Blood Reign

Chapter Three

I woke up the next morning, or afternoon rather since it seemed as if I had slept the day away which was something I normally didn't do. There was a breakfast tray with what looked like oatmeal and orange juice with a note from Master Draven that read

"Dear Miss Shelley,

I apologize for last night. I must have frightened you and that wasn't something I wanted to do. Please dine with me tonight as I have a dress set aside as a gift to you. Please do wear it I think it would look delightful on you.

Sincerely,
Draven."

Laying on the loveseat was a lovely black laced dress with white laced strings flowing through it. I decided I would try it on later after I had eaten and explored the castle a little bit to see what I can find out about Dravens life and family. He seemed almost like an open book but I know there is more to this story.

I finished my breakfast and got dressed for the day. I made my way down a long corridor and went into the first room I came to. It looked like a small study with books everywhere on the desk with maps all sprawled out. I wonder what who was looking at locations. There were books open to ancient tombs in Egypt and other places in America. Who would be searching for tombs and why? I wondered. I decided to leave that room as it was and would come back to it later. I had no problem finding the wine cellar stocked with fine wines dating back to the 1700s. In another room I came across was Master Dravens personal study, now this was the room I was looking for. It was rather neat with plenty of books of all sorts.

I pulled open a drawer to his desk and found a picture of a woman who had much resemblance to me. She looked sad in the photo and I wondered why. Who was she and why did I have to look like her? Maybe she was an old wife, but Draven looked awfully young to have been married.

I knew I could never ask him of her, but I could ask if he was ever married in hopes of finding out about her without saying a word. I decided to move on to the next drawer which didn't have much except letter from my boss stating of my arrival. Something wasn't adding up. How did he find me? I continued to look through the drawer til I found an article that was about the death of my parents with my name and picture on it.

This must have been how he knew what I looked like. Did he want me because I looked like a past love? I wanted to ask him what his purpose was for me so badly, but I knew I would have to wait for the answers. I noticed that it was getting dark and that I needed to go back to my room and change, so I left the room. I felt as if I were being watched but I didn't see anyone, so I quickly left before I was caught.

I made it back to my room without being seen and was happy to have a moment alone to gather my thoughts and questions for the evening. I had a feeling we would go to the grand ballroom to have a dance again which I was really looking forward to. The dress fit perfectly to my amazement and I waited for Maria to come for me. It seemed like Maria wasn't coming so I decided I would go for myself and hopefully find my way to the dining room.

I found my way to the ballroom instead which was fine. I knew I was close enough to the dining room, so I didn't worry much.
'Shelley, you look delightful.' Master Draven as he came from the shadows of one side of the ballroom.
'Thank you, the dress is lovely.' I replied trying not to sound like I was startled.
He looked even more handsome than last night and I fear it be from the lust I felt within. He took my hand and kissed it like he did last night.

'We won't be dining till much later. I was wondering if we could dance a bit? ' he asked as he was leading me to the ballroom.
'I do sincerely apologize for startling you last night as that was not my intentions. Please forgive me?' He asked with eyes filled with despair. 'Of course, Master Draven, it was only first night jitters. I'm fine now.' I replied, and this was true I felt no fear now. He led me into a waltz like last night and I felt our closeness even more.