Angelina was surrounded by the Boyars and their wives, who looked at her with empty eyes, frightening her. "Wh-What's going on? Wh-Why are you all here!? I-I thought that you all were..." Blood dripped down from everyone's eyes, noses, and mouths. The young woman struggled to make a sound. More blood dripped from the heads of the people as holes were opening either from the top of their heads or their necks. Everyone slowly walked toward her with their hands extended.

"Oh...God...no!" Angelina covered her eyes and ears. "Please leave me alone! I have done nothing!" She waited until the people got to her, but nothing happened. Something hit the top of her head, making her flinch. It felt like a drip; one became many, hitting her body like bullets. It lasted for a minute until the drips stopped falling on her. Angelina slowly opened her eyes. Her eyes and lips widened in horror, seeing that blood was all over her. "Wh-What in the-!"

Long pieces of wood surrounded Angelina, as trails of blood trailed down on every piece of wood. Slowly looking up, she struggled to breathe when seeing the bodies were impaled as their empty, bloody eyes looked down at her. A hand was on her shoulder and-"

"AAHH!" Angelina sat up in bed, breathing heavily; her body was sweaty. Her scream echoed throughout the room, making the women inside flinch or yelp. Everyone looked at Angelina as she frantically looked at her surroundings. 

Sorina sat beside her friend while gently patting her back. "Angelina, you are alright. You were having a nightmare."

"It...was...a nightmare." The nightmare was nothing more than a reminder of what Vlad could do. "S-Sorry."

"Not at all. You should bathe since we will tend to Lady Minah soon." Sorina assisted Angelina and motioned her to one of the many wooden tubs where warm water steamed. Angelina undressed and got in the wooden tub as Sorina assisted in scrubbing Angelina's back, watering, and combing Angelina's hair. 

"Vlad showed me what he did to those people, Sorina. I never knew true hell on earth until I saw those impaled bodies."

Sorina cleared her throat while gently patting her friend's left shoulder. "I'm sorry you had to witness such a horrid sight, my friend. I don't know what else to say to soothe your anguish."

"You have seen impaled bodies?"

"Many times. It was horrifying in the beginning, but one becomes immune to it. You must get used to it if you are to survive this place."

Angelina eventually stood from the bathtub and was given a cloth to dry herself while Sorina got her clothes for the day. The adolescent finished helping Angelina dress. "We mustn't focus too much on yesterday's events. Remember that you will have to deal with Lady Minah, who has become restless because the child is almost born. Come now, the others are already waiting for us."

The duo stepped out of the female servants' quarters and toward Minah's chamber with the other ladies-in-waiting. Ioana stood outside, and when she saw the duo finally arrive, she gently knocked on the door. 

"Enter." 

The ladies-in-waiting entered as the door was opened. One of the ladies opened the curtains, showing the cloudy skies. "Lady Minah, good morning," the woman said in union. 

Minah slowly sat up, with an annoyed groan. The noblewoman tried to sit up but struggled due to her pregnant belly. Ioana and Sorina assisted her to sit up in her bed; the other ladies-in-waiting bowed. "Am I to eat with my husband today?"

"Yes, Lady Minah. He wishes to speak with you," answered Ioana.

Minah nodded until she noticed Angelina among the group. She was silent while her eyes were on her. "She is still to be my lady-in-waiting?"

"Yes, the Voivode believes that she is to be useful to you. She will still be trained to be useful to you," Ioana answered while giving a warning look to Angelina.

The noblewoman scoffed as she stood up from bed and walked toward the young woman. "Useful to me or for my husband? He does not fool me." Minah then grabbed a chunk of Angelina's hair, making her groan in pain. "You think that telling stories makes you safe?"

Angelina looked down at the floor. Minah was jealous of her and didn't want to cause more suspicion or trouble. "No, my Lady. The Voivode showed me my place after he...showed me what he could do."

Minah let her hair go. Minah huffed as she was ordered to be dressed. Angelina wanted to sigh in relief, but she knew her day would not end and hoped everything would go smoothly.