Sold To The Vampire

Chapter 3: Past

To understand what made Emma marry Dylan, we need to go back to the past, where it all began...

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In the Kingdom of Serebá lives a young woman called Emma. She - at the age of 24 - is one of the richest girls in her state - thanks to her family, who own a lot of property.

Emma has fair skin, straight medium-brown hair, a tall stature and a defined body.

Despite her wealth, she is a simple girl who doesn't care about material possessions.

Emma is dating Davin - 27 years old - the son of a farmer. His family works in the kitchen and cleans the castle where she lives.

They met when Emma was 20 and it was love at first sight, but they keep their relationship a secret because her family would never accept a rich girl marrying a mere commoner.

"My beloved, I have loved you since the first moment I saw you and I want to be with you until the last breath of life. I miss you and hope to see you soon. Love, from your eternal Davin."

"Oh, he's so romantic!" exclaims Emma, sighing with passion as she finishes reading her boyfriend's letter for the third time - "I need to see him, but how will I distract the guards?"

Emma removes her dress and bathes, while one of the maids separates another garment for her to wear:

"Miss, I see you're looking well. Is there a particular reason?"

"No, I just feel good. Can you tell me if the garden is clear tonight? I'd like to go for a walk and admire the beautiful moon in the sky."

"I don't know, but I can check for you. But you know it's not proper for a girl to walk around unaccompanied at night."

"Don't worry, Amelia, I won't be alone, you're coming with me" - she turns to Amelia - "please, it's important."

"Okay, but we won't be long. Last time, they almost saw you with that boy" - Amelia recalls.

"I know, and forgive me if I've caused you any trouble, but when I'm around him. Oh, my heart is so happy."

"There's no need to apologize to your mere servant, miss. I would never hand you over to your parents," assures Amelia.

"I know, Amelia, but I haven't seen you for three days and I miss you so much that my heart aches."

"Ah! Love, such a beautiful and pure feeling, but it can also be dangerous."

Emma turns to Amelia again and smiles:

"Please Amelia, help me see him today."

"All right, but wait until everyone's gone. I'll give you a signal at dinner time."

Amelia is Davin's aunt and whenever she can, she helps Emma to see him - usually late at night - when her parents are asleep.

Last time, she had to hide behind a large bush to avoid being spotted by one of the guards paving the castle.

At dinner time, Emma walks to the dining room and sits at the table with her parents - Augustus and Anne - and waits for the waiters to bring the dishes.

"Today you'll be served grilled prawns in white sauce, with baked rice. As a starter, broccoli soup with vegetables and chocolate pudding for dessert," said the chef.

"Perfect, thank you. You can leave now," Anne replied. "Are you all right, my child?"

"Yes, Mom," replied Emma, as she felt anxious for Amelia's signal.

"Good, because tomorrow you'll be prepared for another winter ball," replied Anne.

"Do I really have to go, Mom?"

"Of course Emma, don't ask silly questions," replied her mother, "you've already turned 24 and you need a suitor to woo you and, if we're lucky, you'll soon have a husband.

Emma's heart is saddened because - deep down - she knows that she will never be able to be with Davin and that her family will never accept this union.

Amelia appears in the dining room. With her excuse that Emma had forgotten her brooch in her room - which she always wears - so that if something bad happens, she can be identified as royalty.

"There you are, Miss Curry" - Amelia hands her the brooch, along with a lilac-colored flower - "forgive me for not putting your brooch on earlier."

"You're forgiven and thank you Amelia" - she thanks her and takes the flower, hiding it in one of her hands - "you may leave."

The rest of the dinner went on as normal and everyone retired to their rooms when they had finished. However, before she left, her father called her:

"Daughter, I would like you to accompany me to my study" - his voice was serious, containing a certain mystery.

Emma accompanies him and her father - by entering a password - the door opens. He then beckons her to enter the room.

"I know your 25th birthday is coming up and I want you to have this" - he hands her a silver necklace in the shape of a wasp - "it's a family heirloom. It was your great-grandmother's, then your grandmother's, then mine and now it belongs to you. Wear it whenever you feel unprotected and it will protect you."

"Thanks, Dad" - she hugs him - "can I go to my room?"

"Yes," replied King Augustus, "Jackson, take Miss Curry to her quarters."

"Yes, Your Highness" - Emma walks ahead and the guard escorts her, always protecting her all the way to her room.

Emma paces back and forth, anxiously waiting for Amelia to distract the guard who is watching her bedroom door, so that she can see Davin in the garden.

"Miss"- Amelia opens the door slowly- "if you wish to see him, it must be now."

"What about Jackson?" Emma asks worriedly.

"He's not here, come"

Emma pulls up her long, light-yellow puffy dress and runs unnoticed into the castle garden, heading towards Davin, who is already waiting for her.

"Davin!" she exclaims excitedly, "I've missed you."

"My beloved," he replied and hugged her, "I've missed you so much."

His lips touched in an urgent, passionate kiss. Emma's heart leapt with happiness and Davin felt the same way.

"My beloved, soon there will be a winter ball and I don't know how much longer I won't be married. I'll be 25 soon and they've talked about courtship and marriage."

"If I were rich, I'd woo you, but unfortunately I'm just a commoner."

"You know that I love you no matter what your social status is," replies Emma, as she strokes his cheek.

"When is this ball?" asks Davin.

"I think by the end of the week," replies Emma.

"I don't know, Emma, but we'll find a solution," he says back.

"Emma, we need to get back," calls Amelia.

"I love you Davin."

"I love you Emma and no one will be able to keep us apart" - Davin gives his beloved one last kiss and she returns to the castle with Amelia.

Luckily, no one noticed their departure and Emma slept peacefully, but feared losing the love of her life.