Impaler

Labor

Angelina walked out of Vlad's chamber, her heart beating rapidly. "Angelina."

"Oh, uh, Ioana. S-Sorry, I didn't see you there."

Ioana noticed Angelina's state and chuckled. "I imagine that the Voivode hadn't tried anything on you, yet."

"Y-Yet!? N-No way! Thankfully he just wanted me to...sing to him and tell him stories. He also wanted me to sleep beside him." Angelina scratched the back of her head. She couldn't help but feel confused about why Vlad would make her do such innocent, intimate actions. Was there a possibility that Vlad desired someone to listen?

"Angelina, we must return before everyone wakes," said Ioana as she motioned the young woman to follow. Angelina merely nodded, and they went to the secret passage, leading them back to the female servant quarters. While walking, Ioana couldn't help but notice Angelina's thoughtfulness. "Are you thinking about the Voivode?"

This got Angelina out of her daze. "S-Sorry, what did you say?"

"I said if you were thinking about eh Voivode? Usually, women that come out of his chambers would speak highly of his prowess."

A blush came across Angelina's face. "W-Well, not me!"

"You confirm my belief that you truly are special and different from the other women that the Voivode had bedded. I also believe he sees it too."

This confused Angelina; Ioana seemed to know much about Vlad that many people didn't. "Can I ask you something?" When permitted to ask, Angelina continued. "You seem to speak about Vla-I mean the Voivode positively. Why is that?"

Ioana stopped mid-way; she didn't turn to look at the young woman. The older woman bit her lower lip and felt her anger rising, but she couldn't entirely blame the young woman. Vlad had violent tendencies and used cruel methods on those he considered his enemies or worthless. She sighed. "I have known him since he was born, Angelina. I also knew his other brothers; they all were close. Vla...the Voivode, didn't have a good childhood. Vlad and his brothers were always surrounded by instability and death threats. His father was a cruel man, and his mother was a gentle yet meek woman."

"Okay, but what about you? Since you have known Vlad and his family for a long time, why do-"

"Angelina." Ioana slowly glanced at the young woman. "There are certain things you mustn't ask or know. If you speak or ask about him, it will bring you more trouble. Believe it or not, you are getting unwanted attention."

This made Angelina slightly nervous. She didn't like to attract too much attention to herself, and she despised drama. However, since Angelina was warped into another time, getting too much attention could be a matter of life and death. "Well, it's not my fault! Vlad made me to be his nurturer! He could have any other woman!"

Ioana sighed. "I'm not speaking about the women. What I am trying to warn you is about Alexandrei."

Alexandrei's being mentioned brought a shiver to her spine. "I haven't done nothing to that bastard! He accused me of being something I am not! All I did was defend myself. He is nothing more than an insecure prick!"

Angelina's curse words were difficult for Ioana to understand, but the older woman couldn't help but chuckle. "I will admit that I agree that Alexandrei is a bastard to the core. However, I must warn you that he is dangerous. The Voivode trusts him completely."

"And you don't. Why?"

Ioana slowly turned forward, not looking at Angelina. "He has a love for power. He does have the Voivode's trust, but he doesn't have the power he truly desires."

This alerted Angelina; Ioana told her things that were considered dangerous. Alexandrei was always quick to judge. When they first met, he disliked and distrusted her immediately; he wanted to get rid of her without trying to know her. "That would make sense. I will try to be cautious around him."