"My brother's children …"

"Vladislaus, try to understand me! I'm wiser and older than you! I have seen much in my life. You mustn't marry her, she isn't from our circle!"

"You can't stop me, father!"

"I will! You must listen to me! " – Valerie Senior was furious.

"You can't control me! I love Lydia and I will marry her! " – Dracula didn't want to yield.

"I won't bless you and your gipsy!"

"So shall it be." – said Vlad and went away.

He didn't hear curses that his father cried to him. He loved Lydia too much. He had not even imagined life without her.

Everything could be better but …

Never knows what can happen …

Lydia was brushing her hair when little gipsy girl came to her with letter.

"What is it, Carmelita?" – asked fortuneteller.

"The man on black horse gave it to me. The letter is for you. " – said Carmelita and sat down on the big cushion looking at Lydia with great interest. Lydia hardly read the letter, Vlad taught her to read but she wasn't really good at it. At least she understood that he wants her to come to their favorite place for secret meetings. Lydia smiled happily and ran to this place, which was not far from Valerie's Senior castle under the big oak. She turned around and saw the figure of the tall man in black coat for riding. She couldn't see his face because of the hood.

"Vlad!" – Lydia smiled and came to him. But it wasn't him. The man had taken off his coat and the girl saw … one of the Turkish soldiers. Lydia cried but it was too late …

Turk hit her with long knife. The pour gipsy girl fell on the ground. She was breathless but shouted for help. Killer ran away. At this moment Vlad rid to her and pressed her to himself.

"Lydia! My love! Who made this! "

"V – Vlad … I am dying …" – she said quietly. Her red dress became wet because of the blood. She was bleeding badly. Her eyes became glassy and her skin was pale and cold.

"Don't leave me, you – everything in my life!" – cried Dracula bitterly. Lydia smiled sadly and touched his face gently; he kissed her cold and graceful fingers. That was hard for him to see how such perfect and innocent young woman dying.

"Don't forget me, Vlad … be happy … I have always loved you …" – said the gipsy girl.

"No! Lydia! I won't let you to die! Not now!"

"Vlad … I am too weak to fight with death …"

"No! Not you! "

"Be happy, my love …" – she said and closed eyes. Death had won. Dracula embraced her and shouted:

"LYDIA!"

Vlad wanted to die, to die with his true love. His heart was broken. He took the knife, which finished Lydia's life, and understood who killed her. Now his broken heart was full of hate.

"I will avenge for you, Lydia! I promise …"