((That sounds like a plan to me. I do love that this is a dark Beauty and the Beast. It makes me want to write a vampire romance novel, a genre I've actually disliked until now. As for the views, are you sure those aren't just me obsessively checking this RP for updates?))<br/><br/>Lord Vance gave Evie's neck a gentle kiss where he had previously bitten her. "You have most certainly earned clothes, my dear lady." He rose from the bed, the shifting weight causing the mattress under her to raise slightly. Across the room he reached the wardrobe, and produced from within a lovely, white sleeping gown with long, billowing sleeves and a hem which would reach down to Evie's ankles. The sleeping gown was modest, and portrayed a sense of innocence.<br/><br/>"For the time being, it would please me if you would wear white," he said, holding the gown out to her. "In the morning, we shall discuss what clothes you may wear during the day. You have earned one night gown and one day dress for now."<br/><br/>Truth be told, there was so little reason to deny her more than that, but Lord Vance found that human beings were too often ungrateful for the gifts given to them if they were given in too great of quantities. There had been another young lady some years ago, like Evie, whom Lord Vance had brought into his castle and showered with gifts, both of what was inside his castle and what he could find outside. She quickly became spoiled, and eventually had Lord Vance following her orders until he remembered who was who and what was what. No more! He would not spoil someone so precious by giving her too much too soon.<br/><br/>Once Evie was dressed in the white night gown ((hope you don't mind, I assumed she'd wear it)) Lord Vance gently took her hand and led her out of the room and into the castle. Candles lit at his approach, and the portraits on the wall swiveled their eyes to watch the two of them.<br/><br/>Lord Vance leaned against one of the walls and spoke into the cracks, "Prepare a meal for my mistress." A cold wind blew through the room and howled in the windows and hallways downstairs.<br/><br/>As they walked, keeping a slow pace in case Evie was still weakened, Lord Vance sighed, "The tale of who I used to be. Well, if you insist upon knowing, then here it is. I was once known as Alexander... Ander to my closest friends. I was the son of the previous Lord Vance, a nobleman sworn to defend this region from the Turks, the Russians, and the Vikings. That is how I grew up, knowing I would one day have to take his place. Back then, I was naive. I believed that good would always triumph over evil, and I believed in Happily Ever Afters. That was why I thought myself worthy to marry the most beautiful woman in the land. Before I'd yet inherited my father's title, I married her... Bianca."<br/><br/>There was a hint of sadness in his voice as he spoke her name again, and he cast his eyes down at the floor.<br/><br/>"Evie... this is not a happy story. A man does not become what I am because something wonderful happened to him, he becomes like this because he cursed God for the suffering he endured. Would you much rather that after you've eaten I take a book from the library and read you something that might bring you more pleasant dreams?"