Dracula Retold

War

In his rooms, prince Xander exchanged his training suit for one more fit for court. The court ladies approved his choice with hidden giggles and he rewarded them with a smile, which left his face when he entered court. In front of him was a full house, including prince Aurel and his emissaries. Xander filled a heavy breath as he strode forward with a plastered smile.

In his mind he braced for Catarina's outbursts when she were to appear. Xander gave each royal their due respect and found a seat across prince Aurel. He flashed a smile to the other prince knowing Caterina would especially have a word or two to say about her intended. He dared to steal a glance upward to the mezzanine where Princess Caterina sat fuming in her corset confinement.

The proceedings began and important announcements were made. Princess Caterina's wedding was announced for the 4th day of the next month. Next, the crown prince was anointed: loan Belmont, with Xander as his vice. The announcement came with majority applause, but was deafened by Caterina's vocal chagrin.

''No! This is unjust! Not right at all!"

The court fell silent and she earned death glares from Belmont and her mother. Her father though, expected and allowed his daughter to be the character that she was, always open to speak her mind, never to stay silent on injustice. Prince Andrei had wanted Xander as his heir, even trained him to be so, but the votes were against the young prince, most notably, Prince Aurel's.

"Princess Caterina! Know your place!''

"No! You've stolen the seat once before, and this time Xander had even proven himself worthy of it! Prince Xander is-"

She finally shushed when the court doors burst open and in walked a troop of soldiers. They wore red armor and proud smiles as if they were above everyone else. On their backs was a dragon emblem, the undeniable symbol for the house of Dracul.

"No need to argue, my lords and... lady." the man smiled cheekily at the princess who had made her way down the mezzanine.

"You will soon be relieved of the burden to elect."

"You dare barge into my court!" Prince Andrei led the court men to their feet.

"My apologies, your Highness. I am but an emissary from the house of Dracul. I have a message to deliver:

This decree has been sent by regent prince Emilian Lupei! Align your kingdom within a month to the Dracul Empire, and as a loyal subject, pay the tax. If you reject the Emperor's decree, then you will face Lupei's wrath! This disobedience will be deemed a crime. Offenders and their kingdoms will be annihilated. By decree of the prince of Wallachia, Emilian Lupei!

The Wallachian emissary stood proudly after he was done reading, sure that the court would heed. But Prince Andrei spat at his feet and Prince Aurel strode forth, slaying every other intruder but the messenger. He sheathed his bloody sword and tore the papyrus scroll in one rip and grabbed the proud man by the collar.

"I am just the messenger, sir." The man said still with a smile.

"Now take my message to your prince. We Danesti are unused to such orders. You will not have Moldova. If your prince is so bent on taking it," Aurel threw the intruder past the door, "tell that little prick to come get it himself!"

As Aurel turned back, clean up was already in progress. The bodies were being taken away and the floors scrubbed of evidence. The silence that had fallen the court for the past five minutes had now disappeared among the chatter that had consumed the room. Prince Andrei caught sight of his future son in law, and made the court quiet.