The Dragomir Heir (Watty Award)

Confessions

Since Cornelius had caught the two lovers, Lucius had been banned from seeing his fiancée until the wedding, even with a chaperone. Apparently, Cornelius thought that his grandson could persuade anyone. Valentina had obediently kept her distance. Lucius, stubborn as always, refused to be separated from Valentina and hence on the night that the ban was made, he had tried to sneak into Dragomir Palace…without much success.

On the first night, after scaling the high walls that protected the palace, he rounded a corner only to collide head on with none other than Cornelius Vladonov. “And you didn’t think that I would see you a mile away, boy?” the old vampire smirked.

On the second night, Lucius sneaked in as one of the guards and did their 2-hour rounds around the palace before entering from the back of the palace. He growled to himself, determined to get Valentina to show him the secret passages through the palace when he sees her. He passed the halls without any disturbance, which should’ve trigger his own warning lights but Lucius was distracted at the prospect of being so close to Valentina.

When the interior became familiar to him, Lucius quicken his pace and ran down a hall only to have the door behind him suddenly close and Cornelius appeared in front of him out of nowhere. “Red doesn’t suit you well”, the old vampire commented on his stolen guard uniform.

On the third day, he was extra careful and when he jumped off from the railing of Valentina’s balcony, he gave a chuckle of relief and walked into the room with as much ease as his agitation and excitement could muster. But what he didn’t expect in Valentina’s suite was Cornelius and Vladius waiting patiently for him. Both vampires had a glass of scotch and smirked at Lucius’ annoyed face.

“This is really getting ridiculous Lucius”, huffed Cornelius, who was no longer amused at catching Lucius as he was for the past two days.

“We are only asking you to wait for over a week…must you resort to sneaking in just to be alone with her for an hour?” asked Vladius patiently.

“Please, sir”, Lucius was now begging the two older and far experienced vampires. He had to be with Valentina for only a few minutes every day to keep him sane. He didn’t know how Valentina could stay away from him that easily and it pained him to know that she wasn’t actively trying to be with him. “A few minute alone would be enough for me. “

After a while, Vladius agreed while Cornelius protested. Hence, it was agreed that Cornelius will chaperon Valentina to Castle Vladonov the next day.

Before Cornelius could escort Lucius out of Valentina’s room, Vladius said, “Perhaps you should be at the Dragomir meeting tomorrow and see the severity of the situation.” Both Vladonovs nodded and then left.

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Before the meeting could take place, the double door to the antechamber flung opened and Valentina ran in and landed hard in Lucius’ arms. “I’ve missed you, darling”, she whispered. Lucius couldn’t say anything; he was too busy smelling her hair and trying to remember the contour of her body. They stood like that for a good 10 minutes before a cough disturbed their peace and Lucius glared at Cornelius.

“The elders are waiting for you, Valentina”, he announced. “Boy, you are coming with me,” Cornelius said to Lucius and then turned to Derrick, who had opened a secret passage behind a mirror. The passage lead to a secret compartment that allowed people to view the meeting privately.

“Am I not part of the meeting?” Lucius asked incredulous. Cornelius rolled his eyes and looked to Valentina for help.

“It is a private meeting with the Dragomir elders…your presence will bring hostility. Please Lucius…it is for the best”, Valentina begged while she cling to his jacket. “You will still be part of it…just that the elders won’t know.”