As promised, after only a month, here's another chapter. I finally have the end goal in mind, and, this is just a guess, I'm thinking there might be 3 or 4 more chapters before you see "The End" at the bottom.

 

I will be re-writing this entire story, with some major changes. I will be posting that re-write, once it's written, at The Story Lover's Home.

 

I've also started another story and I hope you'll enjoy it as much as you've enjoyed this one. You can find it at Nifty Archive: lone-wolf-ranch, or on The Story Lover's Home.

 

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Sex isn't a significant part of this story, nor is it graphic. If you're looking for masturbation fodder, look elsewhere. This story will have many slow times, just like there are in life. Other times, things will fly at you too fast. There will be dull days, and exciting days. It's just how it's flowing.

 

Text copyright ©Justin Forfun 2020-2023 All rights reserved.

 

This work is fully protected under the United States Copyright Laws © 17 USC§§ 101, 102(a), 302(a).   All rights reserved.  Placing or posting any or all of this story on any website or distributing any of these works in any way (in part or in whole) without the author's explicit consent is strictly prohibited.  Any copyright infringements will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.  With some obvious exceptions, any names, characters, or incidents are the product of the author's imagination, and all are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead, events or locales is entirely coincidental, and no harm or slanderous intent is implied or intended. Any characterization of public figures is purely the author's imagination and is in no way intended to suggest that they would behave in the real world as they do in my fictional world.

 

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Chapter 103

 

The Coldstream Guards were assembled, and when I stepped out of the car, they all saluted. I looked and saw William walking toward us, followed by a Colonel. After he introduced us, Will led us to a secure door in a corner building. We entered to find nothing but another locked door. He opened this door and led us to an elevator. We went down and then exited the elevator onto a small subway platform and immediately entered the waiting car. As soon as the doors closed, the single-car train sped us to another platform, where we were led into another elevator.

Will explained, "This will take us directly to the private residence. There are similar arrangements at Buckingham, Sandringham, and Balmoral. The tunnels started as bomb shelters, but there have always been secret passageways so the Monarch could sneak people in or out without public notice."

We emerged into a vast hallway, and Will led us to a formal dining hall. Standing at the end of the table, I saw her. Queen Elizabeth.

She approached us. I couldn't help it. I bowed. She smiled a genuine smile, not the one for the public, then said, "Never do that again, young man. I know my grandson told you we are family, and we never do that in private. When we do finally meet in public, you are my equal. Do not insult the vampires of the world by bowing to another Monarch."

She offered her hand, so I took it and leaned down to touch my lips to her knuckles gently. When I released her, I smiled and said, "Your... forgive me, cousin, but what should I call you"

A voice from the corner said, "Well, I have often called her Cabbage, though I doubt you could get away with that. Such a genteel young man. Please, Greg, introduce us to your family."

I looked to see a tall man in his early twenties walking toward the Queen. As he came to her side, he affectionately put his arm around her and smiled. Vlad had told me about this, so I was prepared. The gasps I heard behind me told me my family was not.

I nodded my head and said, "Phillip, Elizabeth, may I present my husband Scott, my husband Billy, my wife Beatrix, my son and heir Joshua, his wife Samantha, our daughter Tanya and her husband Sam, our son Niko, our twins Jesse and Jeremey, our son Chipper, our son Charlie, our son Davie, and of course you know Vlad."

Elizabeth was about to speak when George asked, "Gan-Gan, can Lottie and I take everyone to our playroom?"

Elizabeth waved her hand in George's direction, saying, "Go on then, and remember to stay in the residence if you are going to go in the nuddie." She turned to me and added, "I do believe that boy is going to be more trouble than Harry when he grows up."

Once the pups were gone, Phillip and Elizabeth led us to what they called the family room. I guess that meant it was supposed to be informal, but the décor was no different than the images I'd seen of the formal rooms of this castle.

When I commented on this fact, Elizabeth said, "I suppose Charles will keep all the rooms this formal, but I do hope Willy and Kate make the family portions of the castles into homes rather than museums."

