The ballroom of the castle was filled with excitement. It had been a long time since one of the vampire lords had gotten married, so there was merriment all over the place. The ballroom was decorated extremely elegantly, and everyone was dressed to the nines, this of course including Stephanie. She was a little overwhelmed as she held her husband’s hand, and the two were about to step into the large room. She was wearing a very tight red dress; every inch of her body was put on display, her bra was extra padded, and her corset was extra tight. It was times like these when Stephanie was grateful for all the waist training. Alucard smiled, “Don’t worry, my love, you can do this.” Steph looked up at her much taller husband. “I don’t know ....my husband, this is a world I know little about.” Alucard smiled and put his hand around her waist. “Don't worry, we can handle it together, just follow my lead.” He then bent down and kissed his bride before signaling to the attendants to open the large door into the ballroom.
The couple walked into the room to the thunderous applause of all the people present. Steph looked around the room at all the people applauding, rich vampires from all over the European continent. The two made their way to the center of the room arm in arm. Stephanie was screaming inside because she knew that these eyes were on her, one of the few nonwhite vampires in the room. The two walked up to an older man who was lightly clapping his hands. He was an old man, with silvery white hair and slightly pointed ears, he smiled and said in his thick Swiss accent he gave a bow and kisses her knuckle “Nice to meet you lady Stephanie “I am Maximilien Orlok, son of the great Count Orlok” Stephanie smiled “Thank you sir” Max smiled and looked over to Alucard “I am sorry that my father could not attend today’s party, his advanced age and health complications has prevented it’ Alucard nodded “Of course send your father my regards” “You can tell him yourself, he has requested a private meeting with you at your convenience” Alucard let out an audible breath “Do you know what he wants to talk to me about?” Max came close to Alucard’s ear, “The oncoming storm.” Alucard’s face became more ashen than usual. “Of course, I will talk to him as soon as possible.” Max smiled and then raised his voice, “But now drink, eat, and make merry! My father’s castle will be a house of amazement for the next week.”
The party was quite an event; everyone was having a good time eating, drinking, and dancing to their delight, the blood whine flowed like water, and rare lamb was the main dish of choice. By the time Stephanie had gotten used to the sweet taste of blood and found it to be very nice. Alexia, Keiko, and Mariko were over in the other in their own corner of the room, talking to guests she wanted to be with them, but she had people to meet for the first time. They were approached by two people who were walking arm in arm like a couple. The man was tall and large, about the same height as Alucard but much broader-shouldered. He had light brown hair, a large beard, and piercing blue eyes that matched hers. He wore a military uniform; she had never seen one before. The woman was dressed in a plain blue dress, nothing that elegant or fancy, but it was simple and nice. She looked very much like Alucard and Alexia with the same pale skin, the same black hair, and the same dark eyes. What really stood out was that the woman was pregnant, very pregnant, about eight months pregnant. This gave Stephanie a mini panic attack. It had never occurred to her before how much legacy means to these people, and bearing children for her husband was something she could never do. This made her feel very unconfident.
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Alucard smiled as he stepped forward and hugged the man and kissed the woman on the cheek, and held her wife by the arm. “This is Stephanie.” The woman smiled, bowed her head slightly speaking in fluent Romanian, “It is nice to meet my cousin's wife at last.” Alucard smiled, “This is my cousin Maria.” Stephanie smiled back. The man stepped forward and kissed Stephanie on the hand and replied in English, “I am Colonel Thaddeus Cornwell, at your service.” Stephanie smiled, her grasp of English was not too great at this point, but replied in English as best as she could to this exotic foreigner, “Ah, I see, you are... English.. Or... American?” He smiled, “Yes, my Lady, I am a colonel in the US Calvary at your service.” Maria smiled, “My husband is a very excitable man.” She then brushed his hand against his neck, where two small holes were that were just like the ones on Stephanie’s neck. Stephanie smiled, Thad swelled with pride, “I am everything I am today because of my wife.” Maria smiled, “Yes, and don't you forget it, Thad.” Thad smiled as well when the two started kissing. Alucard laughed and kissed his wife on the cheek, and Stephanie thought for a moment. It was apparent that Thad like her, was a turned vampire from a foreign land... a novelty just like her and his wife had life growing inside her. She rubbed her own belly... she thought about it and her face turned ashen. Alucard held her close, knowing that someday he would find a way to make his wife happy. He addressed the three of them, “Well, you three have fun, I have something that I must attend to, will you be okay Stephanie?” Steph nodded, “I’ll be fine, just don't be too long.” Alucard smiled and nodded, “Don't worry, I won't be gone long.” With that, he left the ballroom and made his way down the halls of the castle.
