marlowemuses | Diplomacy and Romance

Her cheeks stayed flushed as he kissed her hand, pleasure coursing through her. It was so flattering to be considered in this way, to be valued for her wit and personality above her other traits, and to be the center of attention for someone so powerful.

She was obligated to consider the implications, and her debts and vows to her sworn sisters. She would still be available to them as needed, especially with Dracula's ability to transport her, and this alliance would only further increase their influence and their safety. Carmilla would tease her about seducing Dracula, and assume that she'd done it for the power and luxury. Morana would think that Lenore's head had been turned by the romance of it, a fairy-tale princess wanting a handsome and charismatic king. Striga would assume that Lenore wanted the safety. Each version made her feel ... small. But no matter her decision, they would only see a small version of her, a little sister, easily dismissed.

Nodding, her fingers curled inwards, gripping his hand in a little display of both nerves and yearning rather than simply allowing her hand to be held. "Yes," she whispered, feeling reckless and impulsive despite also having absolute confidence in her decision.

Vlad also was obligated to consider the implications of possible favourtism among those who were in his court. It would be the first or the last vampire union, but there could be ramifications for other vampire lords and ladies to feel threatened or intrigued or disgusted. He cared little for the gossip of it, aware it would keep tongues wagging long into the nights and even some days.

He found his need to consider the sister queens. They were not a coalition to trifle with for most, and he had no doubt that Carmilla would attempt to take advantage of the increase of status that his favour brought. Morana and Striga would be far more tactical, likely expecting that this matter would be short-lived; they would likely keep to themselves given the rumours of their own romantic attachments to each other.

His clawed fingers closed around her fingers in a return gesture. He continued to watch from as he added a second kiss to the back of her hand. "Then it seems we are in agreement on such a matter. Do you wish secrecy or would it suit you to allow others to know either as they come by the information or witness us together?" Her answer would change how he treated her during court gatherings of course, and it also meant he may or may not need to silence maidservants.

She considers briefly, always taking his questions seriously and often finding them unexpected, things that no one has ever asked her about. But in this case she's certain of her answer quickly. "I'd prefer to be able to live honestly," she states. Though she assumes that he prefers the same, she does feel nervous at the thought of him wanting to be more secretive about this new complication, which some will interpret as a weakness. Many of the others may not know about her past before Carmilla, since none of the vampire lords whose courts she was in previously are still alive. But those who do know might suspect that she's looking to take a similar position now, as mistress to a vampire lord, with all the more power.

She doesn't doubt that this will draw negative attention to her and make her a target, but she feels confident that she can deal with that. Dracula will prevent any physical harm to her, and she can absolutely deal with courtly politics.

He nodded his head, accepting the answer without protest. He had no reason for such secrets himself, but she was the negotiator in many political situations and it was unclear how her association with him might alter outcomes. "Very well, we have no reason to hide such a courtship, and so we will not. It will give others something to gossip about for some time anyway. It's been some time since I stirred gossip circles that I'm aware of." And he frankly did not care for the opinions of most; it was just important to respect him or fear him.

Thankfully, there were very few that would openly move again him or anyone under his protection. He offered a small squeeze of her hand and lightly stroked her back with his other hand. "I shall arrange for a special meal to treat you with, shall I?"

"I'd like that," Lenore confirms, though she does wonder whether he means a meal of food or of blood. She doesn't question it, trusting that whatever he provides will be pleasing for her.

Leaning in, she presses a soft kiss to his cheek, sweet and chaste. As much as she desires him, she doesn't want to rush into anything. The prospect of being courted sounds lovely, and she wonders what it will entail. "Shall I start calling you Vlad now, instead of 'my lord'?" There's a slightly teasing note to the question, and she thinks that she perfectly well might still call him 'my lord' from time to time just to be playful.

He nodded his head, and he already had a meal in mind that they could share that both would surely enjoy. It would have to remain a surprise for now, of course. Strategizing - even for meals - could bring him pleasure when he decided it was worth the consideration, and given the tilt of their relationship, he considered it a worthwhile endeavor. Courtship was meant to be a romantic affair after all; they had no reason to use it for strengthening alliances like humans of course.

He wasn't surprised by the kiss to his cheek, but he had to admit that he was unexpectedly pleasant. He could be charming and charismatic after all, and he also recognized that Lenore could rival him potentially in that. Her affection filled a tiny bit of the old repressed loneliness. The corner of his lips pulled in a smile at her question. "You may call me as you like. Vlad, Dracula, my lord... as it suits you," he replied truthfully. "In this courtship and whatever else may come, we are equals."

