At only fourteen, Katerina Petrova knew little of love. She would not even begin to understand it until much later in life. At that moment, in her small village in Bulgaria, she thought she had found it though. Aleksander Dimitrof made her heart race, and of course, he knew it. He had that effect on all the women in their village, old and young alike. At only twenty-one, he was well on his way to having a very nice life filled with riches she couldn't even imagine.

They hadn't spoken but twice in her life. Their ages were far enough apart that they did see each other much. Each and every time was enough to convince her. She wanted to marry him one day. Katerina had been told her entire life how beautiful she was. How she would make the perfect wife for someone one day. She had been preparing her whole life to be someone's everything. And that was good enough for her. All she wanted was a nice cottage filled with warm blankets and plenty of food. A husband to love her and children for her to watch after. Those were the only things she believed she needed to be happy.

The first real conversation they had was at a feast the village had to celebrate overcoming the harsh winter. The snow was beginning to melt and the sun was peeking out behind the dark, ominous clouds. She believed it to be a sign that everything was coming together. She wore her nicest dress and a ribbon in her hair. Her mama had saved up for so long to afford that one scrap from the local seamstress.

Katerina somehow was placed directly next to Aleksander. Consider it luck or strategic placing on her part, either could be the correct answer. She kept sneaking glances at his profile as he spoke to others seated near him. He was laughing and smiling the entire time. It took her by surprise when he actually spoke to her.

"Много си красива," he whispered. You look beautiful.

She wanted to squeal like a child, but held her composure as was expected of her. "Thank you." Trying to keep her eyes down was a difficult task when all she wanted to do was look into his dark eyes and touch his olive toned face.

She felt a hand on her leg and felt a moment of discomfort. That wasn't how this was supposed to go. Katerina pushed that away quickly and thought only of the handsome man beside her to whom the hand belonged to. Obviously, this was his way of showing her affection. And affection usually led to a proposal. At this rate, she fully expected them to be married come the summer months.

The night passed with longing looks and whispered promises. Katerina's heart was soaring at the sweet words he gave her. It was then she agreed to meet him the following night. Of course, she knew it was completely improper, but he wanted to show her something beautiful. He would protect her from any harm. They were to be married, she thought with giddiness. Simply the promises of a man who was in love.

Her mother had noticed the whispering during the feast, but waited to ask her daughter about it until they had arrived at their meagar home.

"Katerina, what words has Aleksander Dimitrof been molding your head with," her mother scolded, with a small smile. She knew of her beloved daughter's affection for the man.

Her father was not as understanding. "We will not have you acting like a harlot in the presence of the entire village, Katerina. You must do better than that if you want to have a secure marriage."

As he stormed off without waiting for a reply, her mother added, "My darling girl, be careful with Aleksander. I've heard whispers of his actions."

Of course, Katerina had no time to listen to her mother. She was lost in a day dream of her first child with Aleksander. It would be a boy, a son to carry on the Dimitrof name.

Katerina Petrova was far too beautiful for her own good. And far too naïve. That would be her downfall.