Sibiu

[Bloodedge]

At this point, his prayers were all he could offer to anyone in this household. At least, that was the case if the concern was keeping them out of vampire-related dangers. Gregor knew this land did not suffer from as many different things as his homeland; they had few, if any werebeasts at all. On the other hand, the severity of the vampire threat was yet unknown. He'd have to find out for himself what sort of dangers one should look out for, but in his experience, one powerful vampire always meant a cult of them. "Don't fret much, either of ye. I'll lop off the head of whatever bloodsucker's in charge 'round 'ere. That'll cripple the rest of 'em."

With Kasmina departing, Gregor tipped an imaginary hat to the woman. It was Baron Dacian who spoke on the matter of her adventurous nature. Frankly, it reminded Gregor of how others close to him would be in his old home, before the vampire menace properly reached Scotland. The red-haired man's words would, however, regard the gift horse Kasmina had apparently required in recent times. "Ah, nothin' like a trusty steed to forge a bond! I'd best be makin' my way anaw," he said while rising from his seat, preparing to depart shortly after Kasmina. "I'll be in touch, Baron. Got to make sure I'm able to keep a strong offer on the table."

Continue the story here.

[Apollymi]

After her daylight horseback ride away from the dwelling she called her home, Kasmina would be returning to her home on the back of that same horse, a completely black steed called Midnight. Her day had been one of great clarity and confusion but she'd enjoyed her horse ride nonetheless. Surprisingly enough, though it was after dark the girl didn't return alone nor had her ride back taken nearly as long as her ride out. The crisp night air danced across her face as her mind filled with dread, as she knew the hearty steps of her father even without supernatural abilities from outside the door. The girl's father, miffed as always about her late return, swung open the door of their house, with a great creaking, to see the girl before she dismounted her horse. "Kasmina! You claimed to be back before nightfall, what is it you've been doing this time?" the man claimed to want to know. As usual whenever the girl returned to her home after dark, her father had a problem with it. It seemed to be the case more so as he'd already negotiated the girl's marriage in all but actual acceptance of it. He couldn't have the Scotsman withdrawing his offer because of the girl's wanderlust. The girl's emerald eyes turned towards her father and she said nothing immediately, no she waited for she figured this night would be very much full of surprises.

[Bloodedge]

Indeed, the young lady Dacian did not ride alone for her journey back to her place of residence, as she had upon leaving. For the second time in life, as well as in recent days, she would be found in the company of the vampire Sorin. He rode in on the back of a mare whose fur painted a picture of the midnight sky with its shiny coat. Upon reaching the residence, he could smell the approach of Kasmina's father beyond the door. It was strange. Kasmina, beyond her bodily scent of lilac and gooseberries, bore blood which surpassed the appeal of the rarest flower, or the sweetest fruit. The Baron Dacian was very different from this. His blood now smelled of meat taken from a sickly lamb, sat next to a glass of milk left to spoil. It was repulsive. Sorin couldn't begin to fathom the stark difference between father and child at this very moment, but he felt they weren't as different before as they were now. The visiting Scotsman had woken something within the Baron.

Sorin had abandoned his horse prior to the Baron's appearance, and walked beside it as Kasmina dismounted hers. In the meantime, the woman's father rose to question another late return home by her. "My apologies again, Sir Dacian. I am afraid your daughter was once again in my care. We meant to return sooner, but I take full responsibility for underestimating the distance betwixt Castlevania and your humble abode. Even riding horseback could not ensure a timely return."

[Apollymi]

At this moment, as Kasmina finally dismounted her horse, the man who'd ridden with her back here, spoke to her angry father about her apparent tardiness. Though the green-eyed beauty knew well it wasn't about her well-being at this point but simply about the image and greed her father wished to uphold, the speech of the Count of Castlevania seemed to lull the man back just a bit. The Baron Dacian seemed to find it a bit strange that the girl would be found in this man's presence twice, and though he jokingly mentioned the girl could do what she wanted days ago, he hadn't expected this turn of events a second time. "Oh? Lord Phantomhive, once again returning in my daughter's company," it seemed the Baron Dacian looked strangely upon the blossoming friendship between these two.

