29- The Story of Ezmerelda: The Beginning

Romania, 1445

It was late at night when Dr. Birke, the top doctor of the kingdom finally got a chance to visit the house of Vlad and Ezmerelda Dracul. They lived outside the kingdom’s main city in a small Village. Walking up to the house the middle-aged doctor could see the candles were still lit in the small cottage. He just smirked. They must have been waiting for him. The Dracul family wasn’t rich, with Ezmerelda being constantly sick and her brother working as a blacksmith you can say their family wasn’t the top priority on the doctors list. And he kind of had a thing for making desperate people wait for his services.

“Doctor do you know what’s wrong with my sister?” Vlad spoke to the doctor as he gently touched his younger sisters’ hand. She had always been a fragile being. She was smaller than everyone her age and it caused her many health problems.

It was worst this time, she was running a very high fever. Have been for days and she hasn’t even gotten out of bed. She barely eats and that’s not helping her heal at all. It just made her thin and weak.

Now Vlad and the doctor sat by his sister Esmerelda’s bedside. Her long dull black hair laid under her head and body it made her pale skin stand out as she breathes deeply and softly in a deep slumber.

“I’m going to be completely honest with you Vlad it doesn’t look good,” the doctor started “The only thing we can do now is pray to god for her health to get better.”

Vlad frowned at the doctor’s comment. Pray to god? Why the hell should he pray to god what the hell has god ever done for him? Nothing that’s what.

God didn’t save their family from the black plague that ran through the village. God doesn’t keep his sister, his heart and soul the only person he has left to live for healthy and well like she deserves to. She was only 17 and was already going to meet her end.

She was supposed to be married by now maybe have a child or two. But her life was coming to an end. And he was supposed to pray to god?? God has done nothing for him but watch him suffer and laugh at his pain.

Vlad ran his hands through his shoulder length dull black hair that hung loosely around his shoulders and sighed. “Thank you, Doctor Birke.” He said as he got up from his seat. Doctor Birke stood up as well and just nodded then Vlad escorted him out of the small cottage style house.

Vlad sighed and walked back into Eszmerelda’s room and just collapsed in the chair next to her bed.

“Oh Ezmerelda,” he started speaking to his sleeping sister. “Is there anything that I could do to take your pain away. I’m willing to do anything for you to get better.”

With those last thoughts on his mind he fell asleep leaning on her bed.

“Are you really willing to do anything in order to help your sister?” A voice asked Vlad in the darkness. There was nothing there only darkness, that’s all he could see just darkness.

“Yes, I am will to do anything to help my sister. She’s the only person that I have left.” He answered desperately.

“Would you even sell your soul to me?” The voice asked curiously.

“Who are you?”

“Lucifer, the devil” Lucifer answered and its scared Vlad but just a little, he didn’t need much time to think before he answered.

“Yes, yes I would sell you my soul if you save my sister and make her happy and healthy forever.” Vlad answered.

“Are you sure?” Lucifer asked, Vlad was about to answer ‘yes’ when the darkness was starting to be overcome by light. Vlad was confused he didn’t know what was going on.

“So, you would give your soul to the devil, instead of asking me, your father GOD for help?” A new voice spoke Vlad already knew who it was. And honestly, he didn’t care. It’s not like God was going to help in any way.

“If I was to ask you God to help make her happy and healthy forever, would you?” Vlad challenged God. Vlad already knew the answer to his question he just wanted to hear the big man upstairs say it.

“No, I wouldn’t. Life happens you will live, and you will die. That is the circle of life. It is her time to go you must understand that.” God answered calmly. That only seemed to piss Vlad off.

“I don’t want to understand! I don’t want to deal with it! I don’t want my sister to die!” He yelled out “If you aren’t going to do anything then your useless. Your nothing but someone who sit above all looks down on us and laughs at our misfortunes!”

There was silence.

“You think I’m nothing and useless.” God spoke sounding a bit angry. “I’ll make your sister well Vlad Dracul but remember everything comes at a price and you’re not going to like the one I’m going to give you.”

With that there was a flash and Vlad woke from his dream. Breathing hard, Vlad looked at his surroundings until his eyes finally came to the fragile sleep form of his sister. He sighed and then blew out the candle in her room then went to his own.

The next day was like any other, he woke up, checked on Ezmerelda, then made his way to work. But stopped by the flower shop where Elisabeth was known to be in the morning.

She walked through the flower shop pausing momentary to look or smell flowers. Her smile always struck him straight in his heart. She was the most beautiful woman he has ever seen. Besides his sister that is. Her tan skin made her long blond hair and light blue eyes stand out. He knew he wasn’t a good suitor for her, he didn’t have the suitable job or money. But he loved her ever since they were children.

“You know its not polite to stare Vlad.” He heard her chuckle, then she was looking at him.

“E-Elisabeth” Vlad stuttered out. A blush straight to his cheeks. “How are you this lovely morning?”

“I’m fine and how are you.” She asked him her voice like sweet honey and silk wrapping around his heart.

“I’m fine, just on my way to work.” he answered shakily.

“How is Ezmerelda?” She asked sadly, he just sighed.

“Not doing to good, Dr. Birke doesn’t think she’s going to make it this time. He said I should pray to god for her health and spirit.” Vlad said with a frown.

“Oh dear, ” Elisabeth said shaking her head “I know how you feel about the praying to god, especially after what happened to your parents.” Elisabeth’s face held nothing but sadness.

“It’s alright Elisabeth, it’s all in the past, but I don’t want to lose Ezmerelda she’s the only family I have left.” Vlad said sadly looking down.

Elisabeth just sighed and gave him a small smile “You take all the responsibilities of your sick sister on your own. You talk about her in such a loving way.” Then she blushed “I always did love that part about you.”

Vlad was stuck, he would never though that Elisabeth, the most desired woman in the whole village would have those type of feelings towards him. He was about to talk when he was interrupted.

“Elisabeth there you are.” A deep voice rang out through the crowd. Vlad knew this voice all to well and rolled his eyes. Out of the crowd came a handsome man in Armor his light brown hair came a little past his ears and was thick. His eyes were a dazzling green and stood out against his tan shin.

“Danior, what are you doing here?” Elisabeth said. Vlad caught how she sounded a but upset seeing the man.

Danior was a royal guard, he was an asshole and had the ego the size of his head. He took advantage of his job title and made sure to make Vlads life a living hell.

“What are you talking about Elisabeth, I have to look after my betrothed.” Danior said looking straight at Vlad as he spoke. A smirk went to his lips as he saw Vlads eyes go wide.

“Be-Betrothed?” He asked looking between Danior and Elisabeth. Elisabeth looked sad as she looked down.

“I had no idea you two were betrothed.” Vlad looked down in sadness and then bowed “Well excuse me I have to get to work.” With that Vlad sadly walked away.

Danior was more suitable for Elisabeth anyway, he could provide for her more and do the things Vlad couldn’t do. This was for the best.

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