The bright moon was almost full as it cast its light on the corridor where Richter stood alone.  He had spent much of the day by himself.  After the night before, he found it difficult to be around the vampiress.  The things that were said had caused in him realizations of which he would have preferred to stay ignorant about.  When he looked into her eyes after all had been confessed, Richter recognized what he felt for her was more than just pity or lust.

Richter’s fingers brushed over his chest, and he could not help but notice how much faster his heart beat when the thought of her crossed his mind.  It served as a reminder of their encounter with the succubus.  He considered it so ludicrous back then that she would try to use that little vampire’s likeness to try to woo him instead of the likeness of his first love.  Now, he just felt shame creeping up on him as he considered the truth that he so desperately wished he could continue to deny.

A Belmont simply could not develop feelings for a vampire.  How disrespectful to Annette’s memory…  How disrespectful to his family’s legacy!  Legend had been passed down from generation to generation that the power of the very whip that he held was due to a sacrifice made by his ancestor’s beloved, who gave up her soul so others may not suffer the same wretched fate as she.  To fall for a vampire, he was spitting in the face of her and every Belmont that preceded him.  Should his feelings towards this same kind of vile creature she had become turn romantic, it would also make a mockery of the death of his first love.

Yet when he thought about Gwendolyna, Richter found himself questioning all that he had once been so certain about.  Could it be that not all were malevolent?  The stories claimed that his ancestor, Trevor Belmont, had partnered with Dracula’s own son in an effort to vanquish him.  Though half-human, if a direct descendant of the wicked count could be one of the most trusted allies of the Belmont family, was it possible that not all with vampiric blood were irredeemable?

That vampiress was but another victim of Dracula’s abhorrence.  Damned or not, the way she carried herself in spite of it was respectable.  She never ceased trying to walk the straight and narrow.  Richter thought back to that very first request of hers- if he would not end her existence, could he save her from it?  Even before the night prior, he found himself wishing he could rid her of that part of herself.  Yet there was no cure for vampirism, especially not if one had been turned centuries ago.  What kind of salvation did she expect?  If he could not save Annette, how could he possibly save her?

He grit his teeth and clutched his whip tighter.  Truly, he had been in this castle too long.  Nothing made sense anymore.  If he did not get to face off against Dracula soon, he’d surely go insane.

“Lord Belmont…”

As if he had been thinking aloud, Richter heard the voice of Shaft speaking to him as it had on and off since he returned to Castlevania.  The dark priest was an unlikely ally to have, but the two shared a common goal- to resurrect Dracula.

“I trust you have satisfactory news,” he said, not allowing his eyes to stray from their fixed position of the waxing moon.  “My patience is reaching an end.  Should I not have my rematch with Dracula soon, I shall have to find you and extract my revenge.”

“Fear not, Lord Belmont.  I come bearing news both good and bad.”

“Out with it,” he spat.

“The imminent blood moon is the final touch necessary to complete the ritual.  Within days, he will be revived and you shall have your rematch.”

For the first time that day, Richter’s smirk returned.

“Excellent,” he said.  “If this is true, what bad news have you for me?”

“An intruder in the castle is seeking to put an end to our plan.”

“Is that so?”

Richter began to laugh.  How absurd that someone thought they could waltz into his castle and try to spoil this for him after how patient he had been.

“So, someone dares step inside my castle?  How amusing,” he said.  “It appears he has little value for his own life.  No matter.  Let him venture as deep inside of my castle as he desires.”

Navigating the labyrinth that was Castlevania was perhaps the most masochistic method of suicide.  Only one with ability on par with a Belmont would find themselves successful.  If this intruder somehow possessed skill like that, they would make a perfect warm-up for the main event.

“I’m curious to see how far inside our little guest will be able to go,” continued Richter.  “If he can manage to get past all the traps I’ve laid, it may be worth my time to personally deal with him.  I do believe he should be properly, shall we say, rewarded for his foolhardy efforts with a very warm welcome once he faces me.”

He loosened his hold on all but the handle, letting the fall of his whip hit the ground as his grin spread.