"Of course, I thank you for returning her. But I do find your secondary visit here to be more than a bit odd, sir. The girl is practically betrothed," said the Baron, whose given name was Costel but chose to be addressed as such, even within his own home. This was quite different than what Kasmina expected. Her father had tripped all over himself before in this man's presence. Perhaps the Scotsman had awoken something within her father that helped him find the less than savory parts of his personality. Whatever the case the young lass looked at the man with not a hint of her thoughts showing on her face. "Oh? Settled on that one did you, father?" asked the girl with meek curiosity. "He's a strong man, with a good offer on the table, I'd be a fool not to accept it..." said the man. This led Kasmina to inwardly scoff, 'He's twice my age, his words are barely intelligible and his work is dangerous. Father you are far too easy to understand. Hm,' she thought, but he hadn't accepted it. He knew this deep in his mind, it was simply trying to fish out what this lad's interest in his daughter was, for lands or things in his home land of equal or greater value would make the Scotsman's offer seem dull and dreary. But a Viscount wasn't likely to simply want to marry his daughter, and if that wasn't the case, then the lad should be discouraged from further interactions with her.

[Bloodedge]

"Of course, Sir Dacian," he replied while giving a light bow, crossing his right arm over his chest as he did so. The Baron thought it was odd that he'd be found in the company of Kasmina a second time, but more importantly, he thought it was pertinent to mention her virtual engagement at the time. This was of no consequence to the Count. He would see to it that this marriage did not happen. He was now here to claim his betrothed.

As he rose from his bow, Sorin met this man with his gaze. It was time now to make his purpose known. "Practically betrothed indeed. That, good sir, is why I stand before you this very moment. I would see the Lady Kasmina wed to me, instead. What say you?"

[Apollymi]

It seemed this young man had something to say to Baron Dacian and bowed in greeting. Of course, Kasmina remained as well, if only to see her father's reaction and because she had been present the last time such a thing had been said. Still surprise was bound to run itself across the face of the Baron Dacian who was taken aback by the idea that this man wished to marry his daughter. He was not of his own choosing and as such he found it to be quite strange. Though there was obviously something unseen going on between Sir Phantomhive and his daughter Kasmina the man could only think of how such a thing could benefit him. 'Viscount marrying my daughter, I could get land and a title attached to her name... if he has at least a sizable offer it will be worthwhile to consider,' thought the man as the light of greed took over his eyes.

"You wish to marry my daughter, instead? Well if such a thing were possible it'd have to come with a heavy price. The Baron MacLaird offered me all of his lands in Scotland enough to fill even this town," said the Baron whose greed was obviously getting the better of him. Of course, Kasmina fully expected this, but it still took all in her power to not scoff at the pettiness of such an endeavor. "If something more substantial is an offer, then I could likely give you her hand instead. Your title is greater and as such is more beneficial," said the man who seemed to be thinking of this strictly in terms of what this could get him. All present likely understood this, except for the Baron himself, Kasmina would simply be happy to be wed to someone she actually fancied.

[Bloodedge]

Much to Sorin's expectation, and to his disgust, the Baron took this opportunity to try and squeeze every little droplet of benefit from this proposal. Sorin could not believe one could be so taken by avarice. A man had come to offer him more land than should be given away, and still, he sought more where possible. Now, Sorin understood completely why this man's blood smelled so foul tonight. He was already becoming fed up with this behavior. "... Pardon me," he said while stepping forward. A few steps led him past the other male, and into the house. Sorin did not stop moving until he reached the house's sitting room, and once there, he seated himself. A few glances around the inside of the building occurred during his trip to this seat, and as he crossed his right leg over his left, he also placed his hands in his lap. "What a lovely home you have. Costel Dacian, wasn't it? Did you happen to have another daughter before this one? Perhaps you traded her away for this place."

[Apollymi]

After begging pardon, apparently Sorin was content to walk into the dwelling and straight past the man. "Sir you overstep, a Viscount while outranking to just invite himself into my home is far too much. No matter your interest in my daughter..." the man said. Of course, that was all that the man got to say, Kasmina also came inside as her father followed the other man inside and too the sitting room. Within the sitting room the young Viscount seemed to have taken a seat and gone on to address the man by his name and speak of his home and apparent greed all at once. "Sir, the Count will hear of this. How dare you come into my home and say such things to me?!" the man said having the gall to be offended by his speech. He didn't realize the hypocrisy of his statements as he was trying to trade his daughter exactly for material possessions. Still Kasmina was curious enough to see how this would turn out to find herself sitting in the same seat that she'd been in before.

[Bloodedge]

Sorin sat with a regal aura surrounding him, befitting of a prince. While he was indeed the prince of the night, by all technicality, he felt quite comfortable upholding himself this way while preparing to tear this Baron's sins limb from limb in the confines of his own home. "I have overstepped nothing. If anything, I could easily say you have stepped over your boundaries as a father, and as a man," he said. He came with the intention of offering this man something, but he had not known exactly how far the Baron's greed had taken him. For this behavior, Sorin found the man deserving of... nothing.

