Angelina was in the servants' quarters with Sorina by her side.

Sorina knew her friend was worried sick about the infant boy. The adolescent believed that the child would have been better dead, but Angelina believed the opposite. She tried to coax Angelina into speaking, but it was to no avail. "Angelina, I will take my leave. I see you need time alone, but I hope you will have the confidence to confide in me whenever you need me." Angelina merely nodded; Sorina stood and walked out of the room. Once out, she noticed Ioana. "L-Lady Ioana!"

"Sorina, where is Angelina? I have been told of what happened."

"She is in inside, distraught. Lady Minah strangled Angelina, but I was there to stop her from killing her."

Ioana sighed. "I am proud that you gathered your courage and did the right thing. Lady Minah is distressed and will need time to heal. Now go along. I need to speak with Angelina."Sorina bowed; Ioana watched as the adolescent walked away. The older woman entered the room where Angelina was sitting on her bed. She walked closer until she stood beside Angelina. "May I sit?"

"Oh, uh, sorry! I didn't realize that you were here!"

"You have been through much, so I cannot blame you." The strangle marks were noticeable. "Sorina also told me what Lady Minah did to you. How are you feeling?"

"I-I don't know what to think anymore. So many things happened, and I can't help but feel terrified. Terrified of whether or not my decisions are the right ones." Angelina looked at Ioana. "How is the baby? Is he okay?"

"He is well. He is with a family who will gladly care for him. They will be paid handsomely."

"Will he have a good life without being looked at as a monster?" Guilt overwhelmed her as she thought about the infant boy and the unfortunate circumstances of being born in a violent era.  Would he truly be loved?

Ioana knew the young woman doubted her decision, but her acts were still admirable. "Even with all the child's deformities, you showed him love and mercy where his mother and father did not." The older woman gently patted Angelina's head. "You did God's work."

"I wonder if God exists at all. I mean, why would God allow such suffering for some people while others live in peace?"

"There will never be an answer for such questions, young one." Ioana eventually stopped patting Angelina and was silent for a moment. "I'm going to tell you something that I never told anyone, but you will promise me not to tell it to anyone."

 Angelina was interested. "I promise. I will take it to the grave."

"I know people will say that death is a better option for the child, but they judge what they see and not what they know within. I was once in your position; I had to make a certain decision regarding a child, my child."

Angelina was aghast. "Wh-What? Y-Your child? D-Does that mean-!?"

Ioana nodded as she looked down at the floor. "My family were servants for Vlad's family for many years, and we eventually received recognition for our loyalty. We were spared from doing too many hard duties, but unfortunately, it came with a price." Angelina noticed that Ioana bit her lip, as if she were trying to hold back tears. "I caught the attention of a particular nobleman, and I was sixteen when I became pregnant, although it wasn't my choice."

The realization hit of what happened to Ioana, and it made Angelina's stomach quench in pain. "Oh, Ioana..."

"I told the father of my child about my pregnancy, and he threatened to have me killed, but his wife stopped him. She had a few miscarriages and believed that she wouldn't be able to conceive any more children. An agreement was made that I would give my child to the nobleman's wife where she would raise my child."

"And...did you want to give your child away? Did you know what happened to your child?"

"I didn't want to give my baby to the family, but I was sixteen, penniless; I would've been killed if I didn't. When I gave birth and gave my baby away, I was permitted to see my child once in a while, but I had to keep my lips closed."

It pained Angelina to see Ioana so fragile when she spoke about the secret she had kept for so long. She couldn't imagine the pain of giving her baby to another woman to raise. "D-Does your child know the truth about you?"

Ioana shook her head. "No, and it's best that I don't speak the truth. Do you know why I am telling you this?" Angelina shook her head; the older woman gently held her right hand. "It is because I realize you and I are very much alike. The only difference is that you hold more courage than I. You also give me hope that change can happen. I know you are afraid, but you shouldn't doubt yourself too much; believe in yourself. That will help you survive this place. Understand?"

"Y-Yes."

"Good. I must also inform you that you will meet with the Voivode tonight. We will follow protocol as we previously did so." Ioana stood up from the bed. "I will pick you up tonight. Until then." She left the room and closed the door. Ioana finally told someone her secret, which she had kept for so long; it felt liberating.