It had been a few weeks since the dinner with Vlad Tepes and now, the announcement had been made that I would be his wife. I had left the cottage and my work at the bakery but I couldn't stand for Ilona to be left alone. I asked Vlad if Ilona could live in the palace as I feared for her safety due to the sleazy thieves in our village. Vlad agreed and Ilona was thankful that she showed it by becoming my lady in waiting. We were soon settled into our new rooms though I wouldn't have long in mine before I would move into his.
Ilona and I kept busy with wedding plans but I could tell that there was something coming and it was very troubling. It probably had to do with why Vlad was pushing for the wedding to happen by the end of the month. "Do you really think I'll be a good wife" I asked Ilona as we sorted out the jewelry I would wear.
"You'll be fine Zarita. Vlad cares about you" Ilona assured me with a sisterly hug. Just then, there was a knock at the door. "Who is it" I called, rising from my chair. "Captain Cervenka, my ladyship; his highness bid me to ask you to come to his study" Captain Cervenka replied. "At once" I answered, watching him leave.
I left the room while Ilona stayed to sort out the jewelry pieces. Carefully, I made my way down the hall and found Vlad's study. I knocked twice and he called "Come in." I slowly opened the door and saw him waiting with one of the kingdom's best painters. "What's going on" I asked. "I want us to have our portrait done today, please" he pleaded. "I would have thought we would wait until after the wedding" I said, walking further into the study. "Please my Zarita" he pleaded softly once more. "Very well" I answered. The painter had us sit by the wall, next to the window. I sat in a chair and Vlad stood behind me and we stayed still for the next several hours.
Vlad's P.O.V
Once the painting was done, I helped Zarita out of the chair and we made our way to the easel to see the finished piece. "It's perfect" I commented, looking at how well each detail had been captured especially of my beautiful bride to be. I paid him a nice satchel of coins for his troubles after he hung the painting on the wall and I saw Zarita staring out the window. She seemed unhappy and I didn't want to see her unhappy. "My darling, what bothers you" I asked, walking over to her as she stared out into the dusk.
"I can't help but fear danger is about to befall our little kingdom. Someone is out for your throne or worse, your life. This has been bothering me since the day you and the troops returned home. I fear the Order Draco is about to commit something foul" she answered, turning to me and I saw her beautiful brown eyes were filled with worry and concern. "Fear not my love. I will protect our kingdom and no one stands in my way" I vowed, kissing her neck once. "I won't rest easy my lord until our kingdom and our lives are out of danger" she told me. I slowly caressed her cheek and captured her lips in a kiss and tried my best to assure her that all would be alright. Little did I realize how right she was about the danger.
