Radu tried to read a book in his chambers, but it wasn't easy. His mind was occupied with his brother, Vlad. Mehmed II ordered the Janissaries to begin training for the war, and many others in the council wanted him to become Voivode. Radu had also been training and considered himself skilled with the sword, but he knew that mere skill wasn't enough to survive a battle, much less a war. 

Memories came to him when he and Vlad were children, and all the times they played together when they were back home in Wallachia. A smile came across his lips when Vlad remembered how he and his brother played with wooden swords and horses, how Vlad would play pranks on him with the many insects he had found. Being home and outside the castle made him and Vlad happy. Radu knew that his brother did his best to shield him from their father's cruelties and knew how much he was beaten because of it.

The young man squeezed the book and closed it while massaging his eyes. It had been a while since he had visited Vlad, and he was different from the brother he admired and loved. However, Radu couldn't understand why Vlad greatly hated Mehmed II and the Ottomans. Mehmed and his father gave them excellent educations and more freedom than the typical prisoner. Still, Vlad always went against them and still had hatred in his heart. 

His thoughts were interrupted when there was a knock on the door. The young man immediately stood up, believing that Mehmed II was the one who wanted to visit. "Enter." The door opened, and a guard entered. "Lord Radu, Alexandrei wishes to have an audience with you."

Radu raised an eyebrow; he couldn't believe Alexandrei would even try to speak with him alone. There were risks if the men met each other without Mehmed II's permission and presence. Still, it allowed Radu to see what Alexandrei was truly after. If he became Voivode, the young man knew he had to learn how to confront a possible ally or enemy. "He may enter."

The soldier nodded as he motioned for Alexandrei to enter. Alexandrei walked inside Radu's chamber, and it was noticeable that he walked with pride and stride. Radu kept his composure and tried not to express too much emotion. The doors were closed, leaving the men alone. Both looked at one another. Radu couldn't help but feel slightly nervous. Alexandrei was his brother's second in command and had much more experience handling politics; he had to be careful.

Alexandrei put his hands behind his back and gave a slight bow. "Prince, it is so good to meet you in person. We haven't had the opportunity to speak more alone but I-"

"You had to be cautious around my brother. I understand that my brother can be difficult to work with but I am amazed that you were able to escape him." Radu huffed, "The question is, why? Why did you have to escape him?"

"I am certain the Sultan must have spoken to you regarding my sudden appearance. Your brother viewed me as a threat. Your brother suffers from much paranoia; he is not the type to forget the past."

Radu knew Vlad didn't have a good experience in the palace, but he knew more than Alexandrei did. He knew there was more to the story. "I see. Well, forgive me for being upfront, but it is rather interesting that you have been under my brother's command for so long that he suddenly believes you to be a traitor."

"I have been sending information to the Sultan's commanders and I was being suspected. I care for Wallachia and I finally accepted that your brother is no longer fit to rule. He even burned and killed the downtrodden. How much they have suffered under the hands under the Voivode they trusted. Must I be blamed for not wanting to be ruled by the devil himself?"

The devil itself; that was how his brother was described. Sultan Mehmed II told Radu of many of Vlad's cruelties that it was almost difficult to believe. If Vlad were cruel, it would make sense that Alexandrei would want to escape. However, something in him believed there was more to Alexandrei's reasoning. Radu said his brother was intelligent since he had more military experience and could distinguish the liars from the honest. Still, he believed it was best not to show too much distrust. "Well, why did you wish to speak to me in private. You know the consequences for wanting to speak alone without the Sultan."

"Word spreads that the Sultan wishes you to be the Voivode which I believe you would be a better fit than your brother. However, there was something that concerned me. You have every right to distrust me but you also need to have a reason to distrust the council within the palace."

Radu became more serious as he walked toward Alexandrei. "You wish me to distrust the Sultan. You do not wish to speak it but I know you think it."

Alexandrei sighed as he laid down his arms. "Yes. When you become Voivode, it is important to have powerful allies, but one must not entirely trust them. Did you know that the council and the Sultan wish for you to be Voivode because you will be easier to control?" He noticed how Radu violently flinched and tried hard to maintain his composure. Alexandrei knew that Radu tried to control his emotions, but he lacked Vlad's experience in the political world. 

"I know that you wish to create more distrust between me and the Sultan to-"

"What if I told you that Sultana Gülbahar came to me in secret. Although, she spoke to me without Sultan Mehmed's permission. She came and threatened me."

"You realize that if you speak such things would be considered treason. You-"

"I am very well aware of the consequences, Prince Radu. I know I can lose my head for this, especially if speaking or meeting a Sultana alone. I could have kept this to myself and be on my merry way. She wanted to do my very best to get you out of this palace to ensure that you wouldn't get in her way. She fears that you may one day convince the Sultan to choose another of his sons to take his place."

Silence momentarily became eminent. Radu knew that Sultana Gülbahar despised him and viewed him as a threat, but he didn't understand why she would be mentioned. "I already knew that she wants me out of the way, but why-?"

"Why she has any connection of what was previously mentioned? Well, she told me that her other goal was to ensure you were far away to one day be in her son's control if he ever became Sultan. The Sultana knows that Sultan Mehmed cares for you and that you will do anything to prove your loyalty even if it means be loyal to any of his sons who become Sultan." Alexandrei became serious as his eyes never left Radu. "You must think of this if you ever become Voivode. You may have been given a good amount of education but you do not hold experience having power. Would you be viewed as a threat to anyone, especially the Sultan?" The young man was silent, struggling to find an argument. Alexandrei continued, "A man without experience is a man easy to control and manipulate. The Sultan may give love to those who he endears but do not forget that he must love his country and people first. He must do everything in his power to maintain his power and the stability of his empire, even if it means ridding of those he loves."

The young man looked away from Alexandrei; he couldn't maintain his emotions, and Alexandrei knew this. Radu didn't want to hear or believe Alexandrei, but there were certain truths in what he said. Radu still refused to trust Alexandrei. "What is it that you are after?"

"Only Wallachia and its well-being. I want to help you maintain power when you become the Voivode. Only if you choose to do so, that is all I wish to speak to you. I shall leave you." As guards followed him back to his chambers, Alexandrei left the room. He smirked as he created uncertainty within Radu. It was a risk to tell Radu about his meeting with the Sultana. Alexandrei believed that Radu wouldn't say anything because the young man didn't like conflict, especially if he was the cause of it. He aimed to gain Radu's trust until the young man became Voivode.

Alexandrei had a new ambition and goal: to become Voivode.