Apparently, the Count was to hear about Sorin's attitude. The vampire found this laughable... Hilarious, even. He could not resist the guffaw which emerged from deep within in his chest. "Will he? My good sir, I'm afraid your greed has resulted in you being without information regarding affairs of the state. The Count already has the information you wish to share with him. Perhaps it is the future Countess you wish to address with your concerns?" he asked while shifting his gaze to Kasmina.

[Apollymi]

"As a man, well I never!" the Baron Dacian who seemed to be internally fuming as blood rushed to his face in the most angry of moments. Still even as she watched this unfold, Kasmina had a slightly bemused look on her face. She sat up with a great deal of dignity as well watching the changes in her father's face as it was stated that the Count already knew of the activity. This of course was interpreted to mean that Sorin himself had recently been made count without the knowledge of the Baron, not that he was ever given much information about those of higher rank than him to begin with.

If the man was simply fuming before he was now furious, and when it was mentioned that his daughter was soon to be Countess and that he should take up his complaints with her he looked at the girl who seemed as innocent as a freshly born babe. Sorin's look to Kasmina didn't go unnoticed by the young woman who took a small bit of glee from the situation. Her father seemed to think over the approach if only for a moment but didn't let go of his indignation at the comments of the Count Sorin, knowing full well he could do nothing to the man about his commentary given his status. He had no choice but confer with his daughter about the situation at hand. "Daughter you aim to be Countess, and would let your future husband speak to me like that?! I'm your father..." he stated caused a smile to appear on the girl's face, she found it amusing that he would try and claim his fatherhood as a reason she should stand up for him in this moment.

Kasmina wasn't necessarily a spiteful person at heart, but in this moment, she saw the need for a fitting answer to the man's inquiry. "Father, though you might be, that does not change the nature of this situation. I aim not to become Countess, though I am quite enthralled by the idea of being Lord Phantomhive's wife, which should be the information of greatest importance. In all fairness to the Count Phantomhive, he mentioned interest in marrying me and you were rude first, by not inviting the man inside, and offering tea. This could have been a cordial conversation about the welfare of your eldest daughter and is not by your own doing. Such is hardly befitting of a man with the title of Baron, nor particularly befitting of a father aiming to secure a marriage for said daughter..." she mentioned with the utmost calm, aiming to completely shut down her father in this moment. Her father looked at her blankly in this moment as if she'd become a different person in a matter of seconds. He didn't recall this girl possessing this much charm or eloquence in speech before. He opened his mouth and closed it several times the red hue to his face never wavering. In this moment Kasmina couldn't tell whether her father was simply embarrassed or severely angry. "I... you... ugh..." the man managed but this only made Kasmina look to him with unwavering emerald green eyes. "Father take a moment before you speak again, you would not want to behave rashly and cause a further decline in this conversation." As those words left Kasmina's mouth it seemed her father was at a loss for words completely. He would stand unmoving for several moments without knowing what to say or do, his mind a mass of confusion about the situation unfolding before him.

[Bloodedge]

"Everything in this world has once seen its first time, mister Dacian." Sorin was content to leave the rest of this discussion to Kasmina for some time. She seemed satisfied enough to have this moment of power over her father, which was enough for him. She even managed to force him to a stutter. This was an amusing thing to behold; he never imagined seeing the Baron in such a state. During his wait, Sorin hummed a light tune to pass the time. All the while, he smirked at the turn of events befalling Baron Dacian. This mortal truly was being driven to a very pitiful state.

Eventually, Sorin saw a point in the discussion where he could comfortably return to speaking. While sir Dacian struggled to find words of response to his daughter, the vampire inserted himself. "Sir Dacian... Your daughter will be my bride, come Sunday. If you make any attempts to hastily marry her off to the Scotsman between now and then, you will be made to understand a fury the likes of which one such as yourself cannot fathom. I will offer you nothing in return, but I dare not leave the boy with nothing to his name bar what you've managed to scrape up. He will receive land with men to till it, a great deal of livestock, and... I may name him my Viscount when he comes of age."

