Seven months have passed, and many things have happened. Vlad's army was almost complete; many men from Togaviste and neighboring towns and villages had volunteered. 

Vlad promised many men payment for their services, and if they passed in battle, the rest of the payments would go to their families. The Voivode knew that men would do anything for pay and the sake of their families' well-being. He had to entice men to fight alongside him.

As for Angelina, her pregnancy was developing, making her hormones go all over the place. She never realized how difficult pregnancy was. The weight of her baby was taking a toll on her, and there were times when she wished that her pregnancy were no more. However, Ioana and Sorina stood by her side they guiding and helping her whenever Angelina was at her lowest. 

Ioana knew how Angelina felt while being pregnant with Vlad, but she guided the young woman to feel her child. Whenever Angelina felt a kick or movement, her heart would flutter. Although pregnancy would take a toll on her body and mind, the feeling of another being inside her made her feel protective and warm.  What was also difficult was the fact that Vlad would visit her occasionally, but not as often as he used to.

It hurt Angelina, although she refused to admit it. However, Ioana also noticed Vlad's absence and its impact on Angelina. Ioana once confronted him, fearing that Vlad had taken another mistress due to Angelina's pregnancy. To her shock, Vlad did not have a mistress; instead, he was occupied with preparing his army for the upcoming battle. 

Ioana was relieved that Vlad was faithful, but believed that Vlad was doing his best not to see Angelina. It was odd, and when Ioana tried to get Vlad to tell her the truth, she was ordered away. The older woman went to Angelina, who was hesitant, but eventually told her that Vlad wanted to send her away along with their child.

The news came as a shock, and it outraged Ioana, who wanted to reason with Vlad to stop the war, but she was told that he was set in his mind. 

Angelina had the urge to tell Ioana about Vlad the Monk's plan, but she promised him that she wouldn't tell anyone. She trusted Ioana, but the older woman tended to blurt things out, especially when she lost her patience. 

At the moment, Angelina was in her room that Vlad had given her so she could have some comfort to make her pregnancy tolerable. Still, all Angelina wanted was to see Vlad, but he would send her away or be away from the castle. It was mid-afternoon, but the air was cold as winter approached. 

The cold chill was felt throughout the castle, and Angelina sat in front of the fireplace to keep warm. She was thoughtful about Vlad, their child, and the possibility of her returning home. Going home was always her primary goal, but seeing the significant changes in Vlad made her want to stay. The young woman wanted to save him from certain death, but she feared that she was running out of time.

What also made she wondered that she hadn't seen Vlad the Monk, and she wondered where he had been. 

There was a knock on the door, making Angelina come out of her thoughts. She immediately stood. "E-Enter." The door slowly opened; her heart was racing, a mix of excitement and nervousness as she saw Vlad. Once the person was in view, it wasn't Vlad. "B-Bioan? Oh my god, I haven't seen you in like forever!"

Bioan looked slightly different; his hair had grown, and it was tied in a knot. He had also grown a beard, and he appeared to have gained a little more muscle. Bioan was silent as he gazed at Angelina, his expression emotionless, but deep down, he felt numb. He heard supposed rumors that Vlad's mistress was pregnant. Bioan knew that it was Angelina that people spoke of, but he didn't know whether what he had heard was true.

Seeing Angelina pregnant. What people said was correct. He didn't want to express his disdain, but he couldn't help but feel his stomach churn. He gave a slight bow. "Lady Angelina..."

"Lady? You call me Lady? I-"

"It was commanded of me by the Voivode. I came here by his direct order."

Angelina raised an eyebrow. She couldn't believe that Vlad would send Bioan of all people to speak with her. Vlad was trying to avoid her; he knew that Angelina would do everything in her power to stop him. However, if Vlad sent Bioan, then she knew that whatever Bioan was going to tell her was not good news. "What happened? Is Vlad okay?"

"He is doing well. He has been participating in the training and will return in a couple of days. However, I came back to the castle to tell you that by the beginning of the new month, I, along with other soldiers, shall take you to the Hoia-Baicu Forest."

Angelina gasped as she put her hands over her stomach. She was running out of time. "A-And where is Lord Vlad the Monk?"

"He is with the Voivode to assist in overseeing the army and training. He shall also return soon since he will lead you to the forest." Bioan was surprised when the Voivode told him the order. What concerned him was why Angelina was to be taken to the Hoia-Baicu Forest. The forests were dangerous, especially for women. "If I may ask, why does the Voivode want you to go there? It is dangerous."

"It's complicated, Bioan," Angelina said while pacing. "He doesn't want me to get in his way. To make him avoid going to war. Everything is going to hell, Bioan! I am scared for him! For you all!"

Bioan felt his heart skip a beat. Although they hadn't seen one another in a while, Angelina still cared about the well-being of others. She cared for him. "I-" He wasn't able to finish when a cry echoed outside the halls, making them both flinch.

"Th-That sounded like Sorina." Angelina was about to leave the room when Bioan motioned for her not to move. He opened the door and saw Sorina and another middle-aged woman. However, the middle-aged woman had some bruises and blood dripping from her nose. Angelina saw them and immediately became concerned when seeing the middle-aged woman. She recognized her; she was Mihnea's wetnurse. "What is going on? What happened?"

The wet nurse was taking deep breaths but eventually let out a cry. "M-My Lady! P-Please forgive me! I-I tried! I tried to stop her!"

"Who!?"

"Lady Minah! Lady Minah took Lord Mihnea!"