Dracula's Tears

Chapter 2

A sudden movement and what felt like a sharp jab protruded inside you belly. Wincing, you still couldn't help but smile at the sight of your husband. Head leaning gently over your stomach his lips were spread in a soft smile.

"An active one today!" You gushed as your fingers brushed through the onyx, smooth locks of Vlad's hair. His eyes closed as you caressed his brow, nuzzling against the smooth skin of your belly and placed gentle kiss over your baby.

"Our child will be a strong leader." He promised, kissing up your neck softly. Giggles erupted from your lips causing your belly to bounce. "V-Vlad s-stop, it tickles!" You cried in between laughs, making Vlad smirk mischievously...

KNOCK

"My lord! You are needed in the main hall! The Ottoman are on the move again!" Came the cry of a guard, breaking the kiss between Vlad and yourself. Vlad scowled and sauntered off the bed. "We will continue this," he promised, pressing his warm lips against your forehead.

At the close of the door behind him, you slowly slid yourself out of bed and changed out of your night gown. You changed into comfortable 'commoner' clothes to help disguise yourself for today's adventure.

You wanted to buy clothes for your baby and stretch your legs.

"Milady! You shouldn't be leaving the castle!" Cried your maid with worry.

You laughed,"Anka, I'm only five months in. I need to get out of the castle before I go insane! Vlad has been quite OVERLY protective. It's like he thinks I'm fragile all of sudden when I'm with child. "

"B-But-"

"Its fine. We just won't tell my husband. He won't be out of that meeting till at least supper." The maid sighed, her lips pursed together," As you wish, Milady."

"Don't fret, all shall be fine," you comforted the short, brown haired maid. Anka frowned at your determined form walking towards the market. 'Our King won't be pleased...' She thought fearfully. 'Perhaps I should inform him?'

The sweet smell of lemons and apples greeted you as you walked by the market halls. It was familiar, like and old memory. It had been too long of a time since you walked in the market. Ever since your pregnancy and the movement of the Ottoman, Vlad refused to let you outside beyond the castle garden.

It was akin to being a bird trapped in a cage at times, despite numerous protests, Vlad refused to budge.

But today, was a brilliant opportunity to slip out unnoticed. Anything was better than being cooped up in the bland castle.

Happy shrieks and frantic flutters of feet echoed on the street, children ran around you chasing each other with toothy grins.

It brought a warm smile to your face as you placed a hand over your growing belly.

"Oi! Keep away from my stall you little brats!" Cried an irritated vender, wagging a stick in attempt to shoo them off. You laughed at his reddened face as the children stuck their tongues at him. It reminded you of when you were a child. You were just like those children, running around freely and causing trouble.

A poor orphan you once were, living off scraps and food that you managed to steal from the food stalls.

Yet, you were free and enjoyed many adventures. From being chased by geese and guards, to successfully swiping off money pouches from the rich. Yet, it was through your stealing you met your beloved at age fifteen.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Flashback~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A tall figure dressed in a luscious red robe strode through the market place. Your eyes narrowed at the fat pouch on his waist from your seat on the stone wall.