Every Rose Has It's Thorns

Chapter 5: A Count in Danger

Trigger Warning: Suggestion of incest, even though it's not actually incest.

https://shitiger.tumblr.com/post/636885343474417664/i-based-the-dress-count-duckula-wears-off-of-these

(Inspiration for the dress Duckula is wearing in this chapter)

***

"Don't you want a spot of carrot juice, my little Duckie-boo?" Nanny asked, setting the glass on the table next to his bed. The emerald duck, clad only in his long purple night robe, turned over to face the wall.

"I'm not really hungry, Nanny. I'll drink it later," Duckula sighed, nuzzling the pillow in his arms. The curtains were pulled open to reveal the radiant colors of the sunset on the horizon. He hadn't left his bed all day, he realized. Not that he'd done much on the days when he HAD left his room.

"Oh dear, oh dear. You've barely eaten a thing in over a week, Master Duckuler. It isn't good for a growing boy," the woman sighed, sitting down gently on the edge of the bed. Her attempt at gentleness made the mattress bounce, causing Duckula's entire body to rise and fall. He let out a soft grunt as he landed, his arms clutching the pillow tightly.

"Everything was going so well, Nanny. I really thought he liked me," the count said, sniffling as a tear rolled down his cheek. His unbeating heart seemed to clench in his chest, sending a wave of sorrow through his entire body.

"Thought who liked you, dearie?" the woman asked.

Duckula sighed, and flopped onto his back. "It doesn't matter now. Guess I'd better face the music. Looks like things are going to get back to normal around here." He reached for the glass of carrot juice, and drowned it in one gulp. It did nothing to fill the emptiness that was like a chasm within him. He couldn't help but wonder what Otto... no, what Dr. von Goosewing was doing at that very moment.

The young count strode over to the window, gazing out into the distance. Goosewing was probably in his airship, inventing some crazy weapon to try to destroy him. Were all vampire hunters as tenacious as he was? A smile came to his bill as he imagined the ivory feathered man, all dressed up in his plaid coat, yellow vest and adorable bowtie, bent over his blueprints as he grumbled about falling for the charms of a dangerous vampire.

"I fell for you, too, dummy." Duckula glanced away from the window, catching sight of the confusion on Nanny's face. "It's nothing, Nanny. Just thinking out loud."

"Will you be wanting to get dressed then, Duckie-boo?" the woman asked, heaving herself up from the bed.

A spark of delight surged through the vampire's chest. "You know what - I AM going to get dressed. I'm going to wear the prettiest dress I can find. I'm going to put on my best makeup and jewellery, and I'm NOT going to wear a wig. And when Goosewing shows up to get me, he'll be the one running away. B-because I'll look so good, he won't be able to handle it," Duckula boasted, shoving aside his anxiety at seeing the vampire hunter again.

"That's nice, dear. Shall I set the table for two, then? When will your date be arriving?"

Duckula froze in his tracks, throwing a stunned look over his shoulder at the oblivious woman. "No, Nanny. He's not coming here for a date."

"But I thought you said the doctor was coming to get you? Will you be having your date in the village again?"

"We... I... You know what, I'm just going to go get dressed," the count sighed, running his fingers through his tangled hair. Ugh, it needed to be brushed. "On second thought, run me a bath, Nanny. Then I'll get dressed."