"Aw what brings you to the Castle? I am Vladslauis Dracula. Present Owner and Overseer of this estate.
Forgive my forwardness but I couldn't help but notice how you were admiring the architecture. It is exquisite is it not?"
Mona was greatly taken aback because she had not seen anyone descend from the top of the grand stair case of the Castle Bran.
Mona was of Spanish and Italian descent, so her complexion was fair but there was a subtle dusky hue that was etched around her eyes and tenderly softened cheek bones.
Her raven winged hair was pinned up in the middle and then placed up high, so it looked like a sloppy dome with splendid little ringlets that flopped around her forehead.
She had a tragic smile, her eyes were so dark they appeared black to him in the dimly lit castle.
Yet that smile was so familiar, the way it seductively curved upwards, the subtle secret that hid in the corner of her mouth, she always had a expression of delighted secrecy; almost as if she was hiding something she knew was greatly important but she had some perverse pleasure of keeping everyone in constant suspense.
There was rather something unsettling about her dark brow, her eyebrows were burly almost masculine at times and that celestial nose tipped slightly on the end, as if to demonstrate to the whole world that she knew her beauty was absolutely unparalleled to anyone else's.
She wore a grey striped pants suit, it was business like but horribly wrinkled.
She had a fearless air of unmistakable confidence.
"Yes the architecture is unlike anything I've seen before and I've been abroad many times.
I'm sorry for the intrusion sir...I am Mona Blissly and I am the attorney that shall be reviewing as well as managing your Purchase of Carfax Manor".
"Aw yes we spoke over the phone. I'm so very...pleased to finally meet you yet I am sure you are exhausted from your journey, Allow me to show you to your room, Miss Blissly".
"That's very kind of you Sir but If you don't mind I'd perfer to attend to the paperwork first.
Do you have study in which we can discuss the purchase of Carfax place?"
"Oh yes, yes of course.
Follow me and I shall escort you to the Library.I find the library to be quite exclusive and ever so quiet.
It is a place of solitude, you might even find it to your liking Miss Blissly.
While she followed him to the library she studied her hosts features carefully and thoughtfully.
He was a exceptionally tall man, over 6"6, his face was menacing and formidably gaunt, his cheek bone noticably pointed and his long face had a inevitable moody and broody decorum about it.
He had dangerous eyes, black pearls with hint of red in the corners, his eyes hung down like two warped but dreamily wilted dresser drawers.
There was a unnaturally faded pallor to his face.
However despite his villainous appearance, there was a incredible calm that was always settled over his face like a lonely shadow.
However it was the voice that struck her as the most intriguing feature upon his person.
The Voice was forebodingly tragic, it had a formidable grave and grim basso tone, almost as if he spent his time singing opera ballads and although that voice demanded respect by how proper and refined it was, it was gentle and pleasingly musical to her ears.
She felt she could fall asleep to that voice, the sonorous oscillation of his dramatic vibrato she found to be extremely soothing.
It sounded safe, it sounded secure, it sounded like home to her for some strange reason.
The Count held a grand bronze Candelabra in his hand which was quite odd since she did not recall seeing him with that in his possession before.
Her steps struck the stone walls of the hallway like the violent and vigorous strike of a metronome striking the air back and forth.
She however did not hear the Count's footsteps echo and she noticed that regardless of how oppressively tall the Count was, he cast no shadow upon the walls of the castle.
There were grand mahogany doors that became clearer through the darkness, he pressed a hand on one the double doors and then what she saw took her breath away.
The walls stretched endlessly upwards, there was gold and bronze objects that seemed to smile amongst the hundreds of gas lit lamps that lined the walls. There were millions of books inhabiting the room, the smell of aged pages, gave her a certain sense of peace and immediately it felt like home again despite the fact she'd only just arrived to the Castle.
However the main source of light was a crystal chandelier in the very center of the ceiling which was so far up it appeared to be quite small in her eyes.
He gallantly waved his arm as if to present something of great importance, however as she looked in the direction of his gesticulation, she saw a oak desk that was littered with scrolls, A old scratched up Ink pot and another less impressive candelabra, which he removed hastily from the cluttered surface of the desk.
"Please do forgive the state of the room. It is quite difficult to find adequate help these days and the locals are far too superstitious to even approach the castle itself, so I am rather short staffed at the moment."
"There is nothing to apologize for sir. I understand your predicament and given the circumstances with the locals, I'm sure this room will do.
It does have a certain charm.
Well Um I suppose I should get down to business since we are here".
The Count to a seat on the other side of the desk while Mona took a the seat that was right across from him.
She unclasped her brief case and placed her papers upon the already cluttered desk.
