[Dark wisps of frustration swirl around him before he can hide them, due to his inability to feel the embrace as much as he would have liked. The kiss is as faint as the ghost of a memory, but he knows it's his own fault. She was the one being open with him, while he might as well have been in chains for all he was revealing. Dracula seems to find it amusing, and knowing what he thinks is something Vlad wishes the fortress and distance would have prevented.]
You have no need to be jealous of her, Helena. Kiki loves to exaggerate.
[He had been curious as to how the conversation of what happened that night would have gone, particularly since the entire fable idea seemed to go right over Kiki's head. Her reaction doesn't surprise him, but his curiosity concerning the appearance of the box is evident.]
That is understandable. I cannot say whether it will happen again or not, but it is good to be prepared. [His own dislike of Ella is mixed with Dracula's - which is much stronger - but he manages to tone it down for her benefit. The murmur of agreement puzzles him, especially since she seems to recognize it.] I will have to speak to Daniel about it. Somehow I cannot see him relishing the idea, but perhaps he can be persuaded.
[Normally he wouldn't ask, but the thought escapes him before he can do anything about it.] What about Peter?