Just then, Catherine came in and said, "Will told me about the residential portion of your castle, Greg, and I plan to do something similar here, as well as Buckingham and Holyroodhouse."

Elizabeth sat in an armchair while Phillip stood behind her, slightly off to the side, resting his arm on the back of her chair. She motioned for everyone to join her, so Scott, Bea, and I sat on a sofa facing Elizabeth while Billy, Josh, and Samantha sat on another.

Scott looked at Catherine and asked, "Not at Sandringham and Balmoral?"

Phillip explained, "Those are properties owned by Liz and me. When she passes on, they will be left to someone we can trust, as we would like to continue living at both."

Scott and Billy looked at each other, but Bea beat them by asking, "I'm assuming that Cousin Liz isn't actually going to be passing on?"

Before this got out of hand, I said, "I think it best if we let Cousin Liz explain that, but first, I think Vlad should go into some history."

When I turned to him, Vlad nodded and said, "The British monarchs have known about our existence since Henry VIII. He asked me to change him. I knew his desire had nothing to do with the good of his people or the love of his family. He simply saw it as a way to keep his hold on the crown forever, in much the same way I did as Vlad Dracula. I realized I was wrong in replacing myself on the throne, so I refused him. Since that time, the Council has left it to me to decide which, if any, of Europe's monarchs became vampires."

Everyone was focused on his words, so he continued, "I was tempted to change his daughter, Elizabeth, but the longer she reigned, the more I saw her weaknesses. I saw nothing redeeming in any of them until Albert and Victoria. Sadly, when I came to visit, Albert was already dying of stomach cancer. When I told him that changing him would not extend his life, he decided to remain human. Victoria refused to accept his decision, and when he finally died, she banished me from her empire for not saving him. Near the end of her life, she finally allowed me to visit but said she had no interest in life with both Albert and John Brown gone. On her deathbed, she made me swear not to change her son, Edward."

Vlad remained silent for a few moments, lost in recollections of Victoria. He looked up and gave a slight smile, then said, "At times, I wish I had not made that promise. Edward was much stronger than Vicky gave him credit for. In the end, it didn't matter. Before I could discuss it with him, he was gone. I considered offering the change to his son, George V, but with the events in Russia, I failed to discuss it with him before it was too late. When his idiot oldest son gave up the throne for Bertie, we all thought he had lost his mind. It turns out Bertie, you know him as George VI, was an incredible leader. Sadly, his cancer was too advanced."

Scott asked, "What do you mean it was too advanced?"

Vlad replied, "You know that changing a human doesn't cure diseases that are already well-established in the body?" We all nodded, so he continued, "In June of 1940, after Dunkirk, he found out he had cancer and asked me to change him. He knew that he would still die, but he hoped it would give him enough time to see his people through the war."

I glanced at Elizabeth and saw her tears. Phillip had his arm around her shoulder to comfort her, but he was also affected by the story of his father-in-law. Elizabeth wiped away a tear and said, "Mother refused to be changed, even on her deathbed."

Vlad continued, "As I said, I changed Bertie, but his cancer was too advanced, and the change only bought him 12 years. His dying request was that I change Lilibet. The night before her coronation, I changed both Phillip and Elizabeth."

As Vlad said this last part, Phillip stepped forward and knelt before me. He bowed his head and said, "I hereby swear on my honor that I will, from this day forward, be faithful to the King of Dracul. I will pay homage to him and protect him, in person and in spirit, against all enemies. I freely swear this oath in good faith."

Before I could react, Elizabeth said, "You will forgive me, Your Majesty, but I feel that I cannot swear the same oath while I wear the Crown of The United Kingdom. I give you my word that I will swear fealty on the day that Charles ascends the throne."

I nodded at Elizabeth, letting her know I understood the conflict, then I turned back to Phillip and said, "While I appreciate your intent, oaths of fealty are not required." I turned back to Elizabeth and continued, "I'm just happy knowing that the two of you will be able to enjoy a more private life once you pass the crown to Charles. Have you decided when you might step down? And how to make it believable?"

