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 she couldn't help but feel curious about what had happened last night. "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?

Ioana felt relieved that everything went well. "Angelina, we must return before everyone wakes," said Ioana, motioning for the young woman to follow. Angelina merely nodded, and they went through the secret passage back to the female servant quarters. Ioana couldn't help but notice Angelina's thoughtfulness. "Are you thinking about the Voivode?"

"S-Sorry, what did you say?"

"I said if you were thinking about the Voivode?"

A blush came across Angelina's face. "N-Not really!"

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

"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. "I have known him since he was born, Angelina. I also knew his other brothers; they were all close. They were always surrounded by instability and death threats. His father was a cruel man, and his mother was a gentle yet meek woman."

"Since you have known him 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."

Angelina didn't like to attract too much attention to herself. "Well, it's not my fault! Vlad made me his nurturer! He could have any other woman!"

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

Alexandrei's name sent a shiver down her spine. "I haven't done anything 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!"

 "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."

Alexandrei was always quick to judge; he disliked and distrusted her immediately and wanted to get rid of her without getting to know her. "That would make sense. I will try to be cautious around him."

"Yes, and do not mention that you are seeing the Voivode in secret. He will try to get any information from you. Understand?"

"Yes."

"Let us be off, then." The women continued until they reached the end of the secret passage. Ioana opened the door and ensured that no one was in sight. "Alright, it is time for us to go." The duo walked toward the female quarters, but they were stopped when they heard footsteps approaching them.

"Lady Ioana!"

Ioana saw a male servant running toward them. The male servant looked frightened and nervous. The male servant looked to be in his teens. "What is it, child? Why the commotion?"

The adolescent stopped before the women as he tried to regain his breath. "L-Lady Ioana, it is L-Lady Minah!"

"What of Lady Minah!? Is she hurt!?"

"She was screaming and asked me to get you and the midwives!"

Ioana and Angelina were stunned. "Midwives? Does that mean...?"

"Yes! Lady Minah is ready to give birth!"

Everything almost felt like a blur. Ioana announced the news, and the female servants scattered, trying to get dressed. Angelina got inside just in time, so no one noticed she was gone all night.

Ioana ordered Angelina to get the ladies-in-waiting and go to Lady Minah when she was done dressing. Angelina and the ladies-in-waiting were done dressing and immediately went to Minah's quarters. The closer they got, the louder Minah's screams grew. 

Upon arrival, they saw their mistress lying on the bed, screaming in pain. Her face was pinkish-red; her long black hair was sprawled on the pillow. "IT'S ABOUT TIME YOU ALL ARRIVED! YOU WISH ME TO PERISH, DO YOU NOT!? WHERE ARE IOANA AND THE MIDWIVES!?"

"Lady Ioana immediately went to get the midwives and to get all that is needed for the birth, my Lady," said one of the ladies-in-waiting. 

Everyone watched as Minah cried and screamed; she even yelled at the ladies-in-waiting. Angelina and Sorina stood together. Angelina didn't know anything about the medical field or childbirth in general, but she was willing to put what she had learned from television shows to the test. 

Walking forward toward Minah while motioning out her hand. "Lady Minah, I know that you are in pain, but lying in bed won't calm your contractions. I know some techniques to help at least make the pain bearable, even for a moment." The ladies-in-waiting feared their mistress's wrath and dared not say anything. Minah breathed heavily as she glared at Angelina. "Please, trust me, even if it's just this once. All I want is for you and your unborn child to be okay." Tension was felt throughout the air, but Minah grabbed Angelina's hand and motioned to stand. "I want you to take deep breaths." She showed Minah, and the noblewoman did the same. 

Sorina couldn't help but feel awe and relief seeing Angelina trying to help Minah. The adolescent and the others watched as Angelina instructed Minah to walk back and forth while holding her arm and waist. 

Minah, on the other hand, was still in pain and just wanted it to disappear. She sat back down on her bed, but Angelina sat behind her and massaged her back; the massage was comforting. Moments later, Ioana and the other midwives appeared with pans of hot water, cloths, and bowls of herbs. "My lady, we arrived! All of you, please wait outside!"

The ladies-in-waiting left, and Angelina was about to go and follow, but Minah grabbed her hand. "No, you will stay."

Ioana and Angelina looked at one another but didn't argue. Minah was put in a position where she had to sit at the corner of her bed, with two midwives holding both her legs. Ioana knelt before Minah, preparing for the newborn. Angelina sat behind Minah, where her head and back rested against Minah's chest, and held both hands.

Minah was instructed to push, and she did so; her screams echoed throughout the room. It was a sound that made Angelina shiver. Minah kept pushing, but nothing; she was drenched in sweat, and parts of her skin turned pink. It felt like the labor had been happening for hours. Ioana couldn't help but feel worried about the situation. "Lady Minah, you must keep pushing!"

"I can't, you foolish old woman! The child doesn't want to come out!"

Angelina stepped in as she gently squeezed the noblewoman's hands. "Lady Minah, please listen! I know you're in pain, and you are tired! I know you want everything to be over! However, you have to give it your all! If you can handle the pain, then you can give life to your baby! Now give it you're all and push!"

Minah breathed heavily and was tired from all the pushing, but if she didn't push, then she and her unborn child could die. If she was going to die, she didn't want to do so without seeing her child. The noblewoman sat more upright and kept pushing. Angelina encouraged her as she gently squeezed her mistress's hands. "I see it! I see the head! Go on, Lady Minah!" yelled Ioana.

Minah took deep breaths until she pushed again; she felt the baby slowly being born. Then, with one final push, the infant was pushed out.

A soft yet loud cry echoed through the room; the infant had been born.

"Congratulations, Lady Minah! You have a son!"