Blood and Apples

Chapter 2

All the servants were gossiping as word got was sent that the Count had arrived to the palace ready to meet the queen. Everyone was rushing around to get everything ready while the queen sat herself in the throne room looking radiate as always.
Suddenly the large doors of the throne room opened revealing the palace announcer.

"Your majesty! May I introduce from the Bran castle, Count Vlad Dracula" the announcers voice echoed as he stood to the side letting in a large built man wearing a black cloak with fur around the collar while two large black wolves walking along his side.

"Count Dracula, what a pleasure for you to brace me with your presents" the queen stated with a slight grin on her face.

"Queen Grimhilde, the pleasure is all mine" the count replied with an even bigger grin on his pale face.
The count took a knee in front of the queen gentle taking her hand before place a gentle kiss on top.

"Would you join me in the dining room Count Dracula?"

"But of course" he replied standing back up to his full height.
The two made their way towards the dining hall which was set up with the finest cutlery and plates that held delicious looking meals from stuffed turkey to wild boar. The servants stood along the walls of the dining room including young Snow White, even though they were all told to keep their heads down she couldn't fight her curiosity.

"Such a lovely set up your highness, all for me?"

"But of course Count, a queen is the best at dinner parties"

"And can see that, what a..." the count paused for a little bit as his gaze suddenly turned towards the line of servants.

"Delicious spread you've prepared" he finished licking his lips. Snow felt a slight chill run down her spine before noticing the counts intense gaze directed straight at her, she quickly lowered her gaze but it was too late, she could still feel the Count's stare.

"Do pay no mind to them, I much rather your attention on me"

"With beauty such as yours how can it not be" the count chuckled but his eyes seem to keep wondering over to Snow, the queen very much noticed and wasn't amused.

"So you're majesty, what is it you wished to discuss with me?"

"Well I have heard that you've just acquired the old Gorge palace" the queen stated taking a sip of her wine.

"What you've heard is correct, I planned on buying some land here and there was a perfectly good castle up for grabs..." the count responded.

"I hope this doesn't serve an inconvenience to you, though I don't see how it would"

"Not an inconvenience per say" the queen added, placing her glass back to the table before meeting the counts gaze with her own intense one.

"For a long matter now I've heard many inquiries about missing people"

"Missing?"

"Specifically peasant hunters and farmers a such who go to the forest"

"Well they do say the forest is a dangerous place" the count smirked picking up his cup of wine and giving it a sniff.

"I don't see what this has to do with me"

"The forest happens to be right in front of your new home the Gorge castle, many of those hunters provide meals for my palace such as the ones prepared for us now" the queen explained glaring dangers at the count.

"That does sound troublesome"

"If this is an act done by your little beast-"

"My darling pets are trained and would never do such things without my say so" the count butted in sipping his wine while his fingers tapped the table. Snow couldn't help notice his long sharp nails, almost like claws of a lion.

"Are you to tell me this possible attack on my servants and subjects is your conscious doing?"

"I didn't say that, but I should say that it can not be helped if some poor soul gets hurt while hunting in the forest of my land-"

"It is my land!" The queen shouted slamming her fist on the table which caused the count to spill his wine. He didn't fuss or stand, merely placed the cup back on the table then raised his point fingers towards the line of servants.

"Young servant girl come here" he ordered, Snow White froze unsure if it was her he was referring to despite all the other servants staring at her.
Finally the Count's eyes once more landing in her with a smirk.

"Yes you deary, come here" he ordered again. Snow stepped forward towards the count now feeling the Queen's angered gaze upon her.

"Would you be so kind is to clean the table of the wine?"

"Y-yes sir" Snow responded with a slight stutter. She took the damp cloth and started to dab the table keeping her eyes low. The Count's fingers suddenly reached Snow's short black locks, gentle touching them.

"What a beautiful servant you have here" he stated. He started to push Snow's hair behind her ear to reveal her now blushing face.

"Hair as black as the night sky, so vibrate next to such Snow White flesh" Snow started to tremble at the man's deep voice but also at the Queen who was gripping her fork too tightly.

"And these red lips..." the count gentle took Snow's chip and pulled her towards him as he rubbed his thumb along her bottom lip, her heart was racing so fast Snow thought she might faint.

"Count-"

"Where have I heard such descriptions before? Oh yes..."

"Count"

"The princess" the room fell silent once the queen slammed both hands in the table as she stood glaring daggers at Snow who's knees were quivering.

"I feel you've over stayed your welcome Count Dracula"

"But I merely just arrived"

"And now I ask you to leave" the queen's tone caused all the servants to shake, especially Snow White.

"If that is what her majesty wishes" the count said standing from his seat. Snow didn't realise how tall the count was until she was right next to him as he stared down at her.

"I hope after this the count will respect my servants when entering the forest" the queen spoke trying to keep the count's attention but he still stared at the shaking servant princess.

"And I hope you understand, your majesty... that once someone enters those woods it's out of my control, it is as I've said that forest is a very dangerous place" the count stated smirking at the queen before bowing to her. Count Dracula then turned away with his black wolves close behind as the queen's nails dug into the silk table cloth.
Snow White could barely breath, she was still trying to keep up with what had just happened, all she knew though was this wasn't going to end well for her.