I see. Well, he was a very clever gnome, rather magical. He's an old friend of my family's, actually, and helped my father become king back when he was still only a knight. So I grew up around him, hearing his stories and all that.
There's one thing that's different between the real gnome and the stories about him, though. He spells his name backwards.
[It's surprising how many people don't realize what it means. Really, he should have known that someone as clever as Rosella would figure it out eventually.]
I know. You answered to Adrian in that dream we had. When I mistook you for my brother, Alexander.
Please don't be upset. I doubt anyone else will have worked it out, unless you've been going around telling them stories and introducing them to your dream parents like you have with me.
Well, you've not yet tried to eat me, so you're already far out ahead of a number of other, um, persons I've encountered before.
To be honest, I'm really not altogether certain what you are, in that respect. You're not a vampire, I've seen you out in the sun and it didn't give you any sort of trouble. You're not repelled by my amulet, so I don't think you're a night creature. I suppose if you'd pressed me I would've guessed a fae of some sort, you've got the ears and the charm for it. Though you're a little tall for one.
But I do know that you're kind. And tender-hearted, even though you try to cover it up by being a terrible grouch. I can tease you and you'll laugh, and you'll tease me back in equal measure. You kept me company when I was afraid of the dark, and you didn't have to. And for all that you pretend otherwise, you really do care about your horse.
So I do know what you are. You've shown me, all this time.
My father was Dracula. I imagine you've surmised that much. And my mother, a human. So I am half of both. Half a monster, as it were. My last human contact had been with two people who I opted to trust and have in my home. It did not turn out well. Less for them than for me.
So, I was concerned about most anyone learning much about me. I didn't think you would attack me, but I suppose I didn't want to risk losing a friend if you knew.
I've met monsters, you know, and you aren't one. You're not even half of one.
I'm sorry. If you've thought all this time I might not like you if I knew any of it — well. I'd be no better than that awful frog prince, wouldn't I? Not bothering to care anything about you other than some preconceived notion I might've had.
I really do like you very much. And not just because you threw that horrible fool in the moat for me.
How rude. Here I was attempting to give you the option to back out.
Well. As a boy, I didn't quite understand the purpose of it. When I was young, the court was commanded to be kind to me, of course. I didn't question it if we had a warg or demons in the halls. For me, that was normal.
To be honest, I felt more comfortable with a few beasts than I did the vampire generals my father would meet with. They were polite to me, of course. Many of them my tutors in various areas. However, the more I grew up, the more I knew that I was different from them.
It's curious how some things stay the same, even when others are so very different. Being the sovereign's heir always does come with special privileges, especially when one is young, and one's elders more willing to be indulgent.
When did you meet your first...um. Human, I suppose? The first one aside from your mother, that is.
Both a privilege and a curse. Though I will admit that my mother ensured that I understood just how fortunate I was, as much as she indulged me so.
A boy, when I was also a child. His family had just died from a perfectly preventable illness. I thought I'd be so eager to meet someone my age, but instead I was frightened at first. I'd never seen another child before, not like that.
no subject
There's one thing that's different between the real gnome and the stories about him, though. He spells his name backwards.
And I think you do, too. Don't you?
no subject
It's not technically my name.
no subject
Please don't be upset. I doubt anyone else will have worked it out, unless you've been going around telling them stories and introducing them to your dream parents like you have with me.
no subject
How shall I put this
I was concerned what you might think of me if you knew who I was. What I was, specifically.
no subject
To be honest, I'm really not altogether certain what you are, in that respect. You're not a vampire, I've seen you out in the sun and it didn't give you any sort of trouble. You're not repelled by my amulet, so I don't think you're a night creature. I suppose if you'd pressed me I would've guessed a fae of some sort, you've got the ears and the charm for it. Though you're a little tall for one.
But I do know that you're kind. And tender-hearted, even though you try to cover it up by being a terrible grouch. I can tease you and you'll laugh, and you'll tease me back in equal measure. You kept me company when I was afraid of the dark, and you didn't have to. And for all that you pretend otherwise, you really do care about your horse.
So I do know what you are. You've shown me, all this time.
no subject
So, I was concerned about most anyone learning much about me. I didn't think you would attack me, but I
suppose I didn't want to risk losing a friend if you knew.
I'm relieved to be wrong, of course.
Also it's still not my horse.
no subject
I'm sorry. If you've thought all this time I might not like you if I knew any of it — well. I'd be no better than that awful frog prince, wouldn't I? Not bothering to care anything about you other than some preconceived notion I might've had.
I really do like you very much. And not just because you threw that horrible fool in the moat for me.
But it's very much your horse.
no subject
I imagine throwing that wretched prince out the window didn't hurt my chances, at least. But thank you.
Fine. If it's my horse, then we'd better find the damned thing.
no subject
You should tell me about your father's court while we look. I know you said it was unique. I'd like to hear more of how so.
no subject
You really want to know about Dracula's court of night? Full of all sorts of night creatures, especially vampires?
no subject
If you're out to try to scare me, you're going to have to do rather a better job than that, you insufferable boy.
no subject
Well. As a boy, I didn't quite understand the purpose of it. When I was young, the court was commanded to be kind to me, of course. I didn't question it if we had a warg or demons in the halls. For me, that was normal.
To be honest, I felt more comfortable with a few beasts than I did the vampire generals my father would meet with. They were polite to me, of course. Many of them my tutors in various areas. However, the more I grew up, the more I knew that I was different from them.
no subject
When did you meet your first...um. Human, I suppose? The first one aside from your mother, that is.
no subject
A boy, when I was also a child. His family had just died from a perfectly preventable illness. I thought I'd be so eager to meet someone my age, but instead I was frightened at first. I'd never seen another child before, not like that.
no subject
Oh...because he was different, I suppose, from what you were used to. Is that it?