She spun the one of papers around so it would face the Count.
"This is the release paper that says you are fully accepting to place this estate on the market.
The rest is simply paperwork regarding your purchase of Carfax Manor.
I also have the paperwork for the real estate agency that is willing to sell your home here in Romania.
Their office is located in London and not too far away from my own law office so I know for certain that it is a reputable Real Estate Company.
I have made it quite easy for you sir, I've simplified this paperwork so that your only course of action is to sign them.
Of course you can refuse at any time and if you are confused in anything I would be happy to fill you in sir.
Legal Jargon is not always a easy language to master.
It can be puzzling and sometimes just plain maddening, so please feel free to ask any questions if you are not uncertain or unsure about anything at all".
Mona smiled professionally as she nodded her head warmly.
The Count seemed unimpressed but a tiny corner of his mouth slightly curved on the tip as he dipped his pen into the battered looking green inkpot to which he signed the paperwork with such remarkable speed and ease, she had to blink a few times just to process what she was witnessing.
When he was finished signing all the paperwork he began to look at her very intently; intensely even, his gaze was inexorable and steadfast.
Mona raised her prominent eyebrows in a questioning manner as if to ask him why he was staring at her with such unyielding intensity.
"Do Forgive my stares, Miss Blissly. It is so very rare that I have visitors and I have never before encountered a woman of your caliber.
Perhaps I am unaccustomed to the modern world but I find it most unusual that you are an Attorney."
"It's because I'm a woman isn't it?"
"I meant no disrespect, of course but you must understand I was born within this Castle, I have not seen much of the world and I have lived most of my life in isolation and seclusion.
I am not accustomed to the outside world let alone London life but I do hope you can enlighten me on the subject.
I hope I did not offend you".
"No not at all. It takes a lot to offend me sir.
I get this kind of reaction all the time in fact.
Men tend to be very surprised that I am involved within this kind of work.
Many have not approved of my profession but I do not allow that to effect the way I do my job.
I do not allow the petty disagreements of archaic men and women to discourage me in any way.
That's why I'm here and not stuck in my office.
I like adventure, fresh air and more importantly a change of scenery".
"Then I must commend you for your noble determination.
There are not many women who can stand up for what they believe in.
You must forgive my marveling but I find it most refreshing to encounter such a well educated young woman as yourself."
"Well I'm glad you approve".
Mona stifled a chuckle and then blushed ever so slightly.
"Now I do not wish to take up anymore of your time. The hour is late and no doubt you are quite tired from your long journey.
Shall I escort you to your room?"
"Yes, of course. That would be lovely".
Mona didn't seem to be at all bothered by the ominous atmosphere of the Castle as she too lived within a haunted apartment that was situated right next to an Old Church with a over extended cemetery.
This particular Church and Cemetery was right across the street from Carfax manor which meant that they would be neighbors.
She saw the count still cast no shadow and she could only see her own trailing behind him, almost as if she was very his own shadow.
"Maybe I'm just a bit clueless but I'm wondering where is your staff at the moment?
I never saw any of them when I came in. Are they asleep or have they simply gone back to their homes?"
"Most of the staff are asleep within their rooms at The present time, the rest have returned to their homes elsewhere.
The driver that brought you for instance has returned to his home, he will however return in the morning as will the rest of the staff."
"The driver was rather a odd fellow.
He didn't talk much, in fact he didn't talk at all, so I figured he wasn't one of the locals because well the locals love to talk non stop.
The strangest thing is I never really got to see his face, his collar was up way too high and his eyes always seemed to be enshrouded in darkness.
I suppose quiet suits me just fine.
Still it was rather odd".
"My staff are definitely what you could call a odd bunch.
The locals are rather unique as well.
However unfortunately I get on better with my own staff within these castle walls more than I do with the actual locals that live outside the castle walls themselves."
"So you don't get on with the locals?"
"Oh I'd gladly get on with the locals.
I'm a agreeable man with a agreeable nature so I am not the problem here it seems, the problem is that they refuse to get on with me."
"That is most unfortunate.
It must be very lonely for you to be avoided so intensely and hatefully".
"It is indeed. I have however become content with my own company. Loneliness is not my enemy Miss Blissly, rather it is a old friend and I welcome him to my home every night, so he can keep me company.
Tell me, Miss Bliss, do you believe in the supernatural?"
"It is not for me to believe in what is unseen and unexplained but it is only right for me to keep a open mind."
"Yet do you believe there are invisible and mysterious forces at work that we cannot understand or explain?"
"Oh yes definitely, I do. I believe there are unseen forces that work behind the scenes in every aspect of our lives."
"Would you call yourself religious Miss Bliss?"