Her chin ducked again, shy with pleasure at being asked to be his equal in this courtship. It felt like so much being offered to her. More than she felt she was worth, even though she had spent so much of her life ensuring that she was valued more highly than any other jewel that a vampire warlord or king might own. She'd still, in those courts, always been a thing to be owned. Now, she had a place at the side of the most powerful of any of the vampire lords she'd known, and he wanted her to be his equal.

But her chin didn't stay down for long. She wanted to focus on the pleasure of his company, rather than her own nerves.

"I like the sound of that," she murmured softly. Tucking close, she pillowed her head on his shoulder. Even though there was no warmth to him, the comfort of being held like this soothed a deep instinctual need inside of her. "Will you tell me about some of the science you've been working on while I've been away?" She wanted no more talk of politics and diplomacy for the night. She wanted to simply be in his presence, whether to read or to talk of anything at all. His experiments were a reliable topic to get him to talk, filling the time so that she wouldn't feel that she had lingered too long in his lap.

He relaxed into his large chair when she settled in against him, and he was pleased when she rested her head to his shoulder. One hand moved from her leg to cup her dainty feet, stroking the top with a thumb as he enjoyed her company. His arm tightened around her shoulders to hold her close against him where they were cuddling. He could sit with her in silence or in conversation for many hours.

He made a soft noise at her request, tipping his head back against the chair as he considered the numerous theories he had in the works that he was trying to validate with evidence. He had shown her a few experiments, and she had been politely interested in what he worked on and how he set up his projects.

"I'm currently continuing my work with fungi and their medical implications. Drying out their fruiting bodies and boiling or breathing the fumes is the most current curative methods, but I suspect that there are other methods that can extract their properties." He dropped his head so that his chin rested on the top of her head. "Distill? Mix with certain herbs? I haven't found the correct combination for afflictions."

He then took a moment to launch in the details of each of his current experiments, laying each out and walking through how he had come up with the theory and which elements were successes or which were not the providing evidence to his theory. All the while, he stroked the top of her feet with his thumb.

She loved hearing him talk, on this or any other topic. It was true, however, that his experiments held her attention less than the other subjects they discussed. Comfortable as she was in his lap, with his arms safe around her and his hand gently caressing at her foot, she let her eyes close as she focused on the pleasure of his grasp and his voice.

Inevitable, then, that after a few minutes her mind drifted away, sinking into a slumber. Her hand slipped from where she'd left it resting against his chest, falling into her lap like a cherry blossom drifting down from a tree.

He continued to explain to the most minute detail the current experience, including the pH of the water, the microelements as he was aware of them and the application of heat or humidity over all. He was aware of her relaxing against him further, and he knew the moment that she fell asleep against his shoulder. That she was tucked against his body and all the danger that he could be and fell asleep was telling.

For a few minutes, he simply kept talking, but his red eyes dropped to study her sleeping face. His fingers continued to stroke her foot through the fabric of her dress, and he let his head lean back against his chair for a moment of consideration. How long had it been since someone slept on or near him? Longer than he cared to admit.

Slowly, his voice trailed off to silence, only the crackling of the fire providing background noise. After watching her sleep for some minutes, he made the decision and leaned in to press a soft kiss to her forehead, lingering against that soft pale skin for half a minute before he gathered her up carefully in his arms and rose from his chair to take her to her bed chambers.

Lenore gave a soft sound as she was picked up, shifting a little in his arms. She was dimly aware of what was happening, but felt safe and trusting enough that her mind found no reason to try and wake up properly. She felt so cozy and safe, content in the knowledge that he would care for her. He was sweet, in his own way, and she was increasingly getting to see that, which was a lovely treat.

Nestling her cheek against his shoulder, Lenore made another sleepy noise and curled her fingers around the front of his shirt.

While standing, he waited for her to settle into his arms or potentially wake. When she remained peacefully asleep and even nestled her face to his shoulder, he tightened his grip on her as he turned to ease from the room. He abandoned games, wine and the hearth to travel through the castle depths to the guest quarters where he had intended Lenore and her waiting staff to have plenty of room and privacy for their own business.

Of course, making the journey with her in his arms, it did seem a rather long distance to travel. He didn't consider it terribly though as it allowed him to continue to hold her, monopolizing time he might otherwise lose on a hand off with the maid servants. In fact, he made a concerted effort in the corridors to avoid them.

He arrived to her bed chambers. It would be considered rude to admit himself to a lady's chambers without invitation first. Yet, he shouldered in knowing he could be breaking her confidence and trust, all so he could be the one to set her gently upon her bedding. He did so slowly in an attempt to not disturb her sleep, even going so far as to use his index finger to move some of her red hair back to be behind her pointed ear.

"Sleep well, my dear," he whispered softly.

Diplomacy and Romance

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