Angelina held onto her son as if her life depended on it. She felt she had lost track of time since Vlad ordered her to stay with their son. Vlad didn't allow her to leave the room unless she wanted to relieve herself or take a quick walk with their son. Her food was taken to her. Guards always stood outside the doors and guarded the corridors.

Ioana or Sorina didn't visit, and Vlad the Monk had never visited or tried to. Angelina felt she was going insane with despair. She only had her son to keep her sane, and the wet nurse did her best to assist the new mother. 

The young mother sat before the fireplace while holding her infant son, who eventually opened his eyes. Angelina always became emotional when seeing her son's eyes since they are like Vlad's. She knew that her son was Vlad's spitting image. Angelina would sometimes imagine how her son would grow up to be. She imagined her son to be handsome and strong like his father. Vlad wanted her to take their son during her time, and the more Angelina thought about it, the more she thought about the possibility of Vlad being right. 

History was taking its course, and Angelina slowly accepted that nothing would change, no matter what she or anyone else tried to do. 

The wet nurse sat by the crib, watching mother and child, feeling pity for them. 

A knock echoed, making both women flinch. Angelina immediately stood while holding her son. "V-Vlad!?"

"It is I."

Angelina's hopes were dashed, as it was Vlad the Monk. Still, she was happy that someone came to visit her. "Enter," she said while handing her son to the wet nurse. Vlad the Monk entered the room, but his grim look was noticed; Angelina knew something was wrong. "I-I'm happy you're here. However, I get the feeling that something is wrong."

Vlad the Monk looked at the wet nurse and motioned for her to go outside. The wet nurse was hesitant, but Angelina nodded, and the older woman walked out of the room with Radu in her arms. 

Once left alone, Vlad the Monk sighed. "Forgive me, not visiting. My brother wouldn't allow me and he had his guards keep an eye on me. However, I was giving his permission to speak to you."

"Your brother is going overboard with this. He is making me feel like a prisoner. How long has it been?"

"More than two weeks but there is a reason why he has you here. You see, it would seem word reached the Sultan that my brother has attacked parts his territories. My brother ordered the slaughter of many Ottoman soldiers and they were...."

"Impaled," Angelina responded calmly. Her response almost surprised her as well. She would have been disgusted and terrified, but Angelina accepted Vlad's identity and what he always tried to repress. "By the looks of it, something else happened."

Vlad the Monk nodded. "Ottoman soldiers tried to ambush my brother and some his army while they were attacking other villages, but my brother expected their arrival and slaughtered them. However, as an act of revenge, my brother sent word to many of his troops and had Bulgaria attacked."

"I assume Bulgaria is also part of the Sultan's territories."

"Yes, my brother has assembled the entirety of his army, 30,000 men. It is speculated that the Sultan will arrive to Targoviste with his army. My brother Radu and Alexandrei will being going along."

The mention of Alexandrei sent a disgusted shiver down Angelina's spine. She was almost amazed by his audacity in fighting alongside the Ottomans and hoped that he wouldn't survive.  

"They are expected within two days. My brother wishes that you and Radu are to be taken out of here tomorrow morning; Ioana and Sorina will come along with us. However, some men will come along with us to ensure our safety to Hoia-Baicu Forest."

Angelina bit her lower lip; tomorrow was her last day, and she would return to the forest. "What of Mihnea?"

"He will be taken by one of the boyars. My brother does not wish for his enemies to know about little Radu. Since he could be in danger of being killed."

"Where is Vlad?"

"He is no longer in the castle; he left to prepare for the Sultan's arrival." Angelina felt as if her heart was going to fall out. Vlad, her husband, the love of her life, left. He left without saying his farewells or saying how much he loved her. Vlad the Monk noticed Angelina's hurt, and he felt terrible for Angelina, but he knew his brother's reasoning. Angelina was Vlad's weakness; she would beg him to stay with her and their son. Vlad didn't want to be deterred. "I am sorry, Angelina. Please understand that your husband only wants what is best for his family. Although I don't know why he wishes you to go to the Hoia-Baicu Forest. I could have taken you all to my home and kept you safe."

"It's a little complicated, but trust your brother's judgement. That forest leads to a place I know."

Vlad the Monk was curious. "I heard rumors that the forest is cursed. People go there and never return."

The young woman nodded. "Yeah, I was there to explore, but I was then found, and the rest is history."

"The first time I met you, you were very peculiar. You do not act or speak of our ways. Does this forest has something to do with that?"

Vlad the Monk was suspicious, and Angelina didn't have the strength to explain the truth about her coming from the future. Still, Vlad the Monk helped her in many ways. "You can say something like. Let's just say that I...come from somewhere else..."

The two looked at one another, and Vlad the Monk's expression was unreadable; Angelina didn't know if she made him wonder about the possibility that she was not of his era. He chuckled. "I see, it is no wonder that you are very different. Ioana and Sorina are packing your belongings; my brother also wishes for you to take many gifts that will be enough for you and Radu to live by. It is his last act of love."

"Act of love? Ha! He locked me in like a prisoner, refuses to say good-bye to me, and now gives me gifts as a good-bye gift! Bullcrap!"

Vlad the Monk opened the door and walked out of the room. "Rest, we have a long journey tomorrow." He motioned the wet nurse to enter along with Radu. Angelina stood before the fireplace and looked at the fire. She might return to her era with her son, alone. A part of her didn't want it to end as Vlad hoped. An idea came up, but Angelina knew she had to do it alone without anyone's knowledge. Her idea may cost her life, but it was a risk she was willing to take.