"I consider myself more spiritual religious Sir".
"So you believe there is a higher power than you're own or do you believe in your own power alone?"
"Believing in myself will only get me so far so I believe in the existence of God."
"So you have a strong faith then?"
"Yes I would like to say so sir".
"May I be so bold to ask, how important is this faith to you?"
"Well, my faith is everything to me, Sir. That's what it means to me. Intact if it were not for my faith in God, I do not believe I would be here today."
"That is most refreshing.
So you do not have faith in the church I take it?"
"I do not have much faith in organized religion Sir.
I have seen it do more harm than good in the past and I do not think it is right for people to expect everyone they meet to believe exactly as they do.
I find the idea of a church to be stifling, restrictive, volatile, toxic and far too controlling.
I like to be in control of my own destiny without the interference of other people's opinions".
"You are very wise to think so.
Most of my family was destroyed by the Church. They did not comform to Catholicism so many members of my family were put to death all in the name of religion.
It was suspected that some of my relatives were involved with Witchcraft, which was of course absolutely preposterous but in those days the Church was even above the law, so my family either burned or they were horribly mutilated by torture.
Either way they died although some of them survived obviously because how else would I be here?"
The Count smiled primly and then made a soft gravelly sound; she almost mistook the sound for him clearing his throat but it soon dawned on her that it was merely a closed laugh.
"I've read about the Church's History sir. They were dark and bloody times.
It greatly saddens me that you're family had to suffer so much for their independence."
"Those were dark and bloody times indeed.
Full of terror, inexorable smoke mingled with blood and intoxicating tears.
There were many fires that burned in those days, the constant screams that tore through the air every night.
My family wasn't devoid of mercy, they lacked no love when it came to ruling over their people.
They protected the people from injustice and even gave them religious freedom.
You see my family was a part of the Protestant movement.
They believed God should be worshiped within the home or in a manner that was according to the Scriptures.
I am the last descendent of Vlad Tepes, he was a strict man but he was always merciful and generous towards his people despite the horrible rumors of his cruelty.
He faught for justice and religious freedom in a time where there was no hope and no light.
I am proud of my heritage, although in this day and age my family legacy had lost all meaning to the outside world that is why I must move on.
The people of Romania have been independent of Romanian royalty since 1947 and now they no longer trust the royal bloodline and they have no respect for the Aristocrats such as myself.
They are far too fearful and superstitious to remember my family fondly and now they reject me and they recoil from my name alone.
I am no one in this country.
I am an obsolete relic of the past even though I am the last of my kind so to speak, there is no sentimental nostalgia left in these ancient hills.
So I must go, I must join the modern world, hopefully I shall be able to travel and experience different cultures other than my own.
When my affairs have all been put in order, I shall take the next boat, to London, where I hope to enjoy the company of Such well educated Londoners as yourself.
Yet I digress, I feel so foolishly selfish.
I have only talked of myself. Please tell me of your life in London.
What is London like this time if year?"
"It is cold, dreary and very foggy much like it is here but the people are lively and pleasant.
They are also very hospitable at times.
They are polite and proper of course but they do know how to have a good time when the situation call for it.
The night life is definitely to die for".
"Really? Is it true you take residency in a place right outside Carfax Manor?"
"Yes sir, I live right across the street from it in fact.
There is a abandoned Church nearby as well. I often take long walks within it's grounds, I find the silence of the Cemetery to be quite soothing".
"Oh as do I.
Bran Castle has no cemetery, it was designed to have one but during the Dark Ages many of Family's remains were removed from the catacombs below, they were ransacked and desecrated by the angry townsfolk.
I greatly look forward to seeing this cemetery of yours.
Perhaps you could give me a tour of it sometime".
"Of course I'd be delighted Sir."
The Count placed his hand upon a bronze door handle that was green from age and decay and the door growled as he opened the door to reveal her new room.
"I hope you enjoy your stay here.
If there is anything you need, anything at all, I'm usually available at all hours of the night, so please do not hesitate to ask.
I'm a chronic Insomniac so to speak so I sleep very little.
It's a illness that runs in the family.
Sleep well Miss Bliss".
The Count ever so slightly glowered at her as he gracefully backed out of the room.
"He's a strange man, a very strange man indeed but strangely enough I like him.
He seems nice enough so I suppose we'll get along just fine.
I really do love the atmosphere here, even if it is a bit gloomy but then again I live in a haunted flat next to a cemetery full of ghosts and I'm not afraid of ghosts, so I'm definitely not afraid of anything that's in this Castle.
Fear drives people to do horrible things after all and I refuse to be one of those people.
I'm beginning to like it here already.
Now where are my things".
