The Dragomir Heir (Watty Award)

The War

Lucius looked into his fiancée’s eyes and saw her love. He cursed himself for being a ‘stupid vampire’ and for questioning Valentina’s love. He held her hand tightly, too scared to lose her. If he had his way, she would be behind his castle walls and away from the battles. No, he would fight all her battles and win. He was a decent fighter and he has never lost a battle. 

As fruitless as it was to consider it, Lucius asked, “Can you please return to the palace and let me fight this battle? I will win it for you. I WILL win it”. But as expected, Valentina shook her head and gave him an even look. 

“And let you have all the fun…I don’t think so Vladonov”, she joked but Lucius did not smile. Upon looking at his face, she said, “Lucius…I have been fighting in wars and alongside my father since…I was born. You do not need to fear for me”.

Lucius brooded over this and then said, “Then stay by my side through this”. Valentina did not answer but kissed him lightly. After the soldiers were ready and waiting for their command, Lucius decided it was time to start the battle.

“Remember to stay close to me”, he reminded her again and then kissed her passionately.

She placed a hand to the side of his face and said, “It will be okay…we will win this for our fathers, my cousins, our mothers and for us. Don’t stress, my love”.

They walked out together, climbed the stairs to the top of the wall and stood staring at their army formation. Seconds later, the other Dragomirs joined them and to Lucius’ surprise and annoyance, Cezar. He had seen the sexual desire for Valentina in Cezar and Ramus’ eyes but only Ramus was stupid enough to voice it out.

“She is the hottest creature I’ve ever seen”, Ramus exclaimed in the library one day to Lancel and Cezar; he didn’t know that Lucius and Dante were on the railings. The two cousins originally smirked at each other, thinking that Ramus was being the Romeo that he always was when…

“Do you think she will get bored of Lucius after their marriage? I mean…come on, she is the most beautiful woman in the world and she HATES him. Why, I’ll bet that she will not give it to him on their wedding night”, said Ramus. “It is no matter… her child only needs Dragomir and Vladonov blood-”

“And you are going to help her in producing an heir, cousin?” asked Lucius menacingly as he stepped away from the shadow and walked towards Ramus. “I didn’t know you were capable of such treachery…”

“Cousin…I only jest”, replied Ramus. “She will be your wife-”

“That’s right…she will be MINE. If she is touched, I will kill that person”, warned Lucius as he started choking Ramus with his right hand and pinned him with his stake. "Even if the vampire is my cousin."

“Cousin…have…mercy”, begged Ramus, going pale.

“Oh cousin…you will have my mercy…for now”, then Lucius turned to the guards posted by the door. “Put my dear Ramus in the dungeon and let us hope that he is warned”.

The guards dragged Ramus out of the library leaving a deadly silence behind. Both Cezar and Lancel were afraid of their wise and fearsome cousin but they were smart enough to keep offensive topics at bay and never to voice them out. Before Lucius left, he eyed Cezar as a warning. He knew that Cezar never stops until he gets his prize but Lucius is adamant that Valentina will never be one of Cezar’s prizes.

Looking at his cousin now, Lucius grew annoyed and demanded, “I told you to stay with Ramus and make sure that the soldiers are well-equipped before they leave”. He gave his three second cousins small tasks because they were not fighters or strategists. “You disobey me?”