“That is, if he lives that long…”

Turning on his heel, he left the corridor.  He wanted to be ready should this mysterious challenger make their way to him.

Meanwhile, Gwendolyna hadn’t the faintest idea of Richter’s whereabouts, nor was she trying to locate him.  She felt that he needed space after their conversation the night prior.  If she was being honest, she needed the time alone to reflect as well.  Despite being so sure the night before that she had finally gained his love, she found herself reevaluating that.  Much of his behavior towards her made sense with this revelation.  Not only was his animosity for her kind in his blood, but someone he loved had been taken by the curse and had to be slain by his own hand.  Having her around likely served as a painful reminder of the one he lost, and it was no wonder he was so dedicated to claiming her from Dracula.

Still, she wanted to believe that he harbored at least some kind of affection towards her.  Perhaps it wasn’t romantic, but the scorn in which he regarded her before had waned.  When he vowed his revenge, he swore he’d make Dracula pay for her suffering as well.  If it were all an act, he had no reason to kiss her like that in an attempt to comfort her when no one was watching.  And the way he looked at her…  When he looked into her eyes the way he did, she could feel that his gaze making confessions that his lips refused to say.

Gwen was deep in thought as she pondered all these things, minding her own business when she noticed him as he strutted down the hallway with purpose.  She had never seen those deep blue eyes so darkened in determination.  Concerned, she gathered the skirt of her dress to catch up with him.

“Lord Belmont,” said Gwen after closing the distance between them.  “Is something wrong?”

“I haven’t time to chat, my pet,” he said without slowing.  “Our castle is under siege.”

“Under siege?” she asked.

“Indeed.  I’ve received word some outsider has entered Castlevania.  Should he not die first, I expect that he will make his way to challenge me.”

Gwen laughed as she tried to keep up with Richter.

“What folly!  As if any stands a chance against you, my lord!  Know they not that you outrank all?”

“Your flattery is always welcome,” he said.  “But if this fool prevents the resurrection, who knows how long we must wait for our next chance.”

“I will help ensure that he does not-…”

“No.”

Richter stopped in his tracks, causing her to bump into him.  He turned around and held her face between his hands.

“Listen to me, my vampire,” he said to her.  “Do not try to be bold on behalf of me; now is not the time to vie for my attention.  Stick to the shadows.  Do not allow yourself to be slain.  I need you…”

She listened intently as his lips trembled and he hesitated over his words.  The way his eyes scanned her left her frightened, but once again, she felt like they were telling her something he couldn’t speak.

“I… need you to remain,” he managed to continue.  “Lest the plan you and I have spent months perfecting fall apart.  You can do that much for me, can’t you, my faithful pet?”

She bobbed her head.

“Yes, Lord Belmont,” she said.  “Of course.  I’ll find sanctuary and wait for you.”

“That would be wise.”

She expected him to let her go, to be on his way, but his hands did not leave her.  Instead, he leaned forward, crashing his lips against hers.  Hands drifted from her face to pull her in tight.  His fists grasped the fabric of her dress behind her back as he deepened the kiss.  In the midst of passion, she found her arms around his body as well.  One hand coiled around his waist while the other tangled in his hair.

Never before had he kissed her so intently.  The way he held her, it felt like he did not want ever to let her go.  Even as he parted for air, he chased her lips.

“Go,” he breathed.  The way he spoke that one word sent a chill down her spine.  He pressed his lips to hers one last time before easing his hold on her.  “When it is time, I promise, I will come for you.”

With a nod, she heeded him and quickly left.

Richter watched as she walked away, and almost found himself calling her back.  Perhaps sending her off was not the most sensible course of action.  She would no doubt be safer by his side, but if he had to face an adversary, having her there would only serve as a distraction.  He did not want her to become a target.  It’d be a sin to lie about the true reason for this concern.  There was no denying that the vampire had become more to him than just a jab at his sworn rival.  Maybe after all of this was done, he’d allow himself a moment to process what these feelings he felt for her truly were, but until then, he could not afford to spend any more time dwelling on it.

With a sigh, he continued on his way.  He hoped the intruder did not disappoint.