Angelina searched many parts of the castle for Ioana, but she was nowhere to be seen. The older woman might still be tending to Lady Minah, so she believed waiting until the end of the day would be best. The young woman decided to go outside and stand by the castle walls to catch her breath.
Once outside, there were endless trees and small houses in the distance, and she knew that people lived nearby. Angelina would've never thought that she would end up going to the past and meeting one of the most controversial and sadistic historical figures in human history. Whenever she learned about history, the thought of what it would be like to live in the past crossed her mind. Now that Angelina was in the past, she realized the turbulence was worse than her current era. "I wish that I could leave this castle and explore more. I also had to think of a way to return home, but Vlad isn't going to let me leave this castle since he doesn't trust me. I need to think of something so I could step out of this place at least."
A soft gust of air flowed, easing her stress; Angelina closed her eyes as she basked in the gentle air. She then thought about her grandparents: their smiles, laughs, and stories. After their death, Angelina couldn't help but feel lost since they had raised her. The young woman opened her eyes and looked out over the castle walls, taking in the scenery. She was about to go inside when something caught her eye: smoke. Angelina tried to move to another part of the wall balcony to see what was happening, but it was challenging since many trees and the smoke came from a distance.
"Don't worry, it was probably Vlad's doing," said a voice.
Angelina gasped as she looked to her right side, and by the entrance stood Daciana. Her appearance was unexpected, and even though Angelina didn't know her very well, she knew that Daciana would be difficult to deal with. "Daciana, right? What are you doing here?"
Daciana crossed her arms as she slowly made her way outside. She looked over the castle walls; the smoke was more apparent. "Vlad has probably killed worthless beggars. So it shall be; they had no prospects to life anyway."
"What are you talking about?"
"Oh, you don't know. Well, Vlad tends to kill beggars and all those who live in the street. He always believed that they were parasites that suckle the life of those who try to make his kingdom great. A great course of action, wouldn't you agree?"
The thought of innocent people getting killed just because of their unfortunate circumstances sickened Angelina to the core. Vlad was cruel, but his actions reminded her of the extent of his cruelty. It made her stomach churn, and she feared the thought of how the beggars were killed. She then looked at Daciana, who seemed to take pleasure in her displeasure. "That bitch is probably a sociopath! I can't show her any weakness!" Angelina still looked at Daciana and said, "It gives you pleasure to see others in pain, doesn't it, Daciana? I bet you're trying very hard to put me down. I guess ever since the Voivode got sick and tired of using your body, you couldn't fathom the thought of him taking another."
Daciana's smirk quickly dissipated, which gave Angelina a hint of satisfaction, but Angelina knew that she couldn't put her guard down. She was in a dangerous position since Vlad had an interest in her. No one could know that she was Vlad's new mistress, or that Alexandrei would do everything in his power to eliminate her. Angelina then noticed Daciana slowly walk toward her, but Angelina refused to move. "You think you're so special just because Vlad invited you to tell your stories in front of the Boyars. If I should know any better, Vlad has chosen you to be his mistress, did he not?"
"You think so lowly of me, Daciana. You would think that I would lower myself to your level? Then, you're sadly mistaken. I have more self-respect than you do." Angelina knew she had to play the facade since Daciana suspected Angelina of being Vlad's mistress. If that was the case, then Daciana could tell Alexandrei. "Is there a possibility that they could be working together? I don't know, but I must consider the worst-case scenario."
"You think so low of me!? Vlad chose me because he saw something in me. He-"
"The Voivode chose you because you were easy; you made yourself available to him. When he saw how easy you were to give yourself to him, he knew you had no self-respect. If the Voivode saw your worth, then why did he throw you away like the garbage that he saw you as?"
Suddenly, Daciana lunged at Angelina, making both women fall. Daciana began to hit Angelina, but one of Daciana's punches was dodged, causing her to punch the concrete floor instead. Angelina then scratched her rival across the face, including her left eye. Daciana yelped in pain, which then led Angelina to punch her in the neck. The young woman then punched Daciana in the stomach, which made her get off. Angelina stood up and moved away. "You get angry at me? Get angry at yourself for letting yourself be taken advantage of! It's easier to look away rather than face the truth head-on! You-!"
"What is going on here!?" Ioana stood by the entrance and then walked outside, where she saw Daciana on the floor.
"She came here to get a rise out of me and when I told her some things, she attacked me. I had to defend myself."
Ioana saw Daciana slowly stand while coughing. "Daciana, please go to your chambers. I will speak with you in a moment. I need to speak with Angelina alone."
Daciana glared at Angelina before she left. Ioana ensured that Daciana left, and the older woman eyed Angelina once Daciana was gone. "Angelina, what have you done!? Daciana only wanted to get a rise out of you and now you made another enemy!"
"You're angry at me? What, I shouldn't defend myself!? Should I make myself look weak in front of that sociopathic lunatic!?" The older woman slowly walked toward the young woman. Angelina could tell that Ioana wasn't pleased. "Please understand, Daciana suspects I'm the Voivode's mistress, and I had to convince her I wasn't. Daciana never liked me anyway. Either way, she attacked me first."
"You put yourself in a more precarious position. You-"
"I always have been, Ioana." Angelina got closer to her as she looked around. "I'm in a more dangerous position since I found out a secret."
Ioana raised an eyebrow as she couldn't help but become curious. "What secret?"
"That...there is a possibility that Alexandrei and Lady Minah had an affair."
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