Elizabeth took Phillip's hand and said, "I have mourned my beloved Phillip for over a year now. Shortly after his passing, I let the public see me using a cane. I have done other small things to indicate that my health was failing. I will take my usual trip to Balmoral in late July, and after a month or so, I will pass away in my sleep."

Will asked, "You know, Granny, Greg plans to let the cat out of the bag, as they say. Will you and Gramps let it be known that you are still alive?"

Elizabeth gave me an appraising look, glanced at Phillip, then shook her head, saying, "It could cause a constitutional crisis. If I were known to be alive, it might be said that Charles' reign was invalid. I think it best we leave that to the conspiracy theorists rather than the courts."

"I agree." I said, then added, "I think it best that those vampires who had their time on the world stage keep a low profile for the next hundred years. Let the humans get used to the idea that we exist before we resurrect too many historical figures."

I turned to Vlad and asked, "Are there any other past monarchs I will be meeting over the next month or two?"

Vlad nodded and said, "Unless you think otherwise, I think it best I share that information in private, Sire."

I nodded. I was about to ask Phillip for a tour of the castle when I got a notification of an incoming call from George. I turned to Elizabeth and said, "If you'll excuse me for a moment, I have a call I must take."

I turned and took a few steps away, then answered. George apologized for interrupting, but he felt I needed to be made aware of the situation in Ukraine. Due to the ongoing hostilities there, many vampires had lost their homes. Most wanted to move elsewhere in Europe, with some wanting to relocate to Dracul now that we were a nation. Unfortunately, the continued fighting made it difficult, if not impossible, for them to travel safely through the war-torn region.

George had contacted the presidents of both Russia and Ukraine, asking for a twenty-four-hour cease-fire to allow both human and vampire refugees safe passage. The Ukrainian President agreed, pending Russia's reply. Unfortunately, Russia's reply was an abrupt no. George thought a personal call from me might go far in convincing the Russian leader to allow our citizens to evacuate. I agreed, but before I had this conversation, I wanted to make sure I had options.

I contacted Tommy to confirm that our military could do the things I had in mind. He assured me that everything I wanted was easily within our capabilities. I directed him to make the necessary preparations. I next spoke with Hiroki Honda to check the status of the rings I had asked him to make. I was quite happy with his reply and gave him my instructions.

I glanced around the room and decided that I needed to make this call now, regardless of who might overhear my side of the conversation. I had my nanobots connect me directly to the Russian ruler's private phone, bypassing all protocols and secretaries.

He answered with a brusque "Da?"

"Mr. President, this is King Gregory of Dracul."

"How did you get this number? How did you get around my assistant?"

"That is not important right now, Mr. President. I am calling because my minister failed to represent my desires properly, so I thought it best if we spoke directly."

"I will tell you the same thing I told your minister. I do not give a damn if those bloodsuckers get out alive or not. I will not allow a delay in my military advance, not for one second!"

When I called, I fully intended to be as diplomatic and polite as possible. After hearing his little tirade, all that went out the window. I growled, and I could feel my eyes glowing as I said, "I don't give a flying fuck about your petty little war, you egotistical little shit. Twice I have asked nicely for you to allow my citizens to clear out of the danger zone, and twice you have ignored that request. You are about to learn the power of the Nation of Dracul. Effective at midnight tonight, you will begin a forty-eight-hour cease-fire."

"And if I do not? What will you do? You cannot threaten Russia!"

I grinned as I replied, "I will be in your office in twenty minutes to discuss this further, Mr. President." Then I disconnected the call and turned to Elizabeth to ask, "Where is the nearest secure location I can land a jet that I would like to keep secret?"

She looked to William, who said, "I can shut down RAF Northolt and have you there in five minutes. Your family is, of course, welcome to stay here while you deal with this, Greg."

I nodded as I said, "I apologize for having to rush out, and I thank you for hosting the family." I turned to Josh and said, "You're coming with me."

