Draco stood silently upon his balcony feeling the coldness of the night air upon his face. Suddenly from below him, he heard the voices of his parents and uncle speaking.
“In a few more days Alice and Tristan will be here,” Maria’s voice rang with happiness. “It will be so good to see them again.”
“I wonder how their studies have gone,” Count Felix said curiously. “I do hope he has not let his foolishness interfere with the seriousness of learning.”
“Alice wrote to me at the end of their lessons before thir exams. She told me we would be very proud of Tristan as he keeps getting excellent marks and even became her tutor when their mathematical studies became a bit too confusing for her,” Vladimir said impressively.
“Of course you wrote to her instructor to inquire if such were the case,” Felix responded suspiciously.
“I did,” Vladimir said avoiding the cross look Maria gave him. “Professor Van Kremlar informed me that most of his class stumbled over the advanced study of algebraic notation when combined with ratios used to determine chemical balance which is used by most apothecaries. However, one student named Tristan Van Breuher not only accelerated in this study but was able to point out a major flaw in the problem presented that caused the others to stumble. for this, he was going to be presented a special academic merit award.”
“Wonderful,” Maria said proudly as Felix stood speechless.
“Wow,” Draco thought “maybe he really isn’t as dumb as he acts.”
“So tell me,” Maria said changing the subject. “Have you received any replies to the invitations you sent out for the Christmas gala?”
“I have received confirmation of attendance from all but two families,” Vladimir said somberly. “Lady Valinsky apologized for having to turn down our invitation as her husband has fallen ill and she does not wish to leave his side. I expressed my concern to Don Rosario as to the health of our old friend and he said Count Valinsky has only started to eat food again but remains weak. It will be some time beofre he’ll be fully recovered.”
“I shall keep him in my prayer,” Maria said tenderly. “Although I fear the answer to my question…who have you either had decline your invitation or failed to respond to it?”
“Igor and Amira,” Vladimir responded sharply as a look of disgust and hate filled his eyes.
“Did you actually think they would come here,” Felix asked sharply. “After what happened here the last time they came to this castle?”
Vladimir walked over to the balcony door and gazed silently at the falling snow.
“Every moment I walk through these halls, I’m reminded of that accuresed day. I can see him trying to force himself upon you…my dear sister. Then trying to challenge me to a duel. If I won, then Zoltan would renounce his desire to claim Maria but if he won, I would have to speak to father about allowing him to have her even if Maria objected. Zoltan was known for his untrustworthy ways so I refused his challenge and promptly left the castle to make sure the bridge over the moat was passable for the guests father was expecting to come that evening. Zoltan followed me in an attempt to force me to change my mind. This time he made the challenge infront of Master Klove and his son Jacob. Again I refused and sent Klove and Jacob to find my father and Igor . However, Zoltan decided he would have me in a fight one way or the other. With my back turned to him, Zoltan rushed me and I was slammed hard against the side of the bridge. As I fought to catch my breath, Zoltan moved back to rush me again. Only, as I moved out of the way, he kept coming at me and slipped on a patch of ice. He hit against the side of the bridge and fell into the moat below. I lept in after him and tried to help him. Instead of allowing me to do so, he grabbed my hair and pushed me under the freezing cold water. We were ingaged in a battle I never wanted. I broke free of his hold and fought to get my bearings. I swam to him but it was too late. Zoltan did not know how to swim and without my help, he drown. I got his body and myself out of the moat and remembered nothing more until I awoke in my bed.”
As he gazed out the open doors, silent tears fell from his eyes.
“At times I think that if I had been stronger and able to thwart his efforts to get him to shore, his life would have ben spared,” he said going to his sister who was also crying. “Felix…if I thought condeming my sould to hell would turn back time and allo him a chance to live out his mortal life…”
“NO,” Maria wailed in horror. “Vlad…that awful…disgusting…conceited lout chose his path and died because of it!”
“Calm down my dear,” Felix said soothingly taking her hand into his and patting it lovingly. “I have a good repour with Igor that has spanned many years. If he comes, I will speak with him of hearing your side of what happened. Perhaps he will be willing to ask or at worst…command amira to remove the curse from you.”
“Oh Felix,” Maria said hopefully.
“What if he refuses,” Vladimir asked in an ancient dialect of Romanian Maria could not understand.
“I will make him see what it means to be truly cursed my friend,” Felix laughed. “Ah, but don’t fret my dear cousin. He will not become as we are.”
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