[Apollymi]

Kasmina's father seemed to be at a complete loss, but as the Count spoke up once more he made the claim that he would give nothing for the hand of his daughter. Going so far as to point out the man's propensity for trying to act shadily and threatened massive harm should he decide to try and marry the woman off before the day of their supposed wedding. This man looked at the other sitting within the sitting room and looked completely baffled, and surprisingly just a little scared. How attached could this man have gotten to his daughter in three days that he was willing to threaten so much for such a thing? Was he willing to risk himself just to find out? The answer to both of these questions was a resounding no, if this man wanted his daughter so badly he could have her. Though he offered the man nothing, he would apparently set the boy up with a solid livelihood when he was of age. What was he to say in response to a statement like that. Which did exactly what he wanted, but cut him out of the deal entirely? 'A Dacian Viscount? I dare not damn the boy...' he thought, as a sigh escaped him. Apparently having chosen his favorite among his children some three years ago. Still he could barely form a sentence. His shoulders hunched and he seemed a bit defeated. At the very least, he could continue on living the way he had been and win the favor of his son further, even without his daughter around anymore.

"I understand..." he said his head bowed in shame. "Thank you for your kindness in consideration of my son. I will do nothing to interfere with the wedding, you have my word." said the man which was quite a surprising thing to hear. Though Kasmina herself was still wary of her father's rather sudden change in opinion, because she knew the man to be without stopping point for his greed. Whatever the case she could take this momentary victory knowing there would be plenty of time to foil any further plans for his greed. "If... you'll excuse me. I should be going to bed. Do not stay up too late, Kasmina..." the man gave bow and lumbered off into his house, to his own study and not his bedroom. Apparently he felt quite defeated this day and could do nothing more than hide away from his shame. After watching her father walk away there was nothing more than a smile on the young woman's face. "Well... that surprisingly took much less than I figured it would. That is a rather generous gift to my younger brother, thank you," she said of what he offered to Cosmin.

[Bloodedge]

"You needn't thank me on behalf of your son, sir Dacian. I would do anything within my power to see to the well-being of my betrothed's family. The boy, especially, has done nothing to cross me or anyone else. He will be cared for as he deserves to be," Sorin commented to specify his intentions while clearing any debt this man may have thought he owed the Count. With Costel retreating to his study, Sorin allowed his grin to fade momentarily. "Very well. We will be wed on Sunday."

Baron Dacian was no longer present in the sitting room, and since he wasn't, it was high time for Sorin's departure. He stood, stepping toward Kasmina and extending his hand to await hers. Should she provide it, he would once again kiss the back of her hand - something their meeting earlier this night had not allowed. With this, would come his farewell. "It is my honor to see the boy's future be a bright one. I'll be taking my leave of this place now. We will meet again on Sunday. A messenger will be sent tomorrow with the location and other necessary things. I'll see to the acquisition of a dress tailored to your preference as well. My messenger will take you to the seamstress."

[Apollymi]

The Baron Dacian was gone, and now the Count Phantomhive was standing before Kasmina again with hand extended. She took no time at all allowing hers to meet his in a way they hadn't met earlier for reasons of urgency. After his lips met the back of her hand he went on to explain that he intended to take care of the arrangements for her younger brother in the future and for the wedding more immediately. The news that he'd be sending her to a seamstress was rather interesting, but she wouldn't turn down new clothing and the like as it was something she was sure she'd enjoy quite a bit. "Then I will see you Sunday," she said having already agreed to marry this man it still seemed odd to her that this was going to take place of her own accord. She couldn't even think that she resented this in any way which is much the way she expected to feel about marriage. In this moment she was allowed a bit of happiness and as such she'd enjoy it.

After seeing Sorin to the door the pair would part for the day. The next day she would be within the household of her father, the man still locked within his study, no doubt drowning his own sorrows. Kasmina herself seemed to be waiting just as she thought she should for whatever messenger was to come. She was fairly interested in the next day as soon enough she'd be wed, but she wondered about the fanfare which led up to a wedding. She'd never considered the idea that she could be more than mildly interested in her wedding. But now she found herself all but bemused by the idea.

[Bloodedge]

The next day, Kasmina would be receiving a visit from the messenger of Sorin, as expected. In broad daylight, a lonesome blonde girl - dressed in black and red bodice with a very short dress - casually walked up to the Dacian residence. She carried with her a large parasol, which shielded her exposed skin from the sun's harmful rays. Dainty and feminine knuckles would soon be pulling on the front door's knocker. After only three slams of the brass against the door, the girl's hand was retracted and brought before her face. A pair of candy red, gleaming eyes inspected long fingernails sharing the same color scheme. The girl's bottom lip protruded from her mouth as she stared at scuffed nail polish, and a sigh escaped her during the ensuing wait for an answer.