True to his word, five minutes later, William, Josh, and I were watching a modified Dracul X-47 jet landing at RAF Northolt. After hearing William gushing over the jet like a child over a Christmas toy, I promised him a chance to fly one as soon as we could make it happen. As we approached the jet, I recognized the pilot and introduced William to Yuri Gagarin. Three minutes later, Josh and I were in two of the four rear seats and on our way to Moscow. After a vertical take-off, Yuri took us to Mach .98 and, once we were at 60,000 feet, he took us hypersonic. At just over 8,000 miles per hour, our London to Moscow flight took all of eleven minutes.

Yuri had handed me the package from Hiroki when he greeted us in London. On the flight, I explained my plan to Josh, and once he finished laughing, he agreed it would work. We had to work fast, and I was putting the finishing touches on Joshua as we were approaching the Kremlin. The crowd gathered to watch our X-47 landing in what used to be known as Red Square. A group of soldiers approached the plane but stopped and snapped to attention when Joshua and I stepped down. They quickly surrounded us and escorted us into the building. When we got to the office of the President, his assistant did a double-take, then stood and saluted as we walked past and directly into his office.

The President stood and shouted, "Who are you, and what are you doing in my office? How did you get past security?"

"I told you I would be here in twenty minutes, Mr. President. I am King Gregory; did you doubt I would visit?" I paused, then looked from Joshua to the President and said, "That's amazing. Joshua, did you know how much you resemble the President of Russia? You could be his twin! Forgive me, Mr. President, this is my son, Joshua."

The President looked at Joshua, then turned to me and demanded, "What sort of trickery is this?"

I smiled as I said, "No tricks, Mr. President. I just wanted you to understand why it is in your interest to cooperate with my simple request." He remained silent, so I went on, "I want you to look outside, Sir. You will see the jet that brought us from London in eleven minutes. I want you to log in to your financial accounts, Mr. President. You will find that you are flat broke."

I waited as he checked what I was saying. He glanced outside, then he checked some accounts on his computer. I heard him gasp. I had removed every ruble and kopeck. I grinned and said, "The Nation of Dracul has no interest in the affairs of human governments, Mr. President. You are free to have your little wars and rattle your sabers all you want but know this. If you harm my citizens, I will hold you personally responsible. If my citizens are harmed by your country's actions, I will hold you personally responsible. You do not want me as an enemy, Mr. President. I can bankrupt your nation as easily as I just bankrupted you. I will be returning your money, Mr. President, as an act of good faith. I will begin making the arrangements to move our people out of Ukraine during the cease-fire you will agree to."

"And what of those still in Russia? Are you removing them as well?"

I felt my grin twist into a snarl as I said, "I'm simply removing our citizens from danger, Mr. President. Are you saying the vampires of Russia are in danger? If they are, I owe it to them to take action to protect them. Drastic actions. Have no doubt. I will stop at nothing to ensure their safety, so consider your answer very carefully, Mr. President. Are the vampires of Russia in danger?"

His shoulders drooped, and I heard the slightest sigh. Then he said, "Of course, they are not in danger, Your Majesty. Your people are welcome here as they have been for centuries. It will be as you asked, in Ukraine. Effective midnight, forty-eight hours. No more."

"I'm so glad we had this opportunity to chat, Mr. President. I look forward to meeting you when I am in Moscow next week. If you will forgive me, I need to make arrangements for our citizens to leave Ukraine. I will pass on your best wishes to the Ukrainian President." I turned to leave but stopped and turned to add, "Keep in mind, your own security thought Joshua was you. When Dracul asks for a favor, I'm sure you will be happy to do it. If not, I'm certain Joshua will be happy to do it in your place."

Before Joshua turned to the door, I removed the glamor and returned his appearance to his own. We walked outside, climbed onto our plane, and twenty minutes later, we were enjoying dinner with our family, Will and Kate, Elizabeth and Phillip, and Charles and Camilla.