CHAPTER 15

After they escaped CastleVania, Malus joined them all in a grass field. He stood under the dark shade of a tree watching the other children discontently with his arms crossed. There were about fifteen of them there, and the others had not survived CastleVania's treachery. The ones here had to find new parents and a home to take them in. Malus saw them all smiling, despite what they had just been through. Carefree and happy, convinced that everything would be alright...

"Malus?"

He turned to the voice. Henry sat on a nearby fence next to Carrie and Reinhardt.

"Don't you want to have fun with the others?" Henry asked.

The boy smirked briefly at Henry's words then turned away.

"Leave the little guy alone..." Reinhardt said placing a hand on his comrade's shoulder. "He's been through enough already."

The children were placed in three groups. The group Henry chaperoned would travel to the eastward villages of Walachia to find a home. Reinhardt's group would go west and Carrie's group to the north. Malus had gone with Carrie's group. Most of the children in it were his age and younger. Once all the children had found a home, Reinhardt and Henry would travel back to their homelands. The difference with Carrie was that she had become an orphan too. This is where Malus would put his plan into effect. Carrie's magical powers were quite exceptional. He would bide his time until his own powers had reached their peak, then wield hers to become near invincible. A power that would surpass that of any Belmont...

As they walked down the empty countryside road, he glanced at Carrie. But how would he get her to stay around him for so long...? Malus mused to himself then walked over to Carrie.

"Say, Carrie. When we get back to the village...will you marry me?"

Carrie looked at Malus. "What?"

"Please Carrie, do say yes!"

She hesitated. "But this is so sudden..."

"I'll make you happy, I promise."

His gaze never left her face. There was a strange darkness about him that she didn't like...

Carrie shuddered. "But we are both too young. It is far too soon to get married..."

"Then when we grow up, we are to be married...?"

She hesitated again. "Hmm...Malus, will you become a brave warrior and protect me?"

"Yes! Whatever happens I'll protect you!"

"Is that so? Well, I'll think about it..."

Malus shook his head. "No, no. You must promise me now! Say you will be my bride!"

Carrie sighed. "Oh, alright. When you grow up, I will be your bride. Is that alright?"

He smirked. "Yes, very good. Now we have a binding contract..."

"What?" Carrie asked, "What did you just say?"

"Oh, nothing..."