Surrounded by every luxury know to man, Vladislaus Dracula still found himself longing for one thing and one thing alone. Verishka. They had been sending a series of letters to each other throughout the first month. However, they both soon realized that they were no longer satisfied with mere writing. Writing letters to each other was like having food dangled in front of their faces, and not being allowed to eat it.
Normally, Vladislaus would have been comforted by the presence of his best friend, who he wanted to believe was happy for him. But Gabriel didn't seem too happy. One day, as the king's health began to fail him, the young count sought the solitude of the library.
"Any news on how Verishka fairs?" Gabriel asked, entering the library.
"I fear her mood is as uplifting as mine had been of late," Vladislaus said.
"And still we remain here, in this prison, unable to help her," Gabriel said. frustrated.
"Yes," Dracula said, saddened.
"I am sorry to have saddened you my friend,"
"Don't be Gabriel. It is not your problem," Vladislaus said. Van Helsing pulled up a chair to the table at which Vladislaus was sitting at.
"I can help but care. To think of her alone, in that manor, wasting away," he said dramatically.
"Gabriel, I miss her also. But I hardly think that she is going to rot in two months. She lasted without me for twenty-seven years already," he said.
"How would you describe the manner of her last letter?" Gabriel asked.
"I'll put it lightly and say she misses me," Vladislaus said.
"Well, what's not to miss?" Gabriel asked.
" Hehe, thank you my friend,"
"Do you miss her as much?" Gabriel asked.
"Of course I do. More in fact," Vladislaus said, slightly offended at Gabriel's questioning of his feelings for her.
"I'm sorry, I was only wondering," he said.
"It's all right, but don't ever question my feelings for her," he said, glaring at him.
"Again I'm sorry,"
"Strange isn't it, that we have been brought here to have an audience with the king, and yet we have only seen him once?" Vladislaus asked.
"His health still troubles him," Van Helsing commented.
"Still," Vladislaus said. Suddenly a messenger entered the room. He bowed before the two noblemen before Van Helsing said, "Speak."
"My lords I have word, the king sirs, he is dead," the messenger said sadly.
"When? How?" Dracula asked.
"Mere moments ago, he was quiet stricken with fever," the messenger said.
"May he rest in peace," Gabriel said.
"Prince Draco requests the presence of all of the Knights of the Holy order immediately," the messenger said.
"Of course," Vladislaus said, as he and Gabriel got up and followed the man out of the room.
"I find this hard to believe, the king," Van Helsing said.
"I know, and Draco is so young. He is Verishka's age if you can believe," Vladislaus said.
"Well it matters not now, he's going to be king," Gabriel commented.
They entered a room with an oval shaped table in the center. Prince Draco was sitting at the head of the table, in his father's place. Some of the knights were already seated. As Vladislaus and Gabriel entered, they both bowed to the prince and Vladislaus said,
"Your majesty, you have our sincerest condolences." They then took their seats, Vladislaus at the left of the prince, and Van Helsing to his left.
"Thank you Vladislaus, and to you Van Helsing," the prince said, "to only briefly change the subject, Vladislaus, is it true that you are finally to marry Verishka?"
"Yes, your majesty. In two months time," Vladislaus said.
"Good. I have known Verishka for quite some time. You are well suited for her," he said.
"Thank you your majesty,"
"Give her my best wishes," the prince said.
"I shall," Vladislaus said. The prince began to address the entire room.
"My dearest friends, loyal knights, brothers in arms, I address you now under the gravest of circumstances. As I speak to you now, messengers of the royal family are spreading the news across Romania that my father, king Nicholas III, is dead. I have known you all for a long time, and I trust and know that you will all serve me with the same loyalty and honor as you did my father. Now to..." but the prince was interrupted by a knock at the door.
"Come in," he said.
"Your majesty, I have a message for Count Vladislaus Dracula," the man said.
"Can this not wait?" the prince asked.
"I am afraid that Lord Gabor said that this was most urgent," the man said.
"Then go on," prince Draco said.
The man carefully walked across the room, to the count. As he drew near, Vladislaus was pleading in his mind, "please, not Verishka, please, not Verishka," Once the messenger handed him the letter, his eyes scanned it quickly. His heart sank, and he felt his blood turn to ice. Feeling his lip start to quiver, he spoke,
"My presence is requested at Gabor manor. My fiancé Verishka had taken ill and doctors hold out little hope. Your majesty I realize that this is quite unheard of, but I beg you, please let me go to her," Vladislaus pleaded.
"You need not beg, Vladislaus, you may leave immediately," the prince stated.
"Thank you your majesty," Vladislaus said, leaving the room.
"Your majesty please, allow me to go as well," Gabriel begged.
"While I am pleased you care so much for Verishka's health, I am afraid that you are needed here," Draco said.
While Van Helsing stayed there, disappointed that he was denied access to Verishka, Vladislaus tore down the hallway to his chambers. He didn't want to be slowed down by his usual nobleman's escort. Therefore he placed his armor on so as not to need it carried. He refused to let her die. They had only just been brought together, her dying had been the farthest thing from his mind.
Having his things together, Vladislaus bolted to the stables, and chose what appeared to be the strongest horse. As he kicked and began to ride off, he soared past a man who called out, "My lord, do you not wish for an escort?" However Vladislaus neither stopped, nor paused. His horse's legs moving to a quick and steady beat, the two of them quickly disappeared over the hill tops.