Angelina walked toward Vlad's chambers, relieved that Alexandrei would no longer pose a threat to her. She also couldn't shake the thought of the baby and Minah. Angelina was determined to plead for mercy with Vlad.

Arriving at Vlad's chamber, entering, and closing the door behind her. His main chamber was more extravagant than the secret room they would always meet in. The bed was bigger, the room was more spacious, and a beautiful fireplace warmed the whole room. Angelina couldn't help but notice a miniature portrait on top of a wooden cabinet next to his bed.

Curiosity set in as she walked toward it and grabbed the miniature portrait of a family: a father, a mother, and four sons. One of the boys was recognizable. "This looks like Vlad. This must be his family."

Hearing footsteps, she put the portrait down and stood by the fireplace, keeping herself warm.

Vlad entered, expressionless, noticing Angelina standing by the fireplace. The two looked at one another silently as the fire crackled.

"H-How did it feel exposing Alexandrei and Minah?"

Vlad remained silent as he walked toward one of the room's windows, looking at the night sky. "Why with the question? Why does it matter how I feel? I just needed Alexandrei out of the way since he was gaining more support from the nobles."

Angelina believed that he was trying to repress his thoughts and feelings, but she wanted him to trust her. "Understandable, but I must imagine that it was nerve-racking."

"I am used to stressful situations since I was a child. Feeling fear for so long can make one become immune to it."

Fear. Vlad admitted to having felt such an emotion. "I imagine that you have been through a lot ever since you were a child. I-I don't know if I would be able to survive what you have gone through, Vlad. You are a survivor." The room became silent again;  Angelina took a deep breath. "So what will happen to Alexandrei and Minah?"

"They will be sentenced to death. They made a mockery of me."

The young woman sighed as she clasped her hands, squeezing them tightly. "I agree that Alexandrei has to go but Minah doesn't deserves death." She watched as Vlad slowly turned and looked at her, still expressionless. "Before you get angry or punish me, hear me out. I know Minah is not the best person in the world. Heck, she even tried to kill me. I believe that her mental state was slowly deteriorating."

Slowly walking toward Angelina, he fixed his attention on her. "You dare defend her after she made a fool out of me?"

"I am defending her because you also mocked her." Vlad raised an eyebrow. "Ever since you married her, you have never been faithful to her. She had to go through all of your anger while you were busy with your mistresses. Imagine how humiliating it was for her to endure your infidelities. You made her feel powerless and worthless."

"You dare question-"

"Yes, I dare question you Vlad! What? Were you about to say that since you are a man with a high status, it gives you the excuse to lie with every woman you sit fit with? Do you want to use the bible to say that men have a right to sleep with many women? That's a bunch of bull! What is the point of creating the commandment of 'thou shall not commit adultery' if men are allowed to lay with women in the first place? So it's okay for God to love only the privileged?"

Vlad was fuming, looking as if he were about to explode. "You dare mock my faith?"

Angelina knew the risk of what she would say next, but she was tired of everything. She was tired of the hypocrisy and the politics. "The truth doesn't sin, but it makes one uncomfortable! Look around you, Vlad! Everything you have gone through! All these wars and these deaths are done in the name of God! Everything that has happened and is happening is done because of the greed and hypocrisy of people who think they know what God wants!"

Vlad slapped Angelina across the face so hard that an echo was heard. Blood slowly dripped down from her nose, and tears threatened to form and fall. She shook her head to stop the tears and slowly raised her face to him, letting her blood slowly drip. "Truth hurts. That's how I felt when my parents abandoned me, leaving my grandparents to care for me and then dying, leaving me alone. No matter what life we were born into, we are alone. God was never here."

"Silence!"

Looking into his beautiful eyes, she saw the emotions he had tried to hide: fear and sadness. Angelina couldn't hold back her tears. "Where was God when your father raped Ioana, your mother? Where was God when your father let the Sultan have you and your brother?"

"You wish for me to be the death of you!?" 

"I know that what I say may lead me to my death! I don't care anymore!" Angelina breathed heavily. "I am tired of surviving. I am tired of living in hypocrisy to survive while I destroy who I truly am. Just like you have at such a young age." Angelina noticed Vlad's anger slowly dissipating. "You never had a happy childhood, you witnessed horrible things that your father has done, and you have been away from your homeland to be used as a pawn. You have lost who you truly were."

Vlad slowly breathed heavily and walked to the fireplace; his back was turned to her. "I wish to hear no more."

Angelina scoffed while slowly shaking her head. "Has that always been your answer? Turning away and trying to silence the truth? That's why you were at peace, Vlad. I can't help but feel sad for you. It's as if I can feel the pain you hold in your heart because of all the trauma you have gone through." She gathered her courage, slowly walked toward him, and gently touched his back. "If you want to send me to death, then do so. Before you do, I would take Minah's place."

The Voivode violently flinched and turned to Angelina. "You would dare sacrifice yourself for a woman who almost killed you!?"

"Minah was a ticking time bomb whose mental health was already deteriorating. Alexandrei took advantage of her, using her to gain more influence and power. You don't have to forgive what she has done, but you can show your subjects that you have a sense of mercy. If someone else has to die, then it will be me."

The young woman wiped the blood off her nose. She was ready for the guards to be called upon. Angelina closed her eyes. Something wet hit her lips; Vlad was kissing her.

Angelina was shocked as his arms wrapped around her, pulling her closer. She didn't know whether to fight back, but the kiss felt sincere and desperate. Slowly, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back, unable to understand her own actions. Vlad wasn't rough with her, as he had been the last time; he was gentle and suave. 

Their tongues intertwined while their warm breaths touched each other's skin. Angelina slowly unwrapped her right arm and touched Vlad's long, slightly ruffled, dry hair, gently massaging his scalp.

They eventually separated from the kiss while catching their breath. "Vlad?"

"I should have you killed for what you have said, but I cannot bring myself to do it. Out of all the women I have met, you are the only one to have an effect on me."

Angelina blushed and said, "I am a woman of my word, Vlad." She managed to separate herself from him. "I know Minah has much to answer for, but she is also a victim. I would be more than happy to take her place; her baby needs her."

"She doesn't want the child. She-"

"Minah may not want her child now since she was paranoid about the affair being discovered, but with the right help, she could come around. I also wanted to know what will happen with the baby."

Vlad remained silent, but eventually sighed. "The child will be raised here."

His response was unexpected; Angelina gasped in relief and shock. "R-Really!? You're not kidding me right!?"

"I do not kid. I will spare Minah and divorce her."

"Whoa..." Angelina was speechless, and her mind felt as if it were circling. "If you divorce Minah, will you drive her away?"

"Yes,  Minah will be taken to a coven close to the castle, but I will ensure it will be quiet. I will send a letter to the Bishop to finalize our divorce."

Angelina was happy that Minah would be spared and the baby would be cared for. "Thank you, Vlad! Thank you! I knew that you had goodness in your heart despite your reputation." Vlad smirked and knew that it wasn't good news for her. "Oh boy. I don't like that smirk you're giving me. What's the catch?"

Vlad slowly walked toward her; Angelina backed away until she hit the side of the bed. "You will give yourself to me."

A chill ran through Angelina's spine. He wanted her to give herself to him. Her relief slowly gave way to anger and disgust. "I'm not going to open my legs for you like a whore. I thought you did this out of the last remnants of your kind heart."

"I did this to show the nobles and peasants I have some form of mercy to gain more support. You thought I did this out of the supposed kindness of my heart? What you said earlier was punishable by death, but I decided to be merciful instead of impaling you like my enemies." Vlad walked dangerously close as if trying to push Angelina to his bed. "Everything has a price. What is your choice?"

His body was lightly touching hers; fighting back would be pointless, no matter how hard she fought. It was challenging to keep him at bay; she had asked for so much and risked her life to the point that Vlad would tire of her defiance. 

She had no choice, but another idea came to her; it was time to play his game. Slowly, moving closer to him, their chests touched. Gathering her courage, Angelina used her fingers to make twirling movements on his chest. Vlad's smirk slowly died down, surprised by her actions. "You want me, my Voivode?" Her voice was low and seductive, and Vlad felt a tingle of excitement throughout his body. No woman ever made him feel such excitement. "You want to feel me? Your lips on my skin? You want me to feel you as you take me for your pleasure?"

Hearing Vlad's breathing become rapid made her feel powerful, especially toward the Impaler. "You...?"

"You have given Minah and the child mercy. You are right. Everything has a price. I will give myself to you under one last condition."

"Giving mercy is not enough? You ask for too much. You-"

"You will have to take me out on dates."

Vlad stopped mid-sentence; her request was confusing and unexpected. "Dates?"

"Oh, right. I forgot you people having different wording. What I meant to say is that I want you to court me, like a proper gentleman."

He? Court? He had never had to court a woman since his marriage to Minah had been arranged. The other women he slept with took him willingly, but he never courted them. "You're asking for too much, woman. You know that my patience is running thin."

Angelina smiled as she noticed his annoyance. "Aww, is courting too much for the Voivode of Wallachia? You have been through so many battles and life-threatening situations that you find courting a lady too challenging?" She sighed, enjoying the effect she had on Vlad. "Well, who was I kidding? I have some ideas for telling you more about my time and myself, but I understand you want to go the easier route and demand things like a child."

Vlad almost looked offended. "You compare me to a child?" he asked, his voice rising in anger.

"Well, when one demands things or someone, is that the act of a man or a child? If I am to give myself to a man, I want to see if he is worth giving my body and soul to." Angelina wanted to stall Vlad as much as possible and convince him to take her to the forest. Although Vlad was used to getting what he wanted, challenging him would make things interesting.

Men enjoyed a chase.

"Very well. I will court you for your body. Either way, I am still intrigued about your era and have some questions." Angelina was about to speak, but Vlad beat her to it, "I will decide where we are to go. No questions asked."

"This is going to be harder than I thought." Angelina nodded and said, "Alright. What I was about to say was the idea of having a small nightly barbeque."

"Barbecue?"

"Yup! In my era, it's where friends or family gather to cook meat over a fire. People gather, tell stories, share jokes, or share some drama. It can also be done at night to give a more peaceful feeling. What do you think?"

The idea intrigued him. It had been a while since he had a peaceful time outside his castle. He was always in constant battles and paranoid about being killed or having to kill. "Very well. I have a good idea where to go. We will have this 'barbecue' tomorrow night."

Angelina gleamed and was happy. "Great! I'm so happy! Well, have a good night and-"

"Who gave you the order to leave? You-"

"Since you're now courting me, acting as a courting couple would only be appropriate. It wouldn't be right to sleep on the same bed. Besides, we have plenty of time to hang around tomorrow!" Angelina immediately went to the door, opened it, and looked at a confused Vlad. "Good night, my Voivode! See you tomorrow!" She went away and closed the door.

Vlad stood, stunned. Angelina escaped him again, but he couldn't believe she had gotten her way again. He was losing control around her, and she made him feel that way. Still, her challenge excited him, and he swore her body would be his.